Government

LETTER: With Baker’s Retirement, Next Governor Should Build for the Future

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In case you haven’t already seen, the news that’s currently rocking the Massachusetts political field is that popular Governor Charlie Baker has declined to seek another term in the corner office. Speculation is bubbling over whether Attorney General Maura Healey will run for the office. If she doesn’t, it’s a wide open field with multiple candidates having declared their intent to seek the office but no other obvious breakout choice. On the Republican side, with Lt. Governor Karyn Polito also declining to run, it’s anyone’s guess whether the GOP will nominate Trump devotee and party chair Geoff Diehl, or nominate another moderate in the Baker mold. Regardless of who our next Governor is, I hope we end up with someone who has a vision for the state and a plan to get us there.

Around Town

LETTER: Setting Record Straight on Info Given to Council on BB&N Field Agreement

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It is disheartening when I hear inaccurate and contradicting statements that collectively refer to sitting Town Councilors; inclusive of myself. 

I fully dispute the allegation that follows:

“…..Some Council members have indicated privately that they were not aware of BB&N’s switch from natural grass to synthetic turf.”….. ​Please note the following email, and attachment, that were sent to the Town Councilors on 11/10/2020 at 12:59 P.M., as Executive Session material for the evening’s meeting at 6:00 P.M. A full two weeks prior to the vote for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 11/24/2020. At this time; there is nothing privileged within this communication that I share. One of the submissions stated:

“most updated rendering”, at that point in time, dated 11/04/2020. Clearly printed on the document is the statement: “PROPOSED MULTI-PURPOSE SYNTHETIC FIELD”. The email, and accompanying materials, were sent to all nine Town Councilors, confirming synthetic turf.

Around Town

LETTER: ‘Tis the Season to Thank the City of Watertown

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Dear Editor,

It’s our ninth Thanksgiving in Watertown since we purchased the Arsenal Mall back in August 2013. And, ‘tis the season to reiterate again and again our thanks to Watertown as we approach completion of the base-building construction at Arsenal Yards. (Yes, the end of construction is near…)

When we bought the Mall, frankly, we had much smaller plans to revitalize the property. But as conversations occurred with the many smart people that make up this town, the “Arsenal Project” plans expanded into a more attractive, more comprehensive, and much more special project: Arsenal Yards. So, we thank you, to the many City Officials and Residents for the many, many conversations, ideas, input and meetings (lots of meetings) in the early years.

Letters

LETTER: Parent Pleased With Watertown Public Schools Vaccine Clinic

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This Wednesday, we brought my child (first grade at Hosmer) to the vaccine clinic the Watertown Public Schools arranged to take place at the Middle School. I’m happy to report that everything went off without a hitch! As of Nov. 3, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended a reduced dose COVID vaccination for children ages 5-11. We were eager to get my child vaccinated and signed up for the WPS vaccine clinic without hesitation.

Environment

LETTER: East End Resident Urges Alternatives to New Gas Lines

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Over the last half year or so, my East End neighborhood has been torn up by National Grid in an epic quest to replace our 100-year-old leaky gas lines. The local contractors have been doing a great job and overall I don’t have any immediate complaints about their work. However, I wonder if all this upheaval is a huge waste? Our old gas lines have been in the ground for 100 years, and are very leaky. The methane that leaks from these lines is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and I definitely agree that these leaks need to stop.

COVID-19 Vaccine

LETTER: Resident Objects to Vaccine Requirement for Watertown Public Schools Staff

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To the Citizens of Watertown,

Watertown Public Schools is now forcing a COVID vaccine mandate on all WPS staff, even though, according to school committee members that I emailed, 96-98% of their staff are already vaccinated. The schools have already achieved herd immunity. Clearly, this new mandate is targeting the handful of people who do not want to try this new vaccine. There is plenty of evidence, both anecdotally and statistically, showing that some people have been severely injured or even killed by the new COVID vaccines. This is not a conspiracy theory, it’s a fact.

Election 2021

LETTER: Council Candidate’s Thank You Letter to Watertown Voters

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(This letter was written before election day but was submitted after thr deadline for election letters.)

Letter to the Editor, 

I wanted to express my sincere gratitude to the hundreds of residents of East Watertown for their kindness, opinions, suggestions and overall great Watertown spirit that they shared with me during the past six months. 

I enjoyed every day of this effort as you give me the encouragement to keep knocking on doors meeting the next voter. It’s been an honor to serve 16 years as a Member of the Library Board of Trustees and will be a greater honor to serve you and Watertown as a Member of the Town Council representing East Watertown. 

I wanted to say thank you to the voters of East Watertown, thank you to the many people who have provided support for this campaign and a special thanks to my lovely wife, Joyce for her support of my civic duty to our wonderful community, Watertown.  

Mike HanlonDistrict A Council Candidate

Around Town

LETTER: Watertown Resident Shares His Experience Voting in the Town Election

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The following letter was written on Nov. 2, 2021. Dear Friends,

Re: Voter Shock! Today is Watertown Election Day, and as a civic minded individual, resident in the City known as the Town of Watertown, I did not linger in bed until my usual hour of 7:30 a.m., but rose to prepare to exercise my duty. I voted and believe that I have recovered sufficiently from my shock, that I may now share with you my experience. Things you should know:

·         Watertown once included the towns of Weston, Waltham and large portions of Lincoln, Belmont, and Cambridge.