Elections

LETTER: Resident Opposes CPA, Wants to See Money Spent on Schools

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The Community Preservation Act (CPA) will create an additional tax burden on Watertown homeowners where funds will be controlled by the small group people who campaigned for it. Meanwhile, Watertown’s schools need funding for essential improvements. The CPA will, “…establish a dedicated funding source” for the specific wants of a minority of Watertown residents. That is probably why it is being pushed by the Historical Society of Watertown (Society), Invest in Watertown (Invest), and five members of Watertown’s Town Council (Council). These people treat Watertown homeowners and renters as an endless source of money for them to spend, no matter that many homeowners have higher priorities such as schools, homes, and family. Watertown homeowners can ill afford a continuing, “…additional excise of [2%]…” to fund the Society’s intense desire to socialize at the “Shick House” or Invest’s on Walker Pond and dog parks. Watertown homeowners are not a bottomless piggy bank; they cannot fund the wants of every interest group’s pet project. As desirous as it may be for Invest’s supporters to see an entirely new bureaucracy dedicated to dog parks, ponds, and open space, the CPA sends no money to where it is most needed: the Watertown Public Schools.

Elections

LETTER: Community Preservation Act is Not A Good Fit for Watertown

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The CPA tax is the proverbial round peg in a square hole when it comes to Watertown’s already cash-strapped homeowners and renters. CPA funds can only be spent on projects involving: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space/recreation. Please consider these facts:

• Watertown property taxes will rise by 2 percent if the CPA passes. This increase will be passed on to many renters. • The Watertown Housing Production Plan of 2014 said that 40 percent of Watertown households was “housing cost burdened,”meaning that housing costs consume more than 30 percent of their gross household income, according to federal estimates.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Urges Watertown to Vote for the Community Preservation Act

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Nov. 8 is fast approaching and it is time to make a commitment to vote yes on Question 5 – the Community Preservation Act. By not voting yes in 2005 we have lost $15 million that could have been used for historic preservation, parks and recreation facilities, and low income housing in Watertown. Our community has been contributing to the State Registry of Deeds which is the basis of CPA funding – but has received nothing in return. The surcharge on your tax bill is 2 percent of your real estate tax – $10 a month for the average household.

Letters

LETTER: Resident Disappointed to See Superintendent Leaving Watertown

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To the Editor of Watertown News,

I was very disappointed to hear the news that our school superintendent, Dr. Jean Fitzgerald, has decided to retire. In her letter to the community, Dr. Fitzgerald explained she was ready to start a new chapter in her life. But from my perspective, it seems she was driven out of her position by a negative and unsupportive environment. With Dr. Fitzgerald’s retirement, we have lost a passionate advocate for our children, and a deeply knowledgeable educator who understands the complexities of teaching and learning. We as a community need to ask ourselves why we allowed our kids, and the teachers, staff, and administrators who are educating our kids, to lose the benefit of such a leader.

Around Town

LETTER: Watertown Chapter of Amnesty International is Disbanding

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After 28 years of advocacy, the local Watertown / Belmont Group of Amnesty International is disbanding. The group, AI Group #365, held its Chartering Ceremony on April 26, 1988 with a small but dedicated core group that grew over the early years. Their first prisoner of conscience case was Naser al-‘Ali, a 28 year-old engineering student at Damascus University, who was jailed for being a member of the Party for Communist Action, a group that was prohibited in Syria. He was released in 1995, after 13 years of imprisonment and 7 years of the local group’s steadfast efforts on his behalf. AI #365 has had a long run with consistent leadership and a growing newsletter mailing list of concerned citizens who regularly send out action letters on behalf of men and women around the world who follow their conscience in the face of adversity.

Letters

LETTER: Parents Dismayed at Late Cancellation of Extended Day on School Half Days

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Letter to the Editor (8/8/16)
This morning [Monday], many Watertown parents woke up to some incredibly dismaying news. According to an email sent out by the Director of Community Education Beth Sahakian, there are some major changes being made to the after school programs for elementary school students here in Watertown. These changes are as follows (from an email received this morning):
“THIS IS A CHANGE:  Extended Day will NOT BE OPEN on Early Release Days (March 1st and May 24th)  from 12:15- 2:35PM. You may bring your children to Extended Day at 2:35PM. Extended Day will NOT BE OPEN on conference days (dates TBD) from 12:15- 2:35PM.

Letters

LETTER: Elimination of Half Day Transition by Schools Hurts Working Families

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This letter was originally sent to School Administrators and the School Committee:

I am sure by now you have received considerable feedback from your decision to eliminate coverage on half day transitions to extended day. While your reasoning might have been sound and based on contractual and financial considerations, the impact your decision has on working families in Watertown is far greater than you might have considered. We have enjoyed the advantages of the Extended Day Program at the Hosmer for the past three years. Your staff is accommodating, the program is engaging and the convenience is exactly what we need. By eliminating the bridge period between scheduled half days and the extended day program, you have effectively caused us and most of the families that pay for your program a great deal of hardship and confusion.

Letters

LETTER: Resident Condemns Trump’s Call for Russians to Release Emails

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Dear Editor:

As an “American Patriot,” I am appalled that Donald Trump would suggest that Putin’s Russia hack and intervene in the American Electoral Process. More appalling to me is the lack of outrage by fellow American Patriots of whatever political persuasion; Republican or Democrat, conservative, liberal or progressive. As far as I am concerned, Trump has abridged the highest level of trust one can confer on a candidate for an office at any level of government whether local, state or national. I was taught as a child to walk a mile in the other person’s shoes before criticizing, but in this case I have to look at the obvious!!!! Can one imagine where or what would have happened to Donald Trump if he had been in Russia during Putin’s last election and he asked the United States Government to hack Vladimir Putin’s emails.