Elections

LETTER: Councilor Endorses Steve Owens for Democratic State Committee

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On Tuesday, March 1, Primary Election Day in Massachusetts, Democrats from across the state will vote for candidates running for the Democratic State Committee. Our senatorial district, which is represented by State Senator Will Brownsberger and includes Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston, has the opportunity to elect a new member to an open seat. We need a candidate who embodies progressive democratic values, who can motivate Democratic activists, and who can build the Democratic Party in Massachusetts. I believe the candidate who can do this is Steve Owens, the chair of the Watertown Democratic Town Committee for the last eight years. Since 2006, when he ran the highly successful Watertown for Deval effort, I have watched Steve educate and inspire hundreds of volunteers to speak with confidence about Democratic candidates.

Development

LETTER: Resident Offers Recommendations to Council on RMUD Zoning

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Dear Town Councilors et al.,

Please consider the following recommendations regarding the proposed rezoning of the eastern end of the Arsenal Street corridor. Some of the following will be familiar to some of you, some of it is new. The Process:

Timing: It is more important to thoroughly consider the details of rezoning than to enact a rezoning by any particular date. If there are concerns about potential of-right development under the current zoning, a brief moratorium on large development in the proposed RMU area, until the rezoning is adopted, would be appropriate. Evaluate as a package: The rezoning should be evaluated as a package.

Government

LETTER: Outgoing Library Trustee Reflects on the Inauguration

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To the Editor:

The Inauguration of Town Officials January 4 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts was a joyous occasion. I saw a lot of smiling people that evening, on stage and in the audience. Congratulations to all. The good people of the City called the Town of Watertown elected a fine bunch of people to steer our community forward. Four years ago I recited the oath of office for the last time as a Library Trustee.

Elections

LETTER: Former Fire Union President Endorses Dem. Committee Candidate

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Dear Editor,

On March 1, 2016, “Super Tuesday,” Watertown voters of the Democratic Party will go to the polls to nominate a candidate for the U.S. Presidency and elect two State Committee members (one male and one female). I am respectfully requesting that the Democratic voters of Watertown consider David Kazis to the open seat to serve as the Democratic State Committeeman for the Second Suffolk and Middlesex Senate District. David Kazis is a proven hard working progressive Democrat and he is familiar with the needs of Watertown, including constituent’s economic discrimination concerns over the proposal to create a new Regional Mixed Use District and DCR’s plan to create a Greenway community path between Watertown and Cambridge. David worked at the Democratic National Committee in Washington, DC, under the leadership of Howard Dean in 2005, and also volunteered on several campaigns, including helping to elect Elizabeth Warren to the United States Senate in 2012. David is a strong proponent of transparency and would serve on the Party’s Statewide Board of Directors.

Development

LETTER: Former Town Councilor Worried About RMUD Proposal

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Letter to the Editor

I attended the council subcommittee meeting last week and came out upset. This is the most important issue this Council will face and three council members voted on amendments to present to the full nine member council for their vote at their regular council meeting. A recommendation for crucial amendments including zoning for this major development should not have been sent to a subcommittee as well-meaning the members are. First, I want to address the manner in which the Chair Councillor Steve Corbett so rudely ruled Deborah Peterson out of order as soon as she was beginning to present her statement. This is unacceptable and never should be condoned.

Development

LETTER: 2 Residents Want to See Vision for Rezoning Malls Area

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Deborah Peterson and I have been working conscientiously on the RMUD issues, attending meetings, studying the Comprehensive Plan and Design Guidelines and talking with others. The following is what Deborah tried to present at the economic development sub-committee meeting of the Town Council on Dec. 15. She was roundly dismissed by the Chair Steven Corbett, telling her she was out of line in bringing up these issues. She had only begun to give her statement.

Elections

LETTER: Outgoing School Committee Member Reflects on His Term

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Dear Watertown,

Four years ago, I was elected because residents wanted a change from what had come before and they wanted results in our schools. It is a humbling experience to be elected and entrusted with making positive changes to the lives and education of our students. I took that obligation very seriously then and I still do. After being sworn in, I mentioned to my wife and friends that they would not see a lot of me during the first half of 2012 due to the challenges facing the district. I focused all of my efforts on working with my Committee colleagues to resolve the immediate challenges facing us then:

Settling the teacher’s contract and rebuilding those relationships.

Letters

LETTER: Watertown Groups Denounce Trump’s Proposal on Muslims

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To the Editor:

We write in strong support of people of the Muslim faith in Watertown, as well as Muslims across the nation. We are deeply disturbed by Donald Trump’s hostile outbursts, which are not only hurtful to Muslims, but an affront to all who value the founding principles of this country. The Puritans who established Watertown in 1630 risked their lives for religious freedom – precisely the freedom that Mr. Trump and other extremists are challenging today. By promoting the “Us vs. Them” perspective, Mr. Trump is fanning the flames of fear, and creating harmful divisions in the country, when in fact we should be coming together to support one another in these stressful times.