Elections

LETTER: Town Council Hopeful Says She Is Not a Single Issue Candidate

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Editor,

As a dedicated 20 year Watertown volunteer and citizen advocate, I am not a single-issue candidate for District B Town Councilor. The fact that I garnered the most votes, over 43 percent of the votes in the September 17 Preliminary Election, in a race with four candidates including an established incumbent, is not trivial. Watertown is undergoing unprecedented change and District B needs proactive leaders to embrace new ideas, enact best practices, and engage all residents. I will also bring new energy and a personal approach to Town Council. My life’s work has been about bringing people together to produce better outcomes, whether in the workplace, the schools, the neighborhood or community at large.

Elections

LETTER: Teachers Union President Endorses School Committee Candidates

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Editor,

I am writing to express my support for the incumbents in the School Committee race; Eileen Hsu-Balzer, Michael Shepard and Julie McMahon. Thanks to their hard work, together with the rest of the School Committee members, the Watertown school district is in a much better place than it was four short years ago. In 2011, contract negotiations between the Watertown Educators Association (WEA), the School Committee and School Administration were at an impasse and teachers had been working without a contract for two years. Teachers were working to rule, and frustration on all sides was high. After the election, two new voices joined the discussion – Ms. McMahon and Mr. Shepard – and both sides resumed negotiations.

Elections

LETTER: Council Candidate Invites Public to Campaign Event

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Editor,

The Committee to Elect Michael Dattoli is hosting an event on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Conley’s Pub and Grille. All residents are welcome to attend and learn more about Michael’s campaign for Town Councilor At-Large. The event begins at 7  p.m.  Conley’s is located at 164 Belmont Street in Watertown.  

Michael Dattoli
Candidate for Councilor At-Large

Elections

LETTER: Resident Responds to Endorsement of 7 of 8 Town Councilors

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To the Editor:

I have been told that John Airasian has done many good deeds for the town of Watertown. For those things I thank him. But his recent letter, with an endorsement of seven of the eight incumbent candidates for Town Council, was not one of them. Based on a single issue, and tacitly snubbing one of Watertown’s finest citizens in the process, it was a irresponsible and misguided statement. At a time when so many profoundly critical issues face our town, no political endorsement should be based on a single issue.

Elections

LETTER: Fire Union President Responds to Letter on Arbitration, Contract

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Mr. Airasian,

While we at Local 1347 appreciate your many contributions to bettering our community and applaud your stance in supporting your choice of candidates for Town Council we take great exception to the fact that you chose to attack our members in the process. 

(See John Airasian’s letter by clicking here)

Your complete lack of knowledge or understanding of the events that led to the 6.5 year impasse between the Town and the Local is evident in your commentary. That you have chosen to insult us in defense of those councilors who chose to thumb their noses at a state mandated resolution process is the ultimate sign of desperation by you on their behalf. In your letter you state the local enjoyed “some support” in town. If you consider the several hundred lawn signs proudly displayed throughout town “some support” your candidates should hope for the same “some support.” To say that we were pleased with the “some support” you referenced is an understatement and it was that very support that emboldened us to continue our fight for fairness.

Election 2015

LETTER: John Airasian on the Election, The Council and the Fire Issue

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Dear Editor,

I cannot emphasize enough how important I believe it is to re-elect the following seven incumbents:

Mark Sideris, Council President; Councilors at Large Susan Falkoff and Aaron Dushku; District Councilors Angeline Kounelis – District A, Cecilia Lenk – District B, Vincent Piccirilli – District C and Ken Woodland – District D.

Like everyone I am happy that the fire issue is now behind us with he adoption of a revised, more equitable agreement for the town and the residents. However, I think there are a few more things to say and also a lesson for all of us to learn. Everyone knows and appreciates what a fine job the Watertown Fire Department does. And everyone has a friend or neighbor on the department. So it is not surprising they had some support in the community.

Fire Contract

LETTER: Fire Union President Thanks Supporters, Responds to Council

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Editor,

As president of Local 1347 and on behalf of its membership, I would like to thank the residents of Watertown for their unwavering support over the years and particularly the past ten months. Your support helped galvanize us in our fight for fairness. Your lawn signs and our picketing, done respectfully and without incident helped us carry our message forward. This agreement fairly compensates our members for the hard work they perform day in and day out. We are honored and privileged to serve you.

Elections

LETTER: Council Candidate Invites Public to Campaign Kick Off

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The campaign to re-elect Susan Falkoff to Town Council at Large is hosting a campaign kickoff. Please join Susan and supporters for a fun and enlightening party to kick the campaign into high gear! Everyone is welcome. The event is on Sunday, Sept. 20, 3-5 p.m. at the home of Mark and Erneseta Kraczkiewicz, 77 Riverside St., Watertown.