Elections

LETTER: Candidate for Library Trustee Asks for Your Vote

By |

Editor,

I am Penny (Penelope) Peoples: Watertown resident, book lover, and would-be library trustee. Since moving to Watertown in 2001, I have been a constant user and admirer of the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL), often thinking that it is like the beating heart of our community. It fosters such important values as lifelong learning, creativity, imagination, community building and participation, inclusivity and diversity — to name but a few. Grateful as I am to all those past and present who have created and maintained this model of library excellence, I am eager for a chance to myself contribute to our community in the arena for which I am best suited, namely as one of the six trustees who develop policy for the WFPL and oversee its leadership. Joining with trustee colleagues, library administration and staff, I want to assure that the library maintains its current excellence in a host of areas and improves its operations and programming to meet evolving challenges.

Elections

LETTER: Library Trustee Candidate Seeks Re-election

By |

Town of Watertown residents, my name is Tim Tracy and I have been a Library Trustee for the past two terms. I am running for re-election, and would like for you to consider casting your vote for me once again. During my tenure as a Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) Trustee, I have seen such positive continued growth and accomplishments in our facility. The Library continues to be overwhelmingly well received by residents, taxpayers and neighbors from surrounding communities. I have prided myself in being a trustee who doesn’t micro manage, and have always been of the opinion of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The Watertown Free Public Library is far from being broke. On the contrary, it s a highly motivated, efficiently run, and well respected organization, and as a Trustee I am proud to be associated with such a town asset.

Around Town

Guest Column: How to Prepare Your Home for a Safe Halloween

By |

As you prepare for Halloween this season, it is important to understand your risk when opening your home to the public. Today’s guest column is by Maria Lampros of Guard Insurance Agency in Watertown. Autumn leaves are falling, evening temperatures are dropping and Halloween decorations are popping up all around. While preparing for visiting ghosts and goblins this Halloween, keep in mind that opening your home to the public may leave you vulnerable to an insurance claim or lawsuit. Consider these safety tips to help ensure a safe and fun Halloween while protecting your property and its visitors:

Create a clear path – To avoid trick-or-treaters and other visitors from stumbling and possibly getting injured, clear walkways and sidewalks of leaves and debris.

Election 2015

LETTER: A Clear Choice for District A – Angie Kounelis

By |

Dear Editor,

We are writing you because we believe there is a clear choice for District A Councilor in the upcoming town election. Angeline Kounelis has been advocating for East Watertown long before she became a Town Councilor. It goes back to the East Watertown Betterment Association {see the Boston Globe clip below}. This has been a very busy year for all our Councilors, but nobody has been as busy as Angie. She has been out almost every night front and center for the best interest of District A.

This is the list of the many district projects and issues she has dealt with on our behalf: Athenahealth, the Arsenal Project, the Marriott Hotel, the Verizon building, CVS, Greenough Boulevard, the Crossroad on the Charles water break, snow dumping on Elm Street, the Elm Street Hotel and rodent problems.

This is in addition to her council work on townwide issues.

Elections

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

By |

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

By |

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

By |

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

By |

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.