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.

Letters

LETTER: Good Transportation News From Sen. Brownsberger, Rep. Hecht

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With the arrival of cooler weather, thoughts are turning to the coming winter and avoiding a repetition of last year’s transportation woes, especially on the MBTA. The Baker Administration and the legislature did a lot of work on that issue this spring and summer and overall the results were good – a strong MBTA budget (with substantial investments in storm readiness) and new authority and tools for the Governor to make good on his pledge to fix the T.

But as important as it is to fix what we already have, meeting the transportation needs of our area will require much more. Rapid development, changing demographics, and climate change mean we need to think creatively about improvements that will make our transportation system a truly positive factor for our economy and communities. Last week saw important progress in that direction for two of Watertown’s key transportation corridors. First, the state put out to bid a study for the Mount Auburn Street/Fresh Pond Parkway area.

Election 2015

League of Women Voters Reminds Residents About Election This Week

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The League of Women Voters of Watertown recognizes that everyone is still enjoying the end of summer and perhaps worrying about the start of the new academic year.  However, the town election season is also coming up.  In particular, the citizens who live in District B have a chance to make their choices in the Preliminary Election on September 17, 2015.  Please take note of the date because it is a Thursday rather than the usual Tuesday. We encourage all the voters in District B to exercise their privilege to vote in this election.  

Raya Stern, President
League of Women Voters of Watertown

(Note, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday).

Elections

LETTER: School Committee Candidate Explains Why She is Running

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My name is Kendra Medville Foley and I am a candidate for the Watertown School Committee. I am running for School Committee because I am passionate about the importance of education – for my three young children, for the children and families in Watertown and for the health and vibrancy of our town. I know that an excellent school system not only helps every child and family, but also makes an enormous contribution to a community being safer, stronger, and more vibrant. Two years ago, when my oldest child entered kindergarten, I got involved with the schools through the Hosmer PTO and Watertown Strong Schools. The process of advocating for greater investment in our schools by attending School Committee meetings, attending budget and finance subcommittee meetings, and talking to parents, teachers and administrators convinced me to run for School Committee.