Around Town

LETTER: Reflection on the 2024 Presidential Election

By |

Dear Harris Supporters,

I write to you because you should be applauded. I also write to provide genuine analysis before the narrative is taken over by other entities, especially the media. I have crunched some of the numbers. Given top-line numbers, I can conclude that this was a vote against Biden’s foreign policy more so than a vote for Trump. Trump essentially got the same numbers of votes as he did in 2020 (it is a +0.1% change). Harris, at approximately 70 million votes, did not beat him or Biden’s numbers of 81 million votes. One held onto the base and the other did not. Trump’s base appears to be younger with some increase in POCs. It is still less female and less educated. Harris’ appears to have held onto the crossover votes of moderates and Republicans, who this time are more ideologically conservative and older. These mere shifts may not matter much since it is just a reshuffling as more people enter the registration pool.

Around Town

Meet the Police and Fire Chiefs at the Next Watertown Business Coalition Event

By |

The Watertown Business Coalition will host a talk with Watertown’s Police and Fire Chiefs at Cambridge Savings Bank. See details from the WBC below. Come meet the Chiefs on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cambridge Savings Bank in Watertown, 54 Arsenal St. Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan and Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson will talk a bit about what’s going on with their departments in the City, then we’ll open it up to questions.

Around Town

Rep. Lawn Receives Mass. Commission on Persons with Disabilities Legislative Champion Award

By |

State Rep. John Lawn

The following announcement was provided by Rep. John Lawn’s Office:

Watertown State Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. was recognized as one of two Legislative Champions Awards recipients by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities at this year’s Annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebration in the Great Hall of Flags at the Massachusetts State House. The event recognized the invaluable contributions of employees with disabilities, alongside policymakers, employers, service providers, and key stakeholders in the disability community in Massachusetts and the Country. “Representative Lawn cares deeply about the disabled community,” said Commission on the Status of persons with disabilities Chairwoman Rep. Denise Garlick (D-Needham). “He has consistently shown his commitment to fighting for the community through his championing of priority legislation such as Operation House Call and his continued advocacy for its funding. He is a strong ally of the disabled community.”

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities as one of this year’s Legislative Champions,” said Watertown State Representative John J. Lawn, Jr. “This recognition is very personal to me, as my best friend David has an intellectual disability.

Around Town

Community Preservation Committee to Hear Presentation on Willow Park Housing Development

By |

A rendering of the proposed Willow Park Housing development. Hear about the proposed Willow Park Housing development during the presentation to the Watertown Community Preservation Committee on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. See details below. Preservation of Affordable Housing and the Watertown Housing Authority will present their project to redevelop the Willow Park Housing development to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). You are welcome to join in-person or via Zoom with the link: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/91525442843

Read the Willow Park application here.

Around Town

LETTER: Open Letter of Gratitude to Former WHS Coach John Barbati

By |

By Mark RoopenianWatertown High School 1976

Coach Barbati,

No one has impacted my life and who I am today more than you. You taught me toughness, perseverance, preparation, poise, work ethic, and most importantly, that nothing is impossible. You saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself. How else could a skinny Armenian kid headed to Bates College get a full football scholarship to Boston College? Because you cared enough to put your hard-earned reputation on the line with BC Head Coach Joe Yukica.

Around Town

LETTER: Install Turf at Victory Field Oval, Field House Should be Part of Renovation

By |

Dear current and past friends of Watertown, as well as future families of all athletes! Phases 2 and 3 of the Victory field track, which includes turf in the oval, along with new tennis and basketball courts, are up for final consideration. Almost 20 years ago, I stood in front of the community along with Councilor Vinny Piccirilli and the full Council of Watertown expressing the importance and benefits of a field turf facility encompassing the football and baseball areas. The design and implementation of Phase 1 of the Victory Field complex has been nothing short of spectacular for our athletes, our physical education department, and for the recreational activities of the entire community. In addition, since the installation of the field turf in Phase 1, the technology and safety of the turf installed at that time have improved considerably.

Around Town

Watertown Veterans Day Breakfast & Closings for the Holiday

By |

Watertown will hold a Veterans Day celebration on Monday, and Municipal departments will be closed in observance of the holiday. Veterans Day Breakfast

Watertown’s Veterans Services Office will host the 2024 Veterans Day Breakfast at the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment, 215 Mt Auburn St., at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11. There will be a small ceremony starting around 11 and breakfast will be served immediately afterwards. Closings

Watertown City Hall, Parker Annex, Department of Public Works Offices, Senior Center, and the Watertown Free Public Library, will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in observance of Veterans Day.