Autism

LETTER: Resident Backs Library’s Decision to Host Autism Event

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To the Editor:

On Wednesday, the News published a letter protesting a program scheduled for Saturday, March 12, at the Watertown Free Public Library. The author, Julie Cotton, had already sent a version of the letter to the Library Director and Trustees and requested they cancel the program. The sponsoring organization, Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), was founded by parents who believe that certain unproven medical interventions can benefit, even cure, their autistic children. These therapies are controversial and widely believed to be ineffective, potentially dangerous, and supported by flawed research. In 2014, the FDA issued a consumer update on the subject under the headline “Beware of False or Misleading Claims for Treating Autism.”

I sympathize with the Ms. Cotton.

Letters

LETTER: Citizens Group Opposes Regulations on Watertown Homes

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To the Editor,

“I don’t want anyone telling me where to plant my roses”. That was the parting message John Labadini, President of the newly-established Concerned Watertown Homeowners Association at the end of a public meeting at the Library last Thursday evening. That meeting was arranged to acquaint Watertown residents of a new initiative being pursued by the Town’s Planning and Development office. The Department is drafting proposed Residential Guideline regulations setting design standards for the appearance of our homes and for owners who want to, or need to, tear down and replace an existing structure. The Association feels that property designs are ownership property rights, not the Town’s.

Elections

LETTER: Council President Candidate Thanks People for Help and Support

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Dear Editor,

I am gracious for and wish to thank all who voted for me on Tuesday, Nov. 3. While we fell short of being elected, I met some absolutely fantastic old and new friends. It was a pleasure meeting everyone and discussing the community’s journey into the future. This is a great community; and by being a candidate for an elective office, it contributes to your lifelong learning. As I travelled around each day and met someone new or old, during conversations, I learned something new and a different perspective from my own point of view that I had not considered.

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.

Entertainment

LETTER: Candidate Sees Shortcuts in Watertown Schools’ Goals

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Dear Watertown,

I want to encourage Watertown citizens to consider the 2015/2016 Superintendent’s goals and the learning goals discussed at the August 10th School Committee meeting. Goal setting is a powerful tool that school districts use to achieve purposeful results. Goals help schools focus energy, attention, resources, and motivation. They inspire commitment and action or, in their absence, inaction. Watertown Public Schools (WPS) is a ~$45 million per year education system, serving 2700+ diverse students with a staff of approximately 550 people.

Letters

LETTER: Resident Writes About Hillary Clinton, Edward Snowden

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Dear Editor,

Our national politicians are speaking about security for our country and the use of a personal server by former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. Wasn’t this about the time or during the period that Edward Snowden the so called “whistle blower” was giving all the information he could possible give to Russia in order to gain their asylum. Personally, regardless of political affiliation, I consider him to be a traitor to his country. Perhaps, Secretary Clinton’s use of her personal server was more secure than our federal government’s server. At any rate it is “food for thought”.

Letters

LETTER: Thanks to Those Who Helped Make Home Solar Effort a Success

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Now that Neighborhood Solar II has drawn to a close, I wish to thank all who made this program a success. First thanks go to Quinton Zondervan of Green Cambridge, who asked that Neighborhood Solar be reopened so that the residents of Cambridge, as well as Watertown, could have the opportunity to take advantage of the program. A special thanks to Ben Mayer of SunBug Solar for his willingness to reopen the program and again be Neighborhood Solar’s installer. Danny Labbe of SunBug did a spectacular job of coordinating its response to inquiries from those wishing to participate. A solar program is only as good as its installer, and Neighborhood Solar was lucky enough to have the very, very best.

Charity

LETTER: Watertown Group to Help Seniors to Remove Snow This Winter

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Watertown Prosperity, Inc. would like to announce to members of the Watertown community, that for the second straight year, it will be conducting its snow-shoveling program. What is the program? Local volunteers from Watertown schools are matched with elderly and/or disabled Watertown residents to remove snow from their home for the duration of the winter. How does it work? A small group of volunteers is assigned to each home that signs up with us.