Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Advocates for Funding on Beacon Hill, Rep. Lawn Honored as Champion of Youth

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State Rep. John Lawn, center, was honored as the House Champion of Youth on March 26 at the State House. He posed with the Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s Club Director Anthony Parker, left, and WBGC Executive Director Gary Beatty, right. (Contributed Photo)

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Boys & Girls Club:

On March 26, Representatives of Watertown Boys & Girls Club joined their colleagues from across the state for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs’ 22nd Annual Legislative Luncheon and Advocacy Day at the State House on Beacon Hill. Club staff, youth members, boards of directors, and elected officials were in attendance from across the Commonwealth. The event featured remarks from State Representative John Lawn, State Senator Brendan Crighton, State Senator Michael Rodrigues, Boys & Girls Club of America Hall of Famer “Marvelous” Marvin McIntyre, and Haybi Garcia, 2024 Massachusetts Youth of the Year and alumnus of the Waltham Boys & Girls Club.

Government

State Rep. Steve Owens Holding Pair of Office Hours in Watertown

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State Rep. Steve Owens. Residents have the opportunity to meet with one of Watertown’s representatives on Beacon Hill this month when Steve Owens holds his office hours. See the announcement provided by Owens’ office below. State Rep. Steve Owens, a Democrat in the 29th Middlesex District made up of parts of West Cambridge, North Cambridge, and Watertown, has office hours in Cambridge and Watertown. Office hours will take place on Friday, March 7 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Kendall Kitchen at the Quad (10 Wilson Road, Cambridge), and Monday, March 17 from 3-4 p.m. at the Watertown Senior Center (31 Marshall St., Watertown).

Around Town

State Rep. Owens Speaking About How Legislation Does or Does Not Get Passed in State House

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment:

Organizations, businesses, and activists are frustrated when major pieces of legislation are not acted on by the Massachusetts Legislature and often left in committees or conference committee when the legislative session ends. On Wednesday, September 18, State Representative Steve Owens will speak at the Monthly Meeting of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment.  The program titled, “How does, or doesn’t, legislation get through the Massachusetts Legislature” is a zoom meeting and is co-sponsored by Progressive Watertown and Watertown Forward. The zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85288870124?pwd=s4x4xGxqFNf3fCYKJOeAyofwRNZkb2.1 and the program includes – Checking in and Chatting – 6:45 PM, Welcome and Land Acknowledgment – 7:00 PM, Updates from Watertown Citizens’ Working Groups and from Co-sponsors – 7:10 PM, Presentation by Rep. Owens – 7:30 PM, Questions and Discussion – 8:00 PM and Announcements and Closing – 8:30 PM.  If you have questions, please contact watertowncitizens@gmail.com.

Around Town

State Rep. Lawn Honored by Groups Advocating for the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Community

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Courtesy PhotoLeo Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts, presenting State Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. (D-Watertown) with a hand drawn award from a self-advocate within the organization at a ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House. The following announcement was provided by State Rep. John Lawn’s office:

State Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. (D – Watertown) was named the Legislator of the Year Award by The Arc of Massachusetts (the Arc) and Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC). The award, presented during their annual reception marking the commencement of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Month, celebrates Rep. Lawn’s unwavering commitment to and advocacy for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community. The ceremony was held on March 6 in the Great Hall of Flags at the Massachusetts State House. “We are honored to recognize Rep. John Lawn as this year’s Legislator of the Year Award recipient,” said Leo V. Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts.

Government

State Sen. Will Brownsberger Seeks Summer Interns

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

The following information was provided by the office of State Sen. Will Brownsberger:

The Office of Senator Will Brownsberger is accepting applications for part-time, unpaid internships for the summer of 2024. Internships are reserved for residents of the Suffolk and Middlesex District. Applications are due Monday, April 8, 2024. There are two types of opportunities available:

General Office Internships are designed for applicants in the early stages of exploring policymaking and government who are seeking opportunities to learn more and refine their interests. Legislative Internships are designed for those who have already gained some experience and are looking to delve deeper into a topic of interest.

Government

Sen. Brownsberger Seeks Input Through Online Gun Survey

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Wikimedia Commons / ChensiyuanMassachusetts State House. With the Massachusetts State Senate State to soon be taking up legislation on guns and firearms, Sen. Will Brownsberger seeks input via an online survey. Sen. Brownsberger sent out the following announcement:

Please take a few minutes to complete my survey on guns. The survey asks 26 true-false questions about feelings, opinions, and factual understandings on guns, gun violence, and gun laws. The survey is anonymous. We will be debating gun legislation in the senate sometime soon and I will also be inviting you to an open dialog about gun policy within the next week or two.  This survey will help define context for that dialog.  Your survey participation is important to me whether or not you plan to participate in that dialog.

Around Town

Watertown Social Services Resource Specialists Given Latino Excellence Awards at State House

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Wayside SSRS Clincians Maysa Ramos (second from left) and Sophia Suarez-Friedman (second from right) received Latino Excellence Awards from at the State House. Also pictured are State Rep. Steve Owens (right) Kimberley Hutter, Sen. Will Brownsberger’s District Director. (Courtesy of Wayside)

Watertown’s two Social Service Resource Specialists, Sophia Suarez-Friedman and Maysa Ramos, recently received the Latino Excellence Awards at the State House. Both work for the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network Multi Service Center, and their positions are funded by the City of Watertown. Every year, the Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus hosts its Latino Excellence Awards to honor Latino leaders, agents of impact, and change makers who contribute to our communities.

Government

Watertown Tax Relief Takes Step Toward Approval in State House

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Wikimedia Commons / ChensiyuanMassachusetts State House. A request that would provide relief to residential property owners in Watertown moved a step toward approval when the House of Representatives approved the Home Rule Petition recently. In August 2022, City Councilors John Airasian and Emily Izzo brought forward the request, which was approved by the Council, to request that Watertown be able to shift the tax burden from residential properties to commercial, industrial and personal properties. Airasian was pleased to see the petition make progress: “This should have a sizeable impact on the residential real estate taxes.” Izzo added in her email to constituents:

“The Home Rule Petition brought to the City Council by Councilor Airasian and myself has passed the House and is now pending approval by the Senate.