New Podcast, “Eye on Watertown,” Seeks to Create a Place for Informal Public Engagement

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Former Town Council President Clyde Younger has teamed up with residents Chris Chapron and Ann Healey to host a new podcast called “Eye On Watertown,” which is available on the Watertown Cable website.

In the first episode, the Younger and Chapron interviewed Watertown’s Fred Grandinetti and David Hudon. Grandinetti hosts “Drawing with Fred” on Watertown Cable, and has written books about Popeye the Sailor and other subjects. Hudon illustrated Grandinetti’s books and created the logo for Eye on Watertown.

An upcoming episode will feature City Council President Mark Sideris.

Younger provided the following description of Eye on Watertown:

The purpose or objective of the Podcast is to provide as wide of a net, so to speak, for public discourse. We see the Podcast as an informal medium for public engagement. The Podcast will of course,  encompass hearing from our political leaders, appointed governing boards and heads of departments. 

However, beyond this we wish to provide a forum for the community to talk about their interests beyond the two minutes allowed. Thus, it will provide an opportunity for enhanced consolidation of ideas for consideration since one would be able to present their ideas, thoughts and suggestions beyond the two-minute rule of the Council. We witness much too often that the two minutes does allow one to present themselves in a coherent manner.

Beyond the public sector, we wish to allow business both small and large within the community to present their ideas; how they manage their businesses within the constraints of the rules and regulations by the city, state and federal government. How the city may be more business oriented and provide, when necessary, the help small businesses have in order to remain sustainable.

We also think it is important to hear from our charitable and social organizations, taxpayers and residents of the community. In considering the Podcast, Watertown is rich with its ethnic mix and is becoming richer as we become more diverse. Our thought is to provide a forum for the various ethnic groups to tell their story of coming to Watertown and its meaning to them. Watertown is blessed with the many artists, and performing artists.

The theme song for Eye on Watertown is “Our Town, which was adopted as Watertown’s official town song in September 2008. It was co-written by Linda Picceri and Gail Dorney, and performed by Picceri.

Viewers and listeners can send in questions and/or suggest guests to by sending a message to EyeonWatertown@Gmail.Com

The video of the first episode can be seen here: http://vodwcatv.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/3536?site=1

The audio-only version on Soundcloud is available at: https://soundcloud.com/wcatvpodcasts/eye-on-watertown-episode-1?in=wcatvpodcasts/sets/eye-on-watertown

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