Election 2021

Deadline Approaching to File to Run in Watertown Election, Possible Opening on Town Council

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown Town Hall in the 2020 Massachusetts Presidential Primary. The deadline for submitting papers to run in the Town Election is approaching and as of July 22 there are not enough At-Large Town Council candidates for the number of seats. 

While three of the four district councilor seats have contested races, only three of the four councilor at-large incumbents have taken out papers to get signatures to run for re-election. 

In District C and the Town Council President election, so far only the incumbents have taken out papers. 

The School Committee has had six people take out papers for the three spots, including two incumbents. Current member John Portz announced he will not be seeking another term. 

Five people have taken out papers to run for the three spots on the Board of Library Trustees, including two incumbents. Trustee Michael Hanlon is running for District A Town Councilor. The deadline for getting nomination papers into the Town Clerk’s office with signatures is Tuesday, July 27 at 5 p.m. The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov.

Around Town

LETTER: School Mental Health Professional, Mother of 2 Running for School Committee

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Jessica Middlebrook announced her run for School Committee. She is shown with her two daughters at Watertown Town Hall. My name is Jessica Middlebrook and I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for Watertown School Committee. In the wake of the most disruptive and painful school year in living memory, our community needs experienced, empathic leaders who will build connections, foster difficult but important conversations, and work toward creating equitable school cultures where all students feel valued and safe. With my experience as a parent and school mental health professional, my strong progressive values, and my abiding love for our community, I know that I can help our schools work better for all our kids and families.  

My husband, David, and I have been residents of Watertown for the past 12 years. We were drawn here to start our family because of its diversity and caring, engaged community.

Elections

LETTER: Watertown Mother, Educator Running for School Committee

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School Committee candidate Jennifer Nicholson, her husband Ryan Nicholson (Assistant Fire Chief on the Watertown Fire Department), and their children. My name is Jennifer (Holt) Nicholson and as a lifelong resident of Watertown, I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the Watertown School Committee. It would be a tremendous honor for me to serve with pride and give back to the community that has given so much to my entire family. My children, incoming third and first graders at Cunniff, are fourth generation students of Watertown Public Schools. My husband, who is currently Assistant Fire Chief for the Watertown Fire Department, and I both graduated from Watertown High School in 2003.

Election 2021

School Committee Chairman Will Not Seek Re-election in November

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School Committee chair John Portz will not be seeking re-election in 2021. After 16 years on the Watertown School Committee, John Portz announced he will not be running for another term. The current School Committee chair announced his decision at Monday’s School Committee meeting. “As my term ends this year I will not be running for a new term,” Portz said. “It has been a privilege to serve on the committee, and to support our efforts, and build and maintain the best possible school system.”

Election 2021

LETTER: Candidate Declares Her Run for Watertown School Committee

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Rachel Kay is running for Watertown School Committee. The following announcement was provided by Rachel Kay:

Over the past year, we have all experienced great challenges. Those of us caring for school-aged children have watched them struggle with isolation, academic losses and for too many students even harm to their mental health and well-being. As I have watched Watertown Public Schools grapple with the difficult decisions they had to make this year, I have felt obligated to advocate for the needs of all our children, as well as for working families. I learned that I have a unique perspective to share, and that I will add to discussions including the critical challenge our schools now face in overcoming the educational debt our students have sustained over what was for some of them a lost year.

District A

LETTER: Retiring Councilor Calls Candidates Campaign Literature Misleading

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Greeting East Enders,

It has recently been brought to my attention that campaign literature is being disseminated with text that could be misleading. Certainly, everyone is entitled to voice their opinion. But, when my name, and the position that I have held with great honor for sixteen years are the topic; I will not allow anyone to compare my performance, versus theirs. I am not flattered. Although I understand Mr. Michael Hanlon’s desire to show the perception of following in my path of District A, East End, Town Council representation; I have not consented to the use of my name in any political literature.

District D

LETTER: Candidate for District D Council Seat Serves as Library Trustee, Worked as Legislative Aide

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Emily Izzo announced her candidacy for the District D Town Council seat. It is with great enthusiasm that I announce my candidacy for District D Town Councilor. My name is Emily Izzo and I am a lifelong Watertown resident who grew up in the west end and attended Cunniff Elementary School, Watertown Middle School and Watertown High School, graduating in 2008. After graduating from Assumption College, where I majored in Political Science and History and minored in Sociology, I began my career in public service working for State Representative John Lawn. First as a legislative aide and later as Chief of Staff, my work with residents and elected officials to enact good government policies reaffirmed in me what public service is all about.

Elections

Council Seeks Applicants to Fill Westside District Seat, Must Agree Not to Run in Fall

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Watertown Town Hall

The Town Council decided to appoint someone to fill the vacancy in the District D seat, which represents the westside of Watertown. Applicants must agree not to run for the seat in the November Town Election. The seat became vacant when Ken Woodland stepped down after taking a job that does not allow him to serve on the Town Council in April. The Council debated whether or not to even fill the seat, and other details, such as whether the person would be able to run for re-election in the fall. Councilor John Gannon asked how the Town could enforce the rule that the person could not run for the seat in the Town Election.