Elections

LETTER: Steve Owens Has Put in the Work

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I’m writing to urge my friends and neighbors to vote for longtime Democratic Town Committee chair Steve Owens for state rep this primary. Other letters have touted Steve’s progressive commitments and his impressive command of the issues facing our state. In this letter I want to focus instead on the work Steve has put into this race. Regardless of your policy views, I think we can all agree that we want a representative who will be energetic about using his powers of office to stand up for us and help our community and our town. Steve is the only candidate who has a campaign website where he has written about issues that are important to him and what he intends to do in office, a key piece of transparency that other candidates have chosen not to provide.

Elections

Council Moves Polling Place from Senior Housing to Middle School

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After hearing from many people worried about having voters coming into a senior apartment building during the 2020 elections, the Town Council voted to move the polling location to Watertown Middle School. A temporary location for Precincts 11 and 12 is needed because the normal voting location, Cunniff Elementary School, is under construction. School construction at Hosmer Elementary School also impacted Precinct 2, which will move to the Hellenic Cultural Center. The locations will be used for the Sept. 1 State Primary and the Nov.

Elections

LETTER: Steve Owens Would Be a Transportation Minded State Rep

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Many Watertown voters have traffic, congestion and public transportation at the top of their list of concerns. Many of us rely heavily on MBTA service to get to work and other essential life functions. The majority of us are deeply concerned about the environment and climate change. If you want an advocate who will be committed to addressing these concerns in the State House, then Steve Owens is your best choice for State Representative. Steve is a transportation professional by trade and understands the complication of going from policy to complex nuts and bolts operations.

Elections

State Rep. Candidates Appearing on Chamber Forum

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The candidates running for the 10th Middlesex District seat in the State House will be appearing on a free online forum hosted by the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber of Commerce. The district includes parts of Watertown, Waltham and Newton, including Precincts 10, 11 and 12 on the westside of Watertown. John Lawn of Watertown is the incumbent, and he is being challenged by Newton City Councilor Alison Leary. The Newton Needham Chamber sent out the following annoucment:

Lawn vs. Leary: A conversation with the state rep candidatesMon.

Around Town

LETTER: Don’t Move Polling Location to Senior Housing, Risk Spreading COVID-19

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Dear Editor Charlie Breitrose and Others To Whom It Concerns:

I am a senior who lives at 100 Warren Street in Watertown MA, which is SENIOR HOUSING.  

We learned this weekend that Watertown is moving its voting location for District 11 and 12 elections for 2020 to be held in my residential building. “Pursuant to Section 11 of Chapter 115 of the Acts of 2020, the City Clerk has prepared the following report relative to moving the polling place for Precinct 11 & 12 from the Cunniff School 246 Warren St to the E. Joyce Munger Apartments 100 Warren St: Report on Precincts 11 & 12 Polling Place Change Dated 08/06/2020”

The seniors, handicapped residents and people of color who live here represent the highest risk population for COVID-19. It is not acceptable to have the elections in our building, period. It should never have been considered. This cannot be made “safe” no matter what we are told. The way for us to be “safe” is for it not to happen at all. To force residents to accept this decision is to be without compassion and conscience and shirks the implied duty of persons in authority to protect those in your care. This is our home! During this virus crisis, many people have been very creative in making lives work well in a deadly unwell environment. For example, since March all sorts of certifications and guidelines have been relaxed statewide to achieve desperately needed results. Surely our state and local officials can find a way to do that in this situation – another site needs to be found. How about a tent?

Around Town

Council Preview: Proposed Polling Places Changes, Water/Sewer Rates, Noise Ordinance

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Watertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown Town Hall in the Massachusetts Presidential Primary. Early voting runs through Friday. The Town Council will discuss proposed changing the locations of three poling places for this fall’s elections on Tuesday. The agenda also includes the vote on the water/sewer rates. Beforehand, a Council subcommittee will discuss proposed changes to the Noise Ordinance.

29th Middlesex

State Rep. Candidate Backed by Group of Town Councilors

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Democratic activist and Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens is running for the State Representative seat that Jon Hecht will be leaving. The following announcement was provided by the Steve Owens for State Representative campaign:

A coalition of current and former Town and City Councilors on both sides of the 29th Middlesex district have endorsed Steve Owens to be Cambridge and Watertown’s next State Representative. The current Town Councilors in Watertown that have endorsed Steve Owens includes Anthony Palomba, Caroline Bays, and Lisa Feltner. Past Town Councilors in Watertown include Susan Falkoff and Aaron Dushku. “I am supporting Steve and asking you to do the same on Tuesday, September 1 because he is a progressive activist and proven leader ready to take on the many challenges facing Massachusetts,” said current Watertown Town Councilor Anthony Palomba.

Elections

LETTER: State Rep. Lawn Thanked for Role in Passing Election Law

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State Rep. John Lawn of Watertown, who represents the 10th Middlesex District. To the Editor,

Massachusetts voters will have many new ways of casting a ballot this fall thanks to an emergency bill passed by the legislature and signed into law a few short weeks ago. The law will help ensure that no Bay Stater has to choose between their right to vote and their health by sending mail ballot applications to all registered voters, providing a safer in-person voting experience by providing PPE and additional early voting options, and streamlining administrative procedures for local elections officials. There are many other changes as well as these toplines, all designed to modernize ourelection system and make it safer and more participatory. It is an outstanding example of moving forward for the benefit of all Bay Staters, and one of the strongest election reforms in the country.