John Gannon
Why do you want to serve on the City Council? I was inspired to a career in public service by my family, teachers, coaches and members of this welcoming community. I grew up in Watertown and developed my own life here. My father, a partially-disabled WWII veteran, worked at the Watertown post office, delivering mail to ourneighbors, and my mother, a first-generation American, worked as a secretary. They were proud members of the Greatest Generation who both supported their respective countries in wartime capacities, and instilled in me a lifelong spirit of giving back to my community.
The race for Watertown School Committee features five candidates and at least one new person will join the committee. Watertown News reached out to the candidates to find out more about them. See details in the Candidate Q&As. Two incumbents seek re-election, and three candidates seeking a seat (one of whom has experience on the School Committee). Voters can select three candidates for School Committee 2025 Watertown Municipal Election.
Vincent Piccirilli
Why do you want to represent District C on the City Council? My reasons for wanting to serve our community are the same as when I first ran in 2007. I am running because I want to live in a vibrant, diverse, safe community with pretty tree-lined streets and great schools; because I want to live in a community that is financially well-run, avoiding ongoing fiscal crisis; and because I want to live in a community with engaged residents, where everyone feels like they belong. Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a City Councilor. I’m an engineer, currently working as a Business Analyst, with 40 years business experience managing people, projects and budgets.
Tony Palomba
Why do you want to serve on the City Council? I have been a Councilor-at-Large for 16 years. I want to serve for another two years so I can use the experience and knowledge I gained to continue to serve the residents of Watertown and to make Watertown an even better place to live, work, raise a family and be a senior. I want to serve again so I can follow the best practices I have learned such as listening to and learning from city staff, citizen-volunteers, and those with different ideas from mine; being patient, but persistent, while working to create policies and programs; responding to the day-to-day concerns of residents in a timely manner; and doing everything possible to ensure that Watertown stands for equality and justice. I want to serve again because I want to build on our many wonderful accomplishments such as the creation of the Affordable Housing Trust, ongoing efforts to implement our Climate and Energy Plan, expanding open space, and protecting existing and creating new housing.
Tom Tracy
Why do you want to serve on the City Council? I want to bring my unique work experience to help shape the future of Watertown, maintain our financial flexibility, and continue improving our buildings and infrastructure. Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a City Councilor
My experience as Watertown’s Auditor for 29 years, which included 7 years as Asst. City Manager for Finance as well as Acting City Manager for 8 months, has allowed me to know how all the City Departments operate. I know how all the monies come in, and I know how all the monies are spent!
Joe Ganno
Why do you want to serve on the School Committee? I want to be a voice for all families and help create a shared vision for Watertown Public Schools. I strongly believe in Watertown Public Schools’ values of equity, excellence and community. I believe an engaged community heightens the level of equity for our students. I believe an engaged community helps our students excel.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a School Committee member. I’m a lifelong resident and graduated of Watertown Public Schools. I have 2 boys who attend the Hosmer. A few of the reasons I feel qualified to be a School Committee member are my community engagement and professional experiences.
Amy Donohue
Why do you want to serve on the School Committee? After almost eight years on the School Committee, I want to continue to serve because I love this community. Our students, teachers, and families deserve leaders who listen, collaborate, and always put students first. I believe every child deserves an excellent education and the opportunity to thrive.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a School Committee member. I’ve proudly served on the Watertown School Committee for eight years.
David Stokes
Why do you want to serve on the School Committee? I had the distinct honor of serving on the School Committee 2020-2023, through the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. I see other equally daunting challenges just ahead in the next 4 years: economic uncertainty, anxiety, and social unrest are reported in the news daily, and public education is being devalued and pushed aside, furthered by diminishing federal funding. I am passionate about public education and preserving the important role it plays in this nation! Education can be a great equalizer, if we commit to combatting bias, supporting mental and physical health, removing barriers for students and families with challenges, and fostering creativity and curiosity within our schools.
