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Veterans Agent Looks to Spread Word About Programs Available to Former Member of the Armed Services

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Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George reads Gov. Healey’s Veterans Day Proclamation at the Veterans Day Breakfast at the Shutt Detachment. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown veterans came together Monday at the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment to enjoy some breakfast, socialize, and celebrate Veterans Day. Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George hopes to have more such events in town, and spread information about programs and benefits which are available to vets. Massachusetts recently added to the programs for veterans, George mentioned during his Veterans Day address. “As the Governor’s (Veterans Day) proclamation mentioned, The HERO Act is a new veterans bill passed by the state recently, and it expands veterans benefits,” George said.

Around Town

See the Lineup for the Watertown Senior Health and Wellness Fair

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The Department of Senior Services revealed the schedule for the Health and Wellness Fair taking place on Nov. 14. See details below. Reminder! The Department of Senior Services is hosting a Health and Wellness Fair on Thursday, November 14, 2024 from 12:00 – 3:00PM at the Hibernians Hall, located at 151 Watertown St.

Around Town

LETTER: Reflection on the 2024 Presidential Election

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Dear Harris Supporters,

I write to you because you should be applauded. I also write to provide genuine analysis before the narrative is taken over by other entities, especially the media. I have crunched some of the numbers. Given top-line numbers, I can conclude that this was a vote against Biden’s foreign policy more so than a vote for Trump. Trump essentially got the same numbers of votes as he did in 2020 (it is a +0.1% change). Harris, at approximately 70 million votes, did not beat him or Biden’s numbers of 81 million votes. One held onto the base and the other did not. Trump’s base appears to be younger with some increase in POCs. It is still less female and less educated. Harris’ appears to have held onto the crossover votes of moderates and Republicans, who this time are more ideologically conservative and older. These mere shifts may not matter much since it is just a reshuffling as more people enter the registration pool.

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Meet the Police and Fire Chiefs at the Next Watertown Business Coalition Event

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The Watertown Business Coalition will host a talk with Watertown’s Police and Fire Chiefs at Cambridge Savings Bank. See details from the WBC below. Come meet the Chiefs on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cambridge Savings Bank in Watertown, 54 Arsenal St. Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan and Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson will talk a bit about what’s going on with their departments in the City, then we’ll open it up to questions.

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Rep. Lawn Receives Mass. Commission on Persons with Disabilities Legislative Champion Award

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State Rep. John Lawn

The following announcement was provided by Rep. John Lawn’s Office:

Watertown State Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. was recognized as one of two Legislative Champions Awards recipients by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities at this year’s Annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebration in the Great Hall of Flags at the Massachusetts State House. The event recognized the invaluable contributions of employees with disabilities, alongside policymakers, employers, service providers, and key stakeholders in the disability community in Massachusetts and the Country. “Representative Lawn cares deeply about the disabled community,” said Commission on the Status of persons with disabilities Chairwoman Rep. Denise Garlick (D-Needham). “He has consistently shown his commitment to fighting for the community through his championing of priority legislation such as Operation House Call and his continued advocacy for its funding. He is a strong ally of the disabled community.”

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities as one of this year’s Legislative Champions,” said Watertown State Representative John J. Lawn, Jr. “This recognition is very personal to me, as my best friend David has an intellectual disability.

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Community Preservation Committee to Hear Presentation on Willow Park Housing Development

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A rendering of the proposed Willow Park Housing development. Hear about the proposed Willow Park Housing development during the presentation to the Watertown Community Preservation Committee on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. See details below. Preservation of Affordable Housing and the Watertown Housing Authority will present their project to redevelop the Willow Park Housing development to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). You are welcome to join in-person or via Zoom with the link: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/91525442843

Read the Willow Park application here.

Around Town

LETTER: Open Letter of Gratitude to Former WHS Coach John Barbati

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By Mark RoopenianWatertown High School 1976

Coach Barbati,

No one has impacted my life and who I am today more than you. You taught me toughness, perseverance, preparation, poise, work ethic, and most importantly, that nothing is impossible. You saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself. How else could a skinny Armenian kid headed to Bates College get a full football scholarship to Boston College? Because you cared enough to put your hard-earned reputation on the line with BC Head Coach Joe Yukica.