By Clyde Younger
Publicly notifying a Watertown’s Manager that I no longer have respect for him is unprecedented on my part. I believe the action requires an explanation since it represents an unusual sentiment; especially, from a former elected officer of Watertown. I know it appeared to some it came from left field; however, this transgression was not the first time on his part.
Let me say bluntly, as a former elected official, I know the number of constructive and meaningful projects that I have participated in. Consequentially, I am not going to have someone come in the town and consider me irrelevant. Apparently, he has not taken time to know that I am not a Clarence Thomas. Further, I strongly believe any resident, voter or not, who has written a letter to those elected or appointed deserves, at minimum, an acknowledgement of receipt of a letter.
The City of Watertown announced the postponement of the State of the City address. The Watertown State of the City Address, originally scheduled for September 4, 2024, broadcasted by WCA-TV, is being rescheduled after City Manager George Proakis has tested positive for COVID-19. A new date for the Address will be announced soon. We wish the City Manager a speedy recovery. For those who submitted questions to be answered live by the City Council President and City Manager, thank you for doing so and we will be keeping them for the State of City when it is rescheduled.
Watertown’s annual State of the City address will take place on Sept. 4, 2024. The first one was held last August. The event is required to be held annually with the changes to the City Charter were approved by voters in 2021. The City of Watertown provided the following information:
The Watertown State of the City address will be broadcasted live from WCA-TV’s studio on September 4, 2024 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. City Council President Mark Sideris and City Manager George Proakis will deliver the State of the City together, before transitioning to Q+A and answering resident-submitted questions.
Watch live online, or on Comcast 22 and RCN 13.
George Proakis, ManagerCity of Watertown149 Main StreetWatertown, Massachusetts 02472
Dear Mr. Proakis:
I am writing after seeing Ms. Maloney’s article in Charles Breitrose’s On Line Newspaper expressing several concerns surrounding Arsenal Yards; especially the Brothel that operated from a property located in Arsenal Yards. She brings to our attention the bronze portrait of Mark Sideris which reads “without Mark Sideris Arsenal Yards and All that surrounds it may not have been realized.” Given the portrait and the citation, I surmise that is why she says, given Mark’s importance, he should know about everything that is happening on the property. I do not see any reason why Mark would know or anticipate all of the businesses Boylston Properties had already arranged leases with, nor those who would later sign leases. Until Ms. Maloney’s letter I had not seen anything written or in print about the bronze portrait of Mark on the property. And, even though I had serious concerns about singling out the Council President from the other Councilors, I remained quiet.
Charlie Breitrose
Watertown voters re-elected two incumbents in contested races on Tuesday, but there will be two new faces in elected positions. In the race for City Council President, incumbent Mark Sideris defeated challenger and former Council President Clyde Younger. The tally, according to precinct results obtained by Watertown Cable Access Television, was 2,602 for Sideris and 871 for Younger. Sideris will be serving his eighth two-year term. Five people were running for three, four-year School Committee seats.
Watertown’s top elected position is on the ballot for the Nov. 7, 2023 Municipal Election. The two candidates running for City Council President responded to a series of questions posed by Watertown News. The race features incumbent Mark Sideris, and former Council President Clyde Younger. Each seeks the two-year term on both the City Council and as a member of the Watertown School Committee.
Watertown News: Please provide a brief description of yourself: your family, profession, any other relevant information. Mark Sideris: I am married with 3 children who all sucessfully graduated from the Watertown public schools. I am also the proud grandfather of a 14 month old granddaughter. My brother and I own an auto body shop in Waltham. WN: Please tell us about what inspired you to run for City Council President, and what experiences you have that would help you serve on the Council.
MS: I want to continue as council president so I can work with my colleagues on the council and the school committee to keep the city moving forward on a number of issues we are working on.
Watertown News: Please provide a brief description of yourself: your family, profession, any other relevant information. Clyde L. Younger: Black or Afro-American. Wife, Mary and one son Michael. Grew up in Denver, CO. A graduate with a B.A. from what would now be called Coach Prime’s School; however, I am not an athlete.
