The campaign to oppose the override, backed by the Coalition for Responsible Spending, had its kickoff at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Jefferson Cutter House. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Heading the coalition and opposition to the override is Charles Simas, a Precinct 3 Town Meeting member. “Not much to report; we will have more meeting,” Simas wrote May 6 in response to questions about how many attended and what occurred.
The official campaign favoring the override, Yes for Arlington, got underway Sunday, May 1, at the Masonic Temple as an estimated more than 100 people met during the two hours. Some of those present said they felt good about “the energy in the room.”
April 25: Campaigns for, against override announced
Speakers for the Yes camp included selectmen Annie LaCourt, Diane Mahon and Kevin Greeley as well as School Committee Chair Cindy Starks, who is one of the leaders of the campaign.
It was noted that all members of the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen stand firmly behind the override, set for Tuesday, June 7.
Mahon, a selectman since 1999, gave an overview of the cuts that would take place if the override fails, and described how these would change the character of the town. These included large cuts to police and fire, and the loss of nine of 19 DPW positions.
Starks described the cuts that would take place on the schoolside, and offered her perspective on their impact as a school committee member, teacher, parent and Arlington resident.
Greeley, a selectman since 1989, emphasized that it is “up to us” — the town, the people in the room, the other strong sympathizers who would have been in the room but for conflicts with Sunday afternoon events, and those who are weaker supporters or are still making up their minds — to avoid these cuts and keep Arlington the kind of town we know and want to live.
He also noted that, as a veteran of previous campaigns, he had been told every single time that there was no way the override would pass, but said that the town nonetheless has a good record of passing overrides and debt exclusions. These efforts passed in 2005, 2001, 2000 and 1997. They failed in 2003 and 1997.
Another speaker noted that we are well on our way to meeting goals for number of volunteers for this stage of the campaign, though more are needed.
One who was present but who did not want to be identified said:
“I was very impressed with the energy in the room. Both that and conversations with voters around town reminds me that it’s easy to forget that the Arlington List captures only a small slice of public opinion.
“Many people are quite concerned about Arlington’s fiscal situation and want to know what they can do to help. Some pitch in by volunteering for the Yes For Arlington campaign, others just by talking to their neighbors informally, others just by doing research.
“I think all are important, and all are necessary if our town is to solve its problems. We really can’t depend on help from the state or federal government: it’s up to us.”
Some who attended were heading toward the Arlington High School Pops concert at Town Hall.
Others who were expected had conflicting commitments (concert, soccer, first communions, Walk for Hunger).
April 20: $6.49m override without PAYT voted, 4-0
This story was published Monday, May 2, 2011, and updated May 5 and 7.
