Laura B. Gitelson, who has taken out papers for School Committee, announces her candidacy.

I’m running for School Committee out of a deep love for Arlington. My gratitude and affection for this community has grown over the past nine years as my husband and I and our two children, both of whom attend Peirce Elementary School, have made our home here. I am eager to contribute my skills and knowledge to build upon the many strengths in Arlington public schools and find ways to meet the district’s challenges.

In 2023, Arlington’s schools are well positioned for success. We have a new superintendent, a new high school, and we are poised to launch a new five-year strategic plan. But we are still emerging from the ravages of Covid-19 and must confront the inequities in access to learning laid bare by the pandemic.

Jill Krajewski, who has taken out papers for School Committee, announces her candidacy:

As a career educator, I have sought opportunities to influence educational policy and decision making without leaving what I love doing every day, working with children. As a science teacher, I have an interest in making sure that decisions are data-based.  

For the past 15 years, I have been a union leader in the district where I teach. When I moved to Arlington and had children, I envisioned that someday I would shift my expertise to contribute to the education system in the town where I reside and that I love.  

John Leone, who served at Town Meeting moderator from 2007 until last year, announces his candidacy for Select Board in this statement.

This was not a quick decision, and it was made after several very supportive discussions with my wife, family and friends. I believe that I can bring an energy and a direction of purpose to the Select Board that is sorely needed at this time.

Our town is at a crossroads and the Select Board should be leading us on several important and decisive issues:

The Arlington Police Department raised $5,825 during its 2022 No-Shave November and December initiative to benefit cancer research.

For the campaign, members of the department abstained from shaving their facial hair during November and December, and donated or raised $100 each per month. Community members were also able to donate to the campaign.

All proceeds were donated to Massachusetts General Hospital for cancer research. The donation was presented to MGH personnel during a visit to the department Jan. 31.

Arlington's annual budget season has begun, and the town's Finance Committee faces two nights a week of scrutinizing town budget proposals until it issues its report to Town Meeting in April. That work has continued since 1895, when the town was much smaller. It has continued after 1980, when it was much larger and when Proposition 2 1/2 set limits on town spending. 

The Fincom's work continues now in the face of a looming override when voters are asked to fill in the town's funding gap. The amount has yet to be determined, but you see when red ink occurs, as projected by the Jan. 18 spreadsheet presented to the Long Range Planning Committee.

Ann Kelleher of Charlestown submitted this letter to the editor, forwarded by Christa Kelleher of Arlington:

This past Dec, 17 I attended the Arlington High School winter concert and was treated to an evening of incredible singers and instrumentalists. What talented musicians and ensembles, which included a pianist as well as a solo harpist! Their teacher and conductors are to be commended for their commitment, dedication and total immersion in their students’ performance, which was outstanding.

It was impressive to listen and watch the students performing with enthusiasm before a grateful audience. I say grateful, because at a time when there is so much strife in our world, the students gave us pause to absorb their sense of joy in their performance and showcase their incredible talents.

Equitable Arlington, a group of town residents who agree about the importance of equitable housing and land-use policies, has a new website. See it at equitable-arlington.org.

Jennifer Susse, a former School Committee member and among those involved calls the effort the "product of many months of meetings and volunteer labor."

The site's introductory comments set the tone:

"We know that Arlington values openness and diversity, a greener future, and vibrant neighborhoods and downtowns — but our current zoning is holding us back."

YourArlington's policy about letters to the editor

UPDATED Nov. 28: YourArlington welcomes opinions of all kinds from local residents, including national issues so long as you can draw a local connection. For example, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in June on Roe v Wade must have echoes here, too. Letters are reviewed for fairness, factualness and taste.

This site welcomes letters about any issue that stirs the public mind. Longer opinion pieces are also welcome.

NOTE: When emailing a letter to The Advocate & Star, consider copying YourArlington at the same time. Your opinions will be published sooner.

Please support your view with facts and arguments that attempt to adhere to reason.

You may write on any subject, so long as you try to make a connection to Arlington. If you can't do that, then your residence in town will be a sufficient connection.