Raising a service dog: What’s it like?

Kenneth Hughes, chairman of the Arlington Contributory Retirement Board and a former Town Meeting member, submitted this letter to the editor.

I had the pleasure of serving with John Leone on the Town of Arlington Government Reorganization Committee. I also served as an Arlington Town Meeting Member with John for many years. I always found him to be well-prepared and knowledgeable about whatever the subject matter we would be dealing with. Please join me in supporting John Leone for Arlington Select Board.

Ginna Reeder of Spy Pond Parkway submitted this letter to the editor.

On Saturday, April 1, I will cast one of my three School Committee votes for Liz Exton. When Liz announced her candidacy for Arlington School Committee in 2020, she had no concept of what was just over the horizon; none of us did.

By the time the votes were cast and she stepped into the role, our classrooms were closed and the questions about if, when and how to reopen were all on the table. Liz jumped right in. She listened to the community, the parents, the Arlington teachers, and her School Committee peers. She brought the perspectives of a parent and the practical experience of a classroom teacher.

Amos Meeks, a resident of Lee Terrace in Arlington and a Precinct 3 Town Meeting member, submitted this letter to the editor.

I am writing this letter to express my wholehearted support for Lenard Diggins in his bid for reelection to the Arlington Select Board. As a resident of the same precinct as Len, I add that he also serves as one of my Town Meeting representatives. Through all of my interactions with him, I have only ever seen him demonstrate an unwavering commitment to our community.

Over the years, I have consistently been impressed by Len's passion for the Town of Arlington. He has been a strong advocate for environmental issues, such as supporting the fossil-fuel ban bylaw in 2020. This demonstrates Len's deep concern for the health and sustainability of our town, as well as his dedication to preserving our environment for future generations. His leadership in this area showcases his forward-thinking approach and his ability to address pressing issues that affect us all.

Barbara Thornton, a Precinct 16 Town Meeting member, submitted this letter to the editor.

Diane Mahon’s extraordinary energy, her love for Arlington and her deep knowledge and understanding about the issues facing our community have been on full display both at the LWV debate in Town Hall on Thursday, March 23 and on the recorded Select Board debate on ACMI’s channel. 

Diane takes “constituent services” very seriously and I know works hard to solve individual problems a resident might have. That alone must take a tremendous amount of time and energy.

Providing this summary, which contains opinion, was the Committee to Elect John D. Leone.

The committee held a meet-the-candidate gathering at Punjab Restaurant on March 19. Well over 60 supporters, voters and other Arlingtonians, from 25 to 90 years old and all ages in between and of all political persuasions were attendance at this in-person event.

All of the guests were very engaged and everyone had an opportunity to speak with John directly to express their opinions and learn his views on policies and issues facing the town. The response was very encouraging and supportive of John’s run. Overwhelmingly those attending thanked John for running and for having the opportunity to meet him in person.

Mary Winstanley O'Connor has announced that she is seeking reelection to the Board of Assessors, a seatr she has held since 2001.

It is my distinct pleasure to continue to serve our community as a member of the Arlington Board of Assessors.

Our three-member board has significant experience and depth -- with William Zagata, a licensed appraiser; Gordon Jamieson, a businessman and community activist; and me, an attorney.

As a board, we are required as a matter of law to assess all real and personal property in our town at full and fair cash value.

Paul Schlichtman announces his candidacy for reelection to the School Committee with an invitation to his kickoff, held Sunday, March 5, at the Donut Villa Diner function room, 319 Broadway.

Paul views successful school committee service as contributing to a governing team, where nothing can be achieved without a majority vote. His skills and experience in public school and municipal governance enable him to be an effective contributor to the team.

Paul has served four years on the Minuteman School Committee, and 17 years on the Arlington School Committee. Paul has served in Town Meeting for 27 years.

Paul brings the perspective of a professional educator who has worked primarily in urban districts. He has been an elementary teacher, a high school math teacher, a principal, and a central office administrator.

Lenard Diggins announces his candidacy for reelection to the Select Board in this statement.

Dear Fellow Arlingtonian: My first run for the Select Board made me truly proud of Arlington, because even with all of the ways in which I am considered a minority and atypical politician, I was deemed an "establishment" candidate.

While I’ve never felt any sense of estrangement in Arlington, I realized during that campaign that I was more welcomed to the community and more respected as a part of it than I had appreciated. That said, I definitely have my own perspective on any number of issues, and it is a viewpoint that is unabashedly liberal/progressive.

Sometimes my arguments to protect the minority point of view in the sea of blue that is Arlington can make me seem a bit conservative, but after some dialogue with me, one is quickly disavowed of that notion.

Providing this summary is Susan Ryan-Vollmar, who is helping the campaign.

Close to 50 people tuned in via Zoom to School Committee candidate Laura Gitelson’s campaign kick-off event Sunday, Feb. 12.

Attendees included School Committee Chair Liz Exton and committee members Jane Morgan and Kirsi Allison-Ampe, along with Select Board Chair Len Diggins and member Eric Helmuth.

Helmuth introduced Gitelson, recalling that he had first met her in the course of her work as co-chair of Arlington’s Civilian Police Advisory Board Study Committee.

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.  

YourArlington's policy about letters to the editor

UPDATED Feb. 27: 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.

The town election is set for Saturday, April 1. Factual letters supporting town candidates are welcome. Length of such letters should be no more than 400 words.

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

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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.