Oct 7 2023
Hello everyone,
There is exciting news to share and highlight around endorsements. This week I was endorsed by SEIU 509. I’ve gotten to know their involvement with institutions like Brandeis as well as other care worker and education organizations in Waltham and across the state. It’s great to have a partner whose vision includes equity and justice for marginalized communities, a healthy environment, and having our seniors age with dignity. These are problems that cannot be solved by only one group and being in solidarity with SEIU 509 brings Ward Nine that much closer to addressing these problems facing our community. A very humbling thank you to SEIU 509 for their endorsement of my campaign. This is combined with my previous union endorsement of The Greater Boston Labor Council. Through both of these endorsement processes I’ve not only learned so much about the union process, but have also gained a wealth of connections with both knowledgeable professionals and other local elected leaders. I’m eager to learn and connect more with these individuals over my next years on City Council.
There was another endorsement this week from my friend and current Ward Nine Councillor Jonathan Paz. Before we really knew each other, I remember him coming to my door four years ago talking about Ward Nine and then in the following years attending many of the Town Halls he organized. I certainly would not have known as much about Waltham’s government were it not for Jonathan and I hope to continue that work helping connect my neighbors to the issues and solutions that are important to you as your next Ward Nine Councillor. I’ve been excited to support Jonathan in his race for Mayor since he announced and hope we will be able to work together in City Hall in just a few months.
If you were planning on voting in November’s election (and I sure hope you do) you have a few options:
Vote on election day, November 7th. Check your polling place here
Vote early at 260 Grove Street. 9a-5p on Sat Oct 28th, 10a-4p on Sun Oct 29th, and 830a-430p on Mon Oct 30th.
Request a mail-in ballot by Oct 31st at this website or print out this document and drop it off at City Hall.
If you aren’t registered, you need to do so by Oct 28th. You can register online here.
There are a few events I will be at over the next month where you can learn more about the campaign:
The Waltham Land Trust is hosting a Green Possibilities Forum for the Ward Candidates on Thurs Oct 12th at 7p. Register from the link to get access to the zoom to hear us chat about conservation and the environment. Ward Nine is blessed with wonderful natural resources like the river, but that biodiversity often doesn’t make it into our neighborhoods. We are going to talk about very important issues and I hope you can join.
The Waltham Chamber of Commerce along with the Downtown Waltham Partnership is hosting an meet and greet with the candidates on Wed Oct 25th at 530p at Tempo, 474 Moody St. Tempo is hosting, so the food is going to be great. Come out and hang out with the candidates and ask us whatever you want.
If you’ve been following along at home, you will see that we are one month away from the elections. If you want to get involved there are lots of ways to help the campaign. Please fill out this form with how you want to help out.
Canvassing - You can help knock on doors and talk with voters. This is so important and it’s the best way to victory. It helps to learn about what issues are important to my neighbors and gets my message out to them. If you can help canvass (you don’t have to do it alone) I would certainly appreciate it.
Host a Yard Sign - They’ve been slowly popping around around Ward Nine, reach out if you would like your very own.
Spanish Translation - So many of my neighbors do not speak English and despite my 151 day streak on Duolingo, I’m still not quite up to the level of talking about municipal issues. Acting as a translator while talking with neighbors who are so often forgotten in the political process is crucial to making sure that I’m listening to all the voices in Ward Nine.
Phone calls - There are plenty of apartment buildings that are inaccessible and doorbells that don’t work. We need to hit the phones to reach out to these neighbors. You’ll be given a script and training, it’s so easy to do from the comfort of your home.
Donations - So many of you have given already, thank you. This last month will have mailers and more events come through and I want to make sure we can reach everyone. Having funding is so important to make sure that these last few weeks can go smoothly. If you can give via this link I very much appreciate it.
Together, only together, we will win.