More than 60 join campaign gathering for Leone

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.

John was introduced by Bob Tosi, a Town Meeting member since 1987, who said that John cares about Arlington and that he is a qualified candidate who is transparent and open to public input.

Bob noted John service to the town, as both a Town Meeting member and as town moderator, who educated himself on the issues as well as the warrant articles and motions coming before the meeting and that John fairly ran a focus and positive toned meeting that included so many personalities and opinions. He also spoke of John’s commitment to the environment and Arlington’s wildlife and he believes that John will be a leader in holding the town manager accountable.

John stated that his decision to run for Select Board came from a sense that some priorities have drifted in areas that aren’t particularly headline worthy and that his candidacy is bringing attention to these issues. He credited has 29 years for Town Meeting and 14 years as Town Moderator with giving him insight into how the Town functions, its finances and the role of the Select Board and that he wants to focus on the board’s policy setting duties with an outlook of five to 10 years.

He spoke of how he believes that one of the important functions of the Select Board is to oversee the town manager and he that wants to ensure a capable and strong candidate is hired. He believes that part of that oversight would include reports on department heads to ensure that the town’s employees are properly treated.

He also spoke about the financial stability of the town and the inevitability of an override due to the structural deficit facing the town’s finances. He acknowledged that while an override is necessary, it must be planned taking into consideration the larger financial picture of the town’s budget both income and expenditures.

He commented on the need for the safety of our streets, pedestrians and bicyclists and that we must ensure their safety as we are encouraging more commuters to walk and ride bicycles to work or school. He also spoke passionately about the environment and Arlington wildlife and how important both are to Arlington and its future.

He closed out asking for one of your two votes for Select Board, so that he can continue to work together with everyone as a listener, a friend and a voice for all residents of Arlington and to make Arlington a better place.

Photos of the event are available on the campaign website: www.leoneselectboard.com/news

This letter was published Tuesday, March 20, 2023.

50-plus folks turn out to campaign kickoff for Leone

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

The Committee to Elect John D. Leone to the Select Board held its campaign kickoff the evening of Feb. 22 at Town Tavern in East Arlington. More than 50 people attended, including School Committee member William Hayner and Arlington Housing Authority member Nick Mitropoulos.

The response was very encouraging and supportive, the campaign said. All of the guests were very engaged. Everyone there had an opportunity to speak with John directly to express their opinions and to learn his views. 

Introduced by Hayner

Following a speech by the candidate, many other patrons of the Town Tavern who happened to be there for dinner came up to John and thanked him for his longtime service to the town, for running for office and for providing residents with an opportunity to meet him in person.

John was introduced by Hayner, who recalled that he has known John for more than 25 years. Hayner praised John’s commitment to and understanding of Arlington and noted the fact that he is a “good listener who puts a lot of thought into an issue before making a decision.”

John said that the decision to run for Select Board was not a quick one, and it was made only after several very supportive discussions with his family over the course of a few weeks. 

He credited his having been assistant town moderator for three years and town moderator for 14 years with giving him insight into how the town functions, its finances and the role of the Select Board,

Aims to continue to serve

He is running for Select Board so that he can continue to serve the town. 

He believes that one of the important functions of the Select Board is to oversee the town manager and that part of that oversight would include coordinating with department heads to ensure that their employees are properly treated. Another important role of the Select Board is to guide the town’s finances. John noted that the Select Board is directly responsible for the important task of hiring a new town manager -- and he wants to make sure a capable and strong candidate is hired.  

He also spoke about the financial stability of the town and the upcoming override. He acknowledged that while an override is necessary, it must be planned while taking into consideration the larger financial picture, such as the yearly increase of the town’s budget and the structural deficit that requires overrides every few years. The timing and amount of these overrides are important decisions that are to be made by the Select Board.

He commented on the need for the safety of local streets, including pedestrians and bicyclists, and he mentioned that there now is an even greater responsibility to ensure their safety, because the community is encouraging more commuters to walk and ride to work or school.  

He closed out by asking everyone in the electorate to vote for him for Select Board, as that would ensure that he can continue to work together with everyone to make Arlington the best it can be. “We can do better for the Town of Arlington,” he said.

A video of the speech is on the campaign website: www.leoneselectboard.com/news 

It can also be viewed on YouTube: youtu.be/UJnyYArz8-Y

Website:  www.LeoneSelectBoard.com

To contact the candidate, send an email message:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 This opinion piece was published Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, based on information submitted by the Leone campaign.