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August 24, 2010 - 8:37am

Our Questions for Lynch and D'Alessandro

by Dave Atkins

What question would you ask Congressional candidates Stephen Lynch and Mac D'Alessandro to answer if you had the chance? The editors of community web sites from Milton (02186 MyTownMatters), Dedham (MyDedham), and Westwood (Our Westwood) are inviting you to submit your questions as comments below from now until August 31. We will select 10 questions and submit those to both campaigns, then publish their responses online before the September 14 Democratic Primary.

Please suggest questions both candidates can answer--don't try to debate/discuss the merits of the candidates under this topic yet. Save that for after they respond. Please follow the community guidelines as you make comments.

August 22, 2010 - 10:14am

Absentee Ballots

by Mike Walsh

Well, with summer winding down, most are concerned about returning to school, Labor Day plans and back to school shopping.  However, in just a mere 22 days Massachusetts will have it's primary election.  That's right a primary election on Tuesday September 14th.  Polls open at 7:00AM and stay open until 8:00PM, but many will still forget to vote and get so caught up in work that they won't realize that it's election day until they watch the news that night or read the paper the next morning.

As a resident of Westwood, who's children go to the Downey and now this year the Thurston Middle School, I am Co-Vice President of Downey PTO, and teacher of CCD at St. Margaret Mary's, and I have worked hard to give myself the opportunity to be your senator and I will continue to do so, until the polls close on election day.   Still wondering if I can win?  Drive through the city and see the support I have in West Roxbury, Roslindale and Hyde Park or even Dedham or Norwood . The signs are only those who are willing to wear their proverbial "heart on their sleeve." This is a real race and I need and would appreciate your vote.

Before your child or children go off to college, send them down, or take them down, to visit the Town clerk's office. Introduce them to Dottie Powers and her staff, and get them to vote.  Absentee ballots are available right now.  You might even consider voting yourself and then not have to worry about September 14th. 

Thank you for your help and support.

Respectfully,

Michael Walsh

July 30, 2010 - 9:27am

Register to Vote in September Primary

by Dave Atkins

August 25 will be the last day for residents who have not registered to vote to complete their registration in time for the September primary. The Registrar of Voters will be holding a special voter registration session from 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, August 25, 2010, in the Town Clerks office for those residents who are not currently registered voters or for those voters wishing to change their political party.

This year's primary is especially relevant to Westwood as two residents are campaigning actively for contested races.

  • Attorney Michael Walsh is hoping to win the Democratic primary for the opportunity to run in the general election for the open seat being vacated by State Senator Marian Walsh (no relation). He faces Mike Rush, a state rep from West Roxbury. The winner will face West Roxbury Republican Brad Williams.
  • Independent Phil Dunkelbarger--although he does not have to run in the primary--will await the outcome of the contest between incumbent Congressman Steven Lynch and Milton challenger Mac D'Allessandro. Braintree resident Vernon Harrison will be up against Keith Lepore in the Republican primary.

Whatever your preference, make sure you are registered to vote and research these candidates. Despite one state rep's assertion yesterday that the primary "shouldn't be happening" (and they still wonder why Scott Brown won?) we have an opportunity in September to make a real difference in the choices we face in November and ultimately the direction of our commonwealth and country.

January 19, 2010 - 9:39pm

Westwood goes 60/40 for Brown

by Dave Atkins

According to results posted on the Town web site, nearly 74% of registered voters in Westwood turned out to vote overwhelmingly for Republican Scott Brown. The report on the town web site breaks down the voting by precinct and shows high turnout and support for Brown over Coakley in all four precincts. By way of comparision, Westwood voted 52% for President Obama in 2008.

January 19, 2010 - 2:06pm

Heavy Turnout in Westwood

by Dave Atkins

When I voted a little after noon at the Hanlon school, 1040 ballots had already been recorded. That's over 40% of registered voters. As the evening voters cast their ballots, it seems likely we will easily see 60% or more in a slushy snowfest.

I hope people vote today and I hope they think long and hard about their choice.

January 17, 2010 - 2:28pm

An Upset in the Making?

by Dave Atkins

When I blogged my endorsement of Alan Khazei in the Democratic primary, I basically said the special election on Tuesday wouldn't matter because how could a Republican possibly win?

I guess I was guilty of the same cluelessness that has gripped the Coakley campaign. This sign up the street from me...although I disagree with it, I am impressed that Scott Brown has inspired grassroots support enough that people are making homemade signs.

January 14, 2010 - 10:07am

Get Ready for Town Election

by Dave Atkins

Four candidates have already taken out papers to run for two open seats on the School Committee, and voters will select 3 members to the Planning Board at the annual Town Election on Tuesday, April 27, 2010. Nomination papers containing 50 signatures of registered Westwood voters (60 recommended) are due back in the Town Clerk’s office no later than the close of business on Tuesday, March 9, 2010.

According to the Town Election Preview posted by Town Clerk Dottie Powers (running for re-election), this year's election will include:

Read more »
December 9, 2009 - 9:52am

Nearly 30% Vote in Westwood

by Dave Atkins

According to the preliminary election results published by town clerk Dottie Powers, 29.64% of registered voters in Westwood voted in the Senate primary yesterday. That's almost double the turnout in Boston.

Democrats

MICHAEL E. CAPUANO 19%
MARTHA COAKLEY 49%
ALAN A. KHAZEI 18%
STEPHEN G. PAGLIUCA 14%

Republicans

SCOTT P. BROWN 94%
JACK E. ROBINSON 5%
Write-ins 1%
December 7, 2009 - 12:12pm

Vote tomorrow for US Senate

by Dave Atkins

The Massachusetts Special State Primary to select candidates to run for Ted Kennedy's US Senate seat is tomorrow. Republicans can choose between Wrentham State Senator Scott Brown and attorney/entrepreneur Jack Robinson. Democrats will choose between Attorney General Martha Coakley, Somerville Congressman Mike Capuano, Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, and CityYear co-founder Alan Khazei.

This is a vote that matters. Among the 4 Democrats, all are qualified in different ways. Personally, I strongly support Alan Khazei, but I encourage everyone to turn off the TV and check out these candidates, make a choice, and get out there tomorrow and make your vote count.

September 15, 2008 - 8:37pm

Vote in Primary Tuesday, September 16

by Dave Atkins

My mother-in-law forwarded my wife an email encouraging women to vote in this election and reminding us all how the vote was not achieved easily. Can you believe American women were imprisoned, beaten and tortured because they dared to picket the White House asking for the right to vote? Today, it is easy to write off this primary as an inconsequential chore with mostly unchallenged incumbent candidates who don't even face opposition in the general election. But choosing to vote is the first step in figuring out what choices there actually are:

Senator John Kerry is being challenged by Ed O'Reilly in the Democratic primary. The winner will face Republican Jeff Beatty in the November general election.

Democrats will also choose between Dedham resident Kelly Timilty and Robert Jubinville for a seat on the Governor's Council. Additional races include State House and Senate seats plus the Norfolk County Commissioner, Treasurer, and Register of Probate. Of these, only the County Commissioner position is contested between John Gillis and Francis O'Brian in the Democratic primary. WBZ has a useful web site tool that can help you construct a sample ballot based on your address.

It takes a little effort, but there are choices to be made and an opportunity for your vote to count.

Following the primary, next week on Monday, September 22, the Westwood Finance Commission will hold a public hearing on the warrant articles for the Special Town meeting. If you have an opinion about the proposals to grant additional alcohol licenses and would like to modify the warrant articles or suggest the Finance Commission oppose or support them, this meeting is your opportunit to do so. Town Meeting is too late. No doubt there will be a flurry of emails and mailings prior to town meeting designed to get residents to show up and vote yes or no, but there will be no opportunity to suggest alternatives or compromise at that time.

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