Robert (Bob) Tosi Jr., a Precinct 20 Town Meeting member who lives at Inverness Road, submitted this letter to the editor. 

I am a tough reviewer so I rarely give top marks knowing there is always room for improvement. John Leone knows “We can do better” and as a Select Board member he can help us be a better community.

The MBTA is at a crossroads and while we need to advocate for maintaining public transportation the assessment to Arlington is not fair as compared to other communities. When John served capably as Arlington Town Moderator he had some co-votes with the Select Board members on filling critical town vacancies and John stood out as voting for the position and not the politics.

Pat Hanlon, a Precinct 5 Town Meeting member who lives on Park Street, submitted this letter to the editor.

I am looking forward to casting one of my three School Committee votes for Liz Exton. Just as Arlington is fortunate in having such excellent schools, it is fortunate in its choice of candidates for School Committee. But to me, Liz stands out.

In the last three years the School Committee has coped – I think well – with a pandemic; hired a talented, open-minded and visionary superintendent; built an impressive new high school; and approved an inspiring five-year plan. The members deserve much credit for this, and none more than Liz. But now the time for laying foundations is giving way to a time for execution.

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.

Jane Morgan of Brattle Street, a member of the School Committee, submitted this letter as a private citizen.

I am writing to share my support for Diane Mahon and her campaign for another term on Arlington’s Select Board. I got to know Diane in 2016 when she served as one of the co-chairs for the Build Arlington’s Future campaign. At that time we were asking the voters to support building projects at Gibbs, Thompson, Minuteman and Arlington High School. It was my first campaign experience and it felt like I was learning to fly while the plane was in the air. Diane was a calm and encouraging force who always made our team feel supported and important. She took her leadership role seriously and worked tirelessly to remove obstacles while allowing people to lead and serve in their areas of expertise. When that campaign was successful she deflected any credit to the hard-working volunteers. 

Eric Helmuth, a Select Board member who represents Precinct 12 in Town Meeting, submitted this letter to the editor.

I am enthusiastically voting to reelect Len Diggins to Select Board. I’ve had the privilege of serving with Len on the board for the past two years. He has earned my respect for his hard work, intelligence and passion for a local government that welcomes and engages all residents.

Len is a collaborative leader. He approaches problems and decisions with creativity, curiosity and genuine openness to different points of view. He listens, will change his mind in response to persuasive new information or perspectives, and doesn’t care about getting the credit.

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.

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.