Month / November 2017

by J.A.

On the Campaign (Day 2)

To my fellow Attleborians: Today, I went to the Larson Senior Center for lunch. This is a wonderful place, with good food, excellent companionship, the seafood lunch (at a cost of 2 dollars) was tasteful, and the staff is friendly and caring. I recommend the Larson Center to every Attleboro resident 60 or over.

I was immediately greeted by a senior saying he would vote for me. Then, he asked, “What will you do for us?” I smiled. We’re all on friendly terms at the center. I asked if any homeowners were sitting at the table. A few hands went up. Then I asked what pct. their income went down when they retired. We ended up agreeing that we live on 50% or less of what we had earned in our peak years.

It’s hard living on fixed incomes, especially when social security is our main source of income. While some seniors have part-time employment, their pay is usually significantly less than they made as truck drivers, hospital workers, teachers and post office employees. Most seniors have to budget a modest lifestyle. But they are proud and don’t complain much.

Our new mayor and city council will hopefully grapple with this problem. Meanwhile, some seniors are volunteering in Attleboro to decrease their taxes by $600 a year. But there is a waiting list for these volunteer jobs. Not everyone gets a chance to lower their taxes by volunteering in schools, the city zoo, the senior center, the dog park and many other locations.

We all need to be sensitive to the challenges of retirement. But meanwhile, our seniors smile, share stories, chat about local and national issues, and greet each other over lunch at the Larson Center, Mondays thru Fridays. We try to spread cheer to everyone who walks through the door for lunch, card games, musical events, exercise groups.

If elected as Attleboro’s state representative, I will remember those folks eating and serving lunches in the Larson Center. I will think of the Seniors getting meals on wheels in their apartments and homes. I won’t forget them. You see, the Golden Years really should be Golden. For all of us. My fellow reps and state senators should be very grateful for the senior centers and councils on aging all over the Bay State. As legislators we should try to find ways to help our seniors.

And I’ll still join my Larson Center friends and staff for lunch sometimes when i am in Attleboro. We have fun together!

by J.A.

A Beautiful Day (Day 1)

Today was beautiful… the sky was clear blue …. a Montana sky (I lived in Billings for two years when I was young.)

1.  I couldn’t wait to read the Sun-Chronicle this morning. My announcement as a state rep. candidate was well written by Jim Hand. He even mentioned the baseball book I’ve been writing. I called him to say thanks. Jim was accurate and fair.
     Politicians are oftentimes wary with the press. But I think the press has an important role to play in government. Without a free press we would have difficulty maintaining an honest democracy. Reporters, editors and publishers deserve a lot of respect when searching for truth, fairness and a proper balance of judgement.
     When public servants shy away from the press the seeds of isolation begin. I vow to be open and honest with the press.
2. My campaign treasurer and I went to Rockland Trust’s branch bank on Pleasant Street. We needed to set up a campaign account. Two banks had already told us they didn’t do campaign accounts for corporate reasons. Frankly, I was taken aback. Without campaign bank accounts it would be impossible for political candidates to proceed.
    On a tip, I learned that Rockland Trust was different. The bank manager was open and supportive. The account was opened with my first campaign donation and now we can start to buy signs and palm cards.  So, thank you, Rockland Trust! Your faith in me is really symbolic of your faith in our political process!
3. In the afternoon I spoke to two union reps. One rep. worked for the Social Worker union I joined while working for the state of Massachusetts. The other was a carpenter union rep that I met in October while holding signs for State Senator Paul Feeney. Both of these union reps wanted to help, including making the sticks for my signholding events this winter. I was blown over. We stood for the same values. A government that is compassionate and supportive of the needy in our society.
     Much of my campaign will be funded either by myself or thru small donations from friends and supporters. But I am proud to be aided by my fellow social workers and carpenters. Thank you!
4. I hope you also had a good day.
                                                         Cheers, Ty
by J.A.

Why I am running for State Representative of Attleboro…

Hi: My name is Ty Waterman. I’ve lived in Attleboro 16 years on Dorchester Ave. Jan and I love Attleboro, own an adopted 11 yr. old dog and a modest ranch home. I’m 69 years old, working as the Attleboro YMCA Social Worker. I love this work.

I’ve been a social worker for 31 years in Mass. (LSW Mass License). I worked for the Commonwealth for the first nine years, supporting Intellectually disabled residents at Wrentham State School and day programs/group homes in Boston. For the following 19 years I supervised foster homes for children/teens and disabled adults for a private agency. My favoirite DCF client was a three year old boy who could only say one word, “Dinosaur.” I help him become adopted by a wonderful family.
But I eventually chose to work in Attleboro, which led me to the YMCA. The first year I worked with homeless children, living in a hotel on route 1. We brought them to the YMCA’s summer camp while I got to know the gentleman on the third floor. This was real social work and I loved it!
But I want more. I want to improve state government so those children and struggling parents can have a better life. I want to help Attleboro residents retain good health insurance through the state’s health connector. I want to improve mental health resources for those suffering from depression, low self-esteem, and addictions. I want to help the homeless walking around Attleboro gain decent housing and hope.
I see empty storefronts in Attleboro and imagine the suffering that caused those shuttered doors. So, I want to help small businesses thrive within our city and offer jobs to our residents.
I decided to become part of the solution. I worked on four political campaigns in the past five years, helping progressive candidates become elected to higher office. I held signs for my favorite candidates, knocked on many a door in the city to advocate for candidates, and saw some new progressive leaders step forward in Attleboro.
I want to help increase funds to spark Attleboro’s school system, bringing back the classes and teachers we lost a few years ago. I want our Seniors to feel secure and safe in their Golden Years. I want to protect us from vicious attacks on our state health insurance. I want law-abiding immigrants to feel secure and become productive citizens.
I want all our children to grow up in safe, warm, and loving homes.
We deserve the very best life can offer. This is Massachusetts. This is America.
I AM DECLARING MY CANDIDACY FOR ATTLEBORO’s STATE REPRESENTATIVE.
Submitted by Ty Waterman  (LSW)
by J.A.

It’s Official!

Friends: We went public tonite! It ought to make the paper in a few days! This announcement was sent to the Sun-Chronicle a few hours ago. Read it here. I am really appreciative of your support of my candidacy. Attleboro needs to keep a progressive voice in the statehouse! I will be hosting a campaign lunch at my house, 33 Dorchester Ave., noon on Saturday, December 30. I will provide terrific pizza. I plan to be gathering signatures during December at Attleboro’s grocery stores.
Feel free to bring friends/spouses to the pizza party on Dec. 30th. Just let me know so I can get enough pizza. Jan and I are looking forward to seeing you.
I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
ty