On the Trail with Ty: 8/28/18

I had a phone call from the Attleboro Sun Chronicle yesterday while knocking on doors. A reporter, Jim Hand, asked me about the book I wrote, “The Year The Red Sox Won the Series.” It was the Boston Globe book of the year back in 1999, telling the story of the world champion 1918 Boston Red Sox. Babe Ruth starred on that team, winning two games against the Chicago Cubs as a pitcher in the 1918 World Series.

I am flattered that the paper wants to run a story, replete with old photos, of my only published book, in this 100th anniversary of those 1918 champion Red Sox. It will be featured in a Saturday Sun Chronicle paper, probably on September 1 or 8.

Baseball has been a big part of my life. My dad was a professional baseball player, I played on a little league team, high school team, and American Legion ball as an outfielder. Baseball has been one of the driving forces of my life, including many years as a Red Sox and Paw Sox fan. I don’t talk about sports on my election journey through Attleboro. However, I do believe school sports can shape a young person’s life. Coaches become role models who make a strong imprint upon a youth.  Winning is nice but isn’t the most important thing. Developing the character of our youth should be number one in Attleboro’s sports programs.

I am heading out on my bike to Ward 3B Tuesday afternoon. Maybe playing ball through my teenage summers fortified me for a hot day like this. I learned to play under extreme mid-summer heat and maintain my concentration on each pitch. Or maybe I just love Attleboro and the people within it so much that I’m able to persevere through the heat and humidity. You decide.

The Year The Red Sox Won The Series: A Chronicle of the 1918 Championship Season
by Ty Waterman & Mel Springer
Link: http://a.co/d/gYorJ9p

It feels good to be back in Attleboro

Jan and I had a wonderfully relaxing vacation camping near the ocean in the Acadia region of Maine. After 8 days to recharge our batteries, I went out today along Holden and North Main Streets in Ward 3B.

I met a lawyer, policeman, construction foreman and a retired World War 2 veteran along with many other interesting people. I heard an elderly woman vent her concerns about speeding on Holden Avenue and the difficulty of walking across the street even in the crosswalks. I tried several times myself, very few cars let me across. They could use a crosswalk with lights.

I met a woman who helps DCF children reunite with their families and find affordable housing. We agreed that housing is a huge problem for many lower income families. It’s such a big problem that it will require a concerted effort by all of our Attleboro’s civic and political leaders.

I met a policeman who needs to be both a social worker and a counselor in his day to day patrol. I assured him I will be supportive and listen to our police, especially when handling tough situations. As a social worker, I have been assisted by police in Boston and Attleboro throughout my career. He had a John McCain sign on his front yard and we agreed that Senator McCain was a truly great American.

I was invited into the home of an 89 year old World War 2 veteran of the Army Air Force. He shared his Army photos and certificates displayed in his living room. We talked about the need to help the elderly and the importance of the great work our senior center does. This beautiful couple has been married 66 years and were delighted to bring me into their home. It was definitely an honor to be with them.

It feels good to be back in Attleboro.

“You must be Ty on your bicycle!” From the Campaign Trail, 8/17/18

Great day on the trail. Put up 13 signs today with four new signs on Lindsay Street. The forces that be were looking after me. I parked my bike at the beginning of Lindsay when a woman drove up to the red light, looked at me and said, “You must be Ty on your bicycle!” I handed her a palm card, the light turned green and she zoomed off. I had no idea who she was. But she sure was friendly!

Fifteen minutes later I biked into a driveway, and the same lady turned in right behind me. We were properly introduced to each other, had a great talk, and up went a sign. I told her “We were fated to meet today!” Gretchen smiled again.

It was a good day. Drive down Lindsay and you will see some signs now. A great way to start out in Ward 3B!

Today is my wife Jan and I’s 16th wedding anniversary. Jan is a beautiful, gentle and supportive lady. Tonight Jan took me out to a Paw Sox game (we won, 5-3) and bought me dinner as part of my birthday present. Tomorrow we leave for a week of camping at Lamoine State Park, sleeping in a tent 100 yards from the ocean with a view of the mountains of Acadia National Park.

Now I am officially on my vacation. I will be back on Sunday, August 26th.

Cheers, Ty

Sometimes I run into sadness. From the Campaign trail, 8/15/18

Today John and I drove for several hours through Ward 4. We met some great folks who put up signs for me last winter when I was a state representative candidate. Everyone was delighted to see us again and quickly offered to put up my city council sign. John and I particularly enjoyed talking with the retired owners of Houle’s Taxi, a beloved part of Attleboro’s transportation history.

Campaigning brings me into touch, however briefly, with people’s lives. Sometimes I run into sadness. My final visit was with a senior couple who spoke with me at length inside their house last winter. They were wonderful and friendly. They worried about the escalating taxes on a fixed income and the looming difficulties of maintaining a nice home.

When I went to their door, I met the lady of the house. She was grieving and told me her husband had died two weeks ago. My heart dropped. I groped for the right words, expressed my sympathies and asked if there was anything I could do for her. She said, “Can you bring my husband back to me?”

Campaigning can be tedious, joyful, and sad all within a few short minutes. Thank you, Attleboro for letting me be a part of your life. Let’s help support each other in all of life’s moments.

Where the color blue prevailed. From the campaign trail, Monday 8/13/18

Wow!!! Volunteers John & David and I have put up 107 signs since Saturday, with more to go. We covered Ward 1 in South Attleboro, Ward 2 and 6 on both sides of Capron Park, down West Street, South Ave., County St., South Main St, Thurber, and sections of Oak Hill Ave. We have lots of work to do in other sections of our city but time still permits.

Our sign holders were delighted to receive a magnetic bumper sticker and a button. We found ourselves frequently sharing a yard with Jim Hawkins signs, where the color blue prevailed. We passed Tara Major (Jim Hawkins administrative asst.) putting up a big Hawkins sign on Rome Blvd. Dan and Monica on Rome Blvd. waved at us and asked for a matching sign on the other side of their lawn.

We were having so much fun, no one cared that it was raining most of the day.

Happiness prevailed throughout our visits. Children smiled, dogs even stopped barking once they realized we were welcomed at their homes. This is not my triumph. But rather, I am noticing that people are celebrating a new spirit in the city.

My supporters want better education, smaller classes, outreach to seniors, protection of our environment from possible pipelines and asphalt plants, more transparency within the city council, and cooperation between the city council and our mayor, Paul Heroux.

My supporters want to see Highland Country Club turned into a beautiful park for the entire city and open spaces protected for our enjoyment.

My supporters want Attleboro to grow into a city that cherishes and protects our human rights and where families can feel safe and secure. They want a city that takes care of struggling citizens, offering food and housing to those in need. Our citizens enjoy music in Capron Park, a wonderful zoo, and walking on trails in protected forests.

We love Attleboro and want to celebrate living here. More signs to put up tomorrow.