Up and running

The following press release was sent to the Daily Times on Jan. 28, 2018.

New civic group created to engage in local spring elections

Local spring elections are just around the corner, and a competitive race for mayor and several city council seats are on the ballot. A new civic group, We Like Watertown, has been created to support candidates that it feels are the most qualified to make Watertown a great place to live, work, visit, shop and play in the coming years. The group’s longer-term mission is to promote more community-wide involvement and collaboration on civic issues.

“Great teamwork can accomplish seemingly impossible things,” said Sherry Cira, a founding member of We Like Watertown. “Joining forces and working cooperatively together in all areas of city life can result in vast community improvement and pride.”

We Like Watertown is registered with the state Ethics Commission as an independent expenditure committee. This type of committee must be fully independent and may not coordinate any efforts with a candidate or a candidate’s election committee. Donations and expenditures will be publicly reported and made available as required by law.

“Since we are new, and we want to make sure our efforts are completely independent from the candidates and their volunteers, we are a small group at this time,” said Kevin Ryan, treasurer of the committee. “We’ll consider expanding, and possibly becoming a nonprofit organization or some similar entity after the elections.”

If expansion occurs, the group’s goal will be to work on broader civic engagement and collaboration initiatives, as well as possibly advocating for the hiring of a professional public city administrator to ensure that public funds, debt, amenities and services are expertly managed.

In selecting candidates to support in the upcoming elections, We Like Watertown is looking for leaders who will bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the job of running our city and helping the community thrive. The group seeks candidates who seem most likely to take initiative for the benefit of the community as a whole.

“We’d love to help elect a conscientious and respectful individual devoted to driving results that foster community well-being,” said Barry Ashenfelter, a founding member.

“No one person can make a city great, but great leaders can help a community prosper,” said Cira. “We all have to pitch in, hold ourselves and our leaders to high standards, and collaborate good-heartedly for the health, safety, and betterment of Watertown. It’s our civic duty to do so, and ultimately for our own benefit.”

UPDATE NOTE: Sherry is a donor to We Like Watertown, but is no longer involved beyond that activity.