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.  

John Leone, who served at Town Meeting moderator from 2007 until last year, announces his candidacy for Select Board in this statement.

This was not a quick decision, and it was made after several very supportive discussions with my wife, family and friends. I believe that I can bring an energy and a direction of purpose to the Select Board that is sorely needed at this time.

Our town is at a crossroads and the Select Board should be leading us on several important and decisive issues:

Arlington's annual budget season has begun, and the town's Finance Committee faces two nights a week of scrutinizing town budget proposals until it issues its report to Town Meeting in April. That work has continued since 1895, when the town was much smaller. It has continued after 1980, when it was much larger and when Proposition 2 1/2 set limits on town spending. 

The Fincom's work continues now in the face of a looming override when voters are asked to fill in the town's funding gap. The amount has yet to be determined, but you see when red ink occurs, as projected by the Jan. 18 spreadsheet presented to the Long Range Planning Committee.

Ann Kelleher of Charlestown submitted this letter to the editor, forwarded by Christa Kelleher of Arlington:

This past Dec, 17 I attended the Arlington High School winter concert and was treated to an evening of incredible singers and instrumentalists. What talented musicians and ensembles, which included a pianist as well as a solo harpist! Their teacher and conductors are to be commended for their commitment, dedication and total immersion in their students’ performance, which was outstanding.

It was impressive to listen and watch the students performing with enthusiasm before a grateful audience. I say grateful, because at a time when there is so much strife in our world, the students gave us pause to absorb their sense of joy in their performance and showcase their incredible talents.

Town bans 2nd-generation anticoagulant rodenticide

UPDATED Jan. 12: This letter to the editor is from Laura Kiesel of Arlington. She has a master's degree in environmental science and conservation biology. As a journalist, she has covered the impacts of rodenticides on wildlife for DIG Boston and Salon. Her most recent feature article on the topic, "Battle SGARs," was selected as a finalist for the David Carr Award for Investigative Reporting by the Association of Alternative News Media." See a second letter below. This appeal was updated with a link to town action, above.

In November, it was discovered that a resident Great Horned owl whose mate and two fledgling offspring were found dead last spring of suspected rodenticide poisoning had finally attracted a new mate. However, on Dec. 4, the new mate was discovered collapsed on the ground, coughing up watery blood. She died shortly after. The rehabber who treated the owl reported her blood would not clot, a tell-tale sign of rat poisoning.

Amy Speare of Zero Waste Arlington submitted the following New Year's resolutions about waste. The group is an advocacy and education-focused town committee, working at both the local and state levels to effect change and reduce our waste. Follow Zero Waste Arlington on Facebook or visit its website.

Protecting the environment will take collective and long-term action, but every individual has the power to make small daily decisions to reduce their individual amount of waste, which will also help protect our planet. We need to go beyond the 3Rs and practice these five Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, Recycle.

In 2023, challenge yourself to adopt one (or more!) of our suggestions below to fight back against the environmental foes: consumerism and disposability.

Equitable Arlington, a group of town residents who agree about the importance of equitable housing and land-use policies, has a new website. See it at equitable-arlington.org.

Jennifer Susse, a former School Committee member and among those involved calls the effort the "product of many months of meetings and volunteer labor."

The site's introductory comments set the tone:

"We know that Arlington values openness and diversity, a greener future, and vibrant neighborhoods and downtowns — but our current zoning is holding us back."

The following fact-based, explanatory opinion was written by Christine Deshler, chair, Town of Arlington Finance Committee.

The town’s $197.4 million budget supports a wide range of essential services for its residents and local businesses, including schools, public safety, snow removal, trash and recycling, libraries, recreation and conservation of open spaces. The primary revenue source for the town is the property tax, comprising about 75 percent of its total annual revenues.

Most of that burden falls to residential taxpayers, as Arlington has a small commercial tax base.  Arlington, like all communities throughout Massachusetts, must have a balanced budget and fund services within the confines of Proposition 2½, which limits annual growth in property taxes.

YourArlington's policy about letters to the editor

UPDATED Nov. 28: 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.

This site welcomes letters about any issue that stirs the public mind. Longer opinion pieces are also welcome.

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.