Candidate Profile: John Leone, Arlington Town Moderator

ARLINGTON, MA — Town Moderator John Leone is seeking re-election in the only contested race in the April 2 election. He faces a challenger in Greg Christiana.

Arlington Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

Leone has been town moderator for the past 14 years. He served as assistant town moderator for three years and on Town Meeting for nearly three decades.

Are you running for office in Arlington? Contact Alex Newman at alex.newman@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Arlington Patch.

Age (as of Election Day)

63

Position sought (including ward or district number if applicable)

Town Moderator

Party Affiliation

unaffiliated

Family

spouse: Pauline, children: Laura and Christopher

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

no

Education

Doctorate of Law,

Occupation

Attorney at Law, Town Moderator

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Town Moderator - 14 years, Assistance Town Moderator - 3 years, Town Meeting Member 27 years, numerous Town Committees

Campaign website

www.LeoneModerator.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for reelection as Town Moderator because I deeply believe in participatory democracy and I respect the volunteer service of our Town Meeting Members. During my time as Moderator the reforms that I have introduced have reduced the pre-pandemic average to only six sessions from 11, making service more manageable for Town Meeting Members which in turn has encouraged more voters of all diversities to run for seats in Town Meeting. I wish to continue this work for the residences of Arlington.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Keeping Town Meeting relevant and up to date with the technology of the digital age.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My experience as the Town Moderator, I have presided over 112 Town Meeting sessions, and the trust of the residents of Arlington. As Moderator I have worked to focus Town Meeting’s time on the governing decisions requiring thoughtful debate through several innovative reforms. I have introduced these reforms to bring efficiency, accountability and transparency to the meeting, including: electronic voting devises, “clickers” which enable voters to see how their Town Meeting Members voted on every vote; an electronic time clock to regulate the speakers at the podium; a consent agenda; a video presentation system; and, I have work with the town’s IT and other Departments to develop the Town Meeting online Warrant to reduce paper waste. I have, developed and provided educational materials to new TMMs and for many years I have run the New Members Orientation Workshop.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Trust - Experience and Integrity. The Moderator’s role is not a policy position. The Moderator needs to maintain impartiality and independence. Moderators should never engage in advocating for or against or take a position on any issue. The Moderator’s job is to welcome all members into the Meeting, skillfully manage the speaking time to give the all members the opportunity to weigh in on the arguments for or against any article. I have a well deserved reputation for impartiality and treating all town Meeting with courtesy and respect.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

112, Sessions of Town Meeting. My experience and Town service include: the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee for 8 years, serving as the Chairman for 3 years; the Millennium Time Capsule Committee, the Town Government Reorganization Committee of 2009 and the Town Meeting Procedures Committee. I am currently the President of Arlington Community Media Inc. and have served on its Board since its formation. I am also a member of the Massachusetts Moderators Association, where I have been active in sharing knowledge with fellow moderators, attending the annual Moderators Meeting and workshop and I served as its President from October 2017 through October 2018. I am an attorney of 37 years with a legal practice in Arlington.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always tell the truth and treat everyone with courtesy and respect.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

When I was elected Moderator 14 years ago, I had a primary goal: Conduct our business efficiently and in less time, without sacrificing balanced and quality of the debate. Today, Town Meeting Members arrive better prepared and informed than ever before, as they can access the Town Meeting on-line Warrant, this and other improvements that I have implemented over the last 14 years were all incremental, and there is no reason that should or will stop now. I am open to hearing concerns from members and incorporating improvements into our procedures and technological tools. The goal is, and always has been, a better town meeting. Better engagement, better results. The learning is never done.