Meet Waltham Council Candidate Robert Logan

WALTHAM, MA — Local elections in Waltham are less than a month away, and Patch is determined to help residents get to know their candidates for council, mayor and school committee.

Patch has sent candidate questionnaires to each of the candidates that will appear on the ballot in a contested race for each of those three positions.

Robert Logan is seeking a seat on the City Council in Ward 9. Find out why he's running in 2023.

Name

Robert G. Logan

How old will you be as of Election Day?

66

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.logan4ward9.org/

What city or town do you live in?

Waltham

What office are you seeking?

City Councillor

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

Ward 9

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

B.A. in Political Science from UMass/Boston and an M.P.A. from Northeastern University

What is your occupation?

Retired

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

My wife, Paula, and my children Robert, Mary, Ross, and Patricia. All of my children graduated from Waltham High School and have college degrees.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Yes. I was the Ward 9 City Councillor from 1989-2019.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

Ward 9 needs an experienced and effective representative who can provide real leadership and actually get things done. I have a proven track record of real accomplishments as a City Councillor. I have lived in the neighborhood my entire life, in the house I grew up in. I would consider it an honor to once again represent my friends and neighbors - the residents of Ward 9, at Waltham City Hall.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

RATS! Trash, litter, and rats are the most frequently mentioned issues when I am out knocking on doors and talking to neighbors.

Here’s what we can do.

• Replace all of the open litter barrels throughout the downtown and in all public parks with Big Belly solar-powered trash compactors (or similar rat-proof receptacles). They keep the trash in and the rats out and have proven to be effective in reducing rats in other communities.

• Make the code enforcement officer in Public Works that handles trash violations 100% code enforcement. Currently, they spend 50 percent of their time on other public works related duties. Enforcement of trash violations needs to be a priority.

• Have a code enforcement position devoted to inspection/enforcement related to dumpsters. Overflowing dumpsters are a major contributor to the rat problem.

• I led the charge for Waltham to get the blue recycling carts we all use today. It's time to have a discussion about providing similar carts for trash. This would have to be implemented in such a way as to not negatively impact residents (i.e. free carts, extra carts, free pickup).

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

Knowledge and experience. I already have a proven record of getting things done, and if elected I can hit the ground running on day 1 delivering results for Ward 9 and the City of Waltham.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

• Increasing affordable housing.
• Protecting the environment and preserving open space.
• Using the latest traffic calming techniques to make neighborhoods safer.
• Enhancing technology to provide for greater transparency and accountability in local government.
• Provide needed bicycle infrastructure by installing bicycle racks and bringing “Blue Bikes” to Waltham.

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

These are just a few of many accomplishments:
• As Chair of the site selection committee, played a key role in the planning and construction of the new Moody Street Fire Station.
• Successfully pushed for the City of Waltham to acquire part of an abandoned rail line, that was slated to become a heavy equipment storage yard, and turn it into Chemistry Station Park.
• Wrote the resolution that resulted in all residents of Waltham being provided (free of charge) with the large, wheeled recycling carts in use today.
• Worked to raise the “residential exemption” for owner occupied residences from 20% to 35%, saving homeowners hundreds of dollars in property taxes every year.
• Authored numerous amendments to the zoning ordinances that helped bring new businesses to Moody Street.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Just do the right thing!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I do not view this position as a stepping stone to higher office. I never did. In all my prior years as your Ward Councillor I never once ran for any other office, and never will. I am only interested in working for the residents of Ward 9.

I am not running as part of any group, coalition, slate, or political machine. I am running my own campaign, as an individual candidate, and if elected will owe my allegiance only to the voters of Ward 9.

I do not represent any special interests, and never did! And to underscore that fact my campaign is not accepting ANY contributions whatsoever from developers OR the attorneys who represent them – now or in the future. In fact, we have already returned a number of contributions that we received in the mail. To be clear, these were legal contributions that we could have accepted. We simply chose not to, and we sent them back – and will do so in the future.

My number one promise to the voters of Ward 9 is that if you put your trust in me by electing me as your Ward Councillor I will always be responsive. I will respond to your communications in a timely manner and work diligently to represent you and to address your issues and concerns, just as I always have.