Waltham Candidate Profile: Robert Logan Is Running For Ward 9

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham will have several contested races in this fall's election, including a preliminary for Ward 9, which will thin the field of candidates from three to two. Waltham Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Robert Logan, 62, a lifelong resident of Waltham is running to keep his seat as Ward 9 councilor. He faces off against Don Desochers and Jonathan Paz. The top vote-getter in the preliminary election on Sept. 17 will move on to compete in the general election on Nov. 5.

Logan and his wife Paula have four grown children all of whom graduated from WHS and gone on to college. Logan himself is a graduate of Waltham High School. He got his B.A. in Political Science from UMass Boston, and a Masters in Public Administration from Northeastern University. For the past 20 years he's been the Assistant Director for Elderly & Disability Assistance at Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance and holds the Current Ward 9 City Councilor seat and is the vice president of Waltham City Council, vice president of the Massachusetts City Councilors Association and is a member of the State Local Government Advisory Commission.

Previously: Waltham Elections 2019: Here's Who Is Running

Are you running for office in Waltham? Contact Jenna Fisher at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Waltham Patch.

The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

It’s always hard to pick one issue as the most important. One thing that I think is important, and that I work very hard to promote, is the health of our Downtown located in the heart of Ward 9. I work closely with the Waltham Downtown Partnership (DWP) on a wide range of issues affecting our Downtown. Most recently I wrote and sponsored two amendments that led directly to the opening of two new business on Moody Street – FireCycle Studio and Game Underground – by eliminating technical obstacles to their permitting.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates?

Knowledge, experience, and a proven track record of achieving results.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I have been a leader on environmental issues, affordable housing, open space & recreation, and public safety.

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

I have a proven ability to get things done. I have been the leader on most of the substantive legislation that has been passed by the City Council in recent years. I led the way on increasing the Residential Exemption from 20% to 35%, providing homeowners (including condo owners) over $1,000 annually in real estate tax relief. I wrote the amendment to the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance that increased the affordable housing set-aside required of developers by 50% (from 10% to 15%), targeted the additional units to lower income families, and requires developers to keep them affordable in perpetuity. I wrote various amendments to the Zoning Code that directly resulted in a number of new businesses opening on Moody Street. These are just a few examples of how I have led the way and achieved real results.

The best piece of advice anyone ever gave me...

"There never is a day when it is not worth your while to be at your best." This is inscribed on the front of the former South Junior High School building (now the Community & Cultural Center) and my Dad, who attended South Junior, would often quote this advice to me. Good advice!

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

I want voters to know that I have a proven ability to get things done, and that no Councillor works harder to represent them than I do. I am accessible and listen to the concerns of residents. It is an honor to represent the people of Ward 9, and I respectfully ask for your vote in the upcoming election. Thank you!

Favorite aspect of Waltham?

There are so many great aspects to Waltham, but it’s historical and cultural richness come immediately to mind.

More on Waltham Elections:

• Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy Announces She Will Run
• Possible Challenge To McCarthy's Run For Waltham Mayor
• Councilor Diane LeBlanc Hints At Run For Mayor
• Waltham Councilor Diane LeBlanc Announces She Will Run
• Waltham Election Calendar: What To Know About Election Season
• Column: Why I'm Running For City Waltham City Councilor At Large
• Don Desrochers Announces Campaign for City Council Seat