Waltham Patch Candidate Profile: Randy Leblanc, At Large

WALTHAM, MA — There will be several contested races in this fall's election, including for at-large city council seats, which is a citywide vote. Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Every two years the entire 15-member council is up for reelection. There are six at-large seats and eight running. Five are incumbents. Diane LeBlanc is stepping off as she makes a bid for mayor. Then there are nine ward councilor seats open and of those, there are contested races in Ward 1, where Councilor Dan Romard is not running again, and in Ward 2, as Councilor Bill Fowler steps off the council. There are also races in Ward 3, 6, 7 and 9.

Randy Leblanc, 49 is running to keep his at-large seat on the council that he's held since 2016 as newcomers Colleen Bradley-MacArthur, Steve Lydon and Patrick O'Brien attempt to make their way onboard.

Leblanc told Patch he was born here in Waltham. He and his wife Tiffany are raising their twin 13-year-olds Ava and Nina and their 7-year-old son Oscar.

Leblanc has his post secondary certificate degree and has worked for Leblanc Mechanical HVAC for a quarter century.

He took some time to answer Patch Candidate questions recently. His answers have not been edited.

Read this, too: Waltham's Biggest Issue, According To City Council Candidates

Waltham 2019 Local Elections: Candidates, Polling Location, Hours

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

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

Increased traffic issues. We need to Say no & stop overriding our zoning with special permits for these oversized developments

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

The ability to analyze a problems and work past all the issues to get to the solution .... you don’t lose if you never quit

If you're an incumbent, what is still on your to-do list?

Layout a roadmap and better procedures for Paving private Ways

Press for the construction of the rail trail. Expand the parking at the moody street train station to increase the use of public transportation and less traffic on the roads

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

More events to bring the entire community together like the creation of 135th anniversary parade

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

I am extremely active in all aspects of our community. To get things accomplished, You need to build a coalition with department heads ,plus a good working relationship with the other Councillors and of course the mayor

The best advice ever shared with me was ...
When you win, win gracefully, and when you lose, make sure you learn something from it

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

Owner of Leblanc Mechanical
Brought back the first parade in over 20 years
And Not Afraid of hard work

Your public social media info (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)

@reelectRandyL

My favorite aspect of this city is...

I love how Waltham supports each other when someone’s in the need. also It’s diversity And the multitude of different ethnic restaurants to enjoy

What's your take on all the development projects across the city?
Too many too big. And it’s been allowed for too long !!

More Patch coverage:

Waltham Mayoral Candidates McCarthy, LeBlanc Face Off In Debate

Waltham's Biggest Issue, According To City Council Candidates
Waltham 2019 Local Elections: Candidates, Polling Location, Hours

Waltham Candidate Profiles

• Heather May - Ward 2
• Sean Durkee - Ward 6
• Robert Logan - Ward 9
• Jonathan Paz - Ward 9
• Colleen Bradley-MacArthur - At Large City Council
• Tom Stanley, At Large City Council
• Steve Lydon - At Large
• Marisa Diamond - School Committee
• John Graceffa - School Committee
• Margaret Donnelly - School Committee
• Jeannette McCarthy- Mayor
• Diane LeBlanc- Mayor

League of Women's voter guide:

Waltham Voter Guide