Dear Neighbor:

I am a candidate for Councilor At-Large in the 2007 municipal election in the city of Waltham, and I ask for your vote.

The City Council is in need of new ideas and a fresh perspective.  Our city is suffering from the effects of overpopulation caused by reckless development of large scale apartment complexes, illegal apartments and rooming houses.  As a councilor I will fight to end this threat to the quality of life to city residents.  A building freeze may be in order until adequate zoning to remedy this problem is adopted.

In recent years, home owners have been hit with repeated property tax increases.  I will bring a pair of fresh eyes to the budget process.  Any waste or duplication of effort within city departments must be eliminated.  My allegiance will be to voters and not to powerful interests.

My experience as a Legislative Aide at the Massachusetts House of Representatives only strengthened my interest in politics, and I remain deeply concerned about local affairs and objectives. Being raised and educated in Waltham, I feel deeply connected to its best interests.

Hearing your concerns about the challenges facing this city is very important to me. Once elected, I plan on being most responsive to these challenges and pledge that I will always be available to those who share their concerns with me and will do my best to resolve any anxieties on civic issues.

We can bring true change to city government by working together! 

Respectfully,

Joe Vizard

• Master of Science in Public Affairs, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

• Appointed member of the Mayor’s Special Committee for the Creation of a New City Cemetery

• Past Employment includes Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Massachusetts House of Representatives, Waltham Public Schools

• Active member of St. Mary Parish, CCD Teacher, Altar Server, Eucharistic Minister.

• Academic Honors: Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science), Pi Kappa Delta (Speech and Debate), Who’s Who Among College Students, Waltham Centennial Association Scholarship, Waltham High School Student Involvement Award

• Student Council President and Class President,Waltham High School 

• Member of The Waltham Historical Society, The Friends of the Waltham Museum, The Waltham Land Trust, Sons of Italy, French American Victory Club,  Waltham Council of Neighborhood Advocates

• Related Courses taken include Local Government, Legislative Process and Procedure, New England Political Environment, New England Economic Environment, Public Management, Public Budgeting & Finance, Administrative Law & Regulation, American Government: State & Local, Program Evaluation