It's been a few weeks since the Preliminary Municipal Election and the results could be a precursor of things to come in November. Though turnout was low in Ward 5 and even lower in Ward 8 (which is no surprise), three candidates familiar to Waltham voters were eliminated. There will be new faces sitting in the Council seats for Wards 5 and 8. In Ward 1, however, incumbent Councilor Dan Romard's two challengers staged robust campaigns which brought out almost 22% of Ward 1 registered voters. Two years ago incumbent Ward Councilors faced no opposition. This year 8 out of the 9 Ward Councilors face opposition on Election Day.

I was at City Hall on Preliminary Election night waiting for the results to come in and I was not alone. Ward 5 Councilor Candidates Christina Montgomery and Joey Lacava; Ward 3 Councilor George Darcy; Councilor-At-Large Candidate Pamela Perini; a contingent from Progressive Waltham and several rank and file citizens waited outside the City Clerk's office as results were being delivered precinct by precinct. It was encouraging to see children and many young voters engaged in observing democracy in action. As the unofficial counts were being revealed, it was obvious the results from these three wards signaled Waltham voters may be looking for change.

Ward 1 Councilor Daniel Romard, Daniel Keleher and Matthew J. Waddick, brother of Ward 6 Councilor Robert Waddick, vied for the top two slots. Conventional wisdom seemed to give Mr. Waddick an advantage in capturing at least the second spot by virtue of name recognition. In the end, Councilor Romard garnered 36% of the vote with just 29 votes separating him from Keleher for the top slot while Waddick fell 28 votes short. Keleher's prolific campaign organization and Progressive Waltham endorsement was effective enough to encourage voters to come out on what is normally an election with a lower voter turnout.

Ward One Election Results Ward 1 1-1 1-2 Total Votes Pct of Votes Romard (I) 149 225 374 36.00% Waddick 118 199 317 30.51% Keleher 245 100 345 33.21% Other 2 1 3 .29% Total Voted 514 525 1039 21.86% Total Registered 2313 2440 4753 Pct Turnout 22.22% 21.52% 21.86%

In Ward 5, local business owner and political newcomer Joey Lacava ended with more than 50% of the votes. Political newcomer Christina Montgomery received 11 more votes than former Councilor-At-Large Sally Collura to secure her place on the ballot in November. Though Lacava's votes more than doubled Montgomery's, she was pleased with the results. "I have full faith in the voters of my ward. They told me they wanted change and that change begins tonight," she said.

Ward Five Election Results Ward 5 5-1 5-2 Total Votes Pct of Votes Collura 78 42 120 23.0% Lacava 204 65 269 51.63% Montgomery 84 47 131 25.14% Other 1 0 1 .19% Total Voted 367 154 521 12.33% Total Registered 2179 2048 4227 Pct Turnout 16.84% 7.52% 12.33%

In Ward 8 former School Committee member Lisa Limonciello's name recognition wasn't enough. Current Ward 8 Councilor Stephen Rourke chose not to run for reelection and will be replaced by a political newcomer — John Qualters or Cathyann Harris, each more than doubling the Limonciello votes. Voter turnout in Ward 8 was a disappointing 10.3%.

Ward Eight Election Results Ward 8 8-1 8-2 Total Votes Pct of Votes Qualters 65 112 177 46.09% Limonciello 18 42 60 15.63% Harris 31 114 145 37.76% Other 0 2 2 .52% Total Voted 114 270 384 10.29% Total Registered 1824 1906 3790 Pct Turnout 6.25% 14.17% 10.29%

Many issues confront voters in this year's election. The fact that 8 Wards are contested may be proof Waltham voters are more engaged in local politics this year and seek change. That said, the Progressive Waltham group has been very active. Their endorsed candidates in Wards 1 and 5 are moving on to the November election (there was no endorsed candidate in Ward 8). When the numbers came in that night, the Progressive Waltham members present were more than pleased with the results. "This election is proof that grassroots organizing works," proclaimed PW co-chair Ashley Parent. She's right, they do work. Bernie Sanders' 2016 campaign was proof grassroots organizing works on the national level; however, grassroots efforts in local elections matter even more! Those groups who may have a different point of view need to organize and engage in the conversation. Democracy on any level cannot be effective without varying points of view being discussed in a civilized manner.

In 2015, 35% of registered voters cast their ballots in the municipal election. In 2016, 76% of voters came out to vote in the national election. What makes Washington more important than Waltham? This city can do better. Our children deserve better. We need to see more local grassroots organizations form. We need to see varying points of view debated in a rational, civilized manner on the local level. Regardless of which side of the aisle you prefer, there's no reason we can't collectively agree local voting matters. Some say Waltham is a "divided" city — using the "politics of fear" model as a basis for their argument and that is NOT what Waltham is about. Waltham is also not about whisper campaigns disparaging the "lifestyles" of candidates. Waltham's diversity is OUR greatest asset and has been so since the Industrial Revolution. What our community has to offer with its open spaces, public schools, institutes of higher education, recreational facilities and so much more is what made Waltham the 13th best place to live according to Money Magazine. Negative campaigns have a negative impact. "If you want change, VOTE for a change" doesn't mean "throw the bums out" — look at where the comma is placed. A strong voter turnout actually causes elected officials to be more responsive and thoughtful in the discharge of their duties. If we want our elected officials to "care about us" we have to care enough about our community and get out to vote. And one final thought — if a political candidate wants our vote, don't be afraid to check their voting record. Has the candidate cared enough to get out and vote in at least the last 2 or 3 municipal elections?