Candidate – Lizzie Gelles

lizzie.gelles@gmail.com

781/588-5324

I am a graduate of Boston College and moved to Waltham 28 years ago when I bought my home in the Highlands. My wife Nina and I have been together for 25 years. When we can we volunteer at Healthy Waltham,  make meals for the Community Day Center evening program during the winter and are  Board Members for Wags2Riches Dog Rescue. 

What do you love most about Waltham?

I love that we are a very diverse city.  We have people from many different cultures and that brings a richness to Waltham that many other cities do not enjoy. This diversity is also evident in our retail and dining establishments. 

What would you change if you could?

I would like to see intracity public transportation especially over the weekend. Public transportation could help reduce traffic and allow those who live further away from the center of Waltham access events and stores. 

What is one burning issue you plan to address if elected? 

We have several issues which need addressing we need to address the rodent issue specifically on Moody Street and the surrounding neighborhoods.  We are telling neighbors they must have trash barrels with lids and yet on Moody street  the  trash cans, they are the older open style. It feels like the city is telling residents \”Do as I say not as I do\”.   We should be leading by example.  The city should also investigate obtaining a grant to have restaurant food scraps picked up daily for composting. Keeping as much food waste out of dumpsters will help towards reducing the rat population.