Diane LeBlanc Runs For Mayor: Waltham Elections Q&A

This is fourth in a series I will publish on Waltham Patch, so we can better know our candidates and what they stand for. These interviews and observations do not reflect my personal political views. This series is meant to introduce candidates to constituents in an easy-going, positive way. I will not ask questions comparing candidates, nor will I provide my personal political opinions.
My series will include individual articles with a candidate's interview. Then, when each interview has been published, I will post an article containing all the interviews.
If you are a Waltham political candidate and would like to request an interview, please feel welcome to contact me. The Patch reporter is also running a separate series.

Over the years I have seen Diane LeBlanc at a multitude of Waltham functions, including events for Waltham's Partnership for Youth, Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall, the American Legion, the VFW Post 440, Waltham's first Mental Health Fair, and most recently at a Labor Day celebration of unions at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation.

The busy candidate for mayor took some time out of her schedule to visit with me at The Telephone Museum on Moody Street. We chatted about the significance of Waltham's history, and the city's future opportunities.

Following is an interview regarding Diane LeBlanc's candidacy for Mayor of Waltham.

JL: What has been your previous involvement in Waltham politics?

Diane LeBlanc: I have been a Councillor at Large for 10 years.

JL: Do you consider yourself a politician?

Diane LeBlanc: I consider myself a public servant.

JL: When and why did you consider running for mayor?

Diane LeBlanc: The first time I considered running was when the incumbent said she was not running for a 4th term. I made the decision to run for Mayor because I believe our City needs new leadership and I am ready to provide that leadership.

JL: How does Waltham inspire you?

Diane LeBlanc: I’m inspired by the people of Waltham, individuals and organizations who do so much to support others.

JL: Do you have a particular leadership style?

Diane LeBlanc: I consider myself to be professional administrator, someone with the skill set needed to bring people together to get things done. For me, communication and transparency are key. I will bring people together from diverse backgrounds to achieve true excellence in City government.

JL: Is there anything about local politics that you find particularly challenging?

Diane LeBlanc: The current political climate in Washington has had an impact on local politics. There was a time when local elected officials did not need to address national issues but that has changed. Social media, while it has its benefits, also creates challenges.

JL: How much of your time do you spend away from Waltham for work or vacation?

Diane LeBlanc: None - I honestly don’t remember the last time I was out of the City overnight.

JL: Is there a main message in your campaign that you would like voters to know?

Diane LeBlanc: I am ready to provide new leadership so that our City can realize its full potential. I have a proven track record that demonstrates my ability to address challenges and provide leadership, both in my career and as a 10-year At-Large City Councillor. I will bring people together to meet the challenges we face as a community.

JL: What would you do to create pride in our community?

Diane LeBlanc: I am all about events that bring our community together and will support those that are longstanding and encourage new ones. Beyond that, I have heard from many residents that have noted that the overall appearance of the City, including several City owned properties, needs to be improved and I agree. Another area for improvement is the entrances and exits to Waltham. These are small things, but they help to build pride.

JL: What do you think is Waltham’s biggest challenge right now, and how would you address it?What are some of the things you would focus on?

Diane LeBlanc: Waltham is facing many challenges that require new and innovative solutions led by a chief executive with strong communication skills and the ability to deal with numerous complex issues at the same time. Among them, but by no means is this a comprehensive list, are;

-Improving educational outcomes for all of Waltham’s children

-Protecting our neighborhoods

-Addressing the opioid crisis and mental health needs of our children and community

-Protecting and enhancing our open spaces and local environment

-Implementing traffic and safety initiatives

-Addressing our aging infrastructure

-Creating affordable homes

-Ensuring that Waltham remains affordable for all who want to live here

-Increasing outreach to homebound seniors

-Creating an incentive package for small business

As Mayor I will work with our City employees and bring people together from diverse backgrounds to address our challenges and achieve true excellence in all that we do.

JL: How would you preserve the integrity of Waltham’s history while leading the city forward? How important are local museums such as The Telephone Museum on Moody Street and The Waltham Museum on Lexington Street to our culture?

Diane LeBlanc: My professional career was with the National Archives where my focus was on preserving our Nation’s History. I am committed to preserving the integrity of Waltham’s history. I have provided leadership to the Historic Waltham Committee/Historic Waltham Inc. Working on behalf of Historic Waltham Inc., I coined the phrase “Waltham’s History - The Nation’s History” and developed and oversaw an “essay” program which connected our children to our City’s history. I also developed a free field trip program, available to elementary schools in the City, that allowed our students to explore our City’s historic treasures. I am a past Chair of Historic Waltham Days. I am a member of the Waltham Historical Society and the Waltham Museum. As Mayor I will provide support for the Waltham Museum, the Waltham Historical Society, the Charles River Museum of Industry, and the Waltham Historical Commission, to ensure that our history is preserved and readily accessible to residents, educators and visitors. One of my assignments with the National Archives was as Special Assistant to the Director for all Presidential Libraries across the Country so for me, museums are fundamental, not only to preserving our history but also sharing our history and learning from that history. I will also ensure that the City’s historic records are properly identified, preserved, and readily accessible to all.

JL: What would you do to encourage Science Technology Engineering Art and Math (STEAM) in Waltham’s youth?

Diane LeBlanc: As Mayor I will be an advocate for providing a quality education options to all of Waltham’s and will ensure the allocation of resources for Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and the Arts – as well as for other critical education opportunities including vocational programs. I will also fully engage our business community, world class health care providers and private sector leaders in these fields to support our efforts.

JL: Do you see politics as a career?

Diane LeBlanc: I do not see politics as a career – at least not for me. I have always been interested in politics but out of college made the decision to pursue a public service as oppose to elected office. My career was 37 years with the National Archives. I see serving as an elected official as an opportunity to serve the community. I don’t covet anything including political office.

JL: Do any former or current Waltham residents inspire you? Why?

Diane LeBlanc: I have been inspired by many Waltham residents over the years – mostly average citizens doing good works for their family and their community. One recent example is a young man who came into the City Council to be recognized for his accomplishments as a special Olympian. I was inspired not only by him and his incredible perseverance but also by his parents, their love for and commitment to their son and their advocacy to raise awareness.

JL: Imagine a future after you have served as mayor. How would Waltham be changed?

Diane LeBlanc: Waltham will have a new High School, new Police Station and a new Moody Street Fire Station. Our City government will be more customer focused and there will be greater accountability and transparency. We will have done the environmental cleanup needed at the Fernald and turned this neglected property into a jewel to be enjoyed by all residents. We will also have protected our other open spaces including Prospect Hill Park. Our streets and sidewalks will be safe.

Diane and I continued talking with Vince Valentine of the Telephone Museum. In the museum's exhibits were examples of Waltham's place in history, including recent events. We shared some of our favourite memories of Waltham. Diane expressed a touching moment she experienced in Waltham.

She had been a leader in bringing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in 2005 and 2016. Both times, she felt honoured to have the opportunity to pay respects to fallen soldiers. In 2005, an airfare flyover added a dramatic touch of respect to the exhibition. In 2016, however, the flyover could not be arranged. The crowd continued praying, in ways unique to their individual religious beliefs. Children traced the names of family members, never to be forgotten.

At the time that the air force flyover had been scheduled, a faint whirring sound approached in the sky. It grew louder, and people shielded their eyes to the glaring clouds. A series of shadows stood dark against an overcast sky. There, in perfect formation, flew a flock of geese, quietly flying over the solemn gathering. They followed the original planned flight path of the airforce, and glided over the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in poignant symbolism.

Diane said that experience of witnessing a moment between people and nature, with her city standing together while expressing themselves individually, honouring the fallen soldiers, is a memory of Waltham she will never forget.

For additional information about Diane LeBlanc's campaign for mayor, you may visit her website.

www.DianeLeBlancForMayor.com