Since Patch launched in December, I've been excited to see the amount of participation from the community. Folks share photographs, write guest columns and create announcements and events. People post comments nearly every day. I've also heard directly from many of you, with suggestions and feedback about our stories.  There's another way you can get involved, though it may not immediately be apparent from the layout of the site. So I wanted to take a moment to extend an invitation to every member of the community to write letters to the editor about issues of concern. I am more than happy to…

The following was written to members of the Waltham School Committee regarding the search for a new school superintendent, and was forwarded to Patch for publication:  I am writing this letter in support of Ann Marie Carr Reardon [currently serving as the district's interim superintendent]. I have been following the school committee meetings, as I often do, and feel we are taking a huge step back instead of forging forward. The current candidates do not know the first thing about this city nor have they had the experience running a department or budget as overwhelming as Waltham.  We have a …

The following is a letter to the editor from one of Waltham's state representatives, Democrat Thomas Stanley. In Massachusetts, the legislature continues to work on initiatives to help improve the quality of life for our elders.  I recently co-signed a letter with my House colleagues to House Speaker Robert DeLeo requesting increased funding for elder protective services in the upcoming fiscal year 2012 budget.  This important funding will help prevent the rising problem of elder abuse. What is elder abuse?  Elder abuse can include physical violence against seniors, financial exploitation by …