Former Watertown Town Council Colleagues Shocked to Hear of Gus Bailey's Drug Arrest

Former colleagues of Gus Bailey said they were stunned when they heard that

Bailey, who owns a home on Marshall Street, was arrested with two others on Wednesday at a Waltham warehouse filled with 700 marijuana plants, 100 lbs. of loose marijuana and $20,000 in cash.

Bailey has no prior criminal record, according to his attorney, Charles Bookman.

Town Council President Mark Sideris said he not only worked with Bailey on the Town Council, but also knew him through youth sports.

“It just surprising. It is shocking,” Sideris said. “He was a good family man.”

Bailey has five children, ages 18, 16, 12, 8 and an infant, Bookman said at the arraignment.

From 2001-05, Bailey served as District B Town Councilor, which covers the South End of town and some neighborhoods near Watertown Square.

Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis never served on the council with Bailey, but she worked with him on the Police Station committee, which ultimately helped get a new police station built.

News of Bailey’s arrest surprised her.

“I would never have believed it,” Kounelis said. “He was certainly a man dedicated to his family.

"He did his best to research votes (on the council). But I haven’t seen him for years.”

Bailey was involved in the town a few years after he left the council, including the Nonantum Road improvement effort, but in recent years he has not been active in town politics or projects.

He grew up in Sharon and joined the Navy. He had five siblings living in the area, Bookman said.