Wednesday, May 8, 2013
"Where is the leadership in this town? It is not the job of a Library Trustee alone, or the responsibility or the school committee members, to do this work."
To the editor: I am amazed and disappointed at the situation this town found itself in at the School Committee meeting last night. The members of the School Committee were in an impossible situation and had no good way out. The Library Trustees found themselves literally cutting and pasting possible alternative ideas for locations for a ball field to save the future of the new library. Where is the leadership in this town? It is not the job of a Library Trustee alone, or the responsibility or the school committee members, to do this work. The Selectmen should have stepped up with professionals to find a way to make it work. I have to believe that there is a way to both support the sports programs and move our library to a more appropriate …
42.39503
-71.17279
Belmont Public Library
336 Concord Ave, Belmont, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-belmont-s-need-for-leadership
230618
/locations/9365896
Saturday, December 15, 2012
"In my eyes, no one has paid it forward more than this family."
To the editor: It is with a heavy heart that I share the news with all of you that Laurie Graham’s beloved husband Daniel Downey died suddenly on Wednesday. Dan was the IT go-to guy at the high school adored by the students and teachers alike for his ability to connect them to 21st Century teaching skills. As many of you know, Laurie has devoted her life to helping children and families here in Belmont through her many volunteer positions such as the Chairwoman of the School Committee, Co-Chair of the Belmont Special Education Advisory Council, Food Pantry organizer, library and Council on Aging volunteer, Wellington Building Committee member, and more – countless hours of volunteer work to benefit the Belmont population. In my eyes, no …
42.39667
-71.17589
Belmont Savings Bank
2 Leonard St, Belmont, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-helping-a-family-our-friend-now-in-need
156588
/locations/8402471
Thursday, December 13, 2012
"This year, there really is ample time to talk-up the benefits of participation in Town Meeting and to generate interest and activity in Town Meeting elections."
Ellen O'Brien-Cushman, Belmont's Town Clerk, circulated an e-mail this week to Town Meeting members reminding them about upcoming deadlines for getting on the ballot to run for Town Meeting. This message should be circulated as widely as possible. One of the common fallacies with Town Meeting elections in Belmont is that one must wait to see whether there are "open" seats (i.e., if a current Town Meeting member is not running for re-election for some reason) before deciding whether to run. This is a "fallacy" because, in reality, an incumbent Town Meeting member has no "claim" on their seat. EVERY SEAT IS OPEN IN EVERY ELECTION recognizing that each precinct has only twelve seats per year that they elect. A study I did just three years …
Monday, November 5, 2012
"[D]o I want a representative who has lived here for 26 years, raised a family here and whose daughter teaches in the Belmont public schools, or a North Cambridge resident who first walked Belmont’s streets six months ago?"
- OPINION
-
Monday, November 5, 2012
I am a lifelong centrist Democrat, who served in Bill Clinton’s administration as Assistant Secretary of Defense, a 44-year resident of Belmont, and I am supporting Jim Gammill – the independent – for state representative. Here are the issues that led me to that decision: A voice for Belmont. As my colleagues at the Kennedy School’s Taubman Center for State and Local Government have helped me understand, Belmont is a unique but vulnerable community. It ranks in the top 20 in almost every important measure of the quality of civic life. Its schools are excellent, its streets are safe and its core services (apart from roads) are excellent. But it also has a per capita income far below the communities to which it is compared (Wellesley, Weston…
Friday, November 2, 2012
"His mix of experience, in both government and industry, provides a strong base for his work going forward."
I write to urge your support for Dave Rogers for the 24th Middlesex District for Massachusetts State Rep. Dave will focus on issues that are vital to Belmont, Arlington, Cambridge, and surrounding communities: public education, sustainable finances, transportation and other infrastructure, and our environment. These affect our families, and for many of us, our jobs. Chances are you have met Dave at your door or at an event around town. He has worked extremely hard getting to know all aspects of our district. He will bring his open, tireless, and effective advocacy for us to the State House. His mix of experience, in both government and industry, provides a strong base for his work going forward. This includes state and federal governments…
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
"(Roger) is committed to controlling health care costs, without which, funding will be endangered for the other initiatives he cares about."
- OPINION
-
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I write to urge my fellow Belmont Citizens to vote for Dave Rogers for State Representative on Nov. 6. At this relatively late stage in the campaign, it is difficult to avoid repeating what others have said, but, if it’s true, it deserves repeating. As has been noted, Dave is strongly committed to enhancing our conversion to newer and more environmentally friendly energy sources. He wants to be sure our educational system is adequately funded so that our children will be prepared to face future challenges which we cannot now predict. He understands that we must have a viable and up-to-date public transportation system to support a thriving economy. And, perhaps most important, he is committed to controlling health care costs, without which…
Monday, October 8, 2012
"Dave has the interest, the drive, the passion and the experience to represent us on Beacon Hill with energy and skill."
To the editor: I am writing to support Dave Rogers for the State Representative seat representing Belmont. In the short time that I have known Dave, he has earned this endorsement through hard work and his obvious abilities. He will serve us well in this important role. Dave has spent many, many hours going door-to-door throughout the district; not just for votes, but also to educate himself on what matters to us here in Belmont. He has walked the paths of the Belmont Uplands property, spoken with representatives to Minuteman High School about its challenges and possibilities, listened to many of us complain about the slow erosion of local services due to the pile-up of expenses being placed on communities from the state level, and worked …
Monday, August 27, 2012
"In these economic times, it is crucial that our legislator protect our local aid and advocate for our schools, students, parents and educators."
To the editor: We are writing in support of our friend, Margaret Hegarty, Democratic candidate for State Representative in our district. We hope you'll join us and vote for Margaret on Thursday, Sept. 6. We've had the pleasure of knowing Margaret for over five years. We met when our children started kindergarten together in Belmont. We volunteered together at many school related events and have come to realize our shared interest in helping the underserved. Margaret is a constant presence at the Wellington School and she always has a kind word or a humorous anecdote for all of the children. She brings out the best in all who surround her and will always make sure every voice is heard. We know she will bring her proven gifts in this realm …
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
"I want to be sure that he or she will be dedicated to moving the district forward ..."
- OPINION
-
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
I am writing to express my support for Dave Rogers as the next State Representative for the 24th Middlesex District. Since first meeting Dave, his insightfulness, grasp of the issues, and dedication have impressed me. Over the past months, Dave has knocked on thousands of doors in Belmont and across the district; this commitment to meeting voters is significant. It shows that Dave takes the time and puts in the effort to learn what is important to members of our community. What matters the most to me in choosing a candidate to support is not whether the person is from Belmont, is a man or a woman, or is younger or older. Rather, I want to be sure that he or she will be dedicated to moving the district forward and is prepared to take on …
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
"Rogers was by far the most knowledgeable ... and the most insightful of the candidates."
- OPINION
-
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
To my fellow citizens of Belmont, I’d like to say, “If you get a chance to meet and talk with Dave Rogers, please don’t pass it up.” I believe you will be as impressed as I have been and that you will find him easy and comfortable to relate to. At the beginning, I presumed I would support someone from Belmont. But when I had a chance to hear all of the Democratic candidates in one forum speak and respond to questions, it was immediately clear that Dave Rogers was by far the most knowledgeable, the most clear-headed, and the most insightful of the candidates. His responses were thoughtful, sincere, and articulate, and they revealed a deep understanding of the issues that our society faces. You may get an invitation to a coffee - or Dave may…
Dalton Roader
8:59 am on Thursday, May 9, 2013
Nicely said Ms. Hart! more ›