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Opinion

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Letter to the Editor

LETTER: Winchester Resident Backs Mike Galvin For School Committee

A Letter to the Editor was submitted by Winchester resident Dennis France in support of School Committee candidate Mike Galvin.

[Editor's note: The following Letter to the Editor was submitted by Winchester resident Dennis France.] After watching the School Committee debate held on St. Patrick’s Day in a somewhat chilly high school auditorium, I walked home with a sense that this really is quite a special town. Here were four parents sharing their views on a variety of issues related to our children’s education, vying for two open unpaid jobs that require long hours away from family for numerous interminable meetings. One cannot fail to be impressed with this spirit of volunteerism, and the impressive crowd of interested townsfolk (that) spoke to how important these jobs are viewed. This past year saw a remarkable surge in community involvement and interest in all …

Monday, March 18, 2013

Letter to the Editor

LETTER: Winchester Resident Supports Galvin For School Committee

The following Letter to the Editor was submitted by Winchester resident Denise Goluboff.

[Editor's note: The following Letter to the Editor was submitted by Winchester resident Denise Goluboff.] As a parent of two young children, I am keenly aware that Winchester School Committee decisions have a direct effect on my family for the entirety of my children’s formative years. Moreover, those decisions affect our town in varied ways, from real estate values, to taxation, to the quality of preparation provided to our future leaders as they emerge from their schooling and enter into the “real world.” I also believe that democracy is all about listening to – and truly considering – new ideas and opinions, and that diversity of thought and idea are the key ingredients to making high quality decisions that bring positive, productive …

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Letter to the Editor

LETTER: Winton Club Cabaret Producer Says a Word of Thanks

A Letter to the Editor submitted by Winton Club Cabaret 2013 Producer/Chairwoman Lianne Green.

[Editor's note: The following is a Letter to the Editor submitted by Winton Club Cabaret 2013 Producer/Chairwoman Lianne Green.] Dear Winchester Patch Editor: Well, the magic dust from Cabaret 2013 has settled. The snow conveniently moved in after the show, and spring is right around the corner. Before I exit stage left, I must reflect and thank everyone for supporting the Winton Club Cabaret 2013, “Myth, Magic and Mystery.”   The support from the Winchester Patch was outstanding, including your coverage of everything from my producer announcement, Winchester Town Day, the farmer’s market, auditions and all the show activity in January. On behalf of the Winton Club and Winchester Hospital, thank you so much! We would not be able to spread …

JT

11:26 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013

A job well done Lianne! Fun for all--and it was obvious by your magical production that everyone involved enjoyed working with you and your team for such a wonderful cause!   more ›

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Letter to the Editor

LETTER: Winchester Resident Supports Vernaglia For School Committee

A Letter to the Editor from Winchester resident Stacy Jaquinta.

[Editor's note: The following is a Letter to the Editor submitted by Winchehster resident Stacy Jaquinta.] Dear Winchester Patch, I am writing on behalf (of) Brian A. Vernaglia, my neighbor and lifelong Winchester resident, who is a candidate for Winchester School Committee on the March 26 ballot. Brian has my family’s full support because he is committed to improving our school system to better serve the needs of students, parents, teachers and administrators alike. Further, Brian is quick to comprehend complex issues and the needs of different stakeholders, and he is ready and willing to work with all parties to find mutually beneficial solutions to the challenges that we as a community face. As you enter the voting booth on Tuesday, …

Saturday, February 9, 2013

What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban?

Do you agree with the governor's decision or was it too drastic?

All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. (Editor's note: The ban is lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday.) Patrick's executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban …

JT

3:40 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013

People should use their common sense in situations like this--but there are always some who won't and will endanger others in the process. The ban was good in that respect, and the $500 fine certainly should have made folks think twice if they were hesitating over driving or staying home for no particular reason. However, the threatened jail time was absurd--and enough's been said about that here…   more ›

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Please Don't Help My Kids

A Patch blogger's post about not helping her children on the slide is being debated across the country.

A Patch blog from Alameda, CA, called “Please Don’t Help My Kids” has struck a nerve with readers across the country. Posted in September, the blog has taken off over the past few weeks as it has found a second life through social media sharing. The blog has 124,000 Facebook recommendations and 833 people have tweeted the blog. The blog is an open letter to other parents at the playground. The blogger Kate Bassford Baker’s basic request is for parents to not help her daughters on the slide. She wrote that she wants her daughters to do things and learn things on their own. Learning to walk up the slide’s ladder is the first step to learning new things and overcoming obstacles, she wrote. “Because, as they grow up, the ladders will only get …

Lee Coytemore

12:17 pm on Saturday, April 6, 2013

this is Typical 'Liberal behaviour' sickness that 'one' over-reacts consistently in the "prediction of Calamity", and 'fear mongering' without justification. Overly intervening in the lives of other people for their own personal need to feel secure and safe while maintaining to provide these Catastrophic Conclusions All While under the possible discretionary use of Dr. Prescribed medication. -and…   more ›

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

What's Your New Year's Resolution for Winchester?

What would you like to see the town accomplish in 2013?

There's a reason why people make resolutions at New Year's. With the turning of the calendar, it feels like a time to start new challenges that have been put off for too long, or re-start challenges that have been left unfinished. While some of you may have made personal resolutions for the coming year, what about for Winchester? We want to know your resolutions for the city this year: What would you like to see Winchester accomplish or finish as a community? Tell us your resolutions for the city in the comments below and we'll revisit them one year from now to see how much progress Winchester has made.

Susan Marcone

5:06 pm on Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Michael Boutwell of Winchester High School Class of 1990 is a Convicted Child Molestor.   more ›

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Letter: Not Embarrassed to Care

School Committee Member Cindy Bohne responds to a Winchester parent's letter about redistricting posted earlier on Patch.

What I believe we need as a community right now is graciousness and leaders that are courageous enough to weigh all of the information available and make decisions with clarity of purpose.   As a School Committee Member, I strive to have the courage to help fulfill our educational mission with or without outside support or acknowledgement. I strive to listen with kindness, but the strength to at times disagree and make decisions with students and teachers first and foremost my priority. Ms. McCarthy, I respect your passion and service as an advocate for your neighborhood.  I always favor anger to indifference.  However, I take exception to your choice to share your criticisms publicly before approaching me for clarity.    In regard to your…

Michael R.

2:44 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The redistricting process never affected me but after reading the letters and comments this past week I was intrigued to do some research. All I can say is thank you Sally Ann! You’ve alerted me to the fact that I need to pay much closer attention to whom we elect in any town official position and to always pay close attention to the decisions that they're making for Winchester. It appears that …   more ›

Letter to the Editor

Letter: School Committee Member Is Dishonest

A Winchester parent says a School Committee member said she did not know about a certain problem with the redistricting.

Dear Editor, During tonight's School Committee meeting, members present discussed the redistricting mistake on Map 1 that was recently acknowledged by the Superintendent for a portion of Washington Street. Cindy Bohne clearly stated during this discussion that tonight was the first time this situation (the mistake between Oak and Westley) was brought to her attention. The emails below between myself and Cindy clearly indicate otherwise.  The email exchange documented here clearly shows that Cindy absolutely and unequivocally knew about this situation- she asked many questions in return, included a map of this area with the houses circled and even claimed to have driven around this area "to understand the dynamics." Request sent to School …

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Pats

12:08 am on Monday, December 10, 2012

Ha ha ha ha ha. That is so funny, Mr. Winchester. You are proud of someone for embarrassing herself by making untruths? By fomenting lies? I just feel sorry for Sally Ann McCarthy.   more ›

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Letter: Did School Committee Vote for a Map with Mistakes?

A resident on Washington Street says the people in the neighborhood can’t help but feel jerked around.

Dear Editor, Immediately after the School Committee’s Nov. 5 vote to adopt Map 1, I contacted the School Committee and CC'd Superintendent McAlduff to request, once again, clarification regarding the fate of the four houses on Washington Street that are located between Westly and Oak streets. A week later, I had not received a response. Unbeknownst to me, other parities also wrote to the Superintendent requesting information regarding the fate of the four houses on Map 1. They were informed that Map 1 was in error in that half of our block was incorrectly colored. My question for the RAC and for the Town of Winchester is: Did the School Committee vote for a map with mistakes? Are there other incorrectly colored areas? And if so, are post-…

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