Letter to the Editor

Letter: Support Our Children

A parent asks Winchester to support any redistricting plan that is adopted for the children's benefit.

Today is the last day that the school committee is accepting public comment regarding redistricting as they prepare to make their decision next week. By all means, write and speak out for the plan which you believe to be best for the town, as we certainly have. Come tomorrow, however, the time for division is over. Each plan has merits and each plan will leave some neighbors in town unhappy. No doubt can remain, however, that whichever plan is chosen, our children will continue receive an outstanding education. The school committee, the superintendent, the RAC, and every member of the community who spoke or wrote should be commended for doing their part to improve our great schools. We have witnessed a tremendous outpouring of energy for …

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Letter: Scott Brown’s Health Care Policy Harmful for Winchester Seniors

Winchester residents 65 and older should be deeply concerned about Republican Scott Brown’s health care policy.

According to the 2010 Census, 3,460 people age 65 and older live in Winchester, and every one of them should be deeply concerned about Republican Scott Brown’s health care policy.  The centerpiece of Brown’s health care policy is working to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the federal health care reform law known as ObamaCare. National health care advocacy organization Community Catalyst Action Fund released a new analysis finding that, if the Affordable Care Act (“ObamaCare”) is repealed, senior citizens in Winchester and across Massachusetts will be saddled with higher costs and fewer benefits. ObamaCare, as it is known, lowers seniors’ Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs by an estimated $500 per year.  This means that, if …

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Letter to the Editor

Letter: Redistricting Plan Could Set Winchester As 'The Gold Standard'

Winchester parents share their stance with the proposed redistricting plans.

The community involvement in the redistricting discussion has been a great example of democracy in action, and we have been proud to be even a small part of this process. The superintendent and school committee members should be applauded for keeping their ears, minds, and hopefully their hearts open to ideas that may go beyond the normal paradigms of traditional redistricting exercises.   The presentation of the 5 redistricting maps on Oct. 11 did little to reduce parents’ concerns around walkability, safety, fairness, and costs.  We feel that among the alternative plans put forward, the Advanced Learning Opportunities Program (ALO) represents not only a novel means to harmonize enrollment and capacity, but also an opportunity to set an …

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Liberativependent

12:36 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012

I agree with Lisa. ALO is not a solution for the capacity issues which are driving the need for redistricting. I believe ALO is a great way to give advanced students the challenging coursework they need in order to maximize their potential, but choosing to limit access to ALO by putting it only at VO feels like a workaround way to get ALO into Winchester rather than a holistic solution to the …   more ›

Letter to the Editor

Pyrotecnico Explains Live Firework Shell

Pyrotecnico apologizes after several July 4 incidents that involved unexploded firework shells around Massachusetts.

To the Editor: Our family-owned company, Pyrotecnico, has been a fireworks industry leader representing a standard of excellence for over 100 years – and safety has always been of utmost importance to us (“State Suspends License of Company That Left Live Fireworks Shell,” July 12, 2012).  It is our commitment to safety that led us to act immediately when we learned that unexploded fireworks shells were retrieved in some of the Massachusetts communities in which we recently performed shows.  We acted quickly to conduct thorough examinations not only of the areas in which these shells were discovered, but in every single Massachusetts location in which we had recently performed shows. With local authorities, we have determined that all of …

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Letter to the Editor

Chocolate Truffle Thanks Community

Winchester's Chocolate Truffle hosted an Art in August event for a local artist.

On Thursday August 16, 2012 The Chocolate Truffle hosted an Art in August event featuring local artist Wendy Jo New Metal Designs. The weather cleared for a well attended beautiful night of art, chocolate and cupcakes. I am thankful for having the opportunity to work with the very talented Wendy at this cross promotional event and I appreciate the support of local artists and patrons who came to the store. Events like this are important to bring the community and businesses together to help strengthen us both through the mutual support. Wendy’s work is still on display at The Chocolate Truffle/Boston Cupcake Girl’s window on Thompson Street. Sincerely, Erin Calvo-Bacci The Chocolate Truffle

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Letter to the Editor

A True Heartfelt Thank

Sons of Italy hosted a fundraiser for a victim of a vehicle accident in April.

Some of you may remember, back in April the weekend of Palm Sunday my very good friend and his female friend were in a horrific motor vehicle accident on I-93 on the Woburn/Stoneham Line. His female companion tragically expired from the injuries sustained in the accident. My friend Joey Rocco Testa was med-flighted to Mass General Hospital and sustained life threatening trauma to his head, neck and throughout his body. He was given a very slim chance of survival, now 15 weeks later still in a coma like state, he continues his fight in rehab were he undergoes physical therapy and medication to help bring him back to his family and friends. This past Friday evening we (his family, friends and myself) held a fundraiser for Joey at the Sons of…

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Letter to the Editor: A Boy Scout Thank You

Boy scout troop 507 thanks Winchester residents for their support for the 18th annual Christmas tree pick-up.

On behalf of Boy Scout Troop 507, we wish to express our gratitude to the entire Winchester community for its enthusiastic support of our 18th annual Christmas Tree Pickup fundraiser.  On Saturday, January 7th, nine crews of 65 scouts, former scouts and adults in nineteen vehicles began collecting trees at 7am, ending with a final run to the transfer station at 3:30pm.  The boys are proud to provide this service to their neighbors, and your donations help the troop raise money for monthly trips, summer camp, high adventure expeditions, and troop equipment as well as donations to other nonprofit organizations chosen by the boys. We thank the many residents who signed up for the Christmas tree pickup service and those who generously donated …

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Letter to the Editor: Welcome Back Party -- Thank You

This letter to the editor is from the Family Action Network.

Dear Winchester Patch, On behalf of Winchester’s Family Action Network (FAN), we are writing to express sincere gratitude for the generosity of the local culinary businesses who donated delicacies, wine and beer for FAN’s 2011-2012 year kickoff cocktail party — Cafe Piazza Dolce, The Chocolate Truffle, Deb’s Cookies, The Greek Grille, Mamadou's Artisan Bakery, Pairings Wine & Food, Sakura Japanese Restaurant, Sam Adams Brewery, Simplicity Chef/Joseph Letteri, and Sweet Lolo’s. Guests were lucky enough to sample food and drink from each of these amazing local establishments, and were introduced to (or reminded of) some of the phenomenal businesses that call Winchester home. Also, FAN and party guests send a special thanks out to Marie and …

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Letter to the Editor: Selectmen Encourage Residents to Support Override

The following letter is submitted by the Board of Selectmen.

Nobody likes taxes.  What we can debate is the breadth of the services provided by taxes, and the quality, cost and efficiency of their delivery.  An operating override will be on the March 29th ballot and taxpayers will be presented with the opportunity to choose which direction they want for the future of their town and the quality of their lives.  The #1 priority for the Board of Selectmen and Senior Management is the financial condition of Winchester.  A continued commitment to cost reductions and efficiencies is at the heart of fiscal planning.  But after great debate over the timing, amount and impact, it was agreed by all BOS members, the School Committee and the Finance Committee that an Operating Override is necessary to balance a…

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DonnaD

11:47 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Never let logic stand in the way or a good argument.   more ›