There’s an important meeting Thursday, Sept. 10, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the High School Cafeteria to kick off the next phase of implementing a new Comprehensive Plan for our town. The Comprehensive Plan will guide public investment in things like transportation, residential and commerical development and open space.
Author: Paul Roberts
Obama’s radical message to kids? Dream big. Study hard. Don’t quit!
The rancor over President Obama’s speech to children tomorrow doesn’t reflect well on either side. As is often the case in brush ups like this, the needs and opinions of the kids in question have been pushed to the side…the better to clear space for the grown ups to fight. Hopefully President Obama’s words will put the debate to rest. His message: dream big, study hard, and don’t give up – no matter the odds.
Libraries…who needs ’em? (Answer below)
The future of libraries is in the headlines again, with articles on CNN.com and the Boston Globe’s profile of Cushing Academy, which is getting rid of its 20,000 volume collection in favor of a “learning center” with plasma TVs, Amazon Kindles and a Cappuccino maker….but don’t worry — the future’s going to be great!
Watertown HS struggles to preserve Armenian language instruction
Interesting article from Boston Globe on Watertown High’s struggle to preserve a four-decade old Armenian language program.
One Book, One Belmont Fall Schedule
One Book One Belmont has a great schedule of events planned through October. In honor of Belmont’s 150th birthday and agricultural heritage, the OBOB selection is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, by Barbara Kingsolver with husband Steven L. Hopp and daughter Camille Kingsolver.
Middlesex DA: officers’ group must abide by Open Meeting Law
The Assistant District Attorney for Middlesex County has issued guidance to the town’s political leadership, declaring that an informal, private gathering of some of the Town’s top elected officials is bound by the State’s open meeting law and asking that the group submit a report to serve as a record of its activities.
Kennedy’s legacy: service to the public
I don’t know what Rupert Murdoch has ever done for me, but I’ll say this: Ted Kennedy’s work opened doors for my three daughters that will transform their lives, helping them build confidence and insuring that they will be treated as full equals of their male counterparts in the classroom, on the playing field and in the workplace.
Has Belmont’s home market turned the corner?
Zillow’s Real Estate Market reports have Belmont home values up by 3.9% in the second quarter 2009, compared with the same quarter in 2008. The average home price, now at $622,000 has come up abruptly from its nadir in Q1, when Zillow’s index of home prices and values was down to $585,000.
Comparing stimulus plans: Great Depression vs. Great Recession
$38 million in federal stimulus funds for Belmont? You betcha! That was the value, in today’s dollars, of a town plan, approved by the federal government, to rapidly modernize Belmont after World War II.
Belmont Farmer’s Market tops competition
Boston Magazine selected Belmont’s Farmer’s Market as its Best of Boston winner.