Category: politics

Many Victories in a Narrow Defeat

Jessie Bennett I Voted

Even 14 years ago when I moved to town – let alone the Belmont of 30 or 40 years ago- a Jessie Bennett in Belmont simply would not have stood for election for Selectman, let alone win six precincts and come within 128 votes of winning it all. In that Belmont, nobody would have encouraged her to run and there would have been no infrastructure to carry her campaign to the finish line.

Today is Town Election Day – Go Vote!!

line of voters voting

A reminder to Blogging Belmont readers: today is election day in town. If you’re 18 or older and registered, your civic duty and responsibility is to go vote. So go vote!! Polls opened at 7:00 AM and will stay open…

The Thuggish Style in Belmont Politics

A candidate for elected office in our Town of Homes has been the target of physical and verbal intimidation and threats. It’s a crass and thuggish attempt to drive him out of the Board of Selectmen’s race.

Austin’s Story: the Tragedy of Solitary Confinement in our State Prisons

On June 19th at a statehouse hearing on criminal justice bills, including solitary confinement bills, I gave a statement about the young man I visit in solitary confinement in the hope that my experience will reveal this barbaric practice for…

The Curious Optimism of a Disaffected Progressive

I am a fairly pessimistic person. And on this day, an American liberal can find much to be pessimistic about. And yet as I reflect on this election and what it means, I find myself feeling fairly hopeful.

Cambridge’s Rogers Wins Dem Primary In State Rep Race – Patch

Rogers won the Democratic primary and will face Tomi Olson and Jim Gammill in November. Candidate Dave Rogers of Cambridge turned a surprise upset in the Democratic primary to fill a vacant seat in the State Legislature vacated when Will…

Lougee, Griffiths Win For School Committee, Rojas On Top In Selectman’s Race By 32 Votes (Will There Be A Recount)?

As reported by the Belmont Patch:  the Selectman’s race turned into an unbelievably close race. After the ballots were counted, Planning Board member Andy Rojas came out on top  in the race to fill the seat of a retiring Angelo Firenze…

School Candidates Discuss Online Learning (Patch)

An interesting interview with the three School Committee candidates on online learning models like Khan Academy. Long and short: we’ve got one strong “Yes” one “Maybe” and one “I need to think about it.” First: the “maybe.” Candidate Anne Lougee…

Game on: Scharfman Picks Up Selectman Nomination Papers

School Committee member Dan Scharfman is the latest to pick up papers to run for a seat on the Board of Selectmen, following the decision by current member Angelo Firenze not to seek re-election. Scharfman is the third person to…

From the Patch: Why Will Won (Hint: Tip Was Right!)

So…hopefully you all know by now about Will’s victory in the Democratic Primary last night. If you’re hearing it for the first time now, I’d refer you to this write up in the Belmont Citizen Herald, or this one at…