Category: politics

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…

One In Four Belmont Voters Declared “Inactive” (And I’m One Of ‘Em)

In which Paul discovers that, despite voting in almost every election for the past six years, he is an “Inactive Voter” in Belmont – one of about 4,000 in town (one in four registered voters), according to an updated list compiled by the Town Clerk.

Vote Will Brownsberger For Senate On Tuesday

I don’t think its any surprise that, of the four, Will garnered the endorsement of both the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald – quite a feat, as the two are hardly kindred spirits editorially. Still, both papers focused on what I’ve found to be Will’s strongest trait as well: his pragmatism, strong ethical rudder and his refusal to adhere to political orthodoxy merely to win votes. That’s why Bloggingbelmont endorses Will Brownsberger for State Senate. Vote Tomorrow!!

The Override Playbook: Chill ‘Em then Kill ‘Em

There’s good reason to be very, very, very suspicious of the Board of Selectmen’s call to delay a vote on an override. In fact, the push to delay a vote on the override is part of a well worn strategy for sinking it, altogether.

Selectmen on override: 6 months, 180 degrees

The question for those of you who are planning to attend tonight’s meeting of the Board of Selectmen should be “what has changed” for Belmont since last Spring, when both Selectman Jones and Paolillo ardently supported passage of an Override. If the town needed it in June, why is it suddenly unworthy in January now that our budget deficit has grown and all-important one time funds, such as the Federal ARRA grants, have dried up?!

Whiplash! Belmont backs Dems, Sales Tax and CPA

It was a case of political whiplash in Belmont on Tuesday. Just months after voters in town sent a “no new taxes” message to Town officials by narrowly defeated a Proposition 2 1/2 override they were back at the polls: resoundingly backing the State’s Democratic leadership, voting down a cut to the State sales tax and voting themselves a small property tax increase by agreeing to support the State’s Community Preservation Act.

Override – Voting YES for Belmont’s future

Belmont votes today for a $2 million override of Proposition 2 ½. I’m going to be voting yes and I encourage you to, also. I’ve been deeply involved in the YES campaign, OneBelmont, and there’s much that I could say about why I think its critical to for Belmont to start to correct its structural budget deficit and pass this override. Even if this override passes, there will be deep cuts to services, as the Town struggles to find $1.5m in savings from an already lean budget.

How we get over(ride)…meeting tonight

With a vote on a proposition 2 1/2 override due on the ballot on June 14, its time to get organized and make sure that the override passes. There’s an important meeting of the Warrant Committee, School Committee and Board of Selectman on Wednesday and an organizational meeting tonight for those interested in joining the campaign in support of a Proposition 2 1/2 override vote. Check it out!

Monday vote brings clear choices

Monday, April 5 brings an important vote for Town Meeting and a raft of town-wide offices including Clerk, Selectman and two School Committee positions. With less than a week before the vote, I thought I’d weigh in on my picks (and BloggingBelmont’s endorsements) for the various offices.

About that School Committee race…

In which Paul un-declares himself from the upcoming School Committee contest.