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.
Category: politics
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.
Running for re-election? You bet!
It hasn’t even been a year since I was elected to a one year term on School Committee. But with time flying by, its time to ramp up and run again – this time for a full three year term. This is my official notice to the BloggingBelmont readership and the public: Yes, I’m running for re-election!
Town Meeting wants you!
Town Meeting is a great (and low-stress) way to get involved in town politics. Interested? The League of Women Voters is hosting an information session on January 14 at 7:30PM to talk about what it means to be a Town Meeting member and provide tips on running.
Can Belmont be a lab for green innovation?
Now that the Board of Selectmen has endorsed (by a 2-1 vote) Sustainable Belmont’s proposal for a Climate Action Plan (CAP), the big question is: what next? An article in last week’s New York Times lays out some promising green energy programs that other suburbs are trying.
Health care Town Hall Meeting with Rep. Markey Monday
Our own U.S. Representative Ed Markey (D-Malden), a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, is hosting a health care reform town hall meeting Monday evening (Oct. 12th) at Arlington Town Hall (730 Massachusetts Avenue) starting at 6:30 p.m.
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.