News opinion 2008-05-18 Andanh.com

Letter: Unequal treatment in distribution of teacher cuts Sat, 17 May 2008 05:40:00 EDT
To the editor:
I would like to address an issue regarding equity in our schools.
My daughter is currently a seventh-grader in the dual-language program at Nathaniel Bowditch School (NBS). Currently, the NBS is slated to lose three of its middle-school teachers, in addition to its assistant principal. This loss translates into large class sizes for our middle-school population.

Letter: Good schools are not a luxury Sat, 17 May 2008 05:40:00 EDT
To the editor:
As a taxpaying resident of Salem, a parent of children who attend Salem schools and a city employee, I am outraged. I cannot believe our city has its priorities in such disarray.

Letter: Time for receivership? Sat, 17 May 2008 05:40:00 EDT
To the editor:
I lived in Chelsea most of my life. My wife and I moved to Salem 21 years ago.
I saw the changes over the years that took place in the city of Chelsea, with budget problems and corruption, and saw the city fall to receivership as the state stepped in.

Letter: Cut out waste Sat, 17 May 2008 05:40:00 EDT
To the editor:
Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility has come up with a number of solutions to the budget crisis in Beverly that I think the mayor and School Committee should look at:
Negotiate contracts keeping in mind we do not have a lot of money; eliminate unnecessary administrators; privatize some services; fix the old high school; get better PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) programs from Endicott, Landmark, Shore, Glen Urquhart, the Waring School and Montserrat College of Art; and above all, eliminate waste.

Letter: Vote yes on override Sat, 17 May 2008 05:40:00 EDT
To the editor:
A few days ago on an afternoon walk, I saw my first "Vote No on the Override" sign.
It was stuck out in front of a stately, beautifully maintained old Victorian home. The sign was professionally done and appeared to be one of many such signs that will start to appear. It signified that the campaign against helping this year's Beverly students has begun and that it will be waged in earnest.

Letter: Vote no on override Sat, 17 May 2008 05:40:00 EDT
To the editor:
I am against a Proposition 21/2 override in Beverly.
I'd like to say simply that one of the many reasons I am against it is that I believe that the schools are poorly run by the superintendent and the School Committee, and I see no reason to reward bad management. Additionally, an override, which is permanent, will do nothing but set us up for another override next year. Although this year's override will go to the schools, the money from this override next year will not, making a second override necessary.

Letter: City can't afford increase in mayor's pay Sat, 17 May 2008 05:40:00 EDT
To the editor:
I am writing in response to the article that was in yesterday's paper about the vote on approval for the mayor's increase of salary.
Didn't we just have a financial crisis with the Salem school budget, where the city had to accept private donations to help save some of the jobs? (Keep in mind that not all jobs were saved and our special education program is still in serious need of attention.)

Letter: Facts make strong case for override Sat, 17 May 2008 05:40:00 EDT
To the editor:
You don't have to look far to find communities that are suffering the consequences of NOT supporting their school system to the fullest extent.
Residents of those communities have seen property values flatten, as families who CAN make a choice about where they want to raise and educate their children CHOOSE communities that continue to fund education as a top priority. Students from some North Shore communities, in particular, are grateful to be able to "choice" into the Ipswich schools in order to experience the high-caliber educational and extracurricular offerings that our administration, school personnel and elected officials have spent years nurturing and sustaining despite the odds.

Nothing neat about party politics Sat, 17 May 2008 04:00:00 EDT
I had finished my coffee and was half way through the morning paper by the time Big Freddy showed up.
"Sleeping in?" I asked.
"Bird watching," he said as he heaved into the bench seat opposite.
"Birds? You?" I asked.

Barbara Anderson: Activist warns of cost of government intrusion Sat, 17 May 2008 03:57:00 EDT
As a taxpayer activist and longtime friend of Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, I have a standing invitation to attend what has been called the most important meeting in Washington — the monthly Wednesday meetings of conservative Capitol Hill aides and center-right "Leave Us Alone Coalition" representatives held in Grover's offices.

David Shribman: Campaign of 1988 (Dukakis v. Bush I) offers little insight on today's race Sat, 17 May 2008 03:54:00 EDT
Some people think they have seen this campaign movie before.
The one with the big fuss about the flag. The one with the attacks on a man's patriotism. The one where the candidate who was being attacked didn't fight back. The one where the prey was a cerebral guy with an outspoken wife. The one where the Yale graduate accused the Harvard graduate of being an elitist. The one where the Democrats relinquished a huge lead. The one that happened in 1988.

Editorial cartoon by David Hitch Sunday May 18, 2008

Congress is silent about Big Oil's greed Sunday May 18, 2008
With the continuing uproar throughout the country over the conspiracy between Big Oil and OPEC to exploit the American consumer, the silence on the part of Congress is deafening. With the exception of Rep. Edward Markey the members of the House and the deaf mutes in the Senate are uncommunicative.

Plastic bag rejection needs some reflection Sunday May 18, 2008
Sturbridge's recent rejection of a plastic bag ban in larger stores deserves some reflection. While the basic intent of the proposed bylaw is commendable, many residents found the sledgehammer approach objectionable. There appeared to be little groundwork done by our local boards - some of whom jumped on the bandwagon like Tom Cruise on Oprah's couch.

Our economy benefits only the few at the top Sunday May 18, 2008
Twenty-two years ago, my family lived in Germany and witnessed how Americans, due to the strong dollar, shopped for luxury cars and other European goods and shipped them to the United States. Twenty years later, those of us who travel abroad have to watch every penny. The euro is strong while our debt grows as does our price of bringing democracy to the Iraqis.

No Social Security means no rebate Sunday May 18, 2008
I would like to comment on an article, "Marriages mean no rebates" (Telegram & Gazette, May 12).

Elected politicians are just human beings Sunday May 18, 2008
I'm writing in response to a letter from West Boylston, "Politicians are self-indulgent" (Telegram & Gazette, May 5). When the letter writer made the comment regarding an increase in the state tax on cigarettes, he totally failed to understand that nicotine isn't only a highly addictive drug, it's very carcinogenic and quite deadly. In fact, it was the cause of my father's death.

Postage stamp hike is not out of sight Sunday May 18, 2008
Wow, can you believe it? Postage stamps went up 1 whole cent. How are people going to survive with this increase of buying stamps?

Sky-high hopes Sunday May 18, 2008
While commercial passenger service remains in a holding pattern at Worcester Regional Airport, the message being broadcast by Massport to the aviation community and the public bodes well for the regional facility's future.

Urban agenda Sunday May 18, 2008
In a ceremony at the Old State House in Boston tomorrow, the chief executives of 11 Massachusetts cities will launch an alliance dedicated to promoting a balanced urban agenda in the state and reinvigorating their aging economies. It is a gesture of solidarity in a common cause state policymakers should heed well.

McCain looking better and better Sunday May 18, 2008
Now that Barack Obama's nomination seems inescapable, it's time to consider the consequences. Those who believe he is the answer to the country's problems had better take a closer look. Those who faint with excitement while listening to his speeches should get hold of themselves. It's time for a reality check.

I have here in my hand a shopping list Sunday May 18, 2008
Suppose you were shopping at the market one day and happened upon this entry on a list you'd brought with you to the store: "TP Bear." Would you know what that meant?

YOUR VIEW: 'Two diplomas' critical for city's youth Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

Everybody has a stake in seeing all youth succeed in school. Each year, about 1,000 students enter New Bedford High School, but fewer than 600 will graduate in four years.

LETTER: Fast-food restaurants need recycle bins Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

Fast-food spots should recycle

NATIONAL VIEW: A ruling Californians can love Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

California has always been a place where traditional class, race and gender barriers have been pushed aside by a spirit of equality and opportunity that says to all — no matter who you are, no matter where you come from — "It can be done."

YOUR VIEW: Help teens make safe driving decisions Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

It's a scene repeated across the state this time of year: Flashbulbs go off in a room filled with smiling teenagers, a group of friends stands with their arms around each other, eagerly anticipating the "night of their lives" or their first day as a high...

OUR VIEW: Benching blunder Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

No baseball league should bench a 7-year-old because his mother has to work.

LETTER: No culture in the growth district? Sat, 17 May 2008 06:00 EST

No culture in the growth district?

LETTER: McCarthy respects parents Sat, 17 May 2008 06:00 EST

McCarthy respects parents

GUEST VIEW: Torture's blowback Sat, 17 May 2008 06:00 EST

The ghosts of interrogations past have come back to haunt the Bush administration. This week, the legal officer supervising the military trials at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, dismissed capital charges against Mohammed al-Qahtani,...

YOUR VIEW: West Side turned my kids around Sat, 17 May 2008 06:00 EST

I am a West Side High School parent. My son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

YOUR VIEW: 'Flipping' Ingraham out of the question Sat, 17 May 2008 06:00 EST

We would like to clarify our renovation plans for the former Ingraham School to help dispel any misconceptions in the community.

Ballot initiatives Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

Did you vote in town elections this spring?

Demand oil drilling; restore our lifestyles Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

Americans are being punished for the lifestyle we have grown up with, namely the use of our automobiles to commute to work, to buy our groceries, visit one another and pursue routine daily activities.

'Gas stamps' sounder than fuel tax holiday Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

A tax holiday for motor fuel taxes is a "no-brainer" scheme cooked up by two Republicans to make them look like re-electable good guys during this election year.

Experience is shown to be a D.C. detriment Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

Obama's lack of experience in foreign policy? What has Washingtonian "experience" in foreign policy accomplished over the past eight years?

Media not to blame in Obama-Wright saga Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

Teacher Larry Brown deserves a big red F on his May 9 Obama-Wright dissertation distortion.

Why are schools so low on priority list? Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

Welcome to public school.

The battle between bias and balance Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00 EST

Bias, not surprisingly, is a loaded word.

Meehan hasn't forgotten his Democratic allies in Congress Sun, 18 May 2008 14:01:06 -0400
WASHINGTON - He's been out of Congress for nearly a year, but Martin Meehan hasn't forgotten his political friends. The University of Massachusetts-Lowell chancellor...

Eastham man piloting small plane killed in crash in N.J. Sun, 18 May 2008 13:25:18 -0400
EAGLESWOOD, N.J. - A Massachusetts man has died in a small plane crash near the New Jersey Shore on Saturday. State police said 60-year-old John Ambroult of Eastham, the...

Kennedy in hospital after seizure Sun, 18 May 2008 12:02:49 -0400
Massachusetts and the political world is holding its collective breath today as the state's legendary senior senator, Edward M. Kennedy, lies in a Hub hospital recovering...

Firefighter, 44, has more than a degree of tenacity Sun, 18 May 2008 11:37:42 -0400
As a little girl, Cynthia Snow admired her father as he studied for the bar exam while she practiced her spelling and writing alongside him at his desk. "He made...

Roman Catholic Diocese in Worcester to close four parishes Sun, 18 May 2008 11:17:20 -0400
WORCESTER - Four parishes will be closed and merged with neighboring parishes under a plan announced this weekend by the head of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Worcester. Bishop...

Mobster of the Week: John Locke Sun, 18 May 2008 07:43:25 -0400
Locke was a minor member of the McLaughlin gang of Charlestown. In 1965 he gave blood to gang hitman Steve Hughes after Hughes survived an assassination attempt. Hughes was...

Back in control Sun, 18 May 2008 07:09:19 -0400
Courageous Randolph mother Lina Gomes is closer to getting her "life back" - learning to drive again after a tragic highway accident robbed her of both legs. ...

Leicester man killed in a Wrentham car crash Sun, 18 May 2008 06:43:00 -0400
WRENTHAM - A Leicester man has been killed after losing control of his vehicle and rolling over while driving on Route 495 South in Wrentham. State Police say Lindsay Conrad...

$1M mortgage mess: No English? No income? No problem! Sun, 18 May 2008 03:38:09 -0400
During the frenzied days of no-down-payment loans and cursory credit checks in the early 2000s, two out-of-state lenders gave more than $1 million in mortgages to a Dorchester...

A home of their own Sun, 18 May 2008 01:37:54 -0400
When Daniel DePina and Shausheena Person had their first child, they were living with her mother, looking for work and planning to get a place of their own. But when...

Meet the suspect: Myles J. Connor Jr. Sat, 17 May 2008 22:57:31 -0400
The Herald has launched a Web site dedicated to compiling information about the March 18, 1990, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist. The site is updated regularly and includes...

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