Letters to the Editor

LETTER: The Arlington Renaissance

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Joe Curro, a selectman and Millett Street resident.

Arlington is experiencing a renaissance. Empty storefronts are rapidly being filled. Our schools are high-performing and competitive with the rest of the nation. And our real estate market remains one of the strongest in the country. There is a vibrant, young management team in Town Hall, and key education leadership positions have been filled. Our local finances are stable, and long-delayed undertakings, such as the Thompson School rebuild and the Symmes redevelopment project are on track. New public art initiatives are thriving, and our school music programs have earned widespread acclaim. On April 6th, voters will have the opportunity to continue this track record of success. By returning Kirsi Allison-Ampe, Judson Pierce and Paul …

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Be There for Kevin Greeley on April 6

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Barbara Goodman, a former Arlington School Committee member and Walnut Street resident.

There are many people who have worked hard over the year to make Arlington a better place to live. But only one of them is running for the Board of Selectmen. Kevin Greeley has dedicated a significant part (24 years) of his adult life to the Town of Arlington. I am particularly grateful for the commitment he has made to our schools. Kevin has been a relentless champion of our efforts to rebuild all of our elementary schools and he has worked tirelessly to ensure that all Arlington Public Schools are adequately funded. We have worked side-by-side on this issue for years. In addition, Kevin has worked to create a town that is welcoming to all and that is attractive and safe, with rising property values and a vibrant business community. Kevin…

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Vote Judson Pierce for School Committee

The following is from Carol Band, a Bartlett Avenue resident.

I support Judson Pierce as a candidate for School Committee. Serving with him on the Friends of Menotomy Rocks Park and watching him during his first term as a member of the School Committee, I have been impressed with his ability  to communicate clearly, build consensus and to listen. But Judson Pierce does more than listen. He works. His efforts have helped make the School Committee more effective, given teachers a new contract, created an anti-bullying policy and brought the new Thompson School to life. For the sake of our children and our town, we need to continue this progress and with Judson Pierce on the School Committee, we will. Carol Band Bartlett Avenue

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Transportation Advisory Committee on Mass. Ave. Corridor Project

The following is a Letter to the Editor from the town's Transportation Advisory Committee. It was submitted by its principal author, Richard Turcotte.

Those who have expressed their ardent support for the Mass. Ave. Corridor Project do so for many of the same reasons as do those in opposition: a desire to make our wonderful, vibrant town an even better community. The members of Arlington’s Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) share that commitment. We are ever-mindful of the many competing interests, concerns, and financial constraints accompanying changes both great and small on the projects for which we are asked to assist and advise town officials. It is an obligation we try to honor to the best of our individual and collective abilities. TAC has been an active participant in the project since its inception, and has voted unanimously for it in the past. The overwhelming majority of…

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: On Mystic River's Water Quality

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Stephen Greene, chairman of the Wastewater Advisory Committee to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

The condition of the Mystic River has been subject to much press attention lately. While it is wonderful to see increased interest in water quality, we would like to clarify that the water quality in the Mystic is fairly similar to that of the Charles River. The Wastewater Advisory Committee, a citizen’s group that provides an independent forum for discussion of issues facing the MWRA, has reviewed the data on both rivers. Unfortunately, despite the many millions of dollars the MWRA has spent since 1990, pollution still flows into the Neponset, the Charles and the Mystic rivers during wet weather. But the quality of water in the Mystic should see improvement in the next three years. The MWRA and the City of Cambridge together will spend at…

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Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

7:48 am on Sunday, March 17, 2013

Why not bottle the water from the Mystic River, and sell it at Arlington stores in single-serve PET containers? Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III   more ›

Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Vote Judson Pierce in April

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Jayme Purinton, a PTO co-president and Ridge Street resident.

Judson Pierce is a man of strong morals, ethics, intellect and let’s not forget an incredibly important requirement of a School Committee member … compassion. Jud has the innate ability to listen and move swiftly on issues that affect the people whom he represents. Jud consistently seeks feedback and insight from people in the community, making sure he brings a solution-oriented mindset to the School Committee. Jud helps Arlington teachers and administrators to focus on the growth and development of students by working for them, us and the Town all at the same time.  Jud has worked tirelessly in his role on the School Committee over the past three years to establish new teacher’s contracts, decrease athletic fees and to hire additional …

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Vote Kirsi Allison-Ampe for School Committee

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Scott Zaccheo, a Washington Street resident.

Over the last three years, the Arlington School Committee has successfully faced many challenges, and provided solid leadership. Part of their success has been due to the current chair, Kirsi Allison-Ampe. I met Kirsi five years ago while walking my daughter to school. Over the years, not only did our daughters become friends on the way to Stratton, but also I developed a great respect for Kirsi and her practical approach to problem solving. Over the past three years, Kirsi has very willingly dedicated her time to addressing the issues facing our school system, and become a highly respected member of our School Committee. Her proactive and thoughtful approach has not only helped lead the Arlington Public School system through some fiscally…

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YOUR TURN: Too Much Snow for School?

Arlington Catholic, St. Agnes, Lesley Ellis and New Covenant all closed their doors Friday, but the Arlington Public Schools held regular hours. Was there too much snow for school, or is this much ado about nothing?

Arlington Catholic, St. Agnes, Lesley Ellis and New Covenant all canceled classes Friday, but the Arlington Public Schools? They were open on time. Was this the right call, or was there too much snow for school today? Should there have been a delay or a snow day? Share your stories of trying to get your kids to school in the comments section below. Something to consider: The last day of school is currently Thursday, June 27, in Arlington, meaning that if the district closed today and then had just one more snow day, it would have had to cut into Good Friday, a weekend or April vacation.

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: 'MassDOT Can Do Better'

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Stephen Harrington, a Precinct 13 Town Meeting member and Columbia Road resident. The letter is addressed to Thomas Broderick, a chief engineer in the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Highway Divisi

I've walked in Arlington for most of my life. Living my first 20 or so years near the bottom of Gray Street, meant I walked daily along Pleasant Street to school, to church, to the Boys' Club, to catch a bus and to the Regent Theatre starting around the age of 5 or so. At that time, Pleasant Street was four lanes wide, two in either direction. Even with more than 52,000 residents in Arlington, far more than today, Pleasant Street was safe enough for a child to cross alone. Today, Pleasant Street is two lanes and is difficult to navigate during much of the morning and afternoon commute. Congestion makes Pleasant St. difficult to cross, creates delays when trying to make turns out of side streets or left turns onto side streets and has …

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