Some 60 People Attend ‘Conversation’ on Public Transportation's Future

Some offer complaints, kudos and ideas.

Remember the hue and cry early this year when the T proposed to cut road and rail service or raise rates for riders? Fares went up. So did ridership, across public transportation modes, according to Jonathan Davis, acting general manager and rail and transit administrator of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, which is part of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). What do residents of the Commonwealth want in their public transportation system statewide? MassDOT, which oversees public transportation on roads, rails and tarmacs here, held a meeting at the McGlynn Middle School Tuesday night, part of a series of “conversations” statewide, to hear ideas about the transportation system people want and what the …

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Sean Garballey Re-elected, Defeats Joe Monju

Garballey cruised to victory, receiving more than 81 percent of the vote.

State Rep. Sean Garballey won his bid for re-election in the 23rd Middlesex District Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Joe Monju by more than a 4-to-1 margin. The 27-year-old incumbent Democrat received 81.30 percent of the vote, or 18,918 votes. Monju, a first-time candidate, took in 18.70 percent, or 4,351. The 23rd Middlesex District comprises Precincts 1, 3, 5-7, 9, 11, 13-21 in Arlington and West Medford. In Arlington, Garballey received 82.59 percent of the vote, or 14,778 votes. Monju got 17.27 percent, or 3.091. In West Medford, it was Garballey 76.67 percent, Monju 23.33 percent, or 4,140 to 1,260, respectively. Garballey, the vice chairman of the Joint Committee on Election Laws, was first elected in a special election in …

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: 'It Is Time for a Change'

Sean Harrington writes that the progressive Democrats on Beacon Hill need to go.

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Sean Harrington, a Precinct 15 Town Meeting member. The progressive Democrats have been running the state for the last 15 years resulting in increases in the size and scope of government, and massive cuts to local aid. The result has been an exodus of good paying jobs, and families fleeing to more friendly states to make their home. This is further shown by the state's loss of a congressional seat. The loss of a congressional seat cannot be denied, and it happened during the control of progressive Democrats in the State Legislature. Both state Rep. Sean Garballey and state Sen. Ken Donnelley in their four years on Beacon Hill have had poor ratings from Citizens for Limited Taxation (CLT), and …

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Arlington Election Guide 2012

The candidates and issues that will be affecting Arlington.

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Arlington Patch is devoted to bringing out the information you need about every race in town. Bookmark this page for updates. Click on the links below to learn more about the races, candidates and issues. Polling locations: To find polling locations and precincts, click here. Early voting/absentee ballots: You can find full information on how to do so here.  See Arlington Patch's Vote Guide, including election 2012 articles. State Representative, 24th Middlesex District Continuing coverage of the 24th Middlesex District race. State Representative, 23rd Middlesex District Continuing coverage of the 23rd Middlesex District race. State Senator, 4th Middlesex District Continuing coverage of the 4th …

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Rep. Garballey: NH/Mass. I-93 Border Toll will be Considered to Fund Transit

“Open road tolling is a possibility, on the New Hampshire border, that Governor Patrick and the (MBTA) caucus is looking at,” Rep. Sean Garballey, D-Arlington/Medford, said Tuesday.

The debate over placing a toll near the New Hampshire border on I-93 may return in 2012 as an option to shore up transit funding shortfalls in Massachusetts, according to one state representative. “Open road tolling is a possibility, on the New Hampshire border, that Governor Patrick and the (MBTA) caucus is looking at,”  Rep. Sean Garballey, D-Arlington/Medford, said Tuesday. Garballey, the chairman of the legislature’s MBTA caucus, was on hand at Medford City Hall with two other state representatives and a state senator Tuesday for an informational meeting a on the state of the MBTA. The transit authority faces a projected $161 million budget shortfall in 2013. “We’re really looking at any solution possible,” Garballey said. “Everything …

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