Thursday, March 28, 2013
Resident Matt Wilson writes in support of David Talbot's candidacy for Reading Municipal Light Department commissioner.
- OPINION
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Thursday, March 28
To the editor: We are fortunate here in Reading to NOT have to deal with National Grid or NStar for our electricity needs. With the RMLD right here on Ash Street, we have a nimble accessible municipal light company to do the job. Because it is local and small, RMLD has the ability to think and act in dynamic ways to cut our energy use, increase our efficiency, and promote safe and clean energy. Town Meeting member David Talbot is the one candidate who has pledged to move the RMLD into the 21st century proposing common sense and bold energy efficiency programs, cost cutting measures, and ideas on how we can invest and promote clean and safe energy. As we need to address climate change issues and be concerned about our pocketbooks, we need …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Current RMLD Commissioner and candidate for the Reading Board of Selectmen Marsie West writes in support of two candidates for the Reading Municipal Light Board of Commissioners.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, March 27
Editor's note: Marsie West is a current RMLD Commissioner and candidate for the Reading Board of Selectmen. Dear Editor, Reading Municipal Light is a valuable, well-managed asset to the town of Reading, providing revenue to the town through an annual return on investment and payment in lieu of taxes. It supplies electricity to 4 communities as the largest municipal utility in New England, providing low rates and high reliability. A recent article on top town salaries was misleading since our utility has a separate $96 million dollar budget, larger than the entire town. RMLD competes with public and investor owned utilities for staff. Additionally, the ranking included all pay, with overtime from linemen who work many extra hours to …
The Reading School Committee member writes a letter in support of his re-election campaign.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, March 27
Hello Friends and Neighbors, My name is Chuck Robinson and I am running for re-election to the School Committee because, with four children currently at each level (elementary, middle and high school) of the Reading Public Schools, I have a vested interest in continuing to improve our schools and the quality of the education we deliver to our children I am completing my second three-year term, during which I have served as Chairman and Vice Chairman half of that time. My election six years ago followed nine years as a member of the Finance Committee, which has served the Committee and Community well as it prepared me with a unique understanding of the school budget and the budget process. And, my understanding of the wider scope of the …
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
No election-related submissions will be posted on Reading Patch after Friday, March 29, leading up to the Town Election on Tuesday, April 2.
To readers and users of Reading Patch, I'm Daniel DeMaina, associate regional editor at Patch and filling in this week for Editor Ashley Troutman, who is on vacation. In my time before Patch while working for weekly newspapers, we would not publish any election-related submissions in the final issue before an election, because if there was a factual error, we wouldn't be able to issue a correction before election day. It's different for us online, since we're publishing every day, but we'd still like to err on the side of caution. With Reading's town election coming up on Tuesday, April 2, we have set a deadline of this Friday, March 29 for any election-related submissions, such as letters to the editor. This gives us the weekend and …
The Reading Board of Selectman candidate asks for your vote on April 2.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, March 26
Dear Editor, I am running for election to the Reading Board of Selectmen. As a resident for two decades, I have served in Town government for the past 10 years. As Selectman, I will leverage my experience on FinCom, RMLD’s Board of Commissioners and Town Meeting to seize the opportunities and tackle the challenges that lie before our community. I will bring to the Board of Selectmen: I have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to open, efficient government in community service by: As Reading transitions to the new Town Manager, Bob LeLacheur, it is an ideal time to reassess our community and establish a strategic plan to support our priorities. We need to look closely at town policies and government structures to ensure they …
Monday, March 25, 2013
Brian Kimerer says, "The fact is that our library is housed in a very sick building."
- OPINION
- On Blogs
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Monday, March 25
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Are you satisfied or frustrated with how the town handled the area’s 5th largest snowstorm in history? Let us know by posting a comment below.
Now that the snow has fallen, and started to melt, it’s your time to rate how the town’s plows handled the more than two feet of snow that fell Friday and Saturday. Feel free to give praise or thanks, express frustrations or offer up constructive criticism in the comments below, and keep in mind, the blizzard was the 5th largest snowstorm in New England history. Winter Storm: Reading Information Center Snow Photos: Stick Your Camera Out the Window VIDEO: Sledding Fun in Reading How Much Snow Did Reading Get?
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Do you agree with the governor's decision or was it too drastic?
All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. (Editor's note: The ban is lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday.) Patrick's executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban …
Thursday, January 24, 2013
A Patch blogger's post about not helping her children on the slide is being debated across the country.
A Patch blog from Alameda, CA, called “Please Don’t Help My Kids” has struck a nerve with readers across the country. Posted in September, the blog has taken off over the past few weeks as it has found a second life through social media sharing. The blog has 124,000 Facebook recommendations and 833 people have tweeted the blog. The blog is an open letter to other parents at the playground. The blogger Kate Bassford Baker’s basic request is for parents to not help her daughters on the slide. She wrote that she wants her daughters to do things and learn things on their own. Learning to walk up the slide’s ladder is the first step to learning new things and overcoming obstacles, she wrote. “Because, as they grow up, the ladders will only get …
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Residents told us where to find the best hot chocolate.
- OPINION
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Thursday, January 3
This week residents told us where they get what they believe is the best hot chocolate in Reading and North Reading. Thank you to everyone who contributed to that story. Where can you find the frothiest, creamiest, most chocolately hot cocoa in Reading or North Reading? Here's what you told us: If your favorite isn't listed here, tell us in the comments section below!
Ted Cartwright
6:36 pm on Friday, March 29, 2013
Good luck, Dave. Of all the people in Reading, I know you'll put the most into the job !! more ›