In Recognition of the ultimate sacrifice to Country
Army Specialist Jonathan M. Curtis
Died November 1, 2010, Serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
Jonathan, 24, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.: Died Nov. 1st at Combat Outpost Senjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Jonathan left behind his wife Samantha and daughter Tessa Marie. RIP Townie 12 years on.
Rumors…
Dr. Shiva’s Bus was purchased by current and former Belmont residents and is being repurposed as a mobile hot dog stand. TT believes this is False, but it keeps persisting.
Beware
Both the “Grandchild needs bailing out of jail” phone scam and the contractor (in the neighborhood noticed your chimney/front walk needs work) scams appeared again last week in Belmont.
Trivia
This big-time crooner played golf at the Belmont Country club back in 1938.
When and why was Belmont known as “Tramp’s Paradise”?
Bomb scare…
Townie Talk called for public discussion regarding the security of our school buildings last Sunday… Monday morning BHS was evacuated after a bomb threat was received. Belmont’s finest from the police and fire departments responded immediately, the building was evacuated, the threat was deemed not credible, the building was searched, and kids had the rest of the day off. The threat was left on the HS offices voicemail on Friday afternoon but was not heard until mid morn Monday. TT isn’t playing the blame game when it comes to safety. Just make the necessary changes now so students, staff and parents can feel they are in a safe environment.
852 days!!!!!
Belmont Firefighters still without a contract
Chenery Middle School
The students are restless. A recent middle school dance resulted in a broken glass plane, kids being disrespectful to the staff and DJ and get this “counterfeit tickets”. I wasn’t an angel in middle school, so I am not sure if reaction to this is outrageous or overblown. I guess it depends on individual perspective. Back in the day there were repercussions for one’s actions… not sure that holds true today. Maybe it should.
Phelan to retire.
Belmont Superintendent John Phelan is retiring at the end of the school year. Phelan had a difficult tenure with Belmont overseeing the construction of the new Belmont High School and then Covid. I’ll give him a C- as I don’t believe in “pandemic amnesty”. Belmont leaders (including Phelan) let excessive fear cloud their judgement and as a result the students mental health and learning suffered significantly. This is not speculation as we have the data to support academic loss and the student survey to support severe mental health impact. We also have seen an exodus of students from the Belmont Public schools and low morale among Belmont School staff. Phelan did outperform regarding overseeing the transition into the new BHS building. I hope John enjoys his retirement and that the next Superintendent will prioritize academics and student well-being over more divisive social issues. Back to the basics.
High School Sports controversy
National controversy on a local level.
Men have higher levels of testosterone than women. As such in certain sports there is a distinct biological advantage for men over women. A girl who is good enough to make a boys’ team is impressive seeing she is starting at a disadvantage and outperforming. Boys playing on a girls’ team may be taking a spot from a girl that has a disadvantage. Title 9 was designed to level the playing field… not further discriminate against girls. Belmont girls field hockey just beat a coed field hockey team from Arlington in the playoffs. Belmont girls Volleyball has boys on the team and is one of the best in the State. The boys in both cases should be given the opportunity to play the sport but not as members of the girl’s program. The school should either add boy’s teams or get waivers for the boys to try out for nearby boys’ teams at other schools. As for the transgender issue and sports… it again poses an unfair biological advantage if a transgender (boy to girl) is playing on a girls’ team. (Girl to boy) asserts no advantage so go for it. We are seeing an increase in girls being able to compete with boys in sports, but we are not yet close to equity that we can overlook the biological advantage.
Election predictions
With 5,500 votes already cast I bring you the TT 2022 Election predictions.
Belmont Turnout 11,200
Nationally….
- US Senate 53R 46D and 1 runoff in GA
- US House 228R 207D
Massachusetts
- Governor Maura Healey D will win with 62% of the vote
- Question 1 Yes will win with 56% of the vote (sorry Belmont business owners and successful people.)
- Question 2 Yes will win but no one will understand what they voted for.
- Question 3 Same as Question 2.
- Question 4 Yes will win with 54% of the vote.
Belmont
- Question 5 No will win.
- Question 6 Leaning YES will win. (Strictly based on lack of a viable alternative- could be a nail biter)
Townies in the news…
Joe Nolan (CEO) Eversource made National news by asking the US Government to take proactive steps now to protect the Northeast from rolling blackouts this Winter due to Natural Gas shortages. “Nolan for President 2024”.
Ricky Alfred, a BHS ’20 alum, for fighting Bay State College for questionable charges and processes. The college is now being investigated by the State AG.
Answers
Crooner Bing Crosby
In the 1870’s, Belmont was known among Hobo’s as Tramps Paradise as the locals were generous in providing them food on their journey into Boston.
Big Thank you
To the awesome NO on 5 team of dedicated volunteers fighting to preserve the library and lighten the burden on struggling households… I appreciate your time, effort, and toughness. It’s not easy to say No. Belmont is better off because of you.
To the YES on 6 Rink committee and volunteers. Your passion and ability to compromise is admirable. Belmont would not be Belmont without a rink. Whether successful Tuesday or not you have done Belmont proud.
To the YES on 5 Library committee and volunteers. You ran an impressive campaign. If you win congrats and if you lose, we are happy to meet. Either way the Town needs you and your energy as difficult times are on the horizon.