New Mascot for Town Meeting members…
In what history will show as cowardly surrender, 213 Town Meeting members voted to accept the unfunded and likely unenforceable MBTA Communities act without a fight. Only 8 Town Meeting members chose to fight for Belmont to remain a suburb (including myself). There is no other answer besides cowardice for voting to fundamentally change Belmont into a dense urban community. Town meeting put more effort into fighting for solar panels on a school than keeping Belmont an oasis bordered by Watertown, Cambridge, Waltham and Lexington. Since, Belmont’s surrender the Town’s of Weston and Gloucester have rejected the MBTA act, and the Town of Needham is bringing it to the voters to decide. Already developers are seeking out opportunities in Belmont and the plan hasn’t been approved yet by the State.
Massive Override planned for November 2026
No, this is not an April Fool’s joke. This is just weak leadership caving to materialistic activists. The taxpayers who support this are either clueless or complicit. We just passed an $8.4m override in April. We passed debt exclusions for the rink and library (those will show up in your 2025 tax bills) and the $300m BHSMS in the prior years. We are literally spending ourselves into bankruptcy because the activists want everything new and now and sooner than later the piper will call.
Keep in mind… we are getting to the point of catastrophe from a budgetary standpoint. I have said it before… I could see Belmont closing the brand-new library or aggressively restricting hours because we can’t afford the operating budget, and the override will fail as Belmont becomes less attractive to move too and real estate values fall. Let us not forget… Patrice Garvin’s Town budget is sleight of hand as many departments are understaffed freeing up funds that should be used on headcount. I can almost guarantee you that the next employee contract negotiations will be brutal as we continue to see staff from all departments exit including the schools. Rumors say Liz Dionne wants to be directly involved in negotiations this time which may help reduce some of the toxicity but if she doesn’t read Townie Talk and understands the pending “skilled labor revolution” it won’t make a difference. You won’t have any leverage for another decade. Kind of makes “poking the labor bear” these last five years seem shall I say moronic.
As for the Establishment that have buried this Town in debt…
The successful Override committee made promises of doubling Belmont’s commercial tax contribution to 10% of revenue if the Town would just pass that override. The Community Preservation Act advocates promised 100% matching funds. Library supporters claimed the library was in imminent danger of a fire. All three were lies. Ends justify the means lies. So, when it comes to voting… the time is now to vote out the incumbents or candidates hand-picked by the incumbents.
What does that mean…
It means change in all forms.
Mike Crowley is running for Moderator. Mike is a change candidate and although we don’t agree on many things, we do agree that too many voices are silenced or dismissed, and I believe he will keep his word and protect the 1st Amendment. I also hope Mike will be much better at finding diversity on Town appointments. Not everyone needs to be a lawyer, economist, or Professor. We are moving away from the intellect economy and appointments should reflect that.
Taylor Yates is running for Select Board. Can’t say I have met him outside of he seemed to be running the last Town meeting for some reason. I won’t be voting for Taylor as he is the precise “establishment candidate” supported by both Roy Epstein and Adam Dash that I dread. Belmont is in such a dismal state that any endorsement from those two should be the kiss of death politically. We will see. Someone needs to run.
Thank you…
Roy Epstein and Mike Widmer for many years of service to the Town of Belmont in multiple roles.
Epstein is not seeking re-election to the Select Board and Mike Widmer is not seeking re-election as Town Moderator. The men worked countless hours and that is commendable.
Cushing Square 90-minute parking
Restaurants are seeking to increase the parking limit in Cushing square from 60 to 90 minutes to allow customers enough time to enjoy their meals. Seems reasonable
Town Secrets…
We know about the bowling alleys, the Payson cuddlers, Washington Street swingers and the Barber shop bookie, but did you know about prohibition in Belmont. A 90-year resident told me if you went to Batson Pharmacy or Corbett Drugs you could also ask for the good stuff. The Corbett family was unavailable for comment but the Clydesdale stall behind the building always made me curious.
Police Promotions
Congrats to Corey Taylor and James Siracusa on their promotion to Sergeant with the Belmont Police Department. Stay safe lads.
Belmont Neighbors
If your neighbor still has up a Harris/Walz sign, please reach out to them and get them in touch with a mental health counselor. It’s a cry for help.
Oakley Country Club
A fire started overnight Thursday at the Oakley Country club in neighboring Watertown that impacted a few rooms. The water damage will likely result in the cancelation of some holiday functions. No reports of any injuries. Wiring looks to be the cause.
Teddy’s Kitchen
“No Soup for You”. Just kidding… Cushing Square Teddy’s Kitchen owner Nick Faggas has reportedly perfected the Egg Lemon soup recipe. The soup is on the regular menu and available as take out and is good for the soul but doesn’t cure baldness. Great choice as Winter kicks in.
Strippers, EX-Cons and Amway salesmen
All came together last Saturday to celebrate the BHS Class of 1984 reunion. Sources say former Principal and all-around nice guy Foster Wright made an appearance. The event was held at the Chateau and a few diehards made it to the after party at Conley’s. Photos were unsuitable to print but can be found at my “only fans” site.
The new Library
The only thing good you can say is it still is on budget according to Trustees. The building just had a topping off ceremony except they forgot the US Flag. The Belmont “Memorial” Library and no flag. BTW is it me or does it feel like the hulking library is literally just a few feet from the street itself. Urbanization anyone.
Bang, Bang…
Belmont has a problem. Police searches and arrests are now too often gun related in Belmont especially in affordable housing units. This isn’t a one off as Police presence in Cushing Square and Waverley is frequent and we have NEMLEC on speed dial. The question is what has changed in the last few years that is making our residents in affordable complexes less safe, and the answer may be the process of assigning tenants? Some say it relates to putting the Cambridge Housing Authority in charge of Belmont housing. Of course, if you talk to the residents, they will tell you they fear to speak up because if they do, they get evicted. There have been too many instances to ignore it anymore. As for the DEI police… just because you don’t like the facts doesn’t make discussing them a crime as Moderator Mike pointed out.
Must watch TV…
Our Little Secret
This one is funny. Stars Lindsay Lohan while still with the botched plastic surgery. It’s a family Christmas movie with some bland adult themes. 10/10.
Say Nothing
“A true story of Murder and memory in Northern Ireland”. This is a miniseries that airs on Hulu and was written by Patrick Radden Keefe. He tells the story about the troubles in Northern Ireland and the cost of achieving peace. Some embellishment and claims denied but worth viewing.
Just Saying…
Stone Hearth in Belmont Center has its Winter specials out and they include Spaghetti Bolognese (that’s gravy for Italians and meat sauce for the rest of us) and a Steak and Cheese sub. I highly suggest the cold “Whirlpool” on tap.
US Open Pickleball and Belmont
Belmont resident Ann Reynold’s was in Naples, Florida at the US Open Pickleball Championship. Reynolds was being honored for her patented “backhanded pickle wiggle slam” shot. Unfortunately, the shot has been banned in every Country but China.
Things you missed
US Congressional Covid Report
The final report came out and it essentially confirmed masking was useless (regardless of type), the vaccine was not effective at stopping the spread, the vaccine was not adequately tested for safety, and the lockdowns outside of the first month or so were destructive. Did I forget to mention… the virus most likely came from a lab in Wuhan. Why that is important is it likely changed the focus by US Health officials because those same officials were involved with funding gain of function research in Wuhan. Dr. Fauci and team should be criminally investigated, and Biden should not pardon any of them as Americans deserve answers.
Education news
If you recall in prior issues my concern about the use of, in my view, faulty literacy curricula like Lucy Caulkins then good news… a class action lawsuit has been filed in Massachusetts Superior Court. A return to Phonics is imminent.
The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts Superior Court by Justice Catalyst Law and Kaplan & Grady, seeks substantial relief for the generations of students and families across Massachusetts harmed by the defendant publishers and authors’ discredited literacy products and deceptive marketing. The suit also seeks a court order requiring defendants to warn schools and families of the defects in their literacy products and other relief to fully remedy the situation, so school districts have quality literacy instruction materials.
Justice Catalyst Law
Time Magazine Person of the Year
As a former recipient of the award in 2006, I can tell you it’s a great honor. This year’s recipient is a two-time winner which is unheard of. Just shows this man is a transformational historic figure. Yes. President Donald Trump is Time’s “Person of the Year” again.
Belmont Republicans
For the second year in a row, I was invited to chat with the Belmont Republican party. This year the event was at Patou in Belmont Center known for its Fine Thai Cuisine. For the record, I love their Chicken Basil paired with a Peroni or two or three. Anyways as you can imagine it was a festive crowd celebrating the new direction of the Country or as one attendee said a return to normal. As Belmont’s award-winning journalist muckraker, I am unenrolled but firmly in the America First party if there was one.
Ha, Ha Ha….
Biden should just hand the keys over now…
UFOs in the form of drones/small, unmanned planes flying in formation have been reported across multiple States (50,000 reports) and above many Government facilities. The UFO’s even have forced the temporary closing of airports. All these events have occurred in the evening and the Biden Administration’s lack of transparency is causing great alarm from Democrats and Republicans alike. After the irresponsible handling of the Chinese Spy balloon, people are right to be upset. Jan 21st can’t come soon enough… hand over the keys now Joe.
UHC shooter
Luigi Mangione has been identified as the coward who shot United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in the back killing the father of two young boys. Luigi lived the life of an elitist. Expensive private high school and Ivy League education. Along the way this child of multi-multi-millionaires, was indoctrinated with anti-capitalist hate and became a climate alarmist. I can only assume that a fair amount of this is linked to the unhealthy groupthink infesting our elite educational institutions. This needs to stop.
“Skilled Labor Revolution”
Ready to have your mind blown? Skilled labor is about to dominate the American workforce again. The evidence is overwhelming but is at the same time a gut punch to the elite. Imagine Plumbers, Electricians, Firefighters, Utility workers, Nurses and even Teachers making more money than most people with graduate degrees (I know Teaching requires a grad degree here in MA.) I could write a book on this, but I will give you the short version.
The elite envisioned a Globalist economy that they could control. For decades, they indoctrinated US families with stories of how College was critical as most jobs would be in the “intellect economy” and all manufacturing would be outsourced to poor countries with cheap labor. Guidance counselors said the College you choose is just to set you up for a Graduate degree. Hillary Clinton told coal miners those jobs are gone forever and to learn to program PCs instead. Two major changes things killed the Globalist takeover in its tracks.
Covid and Artificial Intelligence
Covid exposed the globalist supply chain as a threat to national security. Countries that relied on Asian manufacturing experienced massive lead times and in some cases had their supplies shut off completely. The US must control our supply chain and that means internal manufacturing capabilities from semi-conductors to blood pressure pills. This coming decade will see a “manufacturing boom” in the US. Most of those jobs will be skilled labor.
At the same time, Artificial Intelligence, is killing the intellect economy. Just look no further than Big Tech and Pharma. Layoffs have been commonplace. Some of the top cuts are software programmers and program managers. Elon Musk eliminated 80% of Twitters staff and the product hasn’t skipped a beat. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan, says the generation that follows Z (those born in 2011 or later) will work an average of 3.5 days a week. Goldman Sachs says 300 million jobs will be lost to AI. Most of those jobs will be light intellect jobs and then eventually high intellect as machine learning grows. Sure, the top 20-30% of many fields will survive and thrive but that is thinning out the herd in a big way.
I work in an industry that supports artificial intelligence. The speed at which AI is advancing is much faster than anyone predicted. Not to get nerdy on you but the new Google Quantum chip can do in 5 minutes what an average computer can do in 10 Septillion years. (that’s a 1 followed by 24 zeroes in case you are wondering). AI will have a disproportionate negative impact on the intellect economy where the skilled labor economy will thrive. It will take a couple decades to reach balance again but, in the meantime, pay for skilled labor will surge well past most degreed positions.
My advice to Belmont
Waltham just finished a new High School. The High School offers 18 vocational tech programs. Belmont doesn’t offer any as best I can tell. I would negotiate a deal with Waltham that opens slots in those courses to Belmont students. We should do it now. This new Labor economy will last decades like the intellect economy that started in the 90’s.
Boom Boom
BFD responded to a bonfire or firework explosion at Winn Brook school Saturday night the 14th. A rubber barrel was extinguished. This begs the question as to where certain Butler grads from the 1970’s were on Saturday night? The lack of Busch cans in the area leads us to believe it was a Winn brook resident obsessed with explosions as TT readers recall the Little Pond explosion this past year.
TownieTalk02478
All good things must come to an end. This is the second to last TownieTalk for me. If the right person is interested, it can go on. For those who may not be comfortable muckraking… there are other opportunities available outside of TownieTalk as BelmontBriefing.com (my gracious host) has told me they are expanding and looking for regular contributors on anything from what’s new in the arts and music scene to Sports and other community events be it at the School or Community level.
December 25th, 2024
We get to say Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas on the same day this year as Hanukkah starts on December 25th. The Jesuits taught me quite a few things but the Jewish and Greek Orthodox religious calendars was not one of them so I can’ tell you what’s behind the rolling dates.
