In case you missed…
I am back and wow do we have plenty to talk about…
First… a new format including contact info for Townies and newbies to reach out to Townie Talk via email. The key focus will remain on local Politics, Budget issues, Events, Businesses, Rumors and of course exceptional running commentary along with it. TT will also have an occasional guest editorial for those comfortable in exercising their right to free speech on topics impacting Belmont and that make you “think.”
April Fool’s Edition fallout…
The last edition of Townie Talk was a satirical issue in honor of April Fool’s Day. I needed to run it early so it didn’t interfere with the upcoming election April 4th. Few will admit it, but I suspect I had some of you falling for it till the end. Those most duped included a radio station in Maine which picked up the Taylor Swift story. Belmont Realtor to the Stars, Owen Toland, received several calls inquiring about Ms. Swift’s interest. I probably should have told Owen in advance but that makes it a better prank. He handled it like a champ and went to Instagram to inform the “Swift-ites” their dream was not to be. BTW… Tickets to Swift’s upcoming concert are wicked expensive but in her defense, she is rumored to deliver the goods based on early reviews.
Several commented that Belmont should have an annual membership fee for the Library. It isn’t fair that the Town charges for using the Underwood Pool, BHS Pool/Gym, Skating Rink, Busing, HS Athletics and Music/Arts but the library and it’s couple million dollar operating budget is not offset by membership fees. My rough math based on the 1000 daily user and 17,000 yearly attendee numbers the Trustees have alleged would equate to $1-$2m in revenue based on a reasonable annual $200 individual and $400 family membership.
Many people guessed Danny Ainge as being Matt Christiansen’s cousin… but TT sources say it was the 1983 1st round NBA pick Greg Kite.
Two huge events in my life this past week.
The family dog passed after 13 years of devoted service. Cancer sucks and it spares none. Scout was a good lad. Our vet is Cushing Square Veterinary, and his veterinarian was the exceptional Dr. Dawn Binder. (BHS ’87). Dawn and the team at Cushing Square did a great job in our time of need. It’s not easy finding caring and responsive Veterinarians these days. Two thumbs up for Cushing Square Veterinary Clinic.
50+ years and I finally earned my Mick cap.
Sure, the proper term is scally cap but when you take another’s slur and embrace it you win. I didn’t get just any cap. This is an original Patrick Frances cap from Ireland (Extra Large) and procured at the Cap shop next to Raglan Road Pub in Florida. Good stuff.
Erasing Jesus Christ
Easter under attack in Belmont?
An amazing celebration is just weeks away in Belmont for many including Catholics and Christians. Easter Sunday which recognizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is celebrated. In the 1700’s, German immigrants to America brought a soon to be widely embraced tradition of an Easter egg hunt to celebrate the miracle. Centuries ago, during the Lenten season, German Catholics had to abstain from eating eggs as a symbolic act recognizing the sacrifice Jesus made for them. They would hide the eggs and on Easter Sunday in celebration the children would collect them all as they prepared for a feast. Thus, the tradition of the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs was born in the US. Most Americans recognize the important symbolism as a sign of Easter regardless of their religion.
Judas denied Christ three times… Belmont has one more strike…
Belmont wokeness hides behind the separation of Church and State as an excuse to erase religion from society. A prime example is the Town Christmas Tree is now called a Holiday Tree. An attempt at erasing the Founders Christian values. Now if you agree with Separation of Church and State that is fine if you are consistent. Belmont is not. Recently, The Town of Belmont and Town Meeting appropriated thousands of taxpayers’ dollars to fix a clock in the First Church of Belmont. So much for the separation of Church and State.
Belmont Women’s Club
Come and enjoy an “egg hunt” with an appearance by the “Spring bunny” is currently being advertised by the Belmont Women’s Club. What’s obviously missing is the word “Easter” but why? Here is what Townie Talk has learned:
Wendy Murphy, President Belmont Women’s League, lawyer, and well know Victim’s Rights advocate.
Response to Townie Talk….
Hi Paul,
As a 501(c)(3) we cannot be religious at all, but as a club with a long history of celebrating holidays (when we were a private club), we continue our traditions as best we can within the constraints of the law. We voted to do it this way and we invite you and anyone else to join the Woman’s Club so you can express your views and perhaps persuade others to see things your way.
We also had a holiday event with Santa – and I am sure you know the derivation of the word Santa is also Christian. We handed out small gift bags to children and collected clothes for the needy. Nobody complained.
Let me know if you want me to send you a membership application.
Thanks.
Wendy
Easter continued…
No, it doesn’t end there but yes, the Belmont Women’s club is seeking members and regardless of the name it does accept Men. The club is located in the 1853 Homer House (Yes, that same Winslow Homer) and is located on Pleasant Street across from Town Hall. Oddly, the meetings are all still remote even though they have a multi-million-dollar historical gem on their hands.
So a quick “Google” of 501c(3) organizations having Easter Egg hunts is a mile long. I have discussed this with Wendy and I will reach out to the IRS for confirmation it is permissible. As you can see… the reason supplied was not about removing Jesus for total bs inclusivity as a social media poster assumed but rather legalese. I still believe having this symbolic Easter event but removing Easter contributes to an anti-Christ message and the event should be changed if Easter doesn’t remain so as not to appropriate and dilute the religious symbolism.
In the you can’t make this up category…. My opposition to this event was challenged by someone who does not celebrate the holiday. They felt this was about “inclusivity” but fail to see their concept of inclusivity is excluding my and many others religious beliefs for which the entire event is symbolic of. Now the same person tried to defend inclusivity by telling me that the Town has inclusive community seders and doesn’t call them Passover seder. What a surprise when I look up what a seder is and the actual definition is “a Jewish ritual service and ceremonial dinner for the first night or first two nights of Passover.” Applying her logic to make a seder inclusive it should be “Come and Join us for food”. Inclusion is not erasing ethnicity and religion but celebrating it as we recently did in Belmont Center with Chinese New Year.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
An amazing Belmont story known by only a few…
A little over a decade ago, I was lured to Conley’s Pub for an offer of free drinks. Little did I know that night was the start of the most successful implementation of what DEI should be in the Town of Belmont.
If the names Baldi, Haverty, Higgins, and Carson don’t ring a bell then you are about to learn about these lads and the plan they hatched in a bar that has changed the lives of hundreds if not thousands of kids. The year was 2010. Belmont offered youth basketball at the time under the BYBA program. The in-town program was available to all kids and consisted of games only. In 5th grade, however, the program offered a tryout travel program to the top 15 players. That program was more intensive and included Coaching, Practicing, and balanced and competitive games. If in 5th grade you didn’t make it your hoops career was essentially over. The lads approached BYBA because there was enough interest to field multiple teams but delay after delay led to an excuse as to why it couldn’t be done in time. It became obvious to go it alone.
In a matter of weeks of relentless hours, the group now expanding to include Mary Ellen McDonald had created a nonprofit called Belmont Travel Basketball. We secured gym space, volunteer coaches, uniforms and scheduled games. The following year with the addition of Paula Cristofori and Chris Shapazian among others we took things to the next level. BTB joined the Metro West League. A league that had 5 divisions and placed teams according to their ability so games would be competitive. BTB had created an organization that fully embraced Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Inclusion. Kids signed up and if they couldn’t afford the program assistance was made available. They were evaluated by outside consultants and placed on teams based on their ability. Each year they would tryout again. They were placed in a league which enabled them to play others of similar ability and each year teams would be re-seeded if necessary. These lads were so conscious that they took it upon themselves to identify any obstacles that may impact certain players and would secure equipment or make adjustments to enhance the experience. It may have been started by a small group, but its success was because of a committed community. The Belmont Public Schools and especially the Custodial staff. Champions Sporting Goods, Belmont Hill School and others came through for us.
Eventually, BTB and BYBA merged and today every child has an equal opportunity to advance their knowledge and skill. Belmont is better for it.
If BTB was the framework for DEI, I think it would be widely embraced. Problem is DEI means different things to different people. Some say it’s a messaging issue and others say its too broad a term which allows for multiple interpretations and action. Regardless, until it becomes better defined, it will remain divisive.
School Superintendent Search
Anger, Division, and Hope…
First off, everyone needs to appreciate what is going on. Heated and emotional discussion are exactly what you want in the process of selecting such an important position. It is the only way for all stakeholders to be heard and it allows people to find a healthy median vs an extreme. So much better to do this before a contract is signed than after.
The process…
The SC contracted with a search firm for between $20k-$50k. There were 30 or so interested candidates. Approximately, 16 candidates finished the application. The SC formed a committee of 18 residents to submit up to 3 candidates for consideration by the SC. The committee worked the list down to 5 candidates and recommended 2 candidates to the SC.
The controversy…
There are several. First, the committee seems to have excluded generally any community members that were and continue to be critical of the shameful actions and inaction of the SC/Superintendent during Covid. The damage was done and many of us (that mean me) are rightfully suspicious that the formed committee is just a rubber stamp for the same old ways of the past. It got worse with the insistence that the two resigning SC members get to vote on the new Super (bad optics).
I don’t want to get into the individual candidates as I haven’t had a chance to watch all the interviews yet, but it is safe to say at least one of them is toxic. The same group of residents lacking representation on the search committee after seeing the candidates moved forward requested the SC select an interim Superintendent. At a Q+A session, one of the resident’s asked very important questions that were not answered and then was told he exceeded the 1 question limit. That response just fed into the belief the process is being rushed as we need to know these answers to avoid a repeat of the past and return to the extreme that divided Parents bitterly.
Finally, to spice things up, a member of the search committee criticized the process as flawed and recommended an interim superintendent until a proper search and vetting could be done. I believe this is related to the committee being tasked with providing up to 3 candidates. They provided 2. The SC then chose to consider all 4 worried that candidates were withdrawing and accepting other offers (one of the 5 finalist had accepted a position elsewhere). As they prepared to interview the 4 (another one removed themselves from consideration).
Anger, Division, and Hope… continued
What do I think…
I think the SC is very concerned that these next 18 months require a permanent Superintendent that will be capable of aggressively representing the interest of the Schools as budgets become more challenging. I think that the Select Board and Warrant Committee are starting to see signs that an Override is not a slam dunk and are worried that how the schools appropriate their money is an issue. Keep in mind neither the SB, WC, nor even Town meeting can dictate where the schools spend their money so the next Super has an outsized role. I think a growing chorus of Parent’s are seeing a redirection of focus from educational excellence to equitable mediocrity and social ideology and are concerned the next Superintendent will double down on it.
Where is the Hope?
Sometimes you need to break something in order to fix it. Our expectations need to be broken. I think we are close to that point at least fiscally. That is where my Hope comes from. Most of us have had hard financial times at one point or the other… some harder than others. In those times you prioritize and do without, but you still get by. You quickly realize that material things are not as important as the basics. Temporarily closing a School is not the end of the World. It certainly beats laying off Teachers, Aides and Guidance Counselors. That’s prioritizing. Making your own coffee vs. buying a Starbuck is prioritizing.
I took a client to a diner in Nashua NH a couple weeks ago. I know “big spender” right. This was an amazing diner. Anyways we sit down and a few minutes later a woman and child at the table next to us essentially walk out without paying. The waitress asks if we have seen them and my client says they left. The waitress is clearly frustrated so I offer to pay the tab and give her a tip. The owner comes over and thanks me but refuses my offer. I told him I feel bad for the server and him. He remarks they average 4 to 5 groups a day that do the same and there is little to nothing they can do about it. Real World everyday problems that some in Belmont are ignorant too.
Almost every day in my travels across New England and Upstate NY, I see that world. The priorities of too many in Belmont are so out of line with everyday America and 30% of Belmont Households. The failure kids feel if they don’t get into a “woke” College even though those same schools are underperforming many other less distinguished schools in return on investment. The anxiety Parents put on their kids that success is solely predicated on academics shows in the high rate of suicidal ideation. The de-valuing of Vocational degrees even though they out earn many expensive degree schools. The erasing of recess and fun social events. The attempts at teaching CRT so certain kids develop negative feelings about themselves. Targeting professions as racist or other to the point children of law enforcement don’t want to go to school. So maybe when the system finally breaks next year, we can focus on priorities that matter to all which in this case is the median. That is why there is hope.
Town Election
My Picks…
I could do this the easy way and just pick anyone not on Paul Roberts list but that wouldn’t be fair as the Guest editorial will address. So here goes…
Moderator Mike Widmer
So far under his watch I don’t believe we have had any arrests during Town Meeting. That alone is good enough for me.
Treasurer Write in FLOYD CARMAN
This one is important folks. Fill in the write in circle and write FLOYD CARMAN in.
School Committee Amy Zuccarello and Jung Yuen
The SC will need the financial restructuring expertise of Zuccarello and actuarial ability to measure return on investment of Yuen to best utilize limited funds. Watson feels more 2020 SC than 2022.
Town Meeting
There are some good candidates running this year and some not so good. Trust your judgement and the League of Women Voter guide gives you a chance to read candidate supplied priorities.
Question #1 The Skating Rink Debt Exclusion
Tougher choice than it should be. We need a rink.
Question #2 Appointed Treasurer
This is an easy No. Floyd Carman himself voted No at Town Meeting on this. Maintaining the Independence of this position serves as a checks and balances for the Town Administrator. Vote for Floyd and then we the voters can choose his replacement. The banking system crisis should make this an attractive position for some talented residents looking to close out the last 8-10 years of their careers.
My gut tells me the whole campaign to appoint is a set up. Patrice will do a search and end up appointing her assistant, Jennifer Hewitt. While Jennifer could very well be a great fit… the mistrust in Town Government would grow. Time will tell if I am right.
Guest Editorial
“As a TMM and former TAC member, I understand how so many issues affect all residents. I will continue to focus on each of them. We’ve done a lot of good things with the CPA tax, but if we temporarily eliminate this tax, it might make passage of the rink debt exclusion and an imperative override more palatable for taxpayers. Fiscal responsibility is key to Belmont’s future stability. We have to ensure that Belmont is affordable for every person who lives here including the less affluent among us. Let’s prove that we want to be a Welcoming Community for everyone.”
That statement in the League of Women Voters Voting Guide doesn’t resonate as progressive enough for some local Democrats even though I am and will always be a lifelong Democrat. I speak out for civil rights, women’s rights, human rights, voting rights, marriage equality and every right of every American in this divided country of ours. I speak out publicly, personally, in writing, in social media, and in letters to politicians and newspapers, always as me and not as an anonymous troll hiding behind a computer screen. I cook food and volunteer at a drop-in center for homeless and low- or no-income people. I donate clothing, books and money to organizations that provide jobs and comfort and meals to people in war zones and in the midst of natural disasters. I just do what I can to help the world. I’m sure lots of you do too. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers after all.
My sons successfully meandered their way through the Belmont school system from kindergarten through grade 12; a school system that gave them the tools to succeed in college and beyond as a philosophy PhD and an award-winning filmmaker. Your kids, too, should benefit from a Belmont education. I’m more than happy to pay my fair share of taxes so that teachers can help your kids succeed in school. I am honored to pay for firefighters who run into burning buildings and police officers who put their lives on the line for all of us. We can’t run a town without paying for the municipal employees who do all the work. All of these people need decent wages, benefits and our unwavering respect for the work they do every day.
As open-minded as I like to think I am, compromising on my principles on many of the rights that we Americans have fought to secure over two plus centuries will never be an option for me. Conservative family, friends and acquaintances have tried to change my mind about many of these issues, only to find themselves running into a brick wall.
I will compromise, though, on gun rights, states’ rights and some aspects of welfare reform, but I’ll never give an inch on civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights or voting rights. Like Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, I’ll fight like hell to keep another demagogue out of our White House.
I cringe when American university students do not allow conservatives to speak on their campuses or when liberal politicians insist on defunding the police. And not least of all, I will always remember Republican Senator John McCain as the hero that he was.
Editorial continued…
Conservatives, on the other hand, are afraid to speak or Tweet or even click Like on social media for “liberal” ideas that make perfect sense to them. Many of them won’t publicly support the courage of their fellow Republicans Liz Cheney or Adam Kinzinger, both of whom lost their seats in Congress for standing up against a demagogue. Two staunchly conservative people knew they could not win back their seats to the United States Congress because they betrayed their tribe. Imagine that. Are we any better when our liberal tribe does not allow us to deviate from our wokeness?
It seems to me that this is where our divisiveness lies. At least some of it. If we are unconstrained spenders, we are considered worthy of the progressive label. If we are trying to be fiscally responsible, or open to compromise on ideas that don’t line up with ours, then we must be somewhere out in right field.
I think we have to listen to each other and sometimes come to a different conclusion than that of our clan even knowing we will be labeled as DINOs or RINOs, having abandoned our own tribes’ definitions of what we are supposed to believe and think and cry out loud.
Many senior couples live on social security and maybe, if they’re lucky, a small pension too. When one of them dies, half of their social security disappears too. I don’t think my more affluent friends truly understand what that means for some people. Not everyone has an ample 401(K) or another source of income or a significant stock portfolio to supplement their retirement. For younger families, a continual addition to their property tax bill might mean another mortgage payment or two. This is not sustainable for them. Driving seniors, middle-class and lower-income residents out of Belmont is not progressive, it is regressive. Because of this, even as a liberal, I cannot be afraid to speak up against expensive capital projects even though I know I will be judged as anti-progressive.
So how about this? How about we continue to fight for civil rights, gay rights, women’s rights, voting rights, diversity, and dare I say, wokeness, while keeping in check our escalating property taxes so they don’t force the less affluent among us out of Belmont?
In a nutshell, we Americans are tribal. We identify as either liberal or conservative, but being a social liberal should not preclude us from understanding that fiscal responsibility is not the opposite of progressivism. Working to provide a better town for everyone – not some of us, but all of us – is not the opposite of progressive. It is fiscally responsible, and it’s about time Belmont worked for those among us who do not have unlimited funds for every shiny object that comes our way.
Let’s keep Belmont a Welcoming Community for everyone, not just for those with bottomless bank accounts.
Andrea Serra Masciari
Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member
I know that PJ and I will disagree on many social issues, and so I want to thank him for inviting me to write this opinion piece in his newsletter.
Dealer’s Choice
Things to ponder…
Ralph Jones candidate for Town Meeting P3
“I also endorse a proposal by Senator Brownsberger for automated speed enforcement for major roads in Belmont.”
Chris Doyle Warrant Committee member
“We should be cutting the hours at the library… cutting the amount of yard waste collection”
In reference to Town side cuts, she thinks are necessary so people who don’t have kids in the schools can experience and feel pain that’s in the budget.
DEI
After Principal Taylor sent a letter to High School Parents implying the Institution is racist and calling out all from Teachers and Staff to students… why not replace him with a POC. This would be a tangible change and instead of having to Teach DEI why not just implement it. SOC’s would have an immediate role model (in the head of the School being a POC) and we would not need a DEI figurehead so we could save Teachers and Aides from being cut. Heck… maybe even make the current DEI coordinator Principal. That is what you call thinking outside the box.
Trivia:
The 1986 Belmont Boys Marauder Soccer season ended with a 12-2-4 record and a 2nd place finish.
in the Middlesex League. Who was the Senior Goalie?
(Hint it would be a BHS’87 Grad.)
Just after incorporation, The Town of Belmont spent over $17,000 in bounties on 147 Men. What did they do?
Silicon Valley Bank…
Several Belmont residents were impacted by the sudden closure of SVB. Employees and customers alike. The bank grossly miscalculated risk and rising interest rates. Some blame the lack of a risk officer and too much focus on ESG, others blame poor management, and some blame venture capital companies panic creating a run on the bank. Result is deposits under $250k are secured and those above are in somewhat limbo. Employees were offered a 45-day contract extension at 1.5x current pay to stay on to settle things out.
Bidenflation
Not only are the maskers invading Market Basket but just last weekend a woman in front of me in line brought her own bags from home and they were labeled “Whole Foods”.