GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA Opinion

Editorial: An accessible Town Meeting

2012-02-13T00:13:54-05:00

Yes, the Town Meeting is a virtually sacrosanct New England tradition. And yes, Rockport's Annual Town Meeting is traditionally held the first Saturday in April.
But that date is not cast in stone, as Town Clerk Pat Brown indicated last week. The selectmen have the authority to move the meeting date when they deem it necessary. And given that this year's initial date of April 7 falls in the middle of Easter weekend and within the Jewish marking of Passover, the selectmen, who initially backed the change last week, should follow through and set a new date for Saturday, April 14.

Editorial: Waterways picks give panel good economic focus

2012-02-13T00:13:52-05:00

By appointing four new members of the city's Waterways Board, Mayor Carolyn Kirk last week didn't merely bring new voices to a panel that holds the keys to a number of important and creative projects.

Fishtown Local: The Lost 'T' Generation

2012-02-13T00:13:49-05:00

Are you a member of the Lost "T" Generation?
So many people are — including my twenty-something kids — but lots of older people are, too.
They seem to have grown up without being able to use the letter "T" in the middle of a sentence. What am I talking about?

Letter: Gloucester's communities and change

2012-02-13T00:13:45-05:00

To the editor:
Thank you for the Rev. Rona Tyndall's beautifully written Midweek Musing (Opinion page, the Times, Wednesday, Feb. 8) about changes under way in the Fort neighborhood.
I don't think what makes Gloucester special is any collection of buildings or single neighborhood.

Letter: Fishing permit fund 'invaluable' to Gloucester

2012-02-13T00:13:42-05:00

To the editor:
As managers of the two active Gloucester-based commercial fishing sectors, we felt it necessary to respond to Richard Gaines' Jan. 6, story headlined "$2M in local LNG funds sent south."

Why Did My Newspaper do That?: When speculation raises the level of a news story

2012-02-11T05:59:00-05:00

Like any legitimate media outlet, we don't report rumors, and the same largely goes for speculation — unless it's clear that someone very credible is indeed purely speculating, and unless there is a context to it.

The Mayor's Desk: Making city's case amid cod crisis

2012-02-11T05:49:00-05:00

I want to share with you portions of the statement that the Gloucester Fisheries Commission has prepared, and that I delivered in full and in person to NOAA officials yesterday in Portsmouth, N.H.

Letter: Tragedy of sectors was all too predictable

2012-02-11T05:39:00-05:00

To the editor:
Given the fury of activity over the last two weeks concerning the alleged consolidation schemes, it's been suggested that I have no love for the fishing industry and enjoy watching it self-destruct.

Letter: All residents deserve voice on Fuller

2012-02-11T05:29:00-05:00

To the editor:
MassDevelopment was restricted in its options for use of Fuller School due to its restriction to tax revenue-producing proposals.
However, that does not excuse the presentation to the City Council, the public, and the School Committee of a study without options such as use for an industrial purpose, a school, or city offices.

Letter: Fond memories of Rockport's Dr. Baker

2012-02-11T05:19:00-05:00

To the editor:
It was with much sadness that I learned of the passing of Dr. J. Wain Baker.
My association with Dr. Baker began many years ago while living on Main Street in Rockport.
Contrary to most young children, I actually did not mind going to the dentist. Dr. Baker's calm and friendly manner made me feel relaxed and confident that I would endure little or no pain. I recall sitting in the dentist chair and looking out the window at the open Atlantic Ocean. This added to the calming effect, I am sure.