GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA Opinion

Editorial: Twitter challenge sends bad message

2012-05-27T22:26:59-04:00

It's sad but understandable in today's litigious culture that Gloucester Superintendent of Schools Richard Safier felt the need to scale back his suspensions handed to those Gloucester High student-athletes who posted racist and hateful Twitter posts targeting Washington Capitals forward Joel Ward, one of pro hockey's few black players, last month.

Editorial: Memorial Day flap at least focused attention on tributes

2012-05-27T22:26:39-04:00

The city of Gloucester's ill-conceived plan to somehow make today's Memorial Day ceremonies "more inclusive" by cutting the parade march to the Vietnam Memorial out of the official program was nothing short of an embarrassment.

Letter: When does enough become 'enough already?'

2012-05-27T22:26:33-04:00

To the editor:
When we eat, we get signals from our stomachs when we've had enough food and stop eating unless we have an addiction or are in a contest.
Contrast this with a blatant display of excess.

Letter: Respond to Lahey Health survey; it's important

2012-05-27T22:26:30-04:00

To the editor:
Reportedly, 800 Cape Ann households have recently received a health survey with a cover letter from Ken Hanover of Beverly Hospital.
If the health survey came to your house, it is critical that you fill it out and return it.

Letter: A Memorial Day look at our military policy

2012-05-27T22:26:28-04:00

To the editor:
Growing up, during World War II, Memorial day was called "Decoration Day."
It was a day to honor our Veterans, on my elementary school grounds we had a monument to the Unknown Soldier, a bronze statue of a WWI "Doughboy," rifle at the ready; which we children decorated with hand made crepe paper flowers.

Why Did My Newspaper Do That? Salute, Summer Guide give special focus to Cape Ann life

2012-05-25T23:13:08-04:00

There have been a few special additions to the Times over the last couple of days.
Friday's edition included the Gloucester Daily Times' 40th annual Summer Guide, the 56-page magazine that spotlights the many places to go, things to see and things to do as we now head into the heart of our Cape Ann summer season beginning this weekend.

Join in Memorial Day services

2012-05-25T23:13:04-04:00

Some weeks it is more difficult being the mayor than other weeks. Early this past week, City Councilor Joe Ciolino remarked, "Gosh Mayor, this week is not going well for you and it is only Monday."
And while the week had its ups and downs, I want to pause and invite the community to participate in the Memorial Day services on Monday. The city's goal is to honor the fallen heroes of every war in a solemn and inclusive ceremony. To achieve this goal, we have altered the starting point of the parade and its route.

My View: A day to show we remember war's sacrifices

2012-05-25T23:12:59-04:00

"The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purposes of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in the defense of their country..."
This was the beginning of General Order Number 11 issued by General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic on May 5, 1868, which is recognized as the first Memorial Day. On May 28, 2012, the residents of Gloucester will again come together to pay tribute to those who have fallen. It will be a somber time, a time to grieve, and a time to remember.

Letter: The hard realities and burdens of war

2012-05-25T23:12:56-04:00

To the editor:
Dorothy Nelson and the Gloucester Writers' Center asked that I read from my late husband Joe Garland's book about his World War II experiences — "Unknown Soldiers."
Reviewing Joe's book, three themes emerged.

Editorial: Fuller must be part of MSBA's Gloucester school study

2012-05-25T05:58:00-04:00

The idea advanced by Superintendent Richard Safier for a potential new school in West Gloucester housing up to perhaps 500 pupils at least recognizes the need for a school that would include more than the current West Parish enrollment of 380, as we've proposed in the past.