GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA--Opinion

Showcasing student learning

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:13:00 EDT

On one level, Saturday's first Gloucester Student Arts Festival — presented by the Gloucester Education Foundation — gave student artists, musicians, actors and others the chance to showcase their works and talents for area residents.

The myth of change through election

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:11:00 EDT

To the editor:
The myth of the election cycle circus is that we get to choose a president, senator or congressman with our vote. That is simply not true.
The Washington power brokers — party Democrats and party Republicans — offer to us as candidates selections from within their own ranks, controlled by the vested power interests, for us to choose from. We must choose a party man — a Democrat or a Republican — and it is precisely that control over the selection pool that perpetuates the power of the vested interests.

Watershed curfew is an idea whose time has come

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:08:00 EDT

It's been three years since the city of Gloucester tried to establish a curfew over woodland areas.
Now, watershed constable and activist Joe Orange thinks the idea of a curfew for at least the city's watershed lands is one whose time has come — and it's hard to argue against that being the case.

Letter to the editor: Rockport's politics of destruction

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:07:00 EDT

To the editor:
I was shocked by the contemptible comments in a recent letter to the editor about Christopher Lewis, who was a candidate for selectman, and his wife, Ann, a veterinarian.
I first met Christopher as a participant in the Contemporary Issues Book Discussion Group at Rockport Public Library and have never met a more pleasant individual or anyone with a deeper love for this town. His enthusiasm is boundless and I was certain that everyone who watched the televised debates or met him as he went door to door, talking and listening to residents and town officials, would vote for him. I was wrong. Perhaps he was too positive a candidate at this particular time.

Letter: Sharing Paint Factory success

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:04:00 EDT

To the editor:
Thanks to Richard Gaines for two excellent articles about the Paint Factory (the Times, May 9 and 10), and for singling out researcher Marcia Hart, attorney Bob Wolfe, subcommittee chairman Bob Heineman, and neighbor Richard Rosenfeld, who played key roles in the Paint Factory success.

Don't let Gloucester be 'littered' by development

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:03:00 EDT

To the editor:
Is there still time to save our city?
I am writing not about litter in our city, but about a litter that will come to our city and make a bigger mess than you can ever imagine; the litter of over-development. Everyone has seen it before, those strip malls with all the asphalt parking and no regard or imagination for the design including the landscaping.

Letter to the editor: Yes, gas prices can be lowered

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

To the editor:
Here's a little something for you to ponder.
Let's see, I'm a business owner. Let's see, maybe the products I'm selling are automobiles, maybe food or providing services such as medical, dental or, possibly even running a country.

Letter to the editor: Where's Preservation Act backer when it comes to real preservation?

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

To the editor:
I am writing in response to a letter that appeared in the Gloucester Daily Times on March 14 headlined "The Preservation Act."
I finally got time to read past articles and this one in particular struck a nerve.

Letter to the editor: Why all the rancor in Rockport?

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

To the editor:
It's a curious paradox that, within this lovely town, there exists a seemingly large percentage of the malcontent and miserable.
My wife and I have lived in Rockport for six years and consider ourselves so very fortunate to have our home in this cozy corner of the world, with all its natural beauty and typical New England charm. But during the recent election period, we've been disheartened by the discourteous rhetoric we've read by candidates for public office in the Gloucester Daily Times.

Nothing 'empty' about community's spirit

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

There is often a lot of hard and sometimes harsh news we have to report around Gloucester and Cape Ann — from government funding issues to the struggling economy. So it's also important to note the many times that this region's extraordinary community spirit shines through it all.

Editorial: Gloucester needs to ensure Paint Factory project becomes reality

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

The best, and perhaps the last, realistic chance for Rocky Neck's iconic Paint Factory to be saved now appears to be at the city of Gloucester's doorstep.
So, those who have over two decades successfully blocked proposed uses of the complex, ranging from condominiums to a residential mansion, should make sure they don't kick the Ocean Alliance to the curb. In fact, they should do all in their power to help the Lincoln-based nonprofit research organization navigate whatever regulatory obstacles remain to moving its headquarters there, even if it means the construction of a pier on what is, after all, a waterfront location.

'Why Did My Newspaper Do That?' column: Covering up 'red tide' report would have shirked our duty

Sat, 10 May 2008 05:17:00 EDT

As Page 1 headlines go, it was an eye-catcher.
"Spring forecast: Intense red tide," the bold type read last week. "Scientists find more spores than in 2005 crisis that led to $50M in losses."
It was, to be sure, a bad-news warning, sounding alarms about a potential red tide siege of epic proportions, and for Cape Ann's shellfish industry, that's nothing short of frightening.

The Times endorsements: Randall for re-election to Essex post

Sat, 10 May 2008 05:15:00 EDT

Essex voters go to the polls Monday to choose which of two candidates will have a seat on the town's next Board of Selectmen.
It is an important choice, since selectmen will be addressing a variety of issues, from the future of Conomo Point to the future of their historic Town Hall and public safety facilities. And residents are fortunate to have two experienced candidates in Ray Randall and Ed Neal. Randall is the incumbent seeking re-election, while Neal served on the Board of Selectmen for one term, 1994 to 1997, and has also served on the Board of Health and the School Committee.

Letter to the editor: Sad commentary on Rockport policy

Sat, 10 May 2008 05:13:00 EDT

To the editor:
Back in the day of the Haven Avenue controversy, and subsequent sale of tax-title property, I e-mailed an inquiry to our selectmen.
I'd not attended the auction and was curious as to why two of three parcels sold for less than the projected minimum bid of $300,000.

Letter: Ideas for Mayor Kirk, and a better city

Sat, 10 May 2008 05:06:00 EDT

To the editor:
This is an open letter to Mayor Kirk:
Bravo to you for your direct and honest communication to the people of Gloucester! Information is power and is motivating. I hope, as many residents of Gloucester, that, under your leadership we are able to improve, repair and preserve this beautiful city. I hope that you will, at the very least, consider these few observations and ideas.

Letter: Questions for Rockport's administrator

Sat, 10 May 2008 05:05:00 EDT

This is an open letter to Rockport Town Administrator Michael Racicot:
Mr. Racicot;
Catching up on the results of town elections, I made a decision to retire as an activist. I'm certain Town Hall has another word for it, but, nevertheless, I was of the opinion that Rockport was on the cusp of a new beginning. After reading Thursday's Times (May 8), I may recant that decision. I am an independent thinker and will continue as such. Therefore, I have set down some issues that either continue to puzzle me, or I believe are, or should be, on the table.

Editorial: Late start to city budget talks can't mean a rushed finish

Fri, 09 May 2008 05:14:00 EDT

Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk, for a number of very good reasons, will be delivering her proposed budget for the coming fiscal year to the City Council relatively late.
So both Kirk and the council may be tempted to rush their deliberations on it with an eye toward approving it before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. But all should take the advice of the council's chief budget official, Councilor Jason Grow, and resist that temptation. It would be better that the budget be late than for the mistakes of the past to be extended for yet another year.

My View column: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Bibs

Fri, 09 May 2008 05:12:00 EDT

We meet every six weeks or so at La Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in the West End of Gloucester. We're the girls from the Gloucester High School class of 63. We're "Glosta" kids, born and raised here, some returning after being away for a number of years, some home on vacation and some who have never left, but all with roots deeply embedded in this fish town we call home.

Editorial: The JROTC and Gloucester pride

Fri, 09 May 2008 05:11:00 EDT

For decades, the Junior ROTC program at Gloucester High School has generated intense feelings of pride in the community. Now, that program has gained acclaim on the national level as well.
Gloucester's Marine Junior ROTC drill team last weekend captured national titles in a Daytona Beach, Fla., competition for color guard and regulation drill performance, and GHS finished second overall among 56 teams who made it to the event. Some 30 GHS students traveled to the compeition, which was judged by officers from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

Cape Ann's House representative comes up short

Thu, 08 May 2008 05:23:00 EDT

To the Editor:
As far as I'm concerned, the headline on Tuesday's Page 3 Times story should have read "Verga gets only $150K earmarked for local projects" — because if one reads the article, it's clear that our representative not only fell far short of his own goal but matched up poorly against the successes of his regional colleagues in bringing home the bacon.