Any topic

[Tom]

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This new thread is open to get some posts during the dog days of August and as an experiment that might be continued into the fall. (Until now, WalpoleWords has not allowed non-registered users to start new topics, and has rejected posts that were off the topic of a thread.)

Please continue to post messages on existing threads if they're relevant to the topic.

-- Tom Glynn

[Unregistered]

any visions for the future of the town center...? ideas from the general population...

[Unregistered]

The downtown revitalization will commence when those in power decide to make it a priority. Why can't we have Selectmen who take the initiative in attracting business instead of waiting for something to fall on their lap?

The Kahana and especially the Liberty Village/Foundry area clearly need a facelift and new occupants. Why are people content with leaving as they are? Which is to say a vacany, empty, eye sore.

[Unregistered]

Selectmen set the tone for the rest of the town. We elect them as the chief agenda setters, policy makers, and leaders in our town. Serving on some Mickey Mouse committee appointed by the selectmen may qualify as "getting involved," however it does little to spur any meaningful change.

Of course, I know someone may be inclined to say "Well, who elected them? You get what you ask for." But, unfortunately it is not that simple. Our last Selectmen's race attracted barely 13% of the electorate. There were several candidates who ran unopposed for other offices that attracted several hundred more votes than any of the candidates for Selectmen! What does it mean when Assessors, Moderators, and School Committee members (in uncontested races) all attract more votes than the top vote getter for Selectmen?!

Our town is in need of some strong, truthful leadership. Someone who can say what they believe and stand by their principles, regardless of consequences. Some Selectmen have shown flashes of this but nothing sustainable. What we have now is a mini Cold War. In this case, it is several small factions who band together to prevent anything from happening instead of coming together and yes, maybe giving up a small piece of the pie.

--- We don't want overrides, but we also don't want any commercial development.

--- We want an override and more revenue for the schools, but let's not do anything to generate any commercial tax revenue.

--- No overrides, no new business! OR Gimme an override and toss in a 40B and another Wal-Mart while you're at it.

--- I'm all for commercial development, but why can't it happen on the other side of town?

--- We can't handle any more 40B's!!! Can't we just leave that land empty?

Have I just about summed it up here folks? Is this the "State of the Town?"

~ Publius

[Unregistered]

The Boston Globe is reporting that the Metco director surmises a mass removal of suburban towns from the program if they are no longer able to chose students by race.

I was completely uninformed about what this program was about, I thought it was a way to provide a superior education to inner city students, but I was wrong. It's simply a desegregation program, nothing more. I'm actually disappointed in this, because 40 years of a desegregation program has not actually done anything in the name of desegregation. I'd say that Metco is a failure for it's intended purpose.

That being said, it's my hope that Walpole continues it's Metco program, regardless of race, because I believe it provides inner city students a chance at a better education and the possibility of a way out of the inner city. If this was the Metco mandate, it would succeed. Race based programs of any kind are, by their very definition, racist and I hope Walpole will not support racist programs.

Metco fears for its future
Ruling may put desegregation effort at risk

By Tracy Jan, Globe Staff | July 26, 2007

Leaders of a 41-year-old state program created to integrate suburban schools with urban minority students are facing the possibility that they may have to allow white participants in the aftermath of a Supreme Court ruling last month.

Program leaders and others fear that including white students from the cities in the voluntary desegregation program, known as Metco, could lead to the program's demise. Admit white students, suburban superintendents say, and their communities may pull out because the program's purpose was to diversify their predominantly white schools.

The Supreme Court decision, which prohibited Seattle and Louisville, Ky., from using race in school assignments, has flung Metco and other desegregation efforts across the nation into uncertainty over whether their admissions policies could withstand legal challenges. Metco parents, students, and other community members plan to gather in Boston today to discuss the potential effects of the court decision, which struck down race as a primary tool for integration but left it open as a last resort.

"If the issue gets down to, 'You cannot assign students by race,' Metco could end," said Jean McGuire, executive director of Metco. "We have to figure out what might happen. The superintendents are worried that somebody's going to tell them they have to put white kids in Metco and their towns won't buy it."
Continue reading the full article here

[Unregistered]

Heard around the coffee shops:

Walpole’s July 4 parade and fireworks get better every year. You go along the parade route and one thing is clear: Walpole knows how to party! It’s a lot of work for the WFD, so let’s hope the younger guys keep the energy going. What’s also amazing is you go down town at 8:00 a.m. on July 4 and you could never tell there were 10,000 + people there the night before. Way to go DPW.

Congratulations to the Legion baseball team for a fantastic season. Good luck in the playoffs.

Congratulations to the 12 year old baseball team for a fantastic run in the Williamsport Tourney. No matter how far you go, the town is proud of you.

While not directly involved in the above two teams, at some point Bill Tompkins, WHS varsity baseball coach for 30+ years should be named Walpole’s person-of-the-year. He deserves it for all the positive impact he has had on the young men of this town. (And young women for his days as girls varsity soccer coach, for which he was also named Globe Coach of the year). He demands only a few things: determination, preparation, fair play and respect for oneself, teammates, coaches and opponents. His positive and winning philosophies obviously trickle down throughout the whole Walpole baseball program.

Word has it that Ralph Knobel, a Walpole treasure, is ill. Let’s keep positive thoughts for Ralph’s speedy recovery.

As a field hockey fan, I anticate the Porkers having a strong season this year, but repeating as state champs will be tough. However, the underclasswomen just finished three grueling days of camp at Providence College and one thing is certain. The Porkers program will be as strong as ever for the next couple of years. The incoming sophomore class is loaded with talent that could rank with the best of them. You heard it here first. The Porkers have become to Walpole what the Permian Panthers football team was to Odessa, Texas in Friday Night Lights. “The expectations could not be any higher. We will win State. We will win state!”

When you get the intersection of East and Washington Street at Jimmies Pizzeria, it’s nice to be able to actually see toward Norwood without taking your life in your hands taking a left onto Washington Street.

A great town event is the Concerts on the Common. Glad to see Italian Ice for sale in addition to Mr. Taylor’s popcorn. Is there a local band for which Joe Donnelly does not play drums?

Speaking of Joe Donnelly, is the Walpole Rec Department great or what. This summer program at Bird Middle School is fabulous. There’s like a million Walpole kids up there having fun.

Has anyone else noticed that the Walpole Water Department has the nicest, newest and coolest vehicles in town? Are they printing money on Washington Street?

Has the Chair and Vice Chair of the BOS ever both been lawyers at the same time before? By the way, have we always had a vice-chair of the Board, and, do we really need one? Anyway, if nothing else, as professional advocates, Mr. DiNapoli and Mr. Timson should present a vigorous negotiating team on behalf of the town on any issues (contracts, etc.) that come before the Board of Selectmen. Let's hold them to a high standard of performance.

OK, there was lots of good progress on the 1A-Winter Street intersection, what caused the stall? It’s still a dangerous intersection.

Mr. Amirault's blog on Walpole Words is fascinating. I could not disagree more with his stance on the use of the Rebel as a mascot, but there's no denying the historical significance of his information. His information has kindled my interest in Andersonville Prison.

Walpole High School has a film festival each spring for the past couple of years. It is amazing the effort and creative energy the kids put into these short films. Most are hysterical. Teacher and admin participation show a true dedication to the students. Get the DVD, you'll love it.

Best regards,

Eye Opener to Go

[Unregistered]

the jelly sticks at Country Kitchen are the same size that they always have been. Its not your imagination when you realize that Dunkin Donuts has been slowly shrinking their jelly sticks....all in the name of a "fast buck"

support your LOCAL donut shop. Its worth the wait.


Jumbo To Go

[Unregistered]

its looking good over there at adams farm. sullivan did a great pour job. no better anywhere (other than at Tee-Tee's).

good job!

[Unregistered]

"Mr. Amaral's blog on Walpole Words is fascinating. I could not disagree more with his stance on the use of the Rebel as a mascot, but there's no denying the historical significance of his information. His information has kindled my interest in Andersonville Prison."

this guy is beating a dead horse. who cares about civil war soldiers anyway?

[Unregistered]

Does Walpole have either a Republican Town Committee/Club or a Democratic one? I've heard of the Norfolk County Republican club, but alas, when I googled it I could not seem to find a web site or anything with contact information.

It's greatly appreciated if you could help me out.