Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Despite wintry weather, Concord’s March 19 election saw the highest turnout for an annual Town Election since 2006
First the threat of snow postponed MCAS testing and trash pickup, and then the snow itself stopped school and postponed the opening of town offices. But the wintry mix that persisted throughout the day could not stop Concord’s annual Town Election. The snow may have affected voter turnout, and certainly it led to some creative campaigning in the form of sign-holding snowman that popped up around town. Weather, however, was but a twist in the day’s main plotline: The contested race for two seats on the School Committee. In the end, Johanna Boynton and Kathleen Snook edged out Lisa Bergen and Cynthia Rainey. The race was close, with more than 6,000 ballots cast and all four candidates separated by fewer than 400 votes. Check back with …
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Laws Brook Road resident Peter Bailey Wells writes that, 'Negativity rarely results in a positive result. Please do not allow our town’s dialogue to be dominated by negativity.'
- OPINION
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Tuesday, March 19
To the Editor, I have lived in Concord all of my life. I am a soon-to-graduate senior at CCHS who also happens to have just turned 18. I am planning to vote in the March 19th election that includes a choice of four different citizens for two spots on the school committee. I am not writing to endorse or discredit any candidate. Frankly, I am entirely undecided. I am writing to provoke a series of questions in the minds of all parents and community members of Concord who have had a hand in the discourse surrounding this election. What are you thinking about when you write semi-anonymous offensive or derogatory comments to someone else on an Internet comment thread? (Such as the ones found following Janet Friedman’s letter to the editor.) …
Hill Street resident Valerie Tratnyek writes to encourage Concord residents to 'Vote Tuesday, and then stay involved!'
- OPINION
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Tuesday, March 19
To the Editor, The League's forum showed us that we have four strong women as candidates for School Committee. No matter which two win, they will need to be prepared to address the problems created by poor planning and poor communication. New School Committee members will have a lot on their plate. They will also need the courage to ask hard questions in their role as policymakers, and as our representatives in guiding and directing our school superintendent. It is important to realize that we cannot expect these individuals to make changes on their own. There are many questions to be asked still, and parents, teachers, and citizens have to remain vigilant in making sure these questions come to the table. It will be tempting to cast our …
Monday, March 18, 2013
MacArthur Road residents Kate and Rick Olney write in support of Johanna Boynton for Concord School Committee
To the Editor, With the many issues facing our schools, the School Committee needs people who will work well with teachers, administrators and citizens to problem-solve in a way that is constructive and positive. To be a part of a committee means to listen to the many points of view and make decisions based upon what is best in terms maintaining our high standards in the classroom while being fiscally prudent towards the needs of the tax-payers. Johanna Boynton is the candidate who can lead us in the right direction. She is fair and open-minded. She has a proven ability to work within a budget. Having served as PTG Presidents at the same time, I saw her deep commitment to the schools years ago. Johanna is attuned to the needs of both young …
Concord Greene residents Fritz and Allene Kussin write in favor of Johanna Boynton for School Committee.
To the Editor, We experience Johanna Boynton as a breath of fresh air. She is a new face, yet with the knowledge and obvious commitment to doing what is best for the students in our public schools. We love the idea of a candidate who has not gone to every meeting of the School Committee for the last year and become so invested in a specific position as to have lost the ability to enter into productive discussions about alternatives. Johanna describes herself as having the ability and experience to develop consensus on issues. We believe her. She is a bright, articulate leader and has a deep love and respect for Concord and commitment to the work as a volunteer who will give unstintingly of her time. Johanna’s resume is impressive. With …
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Elsinore Street resident Michael Lucontoni writes that Lisa Bergen and Cynthia Rainey are 'extraordinary, dedicated hard working individuals who deserve a seat on our School Committee.'
To the Editor, I recently heard Lisa Bergen and Cynthia Rainey speak at a meet-an-greet and came away very much moved by their vision, intellect and goals for our schools! Lisa and Cynthia are extraordinarily committed to both our children and community. I am impressed with the number of school committee meetings, as well as building committee, Board of Selectman, FinComm meetings they have attended in the last year, long before either Lisa and Cynthia had any intention of running for School Committee. This shows a willingness, desire and ability to be fully engaged and informed. Their ability to understand all sides of an issue and listen objectively, paired with their integrity, will serve our schools well. Lisa demonstrated these skills…
ORNAC resident Scott Snook writes that his wife, Kathi Snook, is 'a proven leader of character -- just what we need on the Concord School Committee.'
To the Editor, I am writing to support Kathi Snook for Concord School Committee. Clearly I am biased when it comes to my opinion of her as a wife and mother. So when I tell you that she is the best mother our five children could ever have and the most selfless loving partner I could ever dream of, feel free to discount my opinion. That is not the primary reason I decided to write. Instead, I am writing to share a unique perspective of an incredible woman, one that I don’t think anyone else in Concord can write, one that anyone truly interested in the future of our schools should know. In July of 1976, Kathi and I entered West Point as members of the very first class with women. I didn’t know her at the time, and neither did any of our 1,…
Potter Street residents Steve and Karen Audette write that Kathi Snook is a 'critical, clear thinker and she is passionate about serving her community.'
To the Editor, Kathi Snook is running for School Committee and we hope you will join us in voting for her. We have known the Snook family for over a decade. Kathi is uniquely qualified for the school committee, she has a PhD in Curriculum and Teaching and her five children have attended Concord Public Schools. Kathi is a critical, clear thinker and she is passionate about serving her community. Concord residents couldn’t ask for a better person to represent us. Steve and Karen Audette35 Potter Street
Old Pickard Road resident Suzanne Hogan writes that she believes Kathi Snook and Johanna Boynton 'will serve Concord diligently and fairly as School Committee members.'
Editor's Note: Although letters are edited for punctuation, grammar and AP/Patch style, we have not corrected this author's misspelling of a candidate's name, an error denoted by [sic] immediately following the error. To the Editor, I am writing to endorse candidates Johanna Boynton and Kathy [sic] Snook for School Committee. These two intelligent, thoughtful women have records of service, and I honestly believe will serve Concord diligently and fairly as School Committee members. School Committee members are in a position to guide the CCHS building project over the next several years. I sat surprised and stunned at the LWV Forum to hear candidates Lisa Bergen and Cynthia Rainey express full support of the building project. Rainey stated…
Prescott Road resident writes that she would trust Kathi Snook 'with a lot more than my representation at School Committee.'
To the Editor, I am writing to endorse Kathi Snook for School Committee. I have known Kathi for almost 10 years, and have worked with her on several committees in service of our schools. I know her to be extraordinarily committed to each endeavor, organized in her execution, and both passionate and reasonable in her support of our students. As I said to a neighbor, with whom I was discussing our choices for School Committee: “I don't see Kathi as much as I would like, now that our sons are in college, but I can say without an ounce of doubt that I would trust Kathi with a lot more than my representation at School Committee.” For now, electing Kathi Snook to School Committee is a fine start. Donna Milofsky33 Prescott Road
Peace B Withyou
10:51 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Peter, I moved out of Concord several years ago, due in large part, to this very problem. I did not want my own children growing up in such a toxic environment. (Not to fault YOUR parents -- both of whom are reasonable, positive people who are active in the community.) Sadly, however, my worst fears have been realized and, as your letter proves, Concord's kids ARE acutely aware of the nastiness … more ›