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Flag Returns From Iraq
Above, U S. Army Staff Sgt. Charles M. Rupprecht, and left to right, Napoleon Sylvester and Jonathan Deyoung from Pack 26 performing honor guard duty, recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
May 16, 2008 — Pack 26 held their Crossover ceremony at Elmwood School on Friday, and at the same time played host to U S. Army Staff Sgt. Charles M. Rupprecht, who brought the pack a special flag. Last Christmas season, the members of Pack 26 sent thirty-four care packages of food and other items to the troops serving in Iraq. In return, Sgt. Rupprecht brought the pack a flag (Not pictured) that had been flown in their honor over the multi-national headquarters at Camp Victory in Baghdad. Pack Leader Dan Field accepted the flag on behalf of the pack. |
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Babysitting is not an Amateur Sport Training Programs available
by Elizabeth Eidlitz
May
16, 2008 — For young teens and ‘tweens who’ve outgrown selling
parent-subsidized lemonade from front lawn stands, babysitting can
In supermarkets and other free public spaces, eager, though inexperienced entrepreneurs, post carefully scripted notices like this one:
“Hi, my name is Tabitha. I live in Framingham. I am a 12-year-old female. I prefer to babysit for kids ages 1-4, any gender. I only charge $3.00 per hour, $.50 for every extra child, and $.45 for extra chores/ activity. I can sit for two children at a time. I did not take a course, but I've baby sat for my aunt’s 3 –month- old baby and have understood the responsibility of babysitting. I've also watched my younger brother for several hours often. I have a 4.0 GPA and I'm very trustworthy and responsible !!!!!"
Parents of an 18-month-old boy who live two blocks away hire Tabitha. They leave for dinner in Boston, expecting to return in four hours and will take Tabitha home. They give her their cell phone number and permission to have her best friend with her to do homework together.
Soon after the parents leave, the child begins to cry. Tabitha carries the child to the couch where she and her best friend, sitting at opposite ends, play catch with the baby, tossing him back and forth across the length of a sofa cushion, while all three giggle in delight. READ MORE... |
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School Committee Cuts Bus Contract by $71,460 Works to make up for $225,000 shortfall due to fuel hikes
by Robert Falcione May 16, 2008 — Playing a shell game of finding revenue and cutting expenses, the School Committee on Thursday evening made up for a $225,000 shortfall — over an increase in the transportation contract due to fuel costs — by increasing some fees and cutting some costs. "We need to deal with the shortfall right now," said Superintendent Dr. John Phelan. Some of the creative measures proposed by Dr. Phelan are to tighten scheduling of some of the uses of the buses, gain $25,000 in additional revenue for facilities use, a reduction of $10,000 used to advertise positions, an increase in parking and bus fees to $210, increasing Pre-K to $320 a month, and dropping a bus from the fleet. "We have to let teachers and other staff go and increase classes size next year," said School Committee member Phil Totino. "We can't keep saying we are at the bone, and then, oops, $200,000, we found it." School Committee Chair Rebecca Robak had another suggestion. "We could save money by garaging the buses in Hopkinton," she said. The buses would travel less to get to Hopkinton, therefore using less gas. A gas escalator clause is built into the Transportation Contract. "Each bus housed here will generate $1,000 in excise taxes," Ms. Robak said. "We better pursue this aggressively," said Mr. Totino. Excise taxes are collected by the town where a vehicle is garaged overnight. The Committee adopted Dr. Phelan's plan by a unanimous vote. In other business, Mrs. Dooley presented a plan to modernize education by technology online. Mrs. Dooley said, "We are looking at Moodle to put courses online, and we are looking to put most of our courses online. Most colleges are using learning management systems today, either using blended courses so students can submit their materials digitally, or put entire courses online, and run them that way. "So, we are preparing our students for that experience that they'll go on to in college," she said. Mrs. Dooley explained that students viewing an animation of a chemical reaction online would understand it better than from a book. |
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Liisa Jackson for Muriel Kramer
Dear Editor
Muriel’s commitment to the Town of Hopkinton has been amazing she a working mother and she has always devoted an amazing amount of time to educate herself about current issues and to insure that the citizens of Hopkinton have proper and fair representation from her as member and chair of the Board of Selectman. FULL LETTER
Editor's Note: Liisa Jackson's letter arrived at 10:40 a.m., almost two hours before today's close. The next letter, an endorsement for Muriel Kramer, came in at 6:54 p.m., but it was past the spontaneous deadline of 1:35 p.m. today. People frustrated by the close of the letters section may express their opinions and speak in favor of their candidates on the discussion page, Town Talk. Please keep it civil, and do not accuse anyone of a crime. |
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Ciao Time is fast, and oh, so good!
Sauce on Main Takes Your Reservations for the Weekend |
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The Highway Department is having a Hazardous Waste Collection Day on June 7, 2008 from 9:00 am to 1:00 p.m. To see the entire lists of do's and don'ts in a Word document, please click on the graphic above. |
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Young Women Leaders of Tomorrow
Three Hopkinton High Senior ladies were awarded the Young Women Leaders of Tomorrow Award last Thursday, May 8, 2008 at Christina’s Banquet Facility in Foxboro, MA. From L to R: Jessie Lauze – Field Hockey, Nicole Allain – Softball, Nicole Driscoll – Basketball This award program was started last year by the Direct Federal Credit Union for high school female students that exhibit leadership, athleticism and academic excellence. |
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H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S
H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S |
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Ken Weismantel for RJ Dourney Dear Editor,
I have served with RJ Dourney on the Planning Board and the Zoning Advisory Committee for the last year. During that time I have closely observed his analysis of complex issues, his leadership style, his commitment to preserve the environment of Hopkinton, his fairness to everyone speaking at public hearings, and his ability to bring the committee to vote for the best interests of Hopkinton.
His contribution to the Legacy Farms OSMUD zoning change is just one example of his record of advocating for what is best for Hopkinton. FULL LETTER
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Auditions for ESL’s Teen Production of Grease June 16
Grease, which is set in a high school
in the late 1950s, is a musical that celebrates rock and roll as well as
doo-wop music. The
production is being directed by Kelly Grill and Denise Laumeister and
performances will take place on August, 15, 16 and 17. Rehearsals will
be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from
Enter Stage Left Theater, Inc. is a non-profit, performing arts center in Hopkinton offering theater education, training and performances for students of all ages. For more information call 508-435-2114 or visit www.enterstagelefttheater.com
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Rollover Fatal Crash on Route 90 in Palmer Driver not wearing seatbelt — ejected
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Kevin Fogwill indicates that an adult male was operating a 2000 Ford Explorer on Route 90 East when his vehicle left the travel lane and struck the median guardrail, rolling over the guardrail and landing upright in the left lane of Route 90 West. The operator was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was ejected from the vehicle. The operator was declared deceased at the scene. The name of the operator in the Ford is being withheld pending proper family notification.
This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. The Palmer Fire Department, Palmer EMS and Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Maintenance Services assisted troopers at the scene. |
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Mathew Zettek for Muriel Kramer Letter To The
Editor |
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The Golden Spoon Has Ice Cream Cones and More !!!
Check out Colella's website, or click here for the Weekly Flyer |
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From Candidate Muriel Kramer
Friends,
please remember to vote on Monday May 19, 2008,
and please vote
Muriel Kramer for Selectman.
I am
For three years, I have worked for Hopkinton as Selectwoman, twice as the Chairwoman, and have been challenged often but also deeply gratified by what the Board of Selectmen has achieved. The Board’s successes are not mine alone, but it has been my privilege to play a role in all that we have worked to achieve. To be sure there are still challenges ahead, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to tackle those. The current Board will continue to work with a unified approach across Town government focusing on the “One Hopkinton” theme, maintaining a professional tone at all times and collaborating across all departments to manage our growth and maintain a sustainable financial strategy.
In the last three years, we have successfully managed the integration of the Charter, hiring our first Town manager and subsequently the Chief Financial Officer. We have transitioned to a law firm that is experienced in Municipal Law offering the town better service at lower cost. Additionally we all worked well together during adversity when the Town Manager had his accident and successfully transitioned back upon his return. Lastly, managing a successful response to the sale of the Weston Nurseries property and subsequent planning opportunity for Legacy Farms was an enormous challenge and as a Board, I believe we served Hopkinton well. FULL LETTER |
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Muriel Kramer: Leadership, courage and fiscal responsibility
I am thankful for the leadership of Muriel Kramer that has led our town government away from past practices of forwarding an agenda by any means necessary. Muriel has helped restore an open, respectful, collaborative approach to solving problems. And this approach works.
I think the accomplishments of the Board of Selectman this past year are exemplary. We have had some major issues before us in this first full year of transition to the town manager form of government. Muriel has shown leadership and wisdom in facilitating the board's thoughtful decisions on tough and complex issues. The board led meetings, executive sessions and workshops to facilitate town decisions on the two major issues; Weston Nurseries 61a rights and the Legacy Farms overlay district.
Also, Muriel was a very steady leader and helped garner the support of our great town employees and members of our boards and committees to rally and fill the gap during the unexpected absence of our town manager. Under her watch, the Selectmen made a sound decision by hiring the Fire Chief as the Acting Town Manager in order to keep the town's agenda moving forward. |
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The Winners!!
May 15, 2008 —
Winners of the Technicolor Dreamcoat Coloring Contest:
Left to Right: Emily Mastroianni (Honorable Mention); Kiera Schnur ( |
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H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S
H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S |
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Thomas M. Viehl, 45 Hopkinton - Thomas M. Viehl, 45 died Wednesday May 14 2008 in Natick. The funeral will be held from the Callanan-Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church St. Monday May 19 at 9 AM. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. John the Evangelist Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery Holliston. Calling hours are Sunday May 18 4 to 7 pm at the funeral home.
Donations: Project Just Because |
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Letters Are Over At this time we will not be accepting any more Letters to the Editor regarding the election. We will be putting up several that we have waiting in queue until now (1:35 p.m.) |
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More than one person has asked when our Letters to the Editor cut-off date is. To each we have said, "Sometime between now and the election." Holding on to a letter, looking for the right time? It could arrive at any second. Why so coy? It had been discovered by the print media years ago that some political operatives would try to get last-minute accusatory letters in just before an election, and because it was the last edition before election, there could be no chance for redress. It is similar to a whispering campaign we saw here years ago that promised an indictment of the opposing candidate that was supposed to occur just after the election. Despite the nasty campaign, the candidate won. So in order to be fair and equitable, we need to stop the incoming at some point in time, and we need to establish further ground rules: Letters received after at his time, 9:35 a.m. on May 15, may not make reference to a candidate's opponent, but only positive references about one's candidate. The reasons should be apparent to fair-minded people. |
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Hopkinton Police 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony Officer Linda Higgins receives Award for Saving a Life
Above, Chief of Police Thomas Irvin congratulates Officer Linda Higgins and hands her a plaque earned for saving the life of a female victim last November.
May 15, 2008 — The Police Department Conference Room was the location of the 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday evening, attended by Town Officials, Police Officers, their Superiors, and family members. The one award for extraordinary performance in the line of duty was received by Officer Linda Higgins, who has been credited with taking actions to preserve, or save, the life of a female discovered in an apparently disabled motor vehicle on Chestnut Street last November. Officer Higgins was recommended by Sgt. John Porter. "Last November, 2007, while on patrol after midnight," said Chief Irvin, "Officer Higgins observed what appeared to be a disabled motor vehicle with flashers activated. "Instead, she found three people under the influence of various intoxicants. Finding one person not breathing and with no pulse, she focused on trying to save a life," Chief Irvin explained. Chief Irvin said that Officer Higgins overcame the challenge in removing the victim that was posed by having to remove her over a broken car seat, and at the same time, watching her back, because of the other intoxicated occupants of the vehicle. Officer Higgins notified dispatch and immediately performed CPR successfully, saving the woman's life. Others received awards for length of service: Officer David Shane, 15 years; Officer Pat O'Brien, 25 years, and Marilyn Palmer, 30 years of service. Below from left are Sgt. Charles Wallace, Officer Pat O'Brien, Chief Thomas Irvin, Sgt. John Porter, Officer Linda Higgins and Officer David Shane.
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The Golden Spoon Has Ice Cream Cones and More !!!
Check out Colella's website, or click here for the Weekly Flyer |
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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat First show Friday night
May 15, 2008 — On Wednesday evening, the Middle School Auditorium was filled with uplifting and glorious song, inspiring music, beautiful children, and amazing dancers, as the cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat performed a dress rehearsal. The first show is on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m.. Please check the HopNews Calendar at any time for events in Hopkinton.
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Does the Deer Have Any Doe?
May 15, 2008 — The deer above turns her ears forward, trying to figure out sound of the photographer's robust camera shutter early Wednesday evening. It soon caught the photographer's scent and showed its white tail as it high-tailed it out of there. |
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A Tribute to Dave Hughes
Above, Terry and Dave Hughes. May 15, 2008 — Retired football Coach Dave Hughes, who earned his 200th win on November 4, 2005 and finished his last season last fall, was feted at the DoubleTree in Westborough on Wednesday evening as former players, coaches, friends, family and guests enjoyed each others' company and a generous buffet. "I coached with him for 18 years," said Phil Schiloski, now Coach at Nipmuc Regional. "He's one of the best coaches," he said. Hopkinton Highway Manager and former player Mike Mansir concurred. "He's a great mentor, teaching respect, how to play tough, and how to live life," he said. |
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H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S
H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S |
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Hillers clinch tie for Tri-Valley championship beating Dover-Sherborn Can win title outright with win at Medfield on Friday!
The Hopkinton Hiller baseball team clinched a tie for the league championship with a 14-5 victory over the Raiders of Dover-Sherborn in a game played in Hopkinton on Wednesday. The win allows the Stickney nine to win the league outright with a victory Friday in Medfield. The team sent Andrew Park to the mound and the lefty picked up the victory. Junior Kelly Cook cracked his first Homerun of the season as the Hillers prepare for the good seed in this years state playoffs. Paul Ostrander continued his hitting streak at 15 games and Chris Farrell drove in 2 runs with a big double in the breakout inning. Kyle Rudden is hitting the ball with authority. This and when it happens will give Mark Stickney his first championship as a head coach of the Hillers.
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Hopkinton Girls 13-0 over Dover-Sherborn
May 15, 2008 — Michele Cooprider pitched a 2-hit ballgame on Wednesday afternoon at home. |
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Dr. Duffy Offers Challenge
Letter to the
Editor, HopNews |
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Two families For RJ Dourney Dear Editor, Over the last few years, we have seen a deterioration of the services provided by the different departments in Hopkinton. Whether it’s the roads that are so difficult to drive on, or the loss of 16 school teachers and staff, you can’t help but be disturbed by what is happening in town. We have seen constant increases in property taxes and we are getting less and less for them. That is why we are supporting RJ Dourney for Selectman. It is clear that different town leadership is needed to keep our schools and our other services moving forward, not backward. RJ is the candidate who will provide this leadership. FULL LETTER |
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H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S
H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S |
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Letter in support of the Election of RJ Dourney for Selectman
Dear Editor:
I am pleased to
endorse RJ Dourney for Selectman. As a
member of our current Board
of Selectman I am keenly aware of
Anyone familiar
with the management challenge of hiring the right person to fit the
needs of a particular job knows it is not an easy task. It
is crucial to place the
right person in the right job so that the individual and the
organization can thrive together. With this in mind, I respectfully
suggest that RJ Dourney is the candidate best suited to set the
proper policy course to lead Hopkinton forward in the years to
come.
RJ has extensive experience leading organizations to new levels of achievement. He brings years of private sector experience that will add vibrancy and new ideas to our town government. RJ has proven that his leadership style, combined with his general business acumen, is the formula for success. He understands that any organization, public or private, must focus on new revenue sources in addition to targeting cost reductions to adequately fund operations. FULL LETTER |
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Smooth as Silk
May 14, 2008 — Robert Foster, left, a member of the Board of Appeals, met with the Selectmen candidates, Selectmen Chair Muriel Kramer, and Planning Board 1st Vice-Chair RJ Dourney on Tuesday evening to facilitate a 90 minute "roundtable" discussion of pertinent topics at HCAM-TV, which was sponsored by HopNews.com. Please check the HCAM Channel for repeat showings. |
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Up, Up, and Away
May 14, 2008 — This great blue heron gained some altitude at the pond on North Mill Street on Tuesday afternoon, as he did his best to avoid the photographer who stopped his vehicle after seeing the bird. |
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The Golden Spoon Has Ice Cream Cones and More !!!
Check out Colella's website, or click here for the Weekly Flyer |
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Lucky Winner
May 13, 2008 — Ipod Nano 4GB Video MP3 Player!!!! Its Danielle Branscomb, Grade 5, Hopkins School. Interestingly enough, the 4th & 5th grade students swept the Boston Marathon Art & Design Competition in all prize & Honorable Mentions categories. With over 130 entries from their grades alone, coupled with a tremendous amount of talent and a wonderful art teacher, Geri Joseph, it is no surprise that the second Ipod prize went to that school. ~ Susie Johnson |
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Recycling with the Lions Club
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Votes For RJ Dourney Dear Editor,
Town Elections are one week away. As you know there is one contested seat for Board of Selectman. We are kindly asking you to consider putting your support behind RJ Dourney. We believe that he has the skill base, integrity and people skills to bring stronger leadership to our BOS. With Legacy Farms now heading in the right direction and the wastewater treatment plant on the cusp of moving forward, we need RJ to keep things on track instead of someone who will continue to stall progress, which has been what we've seen the past couple of years. |
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H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S
H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S |
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Mary Irvine, 84
Mary Irvine, 84,
formerly of Hopkinton, died Tuesday, May 13, 2008 in Venice, FL. Born in
Scotland, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Nelson)
Robertson and wife to the late Charles Irvine. |
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Hopkinton High School Department of Music Spring “Pops” Concert
Featuring: The Bands, Choruses
and String Ensemble
Sunday, May 18, 2008 HS Athletic Center
Tickets are $5.00 and a $20.00 family maximum. Seniors are free. Light refreshments are included in the ticket price. |
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The Golden Spoon Has Ice Cream Cones and More !!!
FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD |
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R.A.D.
• R.A.D. is an
Internationally taught realistic hands on self defense training class
specifically designed for women (12-16 hours)
Tuesday nights
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Reminder, Tonight: Selectmen Candidates Roundtable Discussion Tuesday, May 13 Audience welcome at HCAM-TV - Sponsored by HopNews
Tune in to HCAM-TV on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. for a live HopNews-sponsored Round Table discussion between the candidates for Selectmen, and host Robert Foster, in a relaxed spontaneous studio setting. Mr. Foster's work on the Board of Appeals is testimony to his judicious and thoughtful approach to understanding things. In addition, Mr. Foster's background as an engineer has molded his no-nonsense approach to solving problems. People wishing to be part of the studio audience should arrive by 6:45 p.m. |
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Kramer Supporter Lists Reasons
Editor: |
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HopNews will cut off Letters to the Editor without notice at some time between now and the election in order to prevent last-minute, unanswerable claims or accusations. |
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H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S
H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S |
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Letter in support of the re-election of Muriel Kramer for Selectman
Editor:
When I ran for Selectman two years ago I did so for one reason only. At
the time, the Board was the subject of much ridicule |
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One View of Town Meeting Just Past
May 13, 2008 — Above is one artist's satirical view of the Town Meeting just past. If you cannot read every word, please choose here for a high quality, full-sized pdf file. It is worth it. |
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The Golden Spoon Has Ice Cream Cones and More !!!
FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD |
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HOPKINTON,
MA (May 15, 2008) – Enter Stage Left Theater Inc. will be hosting
auditions for its Summer Stock teen production of Grease on
Monday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. at ESL’s studios at 30 Main Street in
Hopkinton. Auditions are open to college students and teenagers 14
years of age and older, and participants should come with a prepared
song to sing (preferably from the show). 
May
15, 2008 — Today, at approximately 3:15 a.m., troopers assigned to the
State Police Barracks in Charlton responded to a one-car rollover crash
on Route 90 East, at mile marker 61.7, in Palmer that resulted in one
fatality.
running for a second term on the Board of Selectmen, and I would greatly
appreciate your vote.
Letters, We've Got Letters
the opportunities and challenges
It’s
time to talk about the Lions Club’s monthly recycle effort at Colella’s
Market. Chances are pretty good that everyone in Hopkinton knows all
about the monthly drives to collect funds for those in need. Your
recyclable bottles and cans are needed. Stop by on Saturday, May 31st -
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - and see what it’s all about!
she assumed the chairmanship of the board. Under Muriel’s leadership,
the Board of Selectmen has encouraged “full and fair” debate on all
issues of concern to the residents of Hopkinton. As a seasoned
chairperson of the Board, she has always encouraged different points of
views so as to put issues in their proper perspective, while, at all
times, considering what is best for the well-being of all Hopkinton
residents. She tends to reduce the issues to their content and not their
politics. There is none of the trade-offs of normal political fare.
and, more often than not, the subject of a Metro-West News article that
was most often an embarrassment to our Town. It appeared that decisions
were made not in the clear light of day and they were therefore suspect.
I love Hopkinton and if fortunes are kind enough to me and my family we
will remain here forever. 