- XXX Perimeters -- Michael H, 09:20:17 08/23/01 Thu
Does anyone know what the perimeters are for the area zoned for adult dancing.
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- Rain or Slhine Champions -- Mike Poitras, 17:20:01 08/24/01 Fri
Rain or Shine painting softball team from Dracut won the 2001 Edward McLaughlin Memorial Co-Ed Softball Championship Tuesday night in Lowell, beating Captian Johns of Lowell 10-8 in 8 inn.
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- New Town Counsel -- "The Fox", 11:49:14 08/13/01 Mon
Looks like we will be getting our new Town Counsel this Tuesday night. The area developers should be pretty happy. Atty.Hall is a nice guy, but isn't he the sam Atty. Jim Hall who was in partnership with one of our largest town developers some years ago? They must figure that he is the best of a poor lot, at least not as much on the job training as Atty. Donahue would need. I see where Wilmington is going thru the same search but is looking at outside firms void of intimidating outside pressures. But then again, this is Dracut.What a costly mistake this could be.It will be a "penny wise and pound foolish" decision.
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- The Dracut Dispatch -- Costas Cephallonis, 16:52:08 08/24/01 Fri
I recieved my copy of the Dracut Dispatch and read with sadness that Mr.Themelis sold newspaper he has been a big part of this community for decades.And I hope and pray he will continue to be.My family are long time paying costumers of this community newespaper.I hope the new oweners honor those of us who pay our subscription in advance.(My family pays 3 yrs.in advance evrty three years.)If anyone knowes please write to this message so everyone in community can find out.Again Good Luck and God bless you William and GeraldineThemilis.Ya Sou!!!!
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- Writers' Group -- Mary, 07:21:56 08/24/01 Fri
Are there any writers out there who would be interested in forming a writers' group? I'm fairly new to the area, and it would be nice to interact and network with other Dracut writers, and possibly even start a Dracut Writers Collaborative.
Thanks!
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- School Delay -- Got Kids, 23:33:12 08/20/01 Mon
Why don't they just delay the opening of school for the Jr High School until it's completed. I'd rather have my kids start late and have a quality education, then herded together for some insane reasoning. Adults screw up and its always the kids who suffer. For once why don't we just use our heads. Didn't we almost lose accredidation. This is just another step backwards.
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- Crappy politicians & the new fire station -- angry, 13:15:55 08/17/01 Fri
In March of 2000 I purchased a home in Dracut center, two houses from my childhood home where my mother & grandmother still reside. When I bought this house it was surrounded
by a wooded lot, as it was through my childhood.
I thought what a great place to bring up my children.
In July of 2001 a came home from vacation to find all the woods behind my house gone.
The only view i have now is a nasty construction site. When went to the town hall to get some info i was greeted with an arrogant town manager and sent to the town annex where i was greeted with a building inspector who was the rudest excuse for a human being i have ever encountered. They all passed the buck on somone else. Till this day I have never been told what this town plans to do to my neiborhood.
Why do the town officials act like we are not a community or even a democratic goverment.
They made very little effort to inform the people being effected by this fire station project and have hid the truth.
Since they started this project I have ad every insect none to man move in to my property (wasps, bees, hornets, rabbits, mice,) they took there home and when asked if there was somthing they could do for me the sayed no!!
It's created a traffic problem on stone st and springpark ave. The construction trucks speed and don't stop at stop signs.
And to top it all off right behind my house will now be a parking lot with cars facing right into my bedroom window.
The bottom line is that I am a taxpayer in a democratic society. And was never even sent a letter to say we are going to change your neiborhood, never mind asked to vote on it.
It's my opinion that the town officials don't make a good effort to make the town aware of these projects. Further they make no effort to make you feel they are working for you. This sucks.
my property value has decreased, my kids cant play in my backyard due to the infestation and this town won't lift a finger to help.
We should be more carefull who we hire and elect into office in this town because if this was the town managers backyard this would never have been....
angry taxpayer........
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- Children or Adults? -- Anne, 08:51:48 08/23/01 Thu
I'm fairly new to the forum, but I'm amazed by how many of you act like children. Calling each other names, trying to find out who associated with each name, it's ridiculous. It doesn't matter who you are or wether you like that person or not, it's the content of the message. There are a lot of important issues in town that are worthy of discussion. So stop acting like children and behave like adults.
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- Construction -- Mike, 18:48:37 08/21/01 Tue
Does anyone know what's going on across from the new fire station in Kenwood? They took down all the trees on the corner and have dug it all up.
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- The Pipe Runs Through It -- Truth, 10:06:33 08/22/01 Wed
What is it? Is it a new street being developed? Is it a new bike path? What about a nature walk?
Sorry son, it’s none of the above. That was my answer to a handful of questions that were thrown at me while driving down Arlington, just off of Methuen. I looked at the front and back yards of homeowners as they displayed the scars of construction. Followed by the gigantic pathway that runs all the way into Pelham. Let me not forget the big blue bus. For a minute there, I thought Dracut was being invaded by the Partridge Family Reunion. Come to find out, it’s a source of transportation for the pipeline cowboys and cowgirls. (Just too bad the ole El Dorado Room wasn’t still open.)
Anyway, this construction of the gas pipeline replacement has put a facelift on some wooded areas, and may explain why crows and other wild creatures are invading the Kenwood section of Dracut. Never in my time in Dracut have I seen so many crows. You will see many deer, from doe to buck running across Methuen and Arlington. Not to mention the dozen of wild turkeys. I travel this route frequently, and have seen it all. I must say the doves are a nice touch. I love the wild animals, but this project has indeed pushed them into the area neighborhoods.
What is going to be done with the new open land that has been created by this project? Is it going to be left there to scar over and remain an ugly site? Can we transform it to create a nature walk from the Kenwood area to the new Vet Park? We do that; we may cut down on some of the speeders in the area. Take a walk, get the exercise, and enjoy the nature.
Don’t worry son, I’m sure they’ll find something to do with it. “Hey dad, how about an airport?” Son, don’t tell anyone you just mentioned that.
Truth.
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- Sharon for Selectmen -- an admirer, 16:53:56 08/21/01 Tue
The way Sharon has handle herself during this grinder pump controversy, I think she's a natural. There is an open seat now that Shaw is retiring, I think she's the perfect canidate instead of one of the connected boys in town. Let's talk her into it. It would be great for Dracut. I've never seen somebody take on a job with such passion. She tracks down the facts and presents them in a truely professional manner.
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- Is it the beginning of the Golf Course? -- Susan, 23:06:24 08/18/01 Sat
Can anyone tell me what is happening at the end of East Richardson Road off of Marsh Hill Road. I know this road was proposed to be an access to the "Golf Course?". There was a crew of men and equipment forging their way into the woods, cutting down a large area of trees. At first I thought it may have been something to do with the pipe line project. However, there was no evidence of this. No signs, no construction fence.
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- DUH -- HUH, 13:04:02 08/19/01 Sun
Heh DUH ar you really Ron Koleck or however you spell the last name?
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- The future of Dracut???????????? -- Mark, 23:08:15 08/02/01 Thu
I am saving for my own home and have been trying to convince myself why I should buy a house in the town I grew up in. I am having trouble doing so; therefore I am writing this letter to see if you can convince me why Dracut would be a great place to cement my future. Here are my concerns and questions. Thank you in advance for listening!
School System...The new Junior High School is going up and it is a beautiful and much needed facility. But that is just the beginning. Are there any plans to renovate and expand the other schools? The old junior high and middle schools, the Campbell, Parker and Greenmont all have those ugly temporary class rooms that seem to be there on a permanent basis. The town is probably paying more for them than if they renovated the buildings. What are Dracut's plans?
Lack of businesses & restaurants...Chelmsford has 129; Tyngsboro has Joan Fabrics, The Outback, The Stonehedge, and sometime next year Sycamore Networks; Billerica and Burlington have too many to name. What does Dracut have? Hmmm......hold on, still thinking......um.......let's see........help me out here!!! I think you have my point. How about a Bertucci's at the old Wallbrook? A Krispy Kreme donut at the Waterwheel location? How about a nice restaurant in the Bridgewood Plaza? The new Loon Hill Plaza is beautiful, but empty. Does Dracut care that nobody comes here? The Bridgewood Plaza could use a few gallons of paint and some professional landscaping. Maybe that would fill up the vacant spaces. How about a mini post office there? A dry cleaner? Maybe a Taco Bell?
Entertainment...Let's see, if I want to have fun in Dracut, I go to......anywhere else!!! What is the scoop on the golf course in town? Is it ever going to happen? What else is there or planned?
Town buildings...Any plans for a new police station? Library? Town Hall? All are in terrible shape and are in dire need of a new facility. Hello!!! Anybody listening? Great to see a new fire station going up on Pleasant street (in addition to last year's new fire station), but does it stop there?
other...Is the playground and baseball/soccer fields ever going to get finished at Veteran's Park? Any plans on renovating the other fields? How about upgrading the facilities that the High School plays on? They are all in terrible shape, just look at the scoreboard and bleachers for the football field!
Dracut Pride...I have it and I guess that is why I am so concerned. If I knew there were plans to improve the town I have grown up in maybe I wouldn't be so concerned. But I am!!!
Well, once again, thank you for listening and I hope I hear some good info!
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- This Week In Dracut, August 18th. -- Truth, 08:43:39 08/18/01 Sat
It’s like a bottle of ketchup turned upside down, as you wait the monumental oozing of thick red stuff being dumped all over your greasy fries. The anticipation just drives you nuts.
Did someone say anticipation?
That’s what it basically comes down to in this new junior high situation. The students that will be attending the new school have been anticipating that first day. Kind of like that new toy under the Christmas tree that you know your getting, but it’s just a smidge bit out of reach. What we have so far is the first day of school being delayed by eight days for the junior high students. No problem, we will just tack them eight days onto the end of the school year, and if we have another repeat winter like 2001, that should put these junior high kids going to school through July. Darn, that’s a long summer.
Let’s just thank god that the metal workers strike didn’t last any longer. Life goes on and so doesn’t school.
While we are on the subject of school. Dr. D’s support group has gotten the shaft once again. The committee voted on naming the high school library after Dr. D, rather then naming the entire school complex after him. A few days later it was reported in the local paper that after all, the library couldn’t be named after the doc. There was that small little rule that by chance, someone had forgotten about. So now we are back to the drawing board. I basically think that this issue should not linger on any further. Yes, the doc put in his time. He has now gotten his retirement package that he rightfully deserves. That is it. Done deal. Put the personal issues aside, and let’s get on with life.
WEST NILE VIRUS WARNING!
A bird has been found in Dracut that was carrying the West Nile Virus. Other towns that have been hit by this situation are Tyngsboro, Lowell, and Tewksbury. Tewksbury being the most populated with the West Nile birds. The West Nile Virus can be carried onto humans by having a mosquito bite a bird that is infected with it, then that same mosquito bites into a human afterwards. All residents in this hotbed area should take the warnings and do everything they can to keep from getting bitten by a mosquito.
Hmm, the watering ban is from 8 PM to 8 AM. Is this a conspiracy with the water department and the local birds to make sure we in Dracut don’t water at all? ; ‘ )
GINDER PUMPS HERE! GET YOUR GRINDER PUMPS!
I could have sworn I heard the dog man at the Spinner’s game the other day yelling that out. Maybe it was just my imagination. Sorry for making a joke out the situation. I was just going with the flow of sewage like a few “SELECTED” individuals.
The grinder pump issue isn’t a joke, and the people of Dracut should be paying close attention to it. I do not blame the Forest Park Rd. group for the fight they are fighting. They do have a legitimate beef, and the sewer department should be listening to them and not rolling their flipping eyes.
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- Glen Edwards -- DUH, 16:10:49 08/17/01 Fri
Hey what happened to all the bashing of Gomer Pyle (aka Glen Edwards)? Recently our town manager was out of town and Glen was in charge (really). And low and behold, the town didn't fall apart. Amazing isn't it. I guess he's not that bad after all!
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- Thou protest too much! -- Naturally, 09:38:46 07/22/01 Sun
I’m watching all these idiot protesters in Genoa and I have but one question.. What the hell are they protesting? It’s not very apparent to me, and if they are asked, they go into an hysterical tirade about, uhhhh, globalization? Hey, if they don’t like globalization, whatever that is, why don’t they stay the hell home in their own country? Apparently global protests are another story.
But really, it seems just an excuse for a bunch of aimless witless Gen X’ers to go to some other country with their hats on backwards and commit mayhem. What? Aren’t there any soccer games to go to anymore? Wasn’t that the appropriate venue to dodge water cannons and narrowly miss getting a rubber bullet in your ass?
I see U-2’s Bono is involved with this. He’s against third world debt. Yeah, okay, I’m waiting to feel the adrenaline. I’m not feeling any.. Hey, tell those countries to pay their bills and they won’t be in debt. Simple solution, next case.
Nothing has so completely rocked my sensibilities to the point where I felt compelled to protest. Maybe I’m simply an indifferent sloth with no convictions. If anything, I sometimes have to resist the urge to protest the protesters. When PETA did that billboard depicting NYC Mayor Raymond Giuliani with a milk mustache and the caption,”Got Cancer?”, I was tempted to send them a couple packages of veal cutlets. I fantasized about cajoling my Internet buddies to do the same. I had gleeful daydreams of these imbeciles receiving boxes and boxes of veal. Now that would have been grand.
In the 60’s, protesting was a way of life. Smoke a little dope, get in the VW bus, listen to Dylan and march on the Pentagon. Of course, the most effective protest of all was the civil rights protest. But these were focused, defined and the goals clearly set out. And the protesters weren’t the ones responsible for the violence by and large. It was the protsetees!
Now, we spoiled Americans will protest anything,. I laugh uncontrollably when these well-heeled Newtonites, with their Neeman-Marcus tote bags get all in a froth over the MCAS. “I encouraged my child to walk-out of the exam!” and they say it with the righteous indignation that only a snotty Wellesley College alumnus can muster. In their minds, you know they put themselves on the same plane as Rosa Parks. (Or was that a bus?) Please! Tell your little brat to take the test and wait for something important before you send them out into the streets.
Like maybe, Globalization. Yeah, right!
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- Parking at Monahan Field -- Stephanie Coyne, 21:31:18 06/27/01 Wed
I was just reading some of the posts in these forums and was interested if anyone had the answer to the parking dilemma we will face with the demolition of the Stay 'n Play. If the fire station is taking over the lot where people parked for games at Monahan Field, what is the plan now when softball/baseball seasons return? Aiken Ave. cannot accommodate all those cars and most areas on that street have restricted parking. Does anyone know what will happen?
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- Before/After school care for a preteen -- ML Starkey, 12:05:41 08/12/01 Sun
I have an 11 y.o. girl who will be attending the Inglesby Intermediate school this year (when ever that may be opening). I'm not sure if the person I used last year will be willing/able to take her (I've been trying to reach that person and will continue to do so), so I want a back up plan.
Any ideas? I'm sure others are in the boat I'm in. I intend to make some calls this week, to the school itself and to follow up on some other leads. The only good news is that the Inglesby is a town wide school so any provider or program could be located anywhere in town. I just need to have some plan in place for when they send home the bus form.
Thanks,
ML Starkey
a working parent
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- Sewer Meeting -- Sharon D., 14:55:14 08/15/01 Wed
Yes, I know you all care and would like to know
that I got a letter rom Mr. Buxton and the Sewer Meeting will be Held at the Library August 16th in lieu of the Sewer building so that all can be accommodated. Thanks Mr. Buxton....and my special thanks to Mr. Williams for pushing it.
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- employment -- Kathleen Lally, 10:49:02 07/24/01 Tue
Glass company is seeking a laborer/carpentar to work on the Dracut Junior High School project. work should begin within the next couple of weeks. contact Kathy Lally at 781-933-7472.
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- Please be kind, don't make them grind! -- Naturally, 08:29:34 08/11/01 Sat
I just dedicated an hour of my life to reading everything that has been posted about the weighty topic of grinder pumps. I’ve read about Nazi tactics at the Sewer Department, indifferent politicians who laugh at their constituents, more technical information then I knew existed about these things, and Indian artifacts. This sure has become an all encompassing issue.
It looks like there’s gonna be a showdown. A debate between the pump grumps and a tentative Selectman. The question that immediately pops into mind is why are the Selectmen carrying, uhh, water, for the Sewer Dept.? (been dying to use that line!) I guess Mr. Buxton, holding a position in municipal government, loathes to interact with of all people, townspeople. He with all the diplomacy of a third-world despot. Why doesn’t he step up to the plate and debate? Can’t imagine he’s that much of a shrinking violet. Like many in government he likely lives a duality. The one on one persona and the public glad-handing one.
I just hope it isn’t Warren who debates this issue. This is the guy whose annual contribution to the Scholarship Fund is a pile of cow manure. I just don’t think he has the same perspective on waste products and their value as do the majority of the folks in town! This is not to diminish all the other contributions that he does make, and they are many.
But with all the numerous controversies the meld into the great sewer debate, all I can think about is my grandmother.
According to Sharon Dupont, the Forest Park Rd. area consists mostly of elderly. Now, if that be the case we have to acknowledge a few things. First, I thought the town was on a kick to be kinder & gentler to the older folks in town. This would seem an ideal opportunity to give some action to that sentiment. But there are other factors too.
The elderly, due to health problems, spend allot of their time riding the bowl. You got your Lasix for your heart problems, your Colace for the constipation brought on by your arthritis medication. Add to that a heightened level of free-floating anxiety just because you’re getting older and the world is changing a hundred times faster than you can keep up with.
Which brings me to Nana.. During the Blizzard of 78, which caught everyone off guard, Nana’s oil tank went below half. While everyone was watching Shelby Scott lashed to a piling down in Scituate Harbor, Nana was keeping a constant vigil on the tank gauge and calling us a hundred times a day, beside herself that she may run out of oil. Since then, as soon as Don Kent said an approaching storm had just entered the Carolinas, she was on the phone to the “Oil man” so he could top off her tank. And she would wait by the door until he arrived.
Now I don’t think Nana was unique for her age group. When you get older, you worry more. Imagine each time you go to flush, or there’s a power outage, or a series of hot days like we’ve just had - along with your bad knee, and the damn paper boy whose always late and the rising cost of your medications, you’ve got to worry everyday is the grinder pump going to crap out on you.
On that basis alone we ought to just give them the gravity pump. I mean, bowl time ought to be a sanctuary from the world. A place to scan the Reader’s Digest, or depending on your regularity, the Encyclopedia Britannica. The only worry you should have is why your lazy husband didn’t put a new roll on the dispenser thing and if doing the drawers down shuffle to get some paper is going to result in a broken hip. Other than that, let these people go with the gravity flow!
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- Re: Please be kind, don't make them grind! -- Jimmy Harrison, 11:25:38 08/12/01 Sun
- Re: Please be kind, don't make them grind! -- Dennis Williams, 13:01:19 08/12/01 Sun
- Re: Please be kind, don't make them grind! -- Michael H, 10:20:52 08/13/01 Mon
- Re: Please be kind, don't make them grind! -- Susan, 17:47:21 08/13/01 Mon
- Re: Please be kind, don't make them grind! -- Sharon Dupont, 09:55:22 08/14/01 Tue
- Marsh Hill Speeding -- Susan, 18:09:16 08/10/01 Fri
Dennis, thank you for your follow-up article in the Sun, regarding our meeting with the Dracut Police. I feel we were fairly represented in your article. I suspect this issue will continue for some time and hope you may be interested in following-up. I'll keep you posted. Thanks
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- traffic control -- concerned, 14:13:51 06/25/01 Mon
Now that we will actually have another school opening and more children in the area, can we focus on the traffic on Lakeview Avenue. Trying to leave any school after 2pm is difficult. There is a CROSSING GUARD stationed at that intersection, but since I pick up my children every day I do get to see the days that the Middle/Brookside School children leave and walk home and MANY times the crossing guard is gone. It seems that he is gone by 2:30 pm. This is not a realistic time since there are still kids coming up the driveway.
Next issue. I understand that a crossing guard only is suppose to cross the children. We need a traffic light or a traffic officer for this time frame. It is totally deadlocked and you can not even more for up to ten minutes at a time. This needs to be addressed and settled before September. My children and myself almost got hit this morning trying to cross on Lakeview. We were in the crosswalk and traffic had stopped, we were crosssing the first lane of traffic when a car zoomed by us in the turning lane. Two more steps and one of us would have been hit. What can we do about this road? I had heard a rumor of lights last year?
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- Grinder Pump Debate -- Ronald Kolek, 12:40:07 08/10/01 Fri
The grinder pump controversy lingers on. So I have decided to host a debate on the issue. One of the selectmen has tentatively agreed to participate in it. Therefore, I am looking for qualified people to represent both sides of the issue. If you are interested in participating in it, please let me know.
Thank You
Ron Kolek
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- Active adults -- Donna, 16:22:05 07/18/01 Wed
I was wondering if there was any organized group in Dracut, or in the Dracut area, of adults who like to get together and hike, bike, canoe, go camping etc.? Married, singles, with children, without children, doesn't really matter. I am just looking for a group that regularly schedules outdoor activities. Any suggestions????
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- Thanks (slightly late!) for all the help at the Concert in the Quarry -- Karen Merrill-Desrosiers, 18:37:39 08/09/01 Thu
A “Ton” of Thanks (Pun intended!)
The Concert in the Quarry was magnificent! The US Navy Band was great! The day took more than two years of vision and imagination and a few short months of intense planning and organizing. The people on the concert committee met every two weeks for the three months prior to the event. This was definitely not a one-person event. I had the help of many people and the day would not have run as smoothly without them.
John Keating deserves so much credit for all the thought and energy he put into making the concert successful. He, Ron Del Genio, and the entire crew from PJ Keating Company did an amazing job preparing the quarry for the concert. It looked awesome!
Thanks go to Harvey Gagnon and his work with coordinating the buses, and the Laidlaw Company and all the bus drivers for providing transportation into and out of the quarry. The volunteers did a great job checking tickets and assisting with bus pick-up, as did the bus drivers who drove the handicapped buses into and out of the quarry. Thanks to Chief Panas, Chief DiRocco and Mike Buxton and their crews for everything they did. Thanks to Tom Keefe and the Community Police. Immense thanks go to Kathy Graham, Regina Mostone, and Louise Tremblay for handling countless details. Thanks to Dave Paquin, as Tercentennial Chairperson, who, along with the rest of the Tercentennial committee, has been working for the last three years on this event and many others so that 2001 will be an unforgettable year.
Thanks also go to Mark and Stephanie from Bob Paré Photography and Leon Leung for taking many, many pictures. We can’t wait to see them! Thanks to Bob and Gay Corey and Mike from the cable studio for filming. Thank you also to Ray Tremblay for musical entertainment and announcements throughout the day.
Special thanks go to the groups, and all of their volunteers, who coordinated the refreshment sales. It took an unbelievable amount of cooperation. The Concert Series and Festival of Lights Committees; Junior High and High School Band Boosters; and the Junior High, Campbell, Parker, Greenmont and Brookside Elementary PTOs went above and beyond in this respect.
Thanks to Jim Keefe, Dracut Ice, Shop & Save, Drake’s Cakes, Scola’s and the American Legion for their donations. Thank you to the groups who let us use their steamers and popcorn machines. And thanks to the wonderful businesses in town that distributed tickets for us and continue to sell merchandise for the Tercentennial Committee.
Last, but certainly not least, I’d like to thank Dennis Piendak for his enthusiasm and effort. He has been the committee’s biggest fan and deserves a lot of credit for the concert’s success.
I am very proud to be surrounded by such a group of dedicated people. Without them this day would not have taken place nor been as wonderful as it was!
Karen Merrill-Desrosiers
Chairperson, Concert in the Quarry
Dracut Tercentennial Committee
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- Speed Control -- Susan, 22:58:45 07/30/01 Mon
If anyone has an interest, residents of Old Marsh Hill Road and Marsh Hill Road are having a neighborhood/community meeting with the Dract Police staff regarding the speeding problems we are having on these roads. If you're interested in attending it is scheduled for Wednesday, August 8th at 7:00pm at the Dracut Historical Society (meeting??) Building. If your interested in attending, please e-mail me so I have an idea of how many people would like to attend.
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- It's All Down Hill From Here! -- Truth, 08:18:39 08/09/01 Thu
I smell a repeat incident coming up like the one that transpired in Billerica. You know, the one where Billerica had a mudslide from a hill that had $500,000 homes on top of it. The area where the developer rearranged the landscaping that made it unstable. What a nightmare of a mess that is. To top it off, you have a house atop of the hill just yards away from taking a one-way trip down the hill.
Dracut seems to be the next area to be hit by such an incident. I took a ride out by the Summer Hill development to check out the new houses. What caught my eye was the quick deterioration of the land that these houses sit on. I counted three new houses atop of the hill that the back of them where basically sitting on a very steep hill. When I took a drive onto Autumn Rd. to see what the run off looked like, I was amazed that something had not already taken place. The land has deteriorated quickly since the last time I was out there. That was about six months ago. There is a new house that is being built, and you can actually see the land coming out from under the foundation.
How long before we see a tragic accident up there?
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- Veterans Memorial -- dick, 14:39:40 07/23/01 Mon
I'm wondering who is taking care of the veterans memorial,
I have been there almost every week since it's dedication,
also I purchased some bricks there. The bricks seem to all
be lifting up around it and I'm afraid of loosing my bricks
I paid alot of money for those bricks and i think it should
be repaired before the kids start taking them out and
throwing them around or stealing them! I think they should
be mortered in and secured so this wont happen! please
respond!!! Thank you.
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- Now that's More like it! -- Naturally, 21:11:33 08/02/01 Thu
I don't know.. Maybe it's the three Michelobs I had this evening. Maybe it's the heat and I'm weak. More than likely a combination of both.
But I just watched WRT and saw my buddy Colleen Garry and...
I didn't grit my teeth, not even once!
She came out in support of a bill which would mandate that health insurance providers cover cancer treatments that are currently in the clinical trial stage of development.
Now, there we go! A legitimate disease and a compassionate piece of legislation. I can certainly get behind that.
Good going Rep. Garry!
More Beer!!!
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- Ah Warren -- Ronald Kolek, 23:18:45 07/24/01 Tue
Ah warren, that's a good point. It's kind of a paradox. I guess the box would be like a "camera obscurer", where the "Big Picture" is outside "the box" but viewed within "the box".
Ron Kolek
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- Grinder Pump -- Sharon Dupont, 12:59:37 07/30/01 Mon
Please go into
www.voy.com/24485
for all the latest info on the grinder pump information.
We have recieved Many of calls for support on this issue and I want to thank all of you.
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- play group -- Carol, 07:30:16 07/28/01 Sat
Are any moms interested in forming a playgroup? I have a 2 year old girl and would like to schedule weekly play dates.
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- This week in Dracut, June 15th. -- Truth, 10:06:24 06/15/01 Fri
FOUR!!!!!!!
I am anxiously waiting to play some golf at the upcoming course in Dracut. Whatever it takes, push the plan forward and get the ball rolling. Or shall we say, swing the club and fix the slice.
Have we gotten the SUN shinning down on Dracut or what? I’m not talking the weather here folks. I’m talking the daily paper, you know, the one with the little sun on the front page. It seems that every little thing that happens in Dracut, oh it’s there baby. But hey, whatever toots your hoot. That’s the job of the writers, and they are doing it well. One story I didn’t see was about the guy that fell off a platform about 25 feet at the new junior high school. Or shall I just call it DR. D Boulevard? Just maybe I was one of the three blind mice the day it was printed. Hmm, got to get my eyes checked.
Any who. Nice movie type battle going on over at the Dracut/Pelham line. The decision by the Supreme Court was a “close” call. For a minute there, I thought some wetlands were going to be de-cycled to make room for a front drive way. Oh well, no need to do that now. Nice little easement going on, and there should be no problems in the future. Yeah, sure there won’t! I hope that Mr. P takes a good look at the situation that is now going on and does something about it. I might as well just register my car in NH.
Mixed emotions about the park getting torn down the other day, it seems that the fire department went ahead and tore the baby out of the sand. Or did they? Could it have been some other type of construction crew? Hmm, think about it. Now the kids have nowhere to play. Mr. E says there are plenty of playgrounds at the schools. That is exactly what the kids want to do. They want to spend all day at school, go to recess and play in the playground. Hop on the bus to take them home, and then have mama or papa take them back to the school to play at the playground. Sounds like fun! So the timing of taking it down and opening the new one on Broadway just wasn’t there. Ah, who cares? Go ahead tear the baby down.
Who is enforcing the water ban anyway? Take a drive around Dracut and see all the watering going on during the ban hours. Oh yeah, the people of Dracut haven’t been officially notified yet. They’ll get the notice at the end of the summer. Give a hand to our new water department…clap, clap, clap…
Good luck to CHAN at the cities this weekend! Let’s make it two in a row bud.
Truth.
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- A quick question on the CPA -- Stephanie Coyne, 07:31:31 07/30/01 Mon
I just paid my tax bill and noticed the CPA surcharge was not included. Not that I am complaining but when was that supposed to start?
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- Gas Station -- Bob, 00:24:59 07/06/01 Fri
is anything going on with that gas station across from the high school or what??? we had been told that it was weeks away from opening and that was a year ago....can't anyone put some pressure on the owner to do something about this eyesore??????
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- Quarry Concert -- Geraldine, 08:07:15 07/01/01 Sun
What an excellent time last Sunday! Why is there no mention of it in the Lowell Sun or the Dispatch,or on the dracut website? I'm sure the Journal will have something because I saw Debbie H. taking pictures. Stories like this should be brought out for the people in town who usually don't attend. This would make them come out to more things.
The Selectmen were there the town manager was there. Police and Fire, school committee people. everyone was involved and pitched in. Although conspicuous by their absence were Frank Zabrek and Dave Covosa who will probably put it down on their next show.
Oh, well, you can't please everyone.
But really, the newspaper should do something. Or this website.
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- info -- bill, 19:19:02 07/14/01 Sat
go to www.voy.com/24485
for more dracut info
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- grinder pumps -- chaz o'brien, 22:51:01 07/15/01 Sun
How many of you have heard about the way the sewer dept.
has been unfair to the residents on the culdesac at Forest Park Rd.
I can't believe that they are making an easement on the other side of the state forest so that streets like Dexter (where Sewer commissioners brother lives and Windsor right next to Dexter where our Town Manager lives)
I feel bad for the 17 residents of that rd which are mostly elderly. If they can find a way they should connect them or pay for the installation and maintenance of the grinder pump. Either that or don't let them pay the sewer fee every year if they have to maintain the pump!
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- summer concerts -- larry, 23:37:08 07/19/01 Thu
Does anyone know the band schedule for Thursdays in August?
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- Pleasant St. Park -- Kelly, 21:40:05 06/28/01 Thu
I was wondering if anyone knows of any plans build a new park in a different location since the one on Pleasant St has been destroyed. My 3 yr old and I visited that park often and we were both very sad to see it go. Also I was wondering if there are any other good parks in the area? Also I am curious why Dracut chose to destroy the park for a new fire station, was there something wrong with the park? And there was no other place to build a fire station? Just curious????
thanks.
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- Summer Wonder -- Natrually, 08:29:37 07/14/01 Sat
Wisdom begins with wonder.. Pretty heady stuff for Dracut. Does having a quote from Socrates on the new school mean we now don’t have to name the School Complex after Dr. Daoulas? Maybe we could have a plaque that reads, “ A monthly kiss in the mail begins with a shovel-full of snow”
Anyway, I’m here to begin a quest for knowledge..
I wonder.. Will this new school really be ready for the upcoming school year? It looks pretty tight to me. Are there penalties to the contractor if they run over schedule??
I wonder, Has Bill Clinton sent Gary Condit a note of support or advise on how to handle multiple bimbo-eruptions?
I’m wondering if Speaker Finneran stopped abruptly in the hallway on his way to his office, would Colleen Garry be able to peer out his navel?
Now that Leah Jacobson has hung up her calculator, I wonder if she’ll finally break down and buy that full-dress Harley she’s had her eye on.
I wonder if Marty Meehan wishes he had gone on vacation this week. His campaign Finance Bill is headed for the grinder pump, He got cuffed around on CNN’s Crossfire, his district has gone missing and John Tierney is circling like a seagull at the dump. He’s created a schism in the Mass. Democratic party with his comments on clean elections, He’s under pressure to make up his mind about what he’s going to run for in the next election. Other than that it’s been a good week for him.
There is a way out. Clinton is coming to Martha’s Vineyard again this summer. Marty should announce his gubernatorial candidacy on The Rock with Bill & Hillary at his side. We are about the only State where Clinton is still beloved. All the Liberals will swoon. I think it will work. Let’s just wait until this Condit thing dies down a bit. Too many comparisons. This way Clinton can settle-up for Marty’s Pooper Scooper job during the impeachment. The only other advise I’d give Mr Meehan is to not run on a two term pledge. Somehow, I don’t think that dog will hunt anymore!
Meanwhile.. Back to my quest for wisdom..
I wonder whatever happened to the scandal involving Mr. Close. The tax evasion thing where he gave a NH address for a delivery(s) of supplies for his Dracut home. Nobody even posted anything on the forum about it.
I wonder if this new company looking at the Nickel Hill site will arouse the ire of the Erin Brockovich contingent again. Any plant that goes up there would be spotted a few hundred tons of toxic emissions by these green folks and Ed Valis. Blah, blah, blah..
After Eunice Kennedy’s recent car accident down on the Cape – I’m wondering.. Wouldn’t one think the Kennedy’s accident prone nature would encourage them all to hire professional drivers? An 80 year old lady behind the wheel of an SUV is a recipe for disaster.
I really really wonder what Dougie was talking about at the most recent Selectmen’s meeting. He started saying something about the FBI calling folks in town. Jack D looked like a cow that had stepped on its own udder. It’s hard to determine with Dougie if what comes out of his mouth is simply the mental meandering of geriatric malaise, or if there’s a nugget of coherence there. I certainly do wonder though.
Finally, I wonder what exactly when the Red Sox will break our hearts again this year. Pedro is out till at least August, Nomar is showing signs of life but… I refuse to get excited about this team’s prospects this year. A rat will quickly learn to stop going through the maze if there’s no cheese any longer. Red Sox fans have gone through the maze and there’s NEVER been any cheese. Not since six years after the Titanic went down. But Geez.. Wouldn’t it be great… NAH!!
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- To Webmaster -- Susan, 20:16:38 07/21/01 Sat
I'm trying to submit a listing under your classified section (buy/sell/trade). After I try to submit, I recieve an error and it won't process. Wanted to make you aware of this. Last posting was in January of 2001. Thanks
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- This Week In Dracut July 16th. -- Truth, 09:45:38 07/16/01 Mon
OH MY GOD! Hang on to the cow’s folks. Another company is looking at the good ole Nickel Hill site for a possible noise polluting, neighbor disturbing, environmental damaging, property devaluating, Selectmen smiling, urban killer power plant. Oh how the kids at the Cambell School are going to be so lucky. Better yet, let’s close it down and spend more money to build another school over at the DR. D complex. Just think, we will be able to save money if we purchase the building materials in NH. I think the complex is close enough to the NH line. While we are there, let’s not forget to pick up a six-pack, it cost too much at the mom and pop stores of Dracut. Just imagine if CG got her wish. Let’s not forget Ed. He’ll be returning to the forum to defend the power plant from good ole yankeeville. Get your gloves on Ed; round TWO is about to begin. DING DING.
Oh but in the same area, Glen Edwards is concerned about the gas line replacing that is going on. No problem, we can just expand the width of the pipes and have it forced into a smaller one that goes under the river. Yet, the people of Dracut that should have been concerned with this replacement did not show up at the meeting. HELLO! GET OFF THE POTATO HOLDER AND GET INVOLVED! Good call Glen.
Yes, finally a parking area at the softball fields. They made a walkway on the side of the construction site that will take you to and from the parking lot. Better yet, they through a cop in there to perform traffic duty at the crosswalk. Never had it before. Why spend the money now?
Sorry I missed the fireworks on the 3rd. I heard they were great. I was in Cow Hampshire on vacation sucking up all the clean air. Enjoying the lake and the scenery that surrounded me. There is always August!
Don’t forget. Jimmy Buffet style band at the Gazebo coming up. I can’t wait! Break out the parrot head wear!
Truth.
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- GC anyone? -- Mikey O, 23:19:22 06/26/01 Tue
Anyone know what the blue and white GC signs around town are for? Thanks!
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- 7/12 Weekly Round Table -- Mike, 07:50:19 07/11/01 Wed
Hello viewers...yes it is vacation time and alot of our friends and neighbors are away.Weekly Round Table is not and this week we have two timely and informative segments.In our opening segment we will have Dennis Williams and Jim Carr to discuss the recently pased CPA and the activities of and appointments to the committee.In the second segment we will have Tim Woods,complete with video footage of the new JHS.A virtual tour of your new school. Warren and I would both like to congratulate both the Quarry concert committee and the Summer concert committee for their most recent efforts, both of which were met with acclaim townwide.WRT, each and every Thursday @7:00p pm. And as always we will take your calls at 957-5522.
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- water ban -- dan beaudry, 06:34:14 06/25/01 Mon
Can anyone tell me what the current water ban is in Dracut?
I thought I had seen on dracttv that it's now and odd/even type of ban, but the wording wasn't very clear. Do we still have a full ban from 8a-8p, or has it been changed to an odd/even type of ban??
Any info is appreciated,
Dan
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- This Week In Dracut, June 26th. -- Truth, 10:14:15 06/26/01 Tue
FIVE!!!!!
Lucky me. It was very unfortunate that I had to miss the debate between Colleen Garry and DJ Deeb. From the looks of it in the forum, DJ stalked and walked all over Garry as she tried to defend the proposed tax bill on alcohol. I don’t know exactly how the debate went, but I am sure it was a good one. Tell me, did I really miss much?
What has gone on in Dracut over the past week or so?
Bob Corey responded to my last article correcting me on the water ban issue. Thank you very much Bob. So does this mean that the car wash on Lakeview Ave is in violation and will be fined? That is outside watering. Anyway, the water ban is as follows:
If your street address is a odd number, you can water your grass, wash your car, spray your house down, fill your pool, take a outdoor shower, spray the kids down to get relief from the heat, all kinds of things from 8PM thru 8AM ONLY ON ODD NUMBERED DAYS. They are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, and sometimes 31. The same goes for even numbered addresses for even numbered days. You catch my drift?
So does that mean that the guy at 29 John Doe Ave who is watering his lawn on June 21st, has to stop doing so at the stroke of midnight? So if he keeps watering into June 22nd, he is indeed in violation. Correct?
Anyway, back to the everyday mumbo jumbo of Dracut.
Congrats to Mark Chandonett for winning the Lowell Cities Golf Tournament. Mark, a Dracut resident took the win over Doug Parigian in a 10-hole shootout at Vesper CC. Mark has joined an elite group to take back to back championships. Good luck on your next adventure!
Looks like the concert in the quarry was a big hit. I heard some great reviews about it. Hopefully we will get to do it again. I myself enjoyed it very much.
All in all, there hasn’t been too much going on in Dracut. The most of the talk is centered on the Alcohol Tax Bill that Colleen Garry is co-sponsoring. I can sit here all day and blah blah blah about why her decision to follow this is very disagreeable. Really, I don’t think I have enough time to do so. The only other heated issue would be the power plant. It is still being fought. What I do find interesting is for once there is a decent debate going on in VoyForums on the power plant. Ed with his facts, and Mike just trying to keep it simple. I’m enjoying reading their comments as they slip in a little sarcasm here and there. Good luck Mike, Ed has a bunch of facts over you.
Truth.
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- Don't cry for me Colleen Garry -- UNNaturally, 10:38:32 06/22/01 Fri
Naturally writes
"And isn’t it particularly galling that the Great & General Court would contemplate a tax to aid addicts when the lottery, another harmful societal woe, hums right along with its $10.00 scratch tickets. Please. Don’t cry about those poor addicts when the State participates in running a numbers racket preying on those who can least afford it. It’s all about extracting as much money from the citizenry as possible for the State."
I'm trying to remember but I can't seem to recall ever reading in the papers about a gambling related car accident. Drunk drivers kill and injure other people as well as themselves. We are talking about an addictive substance here! If the state allows alcohol and nicotine to be sold then I have no problem with them asking for 5% more to help treat the people who are not as strong willed as yourself.
I also think that you're being a bit dramatic and paranoid with the "It’s all about extracting as much money from the citizenry as possible for the State" remark. Taxes and fees have been reduced in this state in the last 10 years and Representative Garry has supported them.
Another item that has not been discussed in this forum is that Representative Garry has been out front in supporting a rollback of the bottle bill. This rollback will help the small business owners in this district that you say she has abandoned.
She is also supporting a bill that will prevent people from buying alcohol over the internet. This bill specifically will help liquor store owners.
I think Representative Garry has done a lot of good for this district. My guess is that for all your bitching and moaning, you probably have been buying your beer in New Hampshire for years. Watch out for the speed traps in Hudson!
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- Health Protection Fund aka Alcohol Tax Bill -- Ronald J Kolek, 18:09:24 06/12/01 Tue
Representative Garry has agreed to debate DJ Deeb on the Health Projection Fund aka the Alcohol Tax Bill. This will occur on Tuesday June 19th at 7pm. Email questions can be sent to me in advance or you can phone your questions in at (978) 957-5522 during the debate. Thank You!
Ron Kolek
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- up keep of dracut housing apartments -- kelly, 11:29:11 06/23/01 Sat
What are the responsibilities of Dracut Housing, as far as they’re up keep in the apartments.
Are they responsible for keeping the area clean and safe? Removing tree parts that are lingering on the roofs of the apartments.
Responsible for doing paint jobs on the apartments, inside and outs.
How about replacing carpets, that has been in the apartments for over 10 yr.
Responsible for fixing the screen doors that were so poorly put together and is currently fallen apart.
Replacing window screens that are ripped due to wear and tear.
What about the rotted fences in the front of the homes, shouldn’t they be replaced.
What in the world was the Housing Authority thinking when they left the rocks in the middle circle, so the kids could fall and get hurt? Why not place a little play area inside of boulders.
When you rent an apartment from any landlord isn’t it their responsibility to replace and repair any damage that was not caused by the tenant.
Isn’t it the landlord responsibility to make sure the area around the apartments is safe and free from any harm to his tenants?
Would t it is the landlord responsibility to trim any trees that could cause squirrels to make a home for themselves.
Wouldn’t it be the responsibility of the landlord to replace carpets in the apartments that he/ she owned if it was worn down.
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- Whine & Beer -- Naturally, 09:18:38 06/20/01 Wed
Move on over Mother Theresa, there’s a new Saint on the block. No, she doesn’t minister to the lepers in Calcutta, but rather the drunks, dope addicts and abusers of various substances through out the Dracut – Tyngsboro area. With evangelical zeal she forsakes & negates the sweat of small business owners as they are the ones who proffer this elixir of social devastation. So what if this tax costs jobs, don’t you know it’s, “people over profits?”
Might I suggest a new coalition to be formed next time Ms. Garry starts circling the district for votes? Business Against Garry – or BAG for short. Let’s BAG her..
The big debate was very instructive on many levels. First, was it me or has DJ got his sights set on higher office? Looked like he was campaigning or at least sending up a trial balloon. He’s a little wet behind the ears and was a bit wide-eyed under fire. Much too conciliatory for my liking but I do give him allot of credit for taking on the challenge. It’s difficult to debate when your opponent is citing statistics far and wide. I’m sure most of them can be discredited and despite what she said about California’s success, do we believe that California is now a state filled with virtue? Naaah, I didn’t think so.
One thing that struck me. Colleen mentioned that a portion of the State’s budget was going to a settlement for the mentally retarded. Just to clarify, while Colleen cries big tears over drunks and druggies, people with mental retardation have been receiving such poor services from the State that a court had to order the State to buck-up! So, if I’m going to spend my compassionate dollars, should it be to provide basic services to people, who through no fault of their own, are beset with a legitimate disability, or for those lurking in alley ways leaving their used syringes around so our kids can find them?
“Do you believe alcoholism is a disease?” NO! Oh, the AMA said it is?? Okay! Didn’t the medical establishment also say at one time that asbestos was safe, that malathion was a great pesticide and that thaliomide was just the ticket for morning sickness? Only one who is a cog in the wheel of big government would employ a Stepford acquiescence to Government proclamations or declarations of the medical establishment. In fact there is great disagreement among doctors and psychologists about the exact nature of alcoholism and addiction. But we wouldn’t want a few facts to get on the way of a zealot’s crusade for our tax money!
And you know whaaaat? (Ms Garry used this phrase about 2 dozen times last night, evoking images of the smarmy hallway monitor of our grade school past. I bet the Professors at Suffolk are proud of her debating style!) What of the disease of the Big Mac Attack? Heart disease is the number one killer in the US costing billions of dollars in lost productivity. We ought to slap a tax on junk-food. But, Colleen is dismissive of those statistics – perhaps a bit of denial on her part. Just remember, one McNugget is too may and a thousand isn’t enough!
When we rolled back the income tax we did it not to invite a host of nickel & dime taxes to take its place. Get the message!! We are over-taxed and are sick of having to pay the price for other people’s destructive behavior. When Colleen is so concerned about the suffering children that she donates her per-diem stipend or her stipend for chairing the Ethics Committee, I will then cease writing these diatribes and smile while buying my six of Mich at Broadway Convenience. Somehow, I think I’ll still be writing many weeks from now, despite the tears of the suffering masses and those of Colleen Garry. Sentiment is cheap, especially when its cost is born by others.
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- Alcohol Tax Bill On Beacon Hill -- Michael H, 06:50:41 05/24/01 Thu
There is currently a bill on Beacon Hill to add a 5% tax on alcohol that is sold in Massachusettes. This bill, if passed will help in funding drug and alcoholic treatment programs for those individuals that need it. The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Colleen Garry.
My issue with the bill if passed, is the decrease in sales at the establishments that sell alcohol. Dracut has numerous stores that already lose business due to lower prices in New Hampshire. People do not just go to the store to buy alcohol, they pick up other items while they are there. They just pick them up in New Hampshire. For those who don't make that trip over the border, with the tax added on, you bet they will make that trip. More money into New Hampshire, less money into Dracuts and other surrounding towns establishments that border NH.
Secondly, alcohol is a drug. People choose to do it. We the tax payers will have to pay for their problems. Shouldn't we think about taking the treatment fees out of the individuals social security. You know, be responsible for the actions you have taken.
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- st mary what will be come -- ann marie, 17:35:46 05/25/01 Fri
st mary church is merging with st therease, wonder what the town of dracut will do with an empty building .maybe leave it unattended to , maybe put it up at the historical site. or make use of it as a recretional hall for our young ones.
if anybody has any insight please feel me in .
and another thing, isnt anything going to be done about the gas station that isnt being used on lakeview ave right before the turn off going to shaw's farm .
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- mcas -- ann marie, 20:06:23 05/30/01 Wed
Does anybody know how Dracut Public Schools score in rank in Mass regarding the MCAS exams?
How do you all feel regarding it ? If you dont pass you cant graduate , however not ever student learns the same way, there are many students out there with learning disablities , who just may as well fail the exam.However I am sure these students are very bright
My feelings on the exams are as following : yes we need to make sure our children can read and write , however make the exemptions to those children who are in special needs , do not force them to take the same test that a child /student in a regular class room is taken.
i dont agree that so much stress should be places on the younger grades, not only on the children but also on the teacher. Make it be a learning tool .
i have many more thoughts on this subject but would like to know what the community thoughts are .
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- Dracut Info -- Tommy, 12:42:06 06/06/01 Wed
What the heck is going on with the Dracut Info website? They've had the same front page up for over a month. I'm sick of looking at the kid on the snowbank. It's almost summer. Are they going to update it?
Nothing on the election. Nothing on the CPA. Nothing on the power plant. Nothing on town meeting. Nothing on the tercentenial. Nothing on the memorial day parade. Nothing really worth looking at. Period.
I thought Shaughnessy was supposed to keep this website current.
What's he doing besides writing for the Lowell Sun?
Dracit info was a cool website for a little while, but it has gone the way of Dracut-Ma . com
I'm probably wasting my time writing this because Shaughnessey wont print it anyway
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- For Crying out Loud! -- Naturally, 10:48:55 06/10/01 Sun
Last night, watching the Stanley Cup final, all I could think of Was Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. “No more tears!”
What is with all this bawling from men we are seeing? Okay, maybe I can understand Ray Bourque getting a little misty. Twenty two years and he finally won the big one. Yeah, I can see some elation on his part. Maybe a sniffle or two.
But then there were the New Jersey Devils in their locker room after their loss. Almost everyone is blubbering & carrying on. What kind of Devils are these? Wussy ones apparently. There mustn’t be any fire & brimstone in the Devil’s domain these days. Just a box of Kleenex. It was like the Menopause Support Group’s trip to see Steel Magnolias! Give me a break!
Can you imagine Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge & Derek Sandersen losing a game, heading to the locker room and then having a good cry for themselves? Picture the post-game interview. Bob Wilson asking Terry O’Reilly what he thought.. “Oh Bob, I can’t talk right now. I’m just a big emotional mess!” Boo-hoo, boo-hooo!
It’s happening in our politics too. Remember Bill Clinton, the Crier & Chief. That phony bastard could well-up at the drop of a hat. And so many thought it was great. “Oh he’s so sensitive!” I don’t want my president to break down! I want him to be a stoic unfeeling rock, like Harry Truman.
What’s with this trend toward feminizing men & boys? Are we becoming a culture of androgynous beings with no discernible distinction between the genders with the exception of biological hardware? Isn’t it a corruption of nature’s balance for men to act feminine?
We throw Ritalin at our boys to quell their masculine traits, then they see their athletic heroes going to pieces when they lose a game. We’re medicating and socializing them to be less aggressive, more emotive. Many try to diminish the competitive nature of sports so everyone leaves the contest feeling good! We attempt to reduce their games to an exercise in collaboration rather than a contest of strength and skill. This is nuts.
With all this WWII nostalgia, can you imagine if we were confronted with the same challenges today or sometime in the future? Would we be ready to meet the enemy with guns blazing or would we roll over, tears in our eyes, and submit?
Sociologists would say that I am cleaving to “normative gender roles” and they would say it with a great deal of scorn and acrimony. But while my feelings will be hurt and with tears streaming down my cheeks I’ll only ask this. Have you ever met a bigger bunch of wimps then those men who are Sociologists?
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- Letter to the Lowell Sun Editor -- Dennis Williams, 11:16:32 05/27/01 Sun
Sent the following this morning. Will be interested to see if they print it and whether they change it.
====
You can sure tell who was behind "The Column" article about Dracut on Sunday. May 27th. Paul "The Developer" Sullivan touted his home and adopted towns of Tewksbury and Chelmsford. Yes, Paul, Chelmsford and Tewksbury are more affluent than Dracut. They have more industry, a much higher per-capita income and a much higher per-capita operating budget (including state aid).
One could argue that they are also overdeveloped. Public service and public policy are about balance, Paul. Not that I would expect you to recognize balance since you lost yours some time ago.
This article of yours in nothing more than a thinly veiled attack on someone we know you don't care for and whom, I am sure, you would like to have us replace with a shortish friend of yours. You are getting way too transparent, Paul. Try to be a little more clever like you used to be.
Dennis Williams
Dracut Selectman, and
Long-Time Observer of the Sun's Tactics
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- Possibilities for revenue in Dracut -- Mary, 07:17:44 06/01/01 Fri
It might be a good idea to open a discussion and come up with ideas of what might be some good options for revenue in Dracut. We must be able to think of something less destructive than a power plant, that would still really benefit our town financially.
What does anyone think of the possibility of an Arts Center? I know that it's probably far-fetched, but I was just thinking about it last night, and thought of some good reasons to bring it up. It could provide a cultural outlet, where people could take classes, a place for a small museum, a place for concerts and shows, maybe some theatre...who knows? I was thinking of contacting the National Endowment for the Arts, just to get their opinion on what it would take to propose something like this, as well as look into the possibility of funding.
There are already some good centers in Lowell (The Merrimack Rep, The Tsongas Arena, etc.), but we could bring even more to our own community by providing something like this. Does anyone agree, or am I way off base?
I'd be interested to know if anyone else has other ideas, as well.
Thanks!
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- Concession stand at Veteran's Park -- Stephanie Coyne, 18:14:34 06/03/01 Sun
Are there plans for a concession stand at Veterans Park? If not, that could be a good way to bring in some revenue to offset costs. If there is one scheduled to be built hopefully it will be run by the town so any monies made can go back into the park funds. It would be a shame for someone in the private sector to profit off money that should be put back into community funding for projects such as Veteran's Park.
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- Seal the deal and let's hokey pokey! -- The Truth, 10:13:49 06/01/01 Fri
Recently we all took the pleasure of reading an article in the SUN that criticized the politicians of Dracut for not being able to seal the deal. I had to laugh as I read it. Seeing where it came from made me laugh even harder.
Why does this make me laugh so hard?
From a person who usually writes articles on the personal level, out comes this article that bashed Dracut. He may not agree with the way the politicians run things around here, and some of the residents don’t, but they are getting the job done. It may not be in a rapid growth mode that he supports, but any growth in Dracut is being controlled, and will be in the future. We did vote in the CPA, and that is a major step that we of Dracut have taken. Just take a look at Tewksbury and Chelmsford. We all know that he has a hand in there somewhere. This article was nothing more than an attack to criticize the politicians. Most likely to help weaken the link and slide a friend in.
We as Dracut did not fail to seal the deal on the power plant. The company themselves pulled out of the deal because of financial reasons. So they say. I myself was against the power plant for health and environmental reasons, and if any resident thought there would be none, they have a lot to learn. Like they say, things happen for a reason. The big buck is not coming into the Dracut’s financial picture, but I am sure with controlled growth, Dracut will indeed find a way to bring revenue into the town.
I must step out. I need to go find a way to make it look like I am wearing a seat belt as I attempt to cross the border to purchase my beer for this weekends party. You never know, maybe we can get a good hokey pokey circle going.
The Truth.
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- Selectman Shaw -- Roberto D., 12:04:20 05/15/01 Tue
Selectman Warren Shaw: A true public servant. A class act and an all around nice guy! Good luck.
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- Weekly Round Table Forum -- Kevin Abston, 21:34:41 05/14/01 Mon
why bother to view your opinion, if it differs from that of the weekly round table....The odds of it appearing on this forum are slim at best.
You should let us all speak Mr. Shaugnessy.....I guess I could state my case on Que Pasa, I'm sure Frank would love to here from me on some of the current hot topics.
Each time i spend time sending e-mail to this forum, it gets squashed.
Why is that? Post this and let the towns people reply as to why that might be.
Thank You in advance.
Kevin / IMCRAFT @ aol.com
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- Joyzee Barriers -- Janitor, 13:25:37 05/31/01 Thu
Warren,
Before you leave, do you think we could have the Jersey barriers and steel plate removed from the front of Direct Mattress on Lakeview Ave. They have been there forever. What's the problem? They are a nuissance to pedestrians not to mention an eyesore in general.
Thanks
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- Alcohol Tax Bill -- Ronald Kolek, 16:54:08 05/29/01 Tue
Representative Garry has agreed to a disscussion on the Alcohol Tax Bill. Anyone opposed to the bill who wishes to debated her on the subject please contact me. It will be a live show with calls and questions emailed to me in advance. Here's your chance to get your questions answered by someone who can make a difference. Instead of griping about it on the forum, come out of the dugout and step up to the plate.
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- Power Plants--More or less -- Roberto D., 22:58:33 05/18/01 Fri
I look at the threat of power shortages around the country and I try to keep up with the facts as much as a layman can and it seems to me that a power plant in Dracut is a good thing.
I read that they closed down several coal-fired power plants in Ohio and the experts say that gas-fired power plants are the way to go. Cleaner, less dangerous, less polutants, etc...
Would I like living next to one? Can't say I would, unless I got a good deal on the home. (My uncle owned a home in Seabrook with a beautiful view of the Nuke Plant from his backdoor. Never heard him complain once. His front door faced the ocean.)
Do I think power plants are necessary? Well, a couple of months ago when a good section of Dracut lost power for about an hour and a half, we all sat in our candlelit kitchens, doing homework with our kids and cursing the power company. If we can't do it for a couple of hours, how do you think we will put up with rolling blackouts on a routine basis?
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- Info on the new playground -- Stephanie Coyne, 20:22:48 05/12/01 Sat
I think it's great that a new playground is being built at Veteran's Memorial Park. But what is happening with the old equipment at the Stay'n Play that is being closed? Is it being moved to the Veteran's park? If not is it being offered for sale? Is there any word on the park that is scheduled to be built at Carrigg (not sure of spelling) Park on Mammoth Road? It would be great if we could move the equipment over to Mammoth Road if it's not being utilized at Veteran's Park. Anyone have any info or ideas?
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- Power Drain -- Naturally, 08:58:58 05/26/01 Sat
I’m a little bummed-out. With the demise of The Power Pant I don’t know what we are going to talk about now. A skate board park? New playground? How bucolic and quaint. But while I may be in mourning a bit, I can only imagine that Dennis Williams is absolutely beside himself.
All that prep for the big debate down the time sink. Regressions, pie graphs, conditional logit modeling, air flow studies, revenue projections, flip charts… All for naught.. On the other hand, I won’t miss Ed Valis and his intellectual exhibitionism, not to mention also, his condescending superior attitude. If I had a hat, I’d take it off to Celeste who swam with the sharks and got bit, but stayed the course. I disagree with her for the most part, but she gets points for pluck and for being steadfast in her pursuit.
Which brings me to my real disappointment.
I was hoping to use the Power Plant controversy as the backdrop for my first breakout writing project. A screenplay, in the Erin Brockovich mold. (Yes!! Ripping off an already successful idea.) I had a few working titles. “ I left my lungs at Nickel Hill” or “The Angina Monologues”
I had some of the cast selected too. The Selectmen: Warren (Gary Busey), Dennis (Ed Harris because Telly Savalas isn’t doing movies these days), Jimmy-O (Sam Elliot) Jack (Mike Meyers – Alec Baldwin was considered but last I heard he was so distraught about Bush winning he was going to move out of the country. Wouldn’t want anything to hold him back.) Which leaves Dougie.. I racked my brain until it became clear to me. Nobody could do Dougie justice except for the man himself.
But, alas.. It’s not meant to be.
So, what to talk about?? How about the Turkish Bazaar where once Frosty Boy did business. Personally, I’m eyeing the Bengal tiger rug. It would be just the thing in the foyer of my double-wide.
How I now miss those Miracle Ear Sundaes I used to get there. The guy who served them up was deaf as a haddock. (whoops, sorry, “hearing impaired”) You would ask, actually, shout to him your flavors and he would inevitably give you something totally different. But, it was fun and much preferred over the current enterprise there now.
Or perhaps we can discuss Article 16.. A new boiler for the Intermediate School? These kids are young and vital. When my Dad went to school he tells me the ink froze in their pens, yet they learned!! When will we stop molly-coddling the spoiled brats? Imagine. A million and a half for something as frivolous as a boiler. Buy them some pencils and tell them to wear a sweater. To paraphrase Dickens, “Garments are designed to protect one from the elements. Once purchased, they serve indefinitely their intended purpose. Boilers are momentary and boilers are costly!”
Town meeting?? Water restrictions? The crappy Dunkin Donuts on Lakeview Ave. and the deterioration of service when a tight labor market and generation X converge?
It’s just not going to be the same!!
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- Children's Memorial -- Naturally, 22:59:25 05/15/01 Tue
A Brief departure from my irreverent persona...
At last Monday's School Committee meeting, a proposal to build a memorial to children of the town who have passed away was discussed and its concept approved by the committee. Evidently this idea is being supported by the Rotary Club and several parents who have had the terrible misfortune of losing a son or daughter.
At the outset, my thoughts herein should not be constued in any way to trivialize or gloss over a painful circumstance I could not possibly begin to understand. My only intent is to present some ideas on the subject which are a product of thoughful consideration and sincere empathy for those who seek to build this memorial.
I have no quarrel with the idea of building a memorial to remember children of the community who have died. I think such a project could provide and fortify a sense of shared loss and remembrance. It offers testament to the special place children hold within our town.
The site currently being contemplated would be on the High School grounds, at an area next to the gym. I don't believe this would be an optimal site for such a memrial. My reasons are the following:
When considering the emotional turmoil of adolescence and acknowledging that some of our young people entertain thoughts of suicide, I think we must be careful in providing a school atmosphere that embraces life. Many people, when thinking of suicide, carry with them a sense of wothlessness. At times, the act of suicide is fantasized as a way to garner attention that the person believes they don't receive. Being in an emotionally fragile state one such person may see this memorial as a means to obtain that recognition. To the rational individual, that may seem a bit of a stretch, but those considering suicide are not operating under a rational premise.
My second reason would not likely impact a large number of people but I think it's worth considering. In the event that we have a student or students who are attending classes while undergoing treatment for a life-threatening illness, I think it would be difficult for them to have to pass by a memorial for deceased children on a daily basis.
Finally, and this is purely subjective on my part, while I recognie the value in honoring our children in this manner, I balk at putting it on the school grounds simply because I find it discordant with what my perception of a school atmosphere ought to convey. This is not to say that we ought to forget those who have passed away or keep that circumstance out of view from High School students. I just see a memorial on the grounds as being counter to the carefree innocence our children ought to be able to enjoy. As adults, we can appreciate how brief that is and how fondly we remember that time.
Again, this is in no way meant to diminish the worthiness of the memorial concept or to show disrespect for those who are seeking to build it. Sensitivity is not what I am noted for, so I am taking great pains to underscore my sincere approach to this issue. I'd be interested to hear what others have to say about it.
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- New Issues -- Ronald Kolek, 23:29:07 05/22/01 Tue
Okay kids the power plant is history. It brought out the good, the bad, and the ugly in this town. Win, lose, or draw,it's time to get on with our lives and address the important issues and challenges facing our town. If you've got issues it's time to bring them out of the closet and bring them to the attention of the rest of the town. I would like to help you do that, by offering you a tv forum on neutral "turf", where both sides can be represented and heard. If you've got a topic which you would like to discuss in a forum similar to the CPA debate (but a little less formal), please contact me. I will do my best to set it up and judging from the number of call we recieved during the CPA debate, people will listen. Thanks Ron Kolek
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- Rural Legend -- The Truth, 10:25:15 05/23/01 Wed
The town setting is rural. With it's open space, rolling hills, and beautiful forest and lakes. Wildlife lurks in every corner. Towns people whispering, cows being milked. Horses feeding off the grassy fields. Neighbors barbacueing together, and heading to the local ice cream stand for a lick. Look and see, flags hanging from the telephone poles. Feel the tercentinial celebration. Study it's history. A town, a single town where one knows everyone. This is Dracut, come experience the rural routes we have.
Legend has it that the Dracut ruralness was once on the brinks of disaster. You see, it was back in 2001 when a major development feel through. It was a power plant. An issue so strong that it had the towns people tearing at each other. It had the towns farthers being pulled in all sorts of directions. This here power plant was studied. The facts were presented to the public and its farthers. Millions of dollars were going to flow into the roots of Dracut, like a speeding car hooting down a non-approved road. It was a dirt road by the way. Dracut was preparing themselves to the idea that a power plant was going to exist in the poppy fields. For a few years this legend had everyone up in ears (17.5% as a matter of fact), what shall we do?
A selected few fought against it, some were for it. If it was about the millions or about the enviromental health issues, it was good ole fashion western throw down. The people were on the local forum going at the issue like group of kids at the local penny store fighting over who gets that last Bazooka Joe gum.
The towns farthers stood their stance. We need the money to help Dracuts financial situation. They had the facts, and felt safe on the enviorment and health issues.
Oh how I remember that day. It was May 22nd. 2001 to be exact. I come home and walk through the front door. There stands my wife holding the local paper up as I walk up the stairs. The headline blaring! "LIGHTS OUT ON DRACUT POWER PLANT". My mouth dropped. If you were quiet, you could hear chins dropping all over the town. The news was shocking. I could see it now, the project manager holding a bag of money over the towns farther heads. With a swift pull and looking down saying "SIK", maybe later.
For now we will never know what direction this rural legend may have taken Dracut, but legends continue on. When they do, sometimes they show their cards.
The Truth
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- No Skate Park? -- shawn, 06:43:53 05/24/01 Thu
On a new topic. Many of the towns in the area have been building fairly low-cost parks for rollerbladers and skateboarders. These have become fairly successful in providing a place for the teen boys to go and do something productive. (especially when they are not the type to fit in with athletes or academics..)
Has any effort been made to look into one of these in our town? The skaters are here, and all over the streets. With so little else for kids to do in our town, I think this would be a great addition to the town. Charging a small annual fee would provide for annual upkeep, and possibly allowing fee waivers for community service would allow for those who can't afford it to earn the priviledge.
We may even be able to get local skate and bike vendors to help pay for designing and building the thing. Just look at the excellent one that Eastern boarder assisted with up in Nashua.
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