Kingston Observer - The Loyal Opposition

A More Open Forum

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:18:19 UT

The selectmen conduct an open forum at the beginning of their meetings during which residents may ask questions or make announcements, but the board makes no provision for questions during their meetings or after. Hardly anyone attends selectmen’s meetings, me included, because if questions need to be asked, you have to chase the selectmen like paparazzi after rock stars...

This Writer’s Opinion RE:

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:18:03 UT

Beaton Conflict of Interest with P.A. Landers

Five years ago, nearby sand and gravel operator P.A. Landers approached the Town with a gravel deal. The proposal had some financial benefit to the Town but at the center of the issue was a desire for gravel removal. Olly DeMacedo was Selectman at the time and stated, on numerous occasions, that we shouldn’t be "selling Kingston by the yard." Mark Beaton, also a Selectman in 2004, recused himself because he had a brother working for Landers. Beaton left the table during the discussion. Fast forward five years and the proposal is back; the chief architect of the re-emergence is…Mark Beaton...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 03:17:03 UT

Dear Editor:

After observing Jean Landis Naumann’s comments on the proposed 40R last week, I feel compelled to write you, and I direct my remarks to Selectman Naumann. Think of this letter as a "welcome wagon" bringing you up to speed on that which is right in front of you...

To B or not to Be-That is the Question

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 03:14:40 UT

Local officials are taking a tough stand on Thorndike Development’s plan to build a 40B housing complex in an environmentally sensitive and historically significant area...

Paving the Way for Zoning Enforcement

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:28:59 UT

Zoning enforcement officer and building inspector Paul Armstrong issued a letter to the O'Donnell Realty Trust on Dec. 16 asking that the ...

A Great Miracle Happened There

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:37:15 UT

As the holidays descend upon us, I felt it appropriate to take the time to share my holiday greetings and wishes to all of our readers...

A Change at the Helm, and a Homecoming

Jim Farrell — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:34:41 UT

Acclaimed early 20th century American novelist Thomas Wolfe once penned, “You can’t go home again.” I would argue, “Not so fast, Tom” (if I may be so bold). After all, he lived in a time before MapQuest and GPS, and history doesn’t tell us what motivated him to write those words. Isn’t it possible that he went out for a walk one day, got lost, and he wrote the famous phrase to explain away his failure to ask directions? With apologies to the Man of Words for my unfounded speculation, I suggest that the more accurate statement is, “Some of you can never go home again, but some of you can.” OK. I know that tampering with the words of Thomas Wolfe may border on sacrilege; but, feeble attempts at humor aside, it does get me to a serious point. I write to congratulate someone who is about to prove him wrong.

Loyal Opposition

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:32:00 UT

Fuel assistance for women. Town Treasurer John La Brache has announced that single women and widows may apply to the Ichabod Washburn Trust Fund for fuel assistance. The process is private and the application form may be found on the town web site or at town hall. Trustees are La Brache, Town Clerk Mary Lou Murzyn, and John Veracka. The trust had previously been inactive due to a lack of trustees. The allowance, which used to be $65 is now given in the amount of $200 and funds will be distributed in March.

Keeping the Recession in Perspective

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:17:52 UT

The Great Depression of 1929 defi ned a generation of Americans, some of whom became bitter about their losses, and in turn, became miserly and obsessed with money. Our current recession marks an abrupt course correction, an unfortunate opportunity, or maybe more fortunate than we know, to re-evaluate how we regard money and to examine our values.

Ringside Observer - November 2008

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:37:41 UT

LOTSA’ WORK going on at the old Town Hall structure, which as you probably know, is under private ownership. It looks like they will be maintaining the steeple structure since it was being worked on the other day. We have no idea what is in store for the old landmark but it will probably have to be residential in nature. We recall that Town Meeting, on several occasions, turned down business zoning for the property. Time will tell. Actually, we believe that within the next 12 months there will be another attempt to get that piece rezoned. In Kingston if you keep coming back to the well, it eventually gives water.

Ringside Observer - September 2008

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:58:53 UT

GOT WEED: Some things that happen are just mind boggling. Take for instance the recent work being done down in Rocky Nook with repair and maintenance being performed with the catch basins. The turf was torn up during the work, and then loamed and hydro seeded with a conservation mix. Within a short time growth was appearing and it didn’t appear to be anything that was expected...

Anheuser-Busch May Merge with Belgian Beer Giant: Local Implications?

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:41:34 UT

Ringside Observer Special Report: Well, it appears that after years of hearings, lawsuits and general harangue, that L. Knife & Son is about ready to build their addition. Keep in mind, the purpose of the huge addition was to set up a recycling facility for their products. The rationale was that by doing the recycling locally they could effectively decrease traffic though the narrow roads off Spring Street. It should also be noted that the Knife brain trust has considered another huge expansion potential on the opposite of the building. The explanations were suspect at the time, but fast forward to the present and you gotta wonder. Anheuser-Busch has been approached by Belgian beer giant InBev, distributor of such products as Stella, Artois, Beck’s and Bass. In June InBev CEO Carlos Brito contacted all Anheuser-Bush Wholesalers stating that they had “made a proposal to the Board of Directors of Anheuser-Busch to combine our two companies to create a global leader in the beer industry…

Ringside Observer: July 2008

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:36:37 UT

PINE SCENT: There was just something that hit us as wrong when we received the news that Pine DuBois, et al, was going to sue, among others, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). At issue is the allegation that Brockton is drawing down too much water from Silver Lake which then effects the flow of water back into the lake by Monponsett and Furnace Ponds that add pollutants to the lake. While we admire her spunk and staying power, we suspect those same agencies have been her closest allies in past matters. DuBois has made her environmental concerns a cottage industry via her management of the Jones River Watershed Association and its companion Ecology Center. Their association with the Kingston Arts Festival, The Sheehan Family Trust (of L. Knife fame) and two $100,000 awards under the state budget for the past two years along with considerations given by developers for project support have made Pine & Co. a force to be reckoned with…especially when she can fight city hall because city hall is providing the financial support from taxpayers. Oh, what tangled webs we weave.

The Assessor’s Gambit

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:58:41 UT

We’re going to have a new assessor named on June 10 and what has transpired leading up to this date is pure raw politics at its worse. First off, let us tell you who the new assessor will be, Gale Catani. The position was all set up for Ms. Catani’s taking and we’ll show you the pathway taken to make this happen.

Ringside - June 2008

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:50:17 UT

NEKON GAME: Want another example of narrow-minded thought? The Town owns an almost 200 acre parcel called Camp Nekon. Back in another life it was a recreational outlet for citizens, primarily scout troops. There were buildings a beach and lots of space for exploring. It fell into disrepair and we doubt a building still stands. There is a pond on the property and we hear it is choked with growth. The easiest way to access the land is via Cherry Street, Plymouth; there is a way in from Raboth Road too.