Around Natick

Here’s the cover of the Natick High Yearbook for 1953 with the famous “Redman” embossed in silver. Looks good to me and most residents who grew up here. Of course there’s a vocal minority who are causing some problems, and a few elected officials who won’t take a public position along with a couple who need to be voted out.  Here’s a picture of the yearbook.

There’s a lot to be proud of, and whether the Indian is full face, three quarters, or profile, he’s the symbol we should keep. Let’s all visit the businesses that are collecting signatures, and tell the School Committee and the Selectmen what they don’t seem to want to hear.

This letter published in the Metrowest Daily News today, pretty much sums up the opinions of many residents.  Thanks to Jerry for his writing what many feel, but are afraid to say, for fear of political reprisal.

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/x1546863640

Scare tactics in Natick

Shame on Superintendent Scrooge for delivering ultimatums to Natick residents during this holiday season. Expressed options such as closing the Johnson Elementary School and cutting full-day kindergarten if we don’t approve an operational override are cheaply wrapped presents we didn’t need to receive. This style of problem-solving rarely yields positive results.

It is interesting to note that two of the most popular assets of our school system are again targeted in this power play. I’m sure, however, that they will receive the same negative reception as they did last spring. The Johnson School students and staff did not earn their Blue Ribbon recognition only to serve as the pawn in local politics. And all-day kindergarten has proven very successful and well worth the long and hard work that brought it about. To tamper with these desirable assets clearly exhibits extremely flawed logic.

I don’t think it’s necessarily the idea of an override that’s so troubling to taxpayers. The people of Natick are usually open to sound solutions for sound needs. It’s the scare tactics and hidden agendas which meet skepticism and resistance. These methods are totally disingenuous and very insulting. It is time to be open and honest during the budget process.

I know that I would feel more confident in our school department if more definitive consideration were given to remedy the list of warnings issued by NEASC in order for our high school to maintain its accreditation. That should be a key focus as the financial picture is being sketched.

JERRY L. PIERCE,
Natick

Click on this link to read the latest story about a petition to save the nickname Redmen. http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/homepage/x1597810792

Read down to the quote from Fred “Dirk” Coburn, a member of the School Committee “elected officials will not reconsider the Redmen name, saying the decision has already been made to change it.”

This character will be up for re-election one day, and the voters will have to make a decision too.

In the meantime visit the following merchants and sign the petition.  Jones Drug, Casey’s Diner, Station 5 Grill and the Elks Lodge are all on our side.

Natick’s Eliot Rail Trail
In the distance, I see a roller skating fan on the rail trail. Looks like fun. Almost as fun as bicycling there. I don’t know how they do it with all the rocks. Does anyone want to spend $several million dollars of their tax money on this thing? I don’t think so.

Someone asked me “Do you think a cluster of dozens of condos on the Paperboard site would cost the town more than what it gains from taxes?” I replied “Depends on the family makeup of the condo buyers. Impacts on school, and public safety haven’t been studied. Read more »

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/11/22/is_amazing_downtown_next/
The Arts in Framingham is thriving, and there’s no sense of the same kind of bitter, nasty bickering as there ….. Read more »

The original headline in the paper was threatening. The online followup and headline toned down the scare strategy used by the School Superintendent. I think the school department likes to tug on the emotions in order to gain support for increased funds. And the newspaper feeds right into it with sensational headlines. Here’s the original story which made the front page: Read more »

Natick residents were told that a large chunk of Natick Mall mitigation money would be dedicated to improvements on Speen Street. Read more »