Editor's Note: The following statement is in response to a release from Mayor Arthur Vigeant regarding the proposed use of a section of Ward Park for a new Senior Center. The entire response from the neighborhood association — whose members have started a petition to stop the use of the land for anything but a park — is included below. It is longer than most letters to the editor, but it was this editor's decision that the full letter be run as is. Ward Park Neighborhood AssociationResponse to Mayor A. Vigeant’s Press Release: Ward Park Senior Center Proposal, FAQFebruary 5, 2013 Where will …

To The Editor: I remember when this country was great, when we had dreams, when hopes ran high, when we knew that our lives could be better than our parents.  We set a course for wealth, property, education and status.  As our parents lived through the Great Depression, they said nothing.  We established government agencies to secure our place on the world stage.  As our parents were the victors in WWII, they said nothing. It was not obvious, but our parents knew what made this the greatest Nation in history.  It was all contained in a simple phrase --- “Don’t make a federal case out of it…

To the editor:The City of Marlborough and Marlborough Public Schools have handledthe very contentious situation with Superintendent Dr. Anthony Popewith the utmost class and respect over the past several months. Therehas been quite a bit of pressure from both sides for a decision to bemade, and the School Committee has not made any drastic impulsivedecisions without gathering all of the facts beforehand. However, theactions of one member of the Marlborough School Committee hascertainly raised some questions about a conflict of interest andprofessionalism.Margaret Dwyer, a dedicated veteran …

To the Editor: As a former Marlborough High School student and the brother of a high school junior, I am ashamed of the way that the school district has had its reputation tarnished by this superintendent. The superintendent I speak of is Dr. Anthony Pope. He came to the school district with a message of hope, a vision of turning Marlborough Public Schools into a world class school district; instead it has become a world class laughing stock. Every morning, I open up the news and find yet another story about my former school district that leaves me wondering where the leadership is. Whether …

Dear Secretary LaHood: As you may know, Direct Air, a South Carolina ­based public charter airline, cancelled all flights between March 13 and May 15, 2012. We are writing to strongly urge your Department to take swift action using all available enforcement powers to ensure that Direct Air is in compliance with federal statutes and regulations requiring that consumers who purchased air travel on Direct Air are protected and funds escrowed to reimburse them. Direct Air serves 17 cities along the East Coast, including Worcester Regional Airport in Worcester, Massachusetts. Direct Air provides …

To the Editor: I am writing to ask voters choosing the Democratic ballot in the Massachusetts presidential primary on Tuesday, March 6 to cast your vote for Kate Donaghue for Democratic State Committeewoman. Those paying close attention or who are involved in Democratic politics probably know Kate Donaghue well. There has been a lot written in recent letters to the editor also in support of her about her work ethic, dedication to Democratic principles, and her help in getting so many public officials elected, including myself. All of this is true. As someone who is extremely proud as the …

To the Editor: A huge issue facing the city, a nearly $900,000 funding request for trash containers that will change the way everyone in the city disposes of their trash, is before the City Council Finance Committee. As a city councilor, I’ve spoken out against this every chance I get. Even though I’ve been elected twice by my constituents, I sit in the back of the council chambers, forced to be silent on the issue, as the DPW commissioner and mayor speak to the committee. Why you ask? Well, apparently my speaking at this publicly posted meeting that is live on Marlborough TV would violate …

To the Editor: Considerable news coverage was granted last week (Feb. 2) to liberal activists' attempt to convince Congress to change the campaign finance laws relative to the Citizens United decision and the Supreme Court. Like proponents, I also do not support Super-PACs, nor do I believe corporate influence with fundraising or campaign advertising is good for our political system. I salute Sen. Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren, for example, trying to remove some of these outside influences from their race. But, their is another side to the campaign finance reform coin that State House …

I am running for the State Senate to offer new policies that will put Education and the Economy first, in order to make MA more competitive for new JOBS. Not a failed, narrow policy agenda that has made the Great Recession and Housing Crisis worse and last longer. Experience matters, so I'll use my skills as a former teacher to support local Ed Reform.  As a former MA transportation official, I am uniquely positioned to accelerate much needed reforms with both parties to benefit our state economy.  In this race, my top issues are not my opponent’s top issues, and I am not running on his …

This letter is in response one we published from the Young Democrats of Metrowest. To the Editor: Remember in National Lampoon’s classic “Animal House?” The part where Dean Wormer excoriates one of the Delta House brothers offering the following advice: “Son, Fat, dumb and stupid is no way to go through life!” While Dean Wormer’s words may be a bit harsh, they do ring true to some extent. I would suggest that the voters of Massachusetts ponder those brutally honest words of advice, and perhaps put them to use with a slight update: “Cynical, biased and partisan is no way to go through life!” …

As you get older, you look back on the wisdom and advice adults offered to you as you grew up.  There are a lot of things grown-ups always like to say to children. Values and wisdom so commonly repeated they are accepted as axioms.  Education is the key to your future. Stand up for what you believe. Treat people like you want to be treated. One of the most difficult realizations I’ve come to lately is that some of the adults who preach these lessons don’t really mean it. Over the last year, we called, tweeted, and emailed our two U.S. Senators to ask them to vote for a bill that would help …

Dear Friends, I want to thank all of the voters of Marlborough who came to the polls yesterday under less than ideal conditions. I was pleased to hear that nearly everyone has had their power restored. I also want to give special thanks to my wife, children, parents, in-laws, and all of the people who have helped my campaign.   This morning I spoke with the best election-law attorney in the Commonwealth.  He confirmed my gut instinct that a re-count would prove fruitless given our deficit of 42 votes. Having confirmed this, I met with my opponent, Arthur Vigeant, and conceded his victory in …

Panera Bread in Marlborough presented a check for $2,660 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest on Monday. The money, raised through Panera’s Operation Dough-Nation program, will be used to further the organization’s mission to enhance the development of children and prepare young adults to be responsible, productive members of the community through social, educational, physical and cultural programming for boys and girls in the MetroWest area. “The support of Panera Bread in Marlborough continues to positively impact our kids and our Clubs,” said Fran Hurley, president of the Boys & Girls …

As President of the Marlborough Police Patrol Officer’s Union I am proud to announce that we are endorsing Arthur Vigeant to be the next mayor of the great City of Marlborough. This decision was not made without careful consideration as we spoke to both candidates and looked at their qualifications. As a public safety union many issues come to the forefront when we look at a candidate and decide to endorse him or her. First, and foremost, is strong leadership and the ability to get things done with a positive impact on the city. With his numerous years as a City Councilor and Council …

Thanks to strong community support and beautiful weather, the 25th Annual Assabet River Cleanup was an outstanding success! We are very happy to say that on Saturday, Sept. 17, over 130 volunteers came out to clean up the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord rivers and their tributaries. Despite high water remaining after hurricane Irene, volunteers in towns throughout the watershed pulled out piles of trash, including bicycles, tires, bottles, car parts, bags of bottles and cans — even a kitchen sink! More than 40 volunteers worked to clean up the Assabet River in Stow, Hudson, and Marlborough. …

“It's Going to be an Interesting Day...” — My Small Family's Experiences on September 11, 2001 Monday, September 10, 2001— The day was a normal enough Monday spent with my 21-month-old daughter Lillian and 4 months' pregnant with our second child.  The only thing different about it was that we were going to be traveling as a family the next morning to sunny San Diego, California.  David, my husband, had been there on business recently and told us that we had to visit as it was so beautiful. We were about to enjoy the second part of his “sabbatical”.  Three out of a total of six weeks' …

Mr. Speaker, I did not come to Washington to dismantle the New Deal or the Great Society.  I did not come here to force more people into poverty. I agree that we need to avoid default and to confront our long-term fiscal challenges.  That’s why on Saturday I voted in support of the Reid proposal, which would have reduced our debt by hundreds of billions of dollars. The bill before us is unfair in so many ways.  It disproportionately places the burden of dealing with our debt issue on the backs of those who can least afford it, while it spares the wealthiest from contributing anything. There …

To the Editor: On behalf of the City of Marlborough, I wish to extend my thanks and appreciation for the efforts of over 300 volunteers who spent Saturday, April 30, 2011, collecting trash from the streets, parks and neighborhoods throughout our city.  This year’s Clean Sweep team collected 6.5 tons of trash.  I am so proud of your efforts!  We had a tremendous turnout.  Together, we made a real difference in three hours! I would like to recognize Raytheon, Dow Chemical and Metro Church for their coordination and staff participation. The City also extends its gratitude for the work of the …

Evergreen Solar: Learning from Our Mistakes  Evergreen Solar’s decision last week to shutter its manufacturing facility at Devens, laying off over 800 employees, is deeply disappointing -- not only for our region but for the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our state government made a substantial investment - nearly $60 million dollars - in Evergreen Solar, with the hope of creating hundreds of permanent jobs. The closure at Devens means the loss of hundreds of jobs and the failure of this investment. Our first step is to get the soon to be laid-off employees help with unemployment …