Letter: Where is the Silent Majority?

Gordon and Beth Cliff discuss the recent election and

To the Editor: Running for selectman was a great experience for our Cliff family. We met many wonderful people and learned a lot about people’s perceptions of the issues we face, and our daughters got a firsthand view of democracy in action. To the many that supported Gordon with such effort and enthusiasm, we are grateful for your support and regret we came up 300 votes short.  We always knew that to win we needed an above-normal turnout of what we like to think is the silent majority – those who care about the same issues we do, but may not have gotten to the polls recently. Nonetheless, to lose by only 300 votes in a town of 9,000 registered voters – with only 3,000 caring enough to show up at the polls at all – is bittersweet.  There …

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Gordon Cliff

11:36 am on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Daniel, Hoping you might be able to come to the meeting tonight at 7:45 at Town Hall (BoS meeting room). Would be great to know better what others do/don't do that seems to be getting some better results   more ›

Letter: Thanks for the Support During Recent Campaign

Jeanne Downs, a recent candidate for Wayland's School Committee, came up short in the election, but wants to thank everyone who participated in her campaign.

I want to express my deepest thanks to the many people who helped and supported me in my recent campaign for School Committee. I was completely overwhelmed by the number of people who held signs, made phone calls, sent emails, wrote letters, put signs in their yard, proofread my communications, held coffees and helped me prepare for campaign events. I could not have done it without you! We truly live in a wonderful community. As I said throughout my campaign, the schools in Wayland are the cornerstone of our community. I trust that the School Committee will continue with its efforts to keep them that way.  Thanks again to everyone who supported me. While I came up short in the end, I truly enjoyed working with each and every one of you.  …

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Letter to the Editor

Letter: Vote Your Conscience, Not Your Friends

John Flaherty writes about voting for the strongest and most qualified candidates.

To the Editor:  Wayland is a small town, and as such, it’s really tempting to cast our vote for the person we know the best, or like the best. Sometimes, our friend or neighbor or soccer coach or someone we know from church or some other place in town, is on the ballot.  Does THIS make that person qualified for that position? Of course not. But sometimes the gut reaction is to vote for this person simply because we like them or we know them.  As we reach our pencil over our name of our candidate of choice, we need to ask ourselves, is this really the most qualified person for this position? Will this person really strive to make Wayland stronger and better and does their past experience suggest that they possess the relevant experience to …

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Waiting for a Verdict in the Nathaniel Fujita Trial

Today marks the 17th day in the trial of Nathaniel Fujita, the Wayland man accused of killing 18-year-old Lauren Astley in 2011.

Three weeks ago I listened and typed feverishly as Prosecutor Lisa McGovern and defense attorney William Sullivan laid out for jurors their unique perspectives on the murder of Lauren Astley. I watched as McGovern described a brutal, purposeful murder and Sullivan told of a tragic mental breakdown. I saw the defendant, Nathaniel Fujita, sit quietly on the right side of the courtroom as 18 months of hearings and motions and planning culminated in his first-degree murder trial. For three weeks, a string of 33 witnesses walked up the center aisle of Courtroom 530 at Middlesex Superior Court; through an opening in a short, mahogany paneled partition; past the eyes of 16 jurors; and took a seat in the witness stand. Constant motion; constantly …

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David Stallard

6:02 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013

I remember the Albert Thompson/Mark Dupuis murder happened when I was in grade school. It was shocking event, just out of the blue. 12 year old killing 6 year old in a panic murder over an accident playing with a knife. As I recall, the adults played it low-key: that Thompson was a kid with problems who was going to go have to go away for awhile.   more ›

What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban?

Do you agree with the governor's decision or was it too drastic?

All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. (Editor's note: The ban is lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday.) Patrick's executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban …

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Wayland: What Were the Best Super Bowl Commercials?

Which were the best Super Bowl commercials of 2013? Which were the worst?

  Millions of sports enthusiasts around the world and in Wayland watched Super Bowl 47 on Sunday. Likely, many tuned in just to watch Super Bowl commercials, just like they do every year. According to Ad Age, CBS essentially sold out its ad inventory for Super Bowl XLVII at prices averaging between $3.7 million and $3.8 million. More from Ad Age: The usual coterie of big sponsors is more or less on board again —hello, Pepsi! hello Bud Light! — accompanied by opportunistic, smaller brands that want to make a big splash, such as Century 21 and GoDaddy.com, both of which are also returning to the game. In addition to Ms. Patrick and Mr. Fogle, celebrities and pseudo-celebs on the ad roster will include Willem Dafoe, Amy Poehler, Bar Refaeli, …

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Letter: School Committee Seeking Community Input on Budget

The School Committee is considering three budgets, with a fourth option in the wings, and wants to hear what

We are writing to solicit community feedback on the current School Budget discussions for the 2013-2014 school year. The School Committee is considering the following 3 budgets presented by Dr. Stein in December. Detail can be found at http://wayland.sharpschool.net/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1036352/File/Superintendent/FY14%20Budget/Budget_Book_FY14.pdf: A fourth budget option under consideration is a Maintenance of Effort Budget.   A Maintenance of Effort Budget is one in which the school system offers the same level of services in the 2013-2014 School Year that students benefited from during the current school year. Essentially, this takes into account any enrollment changes, required increases in special education or English language …

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Letter: Thank You, Wayland, for Solarize Success

The CEO and executive director of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is thanking the residents of Wayland.

Thanks to the people of Wayland, Solarize Massachusetts was a resounding success this year. The group purchasing program, which helps to make solar more affordable, is a joint venture of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources was launched in 17 communities across the state this year. The program generated 803 solar contracts signed statewide representing 5.1 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. In Wayland, residents and businesses have contracted 658.1 kilowatts of new solar, saving hundreds of dollars annually on their electric bills. The program’s local volunteer coordinator, Kaat Vander Straeten, was key to this success. Dan Bennett’s support was also invaluable to this effort, …

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TELL US: Are You Ready for Thanksgiving?

It's a little less than a week to Thanksgiving 2012. Are you prepared?

Most people plan Thanksgiving well in advance, but with so much time spent on the elections this year, Thanksgiving has kind of sneaked up on us. Would you believe Thanksgiving, and with it the traditional start of the holiday season, is one week from yesterday? If you haven't started planning for Thanksgiving yet, you're already in trouble, according to the website Epicurious. It suggests a six week prep time if you want to do the holiday justice. Are you prepared for Thanksgiving? And more importantly, in what has been a very contentious year, what is it that you can be most thankful for this year? Share your thoughts in the comments field below.

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Patch Picks: 5 Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dishes

Food ideas for people whose Turkey Day involves no turkeys.

In one week, we'll be doing the Thanksgiving scramble: Running to the inlaws' house, hitting the store for some last minute cranberry sauce, or checking on the bird in the oven every five minutes. What some consider the best meal of the year, fit for kings and gluttons, is centered around meat. Not all of us, for varying reasons, choose to eat meat, though. What is one supposed to prepare for those who don't eat turkey on Turkey Day? The answer is easy, and the options are many. Whether you're cooking for a vegetarian guest, or are a vegetarian yourself, Patch helps you out this week with five tasty recipes for a vegan/vegetarian Thanksgiving. 1. Tofurky: Funny sounding name, seriously tasty substitute. What you need: 1 Tofurky Roast (can …

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