Frank Schroth

Texting while Driving

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A Senior Seminar Editorial by Alexa MacIsaac, MHS 2010

Since texting came out a few years ago, it has become a popular craze that almost everyone does. For most people, it is their major mean-of communication. It has replaced actual human conversation on the phone because people would rather text than call others. Since texting is most teenager’s favorite way to communicate, they tend to do it when they should not; during school, at work, and most importantly, while they are driving. Driving without any distractions can be dangerous on its own. When teenagers add texting to the situation, they are only asking for trouble, even though there are simple ways to avoid it. The government is now becoming involved in this growing problem and states are being forced to take action. Even though teenagers may be the largest group of people who do this, no one should text while they drive! The government needs to make this hazardous act illegal before more lives are lost.

Texting while you are driving requires taking your eyes, a hand, and attention off the dangerous, unpredictable road.  In general, teenagers make up a large percentage of vehicle accidents each year. Since they are inexperienced drivers to begin with, adding a cell phone can be fatal. There have been many accidents reported that were caused by texting. Unfortunately, lives have been lost as well. “Studies show this is far more dangerous than talking on a phone while driving or driving while drunk, which is astounding,” said Senator Charles E. Schumer. If you would not drink and drive, then you should not text and drive.

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Tough day for Wildcats

Yesterday (11/6) was a tough day for a couple of Wildcat teams.

The football team went up against Framingham and got the short end of the stick. They were intercepted once and sacked twice, losing to the Flyers 24-15.

Meanwhile Duxbury downed the Wildcat Field Hockey team 2-0 in early playoff action.

Coffman presentation of Tucker Village concept to Planning Board

Coffman Realty has made the presentation given at the 11/05/09 Planning Board meeting available. You can view the presentation here. (NOTE: PDF file is ~14Mb)

In the rendering below, the temple is the structure in upper left (just roof visible), the pharmacy is lower left and the additional retail structure is in the upper right.

Architectural rendering: Tucker Village

Architectural rendering: Tucker Village

You can view the presentation here.

Planning Board opinions on Temple Shalom shifting

At the close of last night’s planning board session the members’ opinions on the Temple Shalom development appeared to shift slightly with Jackson and Innes indicating support of the overlay, Duffy likely opposed, and Whiteside and Lynch undecided, but seeming to lean in favor.

Mr. Whiteside stated that he felt, “It was a good meeting.” After reiterating that there was no guarantee that the proposal would happen without a rewrite of zoning, he voiced his ongoing concern with the temple being “tucked back”  in the property and did not find it very attractive. He also wants the traffic engineer to return to speak to how the revised proposal that has both a pharmacy and possible cafe and / or food mart would impact traffic patterns.  Lastly, he has reservations abut the overall density of the project. “I have an open mind; but I am not there yet.” It was Mr. Whiteside who weeks previously had read a 5 page opinion in favor of a development that consisted of a pharmacy and temple only. At that time Jackson and Innes voiced support for Whiteside’s opinion.

Earlier in the day, Ed Duffy had spent about half an hour walking the area and commented on the absence of traffic on Crown and Decker streets and said all he could hear was the rubbish truck. He stated that regardless of the form development took, that half hour of quiet would be gone.  While Mr. Duffy has not made a clear statement in opposition, his comments indicate he does not endorse the overlay.

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Congratulations Ms. Ortiz! new U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts

Milton resident Carmin Ortiz was confirmed by the U.S. Senate today as the next U.S. Attorney for the state of Massachusetts. She is expected to be sworn in shortly. Following is local coverage of the development. Ms. Ortiz is both the first woman and first Hispanic to be confirmed as the area’s top prosecutor.

from Wicked Local Milton

Milton woman confirmed as new U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts

Carmen M. Ortiz of Milton is the new U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts.

Ortiz is the first woman and the first Hispanic to be the region’s top prosecutor. She takes over for Michael Sullivan of Abington who held the job for more than seven years. (Read the full story here.)

from The Boston Globe

Carmen Ortiz confirmed as US attorney for Massachusetts

Carmen M. Ortiz, who grew up in a humble background in New York City’s tough Spanish Harlem neighborhood, has been confirmed as the new US attorney for Massachusetts, the first woman and Hispanic to hold the job of the state’s top federal prosecutor. (Read the full story here.)

The Boston Globe interviewed Ms. Ortiz last May when her name was put into nomination by Senators Kennedy and Kerry. You can find it here: Globe interview

Milton native and Jesuit scholar Thomas O’Malley dies at 79

from the Los Angeles Times

Thomas P. O’Malley dies at 79; former president of Loyola Marymount University

Thomas P. O’Malley, an engaging and scholarly priest who headed Loyola Marymount University during a period of significant expansion in the 1990s, died in Boston on Wednesday, apparently of a heart attack. He was 79.

His death was announced by Boston College, where he was a professor and former dean. (Read the full story here.)

Brian Kelley interview with Dropkick Murphy band member Ken Casey and Denise Queally of the MFE

Local cable tv host Brian Kelley interviews Denise Queally Co-Chair of the MFE Celebration for Education’s Nov 21st event Up Up and Away, beyond the basics fund-raising gala. Ken Casey bass guitar and lead vocalist of The Dropkick Murphys, steps up to the plate to help his childhood town’s public schools raise much needed funds for enriching students education. Watch the show to learn how you could get your hands on an extremely limited piece of music memorabilia for your collection. You will also hear from Ken how the Dropkicks got their humble start in a barber shop in Quincy MA. To view the video, please click on the “Continue reading . . . ” link

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Boston Globe reviews Milton restaurants

Yesterday the Boston Globe ran restaurant reviews of Milton’s two new eating establishments; 88 Wharf and Abby Park. Each garnered a star and a half.

Frankly, we felt the reviews were a little harsh and the reviewer a bit of a smug thing more concerned with sounding clever rather than right. We have eaten at both and enjoyed both places. The food is good, priced appropriately for places of similar caliber and service at both was good. Our only complaint was that both tended to be loud.

Our recommendation: go find out for yourself. In the meantime, here is what the Globe said.

from The Boston Globe

Adding flavor to life in Milton

Meeting Notes: School Committee 11.03.09

Following are some highlights from the School Committee meeting of 11.03.09:

Parents voice concern over loss of reading specialist: During Citizens Speak several parent rose to voice concern over the cuts made to the reading specialist. Many cited the need to build a firm foundation in early grades for success later as primary need to resinstate the position. Ms. Bagley Jones addressed the concern later in the meeting, acknowledging the issue. She identified lasck of cunds as the cause and that the school committee was forced to make the cuts. However, she wanted to assure parents that their concerns were heard.

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Slower average wind speeds on Milton’s Blue Hill a threat to windmills

from Wicked Local Milton

As wind energy projects are picking up, the wind is dying down. That’s the case in the Blue Hills, at least, where the average annual wind speed – the strength of a day’s top wind, averaged out over 365 days – has gotten 10 percent weaker over the past three decades.

Other parts of the United States – particularly on the East Coast and in the Midwest – have also recorded diminished wind speeds in recent years. (Read the full story here.)