There may be someone in Milton who speaks with more confidence and authority about this town and its government than Charlie McCarthy, but it is hard to think of who that might be.

McCarthy is largely a self made man. And like most entrepreneurs, he will tell you, “I always see a glass that’s half full.”

We met at McCarthy’s house. Looking out his kitchen window, McCarthy pointed to a series of raised beds where he plants stuff every spring. A lot of people know McCarthy, but who knew he was a farmer?

But this spring he may not have time to get down on his knees. This year the campaign season is interfering with the sowing season.

Who is Charlie McCarthy?

Charlie McCarthy

Charlie McCarthy is a product of the Milton Public Schools who has served the town in ways both appointed (Warrant Committee) and elected (Board of Selectmen).

McCarthy has managed his own businesses for 20+ years. Initially, he was a contractor and managed a team that installed equipment at factories and manufacturing firms.  As a small businessmen, he has had to deal with budgets, audits, payroll and taxes. After a while, the travel and the requirements of the job came up against family life and the fact that he wasn’t getting any younger. Installing conveyor belts and the like 20 feet above a factory floor somewhere hundreds of miles from home and family got tiring. So he recast his business.

Now he is a manufacturer’s representative. As a result, his life is saner and travel less frequent. He likes his lot in life, saying that in considering whether to run for treasurer, “I had to think long and hard about [possibly] leaving this business.”

Why Charlie McCarthy for Treasurer?

Not surprisingly, McCarthy believes his extensive experience in service to the town provides him with a unique knowledge and understanding of the office of  Treasurer that the other candidates cannot match.

As chairman of the Warrant committee, he relied heavily on the financial projections given him by the Town Treasurer Kevin Sorgi. And he appreciates that those projections “are as much art as science.” As an example ,he cited estimating revenue from excise taxes. The amount of revenue driven by excise taxes is a function of the age of the cars owned by residents, the number of new cars to be bought, and the relative price points. That is not an easy number to pin down.

He also interacted with the Treasurer as a Selectman, but McCarthy does not rely solely on his experience with the position and insights it has given him. “I have done my homework.” Keeping him company on his dining room table are the last two Town of Milton Annual Reports along with a hefty copy of the Treasurers Manual. “I’ve read it cover to cover.” He then commences on a discussion of town funds– those the Treasurer is responsible for administering versus those for which he is simply the custodian. He speaks about the responsibilities and what he views as the priorities of the office. He is clear on that: managing cash flow.

What comes through as McCarthy speaks is not just confidence but a certain enthusiasm. As he will plainly tell you, “Every minute of every day, I am trying to learn.”

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When it came time for us to meet, Janet Lorden could not get out of her garage.

The power had gone out on her street and the garage door opener wasn’t working. But Nstar sprung her free, and we eventually sat down at the new library to discuss her run for Town Treasurer.

Of the three candidates for Town Treasurer, Ms. Lorden is the one complete political neophyte. And she knows that, explaining “It will be an uphill battle and that’s fine. I’m knocking on doors and the reactions of people keeps me going.”

Who is Janet Lorden?

She moved to Milton in 1993 and lives with her husband and two children (twins!) on Brush Hill Road. Their children attend the Tucker School, which they love.

Janet Lorden

Raised with a strong sense of civic engagement, Lorden has a history of community service. She has volunteered with Training, Inc., a national network of local job training organizations that assist low income individuals to learn skills to achieve gainful employment. Here in Boston, Training, Inc. is sponsored by the Boston YMCA. Most recently, Lorden assisted a community effort in setting up a trust fund for the Revelus family: “Milton Cares: A Fund for the Revelus Family”.

She has worked in financial services for 20+ years; first with The Boston Company, followed by Eaton Vance, and then Fidelity Investments. And why financial services? Lorden says, “I love math. I love the logic of it, and I love the creativity of it.”

Why Janet Lorden for Treasurer?

When asked why she is the candidate of choice, Lorden is clear. “The treasurer role is a role I know.” She believes that she is the only candidate who possesses a thorough knowledge of: tax reporting not only to the IRS, but to states and at times down to the municipal level;  buying and selling investment vehicles as a licensed professional; and mangement of retirement products. And she believes this skill set is a requirement for performing the job well. This is an opinion she reiterated when we discussed whether the Town Treasurer should be an elected or appointed position.

All the candidates are on the record and in agreement that the office of Town Treasurer should be an elected one. However, Lorden thinks a better approach that would get a better result is one in which the candidates are recommended by a committee that puts forward candidates that are the best qualified. She questions whether the other candidates running for Treasurer have the necessary financial knowledge and experience. She suspects “they don’t understand the nuances and intricacies of investing. They don’t know the questions to ask.”

In addition, according to Lorden, “I know how to reduce costs and make things as efficient as possible.”

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At this time last week we were attending the wake for Nicholas Burdett, son Dr. Noreen Diamond Burdett, Director of the Music Programs in the Milton Public Schools. Nicholas Burdett was 25 years old and had gone to Miami with his girlfriend to celebrate his birthday. He was shot and killed by an off duty police officer. The officer alleges that Mr. Burdett was attempting to rob him at knife point. It is very hard to understand.

Several hundred people attended the wake to demonstrate their love and support for the family. We are very sorry for Dr. Burdett, a woman who has given so much to so many, and her family.

The Planning Board held a meeting in which they heard Temple Shalom and Coffman Realty respond to the concerns voiced by citizens regarding the redevelopment of the Temple’s property. You can read the orginal post here. The Planning Board will be meeting this Tuesday to pick up the discussion of the issue. Regardless of how this ends, there will be a loss. In the minds of the neighbors they worry the character of their neighborhood will be lost if the proposal passes. If it fails to pass, the town will lose its only synagogue and a well regarded pre-school. As Mr. Mays, who spoke at an early “Citizens Speak” said, there will be change, “and no one is going to be happy.”

And then there was the tragic event that unfolded on Bevoir Street on Saturday. Kerby Revelus killed two of his sisters, Bianca, aged 5, and Samantha, aged 17.  He was attacking his third sister, Saraphina, when the police broke into the apartment and shot him. They saved Saraphina’s life.

Frankly, there are no words to capture the pain, the heartbreak, and the loss experienced by the family, their friends, and the town.

But Milton is a strong community. Tomorrow the Milton School Administration is hosting a forum to discuss the loss and how to cope with it. The discussion will be at Milton High School, tomorrow night (3/30) @ 7:00pm.

Three Milton High School musicians will be performing in the All-State concerts to be held at the Seaport Hotel and Boston’s Symphony Hall. They are Marline Alexis, Elain Daiber, and Charlie Rosmarin.

This is an extraordinary achievement. Thousands of students compete for these opportunities. For a system of Milton’s size to have one would be amazing but to have three is outstanding.

Congratulations to Marline, Elaine, and Charlie!

But it does not end there. Dr. Noreen Diamond Burdett will be receiving the Visionary Lesdership Award given by the state organization, Adminstrators in Music Education.

Please give it up for Dr. Burdett!

GO WILDCATS!!

The Milton School Choral groups gave rousing performances last night in one of three concerts to be held this month as part of the “Music in Our Schools Month” celebration.

The Pierce Middle School 6th Grade Chorus kicked things off, appropriately enough, with “Let There Be Song”. And was there ever. The singing barely stopped for the next hour and a half. The singing continued even in between choral acts. In an innovative bit of programming, members of the ensembles, sprinkled about the audience, sang Disney songs during the transition from one group to the next. The audience was encouraged to sing along with the lyrics to such favorites as “Whistle While You Work”(Snow White), “Under the Sea” (The Little Mermaid),Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Bo” ( Cinderella), included in the program.

Ms Sykes and the Pierce Middle School Honors Chorus

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