politics

We all know that the Metro West and coastal areas of Massachusetts have been hit hard with two massive snow storms in 2011, and that most cities and towns have already blown through their allocated budgets, and have since requested to take more taxpayer money, which prompts the question that has been asked frequently: why continually go over budget when you’ve been dealing with snow removal for centuries in Massachusetts?

Each year, our budget is faced with a puzzling question: why do DPW department heads continually ask for so little, when the numbers indicate they always need more? Especially since the past two snow removal jobs in Westwood, MA have been sub-par at best, even with crews supposedly working long hours day and night to resolve the many transportation issues we face with the Public Schools, and our residents venturing out to work each day.

The past snow removal that occurred on January 12, 2011, was particularly atrocious. Streets were left partially plowed for up to three hours, driveways faced mountain-esque blockages due to loader-plowing, and main roads (such as Route 109) were almost un-drivable for almost two days. The DPW, from hearing radio communication, were down a few trucks due to malfunctioning sanders, which is understandable. However, contractor CJP & Sons, responsible for most of Precinct 4, were fully operational, yet very unprofessional, slow, and unresponsive to the needs of those wanting to drive to work, or leave their homes.

After two appalling snow removals by Millis, MA based CJP & Sons, I question the town’s ability to award contracts to qualified bidders. These comments come in lieu of seeing the superior snow removal of the neighboring towns of Dedham, Norwood, Walpole, and Medway. Now, I am not sure who contract plows for the aforementioned towns, but they sure did a far better job. For all I know, CJP & Sons could just be over extended, but if they are, they should have the sense to tell the town of Westwood they will not be able to perform quality snow removal.

With over 32 years of knowledge from a family member who worked everything from small snowplows to Caterpillar front-end loaders in the snow, I know the difference between a quality job, and an unqualified or over extended crew.

Let’s right this situation by re-visiting our plowing contracts for 2012, and make sure they can get the job done. Especially since our taxes are rising at least 6% more in 2012 (without the new library project figured in), due to Westwood’s mistake of allowing developer CC&F to demolish buildings before funding was secured for the Westwood Station Project.

To combat this residential tax increase, I 1). Advise residents to file for a tax abatement at town hall, and 2). Encourage residents to share their ideas on how we may attract more commercial development to the Economic Development Advisory Board, on which I sit. From here, we can start developing a more inclusive discussion to allow everyone to share their solutions for a better Westwood, where each resident can have a say in what they think is best for the town’s health and overall growth.

In the future, I hope we all can enjoy a problem free commute in the snow, and a lower tax burden next time around. With better ideas and thought processes from our Board of Selectman and other elected officials, we can all benefit in the end.

Makes me wonder why I decided not to run for Selectman.

The full post can be found at: http://bit.ly/agnewsnowremoval 

The Massachusetts primary is today and polls are open until 8pm. There is still time to vote. Westwood resident Mike Walsh is running for State Senate in the Democratic primary. I respect the tireless campaign Mike has run--and how he took the time to participate on this blog. As I've invited candidates to contribute, I've said I would not endorse anyone, so I will stick to that position. Check out the candidates yourself and make your vote count today. If you are not registered as a Democrat or Republican, as an "Unenrolled" voter, you can still choose a Democratic ballot and vote in that primary. So go vote!

If you think the Congressional race is irrelevant, think again. The choice between Stephen Lynch and Mac D'Alessandro is substantial. D'Alessandro provided timely responses to the questions we asked--you can read them below.

As I quickly flipped through the Westwood Press today, I could not help but "double take" when reading the editorial on page 6 titled, "Vote for Rush, Lynch."

I felt sick to my stomach! An endorsement of Mike Rush, a West Roxbury resident, who, several times after meeting me in person still forgets my name? Forget the Westwood Press endorsement, which barely mentions any qualifications Rush may have other than, "Rush has had a notable tenure in the state House of Representatives..."

I'm ashamed to even subscribe to a paper that endorses a candidate who not only can't point to Westwood on a map, but also neglects to show up for votes at the State House. Rush's best achievement, according to the Westwood Press, was, "...his successful effort to repair the Roche Arena Ice Rink in West Roxbury."

Give me a break. If all of us real, working class Westwood Residents could point to just one achievement in almost 8 years (Rush has been in the Legislature since 2003) at our own jobs, we'd be given the boot the next day. I can't speak for the other cities and towns in the Norfolk and Suffolk district, but, I can certainly speak for Westwood when I say, it's time to elect a small business owner, long time resident, and strong advocate for issues that matter this Tuesday, September 14th, 2010. 

Elect Michael Walsh, someone who knows our issues, understands our concerns, and feels our pain of being misrepresented for the past 17 years. Westwood needs one of our own, someone who originally came from West Roxbury, someone who knows the city and the suburbs, just as Michael Walsh does, and now resides with us, defending our voice on Beacon Hill. Michael is no insider, and he's no political machine. He's just a normal guy, who works for a living to support his six children, three of which are in the Westwood School System today.

Lastly, I commend my neighbor, John J. O'Brien, Jr., who proudly wrote a letter to the editor in support of Michael Walsh in this very same issue of the Westwood Press. Jack's enthusiasm for Michael's campaign is shared by an overwhelming amount of supporters, who will push Michael over the top on Tuesday. I hope you can join me, and thousands of others, as I step into my polling location on Tuesday, September 14, 2010, to "punch the ballot" for Michael Walsh for State Senate. Let's help ourselves and start fresh.

Well, with summer winding down, most are concerned about returning to school, Labor Day plans and back to school shopping.  However, in just a mere 22 days Massachusetts will have it's primary election.  That's right a primary election on Tuesday September 14th.  Polls open at 7:00AM and stay open until 8:00PM, but many will still forget to vote and get so caught up in work that they won't realize that it's election day until they watch the news that night or read the paper the next morning.

As a resident of Westwood, who's children go to the Downey and now this year the Thurston Middle School, I am Co-Vice President of Downey PTO, and teacher of CCD at St. Margaret Mary's, and I have worked hard to give myself the opportunity to be your senator and I will continue to do so, until the polls close on election day.   Still wondering if I can win?  Drive through the city and see the support I have in West Roxbury, Roslindale and Hyde Park or even Dedham or Norwood . The signs are only those who are willing to wear their proverbial "heart on their sleeve." This is a real race and I need and would appreciate your vote.

Before your child or children go off to college, send them down, or take them down, to visit the Town clerk's office. Introduce them to Dottie Powers and her staff, and get them to vote.  Absentee ballots are available right now.  You might even consider voting yourself and then not have to worry about September 14th. 

Thank you for your help and support.

Respectfully,

Michael Walsh