SalemNews.com, Salem, MA--Opinion

Our view: Legislative greed fuels plan to tax endowments

Tue, 13 May 2008 09:34:00 EDT

Massachusetts legislators are on a taxation binge that threatens much of the progress made in recent years in rolling back the state's "Taxachusetts" label.
Last week, the state Senate passed a massive increase in taxes on businesses and boosted the tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack. House versions of the same bills passed last month. The two versions of the bills must be reconciled before moving to the governor for his signature.

Letter: Override is imperative this year

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

To the editor:
I have been reading e-mails and letters to the editor of various newspapers over the course of the past two weeks. I am dismayed at the misleading statements that are being used and the "us vs. them" mentality that is pervading our towns.

Letter: Homeowners can't afford another tax hike

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

To the editor:
The Salem News editorial of Thursday, May 8, ("Vote no on Hamilton-Wenham school override") gives credence to the economic facts that have been articulated objectively by the override opponents.

Letter: Cutbacks will affect poorest families most

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

To the editor:
I understand the concerns that many residents, particularly those on fixed incomes, have expressed about the prospect of higher taxes to pay for both municipal and school needs. However, I believe that the issues have been painted in black and white, when in fact they are gray.

Our view: Second chance for St. Joseph's site

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

Had a majority of last year's Salem City Council shared Mayor Kim Driscoll's courage and vision, the city's senior citizens might well be enjoying daytime activities now in a new community center at the former St. Joseph's Church site on Lafayette Street.

Thanks: Boys & Girls Club appreciates support

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

To the editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the local businesses, community leaders and continued supporters of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem for the tremendous outpouring of sponsorships, auction items and personal donations for the fifth annual Spring Gala, which was held April 3 at the Hawthorne Hotel.

Thanks: O'Grady Foundation continues to serve Salem's youth

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

To the editor:
The Stephen O'Grady Scholarship Foundation extends its warm gratitude to everyone who helped make our spring dance at the Salem Knight of Columbus Saturday, April 26, another well-attended, successful evening. Special thanks to the K of C for being our host venue, DJ Dan for providing our music, and Coffee Time Bake Shop, Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins and Hobb's Popcorn for contributing goodies for our guests.

Thanks: Proud of kids, police officer

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

To the editor:
On a recent Monday, three children went to Obear Park in Beverly's Ryal Side, and upon their return they reported that vulgar graffiti has been sprayed on the children's amusement center. They were so upset that they looked up in the computer how to clean graffiti and the next day approached me to take them to the park so they could clean this up.

Thanks: Walk raised money for victims of domestic violence

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

To the editor:
On behalf of HAWC's board, staff and clients, I would like to thank all those who joined us on Sunday, April 27, for the 16th annual Walk for HAWC.
There were so many individuals and corporations involved in making this event such a great success. We are happy to say that we have raised $160,000 to date, and money is still being turned in! For an update on team totals and winners, please visit our Web site at www.helpabusedwomen.org/.

Thanks: Affordable housing a win-win for Beverly

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

To the editor:
In the midst of particularly challenging times for the School Department, the city of Beverly, and so many other cities and towns in Massachusetts, finding opportunities for economic growth becomes all the more critical.

Thanks: Marblehead man's generosity appreciated in Salem

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

To the editor:
Following is a copy of a letter sent to Mark Gelfand:
I wanted to personally thank you for your generous donation of $50,000 to the Salem public schools. It has been a difficult year for Salem, but through the generosity of many, we have been able to persevere.

Quips & Quotes

Sat, 10 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

"A lot of cities have no shoes."
— Peabody Mayor Michael Bonfanti, in response to School Committeeman Ed Charest's complaint that with the budget approved for the school system next year, "This child here has many holes in his shoes."

Editor's view: Why Hamilton-Wenham stories ran when they did

Sat, 10 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

"I am OUTRAGED that you ran this story today. You are well aware that we have town meetings going on tomorrow in Wenham and Monday in Hamilton and that we are in the middle of a contentious override election. Clearly this story will have an impact ... This causes me to feel the paper is trying to unfairly influence the election. That is wrong."

Our view: Annual stamp price hikes becoming first-class pain

Sat, 10 May 2008 05:45:00 EDT

The price increases haven't been quite as dramatic as those at the gas pump where one suspects they'll soon devise a method of adding another penny or two per gallon in the middle of a fill-up.
Rather, for customers of the U.S. Postal Service it's more akin to a death by a thousand cuts. The first-class stamp that cost a mere quarter in 1988, has gone up eight times since and Monday will sell for 42 cents, up a penny from the last increase in May 2007. It's the fifth increase since 2001, during which the cost of a stamp has increased 24 percent.

Essex County Chronicles: Marblehead man turned graphite into gold

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:46:00 EDT

Tomorrow Marblehead's newest art gallery, The Studio located at 18 Darling St., will open with an exhibit titled "A Tribute to Graphite Joe."
The show will honor Joe Dixon, who was born in 1799 and raised in the Darling Street building where the gallery is located.

Nelson Benton: Moms take hit from GOP

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:46:00 EDT

This might be the weekend we honor our moms, but that's of no consequence to angry congressional Republicans who this week slapped down a resolution honoring motherhood.
Impossible, you say? It happened during C-Span coverage of the House of Representatives Monday during which Congressman John Tierney of Salem was advancing several bills having to do with education. With each request for unanimous consent to allow these normally routine matters to move forward, a member of the minority raised an objection, thus delaying their progress for the time being.

Our view: Peeking behind Beacon Hill's locked doors

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:45:00 EDT

The region's state representatives claim to do what their title implies — represent the people of their districts.
But they obviously want we, the people, just to take their word for it, since they don't want us looking on as they make some of the most critical decisions of the year — how to spend the money they take from us in taxes.

Our view: Lack of parking limits access to trains

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:45:00 EDT

Skyrocketing gas prices have sparked an increase in ridership everywhere in the MBTA system. Everywhere, that is, except on the Rockport and Newburyport branches of the commuter railroad that links the North Shore with Boston.

Letter: Salem or 'Trinketville'?

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:44:00 EDT

To the editor:
Anyone who spends much time in downtown Salem becomes aware of a certain reality.
With the radical change in the business district brought about by factors like the emergence of the regional malls, Salem ceased to be a primary shopping destination, and instead became a place that catered to tourists and other secondary elements. This has encouraged the presence of things like psychic studios, trolleys, witch-related businesses and gift stores that cannot but establish a certain atmosphere akin to Trinketville.

Letter: Bigotry at Gordon College

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:44:00 EDT

To the editor:
Regarding your front-page story of Wednesday, May 7 ("Campus club rejected: Some feel isolated after vote against gay support group"):
How sad a school such as Gordon College would allow bigotry to pervade its campus.