Saturday, April 20, 2013
Member Marianne Hartmann said public comments have been verbal attacks at past two committee meetings.
- OPINION
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Saturday, April 20
At the last two School Committee meetings during public comment the School Committee was taken to task for events that have been taking place in Marblehead. I feel these soliloquies were done in a way that was completely inappropriate. Public comment does not mean public attack. After the first time the School Committee members were asked to comment. I was not as well prepared as others to respond at the time. Quite frankly I was so taken aback by what I felt was an attack on certain members of the School Committee that I was uncharacteristically speechless. In light of many recent events town-wide I feel the need to speak up. I have lived in Swampscott my entire life and I never have seen things as toxic in town as they are right now and …
Resident Warren Hill says Jaren Landen is an asset to the School Committee
- OPINION
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Saturday, April 20
Dear Editor, This letter provides a brief personal perspective on the merits of Jaren Landen for Swampscott’s School Committee. About two years ago my wife handed me a flier one of my kids had brought home from school – it was a call for volunteers to serve on a newly constituted ‘grants and student life committee’ and it had the aim of trying to capture philanthropic money for the benefit of Swampscott’s students, K through 12. As a biomedical scientist at Harvard with my own lab and some experience with writing grants to support my research, I figured this was something I could help with and what better way to bring money into our sorely pressed education budget and to help the school district, than to go after these external funds. …
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Resident John Moynihan supports School Committee incumbent Jaren Landen.
I would like to endorse Jaren Landen the incumbent candidate for Swampscott School Committee. I have known Jaren since she was a kindergarten classmate of my daughter Tara at Hadley school. Even then it was obvious that she was someone different; someone who strives for excellence in all she does. Jaren has shown this excellence in her education collecting not only a bachelor’s degree but a PhD in neuroscience, the latter from Emory University in Atlanta. Needless to say, Jaren is an achiever. In addition to being a full time mother of four she is also a full time professional clinician/scientist with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Still she finds time to prepare and deliver many of the meals for her grandmother, Marion Burke, a long time …
Wither the Land Line?
Those of us who grew up in the time of the typewriter, carbon paper and the card catalogue might be witnessing the death of another staple of those good old days, the land line. It’s still with us. I have one and I know that most people have one, but it is no longer the reliable tool it once was. It still works just fine, but no one uses it. I’m not sure anyone in our children’s generation would see this as a necessary item when they move on to independence. It’s clearly on a short leash. In my house, I am the only one who answers it. If I am not nearby, forget it. No one else even moves, even if they are right next to it. They just assume if it was important to them, the person would know their cell phone. Perhaps they are right. It tends…
Resident Leah Ryan urges fellow voters to support Matt Strauss on April 30.
On Tuesday April 30th, I would ask that you please join me in voting for Matt Strauss for Selectman. Matt's previous experience on the Board of Selectmen and as a Town Meeting member for over a decade means he not only understands the issues Swampscott must deal with in the future, but also understands how municipal government works. He will hit the ground running. Matt is an honest person with the utmost integrity. He has been forthright with where he stands on the issues and has never been a person who says one thing but does another. As a lifelong resident of Swampscott, my greatest concern has become our tax rate. At more than 18%, it is one of the highest in the state (20th out of 351 communities). Such a high rate not only negatively…
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Resident Gayle Rubin reflects on incumbent Jaren Landen's knowledge of how the school system works and her support for teachers and education.
- OPINION
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Saturday, April 13
TO THE EDITOR Our schools and school committee need consistency, the factor that separates Jaren Landen from Amy O’Connor and Carin Marshall, the other two wonderful school committee candidates. Jaren has spent the last three years learning a great deal about the inner workings of our school system while starting projects and programs to support the great work of our teachers. She has done so with incredible thought, energy and enthusiasm. She regularly thinks outside the box to come up with creative solutions for a wide variety of issues. She has learned how the school system and school committee function and built critical relationships throughout the district. While Jaren’s two “competitors” are wonderful individuals, give their time…
Friday, April 12, 2013
Resident Johannah Morgen cites the incumbent's work ethic and focus as reasons to reelect her.
I am writing to support Jaren Landen for school committee. I have worked with Jaren on school issues for the past four years and I have been consistently impressed with her focus, dedication, and knowledge. As a professional in the field of education, I know how many challenges schools and teachers face. I admire Jaren’s ability to look at our schools in Swampscott with objective eyes. She sees what is working well while still recognizing the distance we can travel to improve our children’s education. Jaren does an outstanding job of keeping student progress at the center of her decisions. She is open to any idea that will advance student performance- from seeking out grant money to broaden extra-curricular opportunities to identifying …
Residents Jeff and Sandy Hirshberg endorse the School Committee member and her work to improve students' education.
Dear Editor, As parents, one of our most important tasks is to educate our children. As a community, all Swampscott residents share in this responsibility. We have known Jaren for 8 years and know that she believes in our schools and in public education. We are parents of a former SHS graduate and a current SHS student. We know firsthand how fortunate we are to have very fine public schools with excellent teachers. Nonetheless, we also recognize that every public school system has issues that require continual attention, innovation and fiscally prudent management and experience helps with performing these tasks. We share Jaren's desire for the schools to reach excellence. Jaren has sought to make the system better by recommending what…
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Residents Brad and Michelle Stout say incumbent Jaren Landen's energy and commitment deserve a second term.
- OPINION
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Thursday, April 11
Our family moved to Swampscott two years ago from another state. When we first met Jaren Landen we were immediately impressed with her enthusiasm and passion for Swampscott schools and her work on the School Committee. As we were exploring our new school district and working to understand and adjust to its policies, Jaren was a strong advocate for the schools and their strategic direction. It quickly became evident to us that Jaren's commitment to her position on the Committee was unwavering, and she exhibited a strong desire for all of the Swampscott schools to reach their maximum potential. This is something of great importance to our family, because education is a top priority. Getting to know Jaren over the last two years, we have …
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The group Seaside Calm encourages residents to learn more about a town warrant proposal that would place restrictions on leaf blowers.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, April 10
April 7, 2013 Dear Editor, Spring is in the air. Everyone loves being outside in the fresh ocean air and sunshine. Unfortunately, our enjoyment is often dampened by the constant whine of leaf blowers. As soon as they fire up, not only is the peace and quiet gone but fumes and clouds of dust fill the air. Seaside Calm is a group of community-minded residents concerned with degradation of our quality of life and threat to our health from the noise and air pollution that comes with widespread leaf blower use. The gas powered leaf blowers are a serious problem for many Swampscott residents. Please visit our website at: Seaside-Calm.org. Through education and understanding, we will find a solution. On April 22, Earth Day, Seaside Calm will be …
Maura Dandreo
11:20 am on Saturday, April 20, 2013
Well said Marianne! Thank you! more ›