News
Vietnam Veterans Memorial defaced
Many veterans in town were disappointed to learn last week that someone had vandalized the town's Vietnam Veterans Memorial, requiring the 15-month-old memorial to be sandblasted Wednesday.
"We know that in no way does this reflect how the community feels about our veterans," said Michael Burke, director of veteran services.
The lyrics of a 1970s protest song and a reference to Iraq were scrawled on the monument in the Park. "War, what is it good for, absolutely nothin'," was written in red marker along with a peace sign.
The lyrics are from "War," a song that Motown soul singer Edwin Starr popularized in 1970.
Near the base of the memorial where the phrase "our cause is just" is etched, a vandal wrote "just like in Iraq."
The markings were made with some kind of felt marker, which soaked into the stone, Burke said yesterday. Methuen Monument is helping the town repair the memorial, which was dedicated May 29, 2006.
While there was no structural damage, "the stone does need to be sandblasted," Burke said. He was not sure how much the work would cost, if anything, but said the town was grateful to the Methuen business for stepping in to help.
Police Lt. Harry Collins said the vandalism was under investigation.
Burke said this week he has talked to several veterans and longtime residents, and that no one could remember something like this happening in Andover.
"This is a disappointing event," he said. "This is an anomaly. If someone does have opposition, there are other ways to vocalize that."
In Haverhill earlier this summer, vandals ruined parts of a Korean War Memorial and spray-painted a World War II monument.
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Selectmen to appoint 5th member
Selectmen plan to appoint their board's fifth member, to fill the seat being relinquished by Jerry Stabile Jr. - and they are already receiving plenty of interest in the job.
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The person selected will serve from October until an election in March. -
Residents vote on new school Dec. 6
Mark your calendars: a Special Town Meeting to approve plans for a new multimillion elementary school will be held Monday, Dec. 6.
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Selectmen approved the date on Monday, Aug. 23, giving residents the chance to add items to the meeting warrant between Sept. 20 and Oct. 22. -
STATE PRIMARY: Senate candidates show much agreement on sales tax issue
Tax policy
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The Townsman asked each of the candidates for the state senate seat representing Andover the following questions about the Massachusetts sales tax:
Do you support an annual tax-free weekend? - STATE PRIMARY: Sales tax views from Republicans, Democrats who want to be 17th Essex's new representative
- STATE PRIMARY: 18th Essex State Rep. candidates on sales tax
- TV show on town centers features Andover
- State senate, rep. candidates to appear at League forum Aug. 30
- Town Talk: Booted resident back at meetings, other items of note
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- Community development account upped by $25K
- Andover Stories: History of historical society's home
- Thursday, August 19, 2010
- Next stop for Andover riders: Groceries
- Dates targeted for townwide votes on new school project
- BACK TO SCHOOL: New leader, new plan arrive together
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- BACK TO SCHOOL: Town completing $650,000 DMS auditorium makeover
- BACK TO SCHOOL: School Committee, teachers union have met over summer
- Change for your budget follow-up
- Town Talk: Brief items worth mentioning
- Some residents still ignoring requests to update water meters
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Selectmen to appoint 5th member
