Andover Townsman, Andover, MA Opinion

Editorial: Town not willing to get hands dirty on blight

2012-02-02T15:56:40-05:00

Andover homeowners living next to severely blighted properties, you are on your own. If a neighbor turns their property into what looks like a trash dump, don't expect the town to do much to protect your greatest investment, the value of your home.

Letter: Teachers owe students their best

2012-02-02T15:45:52-05:00

Teachers owe students their best
Editor, Townsman:
We are health professionals who are duty-bound to provide the best service of which we are capable to our patients regardless of our own financial, political and workplace concerns. People whom we serve do not deserve substandard service; they are in need of care and they trust in us to provide that no matter what our situation, dissatisfactions or worries. In fact, like many professionals, in health care in particular and in this economy in general, we work longer hours and see more patients to make the same amount of money that we did in the past, and some years we make even less money for more work. We pay much more for health insurance for our family each year without any compensatory increase in pay.

Letter: National Grid must allow LED streetlights in Andover

2012-02-02T15:43:13-05:00

National Grid must allow LED streetlights in Andover
Editor, Townsman:
I liked the well researched letter from Frank Licata and your equally thoughtful editorial note on why LEDs are not being adopted for Andover's street lights. The note said that National Grid (NGRID) contends "LED lighting is fairly new in the industry and at some point we may offer LED lighting ...." How many cities does it take for NGRID to change a light bulb? My database lists 1,032 in every state except West Virginia, all Canadian territories and provinces and 70 countries. LA has installed more than 58,000 LED street lights, Seattle saved more than $250,000 last year by installing more than 5,000.

Letter from teacher: We work 100 percent of day

2012-01-26T05:02:00-05:00

Teacher: We work 100 percent of day
Editor, Townsman:
After attending the Jan. 12 School Committee meeting, I feel compelled to address one of School Committee member David Birnbach's final comments. Several times, he vehemently stated high school teachers work only 48 percent of their day. I would like to know how Birnbach calculated his percent and what time he did or did not include in his numbers.

Letter: Restore conditions with a fair contract

2012-01-26T05:02:00-05:00

Parent and teacher: Restore conditions with a fair contract
Editor, Townsman:
I am an Andover parent, homeowner and elementary teacher. I am deeply concerned about stalled negotiations between the Andover Education Association and the Andover School Committee. The ongoing conflict in the contract bargaining process affects my daughter's education in Andover Public Schools, my future property values if we continue to sustain an under-funded and understaffed school system, and my profession as an Andover educator.

Letter to teachers: Show children come first, stop the work to rule

2012-01-26T05:02:00-05:00

Editor, Townsman:
Andover teachers, please stop the "work to rule," and reconsider accepting the possibility of teaching six classes per year at Andover High.

Letter from fifth-grader: Please give teachers a new contract

2012-01-26T05:02:00-05:00

Fifth-grader: Please give teachers a new contract
Editor, Townsman:
My name is Aislinn McMahon. I am a fifth-grader at Sanborn Elementary School at 90 Lovejoy Road. Please give the Andover Public School teachers a contract.

Editorial: Cheers for rebirth of youth theater group

2012-01-26T05:02:00-05:00

Merrimack Junior Theatre was a town institution for 23 years, giving artistic kids an outlet while also preparing them for life after Andover. When it closed its final curtain last year under founder Josie Walker, there were concerns it would leave a hole in the community. So its good news that some of those involved with MJT are teaming with Andover Youth Services to create a new group, "Theater Works!"

Letter: Task force on AHS schedule a welcome development in contract talks

2012-01-26T05:02:00-05:00

Task force a welcome development in contract talks
Editor, Townsman:
We're glad to see continuing coverage of the teacher contract situation. The more information that you can get out there the better, as it is very difficult to understand what is really going on when you are only hearing from one side or the other.

EDITORIAL: Praise and critiques

2012-01-19T17:54:00-05:00

A few quick hits on recent Andover news items...
Praise for Wood Hill Middle School student Jack Lu (Jan. 12 Townsman), the 14-year-old who took it upon himself to try to change some unwanted culture at the school. As is regrettably the case in most schools, some students use words such as "gay" in conversation as if they are synonymous with "lame" or "foolish." Tired of the casual use of such insults, Jack helped bring members of the group Parent, Families and Friends of Gays and Lesbians to the school to give a presentation. As Principal Patrick Bucco noted, because the event was inspired by a student likely made it more compelling and effective for all the seventh- and eighth-graders attending.