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.
Jeers for the new management company and owners of Olde Andover Village (Jan. 12 Townsman). We're not surprised by the desire to renovate and get higher rents. That's par for the course with new owners. But current tenants — particularly those such as the Trauma Intervention Program that do so much good in the community and deal with community members in sensitive situations — deserve more than one month's notice to find a new location.
Praise for the overriding message of John H. Jackson, who moved the crowd attending the Andover Baptist Church's Martin Luther King Day Unity Brunch. King would have been 83 this week, and his murder robbed the world of rare leadership and courage. But Jackson noted that King and his dream have been turned into a monument, a piece of history people look back on, when Americans should be looking ahead to the battles they still need to wage. The election of the nation's first African-American president does not mean that people of faith no longer need to work against socioeconomic inequality. "We can't elect officials," said Jackson, "and go to sleep."
We need to further think about Moderator Sheila Doherty's suggestion to close town facilities during Town Meeting nights. We understand the logistical need to avoid activities at Andover High and abutting West Middle School, where parking spaces are needed for voters. But to close all town facilities to stop competing events? What makes Andover's Open Town Meeting great is that it is true democracy. Democracy is about people having a choice. If the only way to keep Town Meeting strong is to ban competing events, then there is probably a need to look deeper at the problem of why people find other activities more worthy of their time.
Pats help winter breeze by
Once again we find ourselves in debt to the New England Patriots, who've extended the pro football season in these parts right into the latter part of January.
The Patriots broke an uncharacteristic postseason losing streak by beating Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos last Saturday, and face the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC championship Sunday afternoon. Andover's own Bill O'Brien, offensive coordinator, seemed to push all the right buttons, helping quarterback Tom Brady to tie a record with five first-half touchdowns to put the game out of reach early.
Again, the Patriots have extended what is traditionally a fall sport well into winter. Dealing with the snow that covered the region Tuesday morning was made a little easier knowing they would be playing football in Foxborough this weekend.
Win there and it's on to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on Feb. 5 and, depending on the results of Sunday's NFC title game, a possible rematch with the New York Giants. Or Brady would take on his childhood team, the San Francisco 49ers, and records held by one of its all-time greats, Brady's idol, Joe Montana.
If they are able to take that next step, the Patriots will also have significantly closed the gap between fall and spring.
Give Mother Nature some credit for the lack of snow or extended freeze through most of the early winter. But give the Pats credit for keeping football fans warm well into January - and, we hope, into February.
