Disqus - Latest Comments for danleclerc

Re: Running for re-election? You bet!

danleclerc — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:43:53 -0000

Paul,

It's great to see your blog up and running again. Unlike the blogs attached to articles in the Citizen-Herald this is one place where we can find a civil, articulate, respectful and constructive place to exchange views. And also, good luck in you re-election bid. From the very beginning you have brought energy, ideas, and challenges to the forefront of Belmont politics. I look forward to the the upcoming dialogue.

Re: Reburbia: reimagining the suburbs

danleclerc — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:18:04 -0000

This is a terrific topic for Belmontians to be talking about. Because Belmont lies between sprawl driven exurbs and two vital urban areas (Cambridge & Boston) we have the good fortune of not having the negatives of the former and the energy emanating from the latter. We are able to be a "walking community", a community that cares about its schools (building a new elementary school) a town that respects its history and cares for its senior citizens (just finished what will inevitably become an award-winning new senior center), a place with an increasingly more inclusive and vibrant town-meeting form of government, and also a community that's trying to rethink its future through a Comprehensive Planning process and the hopeful revitalization of Cushing Square, Waverly Square and the entrire Trapelo Road Corridor. The recent outpouring of concern over events such as the destruction of the Great Oak Tree on Van Ness Road, the tearing down of the Our Lady's Rectory and the concern about saving the Benton Branch Libray Building tells me that folks care about what happens to the "built-environment" here in Belmont. I just hope that we do not become divided by the struggle to properly allocated scarce revenues in the coming 12 to 18 months. In the meantime I applaud the inclusion of this article that I am respoding to as a way to stimulate conversation and creative thinking.

Re: Homeless families at Gateway Inn need help

danleclerc — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:15:50 -0000

Thank you Paul for for the article on the homeless people living at the Gateway Inn. The suggestions on how to help are very concrete. Perhaps our own schoolchildren might profit from getting involved. Belmont is a bit isolated from the deeper impacts of the current "Great Recession."