Disqus - Latest Comments for kbecker

Re: Community Dialog – inspiring!!

kbecker — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:34:34 -0000

I have to say that this may be a huge turning point for Belmont. It felt so productive to have the school staff, the students, the parents, the non parents, and the various leaders of the community all in one place engaging in productive dialogue. Clearly the important points will surface and be addressed from this exercise.

Re: Watertown HS struggles to preserve Armenian language instruction

kbecker — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:10:00 -0000

I agree with the last post- I have loved Armenian food and the heritage since I was a kid growing up in Belmont. Not many people get exposed to such a diverse number of cultures- we are lucky here.

Re: Watertown HS struggles to preserve Armenian language instruction

kbecker — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:09:48 -0000

That's too bad- I believe that languages like Italian and Armenian really enhance a child's sense of heritage. I wish they offered Italian and have wondered for a while why French always survives- but then, french is usually the language chosen most!

Re: Comparing stimulus plans: Great Depression vs. Great Recession

kbecker — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:28:43 -0000

Imagine if we could see that kind of financial injection again! I believe, as I am sure some will agree, that we have saved tax dollars at the very real expense of our town's buildings and roads and services. I know that the schools have trimmed to the bone- many times over. Now, if we want to continue to be proud of what was started back in the 1940's, we need to decide as a community that Belmont is worth investing in again. The federal gov't may not be able to do it as they did before, but we can put our heads together early and seriously and come up with a number of dollars necessary to set us back on track in the form of a prop 2 1/2 override. We need to have all representatives of the community in full agreement and put this on a ballot early! And it needs to be realistic- not just what we think the voters will approve, but what we need from the voters to be effective.
Ok- I'll get off my soapbox....

Re: Single stream recycling = big boost in participation

kbecker — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:05:31 -0000

I don't mind separating paper from the rest, but I do agree that we as a community recycle a lot and are overflowing by week 2! I recognie that money is tight though and this may not be the time to ask for more pick ups, unless we somehow could make money by picking up more frequently- does anyone know if that might be true??

Re: Homeless families at Gateway Inn need help

kbecker — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:58:35 -0000

I would be more than happy to bring things over as well. My business- Belmont Therapeutic Massage, is on the second floor at 66 Leonard St in Belmont Center. We are just above the Frame Hut and Robert's Salon. I only ask that you leave the stuff in Brown paper grocery bags lined up against the wall just outside the door. Please don't knock- just drop things off outside the door to Belmont Therapeutic.
I cannot imagine how hard it must be for families in this situation- I am thankful that someone has given us a way to help.

Re: Wellington goodness: site plans, artist’s renderings

kbecker — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:16:27 -0000

I understand the bike path better- thanks- and I agree that a short distance away would be good- park and get out and walk. Some traffic calming on School Street may be a way to get people to park and walk simply so they don't have to deal with the traffic. I am not entirely sure that the biggest issues at the moment are about parking, but more with safety- people drive so fast and parents are worried about letting kids walk with the combination of commuters and parents on School St. Which I guess speaks to your comment about the unpleasantness of walking with traffic!

Re: Wellington goodness: site plans, artist’s renderings

kbecker — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:29:29 -0000

Having spent many afternoons waiting for children outside of Wellington, I can tell you that parents park and get out to wait for children. The school, at the size that it is, does not have enough space on Orchard for parents to park, and it is going to get larger. I know the ideal is to get more people to walk, but Wellington children have to travel far in many cases to get to school on Very Unsafe roads- especially in bad weather. Common St homeowners should be ashamed for the lack of sidewalk clearing in snow. And the speed at which cars fly down Common and Goden in the morning is unacceptable. I am in great support of constant police monitoring- you get a ticket if you drive over 25 mph- no matter what- that will slow people down.
I guess my point is that the off street parking will barely touch the problem with the amount they are proposing, and adding a bikepath (which sounds great) would narrow the parking on Orchard to only one side of the road (I would guess).

Re: Recession meme: college is optional?

kbecker — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:59:38 -0000

I totally agree with all of these comments- but I am especially concerned with what Paul referred to as "greedy parents vs. heartless seniors". I think this town needs a huge PR campaign to help some of us better understand the seniors perspective and others to appreciate the school system and it's hard work. I have spoken with Senior Center advocates that have helped me better appreciate the life it brings to this town, and equally important is for the "non parents" in town to fully understand the amazing work our teachers do- above and beyond, and just how fantastic our schools are.
Parents are basically paying higher taxes with all of these fees- and from the looks of the future budget issues, that won't ever go away. We need to start understanding the huge need to get at least a 6 million dollar override or the results are not going to be pretty- I know, I know.....dream on...... but it's true.
Did I get off topic???:)

Re: Town: officials didn’t violate Open Meeting (but will meet publicly anyway)

kbecker — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:00:10 -0000

Meeting twice a week early in the morning for 9 months without the public knowing is not casual. It may have started out innocently enough, but once it was clear that real work may get done, the group should have seen the need to be transparent. I have many questions for this group and I hope the work will over, in a public way, so answers may be gotten and all committee members may be a part of the discussions.