Weekly Recap: Police Study, Superintendent Search, Vacancy Ideas
A look back at Melrose's top stories of the week.
Ted Kenney (foreground) speaks to the Superintendent Search Committee at the forum.
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Here are some of the highlights from Melrose Patch's news coverage this past week. This is only a small sample—to see all the coverage, click on the News tab on the navigation bar. To see your neighbors' news, check out our Announcements section under News, and read Local Voices bloggers' latest posts.
Top Three Articles of the Week
Melrose City Hall released this week the now completed police management study that stoked a war of words between Mayor Rob Dolan and the city's police unions when first proposed in December. While the two sides still have months of negotations ahead regarding the contracts for the Melrose Police Superior Officers Union and Melrose Police Patrolmen's Union—both contracts will expire on June 30—both sides struck a conciliatory tone after a meeting on Thursday afternoon.
Melrose is looking for a school superintendent with a high level of education who will hold the district and staff accountable, using bold and innovative strategies to tackle the school system's academic and curriculum challenges. Those were just a few of of the qualities and skills voiced by Melrose residents at a forum held last Tuesday.
We launched our this new "Visions for Vacancies" series by asking you what you'd like to see go into the former Sparks Computerized Car Care building and lot at the corner of Main Street and Grove Street.
Government
Mayor Rob Dolan wrote a letter to the acting General Manager of the MBTA decrying proposed commuter rail and bus service cuts.
Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed a 50-cent increase to the cigarette tax, the imposition of the 6.25 percent sales tax on candy and soda and the expansion of the state's bottle deposit law to raise money for the state budget. We asked for your thoughts.
Schools
President Barack Obama granted a waiver to Massachusetts and nine other states from the No Child Left Behind law, and in exchange, the states promise higher standards and more creative ways to measure what students are learning. Here are the Melrose's school-by-school results for meeting adequate yearly progress in 2011.
A series of science fairs are being held at each of the city’s five elementary schools in late February and early March. More than 570 students in grades K through 5 are slated to present projects.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the MHS Junior Class government will present “Have You Got Talent?,” an evening featuring the many talents of the students who attend Melrose High School.
The MVMMS cheerleading team, in only its second year, traveled to Orlando, Fla. this weekend to compete in the National Cheerleading & Dance Competition.
Police and Fire
Melrose Police arrested during the wee hours last Thursday a New Hampshire man who allegedly held 13 GPS devices, along with MP3 players and chargers, taken from car break-ins.
Counterfeit bills used, dumping on the parkway and a dog causes an erratic driver in last week's Melrose Police log.
Opinion
Last week, Melrose Patch asked you where the worst spot for cell phone reception was in the city. Here's what you told us.
Where were you for the Blizzard of '78? Share your photos and stories.
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Valentine's Day
Are you still searching for a florist to put together a bouquet for your significant other for Valentine's Day- or any day? Here are the best flower shops in and around Melrose, according to Melrose Patch readers.
Local Voices Bloggers
Ron Sen asks: Does the death of sportsmanship spoil a winning season at Melrose High School?
Matt Wallace shares a photo and updates everyone on his world of photography.
Arnie Fertig shares eight steps you can take to [r]energize your job hunt.
Chris Cinella uses Valentine's Day to offers reasons to consider life insurance.
