POLL: Does Mass. Need Its Own Stimulus Bill?

Make your opinion known by taking our poll.

Lawmakers in the Massachusetts House of Representatives put forth a bill recently to stimulate the state economy through investments in research, manufacturing and tech startups, according to a report by masslive.com.  The sponsors of the bill, according to the report, said the state would contribute $12.5 million to the University of Massachusetts and direct $2 million in casino revenue to job training in manufacturing and grants for other industries.  Read the whole report here. With that news in mind, tell us what you think of this idea by taking our poll and expanding on your choice in the comments section. Look for a roundup of the results of the poll next Tuesday at 3 p.m. 

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Poll Results: Don't Ban Bake Sales

That's what the majority of people said when voting in this past week's poll.

Last week, we asked you whether or not bake sales should be allowed on school grounds, either during the school day or at all times. The question arose while Massachusetts' departments of public health and education were considering banning schools from selling high-calorie food like baked goods and pizza to raise money.  Between Wednesday and Tuesday morning, 58 people voted in the poll.  The results?  Charlotte Osgood wrote in the comments section that "This is the most absurd thing I have ever heard...well so far today. Bake sales have been done for years in the schools."  Betsey Benagh said that while she applauded "the effort to teach healthy habits, I disagree that completely banning all treats is the way to go." "I'd rather teach …

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Poll Results: Melrose Doesn't Support Support Making Upper Ravine Road One Way

That's what we learned from last week's poll.

Last Wednesday, Melrose Patch asked you what you thought about the experiment of making Ravine Road one-way from Fellsway East to Woodland Road. Between then and Tuesday at noon, 155 people had voted in the poll.  The results?  Susanne Guirakhoo suggested that the DCR construct a rotary at that intersection instead of making Ravine Road a one-way street.  "There seems to be enough space, and rotaries are the best way to direct traffic in a civilized manner," she wrote in the comments section. "This intersection can be like feeding time in a lions' cage sometimes. I do think Ravine Road is needed to help alleviate traffic at W. Wyoming and Pond, especially during rush hour."  What do you think of the results of the poll? If you didn't have …

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Dave Gray

11:54 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

I'd have to agree with Matt. If you're attempting to turn left off Woodland onto Pond, the sight lines are very different than down on the LFP, and it's really easy to misjudge the speed of a car heading towards the zoo. While I agree that trying to turn onto the LFP can be a chore, I don't think it's nearly as dangerous as at Woodland/Pond. I actually think the worst of them all is entering …   more ›

Tell It Like It Is! Blog On Melrose Patch

We know you have something to say, so join the conversation on Patch and share it!

About this time last year, Patch rolled out a new platform for members of the community to be heard. Now, we're making it even easier to get involved in Melrose Patch's Local Voices. At Patch, we're devoted to finding ways to make your life as ridiculously easy as possible. So we've changed the way blogging works to make it easier for you to start blogging right away. All you have to do to get started is visit our blogging page and click "Post on Patch." From there, let your typing fingers run rampant (but coherently, please) and when you're done writing and have saved your work, hit submit! Melrose Patch is more than a news site. It is a free place to post upcoming events. It's an online conversation about the community. But to keep the …

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Poll Results: Mock Car Crashes Are Ineffective in Drunk Driving Prevention

That's what the majority of people who voted in last week's poll said.

Last Wednesday, Melrose Patch asked you whether or not mock car crashes are effective in teaching teens about drinking and driving? Between then and Tuesday morning, 34 people voted in the poll.  The results?  Jamie McDougal said in the comments section that a mock car crash that she witnessed as a teen had a great influence on her. "If a mock car crash makes just one person stop and rethink their choice to get behind the wheel after a drink or a hit, or to pick up their phone while driving to check a text, then I'd say they are effective," she wrote.  What do you think of the results? Tell us in the comments section below. 

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Melrose Needs Elementary Library Professionals

Christina Gagliano advocates that Melrose Public Schools hire dedicated, trained elementary library media professionals.

To the editor: Thank you for bringing attention to School Library Month and the important role that school libraries can and should play in "a quality educational experience." School libraries are critically important not only for helping students obtain the information and literacy skills they need to succeed in this day and age, but also for creating a welcoming, common learning area where students have the freedom to explore their own interests. Many readers may not be aware that our five Melrose public elementary schools do not have professional librarians—or even paraprofessionals—on staff, and that the libraries are not open for students to come in and explore on their own. Instead, one highly dedicated and overworked elementary …

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POLL: Are Mock Car Crashes Effective in Teaching Teens About Drinking and Driving?

Vote in our poll and see what other Melrose residents have to say.

Melrose High School has run mock car crash events in the past before prom, depicting the graphic aftermath and deadly consequences of drinking and driving. (See the attached YouTube video.) But are these teaching moments effective?  The executive director of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) said in a recently published report by Sun Sentinel that alone, the events have a minimal impact and that teens quickly return to seeing themselves as invincible.  But when paired with other regular events and programs, the message is more likely to last, experts interviewed said.  Give your opinion on this question by voting in our poll and expanding on your choice in the comments section below.  Look for a roundup of the results of the …

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Poll Results: Mass. Should Legalize Marijuana for Medical Use

That's what the vast majority of people who voted in last week's poll said.

Last Wednesday, we asked you to pretend you were voting on a controversial question that might appear on the November ballot: Should Massachusetts legalize marijuana for medical use? Between then and Tuesday morning, 66 people voted in our non-scientific poll. The results?  Dave Gray said in the comments section that he supported legalization. "Right now you've got a legal drug (alcohol) available everywhere, that does society more harm by an order of magnitude than marijuana ever will," he wrote. "If legalizing it for medical use can bring some measure of relief to a person suffering from a chronic, debilitating disease that conventional medicine can't help with, I'm in favor of it. It beats the heck out of relying on a narcotic like …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Clark, Brodeur Welcome New Superintendent

The city's state delegation welcomes incoming Melrose School Superintendent Cyndy Taymore and thanks retiring Superintendent Joe Casey.

To the Editor: On April 12, we were pleased to join Mayor Rob Dolan, Superintendent Joe Casey, the Melrose School Committee and members of the community at the contract signing ceremony for incoming Superintendent Cyndy Taymore.  With the selection of Ms. Taymore to lead the Melrose Public Schools, the City begins another exciting chapter in our collective effort to build an excellent, innovative school system that supports and challenges all students. We welcome Ms. Taymore to Melrose, and we look forward to working with her, Mayor Dolan and the community to support our schools and address the challenges we face. We thank the members of the superintendent search committee and the School Committee for their many hours of work and their …

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