Dear Editor, Last week the Hopkinton School Committee selected Cathy MacLeod to serve the citizens of Hopkinton as the next Superintendent of Schools. Their decision followed a very thorough process I was pleased to participate in, along with several other Hopkinton residents, as a member of the Superintendent Search Committee.  The Superintendent Search Committee reviewed dozens of resumes, pared the list of candidates down to those that met specific qualifications articulated by the community, interviewed each of the semi-finalists over several nights, scored those interviews numerically, …

Dear Editor, I am writing to express my concern about the recently passed ballot question on marijuana.  While I understand the need for people with medical ailments to use the substance, I am concerned about a pot shop opening in our community.  In California, where a similar law passed, there are major problems within the communities that host the pot shops that sell the substance.  That’s why the district attorneys opposed the ballot question last year.  I think Holliston should consider banning these pot shops from our community.  We don’t want our children having easy access to the drug…

Dear Editor, I am writing to respond Rep. Dykema’s letter explaining her vote against putting committee votes online. The day after her vote in the House, the Senate voted to put these votes online. Our representative is being misleading at best. Let me further remind everyone that last year when questioned about putting these votes online, she said the technology was now there and she would “absolutely” vote for it. Her filing a bill is nothing more than giving herself cover. During the rules debate was the appropriate time to consider the matter. Finally, it is clear that if the GOP has a …

To the Editor: Thanks to the people of Hopkinton, Solarize Massachusetts was a resounding success this year. The group purchasing program, which helps to make solar more affordable, is a joint venture of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources launched in 17 communities across the state this year. The program generated 803 solar contracts signed statewide representing 5.1 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. In Hopkinton, residents and businesses have contracted 367.6 kilowatts of new solar, saving hundreds of dollars annually on their …

Submitted by Warren Chamberlain I have known Carolyn Dykema for more than ten years and have had the distinct honor and pleasure of serving with her in a variety of civic functions and community services. I have never met an elected pubic servant that is more dedicated to her district and all the different constituents that reside in our district. She is a full time legislator that has the time and takes the time to visit all her constituents. She has done her home work and knows and understands the real needs of business owners, agriculturalists, community planners and how we need to proceed…

Dear Editor, It is Rep. Dykema who is attempting to mislead voters.  Miraculously yesterday she comes up with back dated letter saying she returned it.  The problem with that is that the SEIU never reported the return check until guess when?  Yesterday.  How convenient! The other problem is that the proper procedure for returning a donation is to deposit and then refund.  If you look at the Representative’s previous reports, that’s how she has done it in the past.  During the debate, she said the SEIU has never helped her campaign.  Don’t believe me read the Milford Daily News article.  http…

Editor, In support of Carolyn Dykema for re-election for state rep. of the 8th district. To me Carolyn Dykema is the definition of “good people”. She is a tireless advocate who cares about our community. She has reached out to me when my family has been hurting, She has reached out to my son to help with an Eagle scout project, She has reached out to the seniors, She has reached out to veterans, She has reached out on the environment, and has reached out to support our children’s education. Carolyn Dykema is a good neighbor who reaches out to the concerns and needs in the 8th district. I am …

Editor, I just wanted to send a note of endorsement for Carolyn Dykema as our State Representative. Carolyn is a loud an clear voice for our community on Beacon Hill. As a career woman and mom, she best represents the voice of our suburban communities. Her legistative leadership on the environment, women's issues, and support for infrastructure in our communities, particular commuter rail service, is indicative that she is tuned into the needs of her constituents and that is why I am voting to re-elect her on Tuesday. Sincerely, Steve Apesos Holliston Resident

Submitted by the Campaign to Eelct Carolyn Dykema regarding a post on Flemming-Hayes.com. Good morning, Yesterday you may have received factually inaccurate information from "writer" Shane at shane @flemingandhayes.com. I want to provide you with the facts. The Dykema Campaign has never accepted special interest PAC contributions, so it was a shock to learn that the campaign had been accused of intentionally not reporting PAC campaign contribution.  The facts are that the campaign received a check of $500 from SEIU 1199 dated 10/3/12, which was returned with a formal letter on 10/23/12 (see …

Dear Editor: Dozens of lawns signs in support of all Democratic candidates have recently gone missing in Holliston—and yes, this started well before Hurricane Sandy made an appearance. It is discouraging to wake up after a calm night to see that every one of your candidates’ signs has been mangled or stolen. Some people have experienced this repeatedly during this election season. Beth Greely, the Democratic Town Committee chairperson had signs defaced that were on her fence, her personal property, yet again. This is my first year working on an election; I am a new member of the Democratic …

Dear Editor,  Government regulations are hurting our local businesses.  I was disappointed to learn that Rep. Dykema voted to force home daycare centers into a state employee union.  She’ll say they are not forced, but the state takes the money out of the voucher whether they join or not.  These are small women owned home daycares that are being hurt.  These small businesses have opposed being in the SEIU for 8 years.  Instead of the legislature accepting that decision, they passed legislation to force them to pay union dues.   Rep. Dykema’s vote was anti-small business.  The large corporate …

To the Editor: Throughout the process of drafting a veterans’ omnibus bill poised to increase access to benefits and services for veterans, my staff and I met with many individuals and groups. I was proud of the input we received from each and every member of the Legislature during the drafting of the “Valor Act." Rep. Carolyn Dykema was at the forefront of these deliberations, especially advocating for the inclusion of veterans’ treatment courts. When I returned home from my recent deployment in Iraq, I wanted to ensure our state remained forward-thinking and focused on the current and …

Submitted by Sean Slater I watched Sean Bielat interact with people on the Franklin common during the 4th of July celebration. The feedback I heard from other residents that day was that this guy actually listens and doesn’t talk over you, doesn’t come across as somebody who wants to be a career politician, wants to limit government involvement in our lives and overall a genuinely nice guy. I was also reminded that nice guys with personal integrity don’t always survive elections in Massachusetts. For those that don’t know Sean, it is worth noting that his priorities are consistent with those …

Submitted by Peter Theran Recently there has been friction between the residents of Chamberlain Street (in Hopkinton) and the connected community of Charlesview Estates with the management of the Sanctuary Lane community.   With school back in session the residents would like to be able to walk their children to Hopkins School, which backs up to Sanctuary Lane, by the short wooded path to the school off Sanctuary Lane. The management of Sanctuary Lane will not allow them to access this path because they believe home construction creates a safety issue. This seems unreasonable and excessively …

Submitted by Marty Lamb Dear Editor, I am writing in response to your article regarding incumbent Rep. Carolyn Dykema accepting corporate contributions to campaign for senior votes. Rep. Dykema takes a swipe at me in the article. I’m disappointed that she would involve me in any way. The complaint was filed by the Massachusetts Republican Party and she needs to answer for the violation of campaign finance law. I have obeyed all the laws. I am extremely disappointed she is trying to mislead your readers and the voters. I proposed a Clean Campaign Pledge last spring. She refused to sign it. All…

I read the article in the Patch on the critical shortage of Blood in June and the need for donations. I want to tell you why I donated blood after reading that story, and why I'm now a blood donor. We need to take a time machine back to the summer of 2005. My sister was fighting the end stages of gall bladder cancer. Her name was Mary and she was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in October of 2003. Her cancer was inoperable but treatable with palliative care. I did not understand what that meant at the time or maybe I did not want to. The summer of 2005; as my mother put it that summer, was …

Submitted by Christian Ollenborger, Hopkinton Scott Brown for US Senate; We face a number of interesting and possibly difficult decisions to make on November 6th of this year.  I think the clear choice for U.S. Senate is Scott Brown.  For years in this state I have witnessed fraud, corruption, broken promises and embarrassment from our elected officials.  I have often said, “I just wish we had someone in office who wasn’t corrupt, who would put the people before politics and who did what they said they would do”.  My friends we have this person in Scott Brown. Throughout his political career…

Submitted by Dan Quigley, Hopkinton Resident I’m a feminist, plain and simple. The true meaning of feminism is simply that one believes women and men should be represented and treated as equals. Who would dispute that? But as many of us know, women are still not being paid the same as men for equal work or being offered the same opportunities to advance their careers. Of course, this is not because women dedicate less to their work, but because of discrimination and business culture. These issues cannot be left for businesses to self-correct, because after centuries of American business, …

Submitted by Abbie Rosenberg and  and Dave Krueger, co-event directors. To the Editor, On behalf of the Sharon Timlin Memorial Event Committee, we would like to thank everyone that supported us at the 9th Annual Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K Race and Family Fun Day. The enthusiasm, generosity and spirit of the day were amazing. The town of Hopkinton has embraced this event and has shown us what a philanthropic and cohesive community we live in. Mike Timlin and his family joined us along with Tim Wakefield and Lou Merloni and they provided attendees with autographs and smiles. As Mike and Dawn …

Submitted by Jackie Potenzone Dear Editor: I am opposed to the current 1 -1 laptop program being presented to the current 8th grade as a program that may ultimately be implemented at Hopkinton High School. I am a Hopkinton parent who supports of our educational system. I encourage 21 st century learning. Asking a small minority of citizens (the incoming 8th grade parents) to support a plan that ultimately we all will have to pay a fee for as citizens to educate our children in public school is unjust. Is this even legal? Can the town implement a program that mandates future spending of …