Written by Muriel Kramer Jonathan Clark knows a bit about technology, and while he is not in favor of the schools 1:1 laptop initiative for next year’s freshman class, if it happens he’d like it done right.  To that end he spent the better part of the last year working with the Superintendent Jonathan Landman, Technology Director Kathy Dooley, High School Principal Alyson Geary as well as other members of the community to assist in the implementation of the idea, that is until his help was no longer wanted. According to a write up in the Boston Business Journal a few years ago, Clark is “A …

Submitted by Joe Markey Dear members of the Hopkinton School Committee,  The resignation of the new Superintendent came without warning to many in our community including myself.   The letter announcing it seemed carefully crafted, but provided very little meaningful context for the community.  The timing of the announcement was inconvenient for the public to gather any context.   As with every initiative our town undertakes, critical decisions open up windows of opportunity for communication.  How we choose to manage communication at these critical decision points can either enhance or …

Submitted by Louise Coleman of Greyhound Friends I would like to thank the entire community for making this year’s Greyhound Friends Spring Open House & Reunion a huge success. The event was well attended throughout the weekend and held under beautiful blue skies. Attendees visited with graceful greyhounds waiting to be adopted into permanent homes while touring our spacious kennel. A silent auction and raffle was also held and our Not Quite Westminster Dog Show was enjoyed by all. Special thanks to those who donated food, materials and money to benefit greyhounds in our care. Greyhound …

A letter of request from the Hopkinton Department of Public Works The Hopkinton Department of Public Works asks for your continued support of its efforts to replace the DPW facility on Wood Street.  The Annual Town Meeting of 2011 appropriated $250,000 for the design of a new DPW facility on Wood Street.  That vote requires approval at the ballot on Monday, May 21st.  The DPW asks for your continued support of this important initiative. The DPW prepared a presentation of the needs for the new DPW facility which can be reviewed at the following web address: http://bit.ly/JRVmeU.  The new …

Submitted by Troy Mick My name is Troy Mick and I am writing in support of Jon Graziano for School Committee.  I have had the pleasure of working with Jon through his role on the Appropriations Committee and specifically as liaison to the School Committee and am always impressed by his well researched and thoughtful comments and answers as we worked though the school budgets. Jon’s education and business background in financial planning and process improvement will be an asset as the School Committee looks at solving many of the issues that exist in our schools today.  Jon will have the …

Submitted by Andre Griben I have had the pleasure to know and work with Frank for the past few years thru various community functions.  Con Com, Green Committee, Trails Club, Scouting and Town Sports. Frank brings a fresh perspective to Town politics, always willing to look at the big picture, his manner is non partisan and looks for ways to re-purpose Town assets rather than replace and rebuild. I also commend him for stepping and seeking election for this position. I ask you vote on Monday for Frank D'Urso for School Committee.

Submitted by Mary Blair To Whom It May Concern: I am writing this letter in support of Jon Graziano for School Committee. My name is Mary Blair and I am the Director of Coaching and Player Development for Hopkinton Youth Soccer. I have known Jon for two years. Jon has been the Age Group Coordinator for HYS girls U-6 and U-7 programs. Jon also volunteers to assistant coach a team as well.  Jon and I have coached together this year. I have found Jon to be organized and responsible. He is caring and supportive coach to the first graders in our charge. I can count on Jon to make sure everyone has…

Submitted by Joy Donohue As we all well know, Hopkinton schools have been on an upward trajectory for several years now in its pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement in all areas.  It is no coincidence, for instance, that Hopkinton High School was recently ranked by Newsweek magazine as 95th in the country and second in the state behind Boston Latin Academy.  And this just in – even more exciting news:  The high school was named number three in the state and awarded a gold medal for outstanding accomplishments by U.S. News and World Report.   In our community, we are so fortunate to…

Submitted by Kim Pucci I am supporting Jean Bertschmann for School Committee because of her proven commitment to excellence in the Hopkinton Schools. I have worked with Jean in multiple capacities over the past 10 years including serving under her leadership on the Superintendent Steering Committee, co-chairing school fundraising events, and collaborating when our tenures of president of the HPTA and Education Foundation overlapped. I have been impressed with her knowledge of the schools, ability to build consensus, and efficiency in managing tasks. With the challenges of the current economy …

This letter was Submitted by Clelland Johnson of Hopkinton Wine and Spirits in response to an article published last week about a  town meeting petition for a fourth liquor store in town. Dear Friends, The developer of the Price Chopper plaza, i.e. Hopkinton Square, has convinced the Board of Selectmen to put a citizen’s petition on the warrant of next week’s Town Meeting that would grant a liquor license toCJPM Development LLC (the plaza developer). This is not a good option for two very good reasons: A fourth retail liquor license is unnecessary at this time  The population of Hopkinton at …

Hopkinton Patch welcomes Letters to the Editor supporting candidates in the upcoming town elections. We will do everything th make sure all letters that are submitted by May 17. We will not run any letters on the day of the election. Letters can be submitted to sean.odonnell@patch.com. My name is Mary Murphy and I am supporting Jean Bertschmann for School Committee because she is a hard worker and has a wealth of history and knowledge about the Hopkinton schools. With 4 children (often spanning one in each school), she didn’t just sit back and watch things happen- she got involved! I worked …

Submitted by Maura McNamara I am witting to endorse Jean Bertschmann for re-election for School Committee. I have known Jean for over ten years. We met when our daughters were in kindergarten together. She has been a friend and someone I have worked with in several capacities over the years. I was able to see Jean in action as she led the HPTA. She was forwardthinking, innovative, approachable and very dedicated. She attended all the events, whether she needed to or not, just to show her support. I became active with the SPEAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) board and have been …

My name is Tina-marie Papadopoulos, and I wanted to share with you my memory of Todd Vogel. In 1986, my mom's youngest brother, Christopher James Coakley, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was seventeen and I was sixteen.  Todd Vogel was also one of his best friends. They attended Tri-County Regional Vocational school together. Class of 1986. Todd was there every day to drive Christopher where he needed to be, he would take me and my little sister "out for some fresh air". In the end, when many people couldn't stand to see him so sick, Todd was one of the guys that would just sit by …

Submitted by the Board of Selectmen Congratulations! To all the runners participating in the 116th running of the Boston Marathon, congratulations on successfully making it to the start of this prestigious event. For most of you, this event is the culmination of countless dedicated hours of training. You have endured good days on the road as well as bad, and without doubt, they have both helped make you stronger. The Boston Athletic Association, in conjunction with hundreds of volunteers and community organizations, has worked tirelessly to make this event the world’s premier marathon. …

Submitted by Jackie Potenzone I live in Hopkinton and am not a property owner on Lake Maspenock but we have enjoyed the beauty of Lake Maspenock every summer. I guess you could say we summer on the lake. I think Lake Maspenock is an essential part of Hopkinton. How many towns have an area such as Lake Maspenock to offer to their residents? However I do feel strongly against taxing a special charge only the property owners who live on the lake for repairs and upgrades in the Lake area. In May 2006 the town voted to buy the dam for a $1. We as a town should also pay for the repairs to the lake …

According to Webster’s Dictionary the definition of DEMOCRACY is: a government in which supreme power is held by the people. Once again this will be so true in the town of Hopkinton when the residents will be asked to vote on the changes to our downtown area. This is a generational plan to change the downtown. This plan was created by the Beta Group and presented by the Downtown Initiative Steering Committee. The plan makes major changes to the road way from Wood Street to Ash Street and also includes undergrounding of the utilities from Wood Street to Ash Street. The conceptual redesign of …

I would like to express my gratitude to the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce, Bob McGuire and all the local business owners who participated in the Chambers’ “Golf for the Arts” Tournament June 23 at Shinning Rock Golf Club. It was a rainy afternoon but it did not damper anyone’s spirit! As president of the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, I am so grateful for the continued support from this community for our project.   Along with the Hopkinton Community Endowment, the Cultural Arts Alliance, Enter Stage Left Theater and the generous supporters of this community I am confident that we can realize …

Voters should be very pleased with the experience level and number of candidates that the Hopkinton Republican Party is supporting  for May 16 Hopkinton Town election. The Republican caucus endorsed 13 candidates.  Five are running as incumbents. An additional three have previously held the position that they are running for now.  All but two of our candidates have held elected or appointed positions in Hopkinton.  And the two new candidates have served in other volunteer capacities. Two important positions will be contested in the May election - Selectman and School Committee.  Brian Herr …

I would like to encourage the voters of Hopkinton to support Nancy Burdick for School Committee on May 16.  My experience with Nancy has shown that she is one of the few town leaders that have consistently reached out for feedback and ideas on the major issues concerning the town. This type of outreach needs to be supported and encouraged if we are to solve the looming challenges facing the town. I am convinced that Nancy’s experiences in education, town leadership, and her commitment to engaging and listening to the community, uniquely qualifies her to lead in the challenge of balancing the …

We are writing to express our support of Nancy Burdick for School Committee.   We feel very fortunate that Hopkinton has had Nancy’s dedication, leadership and exceptional talents to serve our town so diligently and passionately over the past eight-plus years. Nancy has clearly demonstrated her commitment and strong support for our schools and town as Hopkinton Parent Teacher Association president, board member and most recently six years on the School Committee. She has helped sustain educational excellence for Hopkinton students during times of extreme financial budgetary constraints.  With…