Sharon panel discusses MLK’s legacy

Sharon - With Martin Luther King Jr. birthday as the backdrop, a seven-person panel addressed issues of diversity, civil rights, and nonviolent protests.

TV host, professor and lawyer Charles Walker lead the discussion of King’s legacy on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Sharon Adult Center.

“This community togetherness is part of (King)’s legacy,” said panelist Beth Hoke. She serves as the coordinator for the Sharon Pluralism Network,

Hoke said King’s legacy was important for a diverse community like Sharon. According to the Massachusetts Department of Education, one quarter of Sharon isn’t white and approximately 18 percent of the population doesn’t speak English as their first language.

Other members of the panel included Nabeel Khudairi, a co-chairman of the Interfaith Committee of the Islamic Center of New England, Lyda Peters, a professor of civil rights and social justice at Boston College, David Blocker, the cantor for Temple Kol Tikvah, Janet Penn, the Executive Director of Youth Leaders Engaging Across Differences, and Sharon students Puya Sasani and Saima Ali.

Taking an international view, Sasani, a junior at Sharon High said the developments in his home country of Iran correlate to King’s struggle in the United States.

“(King) had a huge impact on how politics works,” he said. “People try to act like he did by being aggressive, but not violent. This is what many are trying in Iran.”

Sasani was concerned nonviolence may not work in Iran though, as many of the peaceful protesters have been received with violence from the Iranian military.

Two of his cousins have been arrested during these protests, he said. One was released shortly after, but he said the other will be in prison for the next 10 years.

Peters argued that nonviolence could work though and urged Sasani to believe so too. She said just as Iranian protesters are receiving unfair consequences, so did King and his followers during the civil rights movement. She said King’s message of peaceful protest was successful, because he was accompanied by many other protestors.

“Dr. King, although an important figure, was a member of a larger movement,” she said.

Program Coordinator for the Sharon Adult Center Marsha Books said discussions like the one between Sasani and Peters, are why these events are so important. She said that through this debate, a community can learn to understand each other more.

“I am delighted that we are starting a dialogue here,” she said. “I hope that everyone will continue this conversation in the future.”

As the event came to a close, Walker asked everyone to stand and link hands. As slideshow images of King flashed on wall behind him, everyone held hands and sang “We Shall Overcome.”

An edited version of the discussion will be aired on Walker’s television program, “The Heart of the Matter,” throughout the holiday weekend. Books was the primary organizer of the event, and said she did so because there had been a void in Sharon over the last few years.

“The last few years nothing has been done to commemorate MLK,” she said. “I just didn’t want another year to pass without a remembrance to him.”

Evan Koslof

1/13/2012

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/sharon/news/x3497273/Sharon-panel-discusses-MLK-s-legacy?zc_p=0#axzz1li2OhLar

Connolly produces Deborah Samson documentary

Sharon - In 1782, as the Revolutionary War blasted on throughout the United States, one 22-year old Sharon resident enlisted in the continental army under the name Robert Shurtliff. This soldier, strong and independent, differed from the rest though in one significant way. She was a woman.

This famous figure, whose real name is Deborah Samson, has had her story told by various historians and writers. Her name can be seen on statues, buildings, fields, novels and even street signs. And now, Sharon resident Steve Connolly is in the process of making a six part video documentary to commemorate her life.

The documentary, which has already had the first two sections released on the Sharon Community Television channel, was directed by Connolly and has used various local residents as the actors. Connolly, an engineer, said he was inspired to make the series because the woman lived such an incredible life. 

“Samson was willing to do anything to protect her country in a time when a woman couldn’t fight,” he said.

Connolly said that throughout the process, various members of the community have jumped on board with the project. Included in the group has been the historical societies of various Massachusetts towns such as Plympton, Samson’s place of birth, Sharon, Worcester, Middleborough, Duxbury, Canton, Bellingham, Dedham and various others.

The project has also received support from the historical societies of New York, Rhode Island and Cincinnati and from groups such as the West Point Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

“The more I took on, the more people got interested in contributing,” he said. “She is just that important of a figure.”

The first two movies were based on the years 1620 through 1778. The first followed the 140 years before she was born, and the second was based on her childhood up until she turned 18.

The third part of the series was released during the first week of January and covers her life after she turned 18. At this time, she spent nearly four years working as a teacher in Middleborough.

The fourth series will focus on Samson’s time in the army where she fought in combats for approximately 17 months. The fifth will be about her return to Massachusetts. During this time, she married Benjamin Gannet in 1785, and settled down on his farm in Sharon. She remained in Sharon until her death in 1827. Finally, the sixth part of the series will focus on her impact today.

Connolly said the project has been really exciting, because he is finding answers to complicated historical questions that many still don’t know.

“This has been a really rewarding process,” he said. “It’s like solving a 250-year-old jigsaw puzzle.”

Evan Koslof

1/09/12


Originally Posted:  http://www.wickedlocal.com/sharon/news/x638335272/Connolly-produces-Deborah-Sampson-documentary#axzz1j6PZjdFl

Needham firefighter promoted to captain

Needham - This July, Matthew Dooher was named Fire Captain at the Needham Fire Department. Dooher, who has been a firefighter for 11 years, said that he was very proud to receive the promotion.

“It’s a very meaningful promotion,” he said. “It’s taken a lot of hard-work.”

In order to get promoted in the fire department, you need to pass an exam, for which, Dooher said, he spent a lot of time studying. Fire Chief Paul Buckley, who introduced the new captain to the Board of Selectmen last Tuesday, said that it was people like Dooher that made the department successful.

“The department runs well because we have great coworkers like Matt,” he said.

Buckley said that having members like Dooher is reassuring because one day he would need to be replaced.

Selectmen Dan Matthews said at the meeting that he was very proud of the young captain because he was working hard to improve an important department in the town.

“In a lot of ways, you are more of a face for the town than we are,” he said.

Evan Koslof

8/24/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/news/x911399371/Needham-firefighter-promoted-to-captain#axzz1Vz8xCKrb

Sides state cases in ZBA cell tower hearing

Sharon - More than 30 residents gathered at Wednesday’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to express their concerns about a request for a new 120 ft. tall cell tower either near 411 East Foxboro St. or 8 Mohawk Road.

The zoning request for the Mohawk address was made in April 2010 by AT&T, to address a major service gap in central Sharon. Since that date, AT&T has been in constant negotiations with the town members and the zoning board of appeals. Due to the heavy resistance from the town at this location, the company has tried East Foxboro Street as an alternative.

The board did not make a decision and scheduled the next meeting for Oct. 12. Chairman Kevin McCarville said this meeting should be seen as a presentation of the facts, which citizens can use to form their ideas.

“This is how it goes,” he said. “He presents, you listen, you go home and do some homework, and then we come back.”

Edward D. Pare Jr., the attorney for the applicants, said he hoped the East Foxboro spot would be able to create an agreement because it would help provide wireless connection for the town. He said while East Foxboro Street provides less service than the Mohawk site, it would still increase the town’s connection.

“This site doesn’t work as well for us,” he said. “But it does work.”

David Shore, who spoke for nearly 20 minutes at the meeting, prepared a packet for the board, and spoke about why he thought the town needed more time before they came to a decision.

“My main concerns are that this needs to be an open, transparent and informed process for this town,” he said.

After the representatives for AT&T made their request, the board opened up the case to the audience, where people were very vocal. Before letting them speak, McCarville said he noticed a growing frustration in the room and warned the audience to not speak out angrily or aggressively to the applicant.

“I want to keep a lid on things,” he said.

In this public comment section, citizens brought up concerns with the potential unappealing sight of the towers. On Aug. 6, AT&T released a balloon 120 feet in the air, from the proposed tower site, to simulate visibility for neighboring homes and businesses. The results troubled many citizens who could see the balloon from their homes.

Others complained about the possible water contamination of the Canoe River Aquifer Watershed, which supplies drinking water to 50,000 people in Sharon. Others said they were worried about the dangers, involved with the tower falling.

McCarville said if the town does not accept a location for the tower, they would enter a litigation period. He said in this process, it was likely that AT&T would sue, and the town would lose, in which case they would be forced to place a tower where AT&T wishes.

Pare said this loss was probable because federal regulations allow for a company to create wireless connections where there are gaps in wireless service.

Robert Simons, who lives on Mohawk Road, said if they would be forced to choose a location, they should at least find the spot that would help the town the most.

For this reason, he said he believed the new address was far better than the original because it is on public property. The Mohawk address, which is on private land, cannot be taxed while the new one can bring in revenue to the town.

“I think it’s a better alternative,” he said.

Evan Koslof

8/18/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/sharon/town_info/government/x919540961/Sides-state-cases-in-ZBA-cell-tower-hearing#axzz1VjgaF1zy

East Elementary Principal pair poised for year

Sharon - For 23 years Judith Freedberg served as principal for the East Elementary School in Sharon. This year, following her retirement, the school year begins with new leadership.

Taking over as principal is former assistant principal Elizabeth Murphy and taking over the assistant principal job is former Norwood school administrator, Donna Brown.

Murphy, who has been at East Elementary for 28 years, started as a first grade teacher and rose up the ranks from teacher to curriculum coordinator to part time assistant principal and now to principal. She said she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

“It’s the perfect fit for me,” she said. “I’m so happy to be here.”

Murphy, who is already in the school preparing for the kids to start on Wednesday, Aug. 31, said her goals included maintaining academic excellence, creating a climate of respect, creating a common core curriculum, and initiating an anti-bullying curriculum. She said she felt energized by the promotion.

“I feel like they’ve given me a fresh start,” she said.

Brown, who has been working for the Norwood public schools for more than 25 years, also said she was excited for the upcoming year. 

“The school system’s reputation is phenomenal,” she said. “I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

She began as a speech pathologist and rose up the ladder at Cleveland Elementary School in Norwood until she was head teacher, a role similar to assistant principal. She said so far, she has been well received by the school community.

“I was overwhelmed by just how happy they were to see me,” she said.

A committee of approximately 15 teachers and parents were responsible for picking both Murphy and Brown. Both agreed that the process was thorough, but that it was a reassuring thing.

“It really told me a lot about their commitment to the kids,” Brown said.

The two new principals spoke very highly of each other. Murphy said she thinks Brown’s enthusiasm and outside experience with curriculum planning will help improve the school even more.

“She’s going to be a fabulous addition to the East family,” she said.

Brown said she hoped to learn from Murphy, who she said has been such an important person in the Sharon community.

“Liz is an exceptional educator,” she said. “I think she’s going to be a tremendous mentor.”

Evan Koslof

8/18/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/sharon/news/x386666819/East-Elementary-Principal-pair-poised-for-year#axzz1VjgaF1zy

Needham selectmen approve 1000-gallon propane tanks in two Needham backyards

Needham - Plans of two Needham developers to install underground flammable 1,000 gallon propane tanks created heated discussion Tuesday as many citizens in the surrounding neighborhoods came to discuss the issue at a public hearing at the Board of Selectmen meeting.

At the meeting, the tanks were unanimously approved at the two locations, 126 Jarvis Cr. and 31 Grasmere Rd., by the five-person board. Mark Heavner, the developer for the first home and Joe Centola, the developer for the second, told the board and public about the safety procedures, and reassured them that the homes would be safe.

“This is a completely protected system,” Heavner said at the meeting.

At the meeting, the Needham citizens spoke about concerns of the tanks bursting underground and creating an explosion that could put them at danger. Many said they feared that due to its underground location, inspection would be difficult.

Steven Dawyskiba, who for 38 years has been working as a representative for the propane company that would install the tank, said that an explosion was very unlikely due to the technological practices that have developed. He said these processes made it possible to monitor tank damage without having to pull the tanks out from the ground.

Under Needham law, the tanks would be inspected once every year, the selectmen said.

Fire Chief Paul Buckley also reassured the public that the practice was safe because it followed federal regulations. He also said that Needham’s rules are even stricter than the federal ones, due to changes made earlier in the decade.

Federal regulations allow for up to 2,000-gallon tanks to be buried without consent of town officials, but Needham just allows 500 gallons.

 “Guidelines are made to protect citizens,” he said. “And we follow them.”

Selectmen Jim Healy said that while the propane tanks didn’t seem dangerous, it was important that the board had such a dialogue.

“For me, the whole key is safety,” he said.

Evan Koslof

8/17/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/news/x386663966/Needham-selectmen-approve-1000-gallon-propane-tanks-in-two-Needham-backyards#axzz1VDLQGyZ1

Police: Man pointed knife at West Roxbury girlfriend

West Roxbury - The police are on the lookout for a man who allegedly pointed a black steak knife at his ex-girlfriend’s friend in a “menacing” way before running from the apartment at 3 Petrel St. in West Roxbury, police said.

The victim said that her ex-boyfriend of two years had shown up at her home at 12:10 a.m. on Aug. 13, and began pushing her and slapping her in the face, before running from the apartment in a Toyota Corolla, police said.

The boyfriend, a pizza shop owner who had previously lived in an apartment with the woman, showed up at the woman’s house and banged on the door, police said. When the ex-girlfriend’s brother answered the door, the boyfriend “brushed” by him, and went to the bedroom where he found his ex-girlfriend, police said.

The woman called her friend for assistance, and police said this is when the boyfriend pointed the knife.

The police are still looking for the suspect.

Evan Koslof

8/17/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/roslindale/news/x1837743350/Police-Man-pointed-knife-at-West-Roxbury-girlfriend#axzz1VDLQGyZ1