Our Westwood

Westwood parents received a letter today instructing them to logon to a website and enter emergency contact information for their children. The new online process eliminates the need for paper "emergency cards." Instead, parents will enter the information online in the "X2" system. Apparently, this is the first step in consolidating student information online. This link to Hingham-based X2 Development Corporation includes a video illustrating some of the more advanced features of the system.

The system is not without glitches. I entered my information multiple times because it appeared not to be saved when I examined my daughter's record. However, I later learned (through feedback on the WestwoodBlog Facebook page) that this is "normal" because the database is not updated immediately. Follow the instructions on each screen carefully and refer to the step-by-step guide including screenshots like the one below. (after you login, the magnifying glass below is clickable and is how you select your child's record)

A couple of hours after entering our emergency contact information (and starting this blog post), I returned to the X2 system and found all my information updated.

So try it out by going to http://x2dev.net/westwood. Parents have until September 13 to update the emergency contact information.

With the upcoming November elections we'd like to make friends and neighbors aware of our next meeting on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 7pm at the Carby Street Municipal Office Building in Westwood.

Welcome a Spanish speaking teen into your home!

Host families are needed for just 2 weeks--Sept. 8 - 23, 2010. This is a great program the entire family can enjoy!

What would be required of you?

• Any family, large or small, with high school age children
• Open to Quincy and Westwood families
• Homeschool families encouraged to participate
• Share your home and heart
• Provide meals and a bed (they can share a room)

Program Basics:

• Sept. 8-23, 2010
• Available students are from near Valencia, Spain and are 15-18 yrs old
• Students will shadow your son or daughter to their classes 2 days
• Students go on organized trips 3 days/wk
• Students are insured and have their own expense money
• Students do speak some English
• Working with school teachers and community
• Travel Opportunities possible

Let’s find these kids a home now!

For more information, please Call Jane Scorza 617-281-4545 or email jscorza@aol.com

What question would you ask Congressional candidates Stephen Lynch and Mac D'Alessandro to answer if you had the chance? The editors of community web sites from Milton (02186 MyTownMatters), Dedham (MyDedham), and Westwood (Our Westwood) are inviting you to submit your questions as comments below from now until August 31. We will select 10 questions and submit those to both campaigns, then publish their responses online before the September 14 Democratic Primary.

Please suggest questions both candidates can answer--don't try to debate/discuss the merits of the candidates under this topic yet. Save that for after they respond. Please follow the community guidelines as you make comments.

Well, with summer winding down, most are concerned about returning to school, Labor Day plans and back to school shopping.  However, in just a mere 22 days Massachusetts will have it's primary election.  That's right a primary election on Tuesday September 14th.  Polls open at 7:00AM and stay open until 8:00PM, but many will still forget to vote and get so caught up in work that they won't realize that it's election day until they watch the news that night or read the paper the next morning.

As a resident of Westwood, who's children go to the Downey and now this year the Thurston Middle School, I am Co-Vice President of Downey PTO, and teacher of CCD at St. Margaret Mary's, and I have worked hard to give myself the opportunity to be your senator and I will continue to do so, until the polls close on election day.   Still wondering if I can win?  Drive through the city and see the support I have in West Roxbury, Roslindale and Hyde Park or even Dedham or Norwood . The signs are only those who are willing to wear their proverbial "heart on their sleeve." This is a real race and I need and would appreciate your vote.

Before your child or children go off to college, send them down, or take them down, to visit the Town clerk's office. Introduce them to Dottie Powers and her staff, and get them to vote.  Absentee ballots are available right now.  You might even consider voting yourself and then not have to worry about September 14th. 

Thank you for your help and support.

Respectfully,

Michael Walsh

In the Sunday Boston Globe, published on August 15, 2010, Michelle Morgan Bolton, Globe Correspondent for the Westwood/Dedham areas, was charged with the assignment of writing a story to highlight Westwood’s second attempt since 1987 to re-write its Town Charter. Sparking this article were numerous suggested changes in 2009 to the charter by Westwood residents Michael F. Walsh (current State Senate Candidate), David Feyler, Jason Lee, and Myself.

My attempt to change the way we vote in Westwood garnered the most vocal support at a town meeting in early 2009, when I proposed that we change Town Election day to Saturday, instead of Tuesday, citing that it was safer for both children, and their parents, to vote on Saturday. This move could also boost participation almost 20%, providing people with more time to vote on the weekends, when they don’t have to worry about getting to work on time after voting on a Tuesday, or having to rush home from work in order to beat the early evening poll closures. In the end, the petition was voted down, but not without discussion. Selectman Pat Ahearn was concerned that the move may bar certain individuals (such as Orthodox Jews) from voting on Saturday, since their religious obligations prevent them from using modern technology (such as cars, as a mode of transportation) on Saturdays.

However, during my research for this proposal, I found that out of all of the residents in Westwood, only a select few observed strict Jewish practices and were able to vote via absentee ballot, just like many of our troops fighting overseas who reside in Westwood. I even took the time to speak with Jewish residents, who all agreed with my petition and supported my cause. I also called the Westwood Council on Aging to make sure that the vans that transported seniors to and from the polls would still run at no additional cost to the town. All my bases were covered, however, so I was not necessarily unhappy with the outcome.

During my petition’s journey to the floor of town meeting, I was scheduled to appear in front of the Financial Commission to state my case in order for them to suggest a “no” or “yes” vote in their annual report. Even though my petition, and several others had absolutely nothing to do with the town’s finances, it’s still a common practice for some reason. I acknowledge that the move to voting on Saturday could slightly more (having to pay poll workers and the Town Clerk etc…), it was well worth it. Due to a scheduling conflict, I was unable to make the presentation to the FinCom, and I charged Michael F. Walsh to speak on my behalf. Although Michael spoke well, my name was publicly (as I was told) berated due to my decision to focus on my then studies at Assumption College.

In the end, I was not disappointed with the decision of the town not to support my petition, rather, I was unhappy with the way I was treated.

I was proud that I not only tried (once again) to make a difference at such a young age, but I was also proud that I garnered some support from old friends, and some new ones. This article in the Globe only further motivates me to one day run again for public office, and to make my best attempt every day to promote meaningful solutions to complex problems we face. Perhaps my attempt, in addition to many others’ attempts since 1987, who tried to move Westwood in a meaningful direction, sparked a discussion, that eventually led to the forming of the Charter Commission.

And that, I too can say, I’m very proud of.

For the full article: Click Here!

Over the past few weeks, I've seen a series of apparently futile efforts by Democratic challengers Mike Walsh of Westwood (running for State Senate) and Mac D'Alessandro of Milton (running for Congress) to draw their opponents into debate. It's no surprise incumbent Stephen Lynch doesn't want to elevate his opponent's campaign to an equal platform--he's got nothing to gain and plenty of money to spend to get his message out. Walsh's opponent has less advantage than a sitting Congressman, but having served as a state rep in West Roxbury, he appears to be following the same traditional political calculus to ignore the challenger.

Anyone running for public office should not be afraid to engage his opponents who have qualified for the ballot and are running substantial campaigns with support from thousands of residents. Those with differing opinions at least deserve the respect of seeing the candidates argue the issues. It's not just about whether you agree with a candidate or who's "right," but the quality of engagement we deserve. If these candidates won't even debate their opponents, and if they subsequently win, how can I expect them to represent me or listen to my opinions? They don't need me to get re-elected, so I don't matter?

Maybe a TV debate is not the right forum...but I don't see anything else happening either. I would be happy to moderate an online discussion here if the candidates would find that more appealing, but I'm not going to submit questionnaires and issue endorsements. My point is not that we should score or grade the candidates on their positions, but that we, as voters, deserve the opportunity to evaluate them as they interact so we can judge how truly representative they will be.

Dave Feyler is interested in talking to any parents that would like to help start a wrestling program in Westwood. Westwood's own Kenny Florian is the number 1 contender in the UFC in the 155 pld division. The most expensive part of starting a wrestling program is the mats, which run around $8,500. Wrestling is a very disciplined sport and builds great amount of self confidence. If there are any parents that would like to help out getting a wrestling program started in Westwood email Dave Feyler at Eyedtech@aol.com.

There is also a program called stance in motion that helps new wrestling programs get started with funding. This is only one way of raising funds for the mats. Once the mats are purchased, wrestling is one of the least expensive sports for students to participate. Neighboring towns including Dedham, Norwood, Needham have longstanding, successful programs.

Westwood has no shortage of grocery shopping options, but for many of us, convenience is not just about proximity; it's about hours. According to one resident who contacted me, until recently, the Stop and Shop locations in Dedham and Norwood were open until midnight, but have now cut their hours back to close at 11pm. It's only an hour, but if you work a 3-11 shift at Caritas or work out late at night, it makes a difference as to whether you can manage a trip to the grocery into your schedule. If you have comments or opinions and would like to contact someone at Stop and Shop, the District Manager, Tom Marshall, can be reached at (781) 320-5632 or through email via an assistant terry.defillippo@stopandshop.com.