Thank You from the Sunshine State
Dear Editor,
Winthrop Marketplace expands to Florida!……
Roberta Puritz-Hayes orders a cooked turkey dinner for her family gathering and has this to say about it:
I wanted to contact you first to let you know how fantastic everything was!! The food was yummy! Everything was packaged so well!! There were left overs for all- a perfect Thanksgiving!! Please give my best to everyone and thank them for me!! I love that we work together on this whenever it is held in Boston!! You are so wonderful to do business with!! I feel like you all are family!!
Wishing all of you a very happy holiday season!!
My very best,
Robbie ( Robbie) Puritz-Hayes
Thanks to French Square Transplanting Volunteers
Dear Editor,
Over the course of two sunny Saturdays, numerous perennial plants on the back berm in French Square were dug up, multi-separated into smaller clumps, packed, transported and replanted by two groups of garden helpers. On the first Saturday, Daylillies and large variety Hostas were relocated to prepared areas at the top of the Walden St parking area, and at the berm at EB Newton, sponsored by Speaker DeLeo and Sen. Boncore. Many thanks for their hard work to Blaine O’Donnell of O’Donnell landscaping, Town Council member Rich Ferrino, resident Marc Chapdelaine and his two youngsters, Betsy Shane of the Chamber, Suzanne and Rob from the DPW (with thanks also to DPW’s Steve Calla and Sean Ferron and their crews for their hard work in prepping this hilly area), and this writer. Marc was also very thorough in cleaning up the berm and grass area, with four big bags of debris, and Steve Calla with its pick-up.
A couple of weeks later, on another favorable Saturday, some large clumps of variegated and tall grasses were likewise dug up, boxed, moved and replanted along the streetside planting edge of the Walden Street lot. Because of the volunteers that showed up, the many hands and the smaller area to plant, the transplanting went very quickly. And thanks again to Betsy Shane, who arranged for Jason Tallent, from the Harbor City Church, who in turn brought his daughter Olivia and four energetic visitors from a Kentucky congregation (Addy Howard, Margie Mason, retired firefighter Darryll Mason, and Grant Richeson) who were all pleased to give of their time on another pleasant afternoon. With cold weather on the way, the plants won’t look like much until late next spring, when it should be a transforming display.
Extra plants from these moves are being healed in at the DPW. A plant installation around the WW1 memorial at the EB Newton is being reviewed by the Historic Commission for providing a suitable bed honoring the memory of those long gone, but whose sacrifice has left its enduring measure. More work needs to be done with the moving the plants in Sabrina’s Garden; and the benches and plaques, some of which have been claimed by donors. But that process will be completed after the Holidays, and with favorable weather. Other hardscape elements will also be relocated for re-use later. I and all the workers are grateful for resident and town support in this process.
Frank M. Costantino
Founder, Beautification Committee
Designer, French Square
Looking at the Election
Dear Editor,
The Town Election on Tuesday, November 5th produced some interesting and surprising results.
First, Tracey Honan is the new power in Winthrop politics given her outstanding vote total. She not only received more votes than Philip Boncore and Robert DeMarco for the Town Council. She, also, received more votes than any other candidate who ran in town-wide contests for School Committee, Library Trustee and Housing Authority. She will be a strong force for a new way of doing things in Town government.
Second, in the race for Precinct Two Town Councilor, incumbent James Letterie received 307 votes to John Munson’s 194 and Kurt Millar’s 120. It is worth noting that the votes for Munson and Millar, combined at 314, were more than those for Letterie. In a short race, due to Letterie jumping back into the Precinct Two seat after declaring that he would run for Town Council President, Munson in particular, and Millar, did quite well with their message for change. A longer campaign, or a single challenger, might have produced a different result.
Third, School Committee Chair Valentino “Tino†Capobianco had to be disappointed with his second-place finish to Augustus “Gus†Martucci. It appears that Capobianco, who has expressed an interest in seeking higher office in the future, was hurt by the opposition of the Winthrop teachers who are upset with negotiations over a new contract.
Fourth, in the race for Housing Authority, incumbents Richard Honan and Frank Ferrara were re-elected as expected. Housing Authority tenant Marie Matarazzo made a good showing in third place, particularly with her position that one of the members of the board should be a tenant.
Fifth, in the contested race for Library Trustee, there were five candidates for three positions. Incumbent Ronald Bergman was elected along with Denise LoConte and Nancy Giuffre. In somewhat of a surprise, town government gadfly John “Jack†Dowd came in fourth place despite being listed first on the ballot.
Finally, in the single ballot question, voters approved the zoning law banning a marijuana facility in Winthrop, although the margin may have surprised many interested citizens.
William Schmidt