It has been a Privilege to Serve you
Dear Editor,
To all of our customers and friends,
We wanted to take a moment to thank you all for supporting the Lucerto family for over 80 years in the center of Winthrop. Owning and running Swett’s Liquors has been a true honor, and we are proud to have been part of so many memories with your families. Thank you to all who trusted us with their needs and to the many friendships we’ve built along the way. Each moment has been meaningful.
It has been a privilege to serve this town, and though we are stepping away, our love and respect for this community will never fade. We are excited to see the new energy and fresh perspectives Aaron Williams and his family will bring to Swett’s Liquors! We do not doubt that he will carry the business forward with the same care and dedication that has always made Swett’s a cornerstone of Winthrop.
Wishing you every success in the years ahead and all the best as you embark on this new chapter. We know you will continue to serve the people of Winthrop with the same warmth and commitment that we have always strived to provide.
With sincere gratitude to all,
Paul Lucerto, Michael Lucerto, and Matt Lucerto.
Jimmy Carter
Dear Editor,
On January 20, 1977, I attended the Inauguration of President Jimmy Carter as a staff member for then-Congressman Ed Markey, who had been first elected in November 1976.
The weather was cold that day, but it was sunny, and I was excited to see the new president being sworn into office at the United States Capitol.
Jimmy Carter’s inaugural address was plain-spoken like the man himself. He spoke about bringing “a new spirit among us all” and urged citizens to “reject the prospect of failure or mediocrity”. He stated: “You have given me a great responsibility – to stay close to you, be worthy of you, and to exemplify what you are.”
Following the ceremony, I watched the parade where President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, got out of the limousine and walked from the Capitol to the White House, becoming the first president to do so. That night, I attended one of the President’s Inaugural Balls with other Markey staff members.
Jimmy Carter only served one term as President, and it has been harshly criticized. He was soundly defeated for re-election by Ronald Reagan in 1980.
However, he had many successes in office with protecting public lands, a diversified judiciary, a deregulated airline industry, normalized relations with China, a negotiated Middle East peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, and the promotion of human rights and diplomacy around the world.
After leaving the White House, Jimmy Carter built the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization to help people around the world by advancing public health, democracy and diplomatic efforts abroad. It was that work that helped him win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Jimmy Carter’s recent death at 100 years old, just weeks before the inauguration of Donald Trump, reminds us that nothing matters so much in our leaders as their character. Jimmy Carter’s greatest legacy was that he was simply a very good man.
Bill Schmidt
No on 3A organizers deny the facts
Dear editor,
It has been disappointing to continuously read a series of letters from some of the “No on 3A” proponents that are wrong on their facts. I have previously been reluctant to challenge these assertions because I wanted to review the contents of the Winthrop Planning Board’s final proposal that they approved in November. The purpose of my letter is to direct the reader to source material such that the reader can make his or her own judgement.
So here are the facts that correct the statements of the letter that appeared in the Dec. 12, 2024 Sun-Transcript. I will use that letter’s format for clarity to those who may have read their letter:
3A Opponent Claim #1- the Planning Board plan will require zoning for additional units. Misrepresentation- The Planning Board’s plan (which has received informal state approval) results in zoning for zero new units in Winthrop. I suggest citizens review the proposed Plan and/or review the video of the November Planning Board meeting that is available on the Town’s website.
3A Opponent Claim #2- “There are minimums but no maximums.” This also is a misrepresentation. For anyone that understands zoning, this argument is nonsense. Winthrop received notice that we needed to zone for a minimum of 882 units. The Planning Board has proposed to take advantage of EOHLC guidelines to simply rezone three areas of Town to reflect what is already there — Ft. Heath apartments, Governor’s Park, and Seal Harbor Condominiums. These areas were never formally rezoned when they were built. The proposed rezoning of these areas included a maximum number of units that reflects just under the number of units already there. Therefore, no new units will be built there, and the “maximums” have been put into place. Again, I urge readers to review the plan or view the video.
3A Opponent Claim #3- The Attorney General refused to issue a statement that 3A doesn’t supersede Condo documents and that the “FAQs” suggest that current condo docs are under threat. This is another misrepresentation. The lead Attorney in the AG’s Office sent (many months ago and available to the public) an email clearly stating that existing condominium complexes rezoned via 3A will have their condo documents UNAFFECTED by 3A. In addition Item 13 in the AG’s FAQs states: “The passage of a zoning district to comply with the MBTA Communities Law does not require existing property owners to alter their properties or to change otherwise lawful restrictions in leases or home owner association contracts”. Therefore, all the condo rules and regulations, building codes, fire/life safety codes etc. remain in full effect.
This AG email has the full power of the AG’s office. Interested residents should read the email (via the Town website or via the Town attorney) and the AGs FAQs.
3A Opponent Claim #4- The “credit” for Winthrop Center that has been by EOHLC does not exist. The opponents to 3A claim that Winthrop will need to toss out its zoning of the Center and be replaced by 3A language. RESPONSE: That claim is not true. For clarification, Section 9C of the EOHLC guidelines anticipate that some communities may have recently re-zoned their CBDs and the language states clearly that EOHLC can accept that zoning. In fact, that is what happened and that fine zoning work by a previous Council has enabled the Commonwealth to accept that zoning “as is.” The CBD will NOT be a 3A overlay district. There should be no confusion on this matter. The Planning Board report and clear statements by the Chair of the Planning Board, as well as our Town Manager, make the point clear. Again, source material is available in the Plan and video.
3A Opponent Claim number 5- “Proponents state that a Special Master WILL be appointed to decide 3A compliance for us (Winthrop).” The opponents also claim that holding back grants is overblown, because we don’t see many anyway, and a potential legal action against us won’t cost any money. RESPONSE- Winthrop has received millions of discretionary state dollars directly and indirectly over the past 15 years including the CBD, Winthrop Shore Drive restoration, Revere St. utilities and road, sidewalk, and street lighting, Coastal Zone Management, and MVP grants. We don’t know what is at risk, but we need to be considerate of that risk. The inability to attract state dollars will lead to the need for higher local taxes or reduced services. A special master or a court order is a possibility. While much of this is unlikely, why take the chance when we have the Commonwealth ready to approve a ZERO UNIT Plan?
Fear-mongering by some of the NO group has been going on for more than a year. That group has failed to understand the facts and this has led to misleading the residents of this Town.
Most of the “No on 3A” leaders are passionate and clear about what they don’t like. Many are friends of mine. One thing that drives them is the notion of government overreach. They believe the law to be unconstitutional. There is a possibility they are correct. But also maybe not. Some also believe that the Milton case will result in a real limitation of funds that the Commonwealth can withhold. Again, who knows? But even in the most limited circumstances this could be $1 million or more per year.
So I end up where I started. I try to follow the facts as I see them. The Planning Board did a wonderful job. The Secretary of Housing and his staff kept their word when we met him on the day of the solar eclipse. They have looked at our history and our uniqueness and today we have the possibility of moving forward with victory and minimized risk.
I don’t know if the 3A issue will come back to the Council, end up as a ballot question, or our day in Court. I do know that the last chapter has not been written. I urge readers to carve out the time to read the Planning Board report and watch the video of the meeting where they approved it.
Joseph Aiello
Town Councilor Precinct 5
Bartlett Rd, Winthrop