Robert Hayes
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On the article The Time Has Come To Say Farewell and Thank You
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On the article Free Speech Talk Headlines Board of Selectmen Debate
Robert Hayes
10:50 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013
*meant to write: "I'm sorry if the 10 of us took IT the wrong way."
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On the article Free Speech Talk Headlines Board of Selectmen Debate
Robert Hayes
10:50 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013
- Not angry at all! I'm sorry if my "smiley face" somehow indicated otherwise.
- After paying my way through four years of college and three years of graduate school to enter a profession that doesn't exactly pay "big bucks" (public librarianship), I do still live with my parents at 27 as I continue to save up for a place of my own. This is no secret! I'm not ashamed of it.
- I am NOT going to try to get under your skin. (Your "That sounds awesome dude!" line sounded condescending to every person I showed it to. I'm sorry if I took the 10 of us took in the wrong way.) I am NOT going to call Kevin MacDonald your "Patch buddy." (I've seen you at several meetings not want to speak with him, and I commend you for that.) I am NOT going to publicize your personal life to "win" an argument in the comments section of an online newspaper against someone impersonating Looney Toons characters.
- If you'd like to continue this conversation, please feel free to contact me at 978-604-8933 or rob.hayes@live.com. Thanks and have a good night! -
On the article Free Speech Talk Headlines Board of Selectmen Debate
Robert Hayes
12:02 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013
- No, school committee members do NOT protect their "hack teacher buddies." I find that offensive.
- A proper teacher evaluation system IS already in place. We're IMPROVING upon it. Here's the details of the current system -- http://educatorcontracts.doemass.org/view.aspx?recno=308. (See Article XIX and Appendices E & F).
- No, it would NOT be fair to say there should be a "cleaning house" of school committee members, particularly based on one measure in one subject in one grade. And while I'm certainly not happy with them, to put the 8th grade MCAS math scores in perspective, they're actually BETTER than the state average. -
On the article Free Speech Talk Headlines Board of Selectmen Debate
Robert Hayes
12:02 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013
I'm moving out soon, Mr. Lingenfelter! But don't worry, I'll be staying in Wilmington. :-)
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On the article Free Speech Talk Headlines Board of Selectmen Debate
Robert Hayes
1:42 am on Thursday, April 11, 2013
Mr. MacDonald -- We're now at 45%. And - a matter of fact - this was discussed at tonight's School Committee Meeting. (1) I supported a schedule change to increase math classes at the middle school from 49 minutes to 60 minutes -- a 33-hour increase over the span of the school year. (2) We supported the establishment of the MCAS after-school help sessions for students struggling with math. (3) We're also providing more professional development to our staff -- including math teachers -- now than ever before. (4) We're implementing a new teacher evaluation system starting next school year -- teachers will be held even more accountable for their students' learning. (5) We're realigning the district's math curriculum to meet the new Common Core standards.
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On the article Free Speech Talk Headlines Board of Selectmen Debate
Robert Hayes
10:10 pm on Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Mr. MacDonald -- That is one accusation you got right -- I am a big Newhouse supporter. Newhouse, however, mentioned the article numbers during the debate. (I do, for the record, have the last 20 Annual Town Reports, and they do come in handy from time to time! I'm hoping the library will digitize their collection of Annual Town Reports, so all reports will be available for free for all to view online.)
I do not support laying off our public safety dispatchers. I do not support a Bible course at WHS. There is, however, an after school bible CLUB and there is a 'World Religions & Cultures' elective that includes units on Christianity.
I'm going to go through my pile of annual reports over the next few days. I look forward to reviewing any other warrant articles you've sponsored! I'll report back if I have any questions.
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On the article Free Speech Talk Headlines Board of Selectmen Debate
Robert Hayes
9:27 am on Wednesday, April 10, 2013
ReplyMr. MacDonald -- Can you please explain the Town Meeting Warrant Articles (#33-#35) you sponsored in 2003? Mr. Newhouse brought them up at last night's debate. You tried to get the town to eliminate all dispatchers from the public safety building and pay them a total of $200,000 severance from free cash. You also tried to get the town to take $65,000 from free cash to fund bible studies for Wilmington High School students.
Mr. Newhouse also asked voters to take a look at the affidavit of the 90-something year-old woman who lives at Deming Way who accused you of bullying her into signing the high school appeal. The affidavit is public record and on file with DEP.
You denied all 3 claims last night (dispatchers, bible, bullying of 90 year-old) and said you couldn't respond to them all in 30 seconds. Can you respond now?
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On the article Who Is Moving Into The Former Dinette World on Middlesex Avenue?
Robert Hayes
11:33 pm on Wednesday, April 3, 2013
ReplyMarion -- I live in Wilmington but work in Tewksbury. I drive down Route 38 in Tewksbury everyday. You wouldn't believe the number of vacancies in Tewksbury along Main Street.
Examples: The plaza behind Jon Ryan's Pub (former Piccadilly Pub, before it closed) is in disarray. That plaza's anchors - Blockbuster and Rite Aid - have been vacant for years -- http://tewksbury.patch.com/articles/what-is-being-done-to-fill-vacant-storefronts-on-route-38. Another sad vacancy is the Funland property, now overgrown with weeds, across from the Country Club -- http://tewksbury.patch.com/articles/visions-for-vacancies-what-should-go-on-the-funland-property#photo-9252700. The saddest of all the vacancies - for me - is the old A Novel Cafe (Tewksbury's only independent bookstore) property -- http://tewksbury.patch.com/articles/a-novel-cafe-will-close-its-doors-on-saturday.
There's got to be at least 50 vacant stores in Tewksbury on Rte. 38 alone. I'm going to count them one of these days! Wilmington is light years ahead of Tewksbury in terms of economic development. If you don't believe me, several of the Tewksbury Selectmen candidates said as much at Monday night's debate.
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On the Blog Post What Are Massachusetts' Must-Reads of 2013?
Robert Hayes
6:10 pm on Monday, March 25, 2013
ReplyThe Tewksbury Public Library actively seeks out Mass. Book Award winners and finalists to speak at our library! 2 upcoming examples...
Sarah Smith - the 2011 Mass. Book Award winner for Young Adult Fiction - will be part of a panel of female mystery writers discussing "the modern heroine" at the Tewksbury Public Library on Monday, April 22 at 7pm.
Maureen Stanton - last year's Mass. Book Award winner for Non-Fiction - will be discussing her book -- "Killer Stuff and Tons of Money: An Insider's Look at the World of Flea Markets, Antiques, and Collecting" -- on Tuesday, May 7 at 7pm.
Both events are free and open to all. Book signings will take place afterwards for anyone interested.
Robert Hayes
8:24 am on Friday, May 3, 2013
Bill -- Over these past three years, you've revolutionized news here in Tewksbury! BEST OF LUCK in your new position and THANK YOU for you've done for this town! Thank you, in particular, for always running the library's press releases and highlighting so many of our events in your '5 Things To Know' feature. You'll be missed!