By Susan Brooks To Carolyn Bottum, recently retired director of the Lincoln Council on Aging: I wish I’d had the opportunity to say goodbye to you in public. Because you were a bulwark to Lincoln citizens, Carolyn, an exemplar of the kind of quiet, behind-the-scenes caring that knits a community together. The most obvious of…
My Turn
My Turn: Stop removing or damaging political signs
By Gary Davis During the election campaign of 2013, a question was raised about whether town standards were too restrictive regarding political signs during election campaigns compared to other types of signs displayed at other times throughout the year. The topic of political signs and issues current at that time (particularly regarding freedom of speech)…
My Turn: Clarification on increased contaminants in town water
(Editor’s note: This is a follow-up to an August 24 article headlined “Fix for town water problem expected by next summer” in which Water Commission member Ruth Ann Hendrickson speculated about the course of the increase in TTHM contaminants in Flint’s Pond, the source of drinking water for many Lincoln residents.) By Ruth Ann Hendrickson…
My Turn: On the centennial of the 19th Amendment
By Donald Hafner In November 1915, the men of Massachusetts trekked to the polls to decide whether the word “male” should be removed from the state’s qualifications for voting. The Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association in mid-October had staged a pro-suffrage parade in downtown Boston, with 15,000 marchers and 30 bands, urging a “Yes” vote. A…
My Turn: Watch the Democratic National Convention this week
By Joan Kimball and Barbara Slayter It’s the week of the Democratic National Convention, and we Dems are very excited. On Monday night, we heard from Democratic leaders such as Michelle Obama, Bernie Sanders, and Amy Klobuchar, as well as Republican leaders including John Kasich. On Tuesday night, voters, delegates, activists and leaders in the…
My Turn: Many thanks for the awning
By Christine Brandt St. Vincent de Paul Visitor Co-Chair The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Lincoln/Weston Food Pantry wish to acknowledge the generous donation of a handsome awning by Lincoln resident Chris Knollmeyer. Chris not only provided the awning, but also took care of its installation. Due to the pandemic, all of our…
My Turn: We have 10 years
Dear Lincoln residents, We have ten years. Ten years to save the people and places we love from the climate crisis. The Green New Deal is the plan to make this happen and 2021 is critical for passing and implementing the necessary legislation at the federal level. That’s why we’re asking you to vote for…
My Turn: The Food Project needs your help
By Peter von Mertens The Food Project, which farms 31 acres of Lincoln conservation land, is hard-pressed during this Covid crisis to carry out their mission. Normally teams of volunteers from corporations, law firms, banks, schools, and other nonprofits would be planting and weeding the carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, and other crops. During the summer months,…
My Turn: School district race, equity, and inclusion work
By Becky McFall Dear Lincoln community, Following George Floyd’s murder, you received messages from Lincoln METCO Director Marika Hamilton, me, and recently a statement from the School Committee expressing a commitment to focusing on race, inclusion, equity, and diversity in all aspects of our schools. The School Committee and administration have received messages from many…
My Turn: Thanks from the Front Steps Project
By Corey Nimmer This is a bit delayed, but I just wanted to reach out with an update and huge thank-you regarding the Front Steps Project fundraiser that we wrapped up in early June. Between May 10 and June 5, households in Lincoln participated by posing for a five-minute photo shoot outside their homes and…