Author: Letter Writer

Reading about the brick thrown through the window of the Butcherie is a cowardly act intended to intimidate. It is similar to an incident in my family. In July 1941, less than five months before Pearl Harbor, bricks with swastikas were thrown through the window of seven Jewish-owned businesses on Division Street in Chicago including… Continue reading RE: Police investigating after brick marked “Free Palestine” thrown through window of Jewish grocery store

The antisemitic violence that occurred last night in Brookline is haunting. It is stark evidence that the antisemitism crisis is happening here – in the town where we live and where our children go to school. As a resident, parent, and School Committee member, this rattles me. I’m not sure yet how to articulate the… Continue reading RE: Police investigating after brick marked “Free Palestine” thrown through window of Jewish grocery store

Science is being attacked in our country. Federal funding agencies are terminating grants without reason and our valued federal employees are losing their jobs. Our friends, families, and neighbors are directly impacted. While scientific research and community can feel disjointed, they do not exist in isolation. I would not have gotten my start in science… Continue reading RE: ‘The world stopped making sense’: How Trump’s VA cuts uprooted the life and career of a Brookline researcher

The logic of transfer fees is that someone with no connection to me has a right to value I built over 50 years of labor and sacrifice. Yet, he did not help me during the 18-hour days that devoured time with friends and family as I labored for the down payment to buy the house.… Continue reading RE: Town Meeting calls on state legislature to allow real estate transfer fee

Amid upcoming budget proposals which threaten to harm hospitals at the state level and undermine important programs like Medicaid, there’s an open question about how best for states to safeguard protections for their own citizens. The answer has been known for decades — establish a single-payer health care system with universal coverage. America’s current health… Continue reading RE: Brookline officials outline local public health strategy amid federal funding cuts

Great news about Brookline Lunch coming to The Busy Bee! And what’s coming to Shawarma King? Read the original article, Brookline Lunch, now actually in Brookline: Popular Cambridge diner plans new second location on Beacon Street

Thank you, Helen, for your many years of service to the Brookline schools. You will be missed, but I am hopeful that you will be a mentor to the new members of the School Committee and share your experience and wisdom with the next generation. Read the original article, Longtime School Committee member’s exit marks… Continue reading RE: Longtime School Committee member’s exit marks new chapter for Brookline schools

First, and most importantly, the neighborhood was not opposed to commercial development on this site. Early planning that engaged neighbors reflected this. This area was being studied for the town by the Chestnut Hill Commercial Area Study (CHCAS). CHCAS, with three Town Meeting members, held meetings with neighbors who expressed concerns regarding height, setbacks and… Continue reading RE: Route 9 commercial development project stalls, delaying town’s tax revenue hopes

The article on Brookline Lunch opening a branch in Brookline notes that the restaurant got its name from its location on Brookline Street in Cambridge. Why would a street in Cambridge be called Brookline Street? In fact, it is not as unusual as it may seem. Streets were often named not for where they were… Continue reading RE: Brookline Lunch, now actually in Brookline: Popular Cambridge diner plans new second location on Beacon Street

Representative town meeting works because members review all the issues. In the original form of an open town meeting townspeople only came out to vote on issues they cared about. In Brookline’s government, each town meeting member represents about 300 people. Our government is close to the residents and the entire budget. In addition, Brookline… Continue reading RE: Brookline at a crossroads: Committee divided on future of town government

I applaud the School Committee on their brave actions and discussion. As a Brookline teacher, I have seen far too much antisemitism spewing from the MTA and the BEU. It is time to say no to hate. I hope our union will find a way forward and follow the wisdom of the school committee. There… Continue reading RE: School Committee cautions educators against using MTA’s ‘offensive’ teaching materials on Israel-Palestine

Reading your article about the Route 9 development project, I am reminded of the lyrics in Warren Zevon’s song: “Send lawyers, guns and money, the [poop] has hit the fan”. The perils of real estate development and the money involved, highlight the need for protection. So, the community that surrounds the project hired an attorney… Continue reading RE: Route 9 commercial development project stalls, delaying town’s tax revenue hopes

I just want to thank you for printing such a well written article about my shop and the work I do there. There has already been such a favorable response and I feel so honored. Please feel free to reach out for further comment if need be. Read the original article, Healing through ink: Brookline… Continue reading RE: Healing through ink: Brookline tattoo artist specializes in gender-affirming and post-cancer care

I’m pleased to see that the Coolidge Park pickleball and tennis court will be redone. The court is in terrible shape but it’s a great resource for the local community and we have a very active pickleball group. Read the original article, Town Meeting to vote on funding for Community Preservation Act projects including temple… Continue reading RE: Town Meeting to vote on funding for Community Preservation Act projects including temple dome, ice rink and public housing roof

I am very impressed with the reporting that you are doing about the Brookline School Committee. I feel very lucky that you decided to create Brookline.News. Thank you. Read the original article, High-ranking school official to resign, alleging financial mismanagement

Really? The town and neighborhood can’t work out a development proposal for a key parcel without creating a Planning Development Area to look at the entire corridor and delaying any action on any project for over a year? This is exactly what’s wrong with Brookline. It’s incompetent. We need the housing and we need the… Continue reading RE: Route 9 commercial development project stalls, delaying town’s tax revenue hopes

If Brookline had a ranked choice voting system, the outcome of the election might have been different. The combined votes of candidates endorsed by Brookline by Design and Pax (who also called for increased housing and business development) were higher than the winner’s total. Most Brookline voters can see that increased building by itself does… Continue reading RE: Election results: Rubenstein wins Select Board seat; Weintraub, Frias, Perry elected to School committee

I must respond to the argument that similar efforts are not being made on behalf of the autistic, trans, or Muslim student groups as a rationale (the only one offered) not to act here. Neither those with autism, members of the trans community, nor Muslims have had biased, offensive propaganda promulgated by the state’s dominant… Continue reading RE: School Committee cautions educators against using MTA’s ‘offensive’ teaching materials on Israel-Palestine

Vivi Smilgius reports that the School Committee intends an “instructional materials policy” regarding Israel and Palestine from a resolution hastily passed May 1. What is the School Committee resolution? It describes Israel’s 76 years of ethnic cleansing and now genocide of Palestinians as “the Israel-Gaza conflict.” A conflict is when you can’t attend two appointments… Continue reading RE: School Committee cautions educators against using MTA’s ‘offensive’ teaching materials on Israel-Palestine

Seth Barrett has repaired a couple of 100 year old door knobs for us. We were recently able to purchase 3 beautiful, heavy brass window locks from his stock. This is a Brookline treasure. Given the number of historic homes in this area we should be able to keep this shop busy. I am unaware… Continue reading RE: ‘We’re out of work, and I’m frightened’: An uncertain economy may spell the end for RARE Restoration, a conservation-minded Brookline Village repair shop