JON999
-
The Basics
-
JON999 on Patch
-
More Stuff
Comments
-
On the Blog Post BREAKING NEWS: Lincoln Residents Only Allowed to Use First Base at New LS Softball Field
-
On the article DISCUSSION: What Would You Like to Ask the Candidates for Selectmen?
JON999
7:10 am on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
ReplyHow would you suggest we reduce our $80 million unfunded OPEB liability?
-
On the article LIVE BLOG: 2013 Annual Town Meeting Day 3
JON999
3:12 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
the argument is usually won when opponents are left with "just move." QED. thanks.
-
On the article LIVE BLOG: 2013 Annual Town Meeting Day 3
JON999
2:54 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
my daughter is, in fact, terrified of the 4th of July guns. we manage ok (I like them) but thanks for your concern.
If we do hear guns in the woods, instead of some nonsense about keeping us safe (ironic when, if anything, it *might* be the opposite), I think I'd rather tell them the truth: "don't worry, they're just shooting at beer cans"
-
On the article LIVE BLOG: 2013 Annual Town Meeting Day 3
JON999
12:36 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
Kevin, I think we an agree on most of what you wrote. I was responding to the assertion of property "takings" which phrase has a very specific meaning. (you have my email, happy to discuss further live)
to your larger point, yes, all laws impinge on freedoms and so we must weigh the pros/cons of them very carefully. it has been deemed that raising chickens is a public nuisance (agree or disagree, i don't know) so it's reasonable to consider whether the discharge of weapons near schools is a nuisance as well (again, agree or disagree....)
also, to the above, a carve-out for public safety could easily be included in any bylaw. part of the nuisance, in my opinion, is the worry that, at that moment, the operator might not be discharging safely. knowing it was the police who were operating would allay that fear.
finally, kids don't know the difference. they hear guns, they get scared. I hope we can agree on that.
-
On the article Simon: Sudbury Needs to Think Forward When Making Decisions
JON999
12:25 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
ReplyHP, when your 3 y/o has a lifetime of other experience, then maybe.
seriously, this is not that unusual. the BoS is more like a board of directors than any other town committee - those might require more domain expertise. private companies hire board directors from all walks of life experience -- for a very good reason - geting a variety of differing and unbiased perspectives together is often the best way to make good decisions.
-
On the article Simon: Sudbury Needs to Think Forward When Making Decisions
JON999
12:19 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
when your 3 y/o has a lifetime of other experience, then maybe.
-
On the article Simon: Sudbury Needs to Think Forward When Making Decisions
JON999
12:03 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
I agree. long lines were due to unfamiliarity, not a permanent deficiency. merging 2 contiguous transfer stations that each operate 3 days/week seems like a pretty easy and obvious way to save money for both towns, if they so desired.
-
On the article Simon: Sudbury Needs to Think Forward When Making Decisions
JON999
11:43 am on Friday, May 10, 2013
Replynot having served on any Town committees could make Mr. Simon an attractive candidate b/c he would not be coming in with any preconceived biases or relationships with Town employees/volunteers. likewise for candidate Mr. DePompeii on this issue.
-
On the article LIVE BLOG: 2013 Annual Town Meeting Day 3
JON999
11:40 am on Friday, May 10, 2013
shooting a gun has nothing to do with property rights. or the 2nd Amendment for that matter. the amateur lawyering going on at TM was embarassing. sure, owning a gun is protected by the 2nd Amendment - that is not in dispute. shooting a gun is an activity/behavior that is regulated in myriad ways in every state in the country. regulating behavior is not a "taking" of property. was the banning of the raising of chickens on residential property in Sudbury a taking?
this wasn't simply a neighbor vs. neighbor disupute, either. there was at least one shooting incident so loud that it startled the folks in the Flynn building. which is next to Noyes. and which is a similar distance from the property as Nixon. this was a general public nuisance claim and I was surprised the discussion wasn't focused on the relative merits of such claim.
in any case, agree or disagree with the Article but it was well within the bounds of relevancy and legality to be addressed at Town Meeting.
JON999
10:38 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Lincoln is a smart and savvy town. They got ahead of 40B early, limiting it's damage, and put a lid on development in general, preserving their historic, rural character. And they've gained the upper hand on LS, as demonstrated by Mr. Semple. Good on them. When do we match wits?