In honor of their outstanding academic achievement, Emmanuel College has named more than 600 students to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2014 semester. To earn a spot on the Dean’s List, Emmanuel students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for a 16-credit semester. Tri-Town students that were named to the Dean’s List include Jonathan Igo of Mattapoisett and Keri Robbins of Marion.
Old Rochester Regional Junior High School seventh-grader Dante Cusolito has been named a 2015 Massachusetts National Geographic State Bee semifinalist and is now headed to the state championship to compete for the chance to attend the national competition in Washington, D.C. against the top geography bee contestants in the country.
After winning a classroom round and a school-wide round, Dante took a written qualifying test taken by well over 300 Massachusetts students, and was one of 100 of them who knows their geography well enough to make it to the next step – the state championship at Worcester Academy on March 27.
Dante is playing it cool when it comes to being number one in geography in his school, since geography is just something he has always been interested in. His mother, Michelle Cusolito, said her son has been interested in geography since he was very young, and his ability to remember and visualize where places are in the world comes naturally to him.
This geography bee, said Ms. Cusolito, is “right in line with him as a person” and, of course, she is thrilled for him and his accomplishment.
“I do enjoy geography, and I read a lot,” said Dante. “At the dinner table, my family often takes out a globe or an atlas when we’re talking about the news and other things.”
Ms. Cusolito said when she was in high school, she was a foreign exchange student and over the years her family had hosted several foreign exchange students. The family often interacts with people from all over the world, having recently attended a party with guests from places like Turkey, China, and France. Dante has opportunities to learn from a wide variety of people, said his mother, and his family shares its knowledge with him who, clearly, is eager to listen.
How does Dante feel about advancing toward the semifinals?
“I feel kind of nervous because, when I’m under pressure, I forget things,” he said.
Ms. Cusolito said she would rather her son did not spend any extra time studying for the competition because, “If he wins, that’s great,” she said. “If he doesn’t win, that’s also just fine because he’s doing something that he likes to do.”
Aside from geography, Dante also likes math and enjoys science in school. He also takes guitar lessons and plays in the school jazz band.
If Dante wins the state semifinals and advances to the national competition, he will compete for some pretty sweet prizes. A $50,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership to the National Geographic Society, and … an all-expenses paid trip for him and one of his parents to travel to the Galapagos Islands. Which leads us to wonder, which parent would he choose to bring with him?
“I don’t think I’m going to make it that far,” said Cusolito. “But if I did, I wouldn’t be able to choose.”
When you see Dante Cusolito in the days leading up to the semifinals, feel free to congratulate him on his accomplishment and wish him good luck on March 27!
For more information about the National Geographic Bee, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee.
By Jean Perry
The monthly meeting of the Florence Eastman Post 280 will be held at the Post Hall at 7:00 pm on March 18. At this meeting, I would like to turn our attention to Memorial Day, as well as several projects that should be reviewed for the betterment of the hall structure. Finally, I have requested the use of the Lions’ Club tent on July11, 2015 as a venue for our Third Annual Clam Boil, which has grown every summer and has become our biggest revenue generator of the year. Boys’ & Girls’ State Tuitions are the largest annual community expense. We should ensure that we can continue our support of the students’ in this very worthwhile experience.
Bring your ideas for these endeavors as we cannot function without our members support and, obviously, the support of the great folks in our area who always patronize our efforts. The Hall is always available for rental. Just contact one of our members or call Mike at 508-758-9311.
The Mattapoisett Conservation Commission once again considered and debated whether or not to move forward with a wetlands bylaw document. Chairman Bob Rogers had broached the subject during previous public meetings with the commission members asking each to review the bylaws that Freetown presently has in place as a starting point.
Rogers asked that the commission offer suggestions and said at the February 9 meeting, “I’m not trying to be a one-man brigade here … but it gives us the ability to defend ourselves in Superior Court.” On March 9, he reiterated that point again.
Members Peter Newton and Tom Copps agreed that any wetlands bylaw needed to include language that beefed Town’s ability to engage outside consultants with the costs covered by applicants as allowed in Section 53G of Massachusetts General Law.
“I’d rather have a clear acknowledgement that we can hire (expert) consultants,” said Rogers. He said that a volunteer commission with part-time Town Hall staffing these consultants needs help to protect the interests of the Town by giving the commission expert input.
“…If you say no (to expert consultants),” said Newton, “that is an automatic denial (by the commission).” But such denials then allow the applicant to appeal to the DEP versus going through a Superior Court appellate process.
Commission member Mike King didn’t seem to feel as strongly. He said it “burdens the applicant.”
King said that before he could be convinced the Town needed wetlands bylaw protection, he wanted Rogers to cite past cases where an absence of wetlands bylaws proved a problem for the town.
Rogers noted issues that have arisen from appeals made to the DEP by Leisure Shores Marina and by Daniel DaRosa for the Goodspeed Island Pier. He said that in the absence of wetlands bylaws that would have required the applicants to pay reasonable costs for outside consultants, appeals to the DEP have hamstrung the Town, negating its ability to have their case heard in Superior Court.
Rogers asserted that wetlands bylaws would, “make our process similar to the Planning Board and the ZBA…. Nearly every other town around us has a wetlands bylaw.”
Newton said he was going to reach out to other commissions to find out how having such protections in place have aided their efforts.
King wasn’t convinced. He asked that specific cases be brought to the public’s attention as examples to support the need for local wetlands bylaws. “How would bylaws have expedited an outcome?” King asked.
Rogers felt he wanted to try and keep things more general without pointing fingers at specific residents or businesses.
Resident David McIntire shared his concerns that the commission members of today won’t be the commission members tomorrow, and that this proposed bylaw might give a commission too much power.
“This will give the ability and power to make rules and regulations,” said McIntire. To this Rogers countered, “But it won’t be done in the back room without a public hearing.” Rogers said, “The DEP is in control as to whether or not our conditions are enforced (without a bylaw).”
Rogers said that if the Conservation Commission voted by majority to accept a wetlands bylaw document, he would then go to the selectmen as well as hold a public hearing(s). He also said that town counsel would be involved to help vet and write the articles for the Town Meeting warrant. Rogers continued the discussion to the next regular meeting.
Also on the agenda was a Notice of Intent submitted by Christopher and Veronica Brockwell of 13 Randall Road to clear-cut and grub two acres of woodlands. The applicants want to make new pastures for their farm animals. Abutters were present to voice their concerns that the loss of woodlands would contribute to a growing stormwater flow problem along Appaloosa Lane, Randall Road, and River Road.
Roger Pepin, 14 River Road, said, “On the north side, there’s a creek and a creek on the south that floods … this is going to increase water flow … it’s going to add to flooding on River Road.”
John Duke, 12 Randall Road, added, “They are taking away more of the woods.” He wanted to know if an agricultural exemption allowed them to cut down woods for pastures.
Rogers said the application would be continued until the next meeting to give the Brockwell’s engineer Rick Charon more time to address wetland delineations, and for the commission to determine their scope of responsibility regarding the type of farming activities the applicant may undertake in a RR4 district.
One person in attendance didn’t seem to feel the commission could do much to control the applicant’s scope of work.
Derrick Fletcher, who resides on Appaloosa Lane, has been trying to work with various town boards for many months to enforce stormwater management plans for the subdivision on that roadway. He was perplexed, saying, “Your enforcement doesn’t work.”
Other applications continued until March 23 were: The Bay Club for a Request for Determination of Applicability at 111 Fieldstone Drive; Matthew and Kaitlin Keegan for a Certificate of Compliance at 41 Aucoot Road; and discussions with residents of Seabreeze Lane regarding possible wetlands encroachments.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for March 23 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room.
By Marilou Newell
To the Editor:
In the early 1970s, as the deleterious effects of unbridled corporate power became more and more visible, a movement was initiated to invoke social responsibility by corporations via stockholder initiatives. While it had some impact on corporate policies, it was not effective enough to countermand the legal requirement that corporations were to maximize profits for their stockholders. This they do by often passing off what can be considered social costs (i.e. pollution and other collective adverse unintended consequences) to the general public.
More recently, corporate lawyers and lobbyists have used the courts to increase their profits. Using the concept known as “corporate personhood,” which reflects the idea that corporations should have all the same Constitutional rights as ordinary people, they and others with very deep pockets have succeeded in securing Supreme Court decisions which have opened the floodgates to massive political campaign fundraising and spending by these very same corporations, other artificial entities and individuals. Extremely large financial resources available to these entities for use in our election process will effect a change in our government from a Democracy to an Oligarchy if left unchecked.
To overcome this threat to our representative form of government, a bill called “We the People Act” (HD 1988) has been filed by Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Cory Atkins and 81 bi-partisan co-sponsors in the state House and Senate. This bill calls on Congress to propose an Amendment to the Constitution that would affirm that:
– The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons, i.e. human individuals only; and
– Congress and the states shall place limits on political contributions and expenditures to ensure that all citizens have access to the political process, and the spending of money to influence elections is not protected free speech under the First Amendment.
If Congress does not propose this constitutional amendment within six months of the passage of this bill, the bill petitions Congress to set up an Amendments Convention. In either case, it will take 38 (or three-fourths) of the states to approve such an Amendment for it to become law.
An article expected to be included on the warrant for the Mattapoisett Annual Meeting will ask that the Town vote in support of this bill to bring democracy back to the people.
Jack W. Dean, Mattapoisett
The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.
The Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) and the Marion Art Center are partnering to sponsor a non-juried exhibition by local artists to highlight the many scenic sites that comprise the Lands Trust’s forests and marshes. This is one of several initiatives undertaken by the SLT to encourage visitation and enjoyment of the properties protected by the Trust. Local artists are invited to submit up to three works, in any media, for a non-juried exhibition to be held at the Marion Art Center, October 2 through November 14, 2015.
All submitted works must depict scenes of or from SLT properties.
Registration by September 1 is required. Register online at http://www.marionartcenter.org/call-artists/.
The Marion Art Center will receive a 30% commission on the sale of each piece.
There will be a special “Young Artists” division within this exhibition. Young artists in elementary school, middle school and high school are invited to submit one piece for the exhibition.
Artists wishing to exhibit should submit original pieces (no more than three), matted and framed with title, medium and price. Sculpture should be presented exhibition ready.
All pieces must be for sale, must be originals and have been executed within the last three years, and must not have been previously exhibited at the Marion Art Center.
All paintings and photographs must be framed, preferably matted (in white or neutrals) and ready to hang (i.e., secured with heavy picture wire and wrapped in tape, affixed to eye-hooks that have been attached securely to the frame).
Dates for dropping off artwork at the Marion Art Center are Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
Trail maps of the Lands Trust properties are available at the SLT offices, 354 Front Street, Marion (next to Uncle Jon’s) or on-line at www.sippicanlandstrust.org. Walking tours of SLT properties will be conducted for interested artists in June, July and August (dates to be determined). Complete registration packets are also available at the Marion Art Center at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion.
To the Editor:
A great big “THANK YOU” goes out to the Rochester Highway Department and all who helped to keep our roads clear throughout this winter. As a long-time resident of Rochester, I can remember the days that you knew you were back in town because you crossed over the town line from clear pavement to some very treacherous terrain. It is a pleasure to have that completely reversed and be able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing that once you hit Rochester, it’ll be smooth sailing. Thanks again for all of the countless hours you have dedicated to keeping us safe. Think Spring!
Sincerely,
Kristen Mathieu
The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.
“Are you a real fairy godmother?” said a little child to the sprightly, lively lady standing before her wearing a tiara, dressed in a green tutu and a jacket speckled with little shamrocks.
With a grin and a sparkle in her eye, the Irish Fairy Godmother replied, “Do you think I am?”
The little girl responded with a resounding ‘yes,’ and at that, the fairy godmother turned to her magical teapot decorated with shamrocks to match her blazer, and the fun and excitement of that Sunday afternoon at the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library in Rochester began.
Magician Debbie O’ Carroll, AKA the Irish Fairy Godmother, is 6,412 years old, as she revealed to the roughly 25 little ones seated on the floor who, by now, were pretty impressed. “And that’s young for a fairy godmother,” she giggled.
“First off, I have to pour some tea for the Rose Fairy,” she said as she tipped the magic teapot toward a glass teacup, filling it with a red liquid. Then she poured the tea for the Butterfly Fairy. To the children’s surprise, this time the teapot poured a cup of blue tea. Fascinated by her trick, the children watched as she took the same teapot and poured a glass of green tea for the leprechaun.
Then when the Irish Fairy Godmother made the Lemon Fairies disappear beneath her magic sugar bowl, that was it. The kids were enchanted.
With her magic wands and her magic cards, a few “presto change-os” and a couple of “abracadabras,” the Irish Fairy Godmother (finally) made the frog appear out of thin air, after a few silly unsuccessful attempts that kept the little ones in suspense.
Before she bid the children farewell and a Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, the Irish Fairy Godmother showed them how to make an origami snake to take home and make, and gave each a magic wand (a straw decorated with shamrocks) and a plastic gold coin so they could go home and perform their very own magic trick for their family and friends.
After the show, when asked about her favorite part of being a fairy godmother, Debbie cheerfully replied, “The reactions of the children.”
“It’s my job. It’s this…”she said, motioning to the happy children clutching their magic wands, smiling while inspecting their shiny gold coins. “I love it. I do it for the kids’ reactions.”
By Jean Perry
The Marion School District is seeking to adjust two staffing positions at Sippican School, Principal Lyn Rivet told the Marion School Committee during the fiscal year 2016 budget public hearing on March 4.
The proposed budget – totaling $5,774,987 and up by $166,722 or 2.97% from FY15 – includes an increase in the vice principal position from part-time to full-time, as well as an increase in enrichment instruction that would bring the position back up to a 1.0 position after it was reduced in FY15.
According to Rivet, a full-time assistant principal is vital as a role in assisting with the new teacher evaluation system, and would reinforce school and student safety.
“And enrichment,” said Rivet. “It’s that opportunity to service our top learners … and bring that flex wheel back to our students who need to be stretched.”
The rest of the budget remains level service, reflecting increases in areas such as professional staff, up $51,400, with the assistant principal contributing $46,000.
Also driving the budget are contractual agreements, increased utility rates, and an increase in special education services. Special education is up $150,479, an 8.4% increase from FY15.
Superintendent Doug White said the total FY16 budget increase could prove more palatable to the Marion Finance Committee if the district could receive special education circuit breaker funds from the State to offset some of those anticipated costs. White also added that the district has a revolving account that it could dip into if it had to.
“I believe that number to the Town will be reduced once we come up with a reasonable circuit breaker to reduce those costs,” White said.
Also during the meeting, Chairman Joseph Scott and committee member Jay Pateakos announced they would not be seeking reelection this year.
“We definitely would like some new blood on the committee … and keep us moving in the right direction,” said Scott.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Elise Frangos congratulated White on completing his dissertation that week, saying, “I know how challenging it can be…. It’s a huge accomplishment, so I’m delighted to call him Dr. White.”
“Well, I’m still calling him Doug,” Scott said, eliciting laughter.
The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for April 1 at 6:30 pm at the Marion Town House.
By Jean Perry
Here is a look at the twelfth week of scheduled games for Old Rochester Regional High School winter athletics.
With all other ORR teams done for the winter season, to say that there was some pressure on the boys’ basketball team to perform is an understatement. The Bulldogs, who previously received the first seed in a competitive Division 3 South bracket, swept both Apponequet and Hanover in the opening stages of the tournament, ending with a large margin of victory. With a talented team that claimed the school’s first SCC Championship in over two decades, all eyes were on ORR to see if they would continue their excellent season throughout the tougher rounds of the playoffs. The Bulldogs did not disappoint. They won two huge, consecutive matchups to claim their first South Sectional Championship since 1999.
First came the semifinals, where ORR was forced to face off against fourth-seeded league rival Wareham, who they defeated twice earlier this season. Though many rumors surrounded the game as to whether the Bulldogs would be able to defeat the Vikings three times in a row, the Bulldogs proved they’re a force to be reckoned with by defeating the Vikings in a thrilling 61-58 victory. After a dominant first half for the Bulldogs, Wareham emerged from the locker room after halftime to outscore the Bulldogs 17-7 and pull the game back within a five point differential. After exchanging blows back and forth in the fourth quarter, Wareham managed to shorten the lead to a mere three points and held possession with just 12.5 seconds, when senior captain Jordan Menard came up big for the Bulldogs, stealing the ball with 4.4 seconds remaining to all but secure the win for the Bulldogs. Ryan Beatty was the lead scorer for the Bulldogs, recording 17 points, while Evan Santos also played fantastically, scoring 15 points and playing excellent defense under the basket.
The win against Wareham advanced ORR to the south sectional finals, where they faced off against sixth-seeded Norton. After a close first three quarters, the Bulldogs pulled away in the final eight minutes of the game to secure a 64-53 victory and their first sectional title in 16 years. The Bulldogs were led by freshman Noah Fernandes, who after playing under the radar for most of the postseason, exploded with a 22-point performance against a tough Norton defense. Matt Valles also came up big under the basket, both offensively and defensively, scoring 11 points and recording several pivotal blocks and rebounds.
“Everyone on the team works well together and is completely unselfish, so we don’t care who scores for us on offense,” stated Menard when asked what the team’s greatest asset has been during the playoffs. “Instead of worrying about who’s going to score, we focus on our defense and limiting the other team’s opportunities to gain some momentum. That’s really what’s made our team so strong this postseason.”
The atmosphere at both games was electric, with the ORR fan section – the Dog Pound – drawing huge numbers clad in red, black, or white and supporting the Bulldogs every step of the way with enthusiastic cheers.
The boys will play next against Pentucket High School, the north sectional champions, at the TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics, on March 10. The players will have the opportunities to dress in the Celtics locker room, get introduced on the loudspeaker, and play on the same court that Celtics players compete on night after night. If the Bulldogs defeat Pentucket, they will advance to the Division 3 state finals, which will be held at the DCU Center in Worcester.
Below are the overall winter team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of March 8.
Boys’ Basketball: (21-3-0) (16-0-0); Girls’ Basketball: (12-9-0) (10-6-0); Boys’ Track: (8-1-0) (7-1-0); Girls’ Track: (9-0-0) (8-0-0); Boys’ Swimming: (1-5-0) (0-5-0); Girls’ Swimming: (2-4-0) (1-3-0); Ice Hockey: (16-6-1) (9-1-0).
By Michael Kassabian
