Burger King Coming Soon

If you drive to Irving Gas Station circa 2012, you may be delighted to see a Burger King across from it. Plans for a Burger King have been approved by the town of Wakefield. You know how long it took for Dunkin' Donuts and Irving to be built/open so yeah don't expect BK anytime in the near near future.

Wakefield may receive less aid

WAKEFIELD — It appears that state revenues for the current fiscal year may be even less than originally expected, according reports town officials are getting from Beacon Hill and that could mean less aid for Wakefield.
The Tri-Board met for an hour last night at Town Hall and discussed the worsening financial outlook.

Like I said last night, things always get worse before they get better...right?

Go outside, kids!

WAKEFIELD — Once again, the Wakefield Lodge of Elks, along with the Wakefield Fire and Police departments, invite you to join them on the Common for the 12th annual Common Ground Outing for Children.
This free event is happening on Saturday, Aug. 16 (rain date Aug. 17), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Yeah, get out! Who wants to stay in their basement blogging all day?

Symes buys Montrose School

WAKEFIELD — The sale of the Montrose School property is now official.
A majority of the Board of Selectmen, along with President Landers Symes of Symes Associates, the well-known Beverly-based development firm, inked the $975,000 pact last Wednesday.

Sniff...there goes my childhood.

Remember These Losers?

You can see Anthony Guardia, then a W.H.S. student seemingly filming for TV?, on the right side.

A little less than six years ago, the Creativity Movement (those KKK-esque bastards) came to the Beebe Library to spread their word. The movement created quite a stir in Wakefield: there were protesters in the square punching and spitting on members.

Where were you on that day?

Glen: I was on the sidelines during a Pop Warner football game. I broke my arm about a month before and I was just cheering on my fellow teammates. A few guys told me that there were white supremacists down town.

Chris: I was bowling and after I finished my third string (which was rushed!) we headed back to the DeCarlo house for some good old fashioned Lean Pockets!

Fitzpatrick jury visits scene

Yesterday, Sean Fitzpatrick's jury inspected the scene of the crime...

WAKEFIELD - Led by a police escort from Middlesex Superior Court, the jury in the Sean Fitzpatrick murder trial went on a view of the Allstate Concrete Pumping Company and two other locations on New Salem Street yesterday.

MGLD accepts credit

WAKEFIELD - To enhance service to its customers, the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (MGLD) is now accepting credit card payments for its monthly bills.

About time. Cash IS dead, after all.

Fire chief David Parr retires

WAKEFIELD - How do you retire from literally the only job you’ve wanted for most of your 52 years on earth?
When Wakefield native David L. Parr walks out the door of the Public Safety Building on Friday, it will officially close out a career that has spanned over 30 years along with 15 years as chief.
Parr, a 1973 graduate of Wakefield High, next week will begin a new job as a federal administrator for regional firefighting grants.
Leaving the Crescent Street station won’t be an easy task. A sometimes emotional Parr recently talked about the fires he fought, the people he’s served, the men and women he has led in a career that really started when he was just a teen.
“Being on the fire department was the only thing I ever wanted to do since I was a little kid. I’ve really lived the dream,” he candidly admitted.

May Mr. Parr enjoy his retirement as much as he's enjoyed the last half-decade.

Tri-Board members call for override

WAKEFIELD - Some Tri-Board members are convinced that in the long run an override of Proposition 2 1/2 is the only feasible answer to the town's financial problems but cautioned that it won't happen any time soon.

Poor Wakefield.  Literally.

Wakefield seeks to upgrade website

WAKEFIELD - A major gap in the town's ability to provide information to its citizens may soon be plugged, as the selectmen moved last night to form a committee to look at ways to upgrade and improve the town's Web site.

That site needs to get with the times. Where's the blog?

Action teams...ASSEMBLE!

WAKEFIELD — “There’s a lot of passion out there.”
The words of School Committee member Kevin Piskadlo came home to roost last night when more than 17 people turned out at the Creative Revenue Forum held in the Lecture Hall of the Beebe Library. To date, 29 people have expressed interest.
“People who have never been asked to do anything in town want to get involved to help solve the town’s financial problems,” said Piskadlo. “Last night’s turnout was successful. We talked about problems and potential solutions.”
Piskadlo’s colleague and fellow School Committee member Anthony Guardia said that 12 people joined action teams set up to address concerns about energy conservation, financial and privatization possibilities, taxes and fees, economic revitalization and fundraising and miscellaneous issues.

Good to see people getting involved instead of just sitting in their basement and blogging about it.

State doesn't help our schools

Wakefield would have appreciated some help from the state in this time of financial woes.

WAKEFIELD - There are no “gifts” from the state in the recently released Cherry Sheet, listing local aid and assessment figures for Fiscal Year 2009 which began on July 1. The $28.233 billion state budget was signed yesterday by Governor Deval Patrick (see separate story).
“There are really no surprises,” said Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio, who was expecting the numbers that were released.
The budget numbers drew a sharp rebuke from Selectman Chairman Betsy Sheeran, particularly with regard to the continued school aid funding gap.

$28 billion and none of it could have gone to our painfully under-funded public schools?

Summer Band concerts to begin Friday

WAKEFIELD - This coming Friday, July 11, the Wakefield Summer Band opens its seventh season of free Common concerts for the community at 7 p.m.

Anyone who yells "Free Bird" will be knocked out, wake up in Glen's office tied to a chair, and forced to watch that Bill Hicks video for 24 hours straight.

Local complains about chemical

WAKEFIELD — A Sherman Road resident, concerned about a chemical used to control the mosquito population, recently wrote to the state’s Department of Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach claiming that Sumithrin is a toxic chemical and should not be used.

You tell 'em. Besides, a little bug spray should do the trick.

Winning floats

Large Float
First Place: West Side Social Club, JFK Legacy, PT 109
Second Place: Wakefield Repertory Theatre, Wizard of Oz
Small Float
First Place: Beebe Library, About Service at Beebe
Second Place: 4F Social Club, Proudly They Serve
Third Place: Girls Scouts 7310, Proudly We Serve
Theme Prize
Girl Scouts, Woodville, Service to the Community
Judges’ Award
Wakefield/Reading combo, Search and Rescue, Camp Curtis Guild

Unfortunately, our float did not please the judges enough...

Spend your 4th downtown

And now, the Wakefield Daily Item presents a laundry list of things to do two days from now.

WAKEFIELD - This year the West Side Social Club is proud to be announcing a few new changes to their daylong celebration on the Common. From the earliest morning event to the last big boom of the fireworks, the volunteer members of this club have worked very hard to try to ensure that there will be something for everyone in town to enjoy.
Gene Ellison the “Fishing Machine” has been an amazing sponsor for the Fishing Derby, bringing it to a new height. He has generously donated 30 Zebco fishing rod and reel sets with tackle wallets to be awarded to the children. Also the winners of the Fishing Derby will have a chance to ride on his Nitro Z-9 series Pro Bass Boat in the Wakefield Independence Day Parade. Plus his TV series “Camo Country TV” will be filming the day’s events to be shown on all over New England later this month.
Fred and Mary Hurley of Boats and Motors have also contributed generously to the Fishing Derby with free bait and hooks for the first 200 children who enter it, thus saving parents and kids the late night digging up of worms for bait.
Thanks to John Kennedy of Honeydew Donuts also Dan Ruiz and Jean Boudreau at McDonald's the WSSC will have coffee, donuts, apple dippers, juice and water for sale for breakfast at a very minimal price. These will be offered for sale at both the Fishing Derby Registration Tent and the Children's Parades Registration Tent.
For the Children's Pet Show, Gina Swansburg owner of Gone to the Dogs, a really beautiful local pet store will have a table by the Children's Parades Registration Tent. She has generously donated pet treats and will have water bowls for the animals to drink from, plus she will have a free raffle at her table for a basket of special treats. The Pet Show itself is being moved to the left of the registration tent on the Upper Common. “We are not parading the pets because some of them are not so easy to parade. Remember pets of all kinds are welcome, even geckos, to answer the question that was asked by one small boy at the Festival by the Lake,” said a spokesperson.
The Children's Parade Route will be changed this year to what organizers hope will make a more enjoyable event for all. After registering your child for his or her event, one parent will bring the child and their entry to the street in front of the tent to line up. The children will parade in the walkway within the Upper Common, much like the Seniors do for their Grand March. Parents, siblings, grandparents and friends will then have the opportunity to sit or stand along the route for a better view of all the children and their creations. “Don't forget to bring your camera! However if you forget it, we have heard that the WCAT will also be filming these events for future viewing on their local channel,” noted the spokesperson.
At noon up at the head of the Lake, the Canoe Races begin. This year the WSSC has added Kayak Races. “So if you have a kayak or a canoe please go up there at 11 a.m. to register and enter these very exciting races,” the spokesperson asked.
When all the morning events are done there will be have a concert for the teenagers on the Common. Everyone in town is invited to come and enjoy these fine local singers and bands. The WSSC Food Tent will be opened so you can enjoy a fine BBQ meal of sausages, burgers, hotdogs, french fries, cold drinks, cotton candy, fried dough and popcorn while watching a great concert. Also Famous Annie will be selling her delicious Slush and Lemonade.
After you have viewed the wonderful Wakefield Independence Day Parade, you can return to the Common to hear another great concert by “Replay” from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Town votes on budgets tonight

WAKEFIELD - Budget reductions will be at the forefront of tonight’s Special Town Meeting, 7:30 at the Galvin Middle School Memorial Auditorium.

I feel sorry for next year's Wakefield Public Schools students.

Town Administrator has good ideas

WAKEFIELD - He's been on the job for just over two weeks. But seated in his second-floor Town Hall office, new Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio exuded the confidence of a man who knows the ropes. He is, of course, no stranger to town government, having served nine years on the Board of Selectmen - a board that he will now answer to.
Maio has definite ideas as to how town government can help to shape Wakefield's future. Much of it involves technology, cooperation with the business community and bringing a business mentality to Town Hall.

I hope our town government can get us through the economic crisis. Shrinking budgets are ruining every department. Fortunately, Mr. Maio has a lot of ideas that could boost our income...

Maio says that if businesses like Hallmark Health can be convinced to locate in Wakefield, it can increase the commercial tax base and lessen the burden on the homeowners.

Also...

“We've got a Lake. We've got a great downtown, with a lot of different restaurants.” Maio is looking at different ways to attract lake visitors to the downtown area. He is currently looking at a proposal to introduce a bicycle taxi service linking the Lake and the downtown area. Seasonal events like Christmas walks could also draw shoppers to the downtown, Maio suggests.

Redistricting may occur in elementary schools

WAKEFIELD — Some students in grades one, two and three who attend the Dolbeare and Woodville schools could be moved to the Walton School in September.

No! Not Dolbeare!

Help revise Wakefield charter

WAKEFIELD - The Charter Review Committee has announced that it is seeking public input on the current Town Charter.

I personally think it's time to revise that article about the slaves.