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Georgetown
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Gerogetown Selectman Lonnie Brennan
(09/05/07)
 Georgetown News
Most Fall columns are filled with cheer of school
openings and the faded memories of over-hyped,
over-exaggerated and typically failed override attempts.
Fortunately, our local papers and the weekly fish wrap
continue to print such drivel. Meanwhile, life moves on.
Here are a few updates on things you might not have read
in the local papers:
Richie Clough
Former Selectman Richie Clough, surrounded by a small
group of family and friends, including his devoted,
seemingly tireless wife Nancy, had major surgery again.
He lost one leg last year. This August, he lost the
battle for his second leg. Two days after surgery, my
bride and I visited Richie. Talk about good spirits. He’s
determined, despite the loss of both legs, to walk again.
“By walker or by tow-truck, I don’t care, I’ll
get fitted (for prosthetics) and I’ll walk again.
That’s my goal,” he told us.” Brave guy.
The Clough family could use our prayers and our support.
Cards can be sent to 48 Andover Street. Stay tuned for
more info.
Taxes
I promised a tax assessment update, but with regret, the
Summer months have not leant themselves to full analysis.
Suffice to say, as reported in the Spring column, some
folks received great reductions. Our assessor’s
daughter received a 15% reduction, later deemed “an
error we’re going to fix” by our assistant
assessor. Well, surprisingly, it appears her dad faired
pretty well too. See the chart on this page. If you can
pick out his tax increase, from amongst his neighbors on
the Rock Pond, please send an e-mail to
IfoundTheChairmanOfTheBoardOfAssessors@
justgeorgetownma.com. Read into it what you want. We’re
still analyzing things and have enlisted others for
additional advice and analysis. Hint: It’s not # 14.
Free year subscription (you must pick up the paper a your
local store) to the winner(s).
Why Georgetown?
A decade or so ago, Georgetown was a mixed-place:
seemingly mostly blue-collar workers, nice homes and nice
community. Now, it’s gone a tad upscale and the
little guy is feeling the squeeze. I still find myself
taking very unpopular positions and votes to protect the
community from spikes in tax increases. Not a way to
become popular or make friends with the jet-setters, but
I hope they’ll understand someday. Some have asked,
repeatedly, what’s so good about Georgetown? Well,
here’s my quick list of just three dozen things that
are good about Georgetown:
1. On-call firefighters responding today to a lockout
situation (child locked in building, mother more than
nervous at her mistake); 2. Many folks of all ages
pitching in again (I think first time in eight years) to
clean the Penn Brook school (and this time, outstanding);
3. Charlie Mendez taking photos of the above, and taking
video of so many things and events in town; 4. The
treasures at Sedler’s. When is the last time you
spent some time there?; 5. Folks walking their dogs; 6.
The friend who asked me to haul some of his kid’s
furniture last week; 7. the neighbors who help one
another with roof leaks; 8. Our veteran’s agent,
Terrance Hart; 9. The Knapps for their tireless efforts
for the historic society and other events; 10. George
Moker (surprise, surprise) for his tireless dedication to
the schools. I might disagree violently with him on
funding and negotiations, but you have to give it to the
guy, he’s dedicated to his cause, just like Margaret
Messelaar who previously served on the school committee;
10. Our PTA. What an outstanding group, past and
present!; 11. The folks who don’t let humanity and
friendship get destroyed because they disagree on one or
two things; 12. Fiscal conservatives if you can find one
or two in town. I’m told there are three on the
nine-member finance committee; 13. Almost all of my kids’s
teachers, from pre-school through high school.; 14. The
local K of C and their charity work (yes, I’m a
member there); 15. The Summer Concert series; 16. The
pool guy; 17. The husband/wife team who own the Napa
store and are so tremendously helpful when I ask silly
questions; 18. Dinners at Erie station; 19. Country
Gardeners; 20. The weekly fish wrap; 21. Camp Denison
walking paths and opportunities for taking photos; 22.
Soccer in town; 23. Our churches, our priest our pastors;
24. Knowing most of the police officers by name, at your
kids events, or just around town when you see them; 25.
Mint Chip at Henborg’s; 26. Chocolate covered graham
crackers at The Chocolate Cellar (a little personal plug
from the owner’s husband here); 26. The high school
builder’s club; 27. Three ponds; 28. The extreme
mixture of social/economical folks; 29. The infusion of
Haverhill kids in our school system (sad the numbers will
be reduced moving forward now...); 30. Mike’s
Favorite - the best breakfast sandwich at Theo’s;
31. Shirts from Georgetown Clothing; 32. Our pharmacist,
Mr. Lamonica; 33. Butchie’s (Stewart’s) oil
changes; 34. Bike rides to W. Box. Provisions for lunch;
35. Our seniors; 36. Our conservation agent.
Need I continue? You just need to look around. Sure
geography has a bit of an effect, but it’s almost
all about people. It’s about your neighbors. Try to
do something nice for a neighbor if you can this fall.
Folks, send me some e-mail. It would be great to add your
items to this list. I could make it 200 items, but this
paper is only so big.
September Events:
The Kadet Club - The K of C is resurrecting the Kadet
Club. Pay $70 and have a great meal, donate to charity,
have a great evening, and possibly win a ton of cash. See
www.kadetclub.com
for details.
The Merrimack Valley Chapter of Marriage and Family is
hosting an event at the Byfield Parish Church: David
Parker will headline the night’s event on September
15th, detailing the problems he’s encountered while
trying to discuss and explain the inappropriateness of
having school officials introduce his kindergarten child
to homosexual activities and indoctrination in the
Lexington, MA school system. Truly amazing stuff. I’ll
post details at www.GeorgetownToday.com.
The board of selectmen have extended an initiation to the
schools, the recreation path committee, and the planning
board to share with the town their recent activities.
Please tune into Channel 9 or Channel 42 for their
presentations.
If you have any informatin about this story please
email us at valleypatriot@aol.com
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The September 2007
Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2007, Valley Patriot, Inc.
We publish 15,000 newspapers and distribute in Andover,
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Westford, Acton, and Lowell.
Hampton & Salisbury Beach, (summers
only)
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