Friday, March 8, 2013

Man About Canton: New Flight Route

By Joe DeFelice

DID YOU KNOW …

The FAA has proposed a new departure route from Logan International Airport in Boston that would have planes flying directly over parts of Canton, Milton, and Randolph. In a letter drafted by state Senator Brian A. Joyce to Canton neighbors, he said the new route would have a significant adverse impact on the quality of life in the affected areas of the jet planes’ routes, including additional noise, pollution, and other nuisance factors. Senator Joyce has also written a letter to the project manager at Logan Airport regarding these concerns.

On the subject of Senator Joyce, he is listed as one of the names being tossed around by political observers as running for United States Representative if U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch beats U.S. Rep. Ed Markey for the Senate seat vacated by John Kerry, our new secretary of state.

Canton state Representative William C. Galvin recently took the oath of office for the 2013-2014 legislative session, marking the start of his 12th term in office. Representative Galvin represents the 6th Norfolk District that includes Canton and parts of Stoughton.

The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission recently issued a report urging the state to maintain the ban on “happy hours,” although new state law will permit free drinks to be served at casinos when and if they open in Massachusetts.

The Patriot Ledger recently did a front-page sports story on Canton’s Olivia Murphy, the UMass Boston freshman basketball star player, entitled “This kid is something special.” Murphy leads the Little East Conference in rebounds (10.4 per game), is second in blocked shots (1.9), and third in scoring (14.5).

Canton is one of only four schools south of Boston that did not have a single student quit school last year. Brockton High School has one of the highest dropout rates in the state with 34 percent. Wareham High School, at 43 percent, is the highest in this region.

Blue Hills Regional High School in Canton captured the Mayflower Hockey League championship for the 14th consecutive season, all under head coach Steve Woods.

The Canton Council on Aging has a medical equipment loan closet. You can borrow canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, and shower chairs. Right now, they are in need of wheelchairs and shower chairs. Donations can be made by calling COA Director Diane Tynan at 781-828-1323.

Dunkin’ Brands of Canton plans to open as many as 360 new Dunkin’ Donuts shops in the United States in 2013. Last year, it opened 665 stores worldwide, including 291 in the U.S. The company has 10,400 Dunkin’ Donuts stores and 7,000 Baskin-Robbins locations worldwide.

As part of the mitigation package with the Avalon Development Company, they will pave Randolph Street from York Street to the Canton-Randolph town line.

The Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon on Washington Street in Canton recently began its exhibition called “Only Owls.” The exhibition features oil paintings, prints, and watercolors showing different techniques depicting the largely nocturnal birds. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 1-5 p.m. For more information, call 781-821-8853.

The state Department of Transportation is looking into the possibility of installing cameras on Route 24 with ticketing based on the remote surveillance. It is estimated that more than 100,000 drivers a day travel on Route 24, which passes through about one mile in Canton.

Center Pizza next to Walgreen’s on Washington Street in Canton has changed owners from the Nacopoulos family to Konstantinos Sikas. Sikas said that there would be no major changes planned.

“I don’t think my name will mean much to the bear business, but you’re welcome to use it” –President Theodore Roosevelt in a 1903 letter to the manufacturer of the first “teddy” bear.

Spectacular achievements are always preceded by unspectacular preparation.

This is all for now folks. See you next week.