LETTER: Farewell to Medford Patch

Medford Patch editor Jake O'Donnell is making a move to the big city.

Dear readers, As some of you may be aware, my time as the local editor of Medford Patch has come to an end. Friday was might last day in that role, although my posts will appear on this site through this morning. I am staying with Patch, although in a different role. Starting today I am taking over as local editor of our Back Bay and Beacon Hill Patch sites. My time in Medford was admittedly brief. I came here at the start of the year with very little knowledge of this city just north of Boston with rich culture and history. What I came to find was a vibrant, fun community that was such a joy to cover. It was certainly an active four months here in Medford. In that time I hope I was able to bring you a wide, diverse range of stories and …

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LETTER: Jehlen Says 'Transportation Funding is at a Crisis Point'

The Medford state senator and Kristina Egan, director of the Transportation for Massachusetts coalition, discuss the state of Massachusetts' transportation infrastructure.

As the state looks at ways to fund its transportation infrastructure, Medford State Sen. Patricia Jehlen and Kristina Egan, director of the Transportation for Massachusetts coalition, explain why they feel the effort is necessary. Here's their letter:  Investing in Transportation is Investing in Our Future Transportation is key to Massachusetts’ economic future – but it is currently at risk.  Updating our roadways ensures safety and saves millions of dollars in taxpayer dollars in the long run. One example is the historic “Fast 14” project, which repaired fourteen crumbling bridges on Interstate 93 in Medford.  This project, completed in under a year, would have taken at least four years and cost millions more if conventional methods had …

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How Would You Rate Medford’s Plowing During the Blizzard of 2013?

Are you satisfied or frustrated with how the town handled the area’s 5th largest snowstorm in history? Let us know by posting a comment below.

Now that the snow has fallen, and started to melt, it’s your time to rate how the town’s plows handled the more than 2 feet of snow that fell Friday and Saturday. Medford Patch's Facebook page has lit up since last Saturday with readers who were mostly dissatisfied with plowing in Medford, but we want to open this up to people with opinions any which way. Feel free to give praise or thanks, express frustrations or offer up constructive criticism in the comments below, and keep in mind, the blizzard was the 5th largest snowstorm in New England history. [Follow Medford Patch on Twitter, like us on Facebook and sign up for our Daily Newsletter and Breaking News alerts.]

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What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban?

Do you agree with the governor's decision or was it too drastic?

All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. (Editor's note: The ban is lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday.) Patrick's executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban …

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Please Don't Help My Kids

A Patch blogger's post about not helping her children on the slide is being debated across the country.

A Patch blog from Alameda, CA, called “Please Don’t Help My Kids” has struck a nerve with readers across the country. Posted in September, the blog has taken off over the past few weeks as it has found a second life through social media sharing. The blog has 124,000 Facebook recommendations and 833 people have tweeted the blog. The blog is an open letter to other parents at the playground. The blogger Kate Bassford Baker’s basic request is for parents to not help her daughters on the slide. She wrote that she wants her daughters to do things and learn things on their own. Learning to walk up the slide’s ladder is the first step to learning new things and overcoming obstacles, she wrote. “Because, as they grow up, the ladders will only get …

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LETTER: Hello Medford From Your New Editor

Jake O'Donnell is the new local editor of Medford Patch.

Dear readers, You've probably noticed the new name and face atop Medford Patch for the last few days or so. That new name and face is mine, Jake O'Donnell, and I'm pleased to introduce myself to you as the new local editor of Medford Patch. I come to you after spending 18 months as the local editor of the Patch site in Salem, N.H. After living my entire life in the Granite State, I recently decided to get closer to Boston and Medford presented that opportunity. I'm extremely proud of the site I built in Salem and am eager to get started in Medford. Previous Medford editor Jarret Bencks is a longtime friend of mine and I know I have big shoes to fill. I promise to continue the high degree of coverage of this city that you've come to expect …

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NASA Explains Why the World Didn't End on Dec. 21

NASA reassures the public that life will continue on after the so-called Mayan apocalypse.

In another attempt to debunk widespread belief that the world is coming to an end on Dec. 21, 2012, NASA released a video intended to be aired on Dec. 22—confirming that life on Earth continues on. The four-minute video titled "Why the World Didn't End Yesterday," labels the Dec. 21 so-called Mayan apocalypse as a hoax and explains how the rumors began.  Earlier this month, the U.S. Government responded to apocalyptic fears by posting a blog on the USA.gov website to help dispel the rumors. The post touches on how many have been left frightened, especially children, some of whom have contemplated committing suicide because of the doomsday predictions.  NASA also published a section on its site that provides answers for commonly asked …

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Blog: MWRA Mayor and Council Should be Fined

Jeanne Martin writes that the mayor and city council should be fined for misappropriating water and sewer enterprise funds.

Have You Had Your Flu Shot Yet?

Whether you are a regular to the flu vaccine or an “I never get it” kind of reader, the total vaccine story may not be one you’ve ever stopped to investigate.

"What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?" is a question I am asked daily. It truly comes down to informed consent and personal philosophy. We live in a country with much propaganda for vaccines. I was checking out at Rite Aid this week and I heard the cashiers asking all the customers if they had received the flu shot yet.  If someone responded with “No,” the employee would say “Our pharmacy has them and it is free with your insurance, you really need to get one so you won’t get the flu.” … and a column was born. At this time of year everyone in the family over 6 months old is encouraged to have the influenza vaccine. This recommendation is about 12 years old. Before then, only those 65 and over and very ill people were encouraged to be…

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Letter: Cigarette Tax has Saved Lives and Health Care Costs

Brooke Hoyt of Medford Health Matters and Diane Knight of Northeast Tobacco Free Community Partnership write about how the quarter tax on cigarette packs has supported a decrease in tobacco use.

To the editor: In November 1992 voters from across the commonwealth took the courageous step of voting in favor of a referendum that would add a 25-cent tax to each pack of cigarettes sold in Massachusetts. This tax would be used to help current smokers get the resources to quit when they were ready to make that life-saving decision. Twenty years later, that quarter tax is responsible for a revolution that has saved lives, prevented youth from becoming addicted, and saved the commonwealth millions of dollars in health-care costs. Since the time of that vote, the state has seen a dramatic change in the way people think about tobacco. The change in perspective has directly resulted in the elimination of unattended sales to minors at vending …

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