Man About Canton: Gentlemen’s Agreement Bites the Dust

DID YOU KNOW …

Now that the presidential and senatorial elections are finally over, it is time to say something about Canton’s so-called “gentlemen’s agreement,” which was not adhered to this year. For many years, it was generally agreed that politicians running for office in Canton would not erect a multitude of unsightly political signs. This year, however, signs for Senator Brown and his opponent, Elizabeth Warren, began to appear in a number of locations. Even Selectman Vic Del Vecchio, of all people, had a sign on his lawn off Chapman Street.

In the end, there were a lot of unattractive, multi-colored political signs all over Canton. MAC hopes that the “gentlemen’s agreement” stays in effect during the next election.

MAC congratulates the J. D’Amico Construction Company of Canton on the excellent quality of work it accomplished repairing the Reservoir Dam off Pleasant Street. It looks fantastic.

MAC also congratulates the CHS golf team. For the second consecutive year, it has won the Hockomock League championship.

Susan Crespi and Sue Bronstein will be splitting the director’s duty for the Canton Problem Solving Program, but as Bronstein said, “Nobody, not even the two of us, could ever replace Mrs. Marilyn Harris,” the former director of the program.

Canton-based FM Generator, a power generator distributor, donated a 60-kilowatt generator to an orphanage that will be built in Grand Goave, Haiti. Grand Goave still suffers regular power outages as a result of the 2010 earthquake.

Selectmen recently announced the appointment of Karen Zukauskas as director of assessing in Canton.

According to energy experts, the cost of a gallon of gasoline may dip by 40 cents by Thanksgiving Day.

Here is an interesting fact: This year, the production of oil in the United States is on track to average 10.9 million barrels per day. The Energy Department forecasts that production next year will average 11.4 million barrels per day. That would be a record for the U.S. and just below Saudi Arabia’s output of 11.6 million barrels per day.

Applications are now being accepted for on-call school crossing guards. The starting rate of pay is $14.80 per hour.

By March 1, 2013, everyone getting Social Security benefit payments by paper check will need to sign up for electronic payments/direct deposit.

MAC recently traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, and paid $60 to check in two bags one way. It was only four years ago when airlines started charging fees for checked suitcases. It is estimated that U.S. Airlines will collect more than $3.4 billion in baggage fees in 2012 and an estimated $2.6 billion in fees for canceling or changing a reservation. Delta Airlines claimed the title as the airline collecting the most off baggage fees — nearly $430 million in the first six months of this year.

The percentage of voters registered as Democrats in 2012 in Canton and Sharon is 32 percent. In Stoughton, it’s 35 percent; in Randolph, it’s 50 percent; and the state median in cities and towns is 26 percent.

The Hanningtons of Massachusetts Over 70 senior softball team won the Major Division in the Huntsman World Senior Games held recently in St. George, Utah. The games are the largest annual multi-sport event in the world for athletes 50 and over. An estimated 10,000 athletes attended the two-week event. The Hanningtons team is sponsored by Canton Attorney Glen Hannington.

The CHS class of 1972 is holding its 40th reunion on November 23 at the Turnpike Cafe.

MAC’s twin granddaughters, Brooke and Taylor Alessi, age 9, are ranked Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the 12 and under age group at the Brown Billone Tennis Club in Easton. Congratulations girls!

Master plumber Bill Dickie of the Canton School Maintenance Department recently retired after serving the town of Canton for 15 years. Bill will still work part-time.

Vincent Burton of the Blue Hills Regional football team moved into second place on the state’s all-time scoring list with 604 points, which includes 230 points this year, which is the highest in the state.

MAC congratulates Canton Police Officer Bob Sykes, who retired on September 3 after 33 years, and Canton Police Sergeant Mark Ronayne, who retired on October 14 after 29 years of serving the town of Canton.

This past summer, Sunrise Erectors Inc. donated labor and materials to enclose the pressbox at Canton High School’s Memorial Field. The Canton-based exterior façade contractor has completed projects throughout New England, including Patriot Place, Legacy Place, Fenway Park, and Norwood Hospital.

The big rewards come to those who travel the second undemanded mile.

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

Joe DeFelice can be reached at manaboutcanton@aol.com.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=17323

Posted by Joe DeFelice on Nov 14 2012. Filed under Featured Content, Man About Canton, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.