To the editor: The MBTA would have you believe that its financial plight is one created out of fault of everyone but themselves. The only thing further from the truth is the notion that the MBTA’s passengers and Commonwealth’s taxpayers should feel the burden to correct the issue. I am not naïve enough to think that the MBTA should be able to operate without fare increases, but no increase should exceed 10% and no service that is so extensive should ever be in a position to consider such drastic cuts. The MBTA’s initial fare and service proposals are proving to be the ultimate in high-ball …

Letter to Editor: As I await the inauguration ceremonies of Municipal Officials, on January 3, 2012 at Attleboro High School, 7 p.m.. Bray Auditorium. I wish to express my thanks to all the residents of Ward No. 1 who elected me to be their Ccouncilman for the next two years. In preparation for this position I have decided to relinquish my position on the council as its vice president so as to concentrate on resolving the problems that now exist in our ward and those that will exist in the future. I don't know if my responsibilities as the Chairman for Personnel and Human Services will …

To the editor: The building at 95 Pine Street houses several human service programs that assist people in need (WIC Program, Council of Churches, St Vincent dePaul, Self-Help, Inc.). The City of Attleboro, in its ultimate wisdom, decided to shut the heat off to the building for the remainder of this week and all of next week, to do burner repairs. They had all summer to do this repair, but they waited until the week before Christmas to do it. All of our programs must now shut down because there will be no heat in the building. Who is going to help our families with food and formula, heating …

To the Editor: Good friendships don’t come often. I have been lucky in my life to have had several close friends over the years. Bill Bergevine was one of those friends. I held Bill in very high esteem. I first respected and admired him as a dedicated School Committee member, then as a member of the Planning Board, and finally as a colleague on the City Council. It is during that time on the Council that I really got to know him as a man. He was meticulous and methodical in his approach to city government. He was the perfect public servant, always working hard to find solutions to problems …

To the Editor: History was made this week when the House of Representatives and the State Senate passed the Transgender Equal Rights Bill. On Monday the House took up the bill and passed it 95-58. The Senate passed the bill on Tuesday with a voice vote. The bill will protect more the more then 33,000 self-identified Transgender state residents from discrimination based on their gender identity in employment, housing and education.  “For the first time, transgender residents will be included in our state's statutes, prohibiting the unfair and unjust discrimination they have faced for far too …

I want to extend my thanks and utmost appreciation to the voters of Ward 4 for electing me to serve as your council representative. I appreciate the trust you have in me and I consider this opportunity an honor and a privilege. The time has come to put the differences of the campaign season behind us and come together to meet the challenges that lie ahead. I will work hard to accomplish the goals we discussed throughout the campaign. Improving our business climate, our environment, our schools, keeping Briggs Corner fire station open and staffed with paramedics and standing up for the …

Editor's Note:Mr. Lazzerini submitted this letter to the editor with a Providence, RI address, but has sinced told Patch that he no longer lives in Providence and is now a resident of Ward 1. To the editor: Attleboro voters elected a diverse City Council this past Tuesday and I'm proud of the Council make-up. The City Council At-Large is made up of Richard Conti, Brian Kirby, Peter Blais, Sara-Lynn Reynolds, and Jay DeLisio. This was my prediction for the Council At-Large and I'm for the most part happy with it. A lot of issues come to mind when choosing who I support for public office and …

In our community there are about 4,300 veterans in Attleboro, 5,000 veterans in Taunton, 1,000 in Rehoboth, and about 1,400 in Seekonk. These individuals have served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, various Central American conflicts, Iraq 1991, the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq 2003, and other unknown and known operations such as the successful mission in Libya. The importance of their service and character is representative of the resident’s value in our community. These men and women who embody what Honor, Courage, and Commitment means are our friends and neighbors. While we may not always agree with…

Massachusetts leads the nation in providing services for veterans and military families thanks to the strong commitment of our taxpayers, policy makers and advocates.  During the month of November, more attention may be given to honoring our brave military servicemen and women; however, as citizens of this Commonwealth and this country, we have an obligation to support our veterans throughout the year. It is critical that veterans receive re-employment and training opportunities as part of the range of services we provide when they transition home.  With 385,000 veterans currently residing in…

To The Editor:  I would like to thank all of Ward 5 for the confidence that you have placed in me.  I am honored to have been embraced by the Ward 5 community as a whole.  Rich, poor; Caucasian, African-American, Latino, Asian; young and old.  The entire community came out to support me. Thank you for electing me your next Ward 5 City Councilor.   I am grateful to all of Ward 5.  I appreciate the trust you have put in me and I will do my best to make you proud. Jeremy Micah Denlea Ward 5 Councilor-Elect

Letter to the Editor: There have been some rumors going around town so I’d like to provide some clarity. I hold a real estate license in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Florida. I am affiliated with a major real estate franchise in North Attleboro and in Boynton Beach, FL. My significant other is a Florida resident and I am a Massachusetts resident and taxpayer. I travel quite frequently for personal and professional reasons. I am physically in Florida approximately 45 percent of the time. I am successful at managing my business in both locations because of the wonderful technology we have …

To the Editor: In the coming days, I would love to see Attleboro Patch publish a poll asking residents of this region what they would do with over a half of a million dollars.  Personally, I would pay off the next 29 years of mortgage payments on my house. With what is left over, I would start college funds for my kids. I am sure others would have other, perhaps better ideas. A trip around the world?  A new car? Retirement? A second home? Open a dream business? I am sure that some people are kind enough to immediately donate it to a worthy cause.  All of these are potentially great ideas. And…

I think many of us living in Attleboro feel the pain of what is going on in America today. We could all use support, coaching, and refreshed ideas…it's hard to think of everything and that is why it is important to listen, and review all sides and positions on an issue. On one level we read and hear that companies are still making good if not record profits and that many CEO's are continuing to receive enormous pay-outs…yet many of our neighbors are out of work; families are struggling on one pay check, losing homes or barely hanging on, food prices have been hiked and health care costs …

Letter to the Editor: I’m the lucky mom of two boys. Two small boys who will be big boys before I know it. Right now, we mostly talk about Elmo, Curious George, Ninja Turtles, and Star Wars. But our house is also filled with a lot of “potty talk” and giggling about “private parts.”  Like I said, my boys are growing up fast and it’s only a matter of time before I need to proactively address their natural curiosities. My husband once said, “Thank God we don’t have girls and don’t have to worry about them getting pregnant.”  I quickly reminded him that having boys doesn’t mean we don’t still …

In the last Mayoral debate current Mayor Dumas states that the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) has endorsed him. That is true, however it was done without the knowledge of the Local membership. The reason is that TWO & only TWO members of Attleboro Fire Department Local 848, and in secret asked for that endorsement at the September PFFM meeting. Then these TWO people met and communicate what went on at that meeting, Except for the fact that they got the endorsement for the Mayor. Neither one of these individuals said a word to other members of the Fire Department. Most …

To the editor:      Kudos to Councilor Cherie Felos, with support from Councilors Rich Conti, Walt Thibodeau, and Mark Cooper on the introduction of a recall provision for all Attleboro city elected officials. When elected to these offices, the Mayor, City Council, and School Committee take an oath to uphold the duties of those offices in a trustworthy manner and are given an awesome responsibility in governing the city and most importantly, the way that many of the city's funds are spent. This provision keeps them honest and prevents anyone from acting above-the-law as we've seen numerous …

To the editor,  This year, the voters will have nine good choices for the 5 At Large City Council seats, and I have just about settled on my choices. One of the things that are driving my choices this year are ethics and the degree to which I believe City Councilors are acting in a transparent fashion. Attleboro is organized with an executive branch (mayor) and a legislative branch (city council) for a very good reason. It is to provide scrutiny and objectivity on proposals from the administration. That is the best approach for residents to get the best government. Not all proposals or …

There may have been harder times in our history but there have never been times more embarrassing. Let’s begin with the obvious. Determination and respect for self sufficiency is gone as millions prefer to live off entitlements our tax dollars. Is it totally their fault? Well, consider government handouts in return for votes. Unknown millions of government jobs depend on giving tax dollars to those who contribute nothing to our society. Try to find clothes made in America. Most are made west of California. GAP clothing stores are closing stores here in the U.S. and opening in China. Why not? …