Why I'm voting Yes to ban marijuana retail sales in Acton on Monday
Sat, 2018-12-01 06:56 — AllenN
I voted to approve legalization of marijuana in 2016, but I will be voting Yes at Monday’s Special Town Meeting to ban retail marijuana sales in Acton.
I’m not a marijuana user. The last time I tried it was in Amsterdam about 10 years ago, and it was not a pleasant experience. But I do believe in adults having as much freedom as possible, and since marijuana is not a dangerous drug (no more dangerous than alcohol, say) I was in favor of legalization.
That part of the debate is now over, settled.
I’m not a marijuana user. The last time I tried it was in Amsterdam about 10 years ago, and it was not a pleasant experience. But I do believe in adults having as much freedom as possible, and since marijuana is not a dangerous drug (no more dangerous than alcohol, say) I was in favor of legalization.
That part of the debate is now over, settled.
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Vote No to banning cannabis shops in Acton
Sat, 2018-10-20 09:32 — jim_snydergrant
The debate around cannabis sales in Acton and other towns has largely come down to questions of teen safety.
Introducing Public Editor - MA
Sun, 2018-09-16 16:55 — AllenN
Dear Acton Forum readers:
For the past four months, I've been working on a new website dedicated to reforming newspaper journalism. My focus for now is the Boston Globe, New England's largest newspaper. My new website is called Public Editor - MA and it can be reached at PublicEditorMA.com
Journalism is such an important function in a free society, and we need journalists more than ever, especially as the economic model for hiring them has collapsed due to the Internet.
For the past four months, I've been working on a new website dedicated to reforming newspaper journalism. My focus for now is the Boston Globe, New England's largest newspaper. My new website is called Public Editor - MA and it can be reached at PublicEditorMA.com
Journalism is such an important function in a free society, and we need journalists more than ever, especially as the economic model for hiring them has collapsed due to the Internet.
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My next venture
Fri, 2018-06-29 17:55 — AllenN
Hi everyone. Hope you are all enjoying the start of summer and haven’t got tired yet of winning. I sure haven’t.
A couple of months ago, I announced that I would be stepping back from Acton Forum to pursue other ventures. My plans are slowly making progress and I wanted to give readers an update because some of you might be interested in my new project, and there is an opportunity to get involved if you are.
I have never been a real journalist. I have been a small newspaper publisher and an advertising salesman, and have dabbled in journalism a bit with the Acton Forum.
A couple of months ago, I announced that I would be stepping back from Acton Forum to pursue other ventures. My plans are slowly making progress and I wanted to give readers an update because some of you might be interested in my new project, and there is an opportunity to get involved if you are.
I have never been a real journalist. I have been a small newspaper publisher and an advertising salesman, and have dabbled in journalism a bit with the Acton Forum.
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Take "The People's Affordable Housing Survey"!
Tue, 2018-06-12 15:30 — terra
CLICK HERE to take "The People's Affordable Housing Survey"!
We all want housing to be more affordable, in Acton, right?
The goal of "The People's Affordable Housing Survey" is to figure out what the public wants when they say they want housing to be more affordable in Acton.
There are lots of surveys going around that are sponsored by people who are working for the construction industry and state/local agencies which depend on new con
We all want housing to be more affordable, in Acton, right?
The goal of "The People's Affordable Housing Survey" is to figure out what the public wants when they say they want housing to be more affordable in Acton.
There are lots of surveys going around that are sponsored by people who are working for the construction industry and state/local agencies which depend on new con
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Do you want Kelley's Corner to be Slower or Faster?
Wed, 2018-06-06 15:00 — terra
Hi everyone!
It seems intuitive that we'd want Kelley's Corner to be speedier, right?
But let's be careful with this.
Hundreds of people, including students, older people, people with disabilities cross at that intersection every day.
Far more regional traffic goes through the intersection, than local traffic.
The current design increases the curb-to-curb distance, increasing the time it takes to get across the street. Disability rights activists and parents worry that this decreases the safety of walkers. What do YOU think?
It seems intuitive that we'd want Kelley's Corner to be speedier, right?
But let's be careful with this.
Hundreds of people, including students, older people, people with disabilities cross at that intersection every day.
Far more regional traffic goes through the intersection, than local traffic.
The current design increases the curb-to-curb distance, increasing the time it takes to get across the street. Disability rights activists and parents worry that this decreases the safety of walkers. What do YOU think?
Calling all activists!
Fri, 2018-05-11 07:17 — AllenN
After helping to start Acton Forum and spending a lot of free time posting articles, writing blogs, and doing a little investigative reporting, it is time for me to retire and pass the torch to others who wish to continue.
I have asked Scott Smyers, a local activist and blogger on Acton Forum, to officially take over, and have reached out to a few other individuals who can help, with the thought that an editorial board can be formed to lead the website in the coming years.
I have asked Scott Smyers, a local activist and blogger on Acton Forum, to officially take over, and have reached out to a few other individuals who can help, with the thought that an editorial board can be formed to lead the website in the coming years.
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What Trumps free trade
Mon, 2018-04-09 07:29 — AllenN
My favorite Wall Street Journal is a pretty good news source, but it isn't perfect. It exhibits the "foolish consistency" I warned of in a recent article on the issue of repealing the Second Amendment (See http://www.actonforum.com/blogs/allenn/foolish-inconsistency)
My favorite president, Donald Trump, has plenty of faults. But his attempt to do something about our perpetual trade deficit isn't one of them.
My favorite president, Donald Trump, has plenty of faults. But his attempt to do something about our perpetual trade deficit isn't one of them.
Andover held public forum for Town Manager candidates in 2015
Fri, 2018-04-06 18:02 — AllenN
In 2015, when the Town of Andover was choosing a new Town Manager, the Andover Selectmen sponsored a public forum for the two finalists, which consisted of questions from the public as well as opening and closing statements.
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Just say no
Fri, 2018-04-06 07:06 — AllenN
This is my concluding article on the Town Manager search.
Participating in town government can be extremely frustrating, but the one thing that has kept me going is the belief in the democratic process. It is very tough for a Conservative like me to live in a town governed and populated by Liberals, where viewpoints and philosophies similar to mine are few and far between. Luckily, on most issues, I can live with doing what the majority wants.
Participating in town government can be extremely frustrating, but the one thing that has kept me going is the belief in the democratic process. It is very tough for a Conservative like me to live in a town governed and populated by Liberals, where viewpoints and philosophies similar to mine are few and far between. Luckily, on most issues, I can live with doing what the majority wants.
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