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Sysco trucks still parked

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“Teamsters Local 653 members employed at Sysco Boston will remain on the picket line 24-7 until the company retracts its ‘last best, and final INSULT!’  We will be at 99 Spring St., Plympton, MA until the company returns with the contract we deserve and have earned!” according to a Facebook post on the Teamsters Local 653 web page.  “It’s an all-out worker revolt as Sysco Boston walks out on strike!” the post continued.  “One day longer – One day stronger!”

Just after midnight, Oct. 1, more than 300 members of the Teamsters Local Union 653 walked off the job, after contract negotiations with Sysco of Boston’s final offer was rejected by the union, who chose not to bring it to a vote of the membership, claiming Sysco took their “abhorrent anti-worker treatment to new lows, giving a ‘take it or leave it’ final offer that strips their essential workers of high-quality union health insurance, denies members of a secure retirement with a union pension, and offers meager wage increases amid drastically rising inflation,” the comments on the web page continued.  The strike vote was taken by a vote of the negotiating committee.

Sysco has hired workers to continue operations during the work stoppage, but not all of the restaurants, schools, hospitals, care facilities, and sports venues that depend on Sysco’s services will receive the needed supplies.  The Boston Globe reported that some customers are coming in to the Spring Street, Plympton facility to pick up their own orders.

Plympton Police and Fire Departments are actively monitoring the labor dispute and say that there is no danger to the public and no threat to public safety.

In a joint statement released to the press by Police Chief Matthew Ahl and Fire Chief Stephen Silva,  “Individuals walking the picket line have been boisterous at times by respectful of boundaries.  There have been no reported injuries or acts of violence.

Multiple police, fire, and state assets are on the scene assisting with monitoring the situation,” the statement continues.  “There will be a public safety presence in the area throughout the duration of the work stoppage.”

Sysco claims their offer of a 25% increase over the course of the contract, beginning with a 7% increase the first year, puts drivers on a path to earn $110,000.  They also claim that their health insurance would save on premiums.  The teamsters counter that the increases would only cover tractor trailer truck drivers, and not include the van drivers. Teamsters say that the increased co-pay and deductibles on the Sysco-proposed health plan would offset any savings on premiums.  Teamsters also want the pension plan that was discontinued a decade ago be reinstated.

As of press time Wednesday morning, the picket lines were still in force in the pouring cold rain.

~Page one photos from Sysco website and Teamsters Local Union 653 website.

Plympton BOS votes conservation restriction

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The Plympton Board of Selectmen met virtually at 1:30 pm on Monday, Oct. 3. The brief meeting was to discuss and vote on a conservation restriction. “It pertains to a portion of the property that is located off of Lake St., I believe the official address is 0 Lake St.,” Town Administrator Liz Dennehy said.  “The conservation restriction itself will encompass approximately 31.07 acres… it’s owned by Harju Brothers Cranberries Inc. and what’s before you today, I would suggest that you make a motion to approve said conservation restriction for that portion of the property,”  Dennehy explained to the selectmen.

A conservation restriction in the State of Massachusetts is a legal agreement that protects conservation ideals while allowing for limited land uses that align with those ideals. The Massachusetts Conservation Restriction Handbook describes them as follows, “The unique features of conservation restrictions are that they leave land on the tax rolls (though sometimes much reduced in value), preserve land without public ownership and allow, in many instances, for public access.”

Selectman John Traynor moved the motion and Selectman Christine Joy seconded. Traynor acknowledged that no one from the public attended the meeting but did open it up for discussion, nonetheless. Joy said, “It looked good to me; it looked like basically the Wildlands Trust had been involved in this and that they were happy with the conservation restriction… I wish it was a larger parcel but I’m happy with what they have come up with. It looks like it is a nice parcel of land with some potential for some passive recreation at some point.”  The Wildlands Trust describes their mission as being, “committed to protecting land and providing access to nature for the people of our region, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

Selectman Mark Russo abstained from the vote saying, “As a member of the Board of Wildlands Trust, just to avoid any confusion whatsoever, I’ll abstain.” Howard Randall of Plympton is also a member of the Wildlands Trust Board. The motion passed 2-0 with both Joy and Traynor voting in favor of the conservation restriction.

Senior art from Violet Barry’s class

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KINGSTON -”Senior Center Selections- work from the class of Violet Barry” will be on display in October 2022 at Kingston Public Library.

The art gallery at Kingston Public Library will be hosting several selections of art from the classroom of COA art instructor, Violet Barry for the month of October. Ms. Berry came back to teaching after a long and varied career in the classroom working with children of all ages, as well as being a portrait painter, and a stained-glass artist.

When she returned to the classroom, this time she chose a new group to share her talent, Senior Citizens. Ms. Barry sees them as “wonderfully talented” and her class has become “like family and dear friends” and she is “so proud of all their work.”

The exhibit will be on view in the Library’s gallery throughout October 2022. The Kingston Public Library is open Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10 to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10-8 p.m.

Author of ‘The Combat Zone,’ Jan Brogan, to speak at the Kingston Public Library Oct. 12

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KINGSTON — Author Jan Brogan will discuss her newly published book, The Combat Zone: Murder, Race, and Boston’s Struggle for Justice, on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Adams Center.

The book has been shortlisted for a 2022 Anthony Award, and a 2021 Agatha Award.

Brogan’s book is the true account of a brutal murder in 1976, two flawed trials, and the not-so-delicate balance between justice and revenge. It tells the story of an annual Harvard ritual that sent 40 football players into Boston’s crime-plagued red-light district for a “last drink, together,” and the death of a 21-year old cornerback who tries to save a friend. Three Black men are charged with first-degree murder in a racially divided city at the peak of busing violence.

The book tells the story of a victim’s family trying to cope with a devastating loss, while verdicts seesaw, and the Italian mob offers to step in.

The murder and city’s two trials forever changed the way that juries are chosen in Massachusetts and the nation, ending the once common practice of excluding jurors based on their color of their skin.

The Combat Zone shows how a murder trial isn’t always about the victim or the accused, but about a city in turmoil and a criminal justice system in need of reform.

Brogan has been a journalist for more than 30 years, working as a correspondent for the Boston Globe, a staff writer for the Worcester Telegram, and the Providence Journal, where she won the Gerald Loeb award for distinguished business writing. In addition to being the award-winning author of four mysteries,

Transactional Pictures purchased the rights to A Confidential Source, which is currently under development for a TV series. Brogan continues to work as a novelist and journalist while teaching writing at the Boston University Summer Journalism Institute.

Following Brogan’s talk, she will be on hand to answer questions about her novel. Copies of The Combat Zone will be available for purchase after the discussion.

To register for this free event, please visit http://kingstonpubliclibrary.org.

For more information, you can contact Steven Miller, Reference Librarian at (781) 585-0517 x6272 or at smiller@kingstonma.gov.

Halifax unfurls flags to honor the Queen

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Three giant flags, that of Great Britain, Australia and Canada, were unfurled on the Halifax Town Green on Thursday Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. as a tribute to Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Each measuring 90 feet by 45 feet, they are part of the Allied Flag Collection  curated by Marc Valentine of Halifax, and were taken to Buckingham Palace in 1994 as part of the World War II 50th commemorations. Halifax is proud to say these impressive flags are based right here in Halifax!

The flags were on display from 10 a. m. to 2 p.m. for all to enjoy.

Holmes Library Book Sale

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Special to The Express
by Linda Redding

The Friends of the Holmes Public Library held their annual book sale on Saturday, Sept. 17.    

Those who were unable to attend can still purchase books left over from the Book Sale on sale inside the library

The book sale is a major fundraiser for the Friends to help with group’s mission of supporting library activities.   

In addition to the annual book sale, the Friends of the Holmes Public Library also sponsor an ongoing book sale at the Library. Some of the activities they have funded  include summer reading, supporting book clubs, and museum passes.

The Friends of the Holmes Public Library meets the fourth  Wednesday of the month at 6 a.m. in the community room of the Holmes Public Library.

Welcome aboard, Fire Chief Witham

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The Town of Halifax would like to welcome our new Fire Chief Mike Witham to the Halifax community. Mike brings 30 plus years of experience in fire service and most recently had been serving as a Captain for the Town of Pembroke. Mike is very familiar with Halifax and its fire crew as he has assisted out on countless mutual aid calls here in town over the years.

We would also like to take this time to thank Halifax Captain Jeff Cuozzo for stepping up and serving in the role of acting chief until Mike was brought onboard. Mike’s first day at the station was Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. Feel free to stop by and say hello.

We’re excited to have you, Mike. Welcome aboard!

Lowering the flag on 9/11

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As many first responder units across the country, Plympton’s fire and police departments gathered together on Sunday, September 11, to commemorate those lost as the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City came down.

The ceremonial lowering of the flag to half-staff was at 9:30 a.m. to a small, solemn audience.

Plympton Fire Chief Stephen G. Silva spoke to the assembly, noting the pain and sacrifice that continue to this day.  These are his words:

“Blue skies, crisp air, perfect early fall day in New England, a perfect morning so quickly changed.

“In less than 2 1/2 hours more than 2,977 people were killed, 25,000 injured. 343 firefighters killed, 71 police officers perished, many whose remains have never been recovered; they simply disintegrated.  Twenty-one years later the toll continues to rise.  More then 1,400 rescue workers who spent tireless hours, weeks and months on the “pile” have died of WTC (World Trade Center) related cancer, and there will surely be more. The FBI has stated that the outliers of the related deaths will go on for years; the full impact of carnage may never be known.

“Who died? We all did to some degree. There was no separation of white collar to blue collar, there was no separation by where we came from, there was no separation of White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, they were just people who started their day as they always did, awaken, breakfast, get ready for their day, get kids off to school, kiss a love one good-bye as they left for work never knowing they would disappear.

“The days and weeks after America was gripped first in fear – maybe that is the wrong word, vigilance perhaps – we waited for the next attack. Thankfully it did not come. Our rage and fear quickly turned to patriotism. We were attacked. Our brothers and sisters died and for what? For freedom.   Freedom we take so easily for granted. Freedom to raise a family. Freedom to live. Freedom of live liberty. Freedom.

“Flags were flown; people came together, crime rates actually dropped. The terrorists underestimated the resolve of Americans. There was no looting, no riots, no shootings; there was pride, resolve, yes there was anger but that anger was channeled for good.

“God forbid something like 9/11 would happen today.  Truthfully it has; the war between good and evil continues as it always does. We see it every day. No not to the scale of 9/11 but in increments.  It is our response that has changed. Today we blame each other. There is so little discourse. It seems if your opinion is different than someone else’s you risk offending and then your own cancelation.

“James Madison, a founding father, warned us in 1788 at the Continental Congress in Virginia, “I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”

“What has happened? Where is the pride?  Where is the vision?  Where is America?

“Let us never forget 9/11, and equally important let us never forget what we are … we are AMERICANS.  That is not something to shy from, it is something to be thankful for.

I will leave you with this from President Harry Truman:

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and on unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”

Remember 9/11, remember those who died, remember this day, we shall never forget.”

Stephen G.  Silva, Chief

Plympton

Fire Department

Plympton’s first Flower Show blooms

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Saturday was a beautiful day for the first Plympton Flower Show held on the town Green.  About a hundred selections were entered into the adult categories of Species, Arrangement, or Produce, with children’s categories in Produce and Fairy Garden.

Gabby Falconieri and Stephanie Teran, of the Friends of the Plympton Garden Club, spearheaded the event that ran from registration from 9 to 10 a.m., then judging from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by audience appreciation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Children were happy to see their Fairy Houses, many of which were made earlier in the week as a special project at the Plympton Library.   Fashioned out of various bits of vegetation and forest litter, the unlikely elements were transformed into cozy cottages for tiny fairies.   One little guy even added a twig ladder to his, “… because they’re very small and the ladder will help them get in,” he explained to the photographer.

Waiting for the judges, children also got to play with the bubble machine, color and coloring books, and photo-op with flower cutouts.

Floral arrangements were judged by well-known South Shore horticulturalist and designer George Stanchfield; gardener and chef of Just Right Farm fame Kimberly Russo; and Elise Freda, flower farmer extraordinaire from Crooked Barn Flowers in Kingston.

The upbeat tunes of Plympton’s Old Time Jam gave a country feel to the event as the group got together to perform on the Gazebo.  Barry Decristofano played his mandolin, while others played their mandolins, guitar, and fiddle.   Plympton Old Time Jam gets together twice a month and is open to anyone who likes to “play our kind of music.”  What’s the difference between a fiddle and a violin?  “Attitude!” was the answer.

Acting as Master of Ceremonies was Plympton’s own Mike Lemieux of “Houses with History” fame.

Awarded the prize for Best in Show was Dave Alberti whose pumpkin was a real show stopper!  The cucurbitacae, a French strain with light peach skin draped with a veil of beige netting here and there, definitely had an attitude!  The judges appreciated it and awarded Dave the grand prize.   

All the children were awarded Participation ribbons.

The often-heard sentiment throughout the crowd was “I hope they do this again next year!”

Proceeds from the event will be used for the Plympton Garden Club.

Voters cast ballots in primary

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Come November, voters will be choosing between Democrat Maura Healey — currently the commonwealth’s attorney general — and Republican Geoff Diehl — former state representative from Whitman.

Pundits cast the race pitting Diehl against an historic all-female ticket lead by the out LGBTQ Healey, as a “referendum on Trumpism” in Massachusetts.

Healey focused on her past bipartisan approach to the attorney general’s office and saluted the leadership of Gov. Charlie Baker, thanking him for his service to the state.

“Gov. Baker has led with respect and worked with both parties,” she told supporters during her victory speech Tuesday night. “He’s refused to engage in the politics of division and destruction that we’ve seen across this country.”

She said her campaign would be about making the state more affordable, growing the economy toward opportunity for all and protection of reproductive freedom.

Diehl focused on the state’s population loss and the focus on big government over individual freedom, calling Healey “the people’s worst nightmare” leading the state down a path of higher taxes and radical legislation.

“With this campaign we are going to be redefining politics as usual here in Massachusetts,” Diehl said, noting he appreciated opponent Chris Doughty’s call conceding the race, and pledging to “work together to defeat a radical attorney general who wants to be our governor.”

Diehl pledged “for the first time” to run a campaign toward November focused on “we the people — our freedoms, our rights and our prosperity.” He also pledged support for empowering parents to keep Healey’s “political agenda out of the classroom.”

Diehl has been endorsed by Donald Trump, who said in his remarks to Diehl’s supporters Monday that Diehl would “rule your state with an iron fist.”

Turnout was 23 per cent of Plympton’s 2356 registered voters,  Halifax brought in 926 votes or 15 percent of that town’s  6,174 voters to mark their choices.  Kingston’s unofficial votes were not available as of press time.

Locally, Healey won Halifax by 533 votes to Sonia Chang-Diaz’s 66 votes, while Diehl carried Halifax with 477 votes to Chris Doughty’s 176. In Plympton Healy garnered 229 votes to Chang-Diaz’s25 and Diehl won with 199 votes to Doughty’s 85.

In her victory speech, Healy saluted outgoing Gov. Charlie Baker’s leadership on behalf of Massachusetts.