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  • Nate Merritt Fundraiser tonight!

    I’d like to say thank you very much to all of your support throughout this long campaign season.
    Without all of your support, I wouldn’t have made it through the preliminary.

    Be it:

    • donating your hard-earned money, offering your time, advice and perspective.
    • or doing standouts, making graphics for me, hosting a yard sign.
    • or offering me a water or feeding me a fresh tomato on a night I hadn’t even eaten dinner yet
      you all have contributed so much. You all helped get me to where I am, and have my deepest thanks.

    Now, the real contest is just days away. Mail-in ballots are already out, and Early voting starts next week.

    Although funds help spread the message, they’re not the point of all of this. Getting people out to vote and help save Medford is the point.

    Tomorrow night, I’ll be having a final fundraiser to help get the message out. Details in the image below.
    Also, many of the other Independent candidates should be there as well, and I’d very much appreciate your consideration in supporting them at the ballot box as well.

    Please come by and say hi to me and our other great candidates. At the VFW on Mystic Valley Parkway from 6-8 PM.
    I know the School Committee debate is at the High School at 7:30, so feel free to have some great food, then head out when you need to.

    Most importantly, please help spread the message about all of us to your friends who live in Medford, and to get out and VOTE like your city depends on it.
    We need your help to get the biggest turnout we can, otherwise we might not ever get another chance.

    We’ll also need volunteers for standouts if you have some extra time to give in the next few weeks.
    If you can’t make it tomorrow but may be able to help with standouts for me or the other candidates, please email or call me.

    Thanks again, and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night.

    Respectfully yours,

    Nate Merritt

  • Medford Happenings Episode 27 Michelle Corrado

    The political season is almost over. We had the extreme pleasure of speaking with Michelle Corrado this evening. She is the owner of the Medford Soap Company – https://www.medfordsoap.com/ While John Petrella’s love for the lemon grass soap borders on the obsessive, we’re hoping he’s bathing with it instead of eating them! Michelle gave us the short history and story behind the Medford Soap company. The entire staff at Medford Happenings have all purchased soap from her and we really enjoyed having her on the show today! She is among the best of Medford. Michelle also discusses what it means to be a board member of the Medford Chamber of Commerce and how important it is to collaborate between small business owners and the residents of Medford.

    We look forward to having her on the show again in the future but if you have not had a chance to check out and buy her soaps, you should consider doing so. The soaps are environmentally friendly as all of their products are. You will not see plastic bottles of liquid soap, you will get solid bars of soap, not just for the body but for hair as well as kitchen applications as well. She also sells wickless candles and vegan lip balm. Everything about her company is worth the visit. Again that website is – https://www.medfordsoap.com/.

  • Why voting in a slate is not ideal for the city of Medford MA

    Electing a slate-backed city council like Our Revolution Medford risks undermining the democratic values it claims to uphold, replacing genuine representation with ideological conformity and insider politics.

    Our Revolution has positioned itself as a progressive force for change. Yet beneath the surface of its inclusive rhetoric lies a troubling consolidation of power. By endorsing a slate of candidates who now dominate the city council, Our Revolution has created a bloc that often votes in lockstep, marginalizing independent voices and stifling dissent. The group’s branding as democratic and diverse rings hollow when opponents are labeled as “racist” or “MAGA-leaning”—a tactic that shuts down dialogue rather than fosters it. True progressivism requires engaging with differing perspectives, not vilifying them.

    The Medford People’s Platform, shaped by this slate-backed council, has enacted changes that further distance residents from their government. Council meetings were cut from four to two per month, limiting opportunities for public oversight. Key issues have been buried in subcommittees with poor communication and inconvenient scheduling, making it harder for citizens to stay informed or participate. Speaking time for residents has been reduced to just three minutes, and preferential treatment is often given to those who echo Our Revolution’s positions. These moves don’t reflect a city council committed to transparency or equity—they reflect a political machine more interested in control than collaboration. In the coming weeks, independent candidates will highlight these differences, offering Medford voters a chance to choose genuine representation over ideological entrenchment. It’s time to reclaim the council for the people—not the party.

    On November 4th – Patrick Clerkin, Nick Giurleo, Melanie Tringali, Paul Donato Jr., Nate Merritt, George Scarpelli and Rick Caraviello need your vote. Medford needs a real inclusive, collaborative city council who are working on Medford issue.

  • Medford Happenings short clip with Patrick Clerkin

    John Petrella sat down with Patrick to discuss the hot topic issues of Zoning, the new Charter and of course the Medford High School. Patrick Clerkin’s campaign is a community-focused candidate with a strong emphasis on civic engagement and transparency.

    Patrick Clerkin is a candidate deeply invested in the future of Medford. Through interviews and discussions with local figures, Clerkin consistently emphasizes the importance of open dialogue between city officials and residents. His approach is grounded in listening first—he often highlights the need for inclusive decision-making and ensuring that all voices in Medford are heard. Whether discussing infrastructure, education, or city budgeting, Clerkin presents himself as a pragmatic problem-solver who values collaboration over partisanship.

    Patrick’s platform is rooted in accountability and community empowerment. He speaks candidly about the challenges facing Medford, from housing pressures to school funding, and advocates for data-driven solutions that reflect the city’s diverse needs. His tone is approachable yet firm, signaling a readiness to lead with both compassion and competence. For voters seeking a candidate who prioritizes transparency and grassroots involvement, Clerkin’s public engagements offer a compelling case for his candidacy.

    Come visit Patrick and speak to him in person every Wednesday evening at 7pm. You will find him at Colleens ready to engage and speak with anyone who want to have their voices heard.

    Patricks Website – clerkin4medford.com

  • Medford Happenings short clip with Nick Giurleo

    We’re excited to launch our new short series featuring independent candidates. Tonight, we spoke with Nick Giurleo, who joined John for a thoughtful discussion on zoning and the proposal for a new charter.

    Nick Giurleo, a candidate for Medford, Massachusetts City Council, recently spoke with John to share his concerns about the current administration’s approach to zoning reform. He criticized the mayor and city council for attempting to rush through a new zoning ordinance with minimal input from residents, calling for greater transparency and public engagement in the process. Giurleo also voiced strong support for the proposed city charter, which will appear on the ballot this November. He explained that the charter outlines a new framework for city governance, including ward-based representation—a change he believes will give residents a stronger voice in local decision-making and ensure more equitable representation across Medford’s neighborhoods.

    Nick’s official website – https://nickgformedford.com/ Nick needs your help with donations, anything you can give he would be grateful for your support!

    Nick is constantly posting on his facebook site – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575246882228

  • Medford Happenings short clip with Nate Merritt

    We’re excited to launch our new short series featuring independent candidates. Tonight, we spoke with Nate Merritt, who joined John for a thoughtful discussion on zoning and the proposal for a new high school. Nate emphasized the importance of reexamining the zoning issue and encouraging greater resident involvement. To clarify, he is not opposed to zoning itself—his concern lies with the rapid pace at which it’s being implemented. He warned that the council’s rush to push these changes through could have serious and potentially devastating consequences, particularly for senior homeowners and other residents who may struggle to absorb the resulting increase in property taxes.

    The Medford Public School system in Massachusetts is facing significant academic challenges. Recent data shows that only 37% of students are proficient in math and 42% in reading, placing the district in the bottom 50% of public schools statewide. These figures highlight a pressing need for strategic improvements in curriculum, teaching support, and community engagement. In a recent conversation, independent candidate Nate Merritt emphasized the importance of addressing these educational deficits before committing to major capital projects. He advocates for a more measured approach to the proposed $260 million new high school, questioning whether such a substantial investment is justified without a clear plan to improve student outcomes. Merritt is not opposed to development, but he urges the city to prioritize educational reform and resident involvement to ensure long-term success.

    Source: https://www.niche.com/k12/d/medford-public-schools-ma/

    Nate’s facebook account can be found here – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577914151614

    Please consider helping his election campaign by donating today: Donations to help pay for signs:
    – Venmo @Nate4MedfordMA ($50 max per OCFP Rules)
    – Checks (>$200 require employer + occupation):
    DM me for the address please

  • Melanie Tringale Fundraiser TONIGHT!

  • Questions for the Medford School Committee

    As we embark upon another election year, we have not had a chance to look at the school committee and its candidates. Those will be added in another post.

    To Build New or Renovate?

    The knee-jerk reaction from many candidates—both on the city council and the school committee—is to build a new school. But is that truly necessary? The current school structure has a solid foundation. Is it an eyesore? Absolutely. But in the grand scheme of things, shouldn’t the quality of education take precedence over aesthetics?

    The city would do itself—and its residents—a favor by exploring all options, including renovation versus a full rebuild. Does it make sense to commit $280 million if there are no students attending that school? This isn’t a “if you build it, they will come” scenario.

    It’s worth noting that many prominent city officials do not send their children to Medford public schools. As these officials and residents pay taxes to support the public school system, shouldn’t they take the time to fix what they’re actively funding?

    School Budget

    Last summer, the school committee suffered a self-inflicted public relations disaster. They initially announced a $2.5 million shortfall in the upcoming school budget—only to revise that figure three days later to just $200,000. That’s a staggering discrepancy.

    As one city councilor remarked, a mistake of that magnitude would likely cost someone their job in a corporate setting. One would expect the outgoing superintendent to have demanded an immediate investigation into how such an error occurred. It’s clear the school committee is not maintaining accurate financial records.

    As a result, the incoming superintendent should call for an independent audit, including a line-item review. This audit should be presented not only to the school committee but also explained publicly in full. The goal isn’t to shame anyone—it’s about maintaining transparency for the residents of Medford.

    Poor School Ratings

    Current school ratings in Medford are deeply concerning according to Public School Review. However, not all schools performed poorly. The vocational-technical school in Medford stands out as one of the city’s strongest educational offerings.

    The Robotics team, for example, finished second in state competitions last year, and the lab remains one of the best in the region. Bistro 489—a student-run restaurant—is another highlight. If you haven’t eaten there yet, you’re missing out!

    A Call to Action

    The incoming superintendent of Medford schools faces a significant challenge: developing a clear plan to improve the school system. Yes, funding will be necessary—but that doesn’t mean the city should hand out blank checks. The new superintendent will be tasked with addressing the missteps of the previous administration, and while some decisions may be painful in the short term, they must be made with long-term improvement in mind.

    This burden should not fall solely on the superintendent. School committee members must also share responsibility. Their role is critical, and the future of our children is at stake. If elected officials aren’t committed to meaningful change, it’s time to vote in those who are.

  • Patrick Clerkin Fundraiser

  • The Spooky One Act Play Festival Directed By Madison Sedlor

    Something spooky this way comes…

    Join us for a night ofStep into the shadows and join us for an evening of chills, thrills, and laughter at Mystic Players Revival’s Spooky One-Act Play Festival, directed by Madison Sedlor!

    🦇 TICKETS FRIGHT THIS WAY: https://mysticplayersrevival.ludus.com/index.php?abandoned=1&fbclid=IwZnRzaANLnUxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjhJibSgURGVt_o2lhMErEf5ByVp8gD7FCqT6-1dtsSfZVIS4ACrpVyF643I_aem_31Bu0joz-VPi3AmxCGYb-g

    From spine-tingling tales to frightfully funny twists, this festival brings together a hauntingly talented cast and a cauldron of original short plays guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether you come for the scares, the surprises, or the sheer Halloween spirit, you won’t want to miss this spellbinding night of theater.

    🕷️Dates: October 24, 25, 26

    🕷️Showtime: 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)

    🕷️Where: The McGlynn Middle School, 3002 Mystic Valley Pkwy, Medford, MA 02155

    🎃 Cast: Kathy Bedard, Robin Burrage, Emily Deller, Susan Diller, Kristin Fehlau, Ethan Stone Hatfield, David Kleinman, Ruth LaTourelle, Julia Novina, Margaret Petrella, Jim Sampson, Declan Geoffrion Scannell, Sam Tincler, Judi Townsend, Nessa Zermeno

    🖋️ Playwrights: Ron Burch, Peter Dakutis, Ian Downes, Andrew Rosdail, Madison Sedlor, Austin Steinmetz

    Get your tickets before they disappear: https://mysticplayersrevival.ludus.com/index.php…