The Binns Report

Brendan Sweeney discussed how his background as assistant town manager in Boxford and as a two term Beverly City Councilor At Large from the point of view of hitting the ground running as well as recognizing the challenges Beverly is facing now and in the foreseeable future.  He is further reinforcing his Plan For Beverly with input he gets from Beverly resident while out & about knocking on doors.Another discussion is planed on a few weeks to help us understand the impact of the next budget and the implications for subsequent expenditures.

A little over 2 years ago we had a discussion with Kevin O'Reilly on Critical Thinking as applied to teaching History.  (Kevin is a retired history teacher and author of numerous books of social studies lessons plans that supplement the typical history course.)This discussion expanded applying Critical Thinking  to the responses  from inquiries in Social Media & AI.  The focus is not limited to HS students but is necessary for all of us trying to get the straight skinny on the deluge of "information" that floods the internet & traditional media.

John E. Taylor is Bevely resident of ward 6 who is running for School Committee from Ward 6.  He see the challenge ahead to work with all the factions BTA Administrators, New Superintendent, City Council & the Mayor to smooth out relations to avoid another year like the last one.

A follow up discussion with Lorinda Visnick candidate for School Committee At Large (Wards 4, 5 & 6). Starting with her current academic goals (PhD in Public Policy), she got into the  education opportunities that are not necessarily leading toward college.  Especially the need to address the needs of students that are more hands on learning than classical.  She discussed  what the roll of SC members with respect to personal issues or constituent concerns.

The updated City Charter added two more At Large positions to the School Committee.  One represents Wards 1, 2 & 3.   The other represents Wards 4, 5 & 6.  This is the one that Lorinda Visnick is campaigning for.  The discussion got to be very wide ranging from healing the effects from the strike; to how will the new superintendent fit in; to what's the impact on the budget/taxes.

Kenann McKenzie DeFranza, (PhD -- both teaching and policy research in Education -- currently representing Ward 2 on the School Committee) is campaigning for one of the 3 positions of Beverly City Councilor At Large.  Based on her experience on the SC she developed a better understand of issues at the city level that impacts the schools/students.  Her previous experience as a RE Agent enlarged her perspective upon how cities work.As a CC At Large she would be very forthcoming explaining how and why things are happening or not happening to develop public confidence in city government and speak to larger issues.  She expects to continue her successful approach of listening to all sides on all concerns & helping everyone understand all aspects of the issue. She believes this way of reaching a workable resolution with either CC action or by working with the administration will be the most effective for Beverly.

Keith Sonia is campaigning for one of the 3 positions of Beverly City Councilor At Large.  Based on his broad background of working on both sides for both a wide range government levels & commercial entities reacting with governments, he expects to continue his successful approach of listening to all sides on all concerns & helping everyone understand all aspects of the issue.  He believes this way of reaching a workable resolution with either CC action or by working with the administration will be the most effective for Beverly.

A periodic up date of what going on down town from our State Senator Joan Lovely.  She covers & explains things we don't get from the MSM like:-Although the "Millionaires Tax" raised more that expected ($2.2B Vs $1.B expected) the legislature must spend it all & are limited to Public Education & Public Transportation by Constitution.  Also, the state has really been impacted by the machinations in DC that has affected School Lunch and Food Pantry Programs.  Also the Legislature has been briefed by Canadian officials on the impacts of the tariffs!

Julie Flowers, the current President of the Beverly City Council, discussed her campaign forward re-election as one of the three City Councilors At Large. She also described the changes in the relationship between the CC & the administration in terms of frequent update of pending programs the city is contemplating.  The makes the CC members better able to explain to their constituents what's happening and why.

Beverly native and current Chair of the Airport Commission, Kyle Retallack, is campaigning for one of the 3 positions of Beverly City Councilor At Large. He expects to continue the successful approach of listening to citizens concerns & helping to resolve issues with either CC action or by working with the administration.

Now that it is election season, the position of  City Councilors At Large is being contested by 5 candidates for 3 slots.  Join J Mullady, a resident of Ward 4, expressed his views on Beverly both its good points and the areas that need work such housing that is affordable and especially more resources for the school system.  He also ventured some thought upon how to increase the cities revenue and what his priorities would be.

Once again State Senator Joan Lovely explains & update us on what's going on down town with respect to the Governors tax proposal, the increase in energy cost (both Gas & Electricity), the Right to Shelter law & it's application/cost.

As Brendan sees it, the city (government & tax payers) need a better plan for the multitude of proposed projects & operating expenses to ensure that we don't break the bank nor have to forgo needed services.  The city is limited to a 2 1/2% increase in tax rate plus Real Estate appreciation & "New Growth".  Definitely not an unlimited budget!  He outlined his approach based on his experience on the Beverly City Council & his day job as the Assistant Town Administrator/Finance Director, Town of Boxford.

With the annual budget review cycle started, a far reaching discussion about the impact of the Teachers Strike/Settlement, other union settlements, Capital projects and lots more with the President of the Beverly City Council Julie Flowers.  Also got into the election seasons with the Special Election for a new State Representative as well as all the municipal offices from Mayor to School Committee.  Then there the accommodations (beach erosion & storm surges) brought about by changes in the climate.