Editor's Note: the following letter was distributed Friday by Steven Trettel and John Seaver, co-chairmen of Casino-Free Milford. Milford has a long rich history steeped in pride and tradition. Many families, including ours, have roots in Milford, dating back several generations. We have proudly watched our families and extended families grow, all making the decision to live in Milford. Instilled in us as children, that sense of love and pride in community is what inspired us to give back to Milford, each becoming involved in the Church and town affairs.   Through the years, we have seen …

Editor's Note: the following letter was submitted by Kara Meade, who is helping to organize the Lola's Helping Hands Fundraiser at TD's Pub. On October 29, 2009, my dear friend Laurie Stanley (Lola) was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the young age of 30. She began to lose feeling in her right leg in March of 2009. This resulted in an MRI, Lumbar Puncture, Brain Scan, and many other tests finally revealing the dreaded lesions on her brain. Since this diagnosed, Lola’s symptoms continue to progress and a steady rate. She suffers from numbness in her legs and hands, and a macular leakage …

Editor's Note: the following was released on Friday by Milford Schools Superintendent Robert Tremblay. Tremblay on Friday decided to delay the start of the Milford schools, then given the weather conditions, decided to close them altogether for the day. Several other school systems also closed schools, after initially calling for a two-hour delay, including the Mendon-Upton system. For a school superintendent, the “science” of deciding when to call off school in the face of winter weather is hardly perfect. There are many factors that have to be taken into consideration when deciding to hold …

Editor's Note: the following letter was submitted by Nicholas DiAntonio, a graduate of Milford High School and valedictorian of his class at Assumption College. It concerns the search for a football coach at Milford High School, which will be broadened beyond internal applicants for the first time in years. DiAntonio played football under Coach Tom Cullen for four years, and is now pursuing a master's degree in education at Boston College.  The events that have transpired at Milford regarding Tom Cullen’s situation as head football coach are extremely unfortunate because the town, and, more …

Editor's Note: the following letter concerning the Milford Water Company's rate hearing was shared with Milford Patch. As a resident of Milford, I think it's crazy that the RH White Companies, Inc., WhiteWater, Inc. and the Milford Water Company (MWC) are considering raising Milford's water rates by 83 percent! The citizens of Milford have lost confidence in the MWC, and their ability to deliver a safe and quality product. I'm thankful that the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office is now looking closer at their situation. In 2009, Henry Papuga allegedly tampered with water samples "under …

Do you own a dog? I do. I love my little dog. Dog ownership is probably one of the best relationships a human can enter into. Dogs are not jealous, demanding or have high expectations of us and there is nothing like a wagging tail greeting you at the end of the day. It doesn’t matter if you are fat, ugly and have no friends: that pooch is going to be by your side. Like people, dogs are not perfect and occasionally need gentle reminders of the rules, but generally once taught it is not forgotten. Dogs will adapt to your daily routine: there is no compromising about what to watch on TV or what’…

Editor's Note: The following letter to NStar was shared with Milford Patch by the owners of Crivello's Crossing, where customers have had a hard time finding parking since utility construction began this month. Dear NStar, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Do we call you Santa or the Grinch? I know this sounds in jest but your maintenance on Depot Street is nothing to laugh about. I am a member of the Crivello family who has had a small restaurant on Depot Street in Milford, MA for over 70 years. We understand that upkeep and maintenance of utilities are of prime importance. However, you as…

Editor's Note: The following letter was submitted by Amy Leone, of the JAG Youth Council. What is support? Over the years of doing community work and individual therapy it has made me realize that young people need to experience the presence, care, help and love of their families and many others. They need organizations such as JAG Youth Council, the Milford Town Library, local sport teams, Community Use, and the Milford Youth Center, and our schools that provide positive, nurturing environments. In my experience support is important for everyone, young or older. Everyone likes knowing who …

Editor's Note: The following article was submitted by Amy Leone, of the Juvenile Advocacy Group. What are Developmental Assets? This year the Juvenile Advocacy Group and the JAG Youth Council will focus their community efforts on Developmental Assets. The Developmental Assets are 40 common-sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible, successful adults. Because of its basis in youth development, resiliency, and prevention research and its proven effectiveness, the Developmental Assets framework has become one …

Editor's Note: the following letter to the editor was submitted by state Sen. Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge): Throughout history, people have gathered together in communities for safety. In colonial America, villages formed to provide protection from attacks by Native Americans, for fire protection, and to maintain common property. Today, despite the best efforts of police and fire personnel, boards of health and building inspectors, communities can be more secure it they are given support from their state and national governments.Rep. [John] Fernandes (D-Milford) and I have understood, for …

Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt of a letter submitted by Milford Patch reader Paul Carlin, who grew up in Milford and now lives and works in a neighboring town. We have many problems in Massachusetts. And many are connected at the roots. The people in power in our Commonwealth have and apply compassion for the wrong people. From lawmakers to the court system to union officials, the system works to protect some. And those who have the protection take advantage. While those who require and deserve protection remain vulnerable and ultimately become victims. Illegal immigration …

Editor's Note: The following letter to the editor was submitted by Chris Flynn, president of Massachusetts Food Association and member of Real Recycling for Massachusetts. While nearly every community in Massachusetts has access to recycling, there is still work to be done to improve the state’s recycling rate and reduce spending on waste. We should work harder to educate residents on best recycling practices, expand curbside recycling, and make it easier to recycle in public places. Such common sense approaches will benefit our entire state. It’s ineffective to focus on an outdated recycling…

Editor's Note: The following letter was submitted for publication by Kenneth Kimmell, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The Milford Board of Health, and Milford Selectmen, also have endorsed this proposed change in state law. Every year across Massachusetts, more than 30,000 tons of non-carbonated beverage bottles are buried in landfills, burned in waste-to-energy plants, or tossed onto our streets, parks and beaches. That’s enough plastic bottles to fill Fenway Park – from the press box to the Green Monster – five times. For nearly three decades, the …

By Dr. Aparna D. Shah If you have frequent urges to use the bathroom or suffer embarrassing "leaks" after coughing, sneezing or laughing, you’re not alone. Urinary incontinence is an incredibly common problem.  It affects over 25 million adult Americans and is three times more frequent in women, with numbers expected to increase as our population ages and awareness of the condition is raised. Risk factors associated with urinary incontinence include but are not limited to: Genetics, pregnancy and childbirth, obesity, chronic heavy lifting, prior pelvic surgery or radiation, neurological …

By Dr. Mark Rollo Warmer weather is right around the corner. People will herd over to the gym to start their new regimen in time to get in shape for the summer. But before the month is out, many wind up with aches, pains and sprains, throw in the towel and decide this just isn’t for them. Those who decide to stick with their new regimen try to muster through with the mentality of "no pain, no gain." As they push through the pain and continue workout after workout, many don't realize that they're actually doing more harm than good to their bodies. Pain is your body's way of telling you that …