• Congratulations to the Barnstable High School Football Team which beat Plymouth North last Friday to remain undefeated. We all know the season really depends on the outcome of the Falmouth vs. Barnstable Thanksgiving Day game. Good luck next week! Go Red Raiders! And congrats to the Barnstable Girls Volleyball Team who defeated Lincoln-Sudbury in game 5 of the MIAA Division One State Semi-finals earlier this week. One Boston newspaper said it was hard to think of reigning state champs Barnstable as “the comeback kids” but in order to win they showed “true grit” in their several come from behind wins to achieve victory. The Red Raiders are seeking their 15^th state volleyball title as they take the floor against Newton South Saturday.
   
• On Friday, as the Honorary Chair of the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign this year, I opened the campaign by applauding the work of the Salvation Army serving the needs of low income individuals and families year round. Please be generous this holiday season when you hear the bell ringing and see the Red Kettle donation bucket.
   
• While praising voters for turning out in record numbers and congratulating the local winners, I forgot to give a shout out to Oliver Cipollini of Marstons Mills who won the Governor’s Councilor seat for this District. Congratulations, Oliver.
   
• The pictures below share some of the many solemn observances which took place on Sunday in honor of our Veterans, including the Veterans Day Parade and ceremony at the bandstand on the Village Green in Hyannis. The American Legion Post 206 held a service as well at the Korean War Memorial at Veterans Beach.
  
  
   

  
   

• There was a lot of excitement at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center over the weekend as top level skaters competed for a chance to qualify for the US Figure Skating National Championships which will be held in Omaha, Nebraska in January 2013. The road to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships each year, and to the Olympic Winter Games every four years, begins with the U.S. Figure Skating qualifying structure of regional and sectional events. The competitors were accompanied by their coaches and families, several of whom represented clubs from New York, New Jersey and other storm ravaged areas along the East Coast. The employees of hotels, restaurants and other businesses that the 200+ competitors and their families visited while here graciously displayed their Cape Cod charm during this Veterans’ Day Weekend. Congratulations to Donna Wunder, Carolyn Pierce, Paul and Katie Crugnola of the Yarmouth Ice Club; Patti Lloyd of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce; Olive Chase, Mary Lyons and their crew from the Scudder Family Café operated by the Casual Gourmet; and Joe Izzo, Amy Harwood, George Noonan, Laura Kelliher, and the entire crew at the HYCC for bringing another amazing event to our community. We look forward to welcoming the US Figure Skating National Championships in April 2014!
   
• Barnstable Recreation's 8th Annual Turkey Shoot took place on Saturday, November 10th at Barnstable High School. The event, a fun adult/child basketball shooting contest, rewards the winning teams in each category with a Thanksgiving themed prize. The four categories included kids from Kindergarten through the 7th grade. The event is as much fun for the parents as it is for the kids!
   
• On Tuesday I joined Ron Persuitte, Chair of the Airport Commission, in welcoming the Massachusetts Airport Managers’ Association to their 34^th Annual Meeting at the Barnstable Municipal Airport. Airport staff enjoyed giving tours of our new terminal and air traffic control tower to other aviation managers.
   
• This week I received an email from Laura Derba, the North Atlantic Regional President of Whole Foods Market, confirming their plans to open in Hyannis at the end of 2013. The North Atlantic region is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition to Whole Foods Markets offering products desired by local customers, they also actively participate and engage in each community they serve. We look forward to welcoming them to our town as a strong community partner.
   
• Speaking of new business, congratulations to owner Stuart Bornstein and his staff on the opening of his newly renovated, upscale full-service 160 room hotel, the Doubletree by Hilton, located on Route 28 in Hyannis. I had a chance to tour the facility and the renovations are very impressive.
   
• Assistant Town Manager Mark Ells and I met with Deb Krau, Chair of the Hyannis Water Board, to get an update on capital projects and issues being addressed by the Board. Chair Krau also reviewed the recommended fee increases which will be presented at the Public Hearing scheduled for December 6^th here at Town Hall.
   
• I met with Merrill Blum, Chair of the Barnstable Disability Commission, on Wednesday. Merrill heads a very active committee. He wished to call to my attention several matters including a review of curb cut ramps out on Route 132 and planned capital improvements in public buildings to improve access for disabled individuals.
   
• Assistant Town Clerk Ann Quirk attended the New England Association of City and Town Clerk's conference in Providence, Rhode Island this week. At the conference, Ann was sworn in as Vice Chairman of the New England Municipal Clerk's Institute & Academy. She is representing Barnstable well.
   
• At the November 15th Town Council meeting, the evening began with a presentation from Chief of Police Paul MacDonald and Deputy Chief Craig Tamash regarding the town’s emergency management plan. Chief MacDonald outlined the ways in which the town coordinates with local agencies such as the Red Cross and neighboring police departments. Director of Assessing, Jeff Rudziak, presented a workshop on Proposition 21/2 and Tax Levy Shifting Options. He provided a detailed and thorough overview of the tax classification options which must be determined by Town Councilors. The annual tax classification votes are scheduled for the December 4^th Town Council meeting. At last night’s meeting the Council approved several grant acceptances, a snow and ice account and three capital items for the airport.
   
• The Barnstable Transfer Station will be accepting hurricane and the recent Nor’easter debris through this Sunday, November 18^th for customers with a residential sticker or proof of residency. Logs need to be cut to 4 foot lengths or less. Commercial debris can not be accepted at the facility.
   
• Last week’s Fun Fact Answer: Many of our readers thought Hurricane Andrew was the most costly hurricane at more than $25 billion but currently, Hurricane Katrina currently tops the list at somewhere between $96 and $125 billion with the economic loss as high as $250 billion. Jim Hinkle knew the answer and believes it may be outdone by Hurricane Sandy when the clean-up is finally complete.
   
• This week’s fun fact question: Here is a tough question for you…how many helpings of turkey will you have on Thanksgiving Day?  Email your answer here!
  
  
  There is never a dull moment around town! Check out the events that take place daily:

Barnstable Senior Center

Hyartsdistrict

Hyannis Youth & Community Center

Barnstable This Morning
Week in Review

November 13-16, 2012

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Chief of Police Paul MacDonald began Tuesday’s show with an update on crime activity over the long holiday weekend.  Chief MacDonald also spoke about the town’s emergency plan that will be discussed at Town Council this Thursday night.  Director of Regulatory Services Tom Geiler provided some important tips for consumers as the big holiday shopping season gets underway.  Our news coverage Tuesday included details about the looming deadline for Barnstable boat owners to remove dinghies from town ways to water and landings; information about Cape Cod Community College’s new dental clinic dedication, and an update on the week’s planned Town Council meeting.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Len Gobeil’s Business Barnstable segment began Wednesday’s show.  This week’s guest was Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Jessica Sylver, who talked about the benefits of Chamber membership.  Barnstable Animal Control Officer Charlie Lewis spoke about the fall rabies baiting program, and Finance Director Mark Milne outlined the tax classification workshop taking place at the Town Council meeting on Thursday.  News coverage included details about the evening’s ZBA meeting; Chief of Police Paul MacDonald’s comments on the town’s emergency plan; and a story about the transfer station continuing to accept storm debris through Sunday the 18^th.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thursday’s show began with our weekly interview with Town Council President Fred Chirigotis.  Chirigotis went through the orders of the day for the evening’s Town Council meeting. Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority Administrator Tom Cahir joined us to discuss the CCRTA’s new Charlie Card electronic fare program, as well as preview potential changes to the schedules of some of the popular routes.  Thanksgiving is upon us, and every year the Senior Center staff and volunteers work hard to deliver a full Thanksgiving meal to more than 100 seniors in Barnstable. Senior Center Outreach Coordinator Claudia Borden provided details on this year’s 10^th anniversary Turkey Trot.  News coverage Thursday included a preview of the evening’s Town Council meeting, a story about a big fire at a Hyannis ball field, and a final reminder to boaters that today is the last day to remove dinghies from town landings and ways to water.

Friday, November 16, 2012

We took a trip for this week’s Arts and Culture segment. Melissa Chartrand headed to Harwich to meet up with Nina Schuessler of the Harwich Junior Theater.  Director of Leisure Services Patti Machado filled us in on a grant the Recreation Division recently received that will buy new sailboats for the JFK Sailing Program.  Finally, Shellfish Biologist Tom Marcotti talked with us about oyster season, recreational oystering areas, oyster propagation, as well as the recent yearly event honoring the town’s dedicated shellfish volunteers.  Our news coverage Friday included stories about a possible relocation of clothing retailer Old Navy, details from Thursday’s Town Council meeting, and a call for membership for the Town’s various boards and committees.