Rush Back: Senator Catches Up with Local State Reps [VIDEO]

State Sen. Mike Rush returned from a nine-month tour in Iraq late last week and met with state representatives from his district on Friday.

State Sen. Mike Rush is going from worrying about rockets in the International Zone (formerly known as the Green Zone) to playing with his 16-month-old daughter. "It just feels absolutely wonderful to be back home. I missed my wife, daughter, family, friends," Rush said. "I could not be happier to be home with my family." Rush, elected to the state Senate in November 2010, deployed to Iraq in March and left the Middle East earlier this month as part of the end of major U.S. occupation in Iraq. As a Navy reservist for 16 years, Rush served with Army and Air Force personnel thwarting terrorist attacks and training Iraqis on intelligence gathering and investigation procedures, he said. "We learned a lot from each other," Rush said. "There are…

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Week in Review

Week in Review: Residents Hit Harder by Tax Vote, Dog Park Opens in Dedham

A look back at some of the stories we covered on Dedham Patch this week.

Hardest Vote' Favors Business Over Residents Selectmen voted to give small business owners more of a break on their taxes for 2012 than they've had in years past - although they'll still rise by 5.44 percent. Residents will pay a bit more because of the decision in 2012 than they would've if the Board of Selectmen had stuck to tradition. New 'Significant' Details About Body Disposal Causes Moccia Trial Delay A murder trial scheduled to start this week saw yet another delay - the fifth time a trial date has been pushed back. Paul Moccia, of Dedham, faces first-degree murder charges stemming from a March 2009 homicide. Either he or his alleged co-conspirator will go to trial in February. McMurtry Tosses Hat in Ring for 2012 State Seat State …

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McMurtry Tosses Hat in Ring for 2012 State Seat

Dedham's Paul McMurtry will run for re-election in 2012.

State Rep. Paul McMurtry announced Tuesday that he will seek a fourth term in the State House. McMurtry, a 45-year-old Democrat from Dedham, was first elected to represent the 11th Norfolk district in May 2007 in a special election. "It's an opportunity to, at least try to, in the most sincere attempt, to cut through the red tape," McMurtry said. "[The job] is constantly changing and evolving." McMurtry represents Dedham, Westwood and a section of Walpole. After running unopposed in 2008 and 2010, McMurtry said he still will prepare for a challenger in 2012. McMurtry could face a Democrat challenger in a September primary before November's general election. "I don't take it for granted and I enjoy serving - and I imagine others would also …

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Question of the Day: What's Your Stance on Casino Bill?

Let us know in the comments section.

The state house overwhelmingly approved a bill to allow casinos in Massachusetts Thursday morning. The bill, which calls for licensing of three resort-style casinos and one slot parlor to Massachusetts overwhelmingly passed through the state House of Representatives Wednesday with a vote of 123-32. The bill is expected to move to the Senate later this month. Dedham's state representative, Paul McMurtry, voted in favor of the bill Thursday. Do you support the casino bill passed by the House Thursday afternoon?

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A Fairbanks Celebration of Dedham's Past

The Fairbanks Family of America held its annual reunion Sunday as Dedham celebrates 375 years.

Residents of Dedham, along with many others, congregated at the historic Fairbanks House Sunday to celebrate the 375th anniversary of settlement in the Town of Dedham. The event was made possible by The Fairbanks Family In America. This busy day began with an opening ceremony hosted by Chris Messier, including a special guest appearance from state Rep. Paul McMurtry and music from the Sudbury Fyfe & Drum Company. After the opening ceremony, organizer Peter Cook introduced crafters, who showcased their skills that harped back to the early 18th century. “This is my first time demonstrating at the Fairbanks House,” said Penny Lacroix, of Westford. Along with her husband Daniel, Penny Lacroix worked diligently on a wheel spinning yarn as she …

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Softball Game with Police Kicks Off 'Night Out' Campaign

Local civic groups took on members of the Dedham Police Department in a softball game Sunday.

Local civic groups and the Dedham Police Department came together Sunday to showcase not just their softball skills - of which there were many - but also how neighbors have improved East Dedham in the past few years. At the forefront of East Dedham and its "renaissance" is a civic group that are rekindling a neighborhood and putting this little corner of Dedham back on the map. State Rep. Paul McMurtry praised the police for their involvement, and civic groups for not only their environmental impact on Condon Park and Mother Brook, but also their economic impact on local merchants. "It is really exciting," said McMurtry, "there is a renaissance that has taken place over the past four or five years, all in the interest of a stronger …

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State Politicians Want Joint Meeting on Digital Billboard

Paul McMurtry and state Sen. Michael Rush's chief of staff appeared in front of a skeptical Westwood Board of Selectmen on Monday.

Rep. Paul McMurtry and state Sen. Michael Rush's office are calling for a joint meeting with Clear Channel and town officials in Westwood and Dedham following a Westwood Board of Selectmen meeting this week about the construction of a new digital billboard at the University Avenue MBTA station. McMurtry told the Westwood board on Monday that he wants to make sure the issues are heard by state officials, as are the concerns from both towns. Clear Channel made a presentation to the Dedham Board of Selectmen earlier this month, but haven't formally given their pitch to the Westwood officials. Clear Channel's plan calls for the construction of a digital billboard with a "slideshow" design, which would rotate advertisements every 8 to 10 …

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Greg Agnew

2:47 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011

I think it's a smart idea for both the Westwood and Dedham Boards of Selectmen to join forces and discuss this massive project proposed by the MBTA. However, I also applaud the MBTA's willingness to come before the Dedham Board of Selectmen to lay out their plans, even though it's MBTA property, not governed by either Westwood or Dedham, MA. Clearly, a "light show" broadcast all over the Westwood…   more ›

Seniors Get Groovy in Dedham at Prom

Dedham Hilton hosts semi-formal as part of Dedham 375th anniversary celebration.

Local senior citizens shook their groove things at the Dedham Seniors on the Move prom, a semi-formal event held at the Dedham Hilton on Sunday.  Event organizer Marilyn Keegan and the Dedham 375 Committee consolidated efforts to launch the event. Keegan emphasized the lack of senior events in Dedham as a motivating factor for putting the event together.  "We have 5,800 seniors in Dedham [and] we don't have a senior center," Keegan said. "This is their day." The senior center currently uses space at Traditions on Washington Street. Keegan, host of Dedham TV's "Seniors on the Move," noted she has spent at least three years trying to launch the event.  Seniors received the opportunity to boogie down and perform popular dances including the "…

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Youth Commission Service Shines in All-America Presentation

Dedhamites presented to judges Thursday in Kansas City in the All-America City competition.

For 22 minutes, the Dedham delegation highlighted youth service, the Dedham Square project and the town's push toward sustainability initiatives as they competed for the All-America City award in Kansas City. Video of the presentation was streamed live by AAC on the website Ustream.tv. Dedham High School's marching band led the delegation into the conference room. And the group was "375 years ready" to present to the panel of judges, charged with picking 10 cities out of 23 to win the prestigous award. "Since our founding by 22 settlers in 1636, Dedham, originally called Contentment,  has relied on our citizens to meet our challenges and lead by example as a historic mother town," said Greg Agnew, acting as historical figure Fisher Ames. …

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Hundred Supporters Rally for Dedham Square Project

More than 100 residents packed Paradise Cafe Monday night one week ahead of Town Meeting.

More than 100 Square Project supporters packed Paradise Cafe Monday evening to garner support for the $6.1 million project that faces an Annual Town Meeting vote on Monday, May 16. Rally-goers collected money to take out an advertisement favoring the project and took down phone numbers of Town Meeting members in their precinct, and were encouraged to call them this week. The rally comes on the heels of the state's announcement on Monday that it will increase the grant it promised Dedham by an additional $400,000, for a total of $1.7 million.

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