WEBCHAT LOG: Mayor Lisa Wong on Revitalizing Fitchburg

Posted by Meghna Chakrabarti, Friday, February 8th, 2008

The Radio Boston webchat with Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong drew spirited questions from people across the Commonwealth. Schools, crimes, jobs, the environment, the challenges of rebuilding a major Massachusetts mill city… click on this webpost to read the full transcript. claudine Welcome Mayor Wong to Radio Boston 10:37 meghna157 Hello! This is Meghna from radio boston. I work with Claudine. Thank you to the Mayor for joining us 10:37 Ken Jones Hi meg, 10:39 meghna157 Hello moderator 10:39 WBUR Moderator Hi Meghna 10:40 meghna157 It might help if you're also able to listen to the show as it airs (1-2pm) 10:40 meghna157 You can do it through the listen live link on wbur.org 10:40 meghna157 www.wbur.org/listen 10:40 meghna157 that way, you can guide and direct the conversation at times if needed 10:44 WBUR Moderator hi Caleb 10:45 Caleb Cushing8 Hello 10:46 WBUR Moderator Caleb, where are you listening from? 10:47 Mary Giannetti Listening In….hello all 10:47 Caleb Cushing8 I am listening in the Boston area. 10:48 WBUR Moderator Hi Mary, welcome to the chat 10:56 Mayor Lisa Wong Hi all! It's Lisa Wong signing in. 10:57 WBUR Moderator Mayor Wong, welcome to the Radio Boston webchat! 10:57 Mayor Lisa Wong I'm really excited about chatting with everyone. 10:58 meghna157 Mayor Wong, this is Meghna Chakrabarti, with Radio Boston (reporter) 10:58 meghna157 Haven't met you in person, but I'm curious - what do you think is your biggest challenge? 10:58 meghna157 In revitalizing FItchburg - a city with so many challenges? 10:59 meghna157 And, how are you going to try and balance revitalization (which sometimes means gentrification) and keeping the city an affordable place to live? 10:59 meghna157 Thanks! 11:00 Mayor Lisa Wong Hi Meghna. My biggest challenge right now is actually organization - trying to meet everyone and get all the information I need. 11:01 Mayor Lisa Wong Mixed use, mixed income developments. Keeping things family friendly. Utilizing public transporation more. 11:01 Mayor Lisa Wong I am a big believer in small businesses and family run busineses - so people can live near where they work and vice versa. 11:03 Claudine Hi Mayor, Claudine in the Radio Boston studio here. Hope all you guests use this time to ask the Mayor your questions. As for me, I'd like to know what you think the best way is to change the image of Fitchburg? 11:04 Mayor Lisa Wong Communication to begin with. And then finding ways for people to see for themselves the potential here. 11:05 Mayor Lisa Wong For example, we held our first “First Thursdays” event in the downtown yesterday - the theme this month was the Chinese New Year. There were several hundred people in attendance who would not otherwise be downtown. 11:06 guest1694149 wht up? 11:06 ebbtide People love the water, to look at it, to touch it, to use it for fun.I'd like to know how the Mayor intends to use the river to strengthen the town culturaly, recreationally and economically 11:06 Mary Giannetti Hi Mayor I don't have a question just like to share with you how much my daughter enjoyed her “thursday Night out with the mayor” The arts and craft she made last night are displayed in the diner 11:06 guest1694149 ebbtide your name? 11:06 ebbtide Bruce 11:07 Mayor Lisa Wong The river is an absolute part of our present and future 11:07 Mayor Lisa Wong There is over 8 miles of river and therefore 16 miles of riverfront in the city 11:07 Mayor Lisa Wong Most of our vacant mills buildings fall along the river 11:08 Mayor Lisa Wong We want to push development along the river and use the river for recreation 11:08 Claudine Is the river clean enough for recreation? 11:08 Symboline Dai Hi mayor wong! 11:08 Mayor Lisa Wong The three “R”s in Fitchburg are the Rail, River and the Road - all are part of the infrastructure we need to grow 11:08 Mayor Lisa Wong The river is clean enough for most recreation with exceptions 11:09 ebbtide Just a few years ago Boston's harbor was a source of embarassmentto our city, with nothing but abandoned industrial sites. Today it is a source of opportunity, wealth and pride. I'm glad to see you understand the new meaning of water power. 11:09 Mayor Lisa Wong We are continuing to clean up the river 11:10 Claudine Is that costing a lot? 11:10 Claudine And where's the money coming from? I understand Fitchburg has a bunch of brownfield sites? 11:11 Mayor Lisa Wong One of our main initiatives in is to seperate the sewer and wastewater systems so there is less “things” coming into the river. 11:11 ebbtide If you have creative ideas, you can attract new resources - including private sector investment. 11:12 Mayor Lisa Wong We are also cleaning up those brownfields sites. We have EPA grants. 11:12 Mayor Lisa Wong Yes. The point is to leverage public funds to attract private development! 11:13 Mayor Lisa Wong We have already developed a few brownfields sites into parks, new businesses and trails. 11:13 ebbtide I work for a non profit here in boston that thinks alot like you do. I'd love to talk with you sometime offline. I'll call your office next week 11:13 Mayor Lisa Wong Thanks Bruce. I look forward to hearing from you. 11:14 Mayor Lisa Wong Happy Chinese New Year to everyone! 11:14 Mayor Lisa Wong Gung Hay Fat Choy! 11:15 Mayor Lisa Wong Back to the river, it is an inspiration because it is one of the most enduring engines, literally and figuratively. 11:15 Mayor Lisa Wong I am focusing on engines - because it powers us forward. 11:16 Mayor Lisa Wong YOU are engines too. 11:16 WBUR Moderator To all the new listeners, feel free to jump in with questions for Mayor Wong! Also let us know where you're chatting from. 11:18 Mayor Lisa Wong I like hearing all these names for “mill cities” 11:18 Mayor Lisa Wong Small cities, middle cities, gateways cities 11:19 Mayor Lisa Wong It speaks to a need to reinvent ourselves without reinventing the wheel. 11:19 Claudine Other chatroom guests - do you live in any of these cities? I'm wondering if the condition is same where you live 11:20 beth Beth from the northshoreIs it tough to be a woman in government in 2008. 11:20 beth sorry. Is it tough to be a woman elected official in 2008? 11:20 Mayor Lisa Wong I'm not seeing it yet as a challenge. 11:21 Mayor Lisa Wong Others have pointed to my age, ethnicity and “outsider” status. 11:21 beth What is your biggest professional challenge as mayor? 11:21 Mayor Lisa Wong But it an environment that I have been used to for years. 11:21 Fuzzburg I grew up in Fitchburg (live in Lunenburg now) and love the city's geography and architecture. It could be a wonderful place again if it can attract new jobs and people. I have great hopes that you can help the city do that. 11:21 Mayor Lisa Wong Thank you. 11:22 Mayor Lisa Wong My biggest professional challenges will probably change over time and situations. Right now, it is to overcome my desire to fix everything at once. 11:22 Mayor Lisa Wong Yesterday was my one month anniversary in office. 11:22 beth you seem pretty good at multi-tasking! 11:23 Mayor Lisa Wong That's why I love this “job”! 11:24 artmama My husband and are are struggling artists. Places like Fitchburg are attractive and would have been ideal BEFORE we had kids. What about the school system issues and general town safety. 11:24 Mayor Lisa Wong You are absolutely right about schools and safety being important. 11:24 Fuzzburg I'd like to ask what your vision is for downtown, how does the city attract businesses and people to Main Street? 11:24 wicca Do you really think that sophistacated Bostonians are going to want to rub elbos with poor, toothless, loud and scary people in the local Market Basket? 11:24 Mayor Lisa Wong That is why I am focusing so much on the finances right now, and also good management of resources. 11:25 Raleigh St. Clair I'm particularly interested in Main Street - it's had such a low occupancy rate for the last decade - what are your plans for bringing businesses (and by extension, shoppers) downtown? 11:25 Mayor Lisa Wong Have you seen our Market Basket - it is gorgeous! 11:25 wicca That's an evasion of the question about the scary people. 11:25 Mayor Lisa Wong I lived in Boston for years, have a family restaurant in Central Sq in Cambridge and lived in Sydney Australia. And I love Fitchburg. 11:26 Claudine I know some unsophisticated Bostonians 11:26 guest166920 I think there are equally poor toothless lour scary people in Boston… 11:26 guest166920 sorry, loud 11:26 Mayor Lisa Wong Main Street needs work. We are starting to get things right by allowing housing on the upper floors. 11:26 Mayor Lisa Wong We are also understanding that people want 1) convenience and 2) destinations 11:27 Mayor Lisa Wong So having people live there will create opportunites for convenience 11:27 beth Art can play a role in bringing new people to town: Studios, the galleries, etc - same with dance. 11:27 Mayor Lisa Wong Which for those of us who have lived in suburbs can become destinations. 11:27 Mayor Lisa Wong We have a new gallery - the Rollstone Gallery on Main Street 11:28 Raleigh St. Clair I have to say that in the 7 years I've been here, Fitchburg has improved substantially. 11:28 Mayor Lisa Wong It is home to 10 artists and will have its grand opening in March. 11:28 Fuzzburg Places like Destare may help with the destination part. I don't remember the last time there was business in that space,let alone such a nice one. 11:28 beth Excellent: Do they have a webpage yet? 11:28 Raleigh St. Clair That's great news about the gallery - we've been driving past it for months wondering when it would open 11:29 Mayor Lisa Wong I agree. I have been here since 2001 and it is going in the right direction 11:29 Mayor Lisa Wong It will be featured during the March First Thursday. 11:29 Raleigh St. Clair Excellent 11:30 Mayor Lisa Wong We are also working on whitewater kayaking in the river. 11:31 Jason As a Boston-area paddler, I love the idea of adding kayaking runs in the area. Lots of paddlers from Boston are accustomed to driving 3+ hours. Transit-accessible paddling could bring a lot of folks out to Figchburg to boat. 11:31 Mayor Lisa Wong The first place we are looking at is a few minutes walk from the train station. 11:31 architect lowell did a wonderful job turning the derelict mills into a national park 11:31 HICCUP ARTIST SPACE !!!!!! LIVE WORK SPACE ALONG THE RIVER FOR ARTISTS!!!! 11:32 Mayor Lisa Wong ABSOLUTELY! 11:32 Jason That is fantastic. Does the station have Zipcar spaces? 11:32 Mayor Lisa Wong Not yet! What a wonderful idea! 11:32 HICCUP I'm an illustrator/designer/video game designer—I'm also a kayaker 11:33 Dan_R Congrats to Mayor Wong for bringing youth and enthusiasm to Fitchburg 11:33 guest268317 For those people interested in leaving Boston for a more affordable town could you say something about schools? 11:33 Scott Madin I like the idea of apartments/studios for artists etc. in the old mill buildings; when I lived in Waltham I always thought that would have been a great use of (some of) the old watch factory building 11:33 architect Iam am a kayak fisherman- I agree good access to the water will encourage people to use the resource 11:33 Dan_R As a member of the same generation (I'm 30) I feel it's time to take the reins from the older generations 11:33 Fuzzburg More than just gallerysand living spaces, to attract an arts community you need places for them to congregate. Coffee shops, places for live music, etc… 11:33 HICCUP I'd love to work for a video game company along the river in fitchburg or have aworkspace /loft along the river—I love paddling! and I love old mill space–I'd come in a heart beat if you have those plans for the community 11:33 Mayor Lisa Wong Yes. We need to work on the schools - we have UNIQUE opportunities like a Fitchburg Arts Academy, dual language programs in elementary schools. 11:34 Dan_R There are good schools in and around Fitchburg, too 11:34 Mayor Lisa Wong BUT we do need to get our score up, make sure our teachers have resources and the right certifications. 11:34 Mayor Lisa Wong I am also the Chair of the School Committee and it is an honor and a pleasure. 11:34 Dan_R the public schools in Fitchburg would benefit from an influx of tax dollars, so move to the burg

11:35 guest268317 I am certainly going to keep Fitchburg in mind! 11:35 Mayor Lisa Wong I have formed new subcommittees and working on a strategic plan. 11:35 Mayor Lisa Wong We also have one of the best superintendants in the state who in his third year here, has done wonders. 11:35 Dan_R don't forget the fact that Fitchburg State College is in the heart of the town - I'm an alum 11:35 Mayor Lisa Wong And I live right by FSC. 11:36 Dan_R The state college system is very good, and FSC is one of the best of them all, especially their communications, nursing, and teaching programs 11:36 Mayor Lisa Wong My house is a 3bed, 1.5 bath Arts and Crafts on a hill overlooking the college and the downtown. 11:36 Jason I know there are a number of small farms in that area. Does Fitchburg currently have a weekly farmers' market in operation? Local food could work neatly with the other kayaking/arts/quality of life amenities we've been talking about 11:36 artmama teachers certainly need better pay. There are a lot of people who would make briliant teachers, but don't go into the pubilic fielf becasue they don't get paid anything 11:36 Mayor Lisa Wong I overpaid at 185,000 because there was a three way bidding war. 11:36 HICCUP Renovate some old mills and sell the loft spaces to artists 11:36 HICCUP thats key 11:36 Mayor Lisa Wong But I wanted to be in that neighborhood. 11:37 Dan_R artists are key - I work in a converted mill in Framingham that's full of artist spaces 11:37 Dan_R but, artists are only PART of an economic revitalization 11:37 Mayor Lisa Wong We have a beautiful hotel turned luxury lofts downtown. You can buy a 2bedroom for under 190K 11:37 Fuzzburg Some of the area around the college suffers because the student population that lives there is transient. Not sure how you fix that. 11:37 WestFBG To the young parents concerned about the schools -we do face problems, but we have some really good pre-K through primary schools - please come and get involved and lets work together. And yes the superintendant is terrific. 11:37 artmama What about looking at the plans and breaks Providence RI used to attract the artist in it's downtown area. That seems to have made quite a big diffeence in the growth of their city. 11:38 Mayor Lisa Wong We can look to Cambridge and Boston and Lowell and Amherst for ideas on how to make college students a advantage. 11:38 HICCUP I really appreciate that you are young and enthusiastic and willing to see potential—I live in a “NICE town on the north shore” but would sell it and move for lower taxes and cheaper work space IFthe community is outdoor oriented and artsy and TOLERANT 11:38 Dan_R Fitchburg is getting a bit squeezed because of budget problems - even simple things like plowing roads and fixing potholes can be a challenge, and families often say “anywhere but Fitchburg” when looking for a home 11:38 Mayor Lisa Wong The PreK and Primary schools here are excellent. 11:38 Dan_R taxes are high for what you get compared to other towns, but there's a TON of potential 11:39 Dan_R there are some very nice areas 11:39 guest-Rob Given the Global Scale of business today, what advantages must a business 11:39 Dan_R route access is another sticking point, though the west end of town is directly on route 2 11:39 architect resturants and shops are important as well. many of the artisit comminuties in boston are ghost towns after 6 unless there is some night life and activity for others to explore and experience. 11:39 HICCUP Old working class communities typically can be very repulsive to artsy folk—people feel threatened 11:39 HICCUP Hire the best architects you can buy! 11:40 Dan_R if the transient college students are welcomed and worked with, instead of treated adversarially, they'd be more inclined to go downtown 11:40 Mayor Lisa Wong Access issues can be helped by pubilc transportation and walkable communites that allow people to stay longer, and live and work nearby. 11:40 Dan_R main street is an issue, though, it's a little barren 11:40 Jason The MBTA is currently working on upgrades all over the Fitchburg commuter rail line. Transit access times should soon be better than drive times, during peak hours. 11:40 HICCUP DESIGN is everything—Think of the iphone—it clobbered every other manufacturer–why–DESIGN! 11:40 Lori Good afternoon Mayor Wong. Congratulations on your new position as mayor as I'm sure you'll do very well. I have a concern I'd like to speak with you on if you have a minute. Thank You. Lori 11:40 Fuzzburg that's true, but the older working class is aging, and something has to take their place. 11:40 Dan_R and things that students like - such as clubs, etc, bring their own set of problems 11:40 Mayor Lisa Wong Design is important. I don't like hereing that “this is better than what was there before”. Let's aim for what is the “best:. 11:41 HICCUP A well Designed town center will make a huge difference—Start with the best ARCHITECTS available 11:41 Dan_R a big issue that I see (living in Leominster and watching Fitchburg with affection) is that there's a lot of “NIMBY” and complaining, very litle action 11:41 architect agree 11:41 Mayor Lisa Wong We will focus on mixed uses - so that college students, families and the many elderly that live in the downtown hi-rises can co-exist. 11:41 Hal_B If someone is an artist worth their salt, they'll get along with anyone. 11:41 Dan_R if you want to see the city revitalized, do something 11:42 guest142129 The commuter rail to Boston is key…the state just appropriated 10 million dollars to update the route to bring the commute from Fitchburg to North Station to 70 minutes. 11:42 Dan_R community involvment (and I'm not sure how you spur people to do more than just complain) 11:42 HICCUP That is very true Artists are very tolerant and very nice to evveryone 11:42 Mayor Lisa Wong Civic engagement is a huge piece of this. Leadership implies that there are those who will follow and then become their own leaders. 11:42 guest-Rob Given the Global scale of business today, what advantages must business have in today's world, AND can we ever expect business to be on a same scale as they once were? 11:42 guest1001923 when attracting new people to a community how do you keep the community affordable for those who have lived there a long time or grew up there 11:42 Mayor Lisa Wong I have been focuing on companies that are already globaly competitive. 11:43 Dan_R Rob, businesses like manufacturing aren't coming back, but ther's a lot of clever people finding ways to make lots of money 11:43 HICCUP Video Game Companies! 11:43 Dan_R Micron products is in the heart of downtown Fitchburg and they're doing exceptionally well 11:43 Mayor Lisa Wong From small WPI grads trying to export to major companies. 11:43 Hal_B Mayor Wong, would you consider hydroelectric power from upgrades to old mill facilities? 11:43 Mayor Lisa Wong We are considering all types of power here. 11:44 HICCUP can you subsidize some fledgling businesses 11:44 HICCUP ? 11:44 Jason What about alternative energy startups? Is much State money finding its way to Fitchburg for this stuff? 11:44 Hal_B Did you ever hear of or read of Finneran's defunct proposal? I heard of it on BUR actually. 11:44 Dan_R The burgeoning immigrant population (one could argue ongoing - just from different home countries) could take more ownership and pride in their city - they have a perception issue to fight, too 11:44 Mayor Lisa Wong I want to make sure that fledgling businesses have the right resources - technical skills, management, etc. 11:44 Dan_R There was an initiative to site wind turbines on nearby hills in Fitchburg 11:45 Dan_R a little contentious, but it's well situated for a wind project that can navigate successfully to approval 11:45 Mayor Lisa Wong As an economist, we cannot use pubic funds to replace private. Sustainability means innovation and competition. 11:45 Hal_B Ah yes, Fitchburg the city of — what is it? Seven hills? 11:45 Nancy1 Nancy was bounced out! What are the plans for increased surveillance of commuter rail parking? 11:45 Dan_R tht's worcester 11:46 Mayor Lisa Wong Yes, an ordinance was passed last night to allow RESIDENTIAL wind turbines on lots as few as 2 acres 11:46 Hal_B Fitchburg, too, I think 11:46 Fuzzburg WInd turbines on Rollstone may make sense. It's got no use currently except for teen partying and homeless camping. I don't know it that's feasible. 11:46 Dan_R as for downtown's reputation - it's not quite as bad- I used to walk down North and Myrtle streets in the dead of night - 10+ years ago, and that area is WAY better now 11:46 Mayor Lisa Wong I'll talk with the regional transit authority about better security of the parking. 11:47 guest1001923 is it difficult and expensive to train existing community people those tech or management skills, rather than attracting those who have them 11:47 Dan_R One thing that I'd like the MBTA to do is a direct train from Fitchburg to Worcester 11:47 Mayor Lisa Wong You have to do both. 11:47 Dan_R the only way to get there from here via train is to go into boston to go back out 11:47 Mayor Lisa Wong I am a big advocate of public transport and trains. 11:47 guest882 Are they possibiities of improvingt the train time to Boston? 11:48 Dan_R yes, train time to boston will drop soon with upgrades to the rail 11:48 Hal_B My grandaunt commuted weekdays from Fitchburg to Boston 100 years ago. I take the same line from Littleton in, now. Feels kinda neat doing so. 11:48 Mayor Lisa Wong I just talked with the rialroad yesterday and they have these vans that ride the rails and the road! 11:48 Mayor Lisa Wong That might be a quicker way to get service to Worcester. 11:48 Jason Wow, that's neat. 11:48 Dan_R and more economical, that's cool! never thought of vans with those rail drives 11:48 Mayor Lisa Wong We will improve the train time to one hour. 11:48 Fuzzburg I've seen those, mostly for maintenance I thouhgt 11:49 Hal_B How many rail lines are there between Worcester and Fitchburg? Anything that follows 2 and 195? 11:49 guest1001923 All the best Mayor Wong, thank you for taking part in this forum. One of the better conversations I've had here. 11:49 Mayor Lisa Wong We need the state to confirm the transportation bill which has $75 million to update our tracks. 11:49 Dan_R the Fitchburg commuter rail line runs parallel with Rt.2 11:49 NRWA The Nashua River Watershed Association is delighted with Lisa Wong's focus on the river as a key component to the revitaliztion of the city. 11:49 Dick K Congratulations, Mayor Wong. I grew up in Lowell and for severl years I was Planning Director in Lawrence. Ron ANsin is right a city needs a plan but also the energy to stick with the plan for a long time 11:49 Mayor Lisa Wong Hal- I'll have to look at the rail map. 11:49 Dan_R nothing goes north south along 190 11:49 Mayor Lisa Wong Hi Dick. 11:50 Havereal Mayor Wong, I ljust moved to Haverhill and have some experience with city development in Texas. I am very interested in empowering people and the work you're doing. Is there a way that a non-Fitchburg citizencould be a part of what you're doing? 11:50 Mayor Lisa Wong YES 11:50 Mayor Lisa Wong Yes 11:50 guest882 This spring at RISD we are looking at how to build the public realm to maximize public health, activity, recreation and environmentla sustainability. We'd like to invite you down to se what they do. 11:50 Mayor Lisa Wong YES 11:50 Havereal How would I do that? 11:50 Hal_B But isn't a lot of the time delay on the rails from my end in? From 495 to Cambridge? I thought it was track quality and speed restrictions thru Lincoln and Weston 11:50 Mayor Lisa Wong email me at ———————— 11:50 Mayor Lisa Wong call ———— 11:50 Nancy1 driving in from the west on rte 12, i'm struck by the architecturally incredibly beautiful brick buildings that appear to be from the 1800's. any plans to capitalize on this element of fitchburg history? 11:50 Havereal Will do. 11:51 Mayor Lisa Wong There needs to be double track built in that area. That is part of the transp. bond bill. 11:51 Dan_R And following up on Havereal's question, how about those of us who are in the Twin Cities and want to see Fitchburg succeed for the good of the region? How can we walk the walk? 11:51 Mayor Lisa Wong Yes. I am putting a stop to demolishing our buildings 11:52 Fuzzburg Good! the great architecture should be part of the appeal of the city 11:52 Hal_B Mayor Wong, gotta go, congratulations and take care! 11:52 Mayor Lisa Wong I am seeking a volunteer coordinator just to keep track and work with all the people that want to help. Any ideas on how to move forward? 11:52 Nancy1 those brick buildings are history. it would be great to focus on their charm and history. 11:52 Dan_R the problem with old buildings is often putting them in code compliance is more expensive than demolishing/rebuilding - there's lots of environmental issues there 11:52 Dan_R and they're expensive to keep heated in the winter, too 11:52 guest882 The RISD group is called City-State, hte Urban Design Lab at RISD 11:53 Raleigh St. Clair Speaking of heating, is there anything that can be done about Unitil? 11:53 Mayor Lisa Wong ———————— 11:53 Dan_R a biodiesel generator in your basement

11:53 Mayor Lisa Wong I'll be on the phone shortly, so email me 11:53 Mayor Lisa Wong The AG's office is looking at Unitil's current rate increase 11:53 Raleigh St. Clair Hooray! 11:54 Nancy1 there are ways to keep those buildings. check out other towns, harrisville nh, keene, clinton ma, etc. 11:54 chris Chris, I have walked in Fitchburg it is a nice town but it needs alot of work, you might have to get the people in the community involved also. 11:54 Dan_R Keene is a great example 11:54 guest224743 if Unitil's rates are lowered, I will move back to Fitchburg 11:54 Dan_R the'yve got an exceptionally nice downtown 11:54 Matt L Keene too! 11:55 Dan_R fitchburg's schools will do better once the budgetary constraints ease a bit, and that's going to take management and new residents 11:55 Dan_R real estate in fitchburg is a screaming bargain 11:55 bURG I THINK THE KEY TO FIXING MILL CITIES IS COLLECTIVE POSITIVE THINKING. NO MORE DOUBTS, NO MORE POINTING FINGERS. EVERYONE MUST JUST KEEP AN EYE ON THE IDEA OF WHAT THEY WANT THEIR CITIES TO LOOK LIKE. 11:55 Fuzzburg Thanks for taking the time to listen to me, Mayor Wong! 11:55 Dan_R Deloge Heights isstill under constr. 11:56 Fuzzburg Good Luck to you and to my hometown! 11:56 Mayor Lisa Wong It does take a lot of work. 11:56 Mayor Lisa Wong But we are all working hard. 11:56 Fuzzburg you are multi-tasking. very impressive! 11:57 Mayor Lisa Wong I've had a great time chatting with you all. 11:57 Fuzzburg btw, my wife worksin Fitchburg's planning office 11:57 Fuzzburg bye 11:57 Mayor Lisa Wong Please email or call me at ———————— or ———— 11:57 guest224743 thank you Lisa! 11:57 guest940561 test 11:57 Dick K Good luck 11:58 Mayor Lisa Wong Come to Fitchburg's First Thursday, 11:58 chris Good luck. 11:58 Mayor Lisa Wong Check out our martini bar - www.destare.com 11:58 Claudine Radio Boston chatters! Thanks for all your participaion today. I think Mayor Wong has lots of work to do but if you all want to chat among yourselves for the next few minutes we'll keep the chat up. 11:58 Matt L great place. nice plug 11:58 Mayor Lisa Wong I'm usually at Destare on Thursday nights after 9pm. 11:58 Mayor Lisa Wong I look forward to talking and working with many of you. 11:59 Mayor Lisa Wong Bye! 11:59 Raleigh St. Clair Thanks Lisa! 11:59 Matt L you too thanks 11:59 Fuzzburg Destare is very nice. Iadmit I thought it was too nice for the Burg at first. 11:59 bURG thank you BUR for featuring our great city; its about time we get positive coverage discussing the great thigns we have done for ourselves. Thank you. 11:59 guest224743 thank you Radio Boston for coming to Fitchburg and talking about the possibilities here 11:59 Fuzzburg It's hard to change the way you think about as place, and I love Fitchburg, 12:00 Fuzzburg Thanks WBUR! 12:08 Ken Jones Claudine, Dave et al….thanks!! 12:08 claudine Thanks to you listeners and chatters. Stay tuned for next Friday when we explore the dialects of Massachusetts. Hope you are ready for some chowdah! Join us again here next Friday at 1pm in the chat room and on the air.

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