Sunday Photo-'Toons 1.10

Ken O’Brien

UPDATE: June 25, 10:30 am - A late addition by contributor I.M.Townie.

Well, for the residents of Southbridge, it’s all over except for the yawning and recriminations.

On balance the campaign for the key elective offices has been not inspirational, but rather (if I might coin a word) dispirational.

There are enough candidates about who I am enthusiastic enough to have recommended to the voters.

Moriarty Responds to Southbridge News Article

Shaun Moriarty

I am featured in a candidate profile in today's Southbridge Evening News; there are a couple of things worth clarifying or correcting.

The biggest one, in my eyes, has to do with spending money. I have often stated that I don't mind paying taxes so long as I feel that money is being spent appropriately and justly, and the article says as much. However, the article states that I feel "the town needs extra spending in some areas," and cites the DPW as a chief benefactor and that I feel a need for "specifically, a new firehouse." 

Reminder - Southbridge Candidates’ Debate Tomorrow

Ken O’Brien

Candidates for Southbridge school committee and town council will square off tomorrow, Saturday June 9^th for a televised debate in advance of the June 26^th town election.

The debate is being sponsored jointly by the Southbridge Democratic and Republican town committees. Charlton town moderator Peter Cooper, Jr. will act as moderator for the occasion.

It will be broadcast on Southbridge Cable TV channel 12 starting at 1 pm. The first session, lasting 90 minutes will feature the candidates for Southbridge school committee. This will be followed by a ninety minute debate among candidates for Southbridge town council beginning at 3 pm. 

Peloquin Responds to “What I Want To Know” – Part II

Amelia Peloquin

[Amelia responded earlier to the first of nine questions I posed to candidates for town council. Here she answers the remaining eight.]

2. Would you seek to reduce the town budget? In what areas? How?

I realize that this is hard to do, because there are so many fixed costs involved in running a town.  That being said, our current setup seems like it's built to eschew any form of accountability in terms of cost containment.  The town's budget and the tax rate are set six months apart from each other, with a local election between them. Ken, I would support your proposed by-law for requiring projected tax rates during budget season. 

Peloquin Responds to “What I Want To Know” - Part I

Amelia Peloquin

 [Editor’s Note: In this article Amelia Peloquin responds to Question number 1, indicating she plans to respond to other questions at a later time.]

1. What is your position on the Town Council's proposed amendments to the Southbridge Home Rule Charter?

Suffice to say, as a follower of local government, I didn't like the Council's handling of the Charter Review Committee's work.  On balance, as a voter, I will not be supporting most of the ballot questions.  The fate of the Southbridge Home Rule Charter is the biggest local issue I've spent time dealing with this year.  I've written about this topic extensively, and you are welcome to read my work here:

Moriarty Responds To “What I Want To Know”

Shaun Moriarty

I commend Ken O’Brien for pushing each of the candidates for Town Council to answer his call on “Where’s the Beef?” Among Ken’s questions were some very important and strong questions, some of which I could have pandered to the O’Zone’s readers. I’m not part of any group or clique, my only allegiance in this race is to the town and its residents. As such, I’ve answered these questions honestly and fully aware that some of my answers may cause grief and heartburn among a good number of this site’s readers. I’m a pretty open-minded guy and am more than happy to discuss my positions on any of these issues and welcome any sort of useful and civil discussions on them. I’m a look before you leap kind of guy and believe all perspectives must be considered. I’m always around town and am happy to answer any and all questions, address any and all concerns, and further explain my thoughts to anyone who is interested. I thank you for your time in reading my responses — all 2,500 words or so of them (and that’s the condensed version!) 

Lazo Responds to “What I Want To Know” – Part I

Steve Lazo

I plan to answer all of Ken’s questions, but right now I want to respond to what I consider the most important one on his list.

3.      What would you do to increase employment opportunities in Southbridge?

After being off the council for a year I’ve had a chance to think about what we really need in Southbridge.

More than anything else we need jobs. And beyond that we need to create the chance for our people to start businesses that create jobs.

Martinek Responds to “What I Want To Know”

Dennis Martinek

   1.      What is your position on the Town Council's proposed  amendments to the Southbridge Home Rule Charter?

    

 I served on the Charter Review Committee for a period of one year. During that time, and despite what some people thought, even though we were hand selected, we came from various backgrounds, and there were a lot of passionate discussions on the issues that resulted in our recommendations.

What I Want To Know – Questions for Southbridge Town Council Candidates

Ken O’Brien

Back in April The O’Zone published an article titled “Where’s The Beef”.

Since then we have seen precious little in the way of concrete proposals from those who claim to want to run our town.

Lacking anything substantive thus far from most of the candidates, and having gotten word that a town council candidates’ debate is tentatively scheduled for June 9^th, I’ve decided to put forward some questions to which I would like answers.

I’d be interested to know what other questions O’Zone readers would like to ask the candidates.

I’m not looking for empty and vague generalities. I want specific, actionable proposals that will go before the council.

I will gladly publish replies from ANY candidate who chooses to respond.

Breaking News: Peloquin Pulls Papers for Town Council

Local blogger and political activist Amelia Peloquin today pulled papers to run for Southbridge Town Council. She is also a member of the Democratic Town Committee