Charter Schools And Southbridge

Peloquin Will Return To Council

Amelia Peloquin

On January 22nd of this year, I experienced an extreme adverse reaction to the medication Adderall. This medication had been prescribed to me by my doctor and I was taking it as directed. This medication made me very ill, to the point of experiencing a psychiatric emergency.

My family, out of concern for my well-being, called 911 in an effort to get me to the hospital. Instead of medical personnel, police officers were sent to my home, and I was subsequently arrested. Because I was not well, the charges against me were ultimately dismissed. 

Judge Dismisses Charges Against Peloquin

Ken O’Brien

The Worcester Telegram reports that Judge Timothy M. Bibaud dismissed assault charges against Southbridge Town Councilor Amelia Peloquin on Wednesday. Judge Bibaud said that the arresting officer's probable-cause narrative indicates the defendant was suffering an emotional breakdown and, therefore, there was no criminal intent in her actions.

Ms. Peloquin, 33, of 275 Marcy St., Southbridge, had been charged with resisting arrest and two counts of assault and battery on a police officer after a January 22^nd incident at her home. 

It remains an open question at this time as to when, and if, Ms. Peloquin will return to her duties as a Town Councilor. She has been on extended medical leave from the position since the incident.

Councilor Peloquin Makes By-Law Revisions Available To Public

Ken O’Brien

A shout out to Town Councilor Amelia Peloquin.

Those who watched last night’s Town Council Meeting will remember that the Council voted to postpone the second reading of the proposed changes to the Town By-Laws that were recommended by the By-Law Review Committee.

During the discussion on this subject it was pointed out that a December 2^nd memo from the Town Attorney had recommended that the marked up version of the old By-Laws with proposed revisions be made widely available as a means of avoiding the Charter-mandated requirement to read the entirety of such changes at each meeting. 

Why Is This Off-Camera?

Ken O’Brien

Posted on the town website is an agenda for a Town Council Meeting of the Whole prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting Monday night. The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

COUNCIL OF THE WHOLE

GEORGE PARENT COMMUNITY ROOM

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013 – 6:30 PM

AGENDA

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Review resume and employment agreement for Acting Town Manager, Robert Reed and to submit to Council for ratification.

4. Adjournment 

Should Southbridge Help People Save Their Homes?

Ken O’Brien

Based upon a quick search I found between 85 and 92 foreclosed properties currently for sale in Southbridge.

I was prompted to undertake the inquiry by a recent email I received from Town Councilor Amelia Peloquin. She was seeking my views on a program that has been undertaken by the community of Richmond, CA. 

More Southbridge Town Council Sleight Of Hand?

Ken O’Brien

The O’Zone recently pointed out the extreme contrast between the conduct of oversight between the town council and the prior school committee. While the former has been dominated by laissez faire obsequiousness to town managers, the latter was dominated by a stifling micro-management of day to day operational and personnel matters.

While it failed to gain popular electoral endorsement, the campaign slogan of Dennis Martinek in his bids for town council has nevertheless seemed to have gained currency. People are beginning to realize that there is a need to “Restore Balance”.

The pendulum has clearly begun to swing toward restoring a balance of appropriate roles in the school department. It remains to be seen whether they will exercise appropriate oversight regarding the latitude they are now allowing management. 

Sunday Photo-‘Toons 1.14

Ken O’Brien

Insofar as it’s the dog days of summer and everyone is entitled to a vacation, The O’Zone decided to take a vacation from Photo-‘Toons last week.

Further, since it immediately followed Friday the 13^th and would have been the thirteenth installment, I decided to follow the example of all the best hotels in numbering their floors and just eliminate it. 

Southbridge School Committee Candidates' Debate

Courtesy of Amelia Peloquin

Southbridge Town Council Candidates' Debate

Courtesy of Amelia Peloquin

Southbridge Democratic Town Committee Endorses Local Candidates for June 26, 2012 Town Election

Southbridge, MA – At their monthly meeting on Saturday, June 9, 2012, the Southbridge Democratic Town Committee voted unanimously to endorse the following candidates in the upcoming town election on Tuesday June 26, 2012: Eleven year incumbent and six-term Chairman John D. Jovan Jr. and newcomer Lauren McLoughlin for School Committee, Amelia Peloquin for Town Council.

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. All five precincts in Southbridge will be voting at the Southbridge Community Center, 153 Chestnut Street. The Southbridge Democratic Town Committee meets on the second Saturday of every month at the Southbridge Community Center, 153 Chestnut Street, Southbridge, MA. For more information please email southbridgedemocrats@gmail.com.

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. 

Sunday Photo-‘Toons 1.5

Ken O’Brien

Another week has passed with ample reasons to run for the Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil.

Being old school myself, I prefer to resort to the Reader’s Digest remedy – Laughter is the Best Medicine.

Last week we welcomed the contributions of an O’Zone reader, I. M. Townie.

This week we have a contribution from another reader who identifies herself as Cathy.

As in all cases I reserve the right to exercise editorial discretion, but without censorship based on personal opinion (I hope). If I think it’s funny and/or creative I’ll give it an airing.

That having been said, let’s have at it.

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:

Southbridge Meeting Videos On YouTube

Ken O’Brien

Amelia Peloquin has now begun making town council and school committee meetings available on YouTube.

Thanks to her for expanding her prior efforts and increasing the convenience of access to these public records.

The most recent additions can be accessed at:

Southbridge Town Council Meeting - April 23, 2012

Southbridge School Committee Meeting - April 24, 2012

The Local Lamestream Media II

Ken O’Brien

Back in February I illustrated how the local paper was relegating announcements by local candidates to second class status.

Well, today they managed to top themselves.

Several days ago The O’Zone carried the announcement of Amelia Peloquin’s candidacy for the Southbridge town council. 

Where’s The Beef?

Ken O’Brien

We’re a little more than two months away from the annual Southbridge town election.

Thus far six people have taken out papers to run for town council; incumbents Denise Clemence, David Livengood and Lawrence Spinelli and newcomers Jean Heid, Shaun Moriarty and Amelia Peloquin.

While few people take an interest in elections until several weeks in advance, it is time to start to demand that candidates offer us more than the vague and pious platitudes that have dominated campaigns in the past. 

Peloquin Announces Southbridge Town Council Bid

“Our local government needs fresh perspectives and new voices”

SOUTHBRIDGE – Southbridge resident Amelia Peloquin is pleased to announce her candidacy for Councilor-at-Large in the June 26 Southbridge municipal election.

"I’m running for Town Council because I am passionate about Southbridge and our town’s future. Together, we can find affordable and thoughtful solutions for the challenges facing our community. I believe our local government needs fresh perspectives and new voices in order to find those solutions. 

People Versus The Machine In Southbridge

Ken O’Brien

On February 29 a hearing was held before the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government on H. 3900.

This bill would authorize the Town of Southbridge to place on the June ballot the changes to the town Home Rule Charter approved by the Southbridge Town Council.

At that hearing State Representative Peter Durant appeared in support of the bill.