Sunday Photo-'Toons 1.27

Ken O’Brien

Sunday Photo-‘Toons 1.15

Ken O’Brien

Well it’s been another interesting week in Southbridge.

It began with some fractures showing up in the not-so-thin blue line of the Southbridge Police Department.

That was quickly followed up by a post Fourth of July round of fireworks from the Southbridge school system. First there was the M-80 set off that heralded the announcement that current Southbridge High Principal William Bishop would not be appointed principal of the new Middle/High School. 

Two Strikes for Southbridge Police Candidates

Ken O’Brien

On December 19, 2011, the Southbridge Town Council voted to approve the appointment of three full-time police officers recommended by Police Chief Daniel Charette and the subcommittee on the Protection of Persons and Property.

The three candidates approved were Daniel P. Rogers of Southbridge, Miosotis Diaz-Ortiz of Southbridge and Brian A Ruggieri of Brookfield.

Rogers was subsequently compelled to withdraw his candidacy when it was found that he had made videos posted on you-tube that were described in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette of January 7, 2012. “During a scene in one video, a man wearing women’s clothing rings the doorbell to a home, and after an exchange, the respondent points a gun at the cross-dresser’s head, threatening to shoot him.
The sketch appears to make fun of both people in same-sex relationships and, because of the manner in which one character spoke, people who are developmentally challenged.”

Wag The Dog?

Kenneth M. O’Brien

In the course of fast moving events one has to evaluate incoming information as judiciously as possible.

Certainly the latest information regarding political maneuverings regarding the Southbridge Board of Health calls for perspicacity.

However, the emergence of additional facts can be coupled with prior experience to formulate a reasonable opinion of the forces that may be at work.

The sudden emergence of charges against the entire Lazo family just prior to the last town election certainly falls within this realm.

More Preble Piffle

Kenneth M. O’Brien

On Sunday, July 17, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette ran an article titled, “Priest’s account denied outright: Non-tornado charities got aid”.
I think that an objective reading of the article demonstrates that it more appropriately belongs in a gossip column rather than in a news story.

Prebeble Cause?

Kenneth M. O’Brien

Today the Worcester Telegram & Gazette ran an article titled, “Tornado Relief Goods Misdirected – Given Away By Local Priest”.

Allow me to state at the outset that I don’t believe that clerics should be involved in politics.

This is not a new opinion for me. It goes way back to my early days when Massachusetts had a multi-term congressman, Robert Drinan, a Jesuit Priest. Those who proclaim adherence to the Christian Gospel should be cognizant of the admonition that “…one cannot serve two masters.”

Leaving that aside, we have a variety of allegations in the article.

The most damning was the remark that, “Chief Charette said there is nothing for authorities to act upon because no one has complained to the police or Fire Chief Ciesla.
“If in fact these were earmarked for specific things,” Chief Charette said, “absolutely, it could be a criminal offense. But I do not think that at any time there was any intent to commit a crime here.”

However, Chief Charette said, Detective Sgt. Ryan Roettger is talking with the Worcester district attorney’s office “to see if this is something that rises to the level of a crime.”

Ain’t That A Crime?

Kenneth M. O’Brien

To begin by answering my own question, “I don’t know for sure.”

What I can do is provide you with the facts as I know them and allow you to formulate your own opinion. Perhaps those among you with even greater knowledge can do even more.

On April 19, 2011, The Southbridge Evening News published a front-page article titled. “Town releases top delinquents on water, sewer bills”.

In that article, the town manager was quoted as follows: “One of the things this year that has come to my attention was, ‘What can we do for a collection rate?’ said Town Manager Christopher Clark. ‘If we send out 4,200 bills to all of the customers in town and for every 100 bills, about 80 percent of them pay them on time. Four percent of people pay them within two weeks of it being due. It was brought to my attention and I was asked how efficient was it and how can we do better?’”

Now, at first glance, this would appear to be a reasonable matter.