Sunday Photo – ‘Toons 1.6

Ken O’Brien

Welcome back aboard the Starship O’Zone.

This week’s journey from the galaxy of the black hole of civic despair into the universe of mirth and merriment is brought to you courtesy of the Southbridge Town Council and the Southbridge School Committee. 

Southbridge Tax Rate will go up 4.2%, Water Rate Up 2% Under New Budget

Ken O’Brien

Southbridge Town Manager Chris Clark

Last night the Southbridge town council, by a six to two vote (councilors McDonald and Vandal against, councilor Livengood excused) approved a fiscal year 2013 budget just shy of $45 million.

The key revelation came in response to a question posed by councilor Laurent McDonald. He asked what the impact of the proposed budget would be on the town’s property tax rate. Town manager Clark referred the question to chief assessor Wilfred Cournouyer. After hemming and hawing, his response is quoted in an article by Brian Lee in today’s Worcester Telegram and Gazette. 

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.

Damage Control

Ken O'Brien

On Thursday the Southbridge Town Hall house organ (the Southbridge Evening News) will carry an article titled, “Southbridge refunds 118 trash fines”.

In the article it is reported:

If you got ticketed for a first-time trash violation, you might have already received good news in the mail.
According to Health Director James Morin, 118 such residents will get refunds of their fines and/or letters this week informing them they don’t have to pay if they haven’t yet had hearings. That does not apply to 30 or so multiple-ticket recipients, who are still on the hook for the second or later fines.

Sunday Photo-'toons: Southbridge's Next Election

Ken O'Brien

Readers of the papyrus Sunday newspapers are treated to a variety of editorial opinions expressed in imagery.

The tradition gained mass popularity in the days of the Condé-Nast publications, but it has a far longer and more colorful history. I encourage anyone who thinks our current political landscape is populated by commentators who lack restraint to examine the past record of visual depictions of partisan opinion.

You Can’t Fight Southbridge Town Hall: They Have Your Tax Dollars For Ammunition

Ken O’Brien

William Gladstone famously observed that, “Justice delayed, is justice denied.”

Back in February The O’Zone carried an article titled, “If You Can’t Beat’em, Bleed’em”.

At that time I was addressing the tactics being employed by attorneys for the town of Southbridge to delay a decision in a case mounted by citizens of this community to challenge the obviously absurd position that a town bylaw can take precedence over the town’s Home Rule Charter.