Sunday Photo-‘Toons 1.9

Ken O’Brien

Well, town elections are only a little over a week away 

Just as spring is marked by the blooming of flowers, so this season sees campaign signs sprouting all over the local landscape.

In the spirit of environmental preservation, The O’Zone confines its campaigning to cyberspace.

With that proviso, let’s season your Sunday breakfast or brunch with our unique mixture of cynicism and sass.

Sunday Photo-‘Toons 1.8

Ken O’Brien

Frequent O’Zone contributor I.M.Townie was apparently on an inspired high recently. The result is a six frame series that takes on his/her favorite subjects.

As a result this week’s offering takes on a heavy school committee focus. 

EHS Subcommittee Violated Open Meeting Law – Council Chair “Fixed” Trash Ticket

Ken O’Brien

UPDATE: The video of Tuesday, May 15^th’s, EHS subcommittee meeting is available in three parts HERE.

Last night’s meeting of the Education and Human Services subcommittee lived up to expectations.

Among the revelations was the fact that the Attorney General’s office found the subcommittee to be in violation of the Open Meeting Law. The finding related to the meeting of August 2, 2011. In its report the Attorney General’s office determined that the subcommittee had failed to state there would be a discussion about Ann Beinema, even though the Chair reasonably anticipated one would occur.

The AG’s office did not find that the second complaint, that the subcommittee did not give Mrs. Beinema notice that her "reputation, conduct and character" would be discussed during an open session meeting on August 2, 2011, constituted a violation of the OML.

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.

Local Groups Prepare for Town Elections

Ken O'Brien

Well, the New Year has come and gone, and in Southbridge that can mean only one thing - the start of election season.

While town elections don't happen until June, various local groups are already preparing for the event.

There is of course the town council as a whole (or at least seven of nine) who are hoping to place their planned charter distortions on the ballot. Their nefarious ambitions were bolstered today by an email from state representative Peter Durant (R - Spencer).

Another Kick In The Charter

Kenneth M. O’Brien

In their ongoing rush to re-establish the controlling interests of our corporate overlords, the Clickolla led town council of Casellaburg has scheduled another palace coup.

As you are most likely aware, the town mangler has been seeking a doctor to replace the resigned member of the Board Of Health, Dr. O’Leary.

In the meantime, however, the new ruling majority has begun preparing for the reestablishment of a five member BOH without waiting to amend the charter.

Will Cart-Man Strike Back?

Kenneth M. O’Brien

Just as citizens celebrate their triumph over the Cart Monster, there are rumblings that Clickolla has plans to make that victory short-lived.

Such an administrative end run around the democratic process would be nothing new in Casellaburg.

We have Carlisle’s distortion of the Charter to create a five member Board of Health.

We have Healey’s “side letter” that altered the start date of the SRD contract as it was originally defined.

Now we have a variety of signals that there will be another avenue taken to re-animate this "Cart monster corpse".

Southbridge Town Council Reorganizes

Kenneth M. O’Brien

At its first meeting following the June Town Elections the Southbridge Town Council elected its leadership for the coming year.

Councilor Catherine Nikolla was elected Chairman of the Council.

Councilor Denise Clemence was elected Vice-Chairman of the Council.

As my only comment on this outcome, allow me to offer my proposal for the Town's new promotional campaign going forward.

The Sleaze Factor In Southbridge Politics

Kenneth M. O’Brien

It would be nice if politics were transparent.

In reality, we all know that it is not.

But, when there is an organized effort at deceptive rumor-mongering, then it deserves to be exposed.

Regrettably, for reasons that I have addressed previously, that is unlikely to happen locally.

Anybody who has not been living under a rock in Southbridge for the last five years knows that there is a clear division that is represented on the town council.

In my experience, one of these groups has acted in a concerted manner. Increasingly, that group has also acted in a manner that, in my opinion, is both deceptive and unscrupulous.

The other group reminds me of nothing more than the famous words of Will Rogers. “I’m not a member of an organized political party. I’m a Democrat.” That is not to say that members of this group are all Democrats. They are in fact split 50/50 between registered Democrats and Republicans.

"Let Your Voice Be Heard?"

By Dennis

Guest Contributor

One thing that politicians don't seem to realize is when they become a caricature of themselves.

In Southbridge, Councilor Clemence is a prime example of that ignorance.

The self-proclaimed know-it all (Robert's Rules), who's one of us, what with her helicopter, her Forrest Gump like way of getting into any photo-op to further her political ambitions (see Brown, Scott), fails to recognize her arrogance and ignorance when it comes to the issues.

Not the brightest bulb in the pack (and she's only up against the likes of Nikkola, Regis, Detective Livengood, and Spinelli), she thinks more of herself than the people in town.  She's quite the legend in her own mind.