Southbridge Town Council Agenda September 10, 2012

Prepared by the Chair

TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE

SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 01550-2638

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, TOWN HALL

September 10, 2012 – 7:00 PM

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AGENDA

1.Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call

3. Consider and accept Town Council Meeting Minutes of Monday, August 27, 2012

Ely Responds

Ken O’Brien

As a result of the questions raised on The O’Zone post Southbridge Superintendent Announces Rumor Control Plan, Southbridge School Superintendent Eric Ely has responded.

His comment on that post read, “I have posted responses on the district website front page today. I will add to them as more questions come.

Police Union - Chief Not Concerned With Issues In Department

Ken O’Brien

As The O’Zone has reported for over a month, the vast majority of officers in the Southbridge Police Department are seriously dissatisfied with the leadership of Chief Daniel Charrette.

Of the 29 members of the Southbridge Police Association, 24 voted in favor, 4 opposed and one abstained on a motion that stated, among numerous concerns, that “The level of morale within the department is very low and it is our opinion that Chief Charette is not concerned with the issues within the Police Department.”

As reported earlier, a letter expanding upon these issues has been sent to all town councilors and the town manager.

The text of the letter follows:

Don't Be Fooled Again

Dennis Martinek

Elizabeth Warren in Southbridge

Steve Sandberg Video

Elizabeth Warren visited Southbridge on May 12. She met an assembly of local residents at Fins and Tales Restaurant.

This video was originally released yesterday on Steve’s Politics Blog.

Open Thread on Town Council Debate

Ken O’Brien

The Town Council debate is over.

Did you watch?

What are your reactions?

Comment.

If At First…; Ely Also Seeking Job in Montana

Ken O’Brien

UPDATE: May 1 - Ely eliminated from finalists in Montana.


There can be little doubt that there is blood in the water in the administration of the Southbridge school system.

At the end of March The O’Zone reported that Southbridge School Superintendent Eric Ely had applied for a position as school system director in Roane County,Tennessee. 

The Jacobson Decision versus Southbridge Schools

Ken O'Brien

Many of the recent comments in regard to my article “Is Ely Moving On?” referenced the case between the Southbridge Education Association and Southbridge Public Schools involving a dismissed school teacher, Jonathan Jacobson who had not achieved “professional status”.

I have secured a copy of this decision which can be read in its entirety at the above link. The following are direct quotes from the final decision.

Southbridge’s Rush Limbaugh Wannabe Revisited

Ken O’Brien

Once again the Southbridge Evening News’ editorial cartoonist has taken a potshot at someone whom, he feels, has not conformed to his narrow view of political correctness.

In today’s Evening News (page 4) he put forward a cartoon portraying Councilor Laurent McDonald (at least that's who people think it is) dancing with the town manager implying that the councilor had supported increases in taxes, water and sewer rates, etc.

The fact of the matter is that anyone who has given the least passing notice to Southbridge politics realizes that Councilor McDonald has been in the forefront of opposing the town manager and his supporters on the council in their efforts to create an imperial town managership.