Let’s Kill The Messenger

Ken O’Brien

Doing this blog, believe it or not, is a very trying exercise.

It is inevitable that those who have an opinion will be excoriated by those with whom they disagree.

Current and former local bloggers have all attested to this fact.

Rarely is this tendency more pronounced than when a blogger ventures into the political realm – especially on a local level. 

Treating Some SouthbridgeTown Records As Trash

Ken O’Brien

Our municipal government overlords have no compunction about punishing the “pigs and barnyard animals” as our town council chair famously referred to some residents. You don’t use the right trash bags or the prescribed form of trash container? In a vampirical parody of Oprah, the message is “Here’s a $250 fine for you, and here’s a $250 fine for you, and for you and for you and….”

But they are apparently far more reticent about disciplining their own when it comes to fulfilling the basic requirements of government. 

Southbridge Town Council Agenda - April 9, 2012

TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE

SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 01550-2638

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MACKINNON COUNCIL CHAMBERS

APRIL 9, 2012 – 7:00 PM

********************

1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call

3. Consider and accept the Council Minutes of Monday, March 26, 2012 Meeting

4. Subcommittee Reports:

     (a) General Government

     (b) D.P.W.

     (c) Education and Human Services

     (d) Planning and Development

     (e) Protection of Persons and Property

5. Chairwoman’s Announcements

6. Town Manager’s Announcements

7. Swearing In / Presentation

     a) Presentation – 25 years of service to Corinne Tiberri

     b) Presentation – Update Centros Las Americas, Juan Gomez

     c) Presentation – Tasse’s / Alcoma Trust Realty, Jeff Tasse

8. Citizens Forum

The Conservative Myth About Americans Who Pay No Income Tax

Ken O’Brien

Talk to any dyed-in-the-wool conservative Republican or devout Tea Partier and one topic almost certain to come up is the observation that almost half of all American households pay no federal income tax.

Therefore, they argue, it is wrong to claim that the wealthiest Americans are bearing more than their fair share of the federal tax burden. 

Happy Easter

From Ken

REBIRTH

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:36-39 New International Version (NIV)

Should He Stay or Should He Go?

Ken O’Brien

A week ago I quite innocently acted on a tip from a friend about the fact that Southbridge School Superintendent Eric Ely had applied for a position elsewhere.

To my absolute shock and surprise the resulting article has become, in one week, the second most read article in the history of the O’Zone.

There was a flood of comments, many of which revealed a deeply-seated antipathy toward elements of the current school administration, particularly at Southbridge High School. 

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.

MSNBC's Chris Matthews in Worcester - A Film by Paul Zotos

Colbert "Super Pac" Ad Promotes Romney with Hispanics

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Breaking News: Peloquin Pulls Papers for Town Council

Local blogger and political activist Amelia Peloquin today pulled papers to run for Southbridge Town Council. She is also a member of the Democratic Town Committee

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.

Conservative “Freedom”: The Constitution Allows Execution of the Innocent

Ken O’Brien

Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas

Conservative activists have struggled mightily to populate the Supreme Court with jurists who share their views. The judicial philosophies favored have been termed “strict constructionists” and “originalists”.

Breaking News: Grand Jury Indicts Cahill

Former State Treasurer Timothy Cahill has been indicted on public corruption and fraud charges. A grand jury indicted Cahill today after an investigation began involving taxpayer-funded Lottery adveritisements that his office produced while he was running for Governor.




For further details go to Go Local Worcester and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

The Upcoming By-law Fiasco In Southbridge

Ken O’Brien

At the Town Council meeting of December 19, 2011, Council Chair Nikolla announced the membership  of the town’s By-law Review Committee.

This Committee is appointed in accordance with Section 12-5-3 of the Town Home Rule Charter which reads as follows:

In every year following the issuance of a report by a charter review committee, the chairperson of the town council shall appoint a by-law review committee.  The committee shall consist of five members, and shall report its recommendations to the town council within one year from the date of its appointment. 

To Deny And Deflect

Dennis Martinek and Ken O’Brien

Updated 4/1/2012, 7:58 pm


Back in the beginning of August, Dennis Martinek sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Town Clerk which read in part:

“Pursuant to the Public Records Law, M.G.L. c. 66, as amended, and the Public Records Access Regulations, 950 CMR 32.00 et seq., I am requesting the following public records in the possesion, custody or control of the Town of Southbridge, and its agencies, divisions, or offices:…