A Bipartisan Debt Ceiling Fix

Representative Alan Grayson from Reuters

Warren Buffett calls the debt ceiling a “nuclear weapon, too horrible to use.” Obama administration official Jason Furman says the consequence of a default on U.S. government debt is “too terrible to think about.” When asked about a default, Wells Fargo strategist James Kochan simply commented, “Holy cripes.”

With this crisis, America is risking financial Armageddon. The default of Lehman Brothers on its $613 billion of debt ignited a chain reaction in the financial system, nearly destroying the U.S. economy. A default by the U.S. government on $17 trillion of debt — debt that has been considered the safest in the world — could be far worse. 

Former Southbridge DPW Building Bought By Expert Laser Services, Inc.

Worcester Business Journal reports that the former Southbridge DPW building on Pleasant Street has been purchased by Expert Laser Services, Inc.

Expert Laser Services said it completed the purchase of the building, located at 62 Pleasant St., on Thursday. The building contains about 12,000 square feet of space, according to company spokesman Bob Chernisky. He said the purchase price for the property was $130,000, which doesn't include remodeling costs. 

Moriarty Opposes Use Of Public Funds To Lure Students Out Of District

By Town Councilor Shaun Moriarty

First and foremost, a big thank you to Southbridge’s own Mike Murray for leading the charge in a justified fight that will be heard on Beacon Hill later this week. It can be argued whether Mr. Smith can truly go to Washington anymore, but he certainly can go to Boston.

I vividly remember coming home one afternoon and being surprised to see a postcard from the Quaboag Regional School District in my mailbox, touting the classes being offered, technology available, athletics and extra-curricular activities, and more. It seemed quite fitting that I found it nestled among flyers from used car dealers. It was later that day when my phone rang with Mike Murray on the other end, clearly agitated over the use of public funds to entice locals to send their kids — and tax dollars — elsewhere. 

Mark Fiore Added To O’Zone’s “The Funnies” Links

Mark Fiore is an American political cartoonist specializing in Flash-animated editorial cartoons, whom the Wall Street Journal recently called the undisputed guru of the form.

Fiore lives in San Francisco, California, and his cartoons have appeared in numerous American papers and a number of websites. He studied political science at Colorado College and was a staff cartoonist for the San Jose Mercury News. He left newspapers for animated online comics in 2001. He is a member of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.

Woodruff Speaks Out

Ken O’Brien

Former Southbridge School Committee member and Chairman Patricia Woodruff has spoken out about her resignation to reporter Brian Lee of The Worcester Telegram.

In the article titled, Southbridge School Committee chairwoman quits, Ms. Woodruff expands upon the statement she made at Tuesday night’s meeting. 

Don't Fart And Point At The Dog

Chairman Resigns from Southbridge School Committee

Ken O’Brien

In an action that surprised most observers, School Committee Chairman Patricia Woodruff announced her resignation from the School Committee during tonight’s meeting.

Reading from a prepared statement during the Chairwoman’s Announcement segment of the meeting, she said; “It appears to me the politics of the school committee have overtaken the true mission of this committee.  There seems to be a prevailing opinion of the current majority of the school committee that this would be cured by my absence.  While I do not share this opinion, I feel it is only fair to our children, who should be the true focus of our actions, to allow the majority to have their way.  I therefore resign from the committee to be effective at the conclusion of this meeting. I hope that this gesture will encourage the remaining members to focus on what is important, the youth of our community.” 

Way To Go, Liz!

Southbridge School Committee Agenda, October 8, 2013

LOCATION: Robert G. MacKinnon Council Chambers, 41 Elm Street

DATE: Tuesday, October 8, 2013

TIME: 7:00 PM

I. Pledge of Allegiance

II. Public Input

III. Meeting Called to Order

IV. Roll Call

EDMUND TETREAULT EXHIBITION FEATURING WORK BY FOUR GENERATIONS OF ARTISTS

The Quinebaug Valley Council for the Arts and Humanities will host during the month of October AFTER HOURS, an art exhibition featuring work by the late Edmund (Eddie) Tetreault. The exhibition, which focuses on Tetreault’s paintings will also include work by three generations of artists in his family: Maxine Jolie, his daughter; Brenda Fredericks, his granddaughter; and great-granddaughter, Courtney Caplette. The late Tetreault began his painting career upon retiring, and was prolific during the eight years preceding his death. He painted almost daily until his eyes failed. The four generations of artists included in this group exhibition all have connections to Christine O'Brien's Atelier D'Art, taking lessons at her Southbridge Studio over the course of their individual artistic journeys.

Was There Cheating?

Ken O’Brien

It’s really about time to stop beating around the proverbial bush.

We have now been promised a presentation about the most recent round of MCAS scores.

The basic question that needs to be answered is, after a period of seeming progress, how did the results plummet so dramatically?

It’s not merely that the failure rates for 10^th graders doubled.

How could last year’s sixth graders, who failed the math portion at a 49% rate, plummet to a 60% failure rate in math as this year’s seventh graders?

Buzz Kill

Ken O’Brien

Basan “Buzz” Nembirkow

I was fascinated by School Superintendent Basan “Buzz” Nembirkow’s response to committee member Kara Donovan’s inquiry about the recent MCAS results at last night's school committee meeting.

In contrast to what has been a quiet and reserved public demeanor since becoming superintendent, it was clear to me at least that his blood pressure was a mite over the boiling point.

He promised a presentation on the MCAS results at the next School Committee meeting, indicating in no small way his dissatisfaction with them.

94% Of Americans Will Pay Less Than Expected For Obamacare

A report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) shows that in about 94 percent of cases the Congressional Budget Office overestimated how high premiums would be. Those estimates were initially made at the time Obamacare was being debated.

Review of “The Blacklist” in seven words

Hannibal Lecter is partnered

with Dana Scully.   

This would appear to be the emergence of a new template spurred by the success of Breaking Bad.
Series creator Vince Gilligan characterized it as "Mr. Chips becomes Scarface".
This leads me to wonder what the people who pitch pilots to the various networks will come up with in the season ahead.

Failure Rates Double for Southbridge Grade 10 Math and ELA MCAS results

Link To State Website

Link To State Website