Wanderers

A short film by Erik Wernquist

narrated by Carl Sagan

Prospect For Winter: CBS Boston

Progress? Really?

Ken O'Brien

"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."

So said John Lennon.

Recently the Town Council discussed the state of affairs in Southbridge schools.

Members of the School Committee present at the meeting protested that the latest report on the schools’ Accelerated Improvement Plan (AIP) offered hope of making progress in escaping from the town’s Level IV status. 

What Happened To The Charter Review Committee?

Ken O’Brien

As we pointed out in an earlier article, the Town Council has jumped the gun in its call for the landfill reimbursement receipt study by over six months.

On the other hand, it has been derelict in its responsibility to fulfill a recurring provision of the town’s home rule charter. That is the obligation to name a Charter Review Committee every fifth year following the adoption of the Charter.

12-5-2: The chairperson of the town council shall appoint a charter review committee every five years. 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.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Official Teaser

Introducing Santa's Little Helper

Ken O'Brien

Now that we've had our fill of turkey and all the fixin's, attention turns to the next big task.

That, of course, is the compilation of gift lists for the Christmas holiday.

Going into our first holiday without a daily local paper, The O'Zone is making an effort to offer an alternative diversion.

We've launched Santa's Little Helper.

Happy Thanksgiving

Southbridge School Committee Meeting - November 25, 2014

Having It Both Ways

Ken O’Brien

Late in tonight’s meeting School Committee member Erin Quinney added an item to the agenda.

She sought to amend the existing School Committee Policy by placing the call to order of the meeting at the start of the meeting.

She explained that as a result of circumstances that arose at the November 12^th meeting she had contacted the Attorney General’s Office to seek clarification as to when the Committee’s meeting was considered to be in order. Through a rather tortured explanation she ended up expressing the view that, even though the call to order followed Public Input, the meeting was actually in order as soon as the committee assembled on the dais. 

Sarai McNeill Speaks Out

Sarai McNeill

My name is Sarai McNeill, I'm 17 and I go to Southbridge Middle/High School.

On November 12, 2014 I spoke during Public Input at the Southbridge School Committee meeting. I wasn't able to get everything out that I wanted because I was told I was not allowed to say it during Public Input.

As soon as the school committee meeting ended, Mrs. McLoughlin asked if I wanted to tell her anything and I agreed so that way I could explain what I was originally going to say at the podium. She pulled me aside to an area outside of the Council Chambers and she advised me to wait until the people passing by were gone and once she gave me the go ahead, I began. 

It’s Time To End The Lawlessness

Ken O’Brien

It is fair to assume that publicly elected bodies will act in concert with the law, their policies as well as the will of those who have elected them.

The current School Committee has failed on all counts.

It began almost immediately following the resignation of former Chairman Patricia Woodruff.

The (then) Vice-Chairman invoked a little known clause in Roberts Rules of Order to succeed to the Chairmanship without the election called for at the time in the Committee’s policies. This was done despite the provisions of one of the other policies (specifically policy BEDD) which said, “Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised will govern the proceedings of the Committee, except when those rules are in conflict with the Committee's approved policies and regulations.” 

It’s Time To Put Benghazi Nonsense To Rest

Ken O’Brien

The latest findings, released Friday, into the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, has refuted claims that there was a cover-up or that officials didn't do all they could at the time to save the four Americans killed that night.

The declassified two-year investigation by the Republican-dominated House Intelligence Committee, which conducted an exhaustive probe into the incident, debunked claims that the White House cooked up phony talking points for then-UN Ambassador Susan Rice. 

Pulawski Was Right About Casella Contract

Ken O’Brien

At Monday’s Town Council meeting Councilor Clemence added an item to the agenda relating to the landfill reimbursement receipt study,  the so-called MFN clause of the town’s contract with Casella. That clause calls for a review of the contract every seven years from the effective date of the contract so that Southbridge will receive the highest compensation from its arrangement with Casella.

As he had previously, citizen John Pulawski protested the action. He argued that with the closing of numerous landfills around the state in the coming year the town was acting prematurely.

He also argued that the side letter signed between former interim Town Manager John Healey and Casella had set the effective date of the contract a year later than was being assumed by the Town Council.

Vecchia Pledge Calls For Reduction In Town Budget

Ken O’Brien

At Monday night’s Town Council Meeting Councilor Albert Vecchia read a pledge to reduce departmental budgets by 1%  from current levels during fiscal year 2016.

The pledge cited four specific reasons for its enactment:

     1.      The pressure on residents from increasing water and        sewer rates;

     2.      The imminent expiration of landfill revenues;

     3.      A stagnant commercial tax base;

     4.      Increased out of school placement.

The pledge was signed by Councilors Moriarty, Carrasco, Vandal, and Estrada as well as by Vecchia.

Council Chair: Schools Are In A "Death Spiral"

Ken O'Brien

At Monday's Town Council meeting, during Councilors Forum, Councilor Monique Manna brought up a motion to request a joint meeting with the School Committee and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 

While the motion was ultimately postponed until January, the discussion that ensued illustrated that our primary law-making body has had it with the ongoing situation with the Southbridge school system. It was clear that Councilor Manna was seeking what the current School Committee leadership refuses to provide - ANSWERS.

All taxpayers in the town of Southbridge should watch this video.