Is Ely Moving On?

Ken O’Brien

Less than two years after succeeding Dale Hanley as Southbridge School Superintendent, Eric Ely is apparently seeking greener pastures.

According to Knoxnews.com, Mr. Ely is among ten semifinalists for Director of the Roane County school district in Tennessee.

We Don’t Need No Stinking Rules

Ken O’Brien

As we are all well aware, the town manager has appointed former Southbridge Evening News Editor Walter Bird as Director of the town’s Recreation Committee.

It was formally announced in the Southbridge Evening News of February 16, 2012.

The O’Zone had reported that this appointment was in the offing on two occasions prior to the official announcement.

In both of those articles I raised the question why this appointment could be made when the current town bylaws read as follows: 

To Protect and Serve?

Ken O’Brien

Today’s Worcester Telegram and Gazette carried an article by Brian Lee titled “Southbridge issues flurry of winter parking tickets despite mild season”.

In that article we learned that during this “winter” the Southbridge police had issued 355 tickets for violation of the alternate side of the street parking ban meant to facilitate snow plowing.

Shoot 'Em Up Charlie

Re-posted from Daily Kos

See Alec Exposed


See my prior article "Smart ALEC"

See also Jim Gonyea’s articles on his blog Notes To Leicester, specifically American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and  Corporate Influence in Politics.

Everything Old Is New Again: A Video Essay

Ken O’Brien

Talking by conference call with thousands of Wisconsin voters Wednesday, Mitt Romney told them he had a humorous connection to their state.

Romney’s story involved the time more than 50 years ago that his father, George, an American Motors executive, shut down a factory in Michigan and moved the work to Wisconsin.

Dick Cheney Gets Heart Transplant

Who needs "Obamacare"?

You paid for it anyway!

You Can’t Fight Southbridge Town Hall: They Have Your Tax Dollars For Ammunition

Ken O’Brien

William Gladstone famously observed that, “Justice delayed, is justice denied.”

Back in February The O’Zone carried an article titled, “If You Can’t Beat’em, Bleed’em”.

At that time I was addressing the tactics being employed by attorneys for the town of Southbridge to delay a decision in a case mounted by citizens of this community to challenge the obviously absurd position that a town bylaw can take precedence over the town’s Home Rule Charter.

Can The Government Compel You To Buy Something?

Ken O’Brien

Central to the opposition to the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) is whether the government can compel citizens to purchase a good or service.

Set aside all the legal issues about the Commerce Clause (Article 1, Section 8 of the U. S. Constitution).

The Tea Party yahoos, led by their champions Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachman, financed by the Koch brothers and Dick Armey and enabled by Fox News, launched into their hysteria shortly after the signing of the Affordable Care Act. 

The Amoral Basis of Contemporary Conservatism

Ken O’Brien

Ayn Rand, author of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged is extolled as the touchstone of contemporary conservative economic and social thought. Perhaps those who feel that their religious beliefs are intimately tied to and reinforced by political conservatism should learn a little more about the patron “saint” of the cause they so blindly espouse

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Lazos Targeted Again

Ken O'Brien

Click Here For Background

Last Thursday night another act of vandalism marred the town of Southbridge.

The tavern that the Lazo family has been working to open on Mill Street was targeted by vandals who broke all the windows in the the establishment undergoing renovation with plans to open in the near future.

Will The Supreme Court Sidestep The Constitutionality of Obamacare?

Ken O’Brien

Almost overlooked in all of the hyperventilating from both sides regarding the Supreme Court’s hearing on the Affordable Care Act is the focus of the first day of proceedings.

Monday’s hearing will be devoted to the applicability of an obscure 1867 law called the Anti-Injunction Act.

Oops!

Republicans Use Commerce Clause to Justify Their Own Health Care Legislation

Ken O’Brien

On Monday the U.S. Supreme Court will begin an unprecedented three days of oral arguments on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”).

One of the key components of the Act is the “individual mandate” requiring all citizens to have health insurance.

In the prior week the Republican-dominated House of Representatives found themselves on the edge of an abyss that would have undermined the challenge of this component of the Act.

Southbridge Town Council Agenda - March 26, 2012

Prop 2 ½ Override, Town Manager’s Budget Message

TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE

SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 01550-2638

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MACKINNON COUNCIL CHAMBERS

MARCH 26, 2012 – 7:00 PM

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

1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call

3. Consider and accept the Council Minutes of Monday, March 12, 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 – FY 2013 Budget Message, Christopher Clark, Town Manager

8. Citizens Forum

FACT CHECK: More US drilling didn't drop gas price

As readers of The O’Zone know, with the exception of contributions by guest writers, I prepare my own material.

However, given all the puffery that has surrounded the issue of gas prices, I feel that it is important to give as wide as possible circulation to this report from The Associated Press.  It can only be hoped that most sensible people will see this as an objective analysis with no particular ideological bias.

Presenting The Republican Nominee For President: An Empty Suit!

Ken O’Brien

Anti-Incumbent Derangement Syndrome (AIDS) has reached its absolute peak in the Republican Presidential campaign.

In their all-out effort to defeat incumbent President Barack Obama, today saw the dropping of any last vestiges of integrity or principle.