Smokers of the World Unite! You Have Nothing to Lose But Your Butts!

Ken O’Brien

There is a widely held belief that liberals favor a nanny state.

Well, I don’t believe that. In fact, I believe that there is a fundamental and natural convergence of values between libertarians and liberals.

I start from the premise that anyone who makes an objective evaluation of history will conclude that the basic difference between conservatives and liberals is as follows; the primary concern of conservatives is property values: the primary concern of liberals is human values.

Liberals, Conservatives and Libertarians all proclaim their devotion to freedom.

But freedom toward what end? 

The Core Of Contemporary American Conservatism

Ken O’Brien

Richard Hofstadter

There is a pronounced tendency to believe that the current gridlock in American politics is unique to our times.

Such a conviction is a vivid illustration of the truth of Santayana’s observation that “Those who cannot learn history are destined to repeat it”.

This November will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

It will also be the fiftieth anniversary of a lecture delivered at Oxford University by Richard Hofstadter.

While it is a reflection on recurrent historical trends in American political thought by those on the right, it speaks directly and with profound prescience to current circumstances.

I recommend it to those on the left and center of the current political spectrum as a means of understanding the genesis of current right wing hysteria.

Art Hearts Show by Lisa Kretchman: A Benefit Exhibition for Olivia's Heart Fund

Submitted by:
Monika Agnello

The Quinebaug Valley Council for the Arts and Humanities (QVCAH) announces the Art Hearts Show by Lisa Kretchman: A Benefit Exhibition for Olivia's Heart Fund. 

School Hires Armed Guard - Forgets His Gun In Bathroom

Ken O’Brien

“The only thing that will stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun”, or so the head of the NRA tells us.

Following this sage advice a Lapeer County Michigan school hired an armed security guard. As the local television news reported three days ago:

So what could go wrong?

They Laughed

Submitted by Paul Zotos

They laughed

They laughed at us

When we wanted to save

The whale

They laughed when we created

Earth day

They ridiculed us and called us

Tree huggers

They laughed at Al Gore for 

Climate change and trying to

Save Polar Bears

Southbridge Town Council Agenda - January 14, 2013

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

TOWN HALL

January 14, 2013 – 7:00 PM

AGENDA

1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call

3. Consider and accept Town Council Meeting Minutes of Monday, December 17, 2012 

I. M. Townie's Year In Review -VIDEO

Submitted By I.M. Townie

Wiggin Resigns As Southbridge Schools Director Of Finance & Operations

Ken O’Brien

According to reliable sources Terry Wiggin has submitted his resignation as Director of Finance and Operations for the Southbridge School District.

Despite a letter that subsequently sought to rescind his 60 day notice of resignation, the initial resignation was accepted by the School Committee Chair.

Rumors have circulated that Mr. Wiggin was upset that he had not been considered for the position of acting superintendent of schools following his service as temporary acting superintendent.

It is expected that the resignation will be effective at the end of February, although the exact effective date could not be verified.

From January 5, 2012: Can't Sell Your Property In Southbridge?

Neither Can the Town, But Either Way

It's Your Problem!

Ken O'Brien

Yesterday’s article in the Worcester Telegram, “In Southbridge, officials to consider bargain sale of town-owned buildings: 5 vacant buildings could be available”, brought to mind an article I posted just over a year ago.

The Telegram article reports, “Town Manager Christopher Clark said he will recommend that the Town Council approve selling five buildings for one-third of their assessed value.

“Mr. Clark said in an interview Monday the town needs to sell the vacant town-owned buildings and spur economic growth.

“The manager has been trying to sell four of the buildings since 2010, when the properties’ values were most recently assessed. At present, the buildings are for sale at two-thirds of their assessed values. Mr. Clark wants to knock off another third.”

1/2/2013

Happy New Year

Ken O'Brien

Sunday Photo-'Toons 1.37

Ken O'Brien

Jib Jab: 2012 In Review: VIDEO

Rumors, Speculation and Fact

Ken O’Brien

In writing this blog I have been careful to distinguish between rumor, speculation and fact.

One of my blog colleagues is now accusing me of perpetuating a rumor.

As it was put,

“If we have enough credible evidence to put people on leave, let's get it over with, tell the people what happened (and treat us all like grown-ups and tell us the truth), and move on. That would put one conspiracy theory in the local blogosphere to rest...that being, that the principal was put on leave for a pocket knife incident. Nothing could be further from the full truth (although, I'm sure that didn't help). Apparently I'm guilty of being a psychic.” 

Nembirkow Named Acting Superintendent

Ken O'Brien

Basan Nembirkow has been named acting Superintendent of Southbridge schools.

Nembirkow has been an educator for more than 35 years. He previously headed the 7,500-student Chicopee Public Schools.

From 1996 to 2002, Nembirkow served as Superintendent of Schools in Greenfield, Mass. and was Assistant Superintendent in the 30,000-student Durham, NC School District from 1993 to 1996. He has also held a number of interesting educational posts around the world, among them a 12-year stint at the United Nations International School and an educational consulting post with the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Social Studies from Rowan University and a Master's Degree in Intercultural Education from Rutgers University.