Jim Pillsbury's Web Blog

Town Meeting will have to decide yeah or neah 20 million in capital spending

2011-04-21T12:17:00.002-04:00

The Capital Budget Committee has voted to support nearly all of Kelley's $18.8 million in recommendations for fiscal 2012, while the Finance Committee prepared to vote next week.

Items include:

$8.5 million as a placeholder for a new McAuliffe branch library (which Town Meeting would consider this fall if the town receives a state grant);
$1.7 million for roadwork;
$1.02 million to replace doors and windows at Stapleton School (a project special Town Meeting voted last fall to support);
$975,000 to replace the Fire Department's Ladder 3;
$715,000 for town building improvements;
$500,000 for new school technology;
$250,000 to study a centralized public safety dispatch center.

The Capital Budget Committee is recommending Town Meeting buy only one of the trash trucks the DPW wants, at a cost of $241,000.

The committee supports the Police Department's $152,000 request to replace the fleet's 5-year-old laptop computers at a cost of $5,000 each, McCarthy said.

While they seem expensive, the computers are "made to take a beating," he said. They're so essential that if a laptop needs to be taken out of a police car for repair, that vehicle is taken out of commission.

"It's that critical to the day-to-day operations of the police," he said.

The School Department is asking for $500,000 for laptops for teachers, at $900 each, which the Capital Budget Committee hasn't voted on.

The Parks and Recreation Department seeks a little more than $300,000 for items that include tennis lighting at Butterworth Park and two Ford pickups.

Also on the list of recommendations: $75,000 for garage repairs and $95,000 for window work at the main library on Lexington Street.

(Keep in mind, Mr. McCarthey the chair of Capital Budget is related to a Framingham cop)

Town Meeting

2011-04-20T10:06:00.002-04:00

For those of you who care about such things, below is the url for the upcoming Town Meeting.

http://www.framinghamma.gov/Weblink8/DocView.aspx?id=17740&&dbid=0

And the Special Town Meeting on May 5th.

http://www.framinghamma.gov/Weblink8/DocView.aspx?id=17820&dbid=0

The report from Finance Committee

http://www.framinghamma.gov/index.aspx?NID=1377

With 65 new TMM's, many of whom were recruited by Herb Chasen of Save our Schools, one might expect some serious debate over such things as the deal cut with the unions of heath care costs. It now stands at 16/84, which should be rejected. It's way past time for organized labor in this Town to live like the rest of us and pay more for their heath care coverage. There's the meals tax of over a million that may go to schools.. or maybe to where it was intendid, the stabilazation fund. A choice between town emplyees as bus drivers or to privatize... could save big time. The SC seems to indicate that school choice would only save 300,000 or so and may present problems with segragation and all the poor kids at one school. With 6% uneployment in thsi Town, there's plenty of poor kids to go around.

There's still rasies planned for many, and I think it's a bad sign that any raises are being considered. Then there's the question of 5 million in OT for cops and fireman.

And much more...

I'm open to any or all comments, suggestions and resonable debate on any or all of the warrant articales. But the biggest savings this Town can see will be in the Heath Care contract that should be rejected.

SJC rules: odor of burnt marijuana not evidence of crime

2011-04-20T09:45:00.002-04:00

Yesterday the SJC here in Mass made a decision as a direct result of the overwhelming approval of Ballot Question 2, the decriminalization of marijuana. The court by a 5-1 decision made the right call in a case that exemplifies how law enforcement has used the war on drugs, specifically marijuana to bolster their arrest records, waste millions of public safety dollars, while violent hard core criminals prowl our state.

This decision will have an impact on Framingham Police as they are constantly using the "smell of burnt marijuana" to gain access to homes and cars, wasting tax dollars busting low level pot smokers.

From the Globe:

The state’s highest court, overturning precedent and denying police a crime-fighting tool, ruled yesterday that the odor of marijuana smoke is not enough for officers to order a person out of a parked car, now that possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is no longer a crime in Massachusetts.

“Without at least some other additional fact to bolster a reasonable suspicion of actual criminal activity, the odor of burnt marijuana alone cannot reasonably provide suspicion of criminal activity to justify an exit order,’’ the court ruled in a 5-to-1 decision written by Chief Justice Roderick Ireland.

The justices ruled that voters, in passing the 2008 ballot question, intended that possessing an ounce or less of marijuana “should not be considered a serious infraction worthy of criminal sanction.’’

“Ferreting out decriminalized conduct with the same fervor associated with the pursuit of serious criminal conduct is neither desired by the public, nor in accord with the plain language of the statute,’’ Roderick wrote.

The Elections

2011-04-02T10:22:00.002-04:00

Next week the party loyalists will be out to pick their favorite friends, ignoring the the historical facts, budget woes, lawsuits, etc, etc, etc and gleaming over doing the civic duty in voting.

I would guess the same 5 thousand party loyalists who always vote in local elections will vote for the incumbents. The opposition for selectman, one pathetic elderly R, one immature lunatic fringe and one highly educated rookie, have not given enough reason for the independents to come out of their caves.

The School Committee race is more what parents who are voters will seek out. The challengers all deserve a shot while Blummer is still on the Board.

A top SWAT cop to investiagte our SWAT Team

2011-04-02T10:02:00.003-04:00

At a recent BOS, (Board of Seniors) meeting the Town Manger announced the Town has hired a world class former SWAT leader to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing of Mr. Stamps. This same paramilitary expert is the same solider who investigated the killing of the college student in Boston some years ago, by a Boston Cop. The Cop was found not at fault, even though the women was not part of the crowd that was being dispersed. She was shot in the head.

The killing of Mr. Stamps has eroded what little faith I have had in our Police Department and the leadership in this Town. The acquittal of the officer who relieved himself in the parking lot and allegedly pulled a gun on the property owner is just another case of how out of control our police force is in this town.

Town leaders have already heard from Town Council and I'll bet our insurance carriers and one has to wonder how many millions will be awarded and how much in legal fees will this Town incur at a time when we will be closing schools and laying off town employees.

I know one thing for sure.... justice, as we know it, is in the hands of party loyalists who will make us all pay for their lack of moral fiber, all in the name of the Drug War.

Road Construction

2011-04-02T09:57:00.002-04:00

Be aware, that on April 18th, major road construction will start in our neighborhoods and most likely last until the summer. And like last year, we will see the same angry Quinn Bill educated cops from our Town and others including Sheriffs Department personal and State Police all making 43.00 dollars and hour.

The Civil Rights Lawsuit

2011-03-09T20:51:00.001-05:00

Attorneys for the family of Eurie Stamps, Sr., who was killed late at night in his home on Jan. 5 by a Framingham Police SWAT team that stormed his house, announced today their launch of a civil rights investigation about the incident, upon review of the Middlesex District Attorney’s own investigative report, made public today.

Mr. Stamps, a 68-year-old, handicapped retired MBTA worker, died from semi-automatic assault rifle fire when he was shot at approximately 12:30 a.m. by police who were at his 26 Fountain Street home to serve a search warrant to Joseph Bushfan, Mr. Stamps’ 20 year-old stepson, suspected of drug possession. A team of 15 or more SWAT and other officers forcibly entered the home and, after detonating a stun grenade, shot and killed Mr. Stamps, even though they had already taken custody of Mr. Bushfan outside the home.

“Eurie Stamps’ death was the result of a fundamentally unjustifiable shooting by law enforcement officers who are charged with protecting the public safety,” said Anthony Tarricone, a law partner at Kreindler & Kreindler, the firm representing the four adult children of Mr. Stamps. “When an innocent man dies this way at the hands of the police, there really are no excuses that can satisfactorily explain away such a tragedy. Mr. Stamps’ civil rights were surely violated, and those who are responsible must be held accountable for his death.”

Attorneys for the Stamps’ family met with Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone this afternoon to review the results of the D.A.’s own investigation. “We believe the D.A.’s report leaves unanswered several critical questions about this incident,” said Tony Fugate of the law firm Bardouille & Fugate, which is representing Norma Bushfan, the widow of Mr. Stamps. “We seek a full accounting of what went so terribly wrong here, and we do not yet have that.”

The attorneys indicated their investigation would examine these questions:

* Why was a large and heavily-armed SWAT team deployed to serve a search warrant, especially in the middle of the night at a home known to be occupied by Mr. Stamps and his wife?

* What precautions were taken to ensure the safety of others who may have been in the house and who were not the targets of the warrant, such as Mr. Stamps, who had been in his bedroom watching television and sure to be startled by such dynamic entry?

* Why did the police not adjust their operational plan and still storm the house even after arresting Mr. Bushfan outside the home?

* What specific training and/or procedural failings could have lead to the shooting of an unarmed man watching television in his own home in the middle of the night?

* Who should be held accountable for such failings, and what corrections are necessary to ensure that the loss of innocent life in Framingham in such circumstances never happens again?

* Were there known systemic problems in the Framingham Police Department concerning deficiencies in training and execution of SWAT teams and, if so, how were they addressed and corrected?

* What changes are necessary to correct systemic training and procedural failings that permitted the use of the SWAT team assault and led to the death of Mr. Stamps in these circumstances?

* Is there proper oversight of SWAT team training and operations in place by Massachusetts state authorities?

* Was every member of the SWAT team at the Stamps home properly trained in the use of weapons and procedures for serving such warrants, to best ensure the safety of innocent people?

“The D.A.’s report fails to mention several factors we believe to be critical information,” said Mr. Tarricone. “There is no mention of use of the stun grenade, that there were at least two entry teams of numerous officers, that the police department’s pre-determined entry plan was not altered to reflect a changed scenario, that there had been no evidence of any drug sales in the home, and that the house had indeed been under surveillance for hours before the incident, which should have revealed the presence of Eurie Stamps, Sr. in the home. Surely, this case merits further investigation.”

“Sadly, there’s nothing that can return Mr. Stamps to his family or satisfy the enormous loss they will forever suffer,” said Mr. Fugate. “But they are rightfully and firmly committed to seeking justice for their father and husband with the hope that such pursuit will help prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again.”

PRESS RELEASE from the Middlesex District Attorney's Office:

2011-03-09T20:49:00.001-05:00

Read it and weep....

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office have conducted an investigation into the facts and circumstances of a police-involved fatality that occurred on Jan. 5, 2011, at 26 Fountain St. in Framingham.

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, per protocol and pursuant to statute, conducted an investigation in order to determine whether the discharge of Framingham Police Officer Paul Duncan’s department issued firearm in this matter amounted to criminal conduct under our laws, and if so, whether the surrounding circumstances and evidence amounted to prosecutable criminal conduct.

The investigation included a thorough review of all interviews conducted (including witnesses at the scene, Framingham police officers, and emergency medical personnel), ballistics and crime scene forensic reports, radio transmissions and 911 calls, police reports, witness statements, photographs of the scene, and medical examiner information. Our investigation has revealed the following relevant facts on which we base our findings and conclusions.

In December of 2010 and early January of 2011, members of the Framingham Police Narcotics Unit obtained information regarding the illegal distribution of crack cocaine from and in the vicinity of 26 Fountain St. A confidential source informed members of the narcotics unit that a young male was distributing crack cocaine from that location. The informant also stated that the young man was frequently in the company of a male with a tattoo on his face. That male with the tattoo on his face was later identified as Joseph Bushfan, who has subsequently been charged with a drug distribution violation occurring in or near a school zone, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to violate the drug laws.

During the same time frame, Framingham narcotics officers also obtained information from a second confidential source. The second confidential informant informed the narcotics unit that it possessed information that the same young male was also involved in the illegal drug distribution activity from 26 Fountain St. Based on this information, narcotics officers obtained a search warrant for 26 Fountain St.

In the two weeks leading up to the application for the search warrant, narcotics officers utilized a confidential informant in order to conduct three controlled buys from 26 Fountain St., to support the existing information regarding illegal drug activity. During all three controlled buys, the confidential informant called one of two phone numbers provided by either Bushfan or the other young male suspect. During all three controlled buys, the informant ordered cocaine over the telephone from either Bushfan or the other young male suspect, travelled to the area of 26 Fountain Street, and then purchased cocaine directly from either Bushfan or the other young male suspect.

On Jan. 4, in the hours before the search warrant was obtained and executed, Framingham Police detectives conducted surveillance of 26 Fountain St., to further support and strengthen the existing evidence and probable cause, and observed what they believed to be at least five different hand to hand drug distribution transactions.

Prior to the execution of the search warrant, in the interests of the safety of all involved, the Framingham Police Department made the decision to request the assistance of the Framingham SWAT team in executing the search warrant. According to investigators, the decision to utilize the SWAT team was based on a number of factors including, but not limited to: the violent criminal histories of Bushfan and the other young male suspect; the information that one of their targets (the young male suspect) was a member of a gang involved with narcotics, weapons and violent crime; information that the young male was a known associate of an individual involved in the 2009 shooting of Framingham Officer Phil Hurton; the possible existence of additional suspects inside the target location; the numerous people seen coming and going from the target apartment in the hours leading up to the execution of the search warrant; and the numerous “hand to hand” drug transactions observed in front of the target apartment in the hours leading up to the execution of the search warrant.

Shortly after midnight, members of the Framingham Police Narcotics Unit and Framingham Police SWAT team proceeded to 26 Fountain St. Immediately prior to their arrival, surveillance officers who had been stationed outside the address observed Joseph Bushfan and two females exit the front door of 26 Fountain St. and walk south towards Waverly Street. Detectives stopped and searched Bushfan and recovered eight individually wrapped packages of crack cocaine from Bushfan’s pocket. Approximately $397 dollars was also recovered from Bushfan, as well as a cell phone that utilized the same number that the informant had called when ordering cocaine from Bushfan during the first controlled drug buy. Bushfan was placed under arrest and charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute as well as conspiracy to violate the drug laws, and a related school zone drug violation.

As detectives were interacting with Bushfan, the SWAT team arrived at 26 Fountain St. and began carrying out the entry plan. As the team approached the house, they encountered Norma Bushfan-Stamps outside in front of the premises. While investigators interacted with Ms. Bushfan-Stamps, officers knocked and announced the presence of the Framingham Police and the existence of a search warrant. After knocking and announcing, the team was signaled to begin entry according to the pre-determined search warrant operational plan.

Two Framingham Police officers made entry and arrived inside the kitchen, then spread out and scanned the room. They both observed movement and people on the other side of the kitchen, in the area of the hallway and in the back bedroom.

Upon seeing this, one officer yelled “Framingham Police, search warrant, put your hands up.”

At that point, there was more movement behind the kitchen and at least one person moving in and out of the officers’ sight. Both officers then observed a large male come out of the back bedroom/bathroom area and stand on the hallway side of the threshold between the kitchen and the hallway/laundry area. The male, later identified as the decedent Eurie Stamps, was ordered to lie on the floor in the hallway/laundry area just before the threshold to the kitchen.

While Mr. Stamps was on the floor lying on his stomach with his hands up, an unidentified person was observed in the back bedroom area, not complying with the police orders to show hands. At that point, fearing the person in the back room may have a weapon or could be a threat to their safety, officers stepped over Mr. Stamps and made their way to the back hallway where the bathroom and rear bedroom were located. The person was later identified as Devon Talbert, who was subsequently charged with a drug violation occurring in or near a school zone, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to violate the drug laws. As officers made their way over Mr. Stamps and down the tight cluttered hallway, the officers had to move numerous containers out of the way. As the officers were making their way past Mr. Stamps and into the back hallway, Officer Paul Duncan, who was inside the kitchen, moved to position himself next to Mr. Stamps.

Officer Duncan had made entry into the home through a hallway door and helped clear two rooms before entering the kitchen area. As Officer Duncan approached the threshold between the hallway and the kitchen, Mr. Stamps was still lying on the floor on his stomach, with his head up and his hands moving. Officer Duncan then moved to within two feet of Mr. Stamps. Officer Duncan, knowing that Mr. Stamps had not been checked for weapons, with two hands on his rifle, decided to move to the side of Mr. Stamps, and secure Mr. Stamps’ hands behind his back, and check him for weapons.

As Officer Duncan moved to the right of Mr. Stamps, just past Mr. Stamps’ shoulders, he had to step to his left. As he stepped to his left, he lost his balance, and began to fall over backwards. Officer Duncan realized that his right foot was off the floor and that the tactical equipment that he was wearing was making his movements very awkward. While falling, Officer Duncan removed his left hand from his rifle, which was pointing down towards the ground, and put his left arm out to try and catch himself. As he did so, he heard a shot and then his body made impact with the wall. At that point, Officer Duncan, who was lying on the ground with his back against the wall, realized that he was practically on top of Mr. Stamps and that Mr. Stamps was bleeding. Officer Duncan immediately started yelling “man down, man down.” Numerous SWAT members began calling for medics and alerting team members that there was a person down that needed medical attention. Officer Duncan told another officer on scene within moments of the incident that he had stumbled and lost his balance while moving to get in a better position, and as he was falling, his gun fired.

The Framingham SWAT team includes a Tactical Emergency Medical Support group of emergency medical technicians and firemen that travels with the team. Upon word that someone was injured, the medical support team entered the apartment and began rendering aid to Mr. Stamps. The medical team assessed Mr. Stamps and realized he was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Mr. Stamps was placed on a backboard and immediately transported by ambulance to Metrowest Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Dr. Henry Nields from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (“OCME”) performed the autopsy on Mr. Stamps. The cause and manner of death was determined to be homicide, resulting from a single fatal gun shot wound to the upper body area. The word homicide is defined by the OCME as “the death of one person caused by the act of another.”

Upon completion of this investigation and review of all available information and relevant evidence, the conclusion of this office is that the actions of Officer Duncan do not rise to the level of criminal conduct, and the shooting death of Eurie Stamps was an accident.

This office applied all the relevant facts and evidence to the law of murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter and reckless assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, as well as the law of accident.

After review of both the law and the facts, it is clear from the evidence that Officer Duncan did not possess the requisite intent or the necessary mental state required under the law, to support a criminal charge of murder or voluntary manslaughter.

Additionally, under the law, the facts do not support a criminal charge that Officer Duncan intended to commit a battery upon Mr. Stamps, nor do they establish that Officer Duncan acted in a criminally reckless manner. Therefore, the crimes of involuntary manslaughter by reckless conduct and reckless assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon are also factually and legally unsupportable.

Furthermore, under the law of accident, if there is any evidence that the conduct at issue may have been the result of an accident, the Commonwealth must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that what occurred was not an accident. The legal term accident is defined as an unexpected happening that occurs without intention or design on the actor’s part. It means a sudden, unexpected event that takes place without the actor’s intending it.

There is no evidence that Officer Duncan intended to pull the trigger of his rifle, no evidence that he possessed any desire or motivation to shoot Mr. Stamps, and no evidence that he was reckless or that he used excessive force to attempt to secure Mr. Stamps.

It is the conclusion of this office, based on the law and the findings of fact that are based on the evidence in this matter, that the shooting death of Mr. Eurie Stamps was an accident as defined by the law applicable to criminal prosecutions. As such, the facts of this matter and the applicable law do not support a criminal prosecution.

Having made our determination under the law regarding accident, and the absence of criminal conduct on the part of Officer Duncan, we have, per the protocol of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, returned and referred this matter back to the Framingham Police Department so that they can perform whatever internal administrative review of the incident they deem appropriate.

Still no word from DA on the murder of Mr. Stamps

2011-02-27T19:12:00.002-05:00

It's almost two months now since the Framingham SWAT Team shot and killed Mr. Ernie Stamps in his home in Framingham. With very few witnesses and the SWAT Team itself, I wonder why it's taking so long to determine what happened that night. I can only speculate that DA Leone is rehearsing the SWAT Team in arranging the facts. Like his TV show, he's in control. He can choreograph the whole scene, write the script, place people in locations, make up facts, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse until they all have the same story. It happens all over the country, in the name of fighting the war on drug users who are somehow mystery killed.

As I have and many of you have witnessed, law enforcement will go to any lengths to cover-up, lie and deny the bold face facts. As noted in the case of the Easton teenager who was shot and killed by local police in NY last month. The Grand Jury decided the Police were not at fault in his murder, even after witnesses who watched the whole tragedy unfold testified the Police were out of line, jumping on the hood of the teenagers car, firing three shoots into the windshield, wounding one passenger and killing a young man trying to comply with a policemens order to move his car. Justice may prevail for the family as the Justice Department has agreed to look into the case.

And to a lesser extent, a local women took on the State Police motorcycle goon squad this month and won a judgment after being hit by one at the Marathon several years ago. The jury found the State cop negligent in his duties. Conveniently, the lawyers for the cops dragged their feet until the officer in question retired. Even in defeat, the lawyer and the cops feel they did nothing wrong.

Just yesterday in this country, the 10th person was murdered by a Drug Army SWAT Team member. It's anyone's guess when this state sanctioned killing will end, but more and more reasonable people are asking why use such force against such low level offenders without violent backgrounds.

Court apperances by Boston Cops under investigation

2011-02-27T18:51:00.002-05:00

The lack of oversight in law enforcement has brought a new perk to be looked into. Police officers putting in for court appearances, whether asked for or not. The Globe ran a story last week that asks Commissioner Davis about why 3 officers and one detective had put in for the 4 hour minimum, while only one officer was asked to appear.

As this may relate to Framingham.... can any of you remember back a year or two or three when the MWDN had pictures on the from page of police officers lining the walls of Framingham District court during an arraignment?

As we look to trim costs at all levels of Town Government should we ask Police Chief Carl how many times, how many officers, and how much has been spent on court duty that wasn't authorized? With a 2.5 million dollar OT budget, I wonder how much of that goes to unauthorized court appearances.

Deval, party loyality and a new class of Staties

2011-02-27T18:43:00.002-05:00

Our governor, who is traveling the country, on morning talk shows and attending union support rallies has now suggested to Beacon Hill a way to replace retiring State Police officers is to tack on a sir charge of $2.50 to $2.75 on our auto insurance policies.

This back-door tax increase is just one example of whats to come from the ruling party. And as we all know, this type of tax increase will never go away.

A Snow Job....a lingering problem

2011-02-27T18:16:00.002-05:00

As you may have heard this years snow removal budget, combined with last years and the years before that is at 2.37 million... and we still have another month or so of potentail snow storms.

CFO Kelly is quoted as saying, the 2.37 million, plus whatever happens the rest of this year, "can be tacked onto the next years tax roll, as long as we have figured out a way to close it within the tax rate".

Our CFO has stated she could take 400,000 from the reserve fund.. the fund used to keep our bond rating high

OR.. spend less in the operating budget this year and not fill certain vacant positions.

And lastly... the BOS and CFO have asked Rep Walsh and Senator Spilka for help from Beacon Hill.

These are the options left to us taxpayers for years 20102 and 13 and maybe 2014... putting off paying the bills now and hope we can cover them in years to come. This is why this Town, State and country are in such bad fiscal shape.

The corruption has gotten so bad...

2011-02-17T13:55:00.004-05:00

The corruption in our State is so bad, a group now will monitor this at the State level. From The Herald:

The spike in public corruption in Massachusetts has garnered headlines for months now and stirred the Legislature to pass reforms in the areas of ethics, campaign finance, lobbying and pension laws.

Both the corruption itself – the indictments of the last three House speakers for instance - and the public policy responses will be weighed in an upcoming risk analysis of corruption in all 50 state governments in the United States.

The Washington D.C-based Center for Public Integrity announced Thursday that it plans to hire part-time reporters in every state capitol to help them rank the states for susceptibility to corruption. The State Accountability Project will be paid for with a $1 million grant from the philanthropic investment firm Omidyar Network and $500,000 from the New Jersey-based Rita Allen Foundation.

The grants were received by the Center for Public Integrity, Public Radio International and Global Integrity.

According to the center, the journalists will assess the existence and effectiveness of anti-corruption and government transparency measures, including political financing, civil service management and state budget processes. The project will feature online data and reporting.

Public Radio International plans to use its 880 partner stations and social media to spread the word about the project and its results.

“If we hope to stop corruption, people need to be invested and involved,” Michael Skoler, PRI’s vice president of interactive media. “We live in a new media world where people, not simply reporters, can and must be watchdogs for honest government.”

Missing drugs.. in police custody

2011-02-17T13:47:00.003-05:00

In another shinning example of the corruption that the drug war has helped foster, in Boston:

a Boston Police investigation into hundreds of bags of missing drug evidence has hit a dead end. Police discovered in 2008 that the drugs had been stolen from a department warehouse in Hyde Park, but have failed to turn up any leads or suspects. Drugs seized as evidence in 256 cases, including heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and lots of prescription opiates, are all missing. An audit criticized lax security and a highly disorganized record-keeping system at the warehouse. Ten officers working at the warehouse were transferred after the audit, but because of lack of surveillance at the warehouse and the police code of silence, investigators have been unable to charge any of them. Reforms have been instituted, authorities said.

Who is going to pay... for all that unfunded insurance

2011-02-17T13:36:00.003-05:00

Readers of this blog have certainly read about the problems facing this Town and State and country for that matter.. regarding the un funded insurance liabilities for public employees past and present.

If Deval and the Legislature can't get something done now ... this Town will be be dire shape.

From the Globe:

“It’s the equivalent of a gigantic credit card debt which grows and grows the longer it is ignored,’’ said Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a business-funded nonprofit research organization.

The Taxpayers Foundation yesterday released its first-of-its-kind report, which measures the size of the unfunded liability cities and towns face over the next 30 years for retiree health care benefits. The foundation based its findings on actuarial studies for each city and town looking at the long-term costs of paying health insurance benefits.

The Taxpayers Foundation determined that the 50 largest municipalities will need to pay an extra $20 billion for retiree health care than they have budgeted for. Boston has an unfunded health insurance liability of more than $4.5 billion over the next 30 years, the study found, which translates to $97,827 in extra tax payments for the average single-family homeowner over the 30 years.

Grammy's

2011-02-17T13:17:00.004-05:00

While I couldn't stay up late enough to see Mick Jagger, I did see Dylan and the two young bands that performed before him and with him to do Maggee's Farm. Yes.. Bobs voice is going south and yes he seems lost without his 6 string, but it was a pleasure to see him that night. Despite the criticism of the younger media talking heads, he's still the most prolific song writer of all time and STILL can represent a time when songs were written that had a message.

And to see that two more R&R legends were nominated for best rock album, Tom Petty and Neil Young this past year was good news. Although they were bested by artists that will not be remembered past this decade, it was great to know, they are still making music, that appeals to everyone.

Orrbors, and all the useless and pointless information

2011-02-01T22:15:00.004-05:00

For those of you who have passed the rigorous application to be on the
discriminatory pillow talk Frambors.. or as some call it... Dembors...lately you have seen the pointless debate over recycle bins, weight loss club and an admission from it's ruler.. that HE is to blame for the lack of participation at Town Meeting... and I couldn't agree more. The cowboy hat wearing, follicley challenged, lap top playing goof ball, who has costs this Town millions in legal fees and reputation, now has been asking his following to apply for a coveted TM seat for the ultra elite Precinct 1. I'm reminded of a Bob Dylan song, "Idiot Wind" where Bob writes, "blowing even time you move your mouth, blowing down the back roads head'en south, Idiot Wind, it's a wonder you can even feed your self".

Tonight, we hear about the rules governing posts about candidates for the upcoming Town elections. I won't bore you with the multi paragraph rules and regulations but will ask ... is it any wonder we have such a dysfunctional TM, where 90% of the members are there for life, 20% leave at 9PM, 30% don't show up at all, 25% are employed by the Town, many have ADD and 80& are party loyalists... going along to get along.

If anyone with an independent brain from Pr 6 who wants to be a TMM.... and not bother with getting signatures and being on the ballot this spring, just shoot me an e mail before TM in April, and we (as precinct members) will vote for the best candidate that shows any real interest and knowledge of this Towns issues.

DeLeo and his ego

2011-02-01T20:51:00.002-05:00

This past week, the ego centric Speaker replaced his two top successors for his job. The names are not important.. nor would either of them been any better for us if they had become Speaker. Insiders.. on the inside, vying for the big chair.. secretly lining up support now have had a pay cut... 10 to 15K chairman bonus... must have pissed them off big time.

All this.. to make sure Bob DeLeo can feel safe in his job.. until he is indicted.

I say again.. until DeLeo and Murray go...nothing good will happen on the Hill.

10 ordinary people... are changing the face of Egypt

2011-02-01T18:53:00.003-05:00

When you think back in our recent history of ordinary people who have changed the face of our country.. Rosa Parks and others like her... who stood up to the man.. to oppression, ignorance, bigotry, lies and mis-information.... ordinary people who have had enough.

In Egypt... as we speak... their President is being forced out of office... why? the ordinary people, can't get jobs, watch as the rich get richer and the poor suffer. The lack of food and basic human rights, coruption at the highest levels, opression of the masses... and much more.

We are witnessing other countries doing the same thing... ordinary people fed up, tired and hungry, poor and disenfranchised... taking to the streets, willing to die for their cause.... for basic human respect of their leaders.

10 People.. lead by a single mom... in a small room... no internet, no money, no way to communicate to all of the million ordinary people... all asking for the same thing.. fairness from their government. No real weapons, no tanks, no suicide bombers, just real human beings, demanding fairness.

We are witness to history... and this event will effect us all, one way or the other. They may even stir up our own ordinary people...demanding fairness.

Deval's offer of help to Framingham

2011-01-26T18:03:00.002-05:00

An Act Further Strengthening the Commonwealth's Partnership with its Municipalities
Please note: Below you will find the legislation as filed by Governor Patrick. After being filed, bills are sent to the Massachusetts legislature where they may be amended or altered.

January 21, 2011

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives:

I am filing for your consideration a bill entitled “An Act Further Strengthening the Commonwealth’s Partnership with its Municipalities.”

This legislation provides cities and towns with additional tools they need to respond to the present fiscal challenges by managing their limited resources more efficiently.

First, the bill requires that, in time for fiscal year 2012, every municipality must either join the Group Insurance Commission or have a health insurance plan in place that will provide equivalent savings. Labor will have a meaningful role in developing this plan.< My words:(this may prove problematic here in Framingham)

Second, this legislation requires every city or town to move its eligible retirees into Medicare. These two measures will save our communities over $120 million.

Finally, this bill will remove the archaic property tax exemption for telecommunications equipment. This step is worth an additional $26 million for cities and towns.

These measures will help cities and towns weather the present fiscal downturn, save hundreds of millions of dollars over time, and take significant pressure off property taxes now and in the future.

In order to assure that municipalities have sufficient time to secure new health insurance plans through the Group Insurance Commission or otherwise, to enroll employees and their families in time for fiscal year 2012, and to meet the March 31 Medicare enrollment deadline for their eligible retirees, it is imperative to enact this legislation as soon as possible and with an emergency preamble. I therefore urge your prompt passage of this legislation.

Sincerely,

Deval L. Patrick
Governor

Text of Bill

FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE COMMONWEALTH’S PARTNERSHIP WITH ITS MUNICIPALITIES

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is forthwith to strengthen the commonwealth’s partnership with its municipalities in the present fiscal emergency, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

TRANSFER OF ELIGIBLE MUNICIPAL RETIREES INTO MEDICARE

SECTION 1. Section 18 of chapter 32B of the General Laws is hereby repealed.

SECTION 2. Said chapter 32B of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 18A, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 18B. (a) All retirees, their spouses and dependents insured or eligible to be insured under this chapter, if enrolled in Medicare Part A at no cost to the retiree, spouse or dependents or eligible for coverage thereunder at no cost to the retiree, spouse or dependents, shall be required to transfer to a Medicare health plan offered by the governmental unit under section 11C or section 16, if the benefits under the plan and Medicare Part A and Part B together shall be of comparable actuarial value to those under the retiree’s existing coverage, but a retiree or spouse who has a dependent who is not enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in Medicare Part A at no cost shall not be required to transfer to a Medicare health plan if a transfer requires the retiree or spouse to continue the existing family coverage for the dependent in a plan other than a Medicare health plan offered by the governmental unit.

(b) Each retiree shall provide the governmental unit, in such form as the governmental unit shall prescribe, such information as is necessary to transfer to a Medicare health plan. If a retiree does not submit the information required, he shall no longer be eligible for his existing health coverage. The governmental unit may from time to time request from a retiree, a retiree’s spouse or a retiree’s dependent, proof, certified by the federal government, of eligibility or ineligibility for Medicare Part A and Part B coverage.

(c) The governmental unit shall pay any Medicare Part B premium penalty assessed by the federal government on the retiree, spouse or dependent as a result of enrollment in Medicare Part B at the time of transfer.

REPEAL TELECOM MACHINERY EXEMPTION

SECTION 3. Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “than”, in line 230, the following words:- a telephone or telegraph corporation taxed under section 52A of chapter 63 or.

SECTION 4. Said section 5 of said chapter 59, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the words “two A”, in line 233, the following words:- , other than a telephone or telegraph corporation,.

SECTION 5. Clause Sixteenth of said section 5 of said chapter 59 is hereby further amended by striking out paragraph (2), inserted by section 2 of chapter 173 of the acts of 2008, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

(2) In the case of (a) a business corporation subject to tax under section 39 of chapter 63 that is not a manufacturing corporation, or (b) a telephone or telegraph corporation subject to tax under section 52A of chapter 63, all property owned by the corporation other than the following:- real estate, poles, underground conduits, wires and pipes, and machinery used in the conduct of the business, which term, as used in this clause, shall not be considered to include stock in trade or any personal property directly used in connection with dry cleaning or laundering processes or in the refrigeration of goods or in the air-conditioning of premises or in any purchasing, selling, accounting or administrative function. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, a telephone or telegraph corporation shall be subject to property tax assessment on machinery used in the conduct of its business and leased to it by a corporation that is not a telephone or telegraph corporation.

MUNICIPAL HEALTH INSURANCE

SECTION 6. (a) Each municipality shall provide health insurance coverage to its subscribers either through the group insurance commission or through other means with benefits of comparable actuarial value to those provided by the group insurance commission.

(b) Notwithstanding chapter 32B of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, if a municipality’s health insurance benefits do not comply with subsection (a), the chief executive of the municipality shall give notice to its public employee committee, established or which shall be established under section 19 of said chapter 32B, of its intention to enter into negotiations to provide health insurance coverage to its subscribers and to enter into a written agreement within a period prescribed by regulations to provide such coverage.

(c) If no agreement is reached within the prescribed period, the municipality shall transfer its subscribers to the group insurance commission or provide health insurance coverage to its subscribers in a manner prescribed by regulations and which complies with subsection (a).

(d) The secretary of administration and finance, in consultation with the secretary of labor and workforce development, shall adopt regulations to carry out this section, including but not limited to regulations defining comparable actuarial value, setting forth deadlines for prompt and reasonable compliance with this section to ensure compliant coverage in fiscal year 2012, detailing the procedure by which the municipality shall provide health insurance coverage under this section, and determining the extent to which reduced costs to the municipality resulting from adoption of coverage under this section shall be shared with the municipality’s employees.

Deval's proposed budget cuts.. Will Beacon Hill buy it?

2011-01-26T17:55:00.002-05:00

Gov. Deval Patrick slashed state funding for cities and towns, cut 900 state jobs and axed $1 billion in health care spending in a bare bones $30.5 billion budget he unveiled today that one fiscal watchdog said is the most brutal in state history.

Patrick’s cuts also include:

• $65 million in local aid, which the governor spared last year during his tough re-election battle

• $45 million in a proposal to reform the state’s public defense system for people who can’t afford it.

• $23 million on emergency homeless shelters

Patrick didn’t include taxes on cigarettes, candy or soda like he has in previous budgets, but he did include the bottle bill which would charge consumers extra as an incentive to recycle. That initiative is expected to bring in $20 million.

Pull up the entire budget:
http://www.mass.gov/bb/h1/fy12h1/index.html

Beacon Hill is costing us 58 million dollars. Are they worth it?

One more corrupt Police Chief.. FBI and DA will investigate

2011-01-26T17:28:00.002-05:00

In a stunner, even for Massachusetts, a Salisbury Police Chief has been fired by the Town Manager for exchanging drugs and favors for sex with at least 4 women. It appears that many in the community (58 witnesses) knew about this, even rank and file members, (14 officers) for a long time,(2006) but did nothing to stop it or investigate it. The code of silence is alive and well in Salisbury.

Look for charges, a lengthy trial, lots of witnesses and jail time for one who once again, abused and gamed the system.

Are you tired of reading about Beacon Hill?

2011-01-24T10:22:00.002-05:00

Question for our readers.... are you as tired as I having to read, hear and watch the weekly reports of un-ethical and criminal behavior of our elected on the Hill? Does it serve us to continue to talk about it? Have we made any progress after all the indictments, resignations and jail time for those party loyalists who have fallen in the past 11 years?

I for one am sick over it. Even when we have the truth on our side, do they really give a dam what we think? I'm beginning to believe we should just ignore them all and stop trying, stop spending, stop calling and writing to them, stop protesting. Can the working man and women really have a voice in this thing we call a democracy? Will we ever have enough money or time to compete against the very forces that continue to dictate over our lives?

I see so much that is wrong and can't do a dam thing about it. I see my grandchildrens future being much worse off than my own. I see a police state where innocent people are killed in the name of justice. I see organized labor working against us. I see wrongs and can't stop them. I see thousands of whole young men and women go off to war, only to come back in pieces, if at all. I see us as pawns in a chess game where politicians are the Kings and Queens, never to be in check mate.

SEC looks into Cahill and Goldman Sachs

2011-01-24T10:15:00.002-05:00

Look for this story to have legs a few months from now. Imagine if he got elected Governor....

From the Globe:

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has delivered subpoenas to the state treasurer’s office in a wide-ranging request for documents concerning dealings between investment banking giant Goldman Sachs and former treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, onetime top staff members, and former campaign aides, according to an official briefed on the document request.

The agency’s subpoenas, which seek e-mails, phone records, schedules, files, and memorandums, come just over a month after Goldman Sachs removed itself from two state bond deals in Massachusetts following the disclosure that a vice president at the firm, Neil Morrison, was active in Cahill’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign, which could violate federal securities regulations. Morrison had previously served as a top deputy to Cahill in the treasurer’s office.

The SEC served the papers just before the close of business Friday, catching the new treasurer, Steven Grossman, and his staff off guard. A spokesman for Grossman said the treasurer would not comment on details of what federal regulators are seek ing but said his staff is quickly assembling the requested material.

Nothing changes on the Hill.. no matter what

2011-01-24T10:04:00.001-05:00

Soundly defeated were proposals to require roll-call votes on tax increases; to post results of committee votes online; and to eliminate the position of speaker pro tempore, a job most recently held by a member now linked to the patronage scandal in the state Probation Department.

Will we ever see open and honest state government in our lifetime?

X Rep Perry just won't go away

2011-01-24T09:52:00.002-05:00

For those who have followed Rep Perry from Sandwich and his criminal behavior,lies, cover-up and out right denial of his role in strip searching two teenage girls, rigging a stop light, falsifying his school records, etc, etc, ect. Now we learn today, this un-ethical, corrupt moron Jeffrey D. Perry, the former state representative who narrowly lost in a hard-fought campaign for Congress in November, begins today serving in the position of special sheriff of Barnstable County.

In that $110,000-a-year position, Perry, a Republican of Sandwich, will be the top assistant to James M. Cummings, the long-time Barnstable County sheriff. Perry, 47, could not be reached for comment this morning.

The move positions Perry, an attorney and former Wareham police officer who served eight years on Beacon Hill, to maintain a public profile for possible future campaigns for elective public office.

Perry’s campaign for Congress against Democrat William R. Keating, the former Norfolk County district attorney, faced accusations that as a police officer, Perry stood by while an officer under his supervision strip searched a teenage girl.

Cummings in an interview said he hired a retired FBI agent to conduct an investigation of the incidents last month.

“The investigator was completely satisfied that Jeff Perry did nothing to cover up and did not stand by and watch the strip search,” he said.

My question, does this give anyone confidence in the system?

The Budget and Capital Spending

2011-01-17T11:09:00.002-05:00

While we wait to hear how many Town employee's will be cut next year to plug the almost 7 million dollar deficit, department heads have asked for 24 million in capital requests. Our CFO has said that the Town should be able to take on 2/3rds of that, which begins July 1.

So we will close a school or two, lay off 200 employee's or so, pay millions in lawsuits, overtime, outrageous health care benefits and millions more for un-funded mandates.... and still borrow 16 million dollars..... I'm at a loss to understand the logic.

The new jobs outlook is at best, bleak. Foreclosures this year will outpace last year. A few thousand residents more than last year from Framingham will be unemployed. Property values and home prices will continue to fall this year and our schools will be decimated by budget cuts and lower local aid from Beacon Hill.

The question is, are the Town leaders that out of touch with reality?

MLK Day

2011-01-17T10:53:00.002-05:00

In our lifetime we have witnessed much tragedy that has helped shape our country today. There are a few moments in that time that will forever live in our minds, no matter what color or political persuasion. And in the case of MLK, anyone old enough to remember what he stood for and the results of his bravery will acknowledge why we pay our respects to a man who helped change our country for the better.

Crime and DNA testing

2011-01-17T10:32:00.002-05:00

In a piece from the MWDN over the weekend a resident from Milford had her home broken into. The thief cut his hand breaking a window and left a bloody paper towel behind. The paper towel was given to the State Police Crime lab immediately and 2 1/2 years later, a match was discovered. The homeowner had written everything off and had moved on. Many items stolen were not priceless but had great value to the family.

Violent crimes take precedent based on the statute of limitations for the 67 lab technicians working at the crime lab... which make sense. But there are approximately 11,000 samples to be filed into the 85,000 profiles already on record, with 5,800 forensic cases.

While 3 million dollars was spent on State Police overtime last year on details, thousands of unresolved cases wait for the crime lab to test samples.

More emphasis and money should be put on solving violent crime through technology and less time sitting in a car at work sites.

Deval makes the right call in Parole Board disaster

2011-01-13T14:23:00.002-05:00

Gov. Deval Patrick said Thursday that he has accepted the resignations of the five members of the state parole board who voted to release a career criminal who authorities said later killed a Woburn police officer in a shootout.

Patrick also accepted the resignation of the executive director of the board and said he would seek to remove other officials from the agency.

The killing of a police officer at the hands of a paroled lifer is what it took...
to make change.

Mr. Eurie Stamps

2011-01-12T10:55:00.000-05:00

STAMPS, Eurie A. Suddenly in Framingham Wed. Jan. 5. Beloved husband of Norma Bushfan Stamps. Devoted father of Eurie Jr., Marlon, Kyon Stamps-Murrell, Robin Stamps Jones and Priscilla Mansfield McDowell. Stepfather of Calvin Lee Smith III and Joseph L. Bushfan. Beloved brother of Narvous Stamps Jr., Marcellus Stamps and Hazel C. Stamps. He also leaves 15 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral service Thurs. Jan. 13 at 6p.m. at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Bishop Allen Drive and Columbia St., Cambridge. Visiting hours at the church Thurs. 3-6 p.m. Relatives and friends most kindly invited. Private interment. A.J. Spears Funeral Home, Cambridge MA 617-876-4047

New Library.. yeah or nay?

2011-01-11T14:39:00.002-05:00

I'd like to know how our readers would vote on the new library... weather permitting Wednesday or Thursday.

After seeing some exaggerated user numbers put forth by the committee and the rush to get this approved by TM now, my opinion on a new branch library is that we not go forward. I liken this to someone who can't pay the mortgage but buys a new car. A bank who gets bail out money and lays off hundreds.

I'm not convinced that the State promise for funds for this project will hold true as it is now, we are 1.5 to 2 billion short this fiscal year and could see trouble down the road if the State does not provide the funding.

Driving home the patronage scandal.....

2011-01-09T17:06:00.002-05:00

The Globe once again helps all of us understand how far this patronage cancer has effected the outcome of people's lives.

Joan Vennochi in the lead editorial shows how Chairman of the Parole Board, Mark Conrad, got to where he is now. Turns out he was one of Devals campaign drivers, after being a Milton officer for 20 years. In 2007, Deval named him to the Parole Board and in 2008 Deval named him Chairman.

Opposed by just one Governor Council's Committee memebr in 2007, "the politically connected chauffeurs are just one more slice of the patronage subculture".

The Parole Board did vote unanimously for Cinelli's release. And I honestly hope that we don't learn in the coming weeks, that patronage or favors got Cinelli out, hopefully it was incompetency and poor leadership.

The State probe into the Parole Board happening now will only be as good as the people doing the investigation. One could only surmise from the last two years of promised reforms that turned out to be no more than lip service, when all said and done, Beacon Hill will have to decide who gets life without any chance of parole. Will it be just for murders who have taken many lives or just one. I can't imagine how long that debate will last.

And if you didn't get to see Speaker DeLeo on TV today, still defending the "recommending someone policy" you have missed the poster child for what's ethically wrong in this State, laughing it up when asked about the three x speakers being recognized and honored on the first day of House business.

Perhaps after the multiple investigations lead them to DeLeo, that smirk will be wiped from his face.

Beacon Hill Celebrates... shame for the next two years

2011-01-06T14:45:00.002-05:00

Lots of smiles and hand shakes this week on the Hill. Our beloved Governor gets sworn in again for another round of what we know now is, extensive travel to promote Massachusetts. The more likely reason is to promote his book and run for Senate in 2012 against Scott Brown. Which may be why Lt Governor Murray had such a long speech today... he'll be appointed when Deval wins in 2012.

Today's inaugural love fest was brought to you by insurance, financial and high tech companies that kicked in 700,000 for us to witness all this love. Last time, we as taxpayers paid 2 million dollars to crown Deval... remember back.. didn't we have a renewed sense of hope?

But as we already know, much of what went on for the past 10 years will continue at the corner office. Denial and impasse, excuses and sound bites, blame and eloquent speeches.

To ignore what went on the day before on the Hill would be unfair to the unaware. Robert DeLeo was unanimously re-elected Speaker of the House as was the minority whip for the R's.In what can only be explained by sheer arrogance on the speakers part, ALL THREE convicted or indicted former speakers were there to receive a warm welcome from the party faithful. The R's lined up and spoke what most think... what kind of an example does the legislature show when rolling out the last three house speakers that had to resign for corruption? Asked what he thought by a reporter, Representative Walsh said, he didn't think it was a big deal.

One may conclude from the historical record that we the people are in for the very same disrespect from State government as in the recent past. The latest and greatest example is the pay cut that legislators have to take.... 300.00 a year or .05%..... is that not an insult to us all?

Just what this Town needs... an accidental shooting by SWAT

2011-01-05T16:48:00.002-05:00

The Framingham Police SWAT officer who fatally shot a man while serving a search warrant this morning may have done it accidentally, a family friend said outside the courtroom today.

Dwayne Barrett, of Framingham, described Eurie Stamps as "a very good man, the type of man who'd give you the shirt off his back. This shouldn't have happened."

Stamps, 68, was in his 26 Fountain St. house as police served a drug warrant there at about 12:30 a.m. He was fatally shot by an officer, although Barrett said authorities told him the officer accidentally shot his weapon.

Stamps was taken to MetroWest Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

This police action is not the first by SWAT to go wrong, but it should remind us ALL that we do live in a Town that authorizes SWAT Teams to execute search warrants. I'm reminded of Ruby Ridge when I see these things happen. And before I pass judgment before knowing the facts, it's not a stretch to consider another trigger happy cop killing some innocent by-stander.

All this over a failed drug war.

First Probation, now Parole and one dead peace officer

2011-01-05T16:20:00.002-05:00

By now I'm sure you've heard or read, the top dog, O'Brian at the probation department has resigned, and vows to get his job back. This move came a week before he was scheduled to be before the disciplinary board.... the first bright thing the guy has done. As time goes on, those who have defended his code of ethics are now back peddling and trying to figure out how they can distance themselves from a system, they ALL worship, patronage, mis-management and fraud.

And while the probation scandal will be in the news for the next few years perhaps, leave it to another failed department to grant freedom the a convicted murderer, serving life... times 3, who kills a peace officer who never pulled his service revolver, trying to escape from robing a Kohls. And to add insult, the Parole Board never notifying the DA or the locals.

Now that this tragedy has surfaced, finger pointing is abound. But the sheer facts are that there has been in bill at the legislature for 10 years and even modified to include only 3 time convicted violent felons, must serve the last sentence given, without parole. Why would Beacon Hill not pass such a common sense bill? Just look at who's the committee chairman of the judiciary, Rep Flattery, a top criminal defense lawyer. Along with the dozens of other layers, one need not look to far to see why they have refused to allow Melissa Law to come to the floor for a vote. Perhaps now, law enforcement will put pressure on Beacon Hill to pass this bill.

The entire parole board should resign and a through review should happen soon, along with passage of the Melissa Bill.

BOS decides to support

2011-01-05T15:54:00.002-05:00

The Library project, to now ones surprise. And to hear CFO Kelly speak about it last night in such glowing terms, one might think it was a done deal. The number I heard her say was it will cost each tax payer in Town 249.00 over 20 years. Business would pay 279.00 or so over 20 years. What they didn't say is that the property takes in around 10,000 a year in taxes and in 20 years, 200,000 less in revenue for the town. Selectman Chaaba Smith who is heading the private fund raising efforts claims it will not effect the schools whats so ever and has raised 17,000 already. Herb Chasen should have called on the big man to fund raise for the schools.

So we now have the other committee's to weigh in and as of last night, the property owner dropped the price by 40k I think I heard. Mighty generous.... we should offer to name the Library after him if he donates the land.

It makes sense to add a library to any Town, at most any time, but now might not be then. My biggest concerns are, what if the State doesn't pay it's promised share.. after all, we are down 1.5 billion in revenue already for next this year. Is the building "green enough", where are the solar panels? Does McCauliff really see 500 to 600 people a day? I've stood on that corner many hours over the years and have never seen that many patrons. The Library Board claims the old library needs 450,000 in repairs.... does that include detail cops?

The BOS decided to revisit the window and doors replacement project at Brophy. The SBoard has not yet decided if it's a project deserving their support as of today. There also seems to be ground noise about how the long the building will be a school. The grant, as Mr. Sisitky pointed out, makes certain the school has to be a school open for 10 years... and if not, we'd pay big time for violating the grant guidelines. There's plenty of talk about buildings, who's in them, why and at what capacity. The windows may not make it to TM if the SB has better uses of capital monies.

And of coarse, all of these decisions are down to the last minute... hours before TM will start.

Save our Schools.. an uphill battle

2011-01-03T10:27:00.002-05:00

For the record, I support Herb Chasen in his effort to bring attention to the budget shortfalls and the consequences on our schools. In various meetings that I've attended many questions have been asked of those in the know. What strikes me the most is how well those in the know clearly place the blame on Beacon Hill and just as clear, are those who say that there's nothing that can be done. New revenue sources, taking the ever shrinking meals tax to provide more school funding and an override are two ideas that didn't go over well.

The Town seems to be more concerned with public safety as it was reported that police and fire will be able to fill vacancies and still spend 5 million in overtime.

Families will move here because of schools, location and affordability... not because we have 100 cops and 50 fireman. We must make every reasonable effort to down size police and fire and make our schools more attractive for families to move here. Schools must do everything possible to show the tax payers that they indeed feel our pain and spend our tax dollars as wisely as possible. The centralization of school administration is a good start, but it better save money. School choice... get the numbers done now... if it saves money... do it. Divert the meals tax away from the stabilization fund to the schools? maybe. But if the PEC does not agree or the court does not rule in our favor, we might as well file for bankruptcy and start a new.

Pam Richardson.. gaming the system to the end

2011-01-03T10:00:00.002-05:00

For those of us who thought we'd hear the end of former legislator Richardson, just open your e mail. Last month I received an e mail stating that Richardson who is still on the States payroll, is now in the reality business. I'm sure I got the same message as everyone else who had signed up for her newsletter a few years ago. And clearly, it's not un-ethical to use the e mail addresses of voters who signed up to be notified of actions on Beacon Hill. Nor is it un-ethical to use that same web site to advertise your new business.

I can only wonder what type of Realtor she will be. Will she call you back if you call her? Will she respond to questions with inelegance and directly? Will she destroy documents of those she doesn't like? Will she game the system to benefit a select group of people? Can anyone closely tied to Bob DeLeo ever be trusted?

When and if I ever sell, you can bet I wouldn't list with her. Or even allow her in my homes.

www.PamRichardson.com

ERA Key Realty Services
1881 Worcester Rd. * Framingham, MA 01701
cell: 508-524-0723 Office: 508-879-4474
pamrichardson@erakey.com

Parking Regulations... don't give them a reason to ticket you.

2011-01-03T09:57:00.000-05:00

ODD/EVEN PARKING

The Town of Framingham enforces a year-round ODD/EVEN side parking restriction program. Even years, (2010) parking is allowed on the even side of streets from Jan 1st to Dec 31st. Odd years, (2011) parking is allowed on the odd side from Jan 1st to Dec 31st. Centrally located Signs displaying ODD or EVEN restrictions according to the year exist in 22 locations throughout town, yearly changes are broadcast through the media and with the town’s rapid telephone notification system,

This restriction is enforced on a block by block basis, an exception to this would be (example) if during an even year (2010), a street has several blocks of intersecting streets along its, length, and one block between intersecting streets had pre-existing town signs prohibiting parking year-round on the Even side, residents could legally park on the Odd side only for that effected block regardless of Odd or Even years.

Special Town Meeting 1.12.11

2011-01-03T09:23:00.002-05:00

For those of you who care about such things... TM will be asked to vote on

#1 transfer handicap parking fine receipts o the disability commission for projects that benefit the disabled... this is a no brainer.

#2 Replacement of windows and doors at Stapleton School. The total cost is 1,020,000 with a grant paying 588,000 and the Town paying 431,000. A worthy project for sure,but three line item explanations that need more intell. One is that there's a designer costs of 85,000, OPM costs 42,000 (whatever OPM stands for) and a 5% contingency cost of 42,000. Why is this figure so high? Are there that many unknowns in replacing windows and doors in an old building that had this same thing done in 1974?

#3 Approve preliminary design for new McAuliffe library building located near the Nobscot shopping center.

#4 Authorize the BOS to acquire land for new library. The facts as we know them now, the purchase of the land will be bonded over 20 years. A grant will cover 50% of the total land and building expense with dept expenses starting in 2013 and 2014. It is unclear what the already filthy rich land owner AJ Rousseau wants for the land, but it's cheaper than the land at Pinefield.

On the surface it's seems like a no brainer.... but when the Town is talking about laying off 200 employee's, the unions refusing to allow the Town to rein in health care costs, school closings, and the simple fact that no project has come in at or under budget and the millions in unfunded mandates, I'd need a whole lot more convincing to vote in favor of this project at this time.

I'd welcome any and all comments about this.

The warrant is 27 pages long if you want to print it out.

http://www.framinghamma.gov/Weblink8/
ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=17155&&&dbid=0

A New Year with hope

2010-12-28T11:22:00.003-05:00

I hope all of our readers can find some ray of hope for the new year. We may come to realize things will not be as good as they once were. Our goals may have to wait a little longer, our dreams may have to be put aside for a year or two. We may have to work harder and longer in life and we may have to live with a fact that our children s/grandchildren's lives will not be as good as ours were in the past.

We must keep our chins up and find ways to be happy with much less.

We can, if we try.

Medicail Marijuana in Maine

2010-12-28T11:10:00.002-05:00

Come Jan 1st, Maine's first medical marijuana dispensary will open in Auburn Maine. Seven more will be allowed to operate in Maine. Rhode Island will open three dispensaries next year also. Seven other States have over 1000 dispensaries.

Beacon Hill has had legislation before it for 9 years and still cannot seem to realize what 15 other States already approve of, marijuana has medicinal benefits and can be a revenue source.

Falsifying unemployment numbers

2010-12-28T10:39:00.002-05:00

Most of us know someone or many people who have been out of work for 2 years or more now. That group called the 99ers, who has lost their UE benefits or will in the coming weeks fall off the radar and are not counted. Once your benefits are gone, you no longer are a statistic in the system.

Based on the latest Work Force Development figures, our Town has a unemployment rate of 6.1%, lower than most but not the lowest, like Weston at 4.9%. An educated guess would be around 3 to 4 thousand in Town are collecting now and is my guess the total amount of people unemployed could be 5 to 6 thousand or more. Some 300,000 or so in this state are registered as unemployed, which in reality could be as high as half a million people who have fallen off the radar.

While retail sales were up, sales on the web were up, some say up as much as 5% over last year, there is little joy in HooVille when so many are still out of work, struggling to keep their homes and their kids fed and warm.

And while the foreclosure rate continues to climb, big companies continue to lay off people, huge tax breaks given to companies who promise to create jobs, the Legislature who was supposed to help find ways to encourage job growth in the State, never meet once in two years.

Corporate greed, the self interested voter, a political system owned by big business, trade deals that take jobs from Americans are all to blame. And the under reporting of the unemployed in this State and Country are the signs of a government trying to con us all into thinking everything is going to be fine.

It's not fine for the 99ers and all who want jobs.

sidewalks and snow removal

2010-12-28T10:31:00.002-05:00

Just in case you haven't heard, a recent court decision has made it very clear, homeowners and business alike must, with-in 6 hours of when the snow stops, make an effort to clear the sidewalks. While this seems to be a no brainier, many feel it's not their responsibility. The court's decision lays the ground work for civil law suits if one is hurt and negligence is proved. A fine can be imposed by the city or Town and I'll bet few will be fined at all in this Town. Lawyers like Jim Suckaloft are licking their chops.

The Good, Bad and Ugly in the budget

2010-12-16T09:22:00.002-05:00

Last week or so I attended a SC meeting where an articulate and stunning mother of two stood up and explained why she moved here with her family... it was the schools. The father of two at the budget summit meeting, said it was schools and location that caused his family to move here. And one mother announced that she moved here because it was affordable. The top three reasons why anyone would live here.. which is all good. No one said they moved here because we had highly educated police officers standing over holes in the ground, nor did anyone say they felt safer in their homes knowing the fire department has x amount of fireman on duty.

The CFO and party loyalist all clearly blamed the legislature for the un-funded mandates, not allowing the Town to negotiate health care costs, cut backs in chapter 70 funding, SPED under funding, etc, etc, etc... no one was surprised. And when the representative-elect stood before the crowd and said he had a meeting with the other rep for Framingham and made it clear, the legislature is working on this... I had to chuckle. No one in the room believes a word of that nonsense and clearly, Sanacandro and Spilka who were not there are ducking for cover... That's bad

The ugly came when three circus members addressed the crowd with useless and pointless psychobabble. And the loudest of them, former Town employee, who seems to feel it's important for us to know his heritage, claims an over-ride is the only answer. Only a few of the un-informed in the crowd applauded such action.

For those who listened intently to the proceedings and heard the excuse why we should continue to use 6 million in capital spending, because it will costs us more if we idle some equipment, is totally nonsense.

So I have revised my suggestion to save 7 million in the budget. Don't spend 2 million from capital, cut 2 million in overtime from police and fire, require the school to give up school choice, even if it saves only 1/2 million dollars and lastly, force the PEC to except 75/25 in health care costs.

The biggest savings will come from health care costs and to allow the self-entitled to continue to bankcrupt the Town with their greed will only hurt our schools.

Yesterday, Deval announced the State is looking at 1 to 1.5 billion in revenue short fall. And of coarse, the programs that will be effected are the ones that pull at our heart strings. Mostly in services for the sick, handicapped, feeding programs, etc, etc etc. NOT a hint of reducing the costs of governing.

Our schools and parents have suffered enough. The downward pressure on parents to fund music, athletics, books, teacher supplies, etc, etc, etc, has got to stop without an over-ride. The self-entitled party loyalists who run this Town have to make the decision to fund our schools, and make the legislature more accountable for funding programs they have mandated.

Schools, location and affordability are what we should market to the world. We have the later two already, we just need to stop the demise of our schools.

Tonight at the Town Hall.... The Budget

2010-12-14T08:21:00.002-05:00

Tonight at 7PM, in the Blummer Room and on your local government access channel, the budget summit will commence. We will hear from the party loyalists who have gotten us into this trouble to begin with. We all will be shocked and awed in what is being proposed and if you are a parent of school age children, you may even be distressed.

Although the final numbers are and will not be in for months, it's very clear we will be down millions and will re-shape this Town. My submitted suggestions include, forcing organized labor to adopt managed health care, (2 million) take 2 million in overtime from police and fire, eliminate school choice, no raises for any Town employee and no override.

Simplistic suggestions..... you bet they are. Do they have the courage to make the hard choices? we'll see what they roll out tonight.

Bernie Sanders from Vermont and the fillabuster

2010-12-10T18:12:00.002-05:00

Since 10:30 this morning, the most passionate honest speech I've ever seen on behalf of the working class, working poor and everyone everyone else effected by the near collapse of this country.

I know some may rag on me for this.. but whats going on in Washington as we speak, will effect either hundreds of millions of people in this country.... adversely, or just a few tenths of a percent of the richest people in this country.

Senator Sanders IS speaking for the people of this country and as much as it may hurt... he's right about the deal our President is making with the R's. It's bad for us... and very good to a select few, the very few who could care less about the working class in this country.

Push the working class to far.... and you may get a revolt.

The Budget and our schools

2010-12-08T09:33:00.002-05:00

Last night the Framingham School Committee heard from two parents and supporters suggesting the School Committee fight for no more cuts in 2012's budget. It's still early and we don't know what the State will kick in this year, but it's painfully clear, no stimulus money and the prospects for new revenue looks bleak.

One thing is very clear, after a parent who just moved here said, there's not enough information and outreach being done to inform parents of next years potential cuts. She did say, the one reason her family moved here, was the schools.

We did hear that the deficit as of now could be 7 million total for the Town. And while not all of that will come out of the school's budget, the estimated 4 million will come from the school budget and as we all can surmise, drastic cuts will happen in our schools. Everything will be on the table and we did learn school choice will be looked at to see if money can be saved.

There's a budget summit meeting on the 14th at the Town Hall in which we will hear from all departments heads, ways and means, fincom, etc. It will be televised live and suggest anyone who cares enough to tune in.

Herb Chasen is leading a group of concerned citizens and can be reached at info@framinghamsaveourschools.org

Now it's with the Feds, Grand Jury looks at Probation Dept

2010-11-30T11:29:00.002-05:00

As noted here in the past, the criminal acts, conspiracy, fraud and extortion will now be investigated by federal prosecutors.

From the Globe:
US Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz has ordered probation officials to preserve all documents that could be used as evidence in the criminal probe, including e-mails, laptop files, BlackBerry text messages, and all of the agency’s paper records.

“This letter shall notify you that a federal grand jury is and has been conducting an investigation into allegations relating to violations of certain federal statutes,’’ Ortiz wrote to Acting Probation Commissioner Ronald P. Corbett Jr.

Our own AG Coakley has finally weighed in also.
News of the federal investigation comes just days after Attorney General Martha Coakley said she has assigned a team of state prosecutors to “aggressively pursue charges that might stem from bogus hiring and promotion practices at the 2,000-employee state agency.

Like the last 10 years on Beacon Hill, 2011 will begin with many trials and convictions. Beacon Hill will look considerably different in a year or so. When the facts, e mails, and testimony are brought to light, dozens of elected officials and employees will be found to be guilty of making our state look even worse than most would have predicted.

And in almost unbelievable statements be DeLeo, who seems to be oblivious to all that has happened under his watch, seems to condone all the actions of the legislature in this patronage scandal... including defending his actions in getting his god-son a job at the probation department.

The fact that his number three guy in all this Patrillata is still a rep is a sign that the battle is just beginning and those who defend such outright illegal activities should be banned from holding any elected office in this state.

Sheriff DiPaola and double dipping

2010-11-22T14:56:00.002-05:00

From the Globe:

Middlesex County Sheriff James V. DiPaola had it all lined up. He was going to take advantage of a loophole in state law allowing him to collect a $98,500 annual pension on top of his sheriff’s salary of $123,000, starting next year.

But after a sleepless Friday night, he succumbed to second thoughts.

“I think I made a mistake,’’ he said in an early-morning phone call to a Globe reporter yesterday.

Instead of taking his pension and keeping his job, the longtime sheriff said he has decided to resign in January, just weeks after easily winning reelection on Nov. 2. Governor Deval Patrick will name his successor.

Until the Globe began asking about his retirement deal on Friday, DiPaola had a much different plan.

DiPaola, a 57-year-old Democrat, had quietly filed retirement papers on Oct. 28, looking to exploit a section of the state pension law that allows retirees to run for paid elective office without losing their pensions. All he had to do was not accept a paycheck until his new term began in January.

That gambit, which even his own employees seemed unaware of, would have increased his annual income by $98,500 for doing the same job he’s been doing since 1997.

No surprises.. .in the Probation Dept

2010-11-18T18:39:00.002-05:00

From the Herald:

A court-ordered independent counsel who investigated the state Probation Department found “systemic abuse and corruption” in its hiring and promotions practices, according to a new report which prompted the state’s top judges to demand swift removal of senior probation officials, announce a new task force, and refer the findings to state and federal prosecutors “for such action as any of them may deep appropriate.”

here's the 337 page report:
http://bostonherald.com/news/document.bg?f=misc/probationreport.pdf&h=Probation%20Department:%20Report%20of%20Independent%20Counsel&p=&k=bh

Look at pages 41 on... see who's who in all this.

Some of you may not want to devl into this... but you will soon see trials, terminations and those details about how many people on the Hill know all about what was going on.

The best part... some how, this report was not released until after the election... in itself, is a unethical.

Medal of Honor

2010-11-17T10:29:00.002-05:00

If you didn't get to see or hear of the young man from Iowa, staff sergeant Salvator Glunta who received the highest military award, let me tell you, it was very moving.

The now 25 year old veteran is the only living recipient from the Iraq and Afghanistan war and when you see this humble guy, know his commitment to his fellow soldiers when he was 22, my eyes watered. His acts of bravery could have turned out much worse for him as it has for the 7 other Medal of Honor recipients from the Iraq/Afghanistan war.

Whether we agree on the war or not, staff sergeant Glunta is a man we can all look up to and should consider ourselves lucky to have such a man in our military.

Young and older Veterans

2010-11-10T17:10:00.002-05:00

Take a moment and just think about how many of our sons and daughters are leaving for war. It's in the hundreds of thousands. Then think about how many active duty soldiers there are in country, fighting multiple wars. That too is hundreds of thousands.

You already know how many men and women from the current 2 wars are coming back stateside with unimaginable injury's to so many young people who had so much life to live. That too sadly, is in the hundreds of thousands.

And lets not forget, All the men and women, of all colors and of all faiths, who volunteered to put their lives on the line, who still live today, from the past 5 wars,and those who still have not come home.... I say Thank you for your service and promise not to ever forget you.

Hundreds of thousands of residents who didn't go, Thank you also.

Town Meeting attendance

2010-11-10T14:21:00.002-05:00

Mr. Town Meeting himself, Mr. Winnett compiled this graph of TM attendance for this past Town Meeting and sent it to us.

25 with perfect attendance at the 17 meetings

35 elected by precinct sometime during the year

28 Resignations (19 with no attendance and 9 with some attendance)

4 with no attendance (<1%) who will loose their seat as a TMM

29 current vacancies from 9 different precincts

62 TMMs attended all sessions of the Fall Town Meeting

24 TMMs did not attend any of the session of the Fall Town Meeting

I wrote back and asked if he could find out how many of the 62 TMMs who attended all sessions, stayed the entire time, read magazines, did homework, played on their lap tops, wore their hat in the hall, spoke at the podium about the wrong article or motion, on to many meds, or not enough meds, or have the intellectual prowess to understand whats going on.

A little humor in the question, but clearly from where I sit, many are not paying any attention to what's going on. 10 to 20% leave at the 9:15 break. Some nap, some come to the podium on the wrong article or motion. A few wear there hats in the peoples hall.

The poor attendance AND the lack of understanding among a few, make the case cor a city form of government.

More bid rigging.. under the radar

2010-11-10T13:47:00.002-05:00

AG Coakley has brought suite against a New York firm, Tradition North America, claiming the company lied to the Commonwealth and orchestrated a complicated bid-rigging process. Mind you... the company worked for the State from 2000 to 2004 and was supposed to get the highest interest rates from banks on investments of municipal bond proceeds. Some 16 banks are being investigated by the feds and one Tradition agent has pleaded guilty.

What this means to Framingham and the Commonwealth? It means that 160 local and State government bond issuers have been taken to the cleaners... once again. I wonder how much more money we would all have, if the fraud would just stop.It's amazing to see it took 6 years to find this out.

to no ones surprise, 18 districts approve marijuana reform

2010-11-03T15:59:00.002-04:00

While hard to find, there is some good news from this years election cycle. The good folks at DPMFA, (Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts)work tirelessly in continuing to ask the voters how they feel about medicinal cannabis and regulated sales and taxation. The voters once again have weighed in on this subject, as Framingham did in 2000, with an overall average of 61%. Hard to argue against with those numbers.

From the DPFM:
www.dpfmass.org

Massachusetts voters ask legislators to allow medical use, repeal prohibition on sales

Arlington - For the sixth consecutive election cycle, voters in select State Representative and Senate districts delivered overwhelming victories on marijuana reform Public Policy Questions.

After approving a historic statewide decriminalization referendum in 2008 by an overwhelming 65% margin, Massachusetts voters returned to the polls yesterday and passed non-binding medical marijuana and regulation/taxation Public Policy Questions in 18 districts. Since 2000, voters have approved a total of 63 marijuana PPQ's around the state on reforms including decriminalizing possession, allowing medical use, and repealing prohibition on sales and taxation. For 2010, voters in 74 towns took part in deciding 18 marijuana PPQ's.

Medical Marijuana. Voters in nine (9) State Rep. districts overwhelmingly approved lanaguage allowing medical use of marijuana by a total of 59% to 41%, again urging the State Legislature to join the fourteen U.S. states allowing physician-directed use of cannabis. Since 2000, voters have approved all 20 State Rep. and two (2) State Senate medical marijuana PPQ's in different regions of the Commonwealth.

DPFMA has been working with the state legislature to pass H.2160, the “2009 Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Act” sponsored by Rep. Frank Smizik. Currently fourteen states including Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maine have passed similar legislation to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest and imprisonment. These PPQ's outline the basics of H.2160 and demonstrate the overwhelmingly public support for the bill.

In January 2008 the American College of Physicians released a landmark position paper endorsing full legal protection for medical marijuana patients. (full report: www.acponline.org/acp_news/medmarinews.htm) The ACP represents 124,000 member doctors and is the second largest physician group in the US. Here in Massachusetts H.2160 has been endorsed by the Massachusetts Nurses Alliance, Massachusetts Public Health Association, and many other health and legal experts, as part of the legislative campaign by Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance (see full details at www.masscompassion.org).

Marijuana Regulation and Taxation. Voters in eight (8) State Rep. and one (1) State Senate district approved PPQ's advising legislators to enact a regulatory system of sales and taxation for marijuana. Massachusetts voters showed they are ready to embrace a new approach, passing all 9 advisory questions with an overall 61% approval.

Lay offs at Biogen

2010-11-03T09:13:00.002-04:00

Biogen Idec will slash about 650 jobs as part of cost cutting moves announced in a regulatory filing today.

The biotech company, which moved over the summer to a gleaming new headquarters in Weston, said it will reduce its work force of about 5,000 by 13 percent. Biogen also will close its facilities in Waltham, Wellesley and San Diego.

This couldn't have come at a worse time.

The Blue Guy beats up on the Green guy...

2010-11-02T21:21:00.002-04:00

The D's have spoken.. collectively, to my surprise. And even more surprising, JR got 1219 who think his vision is the way to go. Some hear what they want... some are just deaf. Resistance is futile... they say. And now I believe it.

Time to get back to work.

Thank you all for your support and kind wishes. We live to fight another day in another way.

Candidate at Home - 12 Hours Before the Election

2010-11-01T11:22:00.002-04:00

Tune in to FPAC TV tonight at 7pm and spend an hour at home with me, talking about the election and the issues important to all of us as residents of Framingham. I hope you can tune in and get to know just a little bit more about me and what I stand for and what I think are the issues we need to work on to improve our quality of life, and that of our children and grandchildren.

Tomorrow is election day, and I ask for your support and your vote at the polls. Most importantly, I ask that you make your voice heard by showing up, voting, and being counted. That is what democracy is all about.

Alcohol the most dangerous drug

2010-11-01T11:11:00.003-04:00

The Lancet is a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal, one of the world's best known, oldest, and most respected general medical journals. In a story published today, they say the most dangerous drug to others, the one doing the most damage and costing us the most in medical expenses is not heroin, or cocaine....but alcohol. The author goes so far as to say that if alcohol were introduced to society now as a new substance, it would be banned.

Where have you heard this before? I have been stating this same theory publicly for a very long time now.

For a summary of the article, click on the following link.

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2810%2961462-6/fulltext

The last day of campaigning

2010-11-01T09:31:00.002-04:00

This web site will direct you to your voting location:

http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

With 60% projected voter turnout I can only hope the more the turn out, the better chances I have. It's been a tiring few months and with two decent debates and decent media coverage, my fate now rests in the hands of the voters.

Thank you all for taking an interest in this blog and the race here in Framingham.

Hey now... School choice is being considered

2010-10-29T10:25:00.002-04:00

From the MWD:

In search of ways to control costs, the school board took a first step toward reevaluating the district's school choice program Wednesday night.

School Committee Chairman Michael Bower said the board asked officials to develop a map showing how the district would look with a neighborhood school model. Officials were also instructed to find the cost and transportation patterns of the plan.

The report will help the board compare school choice and neighborhood school models.

Under the current school choice system, families have the option to send their children to any school in the district. In a neighborhood school plan, students would be assigned based on where they live.

Bower said both models have benefits and drawbacks.

The board is reexamining school choice after this month's special Town Meeting suggested it.

"Town Meeting was very clear they wanted us to put a price on the school choice system," he said.

my words:
I take back everything I thought of Mr. Bower.. he does listen and I think the one thing the school committee could do to cut costs is eliminate school choice. It's clear, some are using it to get just to get busing.

Once again, the legislature fails to protect children from internet predators

2010-10-28T11:18:00.002-04:00

From the Globe:

A federal judge blocked yesterday a new state Internet obscenity law meant to shield children from sexually explicit material, ruling that the statute was written so broadly that it would criminalize legitimate websites and general electronic communication.

The decision was celebrated by civil rights advocates, but it frustrated prosecutors who have encountered difficulty in convicting Internet predators under outdated laws that fail to cover new technologies.

“Due to this preliminary injunction, we are unable to enforce this much needed law,’’ said Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, whose office prosecuted the online predator case that led to yesterday’s ruling.

In that case, a Beverly man was convicted of sending sexually explicit instant messages to a deputy sheriff posing as a 13-year-old girl. But the convictions were overturned in February by the Supreme Judicial Court, which said Massachusetts law did not cover Internet communication and urged the Legislature to update the statute.

After lawmakers hastily passed new language, a coalition of booksellers and website publishers sued, arguing that the new law would hold criminally liable anyone who operates a website with nudity or sexual material, potentially including a vast range of subjects, from art to health information on pregnancy. They said the law failed to distinguish between open websites and obscene material sent knowingly to a child.

In granting a preliminary injunction against the law yesterday, US District Judge Rya W. Zobel said the plaintiffs demonstrated “without question’’ that the law violated the First Amendment by inhibiting free speech, which civil rights advocates called a clear victory.

If elected, I will consult with the ACLU before proposing any laws that stop free speech or any laws that will end up being challenged in Federal court. So many well intentioned, but carelessly thrown together, not thought out well, laws face constitutional challenge. Many of these half-assed laws do nothing to stop or prevent more problems and are nightmares to enforce. This makes at least three laws, Bulling, Texting and now the predator law that don't do anything to resolve the problem.

Another drug company pays big ( 750 million) for fraud.

2010-10-27T15:09:00.003-04:00

From the Globe:

Federal prosecutors in Boston yesterday said British drug giant GlaxoSmithKline PLC agreed to pay $750 million to settle civil and criminal charges that it made and sold adulterated drugs, including the antidepressant Paxil, to Medicaid and other government payers.

The settlement, one of the largest ever in a health care fraud case, burnished the reputation of the US attorney’s office in Boston as the premier federal office for investigating health care fraud. It has been responsible for recovering about $6 billion in health care fines and claims in the past decade, about 25 percent of all recoveries nationally.

I know some of you may get tired of reading these type of posts.... but give it 2 minutes to sink in. Some.. drug companies are doing more damage to society than anyone could imagine. And note the figure... the Boston office has recovered 6 BILLION dollars in health care fines in the past 10 years, which is 25% of ALL recoveries. I wonder how much lower health care costs would be if companies stop trying to game the system. This weakens my confidence in the FDA.

I stand by my opinion that there is at least 1/2 BILLION dollars in Massachusetts alone in medical fraud and medicare/medicaid fraud that should be stopped... as soon as possible.

SMOC lawsuit done, time to lick our wounds

2010-10-27T11:22:00.003-04:00

Whether or not my proposal to SMOC last month had anything to do with the settlement is unclear at this point and I will not look for any credit or acclaim. But we now can try to pick ourselves up from this dust up and move forward.

While the original perpetrators,(Town Meeting members who wanted to see what a drunk looks like) claim some sort of victory for the Town, I believe, they couldn't be any more wrong in their claim. As someone who has sued a Town and won over violating my free speech rights, I can tell you, since that happened 17 years ago now, I can go to any public place, park, etc, in this state and will not be denied access. The very same thing holds true for SMOC and others who want to set up shop.

This case is landmark and will be cited around the state and country for ever. Anyone who stands in the way will be mowed down in court, righfully so, discrimination is just that and is against the law.

Like most of us know, any time you file a claim on your insurance, your premiums go up... the larger the claim and the more often you file claims ... your premiums go up. The insurance company may well end up dropping Framingham over this or ask for huge increases. Keep in mind, this lawsuit is just one of four that are on going. You can bet, the recent actions by a few bad apples at the police department will add to our premiums when those cases come to trial.

When the zealots tried unsuccessfully to stop the Veterans shelter, I knew then the Town had gone to far. Whether you agree with me or not, the facts are clear, SMOC would not be here if our society didn't need their help and it's those who have served this country who rightfully deserve it. One out of three homeless people in this State are veterans and by all indications, recent veterans are having more trouble adjusting to civilian life and the rate of homelessness for them is outrageous considering returning veterans from Vietnam took 5 to 10 years before they ended up homeless. Today, many recent returning veterans are homeless within a year.

In the settlement agreement, some Town leaders will be required to take a class on how to be better human beings... could be a lengthy 4 year coarse for some.

As far as money goes, SMOC is in for for at least a million or so in legal fee's, we have spent 750,000 (thank you Cris Petrini and Associates) and it's clear, more litigation would have made each party cough up a another million or so. The biggest waste of money to come down the pike since I've lived here. TM should be ashamed.

One thing is also clear, the Dover Amendment will be something we have to spend some time at the legislative level resolving it's definition before more lawsuits are brought forward.

It's time to get past this, stop the outrage, anger, slander and hatred towards the disadvantaged in this Town. We must pull together, work out our differences, talk till were blue in the face with those who can reason, deduce and play fair. Spending time and money on defenseless arguments must make way for common sense and reason.

The last days of this election season

2010-10-21T14:05:00.002-04:00

For those of you who want to ask a question of the candidates this Monday night (at 7 to 8PM), please forward them to moderator John Xenakis at john@GenerationalDynamics.com, or call in that night 508 875 1846.

As many of you already know, the League of partisan voters has canceled their candidates night last week. No other group in Town has stepped forward to bring any voter attention to this race. The hapless, partisan Metro West Daily News, who usually does a candidates night long before the election has has all of a sudden arranged a candidates night for next Thursday evening at the main library from 7 to 8 pm.

If anyone who has followed this blog for the past two years and wants to support me as a candidate for State Rep, you have the opportunity to write a note to Rick Holmes at the Metro West Daily News. They will publish the letters in Sundays paper before the election. His mail address is 33 New York Ave, Framingham Ma 01701 or e mail at rholmes@cnc.com.

notable fines and no jail time

2010-10-21T13:53:00.002-04:00

In case you missed it, former CEO and two others from Country Wide have agreed to pay 67.5 million in fines to settle the civil fraud and insider trading case. The former CEO, Mr Mozilo 71,has agreed to a lifelong ban from serving as an officer or director in any public company. The criminal case still is still in progress, and as I see it, he along with a few others, like Madoff, will spend some time behind bars. We should adopt the very same policy for legislators who violate the voters trust here in Massachusetts.

CVS in Rhode Island was fined 57 million dollars for not keeping controls over products like sudafed whose components can be extracted to make crystal meth. The charges are for years 2001 and up. We would not have the amount of meth on the streets if the companies who sell and manufacture key components would just stop their greedy ways.

Busing revelations at Town Meeting

2010-10-21T12:09:00.002-04:00

I hope all of you who witnessed last night's TM were as surprised as we were to hear the SC Chairman say they didn't want the money, could return the money or spend it somewhere else. I went into last nights meeting thinking about the kids who had to make their own way to school and all the sacrifices parents had to make. But after hearing Mr. Bower speak, the choice was clear.

And if you noticed, school choice came up a few times from the floor. It's time for the SC to do a quick feasibility study, with their software program, to determine what if any savings could be seen if school choice were eliminated.

The victim comes forward... bad news for Perry

2010-10-21T11:59:00.002-04:00

From the Globe:
Breaking her long silence, a woman who was illegally strip-searched in 1991 by a Wareham police officer under the command of Jeffrey D. Perry, then a police sergeant, said that Perry was nearby during the assault, failed to stop it, and tried to cover it up after the fact.

The accusation against Perry, now a congressional candidate, was made Tuesday in a statement from Lisa Allen, who was 14 when she was assaulted near a Wareham cranberry bog.

“He had to hear me screaming and crying,’’ said Allen, who released the statement to the Globe through her lawyer. “Instead of helping me, Jeff Perry denied anything happened.’’

Scott Flanagan, the officer who conducted the strip search and a similar assault on a different girl in 1992, admitted to the crimes and was convicted in 1993 of civil rights violations and indecent assault of a child. But Perry initially said that he was in a position to see and hear everything that happened that night and that the assault never occurred.

Ever since Flanagan’s guilty plea, Perry, now a state representative from Sandwich and the Republican nominee in the 10th Congressional District, has faced questions about his role and statements in the case.

“Perry did not care about protecting teenaged girls in Wareham from police officer Flanagan,’’ Allen said. “Jeff Perry cared only about protecting police officer Flanagan.’’

Perry was not charged in either the 1991 or 1992 assault. He resigned from the Wareham police 17 days after Flanagan was indicted, but has said his leaving the force was unrelated to the strip-search cases.

My words:

It will be sickening to see this slime ball get elected to congress and even more sickening to know he returns to Beacon Hill if he is not elected to congress.

crime and the criminals, the DA's complain

2010-10-15T12:59:00.002-04:00

The government’s most comprehensive crime survey indicates that violent and property crimes continued to decrease last year even as the nation’s economy slumped, confirming an earlier FBI report.

The National Crime Victimization study, released yesterday by the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, showed violent and property crime last year reached the lowest level recorded in the survey, first published in 1973.

The survey estimated that violent crime dropped by 11.2 percent and property crimes 5.5 percent from 2008 levels. The survey interviews more than 135,000 US residents, so it captures not only crimes reported to the police, but also those that went unreported.

Last month, the FBI’s annual Uniform Crime Report showed a 5.3 percent drop in reports to police of violent crimes last year and a 4.6 percent decline in property crimes.

Professor Alfred Blumstein of Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School of Public Policy, a specialist on crime trends, said the data on crime victims bolster the FBI’s report, which seemed to buck historical trends of higher crime rates during periods of economic distress.

I got a letter from the States DA"s the other day and wondered what this was all about. The Globe tells the rest:

The Massachusetts District Attorneys Association sent a letter last week to candidates for state office, complaining that last year Massachusetts spent $92 million for district attorneys to prosecute close to 300,000 cases, and $168 million to finance public defenders in two-thirds of those cases.

“The system is broken,’’ Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said yesterday. “The funding for defending criminals is out of control, while the district attorneys are starving for dollars.’’

But defense attorneys strongly disagreed. Representatives of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, as well as the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, attended the event, with many defense lawyers sitting in the back of the room, arms folded, as the prosecutors talked.

“Your numbers are disingenuous,’’ said Rosemary C. Scapicchio, a Boston criminal defense attorney.

The defense lawyers argued that the boost in their funding occurred because court-appointed lawyers were at the time among the worst paid in the country. They also argued that the funding has helped to establish a good defense system for indigent people, making Massachusetts one of the best states at providing constitutionally protected legal counsel.

The defense lawyers also said the prosecutors’ numbers do not reflect the millions of dollars prosecutors receive in federal grants and from drug forfeitures, as well as contributions from investigative agencies such as local and State Police, state crime laboratories, and the state medical examiner’s office.

The district attorneys raised other arguments: Even with the boost in funding, the Committee for Public Counsel Services has routinely overspent its budget: Earlier this year, the Legislature approved an additional $33 million in funding because of budget overruns, according to the district attorneys.

The district attorneys argued that the system has encouraged some attorneys and court experts to depend on income from the state. In 2008 and 2009, for instance, the Public Counsel Committee paid more than $1 million to two psychologists who testify for indigent defendants in sexually dangerous person cases, according to the prosecutors.

The prosecutors also said the average assistant district attorney handles more than 400 cases a year, while the average criminal staff attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services handles about 100 cases.

The prosecutors’ group called for an equal distribution of funding to both prosecutors and public defenders, saying “the state’s budget priorities and values are out of synch with the public, and it is the public that is clearly paying as a consequence.’’

Please note... that the DA"s office, State and Local Police do NOT have to report their share of civil forfeitures proceeds, estimated to be in the multi millions. And, if the DA's would spend less time prosecuting low level drug possession, they'd have more time and money to prosecute real crime AND at the same time, freeing up public defenders to defend real criminals.

Our economy and the banks

2010-10-15T12:35:00.002-04:00

If you haven't heard, all 50 states now have stopped ALL foreclosure proceedings. It turns out that hundreds of thousands of foreclosures may have not been done right. This action by some the biggest banks could spell the end of a few if investigators discover it was done intentionally. The foreclosure crises is getting bigger, with 102,000 just last month and on target for over a million by years end.

In an insult to this country, Wall Street is on target to pay 144 BILLION dollars in compensation to it's employees for 2010, up from 132 BILLION in 2009. The best line in an article for the WSJ was a quote, Many firms say if they don't adequately compensate employees, they risk losing top talent".

A recent UMASS study suggests that our economy is doing better than most in this country, "the recovery is fragile and uneven", but recognizes there are still to many people who cannot find work. Three hundred thousand in this Sate are still unemployed.The State has added 60,000 new jobs in the last 6 months and cut the unploymernt rate by a point, but it's clear to me, we will have high unemplyment in this Sate for years to come.

And today, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave the clearest signal yet that the Fed is about to act to further spur the sluggish U.S. economy, stating that "there would appear...to be a case for further action."

The Fed chairman, in a speech in Boston Friday morning, said persistently high unemployment poses too great a threat to the economy, and that the central bank needs to weigh the risk of weak prices, rather than focus on its traditional concerns about inflation. He suggested the battle against inflation has largely been won by the Fed.

I say: Look for another stimulus program similar to the "New Deal", were billions are spent on infrastructure rebuilding roads and bridges. We can't just wait until things turn around, we must act.

Renewable energy projects... will make a differance

2010-10-15T10:55:00.002-04:00

All around us and in our back yard, millions will be spent on manufacturing and research and development. This week, Middleborough based Mass Tank Sales announced they will build and supply Cape Wind with the pilings that hold the turbines to the sea floor. They will partner with EEW Group from Germany, the worlds biggest manufactures of structural parts for wind turbines. They expect 100 jobs here in Mass and will begin marketing their products world wide. Siemans, the manufacture of Cape Wind turbines will also be opening an office in Boston... more jobs for Mass residents.

Google and a New York financial firm have announced they will invest heavily into a proposed 5 Billion dollar transmission line, 10 miles off the east coast and run from Virgina to New Jersey. This transmission line will enable wind turbine farms to cost less to build and operate, thus making electricity from their facilities, cheaper to the consumer. The construction is due to start in 2013 and will help navigate around permitting, which has been the reason many projects take years to approve.

This week UCONN has received a 1.8 million dollar grant from the DOE to build a bio refinery capable of making 200,000 gallons a year of bio diesel from hemp. This award signals the administrations willingness to incorporate hemp into the green energy program. And if our state can pass the Massachusetts Hemp Farm Bill, we would be able to supply UCONN with the necessary feedstock to make bio diesel. I will seek out grant opportunities for Massachusetts to build one in western mass.

On a not so brighter note, the Feds have given approval for blending more corn-based ethanol, from 10% now, to 15% for new cars. The new blend will be for cars and light duty trucks built after 2007. More testing is ongoing to see if the higher percentage ethanol can run in cars and trucks made from 2001 to 2006.

Not only does ethanol drive up the costs of food for humans and livestock, but now will obsolete many of our vehicles. Perhaps many of you will remember when un-leaded cars hit the market in 1974/75 and we were scrambling to find Getty stations for un-leaded gas.

Rescue of a miner with a happy ending

2010-10-12T23:17:00.004-04:00

The world was moved to tears when that first miner was pulled out. Over a half a mile straight down, in a small dark room, these miners are being plucked from the clutches of hell. What a sight it was to see the first miner come out the top of this steel pipe in the ground. I bring this matter to your attention because an Amercian company used Amercian technology to get to the miners in record time. Not only have lives been saved, but we helped save them.... Good for us, I say.

And for once, a happy ending for those rescued, the industry and the whole world....

Sinking to new lows... The League of Woman Voters

2010-10-08T13:59:00.002-04:00

Last month I e mailed the League of Women Voters and asked if the debate scheduled for the October 13th was going to be televised live from the Town Hall.

As far as I can remember, the League of Women Voters has always sponsored a candidates night. Now comes word they are canceling the event on the 13th. This is the type of dirty politics that has corrupted the voting public and is NOT what the League is all about. If it were not for the debate Stephany has arranged for the 25th of this month, hardly a voter in this Town would have ever been able to see the differences in the candidates.

The League should be ashamed of themselves in lite of thier mission.
"Serving the people of Framingham, Massachusetts"

"The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that provides voter education and encourages active participation of citizens in government".

e mail Co-Presidents Rosemary Weich and Andrea Haynes, http://framingham.ma.lwvnet.org/contact.html and tell them how disappointed you are in their very partisan decision.

Jim,

It's scheduled for town hall and (with some luck) they're always televised.

Good luck.
Rosemary

On Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 10:27 AM, Jim Pillsbury wrote:

Good Day,

Is the debate scheduled for October going to be televised Live from the Town Hall?
Thanks
jim

Yes.
Rosemary

Yes, basically very few members. I'm really disappointment.
See you at Temple Beth Am on the 24th I hope.
Rosemary

On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 12:40 PM, wrote:

Rosemary,

How unfortunate for the voters of Framingham, is there a reason?

Jim Pillsbury

On Oct 8, 2010, Rosemary Weich wrote:

Jim,
Sorry to report that the candidates' night for the 13th will not only not be televised, but has been canceled.
Rosemary

The long bus ride

2010-10-08T08:51:00.002-04:00

Last nights School Committee meeting regarding the busing issue was discussed and more questions seem to surface. The hour and a half bus ride for kids is just to much. About 700 students currently ineligible for transportation should be on buses by the end of the month, the superintendent told the School Committee last night.

But it was noted by transportation director Rick Gallagher that the problem is exasperated by kids being bused across Town. (my words.... because of school choice)

"I'm just worried about it," said board member Adam Blumer, who feared some parents who applied for bus passes wouldn't get them. "I'm tired of getting into another situation where we send out a mixed message."

Parents (who can afford it) are stuck between paying 270.00 or so each child or making other arrangements. I wonder what else could have been cut to keep the busing that way it was... and still have not had an answer from the school committee, on how much would be saved in costs if school choice were eliminated.

The plot thickens at the Cahill camp

2010-10-08T08:10:00.002-04:00

Just when you thought this election season was without controversy, Cahill has sued the 4 past members of his election team. The judge has barred them from using inside information. This litigation could shape the field and if it is discovered that the competition has something to do with this, Baker could end up the loser here.

The e mails don't lie and it appears that plans were in the making, by the defendants a while back to gather dirt on Cahill. More sleazy politics is not what this Sate needs..

Tax increase after election?

2010-10-05T16:59:00.001-04:00

Gov. Deval Patrick accused his Republican challengers of "a new low" Tuesday after one -- the Senate's GOP floor leader -- suggested that the administration had not fully explained the state's financial health and hinted that a postelection tax increase might be needed to close a budget shortfall.

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei, the running mate of Republican gubernatorial challenger Charles Baker, said earlier he would block action on a $420 million supplemental budget bill until Patrick explained to him and his fellow Senate Republicans if there were any other budget shortfalls on the horizon.

The supplemental funding comes from the federal government and must be spent before the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2011.

"I kind of feel like this whole exercise ... is putting our fingers in a dam that's about to burst, because we don't know all the facts," said Tisei.

The Wakefield senator, who would take over as lieutenant governor in January if he and Baker win on Nov. 2, then said, "Things are being swept under the rug until after the election. There's a lot of talk here already about a major tax increase after the election."

Asked who was taking about that, Tisei responded, "I've heard. There's talk around."

He then used a standard Baker campaign line, saying, "It's the only way out for people who refuse to reform and restructure state government."

Patrick complained about the accusation in a statement issued hours later.

"Republican electioneering on Beacon Hill has reached a new low," he said. "While we try to avert plans to close prisons and group homes for people with profound disabilities, Richard Tisei makes baseless insinuations about looming postelection tax increases. These charges are both ridiculous and irresponsible."

The governor added: "Tisei should not let his obsession with his political campaign interfere with the responsible discharge of the people's business."

The state is just three months into its new fiscal year, providing fodder for the supplemental budget debate.

When Patrick signed the spending plan into law, he pronounced it both balanced and on time. He has repeated that claim on the campaign trail.

Yet the budget included sharp service cuts because the state had yet to receive some federal Medicaid money at the time it was passed. Massachusetts subsequently received the funding, but it's using some of the $420 million to close shortfalls in other areas of the budget.

By some estimates, the budget remains $600 million out of balance for this year, and $2 billion out of balance for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

I'm taking bets on whether we see an tax increase or not.... any takers?

Five O can rake in the bucks

2010-10-05T16:54:00.002-04:00

93 officers on the state police payroll earned over $150,000 last year.

9 actually earned over $200,000, including 1 trooper (not a sergeant or Lt. or Captain, a trooper)

And they still get Quinn money.

I trust it's mostly detail pay and overtime, but one has to wonder how this happens in these troubled times.

Cahill's sinking ship.. is the end near?

2010-10-01T11:23:00.002-04:00

From the Herald:

Independent gubernatorial candidate Timothy Cahill, who has seen top aides defect from his campaign, is now losing his running mate.

Paul Loscocco today will announce he is dropping off the ticket and will endorse Charles Baker, the Republican candidate, The Boston Globe has learned.

Amy Birmingham, Cahill's spokeswoman, did not immediately return calls seeking comment on Loscocco's defection.

"I ran to have a spirited debate on the issues and to advocate for new ways to create jobs, lower taxes, protect personal freedoms, and fight for the principles of Ronald Reagan who inspired me to become a Republican as a young man,'' according to a Loscocco statement released this morning.

However, last week, John Weaver, a former chief operative for McCain, quit the Cahill campaign and endorsed Baker's candidacy.

The following day, Cahill campaign manager Adam Meldrum resigned from the campaign

More trouble for this Town

2010-10-01T11:12:00.002-04:00

From the Herald:
An on-duty Framingham police detective accused of pulling over to relieve himself in a private yard, then drawing his gun on the home’s resident, has been indicted on criminal charges, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office announced yesterday.

Detective Scott Brown, 38, of Mendon was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and making threats stemming from an April 29 incident taking place on private property in Framingham, said spokeswoman Cara O’Brien.

Prosecutors say Brown, who was on-duty but not in uniform and driving an unmarked vehicle, got out and began to urinate. A woman who lives at the unidentified address approached and asked what he and his partner were doing, O’Brien said.

After Brown allegedly told the woman to “stop looking” and returned to his cruiser, her husband - upon hearing the commotion - drove over in his golf cart and stopped next to Brown as he was pulling away, O’Brien said.

The two exchanged words, and Brown then got out and drew his firearm, pointed it at the victim, and said, “Move it or get shot,” prosecutors said.

The wife called 911. A video surveillance camera on the property captured the incident, O’Brien said. Messages left with Framingham police were not returned. Brown could not be reached for comment.

Questions that need to be answered: why hasn't this officer been charged with indecent exposure? why has it taken since April to charge the officer? Were his weapons taken away?

Law Enforcement and the DA's office can only cover up so much and if it were not for the episode being recorded on tape, perhaps they would have sweep this under the rug. But if convicted you can bet there will be a civil suit against the officer and the Town. One bad apple does not spoil the whole bunch, but there needs to be more scrutiny by administrators of all the officers for competency.

The offer to SMOC

2010-10-01T10:47:00.002-04:00

For those who have followed this quagmire our elected officials have gotten us into.. the short story is SMOC can continue it's lawsuit against the Town on discrimination charges, among others things. We have already spent 750,000 in legals fee's and there's no telling what the BOS have planned for the future. The fact that they even have a say in this is mind blowing. One way or the other, it seems very likely, a jury will find Framingham did indeed willfully engage in illegal activity and just as likely, this Town will suffer in reputation and monetary damages.

Herb Chasen has been working diligently to try to negotiate a deal, but at a meeting early this week with SMOC, it's painfully clear, the Town has nothing to offer. At the meeting, I asked Mr. Cuddy and Mr. Desiletes to ask the board of directors at SMOC one question: will SMOC drop the suite if all of those named in the suite who are elected officials, resign. Mr. Cuddy stated he will get back to me after the board meeting and if they say yes, I would propose asking the ALL the residents in this Town, should we continue to spend more money on leagl fees, possible fines and damage to our reputaion by continuing to defend our side, or ask those who got us in this trouble to resign, thus stopping the law suit?

I'm interested in knowing what our readers think of this idea and how you would vote.

The Master Plan and Nobscot blight

2010-10-01T08:09:00.002-04:00

Last night at Heritage Hall, Ken Buckland, a consultant with The Cecil Group, gave an overview of possible goals for the Northside's future. But it was very clear, the Nobscot Shopping center was the hot topic. The owner of that land has refused to do anything to lesson the eye soar, even turning down a proposal by the Nobscot Neighborhood group to paint the big sign in front. The abandoned gas station is part of the blight and as we heard, there is no forcing the owner into action. I did hear from Carol Spack, we as residents can demand from the selectman enforcement of rules that govern blight. The new master plan, which the Planning Board hopes to present to annual Town Meeting next spring, will replace one adopted in 1988.

Once again, it appears the residents need to be more vocal about the center. Write a letter, e mail or call and ask what is being done to make the shopping center, vibrant and attractive. Also, please tell them you would shop there if there were more stores.

Center Corp
600 Loring Ave. Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 741.4740
Fax: (978) 745.1223

Acquisitions
Mark Klaman, Principal
mark@centercorpretail.com
Office: (978) 741.4740

Andrew B. Rose, Principal
andy@centercorpretail.com
Office: (978) 741.4740

Property Management
Terri Desjardins
terri@centercorpretail.com
Office: (978) 741.4740

Time for Framingham to adopt Secure Communties

2010-09-28T10:38:00.003-04:00

From the Globe..Boston Police Chief Davis:

The goal of the controversial program, called Secure Communities, is to identify dangerous criminals and turn them over to the US Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for eventual deportation.

But Davis said his staff reviewed the list of people caught through the program over the past two years and determined that all of those turned over to immigration officials met the goal of removing gang members and other criminals from the streets.

“We’ve looked into each and every one of the cases, and we’re satisfied that the promise we made to the community still stands,’’ said Davis yesterday in his first interview on the matter. “We’ve made clear that if ICE begins to deport people who are simply being picked up for traffic violations and overstaying their visas, then we’re not going to participate in the program.’’

But others say it is crucial for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with one another to fight gangs, crime, and terrorism.

“I think it’s a really good idea,’’ said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, which favors stricter controls on immigration. “I can’t think of any good reason to be opposed to it.’’

Davis said that the Secure Communities program is different from Romney’s program, which sought to have state troopers actively enforce immigration law. He said Boston police do not seek out immigrants and only hand over those whom federal officials request.

Boston piloted the program starting in September 2006, two months before Davis became commissioner, as a way to ensure that they were properly identifying everyone who was taken into custody.

The fledgling program was publicized at that time as a pilot designed to catch suspects wanted for serious immigration violations.

Since then, anyone who is arrested, including native-born Americans, has been checked through criminal and immigration databases. Federal immigration officials are automatically notified if someone is wanted for immigration violations, and it is up to federal officials to pick them up.

In 2008, the pilot morphed into a national program called Secure Communities, which now exists in 617 jurisdictions across the United States.

The Obama administration hopes to take it nationwide by 2013. Boston is the only one enrolled in Massachusetts.

Bruce Chadbourne, director of ICE’s enforcement and removal operations in New England, said Secure Communities follows a national mandate for better coordination among all law enforcement officials.

“It’s basically a one-stop shopping process where you run one check and it’s run through all these databases and you get the information back so you know exactly who you’re dealing with,’’ he said.

Boston is “not expected to enforce immigration laws,’’ he said. “That’s our responsibility. We’re communicating, as all law enforcement — federal, state and local — should be doing. And if we don’t, shame on us.’’

Since the program began in 2008, Boston police have turned over 526 people to ICE, including 180 violent offenders, such as murderers; 77 other people who had committed a felony, such as property crime; and 23 with misdemeanor convictions, including minor drug offenses. Another 246 were arrested for immigration violations. By July 31, a total of 230 had been deported from the United States.

Framingham should strongly consider getting back to this program.

Cannabis Public Policy Questions on this years ballot.

2010-09-27T12:48:00.003-04:00

This year marks the 10th year that Public Policy Questions will be asked in certain districts. Tax and Regulate and Medical Marijuana will be seen by a large diverse group of voters in this State. And if you think no one cares or even see's whats going on, keep this in mind, The Teamsters have organized medical marijuana growers in Oakland California. (Wall Street Journal) About 40 employee's of a company have joined Teamsters Local 40. You know it's coming when the unions get involved.

Legalization Question I: Shall the state representative/senator from this district be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that would allow the state to regulate the taxation, cultivation, and sale of marijuana to adults?

FIRST MIDDLESEX AND NORFOLK SENATE - Question 4 in Newton, Brookline, except Precinct 5 where it will be Question 7 and Question 4 in Wellesley, precincts A and C to E, inclusive.
Incumbent CYNTHIA STONE CREEM faces no challenger in the November 2 election.

Seventh Essex - Question 4 in Salem. Incumbent JOHN D. KEENAN (D).

Eighth Essex - Question 4 in the two precincts in East Lynn, Marblehead and Swampscott.
Incumbent LORI A. EHRLICH (D) v. KATHERINE KOZITZA (R)

Third Middlesex - Question 4 in Bolton, Maynard and Stow; Question 5 in Hudson.
Incumbent KATE HOGAN (D) vs. CHUCK S. KUNIEWICH, JR. (I).

Thirteenth Norfolk - Question 4 in Dover, precincts 1 and 2 of Medfield and Needham.
DENISE C. GARLICK (D) vs. JOHN P. O'LEARY (R).

Legalization Question II: Shall the State Representative from this district be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that would allow the state to regulate and tax marijuana like alcohol?

Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket - Question 4 in Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Nantucket, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury and West Tisbury and Question 5 in Falmouth's precincts 1, 2, 5 and 6, and Gosnold.
Incumbent TIMOTHY R. MADDEN is running without opposition.

First Franklin - Questionn 4 in Belchetown's precincts A and D, Chesterfield, Conway, Deerfield, Goshen, Huntington, Leverett, Montague, New Salem, Pelham, Shutesbury, Wendell, Williamsburg, and Worthington; Question 5 in Sunderland and Whately.
Incumbent STEPHEN KULIK is running without opposition.

Third Hampshire - Question 4 in Amherst and Question 5 in Granby.
Incumbent ELLEN STORY will face Republican DANIEL M. SANDELL and unenrolled in any party DANIEL E. MELICK on November 2.

Thirteenth Middlesex - Question 5 in Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland.
Incumbent THOMAS P. CONNOLY is runing without opposition.

The above represents approximately seven and one- half (7.5%) percent of the residents of the state!

Medical Question I:
Shall the state representative from this district be intructed to vote in favor of legislation that would allow patients with their doctor's written recommendation, or such patient's registered caregiver, to possess and grow marijuana for the patient's medical use.
Second Plymouth - Question 5 in precincts 1, 2 and 3, of Bourne, Carver and Wareham.
Incumbent Susan Williams Gifford (R) vs. DAVID A. SMITH (D)

Third Plymouth - Question 4 in Cohasset and Question 5 in Hingham, Hull, and precinct 3 of Scituate. Incumbent Garrett Bradley (D) v. Carlton Alan Chambers (I) and Tim Finnerty (R).

Fifteenth Suffolk - Question 6 in Jamaica Plain/Mission Hill.
Incumbent Jeffrey Sanchez, chair of the Public Health Committee which is sitting on the medical bill is running unopposed on November 2 .

Medical Question II:

Shall the state representative from this district be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that that would allow patients with their doctor's written recommendation, to possess, grow, and purchase marijuana for medical use.

Second Bristol - Question 4 in Wds. 1,2,4,5,6, & Pct. A, Wd. 3 of Attleboro.
Incumbent Democrat BILL BOWLES faces Republican George T. Ross and unenrolled in any party JAMES S. CONNOLLY on November 2.

Fourteenth Bristol - Question 4 in Attleboro' precinct B of ward 3, Mansfield's precincts 2 and 5, North Attleborough and Norton's precinct 2.
Incumbent Republican ELIZABETH A. POIRIER is unopposed.

First Hampden - Question 4 in Holland, Sturbridge, Wales, Ware's precincts B and C, and Warren; Question 5 in Palmer.
Incumbent Republican TODD M. SMOLA is unopposed.

Ninth Norflok - Question 4 in Pcts. 3 & 4 of Medfield, Pct. 1 of Millis Norfolk, Plainville, Pct. 5 of Walpole and Wrentham.
Republican Daniel B. Winslow v. Democrat STANLEY J. NACEWICZ.

Thirteenth Worcester - Question 5 in Paxton and Worcester's Ward 1, precincts 1, 2, 3 and 4, all of ward 9, and precinct 3 of ward 10.
JOHN J. MAHONEY vs. Ronal C. Madnick (I), Bruce R. Card (I), and Paul J. Franco (R) in the General Election on November 2.

Eighteenth Worcester - Question 4 in Bellingham, Blackstone, Millville, and Pcts. 1, 2, & 4 of Uxbridge and Pcts. 1 & 2 of Sutton.
Incumbent Democrat JENNIFER M. CALLAHAN (D) faces Republican RYAN C. FATTMAN on November 2, 2010

Human Trafficking in Fraimgham?

2010-09-27T12:12:00.002-04:00

Adrian Walker from the Globe wrote a piece the other day, "Temptation's rough path" sept 25th. Evidently a city councilor sitting at the Back Bay MBTA was approached by a pimp, looking to recruit her. The pimp, named Coffee, promised not to beat her and she could make 5k a week. Shocking as that was to read, the city councilor asked a bunch of questions to this well dressed pimp. The most shocking statement he made to her was that he trolled Framingham, among other cities, for his workers. While this may not shock some in Town, it certainly gets my attention and while a bill to ban human trafficking has been stalled on Beacon Hill, dozens, maybe hundreds of young people are being asked to become slaves to a pimp.

Now that Craigs List has been shut down for prostitution, perhaps the Framingham Police department will set up real stings to catch real criminals dealing in human trafficking.They shouldn't need a ban to stop this kind of crime in Framingham.

Shame on those who have stood in the way of protecting our residents from predators.

Is it time for a part time Legislature?

2010-09-27T12:05:00.002-04:00

From the Herald:

The Massachusetts Legislature - one of only nine full-time bodies in the nation - is basically a part-time gig for more than half of the state’s 200 lawmakers, who hold down demanding, time-consuming jobs outside the State House, many as private attorneys and business owners.

The Bay State Legislature also shuts down for months at a time as lawmakers stump for re-election or higher office. Meanwhile, legislators take twice as long as their part-time counterparts in other states to do the people’s business, while sticking taxpayers with double the tab for travel, office redecoration and salaries, a Herald review found.

Vacations also are frequent and plentiful. In addition to all national holidays and the oft-ridiculed Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill holidays, lawmakers have the same vacation schedule as schoolchildren. That means weeklong breaks every February and April and empty halls during the summer after the state budget is complete.

“In effect the Legislature is already doing part-time work - the only difference is they are getting paid for the full 12 months,” said David Tuerk of the Beacon Hill Institute.

Among the lawmakers with busy outside interests:
# Senator/undertaker Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), who raked in $96,074 as a lawmaker and also pocketed more than $100,000 running R.J. Ross Funeral Home.
# Representative/theater owner Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), who earns up to $100,000 operating the independent Dedham Community Theater, on top of his $68,561 state salary;
# Representative/greasy-spoon operator Robert Fennell (D-Lynn), who raked in $68,561 as a lawmaker but also slings hash browns and pancakes as the owner of Capitol Diner in Lynn.
# Senator/defense attorney Steven Panagiotakos (D-Lowell), who earns $95,719 as Senate Ways and Means chairman, also takes in up to $100,000 a year running his own general law practice.
# Click here to view the payroll for the House of Representatives and State Senate.

Watchdogs say that more time spent in session doesn’t always mean better laws, and argue that Beacon Hill pols need tighter deadlines because they procrastinate until the last minute.

A classic example came this year when lawmakers scrambled to finish a bill legalizing casinos and slot parlors by July 31st - holding a rare formal session on a Saturday and working past midnight.

The casino bill never passed.

“The problem with a full-time Legislature is you have too much time. People operate on deadlines,” said Patrick E. Bauer, speaker of the House in Indiana, which holds sessions only four months a year.

Part-time legislators in Indiana cost their taxpayers only $24 million in salaries and operating expenses even though they craft a similar budget and serve about the same number of people. By comparison, Bay State taxpayers shelled out $51 million this year to pay for and maintain their full-time lawmakers.

The next time you hear one of the party loyalist say we need a full time legislature...know that we don't.

Another way to cut the State Budget

2010-09-20T10:55:00.002-04:00

Something I totally agree with and will make this part of my commitment to the voters of Framingham... dissolve county government.

From the Herald:
Bay State taxpayers are shelling out more than $80 million for antiquated shadow governments in five counties, with some fiefdoms so inefficient that the bureaucrats want to fire themselves.

“Why are we doing this?” said Anthony T. O’Brien, chairman of the Plymouth County Commissioners, in an interview with the Herald. “It’s inefficient, bureaucratic and wasteful.”

Eight county government bureaucracies - including Suffolk and the most populous, Middlesex - already have been dissolved, their functions taken over by the state. But five remain - Dukes, Plymouth, Bristol, Norfolk and Barnstable - and their budgets come in at $80 million combined.

The environmental police continue as a separate agency even as state police ranks have been reduced by 200 troopers and urban departments statewide struggle to keep up with rising crime.

Of the department’s 75 officers, six made more than $100,000 in 2009, topped by Lt. Michael Scibelli, son of late state Rep. Anthony Scibeli (D-Springfield), who raked in $115,000.

Many officers, records show, are regular political donors.

And while this old growth tree huger believes strongly in defending our environment from abuse, it's painfully clear, The Environmental Police agency is not worth it's budget. Incorporate them into the State Police and make them earn their pay.

Vets from 2001 to 2009 take notice

2010-09-20T10:52:00.002-04:00

If you know of any Veteran who served between Sept 2001 to Sept 2009, they are entitled to Stop Loss back pay. There's 185,000 vets who haven't taken advantage of pay that is owed to them. Please go to www.defense.gov/stoploss and register for the back pay.

Democray from the bottom up, McKenna challanges Coakley

2010-09-17T10:19:00.002-04:00

Secretary of State William F. Galvin confirmed yesterday that James P. McKenna, 49, a write-in candidate from Central Massachusetts received more than 10,000 votes in Tuesday’s primary, enabling him to qualify for a spot on the ballot in the general election. The Millbury lawyer is only the second politician since the 1970s to vault onto the ballot as a statewide write-in candidate.

Although the battle is a steep one for the political unknown, McKenna’s foray into the race seems to have upended Coakley’s political assumptions for a second time this year. When she was thought to be running unopposed, Coakley agreed to a participate in a public finance campaign that will cap her campaign spending at $625,000. This could leave her vulnerable to an onslaught of advertising if outside groups weigh in on her campaign, as they did in the US Senate race.

Give credit to Mr. McKenna for trying to compete and give voters a choice in Novemeber. Sticker campaigns do work and it's great to see the passion of a candidate who really wants the job.

king of patronage’’ in Western Mass has to testify

2010-09-17T10:13:00.002-04:00

From the Globe:

The state’s high court yesterday rejected a bid by state Representative Thomas M. Petrolati to avoid answering questions about his efforts to place friends, relatives, and political supporters in state probation jobs.

Just two days after hearing arguments, the Supreme Judicial Court denied Petrolati’s effort to block a subpoena from the independent counsel investigating allegedly corrupt hiring practices within the agency, ruling that his testimony is “plainly within the scope of the administrative inquiry ordered by this court.’’

Petrolati, the third-ranking member of the House of Representatives, must now appear before the independent counsel, Paul Ware, who said he will seek to schedule his testimony within three weeks. Petrolati must either answer Ware’s questions under oath or refuse by asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Petrolati’s wife, a former aide, the husband of a current aide, and more than 90 of his financial backers were hired or promoted while O’Brien headed the agency. Petrolati has refused requests for interviews, but in written responses denied having undue influence over the agency and said he recommends only people who are qualified.

Reason number 3 to vote out all who support this way of life on Beacon Hill.

Few voters say yes to Chris, no to Pam

2010-09-15T09:38:00.002-04:00

It took only 3500 or so voters to narrowly decide who will face me in the Nov election. Chris received 1883 votes and Pam received 1647... but a win is a win. I congratulate Chris on his victory, but the numbers do show a deep division in the Democratic party here in Framingham. Even with the huge union support Pam had, 31 unions contributed to her run, the more left in the party felt Pam was out of touch with the more middle ground D's.

At least now, an intelligent debate hopefully can happen between myself and Chris. And that's all I could have hoped for. Letting the voters decide whether sending another D to the dysfunctional State House whose party is mostly responsible for all the corruption, fraud, patronage and ineffectiveness or someone who will represent all the voters of Framingham in an open and honest way, demanding an ethical government that gets things done.

Since most voters are independent in Framingham now, perhaps the other 30,000 voters who didn't vote last night will see a clear difference between Chris and I and vote thier collective concience. Not since 2002, when I got 25% of the votes against Debbie Blummer, have the voters had a real choice in the election. Democracy from the bottom up.

Let the games begin.

No surprise, Discrimination case upheld by Judge

2010-09-10T08:46:00.002-04:00

From the Globe:

A federal judge yesterday refused to dismiss a discrimination lawsuit against Framingham officials, ruling there was enough evidence for a jury to find that the town unlawfully manipulated zoning laws and created delays in a bid to prevent a group home for recovering drug addicts and their families from relocating within the town and expanding.

In a sharply worded 100-page ruling, US District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock wrote that the evidence, if established at trial, may show that Framingham officials “through abusive communications and improper efforts to manipulate the municipal permitting process, unlawfully violated the detailed legal constraints fashioned to assure that prejudice within a community not impede access to housing and related programs for those suffering from recognized disabilities such as alcoholism and addiction.’’

He said there was evidence that selectmen, Planning Board and Town Meeting members, and the town may have violated the federal Fair Housing Act in their efforts to prevent the South Middlesex Opportunity Council, one of the area’s largest nonprofit antipoverty agencies, from expanding a residential treatment program, beginning in 2005.

He found that there was evidence the town may also have violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the federal Rehabilitation Act, and that five officials may have defamed the council and its clients.

He rejected the town’s claims that the case should be dismissed because officials were motivated by concern for the financial burden placed on the town by social service agencies and tax exempt institutions.

He ruled that the nonprofit agency is entitled to take the case to trial, however, he strongly urged both sides to try to resolve the case and avoid more costly litigation.

In its lawsuit, filed three years ago, the council claimed town officials and a handful of residents engaged in a coordinated effort to rid Framingham of its disabled population and described the agency’s clients online and elsewhere as “problem people,’’ “charity cases,’’ “human waste,’’ and “dregs of society.’’

But Woodlock said town officials would still be liable if a jury determines they intentionally discriminated against the council’s clients.

The suit said Framingham tried to pressure nonprofit groups, which are exempt from paying taxes, to donate money to the town under a program that was purported to be voluntary.

In his ruling, Woodlock said one Planning Board member, Susan Bernstein, made several requests to the council for payments to the town, even though such requests were impermissible as part of the site plan review.

“Her comments could have led [the council] to believe that it would have to abandon the Sage House relocation if it did not make payoffs to the town thereby constituting an interference with FHA-protected rights,’’ Woodlock wrote.

The judge dismissed all of the claims against Alexis Silver, the town’s human services coordinator, but ruled that the case will go forward against 11 officials, including selectmen Dennis Giombetti, A. Ginger Esty, and Jason A. Smith; Planning Board members Bernstein, Carol Spack, and Andrea Carr-Evans; former Planning Board member Ann Welles; and Town Meeting members Peter C.S. Adams, Steven Orr, and Cynthia Laurora; and former Town Meeting member Laurie Lee.

At very least, if this issue cannot be resolved and the Town is found guilty of discrimination, those who are named as defendants should resign their positions. SMOC certainly could substantiate damage and the penalties could be in the millions. This along with the other possible liabilities in health care costs could bankrupt the Town.

The only option left is a settlement deal between SMOC and the officials, but after all this, I wonder if it can happen. Framingham was absolutely wrong in their attempts at stopping SMOC from expanding. Like it or not...SMOC is here to stay.

Chris and Pam... and the quiz

2010-09-08T17:14:00.003-04:00

For those who care about such things, Rep Richardson and Chris Walsh answered partisan questions in front of a mostly partisan crowd last night at the library. To no one's surprise, every question asked was a great question, according to Pam and she did hold the party line in her answers. Chris did his best to respond and he does have differences and would make a good rep for this Town. A few in the crowd did shake their heads, to say no, to a few of Pam's answers and when she said Beacon Hill is a democracy, I almost threw up... it may be to her.. but it's democracy from the top down and not they way the founding fathers had intended. One 60 minute quiz is all the voters will get to see who they elect next Tuesday.

I asked Richardson in person last week to come on the show, this Monday night, with Chris. She said she'd get back to me. I have sent her 3 e mails since, all unopened. I decided today, it's fruitless to get her in front of a live audience.

When you hear her say, she does her job well and represents us all, keep this in mind. A bill that I authored and submitted to her last year, under the constitutional right of a citizens petition, I recently found out that she did NOT do her job in getting this bill to the committee, thus, no bill number was assigned... virtually killing it until next year. To Senator Spilka's credit, she did her job and introduced to bill on the senate floor and it was referred to the agriculture and economic development committee. And in a strange turn of events, I found out that Rep Sannacandro signed on to a bill (the very same time I had given the bill to Richardson) that would help kill my bill. He too has not even opened my e mail.

5th graders as class monitors? bussing and level funding

2010-09-03T15:41:00.003-04:00

From what I'm told, some 5th graders are being asked... or conned into being lunch room monitors for kindergartners at lunch time. The reason...budget cut backs I was told. Let's hope that there's no medical emergency, child choking or food allergy reaction for a 5th grader to help on, because I feel very sure, they would not know what to do.

From the front lines of the school yards, I'm told, kids are forced to walk in the streets because there are no places to park and drop your kids, parents are forced to park on the edge of the road, no sidewalks to walk on anyway, parents are parking a half a mile away to walk there kids to school and as I was told at a recent meeting, kids who are told to walk on the aqueduct are safe from arrest as the no trespassing signs up for years and years, were only meant for cars.... I'm sure some of you have driven on the aqueduct before. Not that many years ago, a local cop told me I can't walk on the aqueduct.

There's a group in Town, headed by Herb Chasen... Fram Save or Schools... the mission statement is a noble one, inform residents of the positive impact schools have on property vales and ask local officials to level fund future school budgets, find sources of addition revenue and cost savings. No one can argue the benefit of great schools and their effect on a Town or City. There is a on line petition one can sign and a few of us are collecting signatures for a hard copy or ask your local PTO person.

http://framsos.epetitions.net/

The Wilkerson fall out... think money in bra, the sag in confidence continues

2010-09-03T15:31:00.002-04:00

For our usual readers of this post, in 2008 when Senator Wilkerson was filmed stuffing a wad of green backs in her shirt, I wrote than that when the trial begins, more revelations will come out on a host of usual suspects.

From the Globe: A top executive of the developer behind the failed $800 million Columbus Center project in Boston was charged yesterday in federal court with illegally funneling $12,000 in campaign contributions to four Massachusetts congressmen.

Federal prosecutors said that Martin Raffol, 54, executive vice president of the residential arm of WinnCompanies, engaged in a scheme to conceal money the company donated in an attempt to win support from congressmen in a position to help its projects.

Raffol is accused of persuading WinnCompanies contractors to give donations to the congressmen and then secretly reimbursing those firms, which hid the true source of the money. Federal law prohibits companies from directly donating to political candidates. Raffol was also charged with witness tampering in allegedly telling one WinnCompanies vendor to lie to authorities if questioned.

Prosecutors did not charge WinnCompanies or any of its other executives. Prosecutors also said there was no evidence the congressmen knew of Raffol’s reimbursement scheme.

In addition to the $12,000 to the four congressman — Representatives Barney Frank of Newton, Stephen F. Lynch of South Boston, Michael E. Capuano of Somerville, and William D. Delahunt of Quincy — prosecutors said Raffol illegally directed more than $30,000 in contributions to candidates running for state and local offices in Massachusetts.

The charges against Raffol are related only to the contributions to federal officeholders.

The kicker in all this is.. .who are the Massachusetts elected officails who took the illegal money and why aren't we hearing about them?

Federal officials declined to identify the state and local politicians who received $30,000 in illegal contributions, but said it included candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, the Legislature, district attorney, mayor of Boston, and Boston City Council.

SJC... Cape Wind can blow onto the Cape

2010-09-03T15:26:00.002-04:00

From the Globe: In a divided decision, the States highest court ruled that Cape Wind can start this year by building this countries and States first wind farm. One more review by the Department of Public Utilities over the contract and just watch and see how many tradesman will be hired and the economic benefit that project will have for the Cape and Islands.

Tax evaders.... running for elected office

2010-09-03T15:12:00.003-04:00

Lt Governor Tim Murray, Sate Auditor candidate Guy Glodis and Governor candidate Tim Cahill have not paid required taxes on investment income earned on their campaign accounts. In response to the Globes inquiries, Cahill was good for 15,000.00, Glodis 2,568.00 and in Murray's case, he was delinquent in 2007 and 2008 and is trying to figure out how much he owes.

I wonder how many of our readers could skip paying taxes at all, or for a few years. The huge campaign war chests these party loyalists build over the years, reap big profit and in turn, is mostly taxed when used.

I wonder, if the Globe didn't pick up on this, would the evaders have to pay at all?

Framingham Schools gets a piece of "Race to the Top"

2010-08-26T10:10:00.002-04:00

In Massachusetts, 276 school districts and charter schools signed on to the state's application. Race to the Top, a $4.35 billion grant program created by the Obama administration last year, is funded through stimulus money.

The program serves as an incentive for states to enact education reforms, including the new federal Common Core curriculum, which Massachusetts adopted last month.

According to the state, schools who signed onto the state's Race to the Top application can expect to share half, or $125 million, of Massachusetts's allotment; the other half will be spent on the state level.

The schools' funding will be spread over four years, Considine said.

In the region, Framingham is scheduled to receive the most money - about $731,957, according to the state.

There are some details that still need to be reviewed by the schools, but you may start to see the end of some of the MCAS testing. It won't help the busing issue here in Framingham, but any money from the stimulus spent on education can only help our schools.

Framingham did NOT get any funding from the Education Jobs Fund approved by congress this month. Eleven schools districts got nothing, based on the formula used to determine the distribution of state education money.

Mass Jobs grow..... Criminal immigrants deported

2010-08-20T12:07:00.002-04:00

From the Globe: We in Mass are recovering from the recession better than most States. The Sate gained more than 13k jobs last month and in June it was 3k. Damm good news considering this month, 500,000 new claims for benefits were filed across the country. It still not easy to find that great job, especially if you are older or without training, but we must remain optimistic and hold on to the idea of better days coming for everyone.

The Illegal Immigrant folks will be happy to hear the feds kicked out of this country, 390,000 people in 2009. As of July this year, 290,000 have been deported. Interesting facts from the feds... Of the 128,000 criminal immigrants removed, 37k were deported for dangerous drugs, traffic violations 20k and entering the country illegally, immigrant smuggling and false claims to citizenship were at 19K.

It may not look it.. but the feds seem to be doing something about illegal immigration and going after the criminals.