Cheap Seat Revisited After The Election

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Steven Spataro said:
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Take out the nomination papers. Run and see if you get elected.

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How'd that work out for you, Steve?

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There is no word if Mr. Spataro is available for the starring role in Cheap seats - the musical

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In the aftermath of the disrespectful comments by 3 members of the Board of Selectmen: Steven Spataro, Marsha Brunelle, Patrick Rogers, I hand-delivered a letter to the Board requesting that they publicly apologize for their offensive comments.

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(Incidentally, Mrs. "Gavel Queen" Brunelle is incorrect about what the law says about meeting minutes.)

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Instead of an apology, Mr. Spataro, at Candidates' Night launched into another attack, labelling those who raised issues and asked questions as "Rabid Followers," whatever that means.

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How'd that work out for you, Steve?

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Voters appreciate all of the work Mr. Spataro did to elect Steve McKinnon to the Board. Thanks Mr. Spataro for all the work you did helping to change the tone of the Town and the tone of the Board!

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In the aftermath of the close elections, voters have expressed unsolicited comments to me about the conduct of the remaining incumbent members of the Board of Selectmen, in particular, our very own Gavel Queen, Marsha Brunelle seen in the video commenting about being Sick and Tired of This Crap, and Patrick Rogers referring to people of a certain caliber.

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Note to Patrick Rogers: Those PEOPLE OF A CERTAIN CALIBER? Might you be referring to voters?

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The arrogance of the 3 Selectmen in the Cheap Seats video defines how the few have run the Town and treated voters they were elected to represent. Apparently, they decided that they only represented those with whom they agreed.

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Voters seem to have decided that it's not the way it works.

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On a separate related note, it needs to be noted that Wayne Perkins, historically assured of re-election based on generous contracts he negotiated that put the Town in this hole (36% pay raises, anyone? A secretary making $86K a year?*), was elected as Town Moderator by a narrow margin, in spite of vigorous campaigning, against a relative newcomer. Mr. Perkins, unaccustomed to campaigning for re-election, was planning to run for Board of Selectmen next year. Think again, Wayne!

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Can anyone even imagine such a close contest for Town Moderator?

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It needs to be reiterated that Wayne Perkins, as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen thought nothing of ignoring those who stood at the microphone wanting to address the BOS.

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Wayne, we hope you will conduct yourself in a different fashion as Town Moderator. It is a position that can be subject to Recall. You wouldn't want that now, would you, Wayne?

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*Newcomer to the BOS, Mr. Rullo noted during his first BOS Meeting that the Fire Department has "Quinn Bill" benefits. That is, the state program that is partially reimbursed by the state for educational incentives for the Police Department ONLY that is known as the Quinn Bill, was negotiated by Wayne Perkins and extended to the Fire Department. Not to worry! It only costs you, the taxpayer $100K plus per year. Want to know why fire stations are closed?

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Kudos to Mr. Rullo for publicly asking the right questions! Please keep it up and explain to the viewing public what these little goodies mean and what they cost. That's how we got in this mess!

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Annual Town Reports are available in the Town Clerk's Office. They're worth owning and saving to review. They're worth reading and provide some interesting information if you take the time and want to know where your tax dollars go.

Middleboro Town Elections April 4th

nemasket very kindly posted the most recent Coffee Shop Talk during which View from the cheap seats was discussed. It would seem that the current Board of Selectmen is doing its best to campaign for change with their comments "cheap seats," "sick and tired of this crap," "people of a certain caliber."

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Candidate for Selectman Stephen McKinnon and candidate for Town Moderator - Ed Beaulieu were interviewed on CST.

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The Middleboro Gazette and the Middleboro Council on Aging will sponsor the Candidates' Forum on Thursday March 12 7 PM at the COA on Plymouth Street. Please plan to attend, bring some questions with you that you want answered.

RSN: Our Trojan Horse's Ass: Beware of Trumps Bearing Gifts

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FOCUS: Mort Rosenblum | Our Trojan Horse's Ass: Beware of Trumps Bearing Gifts 

Mort Rosenblum, Mort Unplugged 
Rosenblum writes: "A president-elect who communicates by one-way 140-character brain farts is assembling a cast of characters no one from Aeschylus to Orwell ever imagined. The dress circle and the cheap seats love it. The rest of us watch in stupefied silence." 
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Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!

Marsha, dear, sometimes the strangest things strike my funny bone!
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In the midst of well deserved congratulations to Steve McKinnon for now being in your midst, a voice of reason who, unlike the rest of the BOS, is accessible....and was quoted as saying --

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"In this town, we've been too focused on the casino. We need to look at the whole host of problems we face."

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And, OMG (Marsha, that means "Oh, My God!"), he won't make stupid comments like "Sick and Tired of This Crap"!

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He even has a widely circulated EMAIL address.

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Marsha, dear, his email address is not to be confused with BLOGS.

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In the midst of the congratulations on finally unseating the Cheap Seats Champ, the Boston Globe published an article about the election --

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At the height of the debate,

Selectwoman Marsha Brunelle

would bang her gavel down when

residents dissented.

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OMG!

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Marsha, dear, you are reported in the Boston Globe as being the Gavel Queen that rules with an iron fist!

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Nice job, Marsha!

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Middleboro 10/22 BOS Mtg. or THE RETURN OF THE GAVEL QUEEN

Middleboro: Shot In The Foot Again!

Bellicose Bumpkin posted a great podcast discussion of Carcieri v Salazar, casino gambling, local government and assorted issues with Rich Young.

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Good photo, BTW.

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As part of this Town, each of us might engage in a conversation about leadership, planning for the future and what is considered acceptable conduct by members of the Board of Selectmen.

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To me, the recent video clips of the BOS verbally assaulting a voter who merely raised a question, seems significant. Sick And Tired Of This Crap View from the cheap seats

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This is the article referred to in the podcast that refers to the poor deal the Mashpee Wampanoags signed with investors that requires money to be repaid should a casino not be constructed -- Tribe on the hook for loans from casino investors

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A discussion was included about the exclusion of the Route 44 upgrades and improvement from the state's stimulus funds, introduced on nemasket Some lamented the exclusion since it inhibits future growth and development in Middleboro.

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Middleboro seems to have shot itself in the foot yet again!
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Middleboro's Town Elections are April 7th. Voters might consider what is needed in Town Government and what we want in the future.

Much Ado About A Casino That Isn't Coming

As each town appointee and elected official is sworn in, they receive a copy of the Open Meeting Law for which they are required to sign with the Town Clerk who maintains a signature log.

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When a Middleboro Resident rose to call it to the attention of the Board of Selectmen that they failed to include any indication in the Meeting Minutes that they had approved for the previous meeting that they had discussed the gifts they had received, all hell seemed to break loose!

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The Open Meeting Law isn't creative writing to allow Marsha Brunelle to interpret as she chooses.

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Marsha, you need to go back and read the law and not depend on your sometimes foggy memory. You were incorrect in your comments. And Marsha, you may recall that you were wrong when you discussed the Fire Chief/Police Chief thing in Executive Session. You wrongly believed you only had to hold the vote in public. You violated the Open Meeting Law then and you misquoted it now.

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And Marsha, let's not get all huffy about having to hear about issues endlessly when you have more important things to do. I was the one who said during the last election that too much time was being spent on your casino obsession (that isn't coming!) and not enough attention was focused on the budget disaster that I foresaw 2 years ago that is now upon us.

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Steven Spataro, who is up for re-election in April, was irate at the accusation questioning his integrity, even though he had failed to inform himself of the Ethics statutes.

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The fact is that Mr. Spataro received gifts, participated in social events of a business partner of the Town. He hadn't even bothered to investigate the dollar limit of the statute. Mr. Spataro didn't return those gifts until he was told to do so.

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As a footnote, the Tribe was believed to be a 'business partner' of the Town, but Carcieri v Kempthorne has just dashed their hopes! There will be NO CASINO in Middleboro! The Dreams That You Dare To Dream...

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Marsha Brunelle, Middleboro's own Gavel Queen, indicated that she had reviewed the statute and the limit was $50, but was cumulative, seeming to indicate that it would include all the little incidentals, like maybe a few free meals that the Tribe has provided, and maybe some limo service, and maybe who knows what else since they are convinced they've done nothing wrong.

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Mrs. Duphily was assured by Town Counsel that there was no "Conflict of Interest."

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Mimi, Hon, did you think to ask Town Counsel if by accepting gifts and free meals you might be violating certain Ethics rules? Instead of wasting taxpayer money by asking Town Counsel each time you do questionable things, you can call the Ethics Commission yourself. They have attorneys on duty to answer your questions. Or better yet, you might consider reading the information that's posted on their web site first. This isn't to pick on you, dear, but we all know you are a single issue candidate who really has no interest in anything other than the casino that we know isn't coming now! Did you think to ask Town Counsel about the conversation you had with Stephen Graham who appears about to be indicted?

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Give SCOTUS some hugs and kisses from Middleboro and the surrounding Towns for that decision!!!!!

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When residents of the Town ask questions and raise issues, even though as Steve Spataro would say they sit in the CHEAP SEATS, they deserve to be treated with respect and not irrational outbursts of Mr. Spataro's often seen temper.

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Mr. Spataro habitually arrived to BOS meetings late, until I sent a letter of protest to the BOS and to Mr. Spataro's home address (you may recall that he has a non-published phone number so he can't be bothered by voters, the press). Chairwoman Marsha Brunelle would waste everyone else's time recapping the meeting that Mr. Spataro had missed. It was rude, inconsiderate and not consistent with the BIG LEAGUES Mr. Spataro for bizarre reasons feels he is part of. Mr. Spataro has eaten his supper at meetings. Mr. Spataro has spent meetings text messaging.

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Give me a break! It's time to use your vote wisely in April and replace Mr. Spataro. If he had to be told to return gifts he received, he shouldn't be on the Board. And if he verbally attacked a voter for calling an error to his attention, the man's got an anger problem.

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When Pat Rogers feels the need to attack a voter with his 'your caliber' comment, Pat, you need an attitude re-adjustment!

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3 Members of Middleboro's Board of Selectmen conducted themselves in an unethical manner. They accepted gifts. They attended social functions. 2 of those members had private conversation with Stephen Graham regarding the conduct of Town business.

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This needs to stop and the Board needs to recognize their illegal conduct! Or let's replace them beginning in April.

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Middleboro deserves better!
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There will be NO CASINO IN MIDDLEBORO!!!!!

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!

Now, let's change the Board of Selectmen one at a time and elect qualified and competent candidates.

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Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #1
Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #2
Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #3
Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #4
Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #5
Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #6
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As a footnote, anyone who didn't see this mess of pending indictments coming was pretty dumb. Check out Abramoff.

Sick And Tired Of This Crap

Fellow blogger, Bellicose Bumpkin has kindly posted the Middleboro Board of Selectmen's Meeting View from the cheap seats

Mrs. Brunelle has yet failed to indicate gifts she received, but at least she revealed the Ethics Statute cumulative limit of $50.

For any desiring to wade through the pertinent statutes to which Mr. Solimini referred --

Open Meeting Law

Chapter 39: Section 23A. Definitions

Chapter 39: Section 23B. Open meetings of governmental bodies

Chapter 39: Section 23C. Regulation of participation by public in open meetings Secretary of State Public Records Division
Public Records Law M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 5A.

PART I. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE X. PUBLIC RECORDS

CHAPTER 66. PUBLIC RECORDS
Chapter 66: Section 5A. Records of meetings of boards and commissions; contents
Section 5A. The records, required to be kept by sections eleven A of chapter thirty A, nine F of chapter thirty-four and twenty-three B of chapter thirty-nine, shall report the names of all members of such boards and commissions present, the subjects acted upon, and shall record exactly the votes and other official actions taken by such boards and commissions; but unless otherwise required by the governor in the case of state boards, commissions and districts, or by the county commissioners in the case of county boards and commissions, or the governing body thereof in the case of a district, or by ordinance or by-law of the city or town, in the case of municipal boards, such records need not include a verbatim record of discussions at such meetings.

History of the issue --Did you see....?

Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #1

Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #2
Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #3

Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #4

Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #5
Middleboro BOS: Misplaced Indignation #6

Middleboro Town Elections 4-4-09 Candidates' Night

Largest crowd at Candidates' Night that has ever been seen!
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Many new faces. Many great questions!
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There were still plenty of Cheap Seats available for those who missed it to consider attending next year.
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On the ballot --
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Selectman 3 year term:
Steven P. Spataro
Stephen James McKinnon
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Selectman 1 year term (to fill the unexpired term of Adam Bond):
Alfred P. Rullo, Jr.
Gregory S. Stevens
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G&E Commissioner 3 year term:
Donald Richard Triner
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School Committee 3 year term:
Roger Haber
Jeannie Martin
Gregory Thomas
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Board of Assessors 3 year term:
Paula Burdick
Charles Barry Shea
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Town Moderator 3 year term:
Wayne C. Perkins
Edward J. Beaulieu, Jr.
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Finance Committee 3 year term:
Glenn S. MacPherson
Anastas Velantzas
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Planning Board 5 year term:
William B. Garceau
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Park Commissioner 3 year term:
David K. Thomas
Garrett D. Perry
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Park Commissioner 2 year term:
Glenn W. Lydon
Lois K. MacPherson
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Housing Authority 5 year term:
Arlene Dickens
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The schedule for broadcast by ComCast should be posted tomorrow. Keep an eye out because it's worth viewing to make an informed decision.

Middleboro Board of Clowns

When the presence of ghosts in the Middleboro Town Hall was discussed, our very own Gavel Queen, Marsha Brunelle, recognized far and wide for stifling debate and squashing the democratic process, and currently for re-writing history, said --

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“I don’t want the ghost to go away,” Brunelle said, after Ventosi suggested the building be cleansed. She’s admitted she found the whole adventure fascinating, but other people are more skeptical.
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Middleboro's newly elected Town Moderator, veteran politician who was elected by the wide margin of .... was it 50 votes, Wayne? said ..

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“I’m still not a believer, but I’m intrigued....”

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That's the same Wayne Perkins who said that Towns in CT with casinos, don't pay taxes and who believed that the 36% pay raises he negotiated guaranteed him re-election. And we can't wait for him to ignore voters waiting at the podium, much as he did when he was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. You might have noticed if you were paying attention to those little details.
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It's been established that Cheap Seats pretty accurately represents the Middleboro Board of Clowns, but in case you were wondering about the Annual Town Meeting ???? Maybe you were wondering because first it was going to be June whatever, but our new super duper Town Moderator, Wayne Perkins was going on vacation and unavailable, so it was changed to June Whatever. And now, it's going to be Tuesday, May 26.

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Well, if you think you're confused, don't count on looking for the information on the PTWS previously located here -- Town of Middleborough -- it comes up that the link is broken.

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You can find both the Special Town Meeting Warrant and the Annual Town Meeting Warrant here --- Town of Middleborough.org. (This is a site maintained by a private citizen.)

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So, if you missed a BOC Meeting and wanted to review the meeting minutes? Don't!

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If you wanted to review the Executive Sessions that Town Manager Cristello opined could be released annually? Don't!

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If you wanted to see who your elected officials were? Pay a bill? Review the Vision Appraisal information? Review the BOS Agenda for their next meeting?

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Just don't bother!

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The Board of Clowns finally sets yet another date for Town Meeting even though the Warrants have been available since March, but don't look for details!

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When the Board of Clowns can't set a date for Town Meeting or even decide if they really need rules, don't wonder why there's no quorum!

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And don't look for things to improve!

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It's Same Old! Same Old! Until we elect a whole new competent Board of Selectmen!

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Look around you. No other Town operates like this.

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Note to Charter Committee: This needs to be changed!

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Is it something in the water?

Cost of Cable Worth It!

The cost of cable was worth it this week just to watch the BOS meeting of Monday, June 22, 2009!

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Brian Giovanoni stands up and extols the great success of the Town Hall Lawn Concert last year, the high attendance, the money raised for the Park Department and the Animal Shelter, blah, blah, blah....posters will be up around town.

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We attended all except I believe one lawn concert last year.

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At no time did I see Brian Giovanoni, Mimi Duphily, Willy Duphily, Helen Belmont, Diane Bassett, or any other member of Middleboro Friends. Steve Spataro lives on School St., was Selectman at the time (before he lost re-election) was our "Big Leagues" Selectman who coined the "Cheap Seats" phrase, just around the corner and couldn't be bothered to attend. Marsha Brunelle lives on Bourne St., within walking distance and couldn't be bothered to attend.

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Jean Spaulding, the Health Agent, to her credit, along with a small number of dedicated volunteers organized and cleaned up after the concerts and did the heavy lifting. They arranged for raffle prizes from local businesses, brought the food, tables, supplies.

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Brian, where were you? When I missed that single concert, was that when you swooped in to help out?

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There were a number of people who did attend, including Adam Bond, his wife, Victoria and their lively daughter, Bill Marzelli and his wonderful wife, Patty.

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And if you're going to stand up and pitch for solitary events because you know someone who's involved, how about putting together a list of events that benefit the Town? I don't recall seeing you at the Christmas Wishes' yard sale that was held on Saturday. Did I miss you?

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Christmas Wishes is an organization of hard working residents who ensure that families in need in Middleboro and Lakeville have Christmas presents and Christmas dinner. The money is raised locally and stays local.

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There are numerous other organizations that quietly go about their fundraising that are being ignored by you, Brian.

.

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Worth a few laughs or stomach churns was the Part Time Town Accountant who made a mistake that just happened to be almost $600,000.

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This is the comment a faithful reader sent:

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What is more important is how much of a raise did our blundering accountant get? Was it 10%?

Does he work only 4 days a weel? And he gets mileage to drive to work?

Yet, he made a $592K mistake. Oops? I'm not happt with this performance and would cut his pay.

.

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Maybe next time, the Board of Selectmen who don't seem capable of balancing their own checkbooks (with the exception of the 2 new members) will allow others with greater expertise to interview candidates. What happened with the last accountant? It cost how much to settle? And this one only works 4 days a week? Remember who appointed him!

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Middleboro Town Accountant's Contract

Town Accountant

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The SEMASS contract.....insert Big Sigh!

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The original contract has years to run, but SEMASS is pushing to re-negotiate. The meeting is worth watching.

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The newbie, Steve McKinnon questioned the contents of the original contract that's currently in force and not provided to the Selectmen.

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Good point!

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Where is it? Who negotiated it? Jack Healey you say? Ya wanna look at what Jack did in Southbridge?

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Voters just might like to review the contract. Is it on the PTWS (Pathetic Town Web Site)?

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Newbie Al Rullo indicated that he had picked up a copy from the Town Clerk to review.

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Wouldn't it be worthwhile if voters who paid these bills had as much information as you have available?
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Please keep in mind that if voters request that information, they have to pay for it.
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Isn't this what is needed for transparency?

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That must mean that the 2 other Board Members present, Muriel Duphily and Marsha Brunelle, our very own Gavel Queen, were fully familiar with the current contract.

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Right?

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We all know that Marsha remembers everything. Maybe she doesn't remember it accurately, but she at least remembers it.

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Mrs. Duphily?

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Some may remember that Mrs. Duphily is a single issue candidate for the casino that isn't coming who is ethically challenged and couldn't figure out that because her husband is a call fireman, she shouldn't participate in 'all things fire dept.,' is really a wonderful person who has been very active in town and she's extraordinarily talented. But worry her head about details of her office? Phewt! She clearly has more important things to do rather than bother with the responsibilities of being Selectman, like.....Town Groundskeeper, a position suggested by "Smoking Owl."

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Note to Charter Commission: Please add position of "Town Groundskeeper" to Charter changes.

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There was really more to the meeting that made it worth the cost of cable, but time is limited. Take the time to watch and you might formulate a few questions of your own.

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Are you beginning to understand why it makes sense to elect competent people to serve on the BOS?

RSN: Daniel Ellsberg: US Will Repeat Old Mistakes and It's 'Not Going to Eliminate ISIS' , The Violent Remaking of Appalachia, Ten Senate Seats Most Likely to Flip in 2016 Elections

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Daniel Ellsberg: US Will Repeat Old Mistakes and It's 'Not Going to Eliminate ISIS' 
 
MintPress News 
Excerpt: "Ellsberg believes the Pentagon is pressuring the White House to commit to putting boots on the ground to fight Daesh. Unlike the Vietnam War era, when the pressure was merely internal, Ellsberg noted the military now openly opposes Obama in the media." 
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Multiple Explosions Rock Brussels Airport and Subway, Killing 26 
Lorne Cook and John-Thor Dahlburg, Associated Press 
Excerpt: "Explosions, at least one likely caused by a suicide bomber, rocked the Brussels airport and subway system Tuesday, prompting a lockdown of the Belgian capital and heightened security across Europe." 
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Apple Gets Short-Term Win, but New Mysterious FBI Unlocking Method Looms 
Cyrus Farivar, Ars Technica 
Farivar writes: "Less than 24 hours before a highly anticipated Tuesday court session where prosecutors and Apple lawyers would have squared off here in federal court, government attorneys suddenly got a judge to vacate that hearing... Federal authorities cited a newly discovered 'unlocking method' that it hopes won't require Apple's help." 
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Warren Steps Into 2016 Fray, Attacks 'Loser' Donald Trump 
Peter Schroeder, The Hill 
Schroeder writes: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is stepping into the ring against Donald Trump, labeling the Republican presidential contender a 'loser' who plays on 'cheap racism' for votes. The aggressive broadsides, delivered Monday via Twitter, marked a new level of involvement in the 2016 race for Warren, a liberal hero who rejected efforts to draft her into the contest last year." 
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Greenwald, Fishman and Miranda | Brazil Is Engulfed by Ruling Class Corruption - and a Dangerous Subversion of Democracy 
Glenn Greenwald, Andrew Fishman and David Miranda, The Intercept 
Excerpt: "In reporting on Brazil, Western media outlets have most prominently focused on the increasingly large street protests demanding the impeachment of Rousseff. They have typically depicted those protests in idealized, cartoon terms of adoration: as an inspiring, mass populist uprising against a corrupt regime. ... That narrative is, at best, a radical oversimplification of what is happening and, more often, crass propaganda designed to undermine a left-wing party long disliked by U.S. foreign policy elites." 
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Ten Senate Seats Most Likely to Flip in 2016 Elections 
Lisa Hagen, The Hill 
Hagen writes: "Democrats' chances to regain control of the Senate are looking brighter as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump take shape as the presumptive nominees of their parties." 
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The Violent Remaking of Appalachia 
Jedediah Purdy, The Atlantic 
Purdy writes: "Coal is an inexpensive source of energy, economically speaking, and a costly one in ecological terms. Its carbon emissions are the highest of any energy source. In 2012, coal accounted for 25 percent of American greenhouse gas emissions and 44 percent of global carbon emissions." 
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RSN: Marc Ash | Will Sanders and Warren Defeat Each Other?

11 June 19

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While we have made some progress on the June funding drive in the past 48 hours, we are still well short of our goal. If everyone pulls together, we can finish quickly. If you have not donated recently, please throw something in the hat.

In peace and solidarity,

Marc Ash
Founder, Reader Supported News

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11 June 19

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FOLKS, WE - REALLY - NEED SOME PROGRESS ON DONATIONS - We are looking at really poor fundraising returns. Some of you are going to be offended, but we have to improve on this situation. We need you to help. The time is now to get it done. With urgency. / Marc Ash, Founder Reader Supported News

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RSN: Marc Ash | Will Sanders and Warren Defeat Each Other? 

Marc Ash, Reader Supported News
Ash writes: "Twenty-plus candidates are officially running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, but the policy is being defined by the senators from Vermont and Massachusetts."
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Virginia Primaries Closely Watched Today for National Trend
Alan Suderman, Associated Press
Suderman writes: "All 140 legislative seats are up for grabs, and Virginia is the only state whose legislature has a reasonable chance of flipping partisan control."
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Jeff Bezos's Corporate Takeover of Our Lives
David Dayen, In These Times
Dayen writes: "Whether you share concerns about Amazon's economic and political power or you just like getting free shipping on cheap toilet paper, you should at least know the implications of living in Amazon's world - so you can assess whether it's the world you want, and how it could be different."
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Nadler Says DOJ Agrees to Turn Over Mueller Evidence, Postpones Contempt Moves Against Barr
Katherine Faulders, ABC News
Faulders writes: "The Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, said on Monday he has reached a deal with the Department of Justice on turning over evidence from special counsel Robert Mueller related to the investigation into what could be obstruction of justice by President Donald Trump."
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Alabama Becomes Seventh State to Approve Castration for Some Sex Offenses
Alex Johnson, NBC News
Johnson writes: "Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday signed into law a measure requiring anyone convicted of sex crimes with children younger than 13 to be chemically castrated as a condition of parole."
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Politics, Lack of Evidence Behind Lula Trial: Intercept Expose
teleSUR
Excerpt: "The documents were released in a three-part series where according to The Intercept, it is proven, based on leaked documents and Telegram messages between prosecutors and Moro that Lula was politically tried without real evidence."
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Canada to Announce Ban on Single Use Plastics
Jordan Davidson, EcoWatch
Davidson writes: "Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will announce a plan to ban single use plastics by 2021 at a press conference in Montreal Monday."
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CounterCurrents: Valuing Human Life In The UK

Valuing Human Life In The UK

by Dr Arshad M Khan — June 17, 2017

Arnold Turling is a very angry and unhappy man — vindicated but at what cost. Three years ago, he advised the All Party Parliamentary Rescue Group that cheap flammable insulation filler inside the new waterproof cladding and lack of a sprinkler system made buildings like Grenfell Tower a disaster waiting to happen. Mr. Turling is a Chartered Surveyor as well as a fire expert and member of the Association of Specialist Fire Protection. He adds the building would not have burned down in its original concrete form.

The reason is straight forward: The gap between the cladding and concrete serves as a chimney which becomes more efficient as the insulation catches fire. For this reason that particular type of plastic core called PE is banned in the U.S., “because of the fire and smoke spread,” for buildings higher than 40 feet. So said a spokesman for the U.S. manufacturer Reynobond. The PE version he added is used for small commercial buildings and gas stations. In the UK, the fire resistant panels cost 24 pounds ($31) per square meter, the cheaper ones are two pounds ($2.56) less. The regulations allowing the latter were introduced in 1986 during the Margaret Thatcher era, when they relaxed the prior more strict code.

If the previous iron lady is still wreaking havoc from the grave, the new one did not endear herself to the bereaved by avoiding them when she visited the area — she met only with emergency services. Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, on the other hand, hugged and was hugged as he called for requisitioning the empty housing belonging to the rich to accommodate the people who had lost everything in the fire.

The borough of Kensington and Chelsea is enormously rich. Council estates, as public housing is called in London, occupy a fringe of it and offer affordable places to live in a city where real estate has experienced an astronomical rise.

Theresa May has promised an independent public inquiry. Not much use now to the dead and their relatives though could help others in the future perhaps through a reversion to the tighter codes. The residents complained about the lack of fire safety for many years, including faulty wiring, to no avail. Is there a lesson in all this for our own deregulator-in-chief, or will he too become an eventual grim reaper?

Prime Minister May has other problems more serious for her government as they threaten to cut short its existence. Her alliance with the Northern Ireland DUP is at risk. Gerry Adams the Catholic Sinn Fein leader has protested it violates the power sharing Good Friday agreement where London was to be the neutral arbiter. Thus most people assumed the deal with the DUP was informal. Now it seems someone is holding out for a formal alliance. Strong voices can be heard calling it a sordid deal that could destroy 20 years of work in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Gerry Adams says his party will refuse to take their seats in the new parliament if it goes through. Ms. May gives the impression of being busily ahead of a Rube Goldberg contraption tumbling down behind her.

The question one is left with after the fire is simple if uncomfortable: What is a human life worth in the 21st century? And the answer now is apparent. It depends on where, how wealthy, and to whom you were born. Not much has changed in that regard.
Dr Arshad M Khan (http://ofthisandthat.org/index.html) is a former Professor based in the U.S. whose comments over several decades have appeared in a wide-ranging array of print and internet media. His work has been quoted in the U.S. Congress and published in the Congressional Record.

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/17/valuing-human-life-in-the-uk/

America the Banana Republic

This was written in 2008 defining how flawed fiscal policies and the sale of our Democracy would define America of the future:


America the Banana Republic
The ongoing financial meltdown is just the latest example of a disturbing trend that, to this adoptive American, threatens to put the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave on a par with Zimbabwe, Venezuela, and Equatorial Guinea.
by Christopher Hitchens

Below is an assortment of articles that define how willingly we surrendered and followed, supporting policies that created a future of nothing more than a declining nation, unable and unwilling to provide a 'safety net' to care for its citizens:

Deep Political Divide in this Country of Course When Republicans follow Grover Norquist Who calls “Bipartisanship is another name for date rape” and describe Democrats as Animals


No Ideal Republican/Tea Party, Bought and Paid for By the Libertarian Party, Could Care Less About A Compromise


Grover Norquist Power Extends Beyond Americans For Tax Reform, A Brief look at Who is Really Running Your State Legislature and Training Private Companies To Get What they Want

Secretive Corporate-Legislative ALEC Meets to Rewrite State Laws

How ALEC Turned Prisoners into Corporate America's Cheap Labor Force


Downgrading the US
Standard & Poor's downgrade of America's debt couldn't come at a worse time. The result is likely to be higher borrowing costs for the government at all levels, and higher interest on your variable-rate mortgage, your auto loan, your credit card loans, and every other penny you borrow.


Tent City in New Jersey Forest


By Daily Mail UK


The Tent City of New Jersey: Desperate victims of the economic slump forced to live in makeshift homes in forest.


In scenes reminiscent of the Great Depression these are the ramshackle homes of the desperate and destitute US families who have set up their own 'Tent City' only an hour from Manhattan.

More than 50 homeless people have joined the community within New Jersey's forests as the economic crisis has wrecked their American dream.

And as politicians in Washington trade blows over their country's £8.8 trillion debt, the prospect of more souls joining this rag tag group grows by the day.

Building their own tarpaulin tents, Native American teepees and makeshift balsa wood homes, every one of the Tent City residents has lost their job.

These people have been reduced to living on handouts from the local church and friendly restaurants and the community is a sad look at troubles caused as the world's most powerful country struggles with its finances.

'We have been in and out of the camp for a year,' said ex-hotel worker Burt Haut, 43, who lives with his wife, ex-teacher Barbara, 48 in a tent styled like a teepee from the Old West.

'Our financial difficulties since the credit crisis three years ago have caused us to camp on public ground, at the back of churches and down the backs of closed down stores.

'We have had help from our friends and family, but we have run that well dry.

'We are trying to get back on our feet and with help from the camp leadership we hope to get back onto a social security scheme or help with some assisted housing.'

Ravaged by the loss of their jobs and their homes, the residents of Tent City struggle to get by without day-to-day luxuries that we take for granted such as food on the table and a roof over their heads.

Ex-minister Steve Brigham, 50, runs Tent City, which consists of a dirt road running through a two-acre encampment which has flowerpots laid out front of proud tents and homes.

Functioning as near to a normal town as possible, Tent City is governed by democratic rules agreed by all the residents.

They all must agree to no fighting, to clean the camp, to volunteer their time when they have it, and to most importantly keep the noise down after 10pm.

The camp is currently involved in a legal battle with local Ocean County authorities which wants to remove the camp and the case has gone all the way to New Jersey Superior Court.

Steve and the community of Tent City want Ocean County to provide a purpose built shelter for the homeless and are working with a local lawyer working who works for free.

'This is a place to recover, to dry out, to get back on your feet to help to re-enter the world,' said minister Steve who was ordained eight years ago but has given up all his possessions to live in poverty with the growing community in Tent City.

'We have a petrol-powered generator that heats up the water for the shower and lets us wash up dishes after donated meals.

'We have pet chickens which are not for eggs, they are to eat the ticks that could make us feel very ill with Lyme disease or a blood infection.

'It is a racially diverse community with Mexicans, Polish, Irish, African American and white people.

'There are eight women living here too, which was a problem in the past, but has now made the camp more calm by their presence.

'The struggle for every day existence here makes us realise how lucky we are when we have our homes and our lives all in front of us with our televisions and microwave meals.'

Even though the camp has relied heavily on the ingenuity of Steve and his able helpers, keeping hope alive in Tent City is his toughest task.

'We have a working chapel here that is built out of recovered wood and a tarpaulin roof,' explained Steve.

'In summer we perform the service outside in a circle laid out with chopped tree bases as seats.

'It is not a requirement to come to a service, but spirituality and hope can help these people who have hit their darkest hours.'

One couple who have lived for over a year in the camp are Elwood and Cynthia, who have both built there own cabin complete with functioning door and even have got themselves a sofa.

'We have upgraded from our tarpaulin tent to a balsa wood one, which should help us in the winter in case the snow weighs down our roof,' Elwood said.

'Hopefully in the summer too the temperature wont be so hot as well.

'Every help we get from Steve puts us that bit further on the path to a social security cheque or a government assisted housing scheme.

'I used to work cleaning for a local restaurant and Cynthia used to be a waitress.'

For Burt and Barbara the care that they receive here is preferable to living on benefits provided by the Government.

'The care and community offered by the Tent City is wonderful,' said Burt.

'It is just like getting back to nature and it makes you realise that all our wonderful appliances like microwaves, telephones and even cars are not essential.

'Food, shelter and water is what you need and is what we get here.'

One member of the motley crew who lives in Tent City claims to be the nephew of country great Johnny Cash.

'I used to be a guitarist and played at BB Kings' club in New York City,' said Mark.

'But my girlfriend left me, I lost my home and I travelled round Toms River near here sleeping rough.

'I was told about Tent City and minister Steve by a fellow homeless person and I walked down here and approached him for a space in his camp.

'It is like a family here and he helped me get set up with a camping tent and now I have friends and people to talk to, which I have not had since my life collapsed.

'My family can't seem to help me no more and I have accepted that every time that they have tried to I have let them down and failed to sort my life out.

'I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this place to live in.'



Click here to view more photos of the tent city.