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tetris
Advanced Member
1480 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2009 : 10:26:49 AM
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A commentary from this week's Advocate:
Smith's one-member circus getting tiresome & boring
When we turn on our television these days, we are aware that May signals the traditional "sweeps" time -- and the end of our favorite television shows. Most of our favorite shows are signing off until next Fall, with breath-taking finales and deaths of major characters that we will talk about over the water cooler the next day.
But with the way some programs were developed, we find that we just can't "get into" them anymore. We are relieved when we hear those won't be renewed and are headed for that "bad television" graveyard in the sky.
One of the programs we used to enjoy watching was the School Committee meeting which is cable-broadcasted every other week during the school year.
We were always impressed that the School Committee members were people who had Everett's children's best interests at heart.
Whether the members discussed, debated, agreed or disagreed, it was with a professional attitude that we found to be refreshing in politics. What was decided in those meetings affected more than 6,000 children of Everett and the School Committee was able to accomplish quite a lot to maintain a high quality of education in Everett, which was also refreshing.
In the past two years, however, there has been an unfortunate change in this program, and that's not good.
Frankly, it has been painful to watch intelligent, successful people in their own right have to spend so much of their time "baby sitting" one of their own, meeting after meeting.
We are talking, of course, about Representative Stephen "Stat" Smith, who was elected to the School Committee two years ago.
Except to condemn or berate, Representative Smith has never been seen to address any substantive school-related issue to date. Yet in meeting after meeting, Smith's colleagues have had to endure his ravings and grandstanding in front of the television camera.
Truth be told, we can't "get into" his emotional circus act anymore. We wish we could hit a button and erase Smith from the rest of the televised program.
At first, we believed Representative Smith's claim that he was a watch dog, and thought that it might produce something of importance. We have now waited for two years for Representatives Smith's dog and pony show to produce something, anything, and we are getting bored.
Finally, we have to admit that Representative Smith hasn't uncovered anything at all with his antics. At best, he is a distraction from the job that needs to get done. Especially now, when so much is needed from every School Committee member to help keep education in Everett at its present level of excellence as funding becomes less available.
Smith's constant claim that he is a watch dog just doesn't hold water if one looks at his past history while serving as a member of the Common Council:
In 2005, property taxes in Everett increased by 28%. This was the single highest increase in property taxes in the city's history. NO COMMENT FROM SMITH. In four years, property taxes increased by 68%. NO COMMENT FROM SMITH. In 2005, $75,000 in cash was stolen from City Hall, $50,000 from the Building Department, and $25,000 from Parking. NO COMMENT FROM SMITH. From 2003-2005, thousands of gallons of gasoline were stolen from City yards. NO COMMENT FROM SMITH. Over a six month period (2003-2004) an outside legal firm billed Everett more than 1 million dollars and 5 million dollars in four years. NO COMMENT FROM SMITH.
These fiscal problem were right there under his nose, yet Representative Smith not only played no part in uncovering these problems, he didn't even get publicly upset! If he wasn't a "watch dog" then with those major issues, he certainly isn't going to turn into one now.
We think that Representative Smith's conduct during School committee meetings is destructive, not constructive, and not at all healthy for Everett in this time of fiscal crisis.
Smith isn't aiding education efforts and he isn't serving the voters that elected him. Worse, he is not helping 6,000 school children in Everett prepare for a future in the 21st century, as the rest of his colleagues are struggling to do.
Smith needs to understand that his dog and pony circus act has gotten very old. Most of us consider it bad television.
His circus antics need to be dropped from the School Committee's "television show" next season. They need to be sent to that bad television graveyard in the sky.
And voters in Everett need to remember this when they head to the polls on Election Day this Fall.
The commentary is also accompanied by a photograph with the following caption:
"Static Smith stares off into space while school committee member Frank Parker pays attention to the chairman's explanation of the budget." |
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massdee
Moderator
4242 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2009 : 11:13:41 AM
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Did anyone sign that commentary? It sounds like FFF wrote it.
"Deb" |
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tetris
Advanced Member
1480 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2009 : 11:30:25 AM
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| Unsigned, as always. |
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justme
Advanced Member
1131 Posts |
 Posted - 05/17/2009 : 6:09:27 PM
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| Weren't all those people responsible for the thefts terminated? |
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tetris
Advanced Member
1480 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2009 : 10:08:46 PM
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Another commentary from this week's Advocate:
Councillor Cardello's foolhardy proposal
The suggestion by the common council to do away with this year's September primary is ill-advised, to say the least.
And for the city government to adopt the plan, in a word, would be foolhardy.
We know Councillor Billy Cardello probably means well in offering this motion -- he says that he just wants to save the city some money -- but we're sure that if he really tried he could find somewhere else in the budget to cut so that our democratic voting process doesn't have to be compromised.
To save a few thousand dollars -- out of a mammoth budget of many millions -- we shouldn't have to give up part of our democratic rights.
We agree with the alderman who stated this week that cancelling the primary -- in favor of creating a one-shot, "winner take all" election in November -- would "set a bad precedent".
First and foremost, Councillor Cardello's plan is, at its core, totally unfair. There is no doubt whatsoever, that a "winner take all" election gives a huge and unfair advantage to incumbents.
That's why it wasn't surprising to see that 13 out of 16 council members -- without much meaningful discussion or debate -- hurriedly voted to do away with primary last week. The 13 see the plan for what it is -- a self-serving proposal that paves a much easier road to re-election for them.
With no primary, ward council races in some cases could end up with eight or nine candidates, or more, seeking three seats. Under that circumstance, the incumbents, who generally are better known, would have a tremendous edge over the challengers. On the other hand, a primary would have "thinned out" the field and given challengers a better opportunity to run against the incumbents in a less crowded and more focused final election.
Ald. Robert Van Campen offered a good point as he explained his opposition Monday night to the "no primary" plan.
He recalled that two years ago, Joe McGonagle came in first in the mayoral primary, Carlo DeMaria was second and John Hanlon was third. Had the "winner take all" proposal been in effect then, Joe McGonagle would have been elected mayor, not DeMaria, but McGonagle would have won with less than a majority of the votes cast.
When the election final was held -- and Hanlon was removed from the ballot in the primary -- DeMaria proved to be the "majority vote" winner.
So instead of having a mayor elected by a minority of local voters -- as would have happened under the "winner take all plan" -- the majority of Everett voters ended up deciding who the mayor should be.
Isn't that the democratic way? Don't we still believe that the majority should rule?
It is a fundamental right of American citizens to elect their leaders. Conducting primaries and election finals are a proven and time-tested procedure to ensure that the majority's decision will ultimately prevail.
The cost of surrendering some of our decision-making powers as a people is too great -- and it dwarfs any "savings" that the Cardello plan promises. |
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tetris
Advanced Member
1480 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2009 : 11:18:50 PM
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This Week's Top Stories - Friday, May 22, 2009
250 school employees
to receive lay off notices
The Everett School Department is sending out 250 layoff letters to school employees this week. The list includes 151 non-tenured teachers, 39 permanent substitute teachers, 7 clerical personnel, 5 technicians, 14 custodians, and 34 teacher aides. Explaining the notices, Superintendent Foresteire said, “These people must be laid off because we won’t know until the state budget is passed whether we can pay them in the coming school year.”
He continued, “Over the past ten years, we have gone through this process for the same reason, and have been able to hire back a large percentage of the laid off personnel for the following September after the state budget was finalized. This year, we have no guarantee that we will be able to afford to rehire any of these personnel in September. I interviewed every one of these people when they were hired. I approved every one of them for jobs in our school system. This year will be a disaster for many of them. For me, it’s a personal tragedy. I hired them in good faith, believing in many cases, that I was starting them in a career in education. Now, I have to tell them, sorry, we can’t afford you after all.”
PUBLIC HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2010 BUDGET
On Monday night, a large crowd attended the public hearing. No comments were heard on the budget. Mr. David Ela, Chairman of the Finance Committee, opened the Public Hearing with a PowerPoint presentation on how the FY 2010 operating budget of $48,841.311.00 was created. He outlined that the main issues confronting the School Committee were the 3.8 million dollars in Chapter 70 aid that has been withheld by the State; $513,989.00 decrease in the city’s contribution to the School Department; and the teachers negotiated salary increase of $1.2 million dollars, as well as the increased number of students enrolled in the system.
Superintendent of Schools Frederick F. Foresteire followed with a PowerPoint presentation of the FY 2010 budget, detailing the various sections. The teacher salary budget, which represents 67% of the total, a decrease from last year.
Asked if this decrease meant fewer teachers, Superintendent Frederick F. Foresteire replied: “Yes. However, when it finally breaks out, this will mean fewer professionals who will be serving an increasing number of students.”
CITY TO TAKE $11 MILLION OF STATE AID
The sources of funding the budget were the minimum city contribution of $26,069,047.00 plus a state aid figure of $33,919,780.00 totaling $59,988,827.00, plus a transportation cost of $2,800,000.00 for Special Education.
Of the estimated $33.9 million in state aid, the City is expected to take over $11 million for various school-related expenses. The heaviest of these is health insurance for both employees and retired personnel; also salaries for Board of Health nurses stationed at the schools, a share of city services like accounting, purchasing, use of the stadium, for example.
HOW THE PIE GETS CUT
Superintendent Foresteire guided the audience through an explanation of how the budget will be allocated. Out of the total budget of $51.6 million, the state mandates that the City pay trans-portation costs for Special Education, estimated at $2.8 million.
Out of the remainder of the $48.8 million, 85% goes to direct services to students, including regular instructional salaries (60%), Special Education salaries (24%), and Athletics (1%). Maintenance accounts for 11% of the balance and Central Administration costs 4%.
Mr. Foresteire outlined the non-salary items as follows, Special Education (tuition, textbooks, evaluations and supplies represents 48%; Maintenance (utilities, supp-lies and vehicles) 29%; Instructional (textbooks and supplies) 14%; Central Administration 5%; and Athletics 4%.
REDUCTION IN STATE FUNDING
Superintendent Foresteire stated, “When he wrote the Education Reform Act, Former Senator Birmingham’s intent was to level the playing field for all students to receive a minimum per pupil expenditure, no matter what community they lived in.
“Looking back, Chapter 70 aid represented only a small fraction of our expenditures. Now, it represents 56.5% of the School Department’s budget.
It also represents and additional $11.1 million in funding to the City’s non-school budget.”
He then added, “Educationally, we could not possibly be where we are today without those funds, and it is due primarily to the efforts of Former State President Birmingham and his co-author in the House, Former Representative Mark Roosevelt. These funds are now drying up and our school population is growing!”
As Mr. Ela, Chairman of Finance, has said, “We have to be concerned about funding in the future and the effect the lack of it will have on the schools.”
PUBLIC HEARING ON SCHOOL CHOICE
A large crowd also attended the public hearing on School Choice, which foll-owed the hearing on the FY 2010 budget. There were several speakers on School Choice, all opposed; they included: Mr. Laurence Arinello, Principal of the Madeline English School and life-long Everett resident; Ms. Theresa Tringale, Assistant Principal of the Albert N. Parlin School and life-long Everett resident; and Mr. Nicholas Venezia, Vice-Principal of Everett High School and life-long Everett resident.
On the basis that Everett Schools were overcrowded, the Committee voted against School Choice, which would have allowed students from other communities to attend the Everett Public Schools, The law automatically makes “school choice” the policy of each school district, unless the district votes affirmatively not to participate.
During the discussion, the School Committee cited the likelihood of class sizes increasing and the lack of space to accommodate the increasing school population as another reason to vote against School Choice.
The School Committee unanimously adopted a resolution to be filed with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that Everett Public Schools will again opt out of the “school choice” program.
ELA ELECTED DELEGATE
The School Committee again elected Mr. David Ela, Ward Four School Committee member, to represent them as a voting delegate to the Massachusetts Association of School Committee’s annual business meeting in Hyannis. |
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tetris
Advanced Member
1480 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 08:31:44 AM
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From this week's Advocate. It's labelled as "Political Roundup" but it reads more like a commentary to me:
The right mayor at the right time
The 2009 political campaign is underway and it appears that Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. may only have a token candidate, a political novice, running against him as he seeks a second term.
There are no serious challengers willing to take him on this year.
John Hanlon, the former mayor, isn't interested in attempting a comeback.
Joe McGonagle, DeMaria's last opponent, has opted to run for the common council instead of planning for a rematch with the mayor.
And Ald. Robert Van Campen, who had been politically positioning himself for a run against DeMaria for most of the past year, obviously has reconsidered, deciding instead to run for re-election to his aldermanic seat.
The fact that Mayor DeMaria is not drawing a serious opponent in this political "hot bed" of a town is a tribute to the job that he's been doing as mayor for the past 17 months.
He's done an incredible job under some pretty difficult conditions.
Mayor DeMaria confronted the so-called Wood Waste controversy head-on without letting politics dictate things as had been the case for so long in the past. The mayor's leadership led to historic agreement under which those towering piles and their noxious odors, will be removed from the city within a matter of months.
Previous mayors couldn't come up with a remedying solution to this longstanding dilemma. It was Mayor DeMaria who crafted a plan to not only get rid of the debris, but also open the Wood Waste site to a tax-producing redevelopment.
Another strength of Mayor DeMaria has been his ability to govern with openness and in a true spirit of cooperation with the city council and the school department.
He's worked hard to "de-emphasize" politics at city hall - a refreshing and welcomed change in the way the people's business is being conducted in Everett nowadays.
As the economy has spun out of control nationally, creating havoc for government leaders at all levels, Mayor DeMaria has stood like a "Rock of Gibraltar" for the city of Everett. Innovations like effective consolidation moves he has designed and instituted, and his "watchdog" attentiveness to how the public's money is being spent has Everett in an advantageous position to weather the current fiscal storm in the state.
The mayor has also created hope for the people of Everett. Not a smoke screen, but real hope. For the first time in several years, Everett truly has a promising future. Sure, there are fiscal obstacles in our path right now, but the path we're on is the right one.
The mayor's master plan is working - his vision for the city is clear - and once the state's economy begins to reverse itself, Everett's fortunes will start to soar because of the foundation being laid by the DeMaria administration is undeniably solid.
The city is fortunate to have had Carlo DeMaria as its mayor for the past 17 months. He was the right mayor at the right time.
And it would seem that he's the right chief executive to lead Everett to full recovery over the next couple of years.
He's shown that he can get things done. |
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Tails
Administrator
1757 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 09:03:52 AM
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Jim Mitchell has no bounds when it comes to printing propaganda for lining his pocket. The man is a disgrace to journalism, and less than sincere in his reporting.
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tetris
Advanced Member
1480 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 2:28:54 PM
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New candidates ready to challenge incumbents
By The Advocate
Despite the lack of a serious mayoral contest, this year’s municipal election season could still prove to be quite interesting.
Unlike recent elections in Everett, the mayor’s race is not expected to be hotly contested this year. Mayor Carlo DeMaria is seeking a second term and the only one who has taken out nomination papers to oppose him is a relatively unknown first-time candidate, Teresa Lee Morris.
The political drama this year, as a result, will probably be provided by a unique aldermanic situation, a couple of council races and whether or not the gadfly double dipper on the school committee decides to run for another term.
Councillor Stephen Simonelli is seeking promotion to the Ward Two alder-manic post, but running city-wide is a lot more organizational – so, if Simonelli seeks the seat, he’ll need plenty of workers, while Marcus is well-known city wide.
Marcus has always been a relentless door-to-door campaigner and would be tough to beat. Simonelli’s voter strength has yet to be tested. Marcus would be a strong favorite for re-election.
Marcus hasn’t made his mind up yet – alderman or councillor. Right now, he’s hedging his bet by taking out papers for both races.
And if that isn’t confusing enough, Marcus has added to the drama by also taking out papers for a seat on the Charter Review Commission.
Marcus, in the end, will have to choose between running for alderman and councillor because a new law bars local candidates from running for more than one city council position at the same time.
However, Marcus technically can run for the charter commission while also seeking a spot on the city council.
Despite the fact that city council members several months ago approved a non-binding agreement not to run for the charter commission so that a truly non-political, independent commission can be elected, there is nothing that legally prevents any elected official from running for the charter commission.
No matter what Marcus decides to do, former Councillor Michael Mangan appears committed to running for the Ward Two aldermanic position along with Simonelli.
The only other contested aldermanic race at this stage is for alderman-at-large. Incumbent Wayne Matewsky is seeking re-election and former councillor Joanne Parris Gregory is set to challenge him.
The other aldermanic incumbents have all taken out papers for re-election and right now are unopposed. They are Frank Nuzzo, Jr., (Ward One); Michael Marchese (Ward Three); Chuck DiPerri (Ward Four); Robert Van Campen (Ward Five); and Sal Sachetta (Ward Six).
Several months ago, Ald. Van Campen was known to be mulling a run for mayor, but because of Mayor DeMaria’s city wide increased popularity, he evidently has decided against it.
Common council candidates
With the exception of councillors Simonelli and Leo McKinnon, all the other incumbent members of the common council have al-ready taken out nomination papers to run for re-election.
Those who will be vying for common council berths are:
Ward One – incumbents Millie Cardello, Peter Napo-litano, and Sergio Cornelio; and challenger Kenneth Giannelli.
Ward Two – incumbents Lou Sierra and Joseph King; and Jason Marcus.
Ward Three – incumbents Stephanie Smith, Rosemary Miller, and Sal DiDomenico; and challengers Thomas Catalano and Leonard Jordan.
Ward Four – incumbents Stacy Caralis and Daniel Napolitano; and challengers Len LoRusso, Adam Ragucci, and Johnathan Grover.
Ward Five – incumbents Lorrie Bruno, Rosa DiFlorio, and William Cardello; and challengers Phillip Morris, Nicholas Montesaro, and Jessica Caracciolo.
Ward Six – incumbents Anthony Ranieri, Catherine Hicks, and Cynthia Sarnie; and challengers Christian Costa and ex-alderman and 2007 mayoral candidate Joseph McGonagle.
School committee candidates
As for the school committee, the big question is whether or not “Stat” Smith is going to run for another term.
Smith, who doubles as Everett’s state representative in the legislature while collecting two salaries, is a long-time critic of Supt. of Schools Frederick Foresteire. His obsession with his vendetta against the school chief and his negativity on most issues have become a real distraction on the committee.
It also appears that a growing number of residents are of the opinion that Smith ought to focus his full attention on his State House duties rather than continue to play politics at important school committee meetings. The public appears to be fed-up with his disruptive behavior.
As the Advocate was going to press, Smith had not taken out papers for another school board run.
Here’s the school committee lineup right now:
At-Large – incumbents Lester MacLaughlin and Richard Baniewicz; and challengers Michael Phillips and Michael McLaughlin.
In Ward Two – incumbent Joseph Guiliano is being challenged by William Mullin.
The rest of the school committee incumbents are unopposed so far: Allan Panarese, Francis Parker, Jr., David Ela, Jr., Alexander Sandro Colarusso, and Robert Carreiro.
Charter commission candidates
There are 21 Everett residents running for seats on the proposed nine-member Charter Review Commission.
The charter commission candidates are Alderman Jason Marcus; veterans’ services commissioner and former councillor Joe Hickey; the head of the local fire-fighters’ union Craig Hardy; ex-councillor Dorothy Martin; James P. Murphy, Joseph Nolette; Teke Ndi; Ray Grace; Stephen Bruce; Patricia Foley; Dorothy Martin Long; Ronald Keohane; Joseph McCarthy; Alfred Lattanzi; Thomas Messina, Jr.; Dominic Puleo; Claire Laidlaw; Larry Cardinale; Michael Bono; Brian Schurko, Sr.; and David Pretti.
The charter commission election will be a “one-shot” affair. There will be no primary. The top nine finishers in the November voting will be elected to serve on the commission, but only if Everett voters also approve the referendum on the same ballot to authorize the creation of the charter commission. |
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tetris
Advanced Member
1480 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2009 : 8:33:04 PM
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Council aims to give power to new traffic commission
By The Advocate
The city council is moving toward creating a “fully emp-owered” traffic commission – and in doing so, the council will be giving up its current regulatory control over traffic-related matters.
The reorganization plan is being co-sponsored by four members of the board of aldermen – President L. Charles DiPerri, Robert Van Campen, Sal Sachetta and Jason Marcus.
The ordinance amendment, embodying the reorganization plan, calls for the mission and duties of the traffic safety and parking commission to significantly change.
At present, the commission reviews proposed traffic ordinances and regulations and issues advisory recommendations to the city council, but is powerless to regulate on its own.
The revamped commission, if the amendment is ultimately enacted, will henceforth have a major “regulatory” role in all traffic-related matters, rather than just making recomm-endations.
The amendment further states that all prior ordinances, or parts of ordinances, that conflict with the new, revised ordinance will be repealed.
According to the co-sponsors of the legislation, “the purpose of the amendment is to create a fully empowered traffic commission to establish a more efficient process for all traffic regulations.”
When the measure went before the common council Monday night, Councillor Stephen Simonelli asked if the ordinance amendment’s goal was to take traffic matters “out of the hands of the city council.”
Council President Millie Cardello replied: “Yes – and it sounds like it’s going to take a lot of the politics out of it, as well.”
Then the council, without further discussion, voted unanimously in favor of the amendment.
The measure still needs one more affirmative vote in each legislative branch before it goes to the mayor for his signature. |
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massdee
Moderator
4242 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2009 : 7:35:15 PM
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Board approves $132,436,710 budget
Common Council set to finalize spending plan Monday night
By The Advocate
Without any debate or dissent, the board of aldermen earlier this week approved a “bare bones” municipal budget of $132,436,710 for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
The budget needs the approval of the common council in order to be finalized. The council will vote on it Monday evening.
The city council’s budget committee met four times over the past few weeks to go over the proposed budget, department by department.
The committee managed to cut $344,000 from the budget submitted by Mayor Carlo DeMaria.
The budget approved by the aldermen Monday night includes the $947,701 in “reserve” money (“free cash”) that was inserted after the mayor’s submission in order to restore 22 positions that had originally been slated for termination.
The city council had pleased with the mayor to save the positions and DeMaria ultimately agreed to use “free cash” to avoid the impending layoffs.
However, Ward Five Ald. Robert Van Campen, chairman of the budget committee, has raised the caution flag about the continued practice of using “reserve” funds to cover some budgetary costs.
Admitting that the committee was using free cash to “plug holes” in the new budget, Van Campen this week warned that while this will save jobs and services in the coming new fiscal year, “at some point, it’s going to catch up with us.”
Van Campen said that had the city council not voted to use free cash to reinstate the jobs slated for termination, the proposed new budget would have exceeded the ceiling of Proposition 2 ½ and would have posed serious ramifications for local taxpayers.
Mayor DeMaria recently acknowledged that the city can’t continue to use reserve funds to help fund daily operations – “it certainly is a band aid approach.”
However, the mayor explained that it was needed at this particular time to maintain an adequate level of public safety personnel and to avoid a negative impact on city services as a result of an unprecedented cut-back in “local aid” from the state.
Ald. Van Campen said Monday night that the city needs to make some “structural changes” in the operation of its municipal government so that it is not reliant upon the use of “reserve funds.”
“It’s an unhealthy situation,” contended the alderman.
The changes that are necessary, said Ald. Van Campen, need to be made sooner than later, or else the problem will worsen.
Van Campen, nevertheless, was in favor of the budget that emerged from the conference room, maintaining that it was the product of a “very professional” process and he was proud of the city council’s “productive” deliberations.
In turn, Ald. Pres. L. Charles DiPerri commended Van Campen for the exemplary manner in which he presided over the budget hearings.
The aldermen voted 6-0 in favor of the proposed budget. Ward One Ald. Frank Nuzzo was absent from the meeting.
"Deb" |
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massdee
Moderator
4242 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2009 : 09:59:35 AM
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From todays Advocate.
EPD to Receive Federal Funds, Oil Spill Equipment
By the Advocate
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced last week that the Everett Police Department (EPD) will receive more than $1.26 million in federal stimulus funds. The EPD also learned that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has designated oil spill equipment to be delivered to Everett and a number of other north shore communities.
The federal stimulus funds come as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which President Obama signed into law on February 17th. The EPD was one of 212 police agencies across the Bay State who applied for the grant money. However, only 13 departments were chosen to receive more than $28 million awarded to Massachusetts.
The grant was announced last Tuesday, and provides enough funding to restore five positions over a period of three years. Under the grant's terms, the EPD must use the money to pay for officers' salaries and benefits. However, the department will be required to retain the officers for an additional year at the conclusion of the grant.
Everett Chief of Police Steven Mazzie is “pleased” the department’s application had been considered and acted upon favorably. Mazzie believes the department will continue to be able to provide the public with the highest level of public safety services possible.
Nationally, 1,046 law enforcement agencies received more than $1.7 billion in police grants. Everett was just one of 7,200 applications received, attempting to save more than 39,000 police officer positions nationally.
The DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services will administer the Hiring Recovery Program. For more information about the grants or the program, visit the agency’s website at http://www.cops.usdoj.gov.
Following the announcement, the Everett Police Department also learned the community would soon receive oil spill equipment. One of ten communities chosen on the North Shore, Everett will receive an oil spill response trailer that will allow for a quicker response in the event of an oil spill.
"These spill response trailers will help us limit the damage of any future oil spills," House Speaker Robert DeLeo said. "As a representative of Winthrop and Revere, I am comforted to know that we are well-prepared to protect our shores in the event of an emergency."
The trailers contain equipment that can be used to contain a spill near coastal waters. With the Mystic and Malden rivers bordering petroleum, natural gas, and other industrial complexes, Everett was designated as a community with a high potential for contamination.
Each trailer is 20 feet long and divided into three storage compartments. The trailer contains: varying sizes and types of containment and absorbent boom; oil sorbent pads; speedy dry; inflatable bladders; portable generator; electric air compressor; anchors, anchor chains; buoys; tools; safety/personal safety equipment, ropes, ties, cables and a padlock.
"Deb" |
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massdee
Moderator
4242 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2009 : 10:05:30 AM
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Quote from above:
"The grant was announced last Tuesday, and provides enough funding to restore five positions over a period of three years. Under the grant's terms, the EPD must use the money to pay for officers' salaries and benefits. However, the department will be required to retain the officers for an additional year at the conclusion of the grant."
Does this mean the EPD will be giving back to the city the money that was transferred to EPD to save jobs?
"Deb" |
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massdee
Moderator
4242 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2009 : 8:15:24 PM
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Articles by Keith Spencer in today's Advocate.
Cultural Festival Promotes Diversity
by Keith Spencer
Residents, businesses, and city officials celebrated through out the Norwood Street business district on Sunday to embrace the diversity flourishing through out the community. The 2nd Annual Cultural Festival brought an international flair to Everett Square with the sights, sounds, and smells of the world.
“Once again, the Cultural Festival was a great event that really brought people in Everett together,” Mayor DeMaria said on Sunday. “We had fantastic weather after the postponement, and I appreciate all the businesses, organizations and entertainment being flexible.”
Everett’s mobile soundstage blocked off Norwood Street’s access to Everett Square, allowing tables and areas to be setup through out the business district. Entertainment included a martial arts exposition, a live Zumba demonstration, and an array of music.
The festival brought together a number of cultures seen through out the streets of Everett, including live entertainment. The sound of music filled the air for nearly six hours, including the North End Italian Marching Band, the North Shore Crystal Pan Jammers Steel Orchestra, the Italian Serenaders of Merrimack Valley, folk act Sway, and Banda Belo.
Following the North End Marching Band’s opening set, Wah Lum Kung Fu Academy performed a traditional Chinese lion dance, discussing the legend and tradition behind the movements. Traditionally performed to bless a town or event, the group dedicated the performance “in honor of the city’s diversity”.
“Our history as a city of immigrants makes this type of event a no-brainer,” added DeMaria. “This is a way for every resident to taste flavorful cuisine, get to know local businesses and organizations, and enjoy some entertainment.”
Many restaurants offered sample giveaways and for-sale items from their menus. Many of the area’s businesses extended their tables onto the street, including 8/10 Bar & Grille, CafÈ Belo, Tasty Garden, Cancun, Bread & Company, Panera, and Taco El Paso.
A number of businesses and nonprofit organizations also took part in the event, including the Everett Girl Scouts, the Everett Board of Health, Friends of the Everett Library, LUMA Boston, La Communidad, Honda Cars of Boston, Velocity Printing, Eagle Bank, Active Chiropractic of Everett, and First United Parish of Everett.
While inclement weather forced organizers to postpone the planned festivities from Saturday to Sunday, residents were not deterred as crowds joined together to eat, dance, and converse.
“Just one band had a conflict due to the postponement,” Matt Laidlaw Director of Communications, indicated. “Luckily we were able to fill the spot, and keep participants engaged and entertained.”
Laidlaw served as the emcee through out the event coordinated with Everett’s Chamber of Commerce. The chamber provided free pony rides and a moon bounce for children to enjoy as their parents dined and discussed.
“There are so many restaurants in this city, and some people have no idea,” noted Everett Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bobby Laquidara. “We hope that promoting our diversity will encourage residents to dine at these locations, and utilize the businesses in our community.”
The Sounds of Everett
By Keith Spencer
Many residents were probably surprised when the New England Patriots returned to the field for the third quarter Monday, down four points to the Bills. While I was certainly taken aback, the real surprise had been the familiar voices I heard during the commercial break. Just prior to the third quarter, Eastern Bank debuted a new ad featuring the Everett Crimson Tide at its center.
While I would normally ignore commercials or even fast-forward through them, I was overjoyed to see Everett at the center of an advertisement promoting teamwork. From athletes and coaches to band members and student fans, our community was built upon teamwork, and it is certainly found here on game days.
In another inspiring video clip, residents are getting a close look at “the Speaker who believed in Democracy”. Everett’s most beloved son, George Keverian, is at the center of a video recently unveiled. Dr. Jack Keverian, George’s brother, unveiled the collaborative effort with Everett Cable Television during a memorial service held for the late former speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The 17-minute documentary offers a look at Keverian’s life, and the beliefs that guided him to the highest public office ever held by an Everett resident.
Both video clips can be viewed by keyword searching the topic on YouTube.com.
Voters are sure to be heard next Tuesday, September 22nd when the city holds its primary election, but how many? Dennis DiBiase, Mike Mangan, and Councilor Stephen Simonelli each hope to capture one of two slots for the ward-two alderman seat on the November ballot. However, this is the only office requiring a primary this year. The city clerk and registrar of voters are reminding residents of the importance of voting. So, be sure to get out and vote. Your voice deserves to be heard.
A number of legislators on the City Council have certainly been heard since returning to session after a summer break. With an election approaching, their efforts for face-time will result in longer meetings and, hopefully, more results. However, this is not certain. We can only hope these lawmakers will attend to the important matters before the community during these uncertain times. If so, their efforts will not be in vain, and we will remember those endeavors in November.
Editorials
By Keith Spencer
Community Development Editorial
Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. and Community Development Director Marzie Galazka recently announced the city’s receipt of a Community Development Block Grant last week, bringing in $750,000 to fund infrastructure projects and social service programs in the city. The acceptance of these funds means that projects slated to improve residents’ quality of life are sure to be funded in financially uncertain times, an option not available to most cities and towns.
The funds will support road and sidewalk reconstruction on Florence Street, Francis Street, and Luke Road as well as provide support to a number of social service programs in the city. This money will not only fund these desperately needed repairs but also serve as a lifeline to our community as the city struggles to meet the demands of residents during this economic downturn. From after-school programming to elder transportation and aid to food pantries, this grant will help provide relief to a community whose budget is already stretched thin with residents eager to get back on their feet.
In other developments, the city’s effort to bring a $65 million office park to Everett will continue to move the city forward. This development will not only bring much needed revenue to the city coffers, but also clean up and restore vitality to the long abandoned General Electric site. Berkley Investments has filed preliminary development plans with environmental regulators as they wait for the final OK from the Mystic Valley Development Commission.
It’s clear that the Mayor and Ms. Galazka are working to secure any and all recovery funds as well as promote the city as an area for positive growth and development. These practices will not only speed up economic recovery in our region, but also boost access to social services and improve the quality of life for everyone in our community. Their attempts to enhance the viability of our community will undoubtedly create a desirable place to live and work, eliminating slum and blight across our community.
ECTV Editorial
As a community with strong cable access viewership viewer, residents should certainly be enthusiastic about recent developments affecting Everett Cable Television (ECTV). Since taking the executive director position, Alyson Dell Isola has moved the station from the dark ages of television into the 21st century.
The station has debuted new bulletin board features, updated studio technology, installed new cameras in the City Council chambers, and are now working on developing new sets and programming. Despite minor interruptions in the beginning, these upgrades have allowed Dell Isola greater flexibility to move the station in the right direction.
The changes over the last year are simply remarkable. It is vital during this modern, digital age that we continue to search for ways to encourage media literacy among all populations. While Dell Isola has ushered a new era for the cable access station, the future of the station will depend upon people and programming, not policy and technology. With a number of new programs in the works, ECTV is searching for residents interested in volunteering with the station.
A few should not shoulder the burden, and we can only hope that residents will begin to step up as further upgrades are made to the station. While Dell Isola expects expressions of interest to increase, residents must pull together to demonstrate the potential of the channel with lively, innovative programming that draws upon both aspirations and a love of community.
Scouts Host Recruitment Night Following Eventful Summer
By Keith Spencer
Boy Scouts of America organizations across the country kicked off their annual recruitment drives this week, including Everett’s own Troop 20. The group hopes to garner interest and increase membership as the group continues planning another eventful year.
Scoutmaster John Tumblin would like to encourage Everett’s young men, grades 6 through 12, with an interest in camping, the outdoors, and other activities, to visit the troop during a future meeting. Scouting helps to teach adolescent boys a number of skills, including personal and mental fitness, responsibility, and good citizenship through rank advancement, merit badge work, and physical fitness activities.
“We hope to teach these boys life skills as well as outdoor skills,” said Tumblin. “To teach them to do what is right, regardless of circumstances.”
On Monday, September 14th, the group hosted a recruitment night at the First United Parish from 7-8PM. Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venture Scout representatives were in attendance as the troop began another year with their first meeting.
Last year, the dwindling troop size nearly doubled after a successful recruitment night.
“We participated in a number events last year, and our numbers increased,” said Tumblin. “Our continued thought is that there is a growing interest out there. We will continue to try and provide opportunities to motivate the youth of this community in a positive way.”
It’s not a mystery why Everett’s sole-surviving Boy Scout troop is increasing numbers as groups across the country continue to note decreases in membership.
Since taking the reigns of Troop 20, Scoutmaster Tumblin has worked tirelessly to develop and schedule activities that would keep scouts active and engaged. Tumblin will be attending the 2010 National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia as an assistant scoutmaster accompanying 96 Massachusetts scouts attending the event. His son and fellow scout, Jonathan Tumblin, will also attend.
Scouts spent several weekends on camping trips last year, including visits to Camp Nihan in Saugus, Camp Massasoit in Plymouth, and a winter trip to the Blue Hills District Klondike Derby. The group also participated in the Captain Isaac Davis Trail Camporee in April. The troop even had the opportunity to serve as the color guard at a Boston Red Sox game.
Thirteen members of the troop spent a week at Camp T.L. Storer in Barnstead, NH in July, working on a variety of scouting skills through out the week. The group of seasoned and amateur campers also developed a strong sense of teamwork, demonstrated by a second place finish in the annual McGee Cup race. The troop celebrated its 38th consecutive year at the camp.
“Once again, we had another eventful year at Camp Storer, and the boys returned with memories they will carry for a lifetime,” said Tumblin.
On August 1st, a new edition of the scouting handbook was released, commemorating the 100th anniversary of scouting. Photos of scouts from troop 20 appear twice in the handbook that will be used by millions of scouts over the next ten years. It can also be found in the Library of Congress.
There are a number of activities planned to keep scouts active through out the fall, winter, and spring. The troop will hold a Court of Honor to present awards, merit badges, and rank advancement earned by scouts who attended summer camp. Troop leaders hope to host one camping event every month, and will work with scouts to raise funds to purchase new equipment.
For more information about Troop 20, contact Scoutmaster Tumblin at jtumblin@comcast.net or drop by a regularly scheduled meeting, every Monday evening from 7-8PM at First United Parish on Broadway.
"Deb" |
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massdee
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Posted - 10/25/2009 : 4:41:17 PM
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The Advocate was delivered to my house this afternoon. Did anyone else get it?
"Deb" |
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Everett Advocate Newspaper
