Changes in the Blog World yet again...

*** UPDATED ***
The Peabody Patriot has returned. Maybe they were
just experiencing a glitch? Who knows.
But I would rather see MORE blogs, and
points of view, rather than fewer.

It seems that the Peabody Patriot blog (aka Peabody Elections) run by Keith Doucette has left the scene (again.) I am basing this on the fact that it has been several days and all you get is... "The blog you were looking for was not found."

Now that blog was originally titled Peabody Politics and politics was the main focus, so maybe it will re-emerge when the political realm kicks up again.

Now sadly it seems that the new blog, the Twisted Tanner, is more interested in being the National Enquirer of Peabody, rather than a place for adults to meet and discuss issues in an intelligent manner. I had held out hopes... and was certainly impressed with the amount of posts - and comments - even in the very first few days.

And while the posts keep coming, they are lowering any sense of standards each day. Name calling, insulting nicknames, blatant favoritism and rumor presented as fact are becoming more and more prevalent.

This all seems very deliberate and it is obviously the work of one of the previous Patriots (or more than one I believe) and has lost both a Peabody focus and all semblance of credibility.

That is sad and unfortunate for us all.

I was asked if I planned on "Closing Shop" or "Throwing in the Towel." Well, no actually. If I were to decide that bloging wasn't for me any longer, I would write a post saying so and then stop. I certainly wouldn't just disappear... I frankly find that incredibly insulting to the people who read and participate.

And as for "Throwing in the Towel," that sounds like a contest with winners and losers. I certainly do not see this as a contest and I absolutely don't consider blogging, or not, winning or losing.

When this very busy season is done, I will have many things to discuss with you I am sure. We live in a City that seems to breed nothing but controversy and everyone has an opinion on these things. I look forward to hearing your and sharing mine.

Happy Thanksgiving

We are often over burdened in our hectic and harried lives ,
especially during these difficult economic times.
Today, Thanksgiving Day, is a very special time when we
can stop the roller coaster, if for just one hour, and
concentrate on the people and situations that make
our daily existence worthwhile and even joyous.

Please have a safe and joyous day of thanks.

Congratulations Bob Driscoll

The recount is over and the winner of the Ward 4 race is Bob Driscoll... or is it? Well while there were some "issues" (two ballots missing per the Salem News, 10 missing per the bloggers), all involved have come to accept the new results as final.

Councilor Bob Driscoll has been
re-elected Ward 4 Councilor

The process may have had a few glitches in it, but in the end, I believe, the voters were fairly represented.

The Salem News: Peabody's Driscoll wins recount by 2

This was a very good example of real democracy in action. I was so pleased to see that BOTH candidates had decided to ask for a recount in order to ensure that the will of the people was being fairly represented.

I think that as far as City Council races in Peabody go, this was a very respectful and collegial race - two qualities that should be well heeded in many of the other races around this City.

I think Councilor Driscoll should be considering this coming term as his swansong and make sure to get done what he would like to see as his legacy on the City Council. I think it will soon be Mr. Grayson's turn to lead this Ward and to help steer the City.

My congratulation to both gentlemen for a well fought battle and for showing us how to act in both victory and defeat.

Ward 4 Recount Saturday

2,299 people came to the polls in Ward 4 back on November 3rd to cast votes for Ward 4 Councilor. And, as it turns out... only 1 vote really mattered!

Incumbent City Councilor Bob Driscoll received 1,150 votes while challenger, and political newcomer, Jeff Grayson received 1,149 votes.


The next time someone tells you that their vote doesn't matter in this world... send them to Ward 4.

In a race this close it is almost a requirement to have a recount of the ballots to assure that the will of the people is accurately carried out. I was quite glad to see BOTH candidates step up to ask for an official recount of this election. And while it was certainly expected of Mr. Grayson, it was quite the classy move by longtime Councilor Driscoll.

The recount will be done by hand and it will have witnesses (and lawyers) from both sides present. I can only predict with absolute certainty that City Clerk Tim Spanos will continue to do the excellent job that is his trademark for his many years at City Hall.

The Salem News: Recount in Ward 4 Councilor race scheduled for Saturday
Peabody News: Despite thin margin in Ward 4, lackluster turnout at the polls

Now for my opinion.

I absolutely hope that when the votes are rechecked that Mr. Grayson emerges as the winner of the election. This is not because I dislike Councilor Driscoll, because I do not. I just feel that Councilor Driscoll has had his time at the helm, and while he has never really done anything to harm Ward 4, he has not been the tireless and PRO-ACTIVE advocate for Ward 4 that I believe Mr. Grayson will be.

I spoke with both candidates during the election season and I must say that I was wholeheartedly impressed by Mr. Grayson and his energy for Ward 4 AND the rest of the City. He has a vision and new ideas and a huge desire to get to work and try and solve some of these lingering problems faced by the City of Peabody.

Now, Councilor Driscoll has been trying to deal with these same (and evolving) problems the City faces for 22 years. He has needed to come to terms with the knowledge that many times there is just NOTHING that can be done because of the situation, politics, money, connections - you name it! Something always gets in the way of true progress.

Mr. Grayson has not yet been forced to face these (perhaps insurmountable?) problems. And he may indeed find that when confronted with them, he too will eventually find no way to solve them and can only do his best to more for small incremental improvements - all the while desiring great changes.

But he is not yet jaded by the fight or cowed by the enormity of the job. For these reasons I would like to see his new spirit unleashed on the City Council in the hopes that he might be the spark to reinvigorate this flagging body... as well as the community they serve.

A new Peabody Blog?

A new Peabody Blog has apparently sprung up right after the recent election.

The Twisted Tanner

http://twistedtanner.blogspot.com/
or
http://www.twistedtanner.com/

I see that the owner has chosen not to list an email address or other contact information so far, so I could not contact this person to get permission to post a link to this new site.

However, as he/she has already posted at the Peabody Patriot, and has a link to the site from their name... and the Patriot has already linked to it... I feel that it is not inappropriate to point you all towards this new blog in a post.

To the Twisted Tanner, Welcome! I have not yet delved into your blog (I've just read some of the headlines) but I welcome additional voices to the discussion.

Please email me and let me know if I may add a link to your blog. And while I see you already have linked to this one - please understand that I am fine with it.

Again, welcome!

Election Results (From Salem News)

MAYOR
7,468 - Bonfanti
2,712 - Donovan

AT-LARGE
7,363 - Bettencourt
5,952 - Gravel
5,729 - Manning
5,725 - Garabedian
5,315 - Liacos
---------------
4,376 - Moutsoulas
4,238 - Aylward

WARD 1
1,083 - Osborne
0,993 - Forti

WARD 4 - RECOUNT?
1,150 - Driscoll
1,149 - Grayson

WARD 6
1,366 - Sinewitz
0,993 - Sheehan

SCHOOL COMMITTEE
6,297 - Dunne
5,655 - Rossignoll
4,936 - Hochman
-------------------------
4,167 - Nizwantowski
4,088 - Olimpio

MUNICIPAL LIGHT COMM
7,183 - Paras
3,914 - Wheatley
----------------
3,387 - Bonfanti
2,153 - Chancey

LIBRARY... all will get in

Peabody Patriot reporting election results live tonight

The Peabody Patriot is reporting election results live.

http://peabodyelections.blogspot.com/

City Election, Tuesday, November 3, 2009

POLLS OPEN TUESDAY MORNING
AT 7:00 AM AND CLOSE AT 8:00 PM

Please vote. It is what countless American's before you have fought and died for... so that you can have the opportunity to express your right to have the government of your choosing. Not voting is both unpatriotic and a damning indictment of our system of government. It also means that you choose not to matter... and you do matter.

Where to vote: Massachusetts Voting Information

Voting location in Peabody by Ward and Precinct.

Ward 1 - 1: St. Ann’s Church Hall, 140 Lynn Street
Ward 1 - 2: Woodbridge Assisted Living, 240 Lynnfield St
Ward 1 - 3: St. Ann’s Church Hall, 140 Lynn Street
Ward 2 - 1: Welch School Gym, end of Swampscott Ave
Ward 2 - 2: Welch School Gym, end of Swampscott Ave
Ward 2 - 3: South Memorial School Gym, 16 Maple St Ext
Ward 3 - 1: Our Lady of Fatima Church, Rear Lower Lvl, 50 Walsh Ave
Ward 3 - 2: Our Lady of Fatima Church, Rear Lower Lvl, 50 Walsh Ave
Ward 3 - 3: Wilson Terrace Community Hall, 15 Wilson Terrace
Ward 4 - 1: Higgins Middle School Gym, 1 King Street Extension
Ward 4 - 2: Higgins Middle School Gym, 1 King Street Extension
Ward 4 - 3: Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Gym, 485 Lowell St
Ward 4 - 3A: 300 Brooksby Village Drive, MacIntosh Clubhouse
Ward 5 - 1: Kiley School Gymnasium, 21 Johnson Street
Ward 5 - 2: Kiley School Gymnasium, 21 Johnson Street
Ward 5 - 3: McCarthy School Gymnasium, 76 Lake Street
Ward 6 - 1: West Memorial School Gymnasium, 15 Bow Street
Ward 6 - 2: Burke School Gymnasium, 127 Birch Street
Ward 6 - 3: Burke School Gymnasium, 127 Birch Street

City Council At-Large Predictions and Endorsements

At-Large City Council

These are the people we must rely on to help keep Peabody a vibrant and active community for all its residents and businesses. Sadly, this group spends most of its time bemoaning minor disturbances and rarely can see beyond the malaise and mediocrity that they have helped create here in Peabody.

I yearn for some vision and leadership amongst this important elected body... but instead I am ever disappointed by the nudge-nudge-wink-wink of back room shenanigans and petty turf wars.

Ladies and gentlemen... who ever wins PLEASE PUT THE GOOD OF THE CITY BEFORE YOUR OWN PETTY DIFFERENCES!

My Endorsements:

• Edward A. Bettencourt Jr.
• Anne M. Manning
• David C. Gravel

• And because he is at least smart (while I disagree with his demeanor and positions all too often): James K. Liacos

I have no 5th candidate I can support.

Michael Garabedian is really stupid. I have absolutely no idea why ANYONE voted for this man. He is an embarrassment to the City and yet (see predictions) he will be reelected. William Aylward is running on the ridiculous ideas of cutting taxes and improving the schools and city services (which can only be done in a campaign promise and not in real life) and James Moutsoulas was the Ward 3 crack pot before the CURRENT Ward 3 crackpot got into power. None of these people deserve to be on the City Council.

SADLY......

My Predictions:

• Edward A. Bettencourt Jr.
• Michael V. Garabedian
• James K. Liacos
• Anne M. Manning
• David C. Gravel

Same old, same old.

Please feel free to leave your own predictions and endorsements as well.

School Committee Predictions and Endorsements

School Committee

This is the one race where the people of Peabody, and not just the parents of Peabody, can really have an impact on the future of our City.

The current crop of committee members was all too ready to stand by and allow the Mayor to disassemble the school system to balance the budget... while not bring a single job cut to the rest of the City. However, he was not alone in this action and the members of the School Committee need to face their poor choices and actions.

I would actually like to see both the incumbents out of their positions on the school committee. I am usually NOT a "Vote Out All The Bums... And They're ALL BUMS" kind of person, but this year, after the actions and antics - of these two members especially - I am more than willing to see what these new faces can bring to the School Committee and our school system.

I endorse:

• Jarrod M. Hochman
• John C. Olimpio
• Thomas J. Rossignoll

SADLY.........

I predict:

• Beverley A. Griffin Dunne
• Edward M. Nizwantowski
• Jarrod M. Hochman

Please feel free to leave your own predictions and endorsements as well.