Election Update: With Donovan In... we all lose.

The Salem News and Peabody Patch report that Russ Donovan has filed papers to run for mayor in Peabody... again.

The Salem News has not published this article on-line for some reason.

The Peabody Patch article is here: Donovan Enters Peabody Mayor's Race

Now the Salem News article has a short interview and here are the main points of Mr. Donovan's reasons for running:

• He doesn't think either Fitzgerald or Bettencourt will make the needed changes in Peabody
• He is a non-politician
• He is a fiscal conservative
• He has no plans to raise money for a campaign
• He wants to end bus fees for Peabody students
• He wants to cut spending
• He wants a 20% personal exemption for property taxes
• He would slash the mayor's salary (to the avg. city worker pay)
• He would not accept city health insurance (to set an example)

So in his effort to cut the cost of city government he is going to run a non campaign with no fund raising, he will (I assume) hit the pavement and be speaking to people (but not spending any money on literature, outreach, etc.) in order to explain how he will CUT SPENDING while INCREASING SERVICES!

Of course his non campaign is going to already COST THE CITY because he is forcing a CITY WIDE PRIMARY! I called the clerks office and they were unable to tell me today what the approximate cost of a city-wide primary election will be... but other I have spoken with estimated the cost to be between $15-20,000 TAX DOLLARS!

All so a non candidate can run a non campaign on the platform of saving the city money.

Russ Donovan is just as welcome as any other citizen to run for office. However... if you are going to run for office... THEN RUN FOR OFFICE! Don't make this some symbolic gesture that has no value to the city... except to cost us all $$$ for your personal ego building.

I mean... that $15,000 would actually pay for 50 Peabody students to ride the bus to school for the year. Wouldn't that be money better spent?

Fitzgerald joins Bettencourt in race for Mayor

Sean Fitzgerald, the current Town Manager of Plaistow, New Hampshire, has joined the race for Mayor of Peabody.

Salem News: Ex-chief of staff is mayoral hopeful

This can only be good news for all the citizens of Peabody. I think that the public can only be better served with a healthy debate of the issues and the platforms of these two men.

I only hope that the campaigns can be kept positive and informative... instead of diving into the muck and mire that has plagued our political system as of late.

I have actually not seen Mr. Fitzgerald for some time. But I have found him to be an honest and forthright person. Don't get me wrong, he's still a politician... but he seems to have high expectations for himself and I have rarely seen him lose his cool.

While I would say that Mr. Bettencourt has gotten off on the right footing... and is leading the charge at the moment, I look forward to seeing what Mr. Fitzgerald will bring to the table.

But no matter who you favor now in March... it is going to be a much more interesting election season after today!

Bonfanti to Step Away - Will Not Seek Re-election

Mayor Michael Bonfanti in the State of the City address tonight has announced he will NOT be seeking re-election in the Fall.

Salem News: Bonfanti: I will not run again

So who will be the one who will fill the corner office next?

The big two expected candidates are, of course, Ted Bettencourt and Dave Gravel. But there are a few other possibilities out there. Anne Manning-Martin is very popular as is Beverly Griffin Dunne. And don't forget old Sean Fitzgerald who has always wanted to be top dog in his hometown.

Old Salem News Story: Mayor's Race in Peabody up in the Air

It will be an interesting election cycle!

School fees, vacation daze, Peabody 100k Club and an interesting blog...

Peabody was actually in the Boston Globe's Globe North section for something besides murder, transgender bashing or being the lowest whatever for a change.

---

First, the annual listing of salaries must have made its way to the 'slow week' section of the Globe news desk. Peabody: Pay list shows 40 top $100K We are yearly given a listing of the highest paid employees - not surprisingly which are managers, several light plant senior folks, high ranking school officials and police officers who do detail work.

This is usually followed by a litany of average folks being outraged at how much money is paid for so little work being done. This isn't really true, of course - it is just that EVERYONE thinks someone else's job is simple and overpaying.

I am of the opinion that almost everyone on this list is probably deserving of their pay. Where I take exception is to the public safety officers and the use of detail pay. I have discussed this issue MANY TIMES here and on the blogs and this isn't the intent of this post. We can, of course, discuss this in the comments if folks desire.

I was actually a little surprised to see this published in the Globe. It is usually a 'higher intellectual' newspaper and this is more of a Salem News article - as they have never met a government employee worth ANYTHING.

Of course, unlike the Salem News, the Globe goes into some detail giving some reasons for this high pay - most which made sense to me.

---

The next article didn't really concern itself with Peabody... which was good considering the focus. Pressure to Pay looked at North Shore communities and the fees to participate on high school sports teams. It seems that while a few decreased fees, a few more increased fees. But Peabody was not one of these. Our sports fee structure stayed the same at $150 per sport with a $300 cap.

The list of communities with fees shows Peabody to be on the lower end of fees charged with only Dracut having lower fees (Gloucester also has a lower starting range, but goes up to $380 per sport.) I am the first to admit that I don't like fees for school activities. But when the schools are in such dire financial straits, I can not see spending precious academic funds on extra-curricular sports or activities. So I was glad to see that while still trying to recoup expenses, Peabody is trying to maintain a minimal impact on parents and student athletes.

It is only fair to also point out that 19 communities (or regional schools) in the area DO NOT have any fees for sports.

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Ah summer! The time when everyone deserves to spend a little quality time away from their jobs and spend it with family and friends! Unless you are school superintendent Milton Burnett. Seems that because of the budget cuts, staffing reductions and major turnovers of key people (think principals here) he has been playing catch-up all summer trying to get ready for the coming school year.

If you read the article in the Salem News, Superintendent's bid to carry over vacation is denied, and read the excepts from his letter to the school committee... it is hard to imagine them denying him a one-time exception to the rule concerning the number of days one can 'carry over' into the next year.

While I am not a fan or a foe of Mr. Burnett, I think he is totally correct on this one. It was the Mayor and the school committee who placed his department in the position where much more work than normal was required to be done (all without an assistant super) and this resulted in the necessity of missing one of the best perks of being employed - vacation time.

I wouldn't blame him if he simply didn't show up for the next 10 days and let the schools suffer... well actually I WOULD blame him and I wouldn't stand for it. BUT this is ultimately the "fault" of the Mayor and the school committee and they should have allowed this as being FAIR and not played the political game of denying it in the hopes of appearing to be on the side of fiscal responsibility after the Salem News has been trying to stir up trouble with the Annemarie DuBois pension "issue."

---

I found this link to a blog run by the MAPC (Metropolitan Area Planning Council.) The Salem-Peabody Corridor Project is a new initiative that, I think, is focusing on the Rt. 128 - Main St. - Boston St. corridor and seeks to find improvements to facilitate improvements in traffic and community along the route. This was recently in the news when a group of planners, business people, city officials and citizens walked along the route (twice?) to get an 'on the ground' understanding of the project.

The link to the blog is Salem-Peabody Blog and the homepage of the project is Salem-Peabody Corridor Project.

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/

Bonfanti for Mayor... and why Russ Donovan is a poor choice

I have been accused of being a toady for Mayor Bonfanti. That's fine, but those who actually pay any attention will see I often disagree and sometimes seriously rebuke our current mayor.

That being said,

I ENDORSE MIKE BONFANTI FOR MAYOR

I also believe he will win in a landslide.

Now, I also do NOT support Mr. Russ Donovan.

I think a recent exchange on The Peabody Patriot might be more illustrative than any new post here.

To begin, the Peabody Patriot (which I do not believe is being run by KD - at least not at the moment) did endorse Mr. Donovan for mayor. I strongly disagreed. Then had some back and forth which culminated in a personal message on the PP from Mr. Donovan... and finally my response.

I post these for your edification.

PI

Please note that Mr. Donovan has made quite a list of "campaign issues" at the Peabody Patriot blog (link above) in response to my statements.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Endorsements.
Posted by Vote Em Out at 12:25 AM

Mayor:
Russell Donovan

---------------------------------------------
Friday, October 30, 2009
No Peabody mayor defeated since 1951 - SalemNews.com, Salem, MA
Posted by Vote Em Out at 9:48 AM

We all know what Peabody is, we are not Dark City as OG likes to say. We are not La La Land like some other like to say. We are incumbent land a sitting Mayor has not lost since 1951. How may Mayors were defeated during the time of the great depression? That really is the level where at right now, minus the breadlines.

We need a change in this city, why not make it now and if it is not working in two years make a change. Trust me you will have many candidates in 2 years if Mike was defeated, people could not stand someone sitting in that office that was not hand picked

-------------------------------------------
October 30, 2009 7:51 PM
Peabody_Insider said...

If you really think that Mr. Donovan is a real candidate for Mayor then I simply can not take anything you have to say seriously.
He has not campaigned, does not have any real platform or experience or, frankly, any coherent grasp of how a city works.
He is a 'screw-you' candidate who enjoys seeing his name in the (very short lived) spotlight and deservedly so.
The one issue he blathers on and on about is WATER where he spouts half truths and mostly innuendo and wink-wink conspiracy allegations.
My favorite thing is his talking about how he respected former Mayor Torigian when he NEVER IN HIS LIFE had a good thing to say about him.
This man and his candidacy - any anyone who supports him - are all jokes.
I noticed you couldn't even come up with reasons to vote for him... only one's to vote against Mayor Bonfanti.
The current Mayor is certainly not perfect - far from it - and is actually quite annoying at times and has created many problems for this City over the years... but to ask people to vote him out so you can vote in a joke is frankly the worst thing to come out of the Peabody Patriot since the original jerk left.
And yes... this is indeed an angry letter. Because you have now proven yourself to be AN ANTI-PEABODY BLOG - one that would rather see this City thrown in the garbage rather than admit that Bonfanti IS the better choice among no choice at all.

--------------------------------
October 31, 2009 9:16 AM
Anonymous said...

WOW ! again you talk like you acually know something about how this city is run ! you must be the smartest guy in Peabody. I think your just the most arrogant. what makes anything you say the fact or even beleivable. you should really get out more often.

--------------------------------------
October 31, 2009 12:37 PM
Peabody_Insider said...

One thing.
Name one thing that Mr. Donovan has said he will do for this City... AND HOW HE WILL DO IT.
Just one.
Besides the fact that HE ISN'T BONFANTI.
Seriously.
I'm sorry that many people here don't like Mayor Bonfanti... and that is fine. There are plenty of reasons to not like him.
But to say that this City and all its people and businesses would be IN BETTER HANDS if we allow this unprepared and ill-informed citizen to take control is plain and simply STUPID.
Mr. Donovan is one of those ANTI people. He has NEVER met a politician he likes and is only only AGAINST EVERYTHING... never offering better ways.
He has been like this for years and years. And you know what? That's FINE if he just wants to be a crank crackpot citizen making noise when he feels like it.
It is an entirely different matter when he is asking people to vote him into power so he can ruin this City.
And it is wholly irresponsible of The Peabody Patriot to put the hatred of Mayor Bonfanti ahead of the Needs of the Citizens of Peabody.

-------------------------------------------------
November 1, 2009 8:46 AM
Anonymous said...

WOW! PI are you off your meds again?
I don't think I ever demeaned you the way you have me.
The one thing I would do for the City is: (Sorry Mike)
Get Mike OUT OF THE Corner OFFICE!
How I will do it? Simple.
With the peabody voters support. Win the Election.
Why should the voters oust Mike?
Let's see. Mmmm....
Police: The police exam scandal comes to mind. No names please. The 9/11 holiday pay.
Fire: Asleep while manning the 911 desk. Again no names.
DPS: The deliberate pollution of our water supply. Amongst other things don't to be mentioned cause he's gone now.
And oh ya.
Eight years of increased homeowner property taxes.
But these are just a few reasons.
Bloggers feel free to add your own points. Schools maybe?
During the campaign I only mentioned the polluting of our water supply as this was done by the head of the DPS with the mayor's acceptance!
As to my experience and understanding of how city government works. Let me just say: Over the many years I have attended various city board meetings and participated in numerous public meetings and I believe I have a good sense of what is going on in Peabody government.
I can't say I seen your face at any of these meetings.
Yes, I respected Peter Torigian. I didn't agree with him on a number of issues but I respected the man.
Let me tell a short story about Peter and me. Years ago, Peter had made a deal to get a chemical plant built in the then new Centennial Industrial Park but he needed a zoning change. My neighbors and I fought the zoning changes that would have allowed that plant in the park.
See Zoning or RE-Zoning is IMPORTANT! The little details can kill you or ruin the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
Peter never forgot or forgave.
For some reason the site limited my text last night so I couldn't send. I had to abbreviate my writing this morning. More to come in another comment.

Russell Donovan, Candidate for Mayor
----------------------------------------
November 1, 2009 11:20 AM
Peabody_Insider said...

Mr. Donovan:

First let me say that I would never have made public comments about ANYONE (such as these I have made here) while someone was a private citizen. I certainly might have rolled my eyes and said, "Yup, that's Russ" - but I would never have attacked your positions in a forum public like this.
Until you asked us all to vote for you to become the highest ranking official in the City - a person directly responsible for the day to day administration of our City. Then, Mr. Donovan, you and your ideas are not only fair game for public discussion, but it is our civic duty to be discussing this important election and the candidates.
Now, when I rebuked the Peabody Patriot for endorsing you for mayor, I called them out on the fact that they GAVE NO REASONS TO VOTE FOR YOU... ONLY REASONS TO NOT VOTE FOR MAYOR BONFANTI.
And guess what!?! You did exactly the same thing!
You are not offering one bit more information as to WHY your are a good choice for mayor except that you don't go home to Mayor Bonfanti's house at night! Hell, my neighbor's 5-year old daughter doesn't either... is she also qualified because SHE ISN'T MIKE TOO?
I am sorry if you feel you have been publicly wronged by my statements and sentiments. But you are the one seeking high public office and you are the one saying people should cast their precious vote for mayor for YOU.
And the best you can do is tell us you are not Mike Bonfanti.
Well then, thank you sir. We are now well aware of this fact and I hope we will all vote appropriately.
Finally, Mr. Donovan, how can you tell that I haven't been to these public meetings? The City must hold between 3-6 meetings of one sort or another every week! If you indeed do attend all of them, good for you. But I also attend the ones I feel are important to attend when time permits. And since you don't know who I am, how can you possibly say that I haven't been there.
And really, don't you understand that their is a difference between attending a meeting and actually running a meeting? I mean I go to see movies... but that doesn't make me George Clooney??
Good luck with your campaign and I would actually welcome seeing you put some of your positions into writing here - since I have yet to be visited by you or receive ANY literature via mail or drop.

Sincerely, PI

Election Forum: Wednesday, Oct. 21st. 7:00-9:00 at City Hall

The Salem News will be sponsoring a candidate forum at Peabody City Hall on Wednesday, October 21st from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

This forum will feature candidates for the following positions:

• Mayor
  
  
• Councilor-at-Large
  
  
• School Committee

I only saw this as a brief mention at the end of one of Nelson Benton's opinion pieces and haven't seen much about it since then.

Now, sadly, a long standing work commitment will force me to miss this event... and I am very unhappy about it. This is exactly the type of forum I have been saying is needed in the City. I hope other's will share their opinions and viewpoints on how the night goes.

Election Posts - Updated

I have updated all the election blog topics (top left menus) to include the most current information on candidates running for these offices.

This is a place for talking, questioning and politic'ing... but likewise for people holding candidates to the task of explaining what they plan to do if we elect them.

Separate blog topics may be started for more news related items and as we get closer to the November election date.

Possible Mayoral Contender? Russ Donovan pulls papers.

Russ Donovan has pulled nomination papers for Mayor of Peabody. This does not mean he is running, first he must return to the clerk's office by Tuesday with signatures from 50 residents of Peabody. This seems quite do-able and I would be glad to sign his (or anyone's) nomination papers if they are a serious candidate.

This is good. I like serious candidates running for office. I dislike uncontested races. It all makes for better government and certainly better public communication.

I would like to know much more about Mr. Donovan. But that will be a different post.

The Salem News: Russ Donovan takes out nomination papers

Does anyone find it rather odd that the Salem News has been running several articles about the unchallenged mayors on the North Shore recently... and when someone finally steps up to the plate and actually makes a challenge.... the news article is pushed into the middle of the most boring issue of the week (Monday.)

I mean... can you believe the TOP FOLD BANNER HEADLINE that Mr. Donovan got bumped for? Peabody Upgrades School Supply List, which is apparently news to the Salem News because they are all living in 1985 still? I mean they think a USB drive costs at least $10? Here Peabody parents... go here and get one for $2.00, or get one free from many businesses as handout gifts.

So a fluff story about the need for back to school stuff gets top billing and the announcement of the only challenger to a major sitting Mayor on the North Shore gets this crappy coverage?

Does anyone else still exist out there who thinks Mayor Bonfanti does NOT get special treatment from the Salem News? I'm not saying that the Mayor or his campaign had anything to do with this placement, in fact, I am sure that this challenge is seen as a non challenge to their camp. It is the Salem News who is showing their hand in my opinion.

"I can do anything I want" --Mayor Bonfanti

There has been a sad streak of mis-steps here in Peabody lately. And most of them coming from the actions of our Mayor. Mayor Bonfanti has repeatedly acted like a high priced lawyer by skirting the letter of the law... while clearly violating the intent.

This most recent outburst of arrogance at the School Committee meeting (where Bonfanti halted Beverly Dunne from speaking - and in fact recessed the entire meeting - in order to discuss something in private with her before proceeding.

His one sentence answer SHOULD haunt his re-election bid (but sadly it will not)...

"I can do anything I want"

Well that pointedly sums it all up in a nice tidy package.

It is often said the most efficient and effective form of government is the Benevolent Dictatorship. And while that may be true... here in America (as Needham's Corner pointed out in a recent post) we are NOT under a dictatorship.... and, frankly, Mayor Bonfanti's actions too many times can not be seen as being benevolent.

I certainly and not the first to notice or comment on this. Here are some links to this issue...

The Salem News: Bonfanti stops meeting for private chat
Lynn Item: Peabody school board scoffs at library proposal

The Salem News Editorial: Our View: Mayor can't do anything he wants

The change in leadership so many on these blogs seem to crave is not looking good and certainly when it comes to our Mayor. However, with no challengers how can the Mayor think anything except that the people approve of his actions, tactics and style.

Even Nelson Benton seems surprised (Salem News: Nelson Benton: Half-year in review) that the man who takes credit for the 9-11 pay and slashing the school budget to shreds is facing no challenges in the fall.

I will go on record saying that I do not like this swaggering style of arrogance. I expect a higher level of purpose and intention from those who ask to lead. Please Mr. Mayor act like the leader the people need and expect.

Bonfanti budget a slap in the face to the future

Much can be said about this deep financial crisis that the world is facing... we are facing it here in Peabody as well. It is up to the wise people who we citizens have elected to make the difficult decisions that will impact each and every one of us.

What is terribly troubling to me is the very people we have entrusted to make these important choices: Will we fund THIS or THAT? Can this road go another season without repair or will we need to replace it completely later? Should we cancel 20 English classes or serve 27 students who wish to learn Greek? Do we buy a new fire truck or repair/rehab the 25 year old one? Should we dip into our savings safety net to pay for ongoing expenses or maintain our high bond rating which saves us money in the long term?

These are all difficult choices and we rely on these people we elect, and a bevy of professional experts to guide them, to come to the best possible answers for all the citizens of this City of Peabody.

So why does it feel like we just screwed all the children of Peabody in an effort to maintain the bragging rights of having the lowest taxes around?

We have decided to step-by-step dismantle the school system because it is the easiest target in the budget crunch game. And from where I have been sitting and watching it most certainly is a game.

The Mayor blames the economy. Patricia Schafer blames the State. The School Committee blames the Mayor. The City Council blames the School Committee. The Mayor threatens everyone. They all (with great regret and heavy hearts) vote to allow the Peabody Public Schools to become the Peabody Public Dump.

Now, like any good game there will be winners and losers.

The Winners:

The Mayor gets praised by everyone who doesn't have children in the school systems and who see lowest taxes as better than educated children. The Mayor wins re-election all the while claiming in his reelection speech that "...another of [his] priorities is education. He said that while new schools were built and MCAS scores are improving, the overall level of education can be lifted higher and the district needs to retool and deal with declining student enrollment." From: Peabody Lynnfield Weekly News

The City Council wins both ways...
~ If you voted FOR the budget you are seen as a proactive, fiscally prudent protector of the elderly and the middle class, blue collar folks here in Peabody... just like the Mayor (see above)
~ If you voted AGAINST the budget (either time) you are seen as a defender of the parents and children of the City of Peabody! Except... you really didn't do ANYTHING except grandstand about something you can't change in the first place. This was pandering and sticking it to the Mayor (or in some cases the School Committee) in order to look Pro Parent and Pro Student when you have done little if anything to help the situation.

Bottom line: Almost all City Councilors will be reelected no matter which way they voted on this matter because there aren't enough parents to change the voting numbers... and the children simply can't vote.

The School Committee wins as well.
Frankly, it doesn't matter if they all voted for the budget or not... the budget was given to them and they had no choice but to make cuts somewhere to meet the numbers. However they all approved the union wages which it turns out is the main reason that the school department was singled out as the only department that needed to make ANY LAYOFFS... everyone else who works for the City is INDISPENSABLE while 73 people in the school department (don't worry, they say it will be less) ARE COMPLETELY UNNEEDED AND UNNECESSARY.

But the School Committee did get to LOOK GOOD as they were destroying the schools... they saved THIS program and THAT position... usually to the cheers of some very vocal group of parents, teachers, admins, etc. So they too will look like the valiant fighters who went into a losing battle and were able to snatch a few key nuggets of education for our youths. They all get reelected.

Hmmm. Yeah if all these folks win... somebody has to lose, right? Sadly you all know who…

Our children are the losers.
And when they lose, we all lose.

Peabody, your taxes are too low and your priorities are misplaced. And sadly, your leaders are failing you while they leave the next generation of Peabody citizens to fend for themselves.

Mayor's Budget is in and it is 100% Anti Education

I was appalled when I read about the cuts the City of Peabody is planning for the 2010 budget.. 100% of the job cuts will be coming from the school department. 100%!!!

NO CUTS in the public services department. NO CUTS in the fire department. NO CUTS in the police department. NO CUTS in ANY OF THE OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES:

• Assessor's Office
  
• Auditor's Office
  
• Central Switchboard
  
• City Clerk's Office
  
• Collector's Office
  
• Community Development
  
• Custodian
  
• Emergency Management/ Civil Defense
  
• Finance and Administration
  
• Health Department
• Human Resources
• Inspectors' Office
• North Shore Home Consortium
• Office of Information Technology
• Purchasing Department
• Treasurer's Office
  
• Veterans Services Department
• Water Billing Office
• Workers Compensation Office
  
• Brooksby Farm
• Cemetery
  
• Legal Department
  
• Council on Aging
  
• George Peabody House Museum/ Civic Center
• Peabody Library
• McVann-O'keefe Skating Rink
  
• Parks, Recreation and Forestry or
  
• The Meadow of Peabody Golf Course.

That's right. The only place that had people fired because of budget reasons was THE PEABODY SCHOOL SYSTEM. NOT ONE OTHER DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY NEEDS TO MAKE A SINGLE CUT!

I think that this is the first time I will need to agree with the often repeated comment by visitors to these blogs...

MAYOR BONFANTI IS NOT THE EDUCATION MAYOR.

The Salem News: An Overview of the 2010 Budget
The Salem News: Bonfanti plans to weather another term

This is the systematic disassembling of the Peabody School System. I have no problem with the shrinking enrollments... in that case be SMART and close a school to consolidate students and continue to provide quality education. BUT NO. Instead we will hack away at the very people who provide the educational opportunities to our children that will lay the groundwork for the rest of their lives.

According to the article:

The school department has about 800 full-time employees compared to 457 for the remaining city departments. The school layoffs reflect the district's declining enrollment, Bonfanti said.

"You just can't keep hiring people," Bonfanti said. "There's got to be a point in time when you right-size."

City departments, he said, have done a better job keeping spending in check and leaving positions unfilled. "We've always run lean," Bonfanti said.

This is short sighted and will anger many in the community. However... it is politically saavy as Peabody's median population is over 40... meaning that the majority of voters in the City DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ANY LONGER. Thus the Mayor is promising CUTS to the school system and making the seniors (and others) very happy with only a tiny tax increase.

Now to make matters worse... Bonfanti has now PROMISED to build a new ASSISTED LIVING CENTER on the property at the Torigian Life Center (senior center.) I have no problem with additional assisted living centers as I think it is good for our seniors to have choices for living arrangements. I do not think that the City needs to be the developer for such an enterprise - especially in a market with many opportunites readily available.

There are 8,398 citizens over 65 living in Peabody. And they have a realively new senior center for their use. YET... we have more than 8,800 children aged 5-19 living in the City (according to the 2000 US Census.) This administration (and others) have talked (and talked and talked) about a facility for these children - a teen center or a youth center - BUT NOTHING EVER HAPPENS. Yes, they do have a Skate Park (thank you Vera Kolias), but that is not enough.

Does this not serve as yet another indication that the children of Peabody are MUCH LESS IMPORTANT than everyone else in this City? You can NOT call yourself the EDUCATION MAYOR and do these kinds of things to the youth you pretend to serve.

Peabody Schools: All News is Bad News?

Peabody Schools in Free Fall? What is it about Peabody and its attitude towards education?

= = = = = U P D A T E D = = = = =

In a series of news stories this week the school system and particularly the ADULT PROFESSIONALS who claim to be running it, have shown themselves to be concerned much more about personal agendas and THE BOTTOM LINE rather than how to provide each and every child in the City of Peabody a first class education. I am not speaking of the teachers here... but rather the School Administration, the School Committee and City Hall.

Peabody and Lynnfield Weekly News:....Note: PLWN links expire in 7 days
Greek language course dominates board’s decision on high school cuts
and
Salem News: Principal, superintendent spar over Greek

How stupid is this? We are cutting basic services left and right because "the budget demands it" and yet we have special cases where 27 (yes that is correct, 27 out of 1900 students at the High School) students have enrolled in Greek Language (and culture) classes at PVMHS - and Superintendent Burnett... and a majority of the school committee, including the tie-breaker, Mayor Bonfanti, were willing to keep that program in place and cut teachers in other core curriculum areas.

This is laughable and reeks of special consideration. Yet another black day in Peabody Education.

===

Of course... no one was willing to have a three hour verbal fight over the fate of the people most responsible for your children's educational success after their teachers...

Salem News: School Committee mulls plan to cut aides' hours
Lynn Item: Peabody school board continues to search for ways to trim budget

These are just more expendable fodder for the LOWEST TAXES IN THE REGION war that seems to be Peabody's only concern.

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And then this gem of an idea!

Salem News: Peabody schools give parents free passes to games

So we are going to make the parents pay extra money so that their children can participate in all extra curricular activities. We are doing this because the schools do not have enough money. One way they currently raise some money for these activities is by charging admission to these events.

Ready for the brilliance of our elected School Committee!??!

Since the parents are going to be paying a fee for their children to play... they no longer need to pay admission fees! The problem is... they were going to pay this already! Hello!? And then the geniuses figured that since the parents will be getting in for free now... they will bring (drag?) along OTHER PAYING PEOPLE to come and fund the events.

Clue: Most people who attend the majority of these events ARE PARENTS.

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Here is bad news masquerading as good:

Salem News: Grant will help students, teachers

It seems some industrious Higgins teachers found, wrote and won a $10,000 grant from Verizon to purchase a laptop computer and projector and to get 10 teachers trained to better prepare students for MCAS success. But this grant was undertaken because the very successful after-school MCAS Camp program was eliminated.

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= = = = = U P D A T E D = = = = =

Maybe you are tired of seeing your Peabody schools being run in ways you would rather not see? Well why not become involved and be a part of the official screening committee for a new Higgins Principal.

TOO LATE! It seems that while Superintendent Burnett invited people to join this group on May xx, 2009... it was really already selected... Just one more public mistake in the land of Peabody Public School Administration? I would like to think so but I wonder if this means the entire screening committee will return a predetermined outcome as well?

Salem News: 32 apply for Higgins School principal position
Salem News: Superintendent invites staff and public to focus groups

....Those interested in serving on the screening committee must send a letter to the attention of:
Human Resources Director Louise Genualdo
Kiley Administration Building
21 Johnson St.
Peabody, MA 01960

Election Discussions: Comment space is now ready for each of the major races

There are 10 separate comment posts that will have a direct link on the home page (see left).

I was asked to provide a place for commentary and discussion on the many races that are underway for the 2009 city elections.


I have provided a separate post for each race. If you have something to say or discuss about any of these races... that is one place for you to go.

This does NOT mean that we will not be discussing the important topics and concerns in the normal course of the blog... it simply offers readers an alternative place to make comments and engage their fellow citizens.

Mayor

This is the area for people to post comments on the race for Mayor

Incumbent:
Michael J. Bonfanti

Challenger:
Russell P. Donovan

New Blog on Peabody Politics

A group of citizens led by Keith Doucette has opened up a new blog to focus specifically on the next elections here in Peabody.

2009 Peabody Elections

As is usually the case, Keith has interesting things to add to the blog-o-sphere. Check it out.

Shame on us

The Salem News: Peabody councils OKs cops' 9/11 pay
The Boston Globe: Anger over paid 9/11 holiday
The Boston Herald: Peabody approves Sept 11 holiday pay
The Lynn Item: Peabody council approves 9/11 holiday pay
News Center 5: City OKs police OT pay for 9/11 holiday
News 7: Peabody approves holiday pay
Fox News: Peabody Police to get holiday pay
The AP: Mass City's police officers get Sept 11 holiday

The stories speak for themselves. We have allowed the Police Union, the Police Officers, the Mayor and the City Council to make all citizens of Peabody look like fools and every public safety worker in the country look like greedy bastards -- simply because these people could not FIX THE MISTAKE THEY MADE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Here is a police blogger who has written on this story: 9/11 Holiday Pay??? Are you for real???

And I will publish here my response to him and the world...

Peabody_Insider said:

I live in Peabody. I know some of the Peabody cops. The ones I know are pretty good guys, but as in every group, there are always a few bad apples.

Now, I wouldn’t call Peabody a podunk town (we are in fact a podunk CITY) but this is a terrible situation.

I have not met one person in the City who is NOT against this situation.

And I totally agree… it is making EVERYONE look bad.

This was a Union Tactic to get something extra because they were giving in to higher co-pays and premiums for health benefits. I think it was more than likely simply a “we need something in return” kind of thing… and some brilliant soul thought up “HEY! Let’s get 9/11 as a holiday pay day!”

And the geniuses at the table (the Union AND the City) all said “sure” because they never thought it through.

The Union was simply doing what Unions do… looking out for themselves by proving they are getting something for the workers. The City was just glad to be done with the negotiations and for getting the health insurance increase. When the cops voted on the contract, they were just happy to be getting a raise after 2 years (despite the increased health costs and the guarantee of layoffs in the coming year - why don’t these guys ever protect the younger ranks?)

Then the controversy hit the news… and media from all over the US was here to blast the situation.

Do these folks ever GET IT? Do they ever say… WHOOPS! And take it back? In a very quick move they could have ‘renegotiated’ the 9/11 holiday into another personal day, shook hands, a quick rank and file re-vote and PRESTO! EVERYBODY LOOKS GOOD AGAIN AND THE CONTROVERSY GOES AWAY!

But no… not it Peabody where everyone thinks they are right come hell or high water (and it frequently still does flood downtown mind you.)

The idiotic Union reps decided to spin this as “We are honoring the 9/11 heroes!” Yeah right… by getting overtime pay - some honor there.

The “Never Wrong” Mayor dug his heels in too first by lobing the blame at the Union, but then (surprisingly) taking it all onto himself. I think even he was seeing the tarnish it had put on the City and the badge carrying folks.

So then the vote this week before the City Council. They needed to fund the pay raises. These “heroes” mostly go up and railed against the stupidity of ‘honoring others’ by filling one’s own pockets… and then voted to fund it.

So let’s see….

The Peabody Police look like bastards for stealing money in the name of a national tragedy.

The Mayor looks like a rube who can’t understand why people might find this unseemly.

The City Council looks like a bunch of moron’s with the power to stop this… but the will to do nothing.

The Union looks like giant asses for the “we are honoring the memory…” crapola.

All Police are given a huge black eye from the public for 1) taking advantage of a tragedy and 2) being greedy public trough piglets.

The Citizens of Peabody are the laughing stock of the nation for at least one more news cycle because of the stupid, cowardly and entrenched actions of our local government.

Yeah… a complete mess that could have been solved long ago with a simple…”let’s fix this” action by the meeting of intelligent minds from both labor and management.

A sad sad day for everyone.

I sincerely apologize for the harm done to Police (and first responders/public safety workers) everywhere for the foolish actions by my political leaders and local police.

Full text of Mayor Bonfanti's 2009 mid-term Address

The Peabody & Lynnfield Weekly News: Transcript of Mayor Michael Bonfanti's 2009 mid-term address

(note: These links to the PLWN are only available for around 1 week!)

I will post the entire address in the first comment to save space on the main page of the Peabody Roundtable. Please feel free to comment.

City Hall to hand out across the board raises... despite economic woes

Salem News: Peabody's nonunion employees to receive raise

You know they say in the world of comedy...
Timing is Everything

Apparently this doesn't hold true for politics in the City of Peabody.

One day after a rather doom & gloom filled mid-term address to the City, Mayor Bonfanti announces a 3-year 9% raise for all nonunion employees.

Now, since the City is required by law to negotiate with the unions, they have always (if memory serves) given the same 'deal' to the nonunion employees after all the union contracts are completed. And the nonunion folks will be forced to accept the same higher portion of their medical benefits (with higher co-pays) as the union as well.

But what seem to be irking some, me included, is the idea that these raises are simple across the board increases without regard for any type of performance evaluation.

It is one thing when dealing with the union - in those cases the union has the authority regarding how it allocates pay levels. It is quite another when one considers nonunion employees. These folks are responsible for themselves and the City should not be rewarding everyone in every position regardless of performance.

What I am saying is this: Two employees, Bob and Bill.

Bob is kind of a slacker. He got his job and he used to work hard at it... but has come to see that it doesn't really matter if he hustles or not because he gets a raise either way. He is not always on time, doesn't work and play well with others and often seems to be thinking more about his upcoming weekend rather than the task at hand. I am not sure that Bob really deserves any raise at all.

Bill works really hard, is always on time, is helpful to his fellow workers and the public too. Does his job well and looks for ways to make things better. Bill deserves a nice big raise... but does he necessarily get one?

If times are so very tough... and folks, THEY ARE... Then maybe the answer is no. I hate saying that because while some will scoff at the Mayors assertion that if salaries are not keeping up with comparable jobs elsewhere we will lose good people, I absolutely agree with him.

But that is EVEN MORE REASON to institute a performance based system of raises! Frankly... we would probably all be happier if BOB LEFT.... but we should all be willing to PAY BILL MORE TO STAY!

And as far as timing goes... Jeez! You could NOT have created a more awkward situation if you had planned it for weeks! Then again... Ole Jorge at The Peabody Patriot called this exact situation DAYS AGO.