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.

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

Mayor:
Russell Donovan

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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
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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 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.