Attention: Mosquito Spraying Tonight

Mosquito control officers will be spraying public areas and streets west of Rt . 1 tonight to control an outbreak of EEE

The Salem News: Mosquito spraying tonight in Peabody
The City of Peabody website has additional information as well.

This came at late notice and it is only announced for tonight, September 24, 2009.

Plans call for spraying all ball fields, playgrounds, parks and the bikeway as well as residential streets west of Rt. 1.

Residents are advised to keep windows and doors that face the street or recreation areas closed during this time.

Missing Signs

I just wanted to make a mention here of the sign controversy in Ward 6, where Councilor Sinewitz's signs have gone missing in two different incidents. There are also other signs, including Mr. Sheehan's, missing - but in numbers that do not indicate a targeted action. The Sinewitz signs do appear to be being targeted.

The Salem News: Sheehan condemns theft of opponent's campaign signs
The Salem News: Sinewitz's campaign signs stolen in Ward 6
The Salem News Opinion Letters: West Peabody race gets nasty

There is much discussion going on at Keith Doucette's Peabody Patriot blog.

I feel that both candidates are handling this very well and that neither is involved in the pilfering of the other's signs. I am very hopeful the Peabody police get to the bottom of this quickly.

Stealing ANY campaign sign is simply unamerican and cowardly! Freedom of speech, especially political speech, is a hard fought for right and a basic expectation in our country.

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.

Ward 1 Primary: Tuesday, 9/15/09

Congratulations to all the candidates in this primary.
And good luck to both leaders in the November elections.

Ward 1 City Councilor Primary was held Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

Peabody Patriot is reporting:

OSBOURNE 360
FORTI 294
CARLI 126

Just a public service here, no editorializing.

The Salem News: Carli says city residents aren't seeing any results

The Salem News: A newcomer, Forti says he is full of 'fresh ideas'

The Salem News: Osborne touts the ability to help his constituents

Peabody Polling Locations are in this brief article in the Peabody Weekly News:

The polls will open on Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. and are at the same locations as in citywide elections. Ward 1 residents in precincts 1 and 3 can vote at St. Ann’s Church on Lynn Street, while Precinct 2 residents can vote at Woodbridge Assisted Living Facility at 240 Lynnfield St. (The Precinct 2 poll is no longer at the Peabody-Lynnfield YMCA.)

Any voters who will be out of the city on Tuesday or unable to make it to the polls because of a physical disability or religious observance may vote by absentee ballot. Call the City Clerk’s office at (978) 538-5756 for more information

I am not a resident of Ward 1 so I have little direct contact with any of these gentlemen. I will say this - that I welcome political competition and dislike uncontested races. I also demand that if someone asks me for my vote that they explain exactly why I should vote for them AND why they are the better choice for the office.

Good luck and please vote Ward 1

Shame on the Peabody School Committee

Bravo to our good and brave School Committee members. The Peabody School Committee is trying to cover their own stupidity and arrogance by blaming the very people they have caused all the headaches for in the first place.

Salem News: Special ed pushed to cover rehiring

Let's take a look at this ever more sad chain of events and see if we, unlike School Committee member David McGeney, can see where the fault lies... and who is ultimately at fault here...

The School Committee is told by Mayor Bonfanti to slash the school budgets and prepare the school system for the obvious layoffs (remember... it was ONLY the Peabody Public Schools that needed to lay off ANYONE - every single other position in Peabody Government was considered NOT OVER BUDGET.)

Then the crack education folks on the School Committee told the school administrators to sharpen their budgets... and several meetings were held to hammer out a workable budget.

During one of these meetings a School Committee member (sorry, I forget who it was) asked if the school adjustment coordinator (SAC) positions might be cut instead of the elementary school guidance councilors... with the idea that other guidance councilors could do the work of the SACs.

To his partial credit, Superintendent Burnett told the SC that IT WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

And to show that they know more than the experts, they told the Superintendent to do it anyway... and to his chagrin, he fired the SACs.

Now, only a few months later... The truth about the SACs comes out. They are specialized positions requiring specialized certification... and without that certification the Peabody Schools will be OUT OF COMPLIANCE... which really means that they will be open to law suits from parents for failing to meet the educational requirements of students.

So.... guess what? Peabody now needs to REHIRE the two SACs that they sacked a few months back (sorry, couldn't resist).

Now the Superintendent looks like an ASS.
But even worse... the School Committee all look like ASSES.

How to fix this situation so that the School Committee members DON'T LOOK SO STUPID IN AN ELECTION YEAR???

I KNOW! They will put all the blame on the director of the Peabody Schools Special Education department, Patricia Bullard... BECAUSE SHE FOLLOWED THE ORDERS THEY TOLD HER TO FOLLOW IN THE FIRST PLACE.

And David McGeney even gets a little testy that she somehow simply can not wave her magic wand and restore the $140,000 that the School Committee took out of her budget when they removed these people in the first place.

I simply can not believe that after so many LOWS in the past few years that the Peabody Schools have yet again sunk to a new depth.

Shame on the Peabody School Committee.

Quarry Expansion & Closure Confuses Politicians

The Quarry controversy rears its ugly head yet again

The Boston Globe: Peabody rock quarry closure plans are in midsts of expanding


This is not such a giant controversy.

The quarry was in place long before the houses all sprouted up, so the neighbors complaining about the quarry are simply guilty of choosing to live in the wrong place.

That being said, Aggregate Industries is proving itself to be not only a bad neighbor, but a criminal one as well. The company needs to be very closely watched as it has proven itself to be NOT TRUSTWORTHY.

However, the fact that the two politicians mentioned in the article, Ted Speliotis and Barry Sinewitz, are confused by such a "complicated idea" that this company has the legal right to expand, and plans to do so, while at the same time creating a shut down plan for 30 years in the future says more about the mental abilities of these gentlemen and less about this confusing issue.

It is not confusing.

This company can (and obviously plans to) continue its operations in this location until they have exhausted their permitted rights. They also are required to create a long-term plan to ultimately close the plant.

Gentlemen... how hard is that to understand?

Bottom line...

- Neighbors will complain about ANYTHING and the reality is you shouldn't build/buy your house next to a rock quarry if you don't like noise, ground shaking blasts and truck traffic.

- Aggregate Industries has proven itself to be untrustworthy and in violation of the law. They need to be closely monitored and controlled.

Now I know from talking with a few people that living near AI is a pain and it makes life unpleasant at times (and dangerous at others)... even if people made bad choices in the past (choosing to live near a quarry) - but they are there now and the City should be trying to mediate a fair and reasonable accommodation for all involved. AI has rights, but so do the residents. In fact, the City itself should bear some of the responsibility for allowing these homes to be built in the first place.

In my opinion the best course of action here is:

1) Continue the closure plan discussions with a keen focus on how the land will/can be used in the future.

2) Continue the discussion on the expansion plans - AND MAKE SURE THE CITY HAS SMART PEOPLE IN THIS DEBATE when it comes to the issuance of special permits required for AI to achieve its goals.

The only place the City has any say in AI's business (if they are operating within the law) is when they come to ask for a special permit. This is the time the City needs to act intelligently and get some logical concessions in order to benefit FIRST, the City as a whole and SECOND, the concerns of the neighbors.

Local Options: To Tax or Not To Tax?

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

Mayor Bonfanti says while he sees "both sides of the issue" the City could really use the added tax money.

The Lynn Item: Peabody in pickle on local tax hike

What I don't find very convincing is Mayor Bonfanti's justification for raising the taxes: that the Legislature will be mad at the cities and towns for NOT enacting the taxes while still looking for State relief. To me this sounds like grasping at straws for a reason BESIDES the fact that the City needs more funds... and it seems rather week to me.

The other assertion, that it would be easier if everyone were to enact the increase (Danvers has voted no while Saugus has voted yes) and has the Mayor wishing Salem would pass it to make it easier for Peabody to do the same... is NOT LEADERSHIP! It is being a follower. Stop it and just do the right thing because it is THE RIGHT THING... even if it hurts you in the polls.

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The Massachusetts State Legislature has give Cities and Towns the local option to add a local tax onto hotel rooms and/or meals. This would add up to 2% to the cost of a hotel or motel room and up to 0.75% to the cost of a meal in a restaurant.

The Peabody Weekly News: Decision on local luxury tax hikes stalled until fall

Note: The PWN only has stories up for one week

The Salem News Editorial: Nelson Benton: Nothing tasty about meals tax
The Salem News: Megavoke OK'd, Meals tax denied in Danvers
The Salem News: Local Taxes may rise in tough times
The Salem News: Senate OKs hike in sales, alcohol tax
The Boston Globe: Tax options raise interest, with caution
The Boston Globe: Towns consider tax hike

The problem: State aid to Cities and Towns has plummeted in recent years.
The (one small?) solution: Give local communities the ability to gather their own local taxes with an increase in hotel and meals taxes.

This is not a perfect solution, but it is one way to allow Cities and Towns to gather additional income in very difficult financial times.

The reality of the hotel/motel situation is that adding 2% to the hotel room charges would equal around an additional $2.00 a day to the average hotel/motel room in Peabody. And since the vast majority of the people staying these hotels are from out of town... this seems a perfect way to recoup some of the losses in State funding.

The meals tax is a little more personal as it will mostly affect the locals who frequent Peabody restaurants. However, this additional tax is EXTREMELY SMALL... 0.75% in fact, so small that it simply can not be held up as a DETERRENT to folks seeking to have a meal in a local eatery.

The cost of eating out will change very little... in fact, here are some prime examples...

Breakfast at Dunkin Donuts:
Large coffee and a bagel with cream cheese:
$4.38 --------- + 3 cents tax! = $4.41

Lunch at Sonic (just opened on Rt. 1):
A Number 2 (SuperSONIC Cheeseburger Combo w/ medium fries + drink)
$5.99 --------- + 5 cents tax! = $6.04

Dinner at Sugarcane (for two):
Hot & Sour soup (2), Crab Rangoon, Orange Duck, General Gau's Chicken, and 2 (!) Scorpion Bowls
$64.00 --------- + 48 cents tax! = $64.48

Special Romantic Evening Out for 2 at Legal Seafoods
2 signature cocktails, oysters and coconut shrimp appetizers, shared large Caesar salad, surf & turf (shrimp & scallops), grilled wild salmon, bottle of wine ($45), 2 signature desserts and cappuccinos
$190.00 --------- + $1.43 tax! = $191.43

This should pretty much prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that this additional amount of tax would do NO ONE any harm and indeed would NOT change anyone's plans to stop in for a quick bite... or an evening of fine dining.

Now on to the man who cost Peabody $300,000...
Thanks to Councilor Rico Mello - who seems perpetually stuck in some other reality - the City Council will not take up the discussion on these local taxes - NOT EVEN DISCUSS IT!?! - until the Fall... thus losing out on approximately $300,000 in additional City revenues that Mayor Bonfanti proposed applying towards desperately needed road and sidewalk repairs.

Now I am NOT saying I think we should allocate these moneys to ANY ONE project... and if we DO pick only one... roads and sidewalks are NOT the number one need in this City.

But for Councilor Mello to yet again show himself as the OPPONENT OF ANY CHANGE in this City is yet another reason to elect a better representative in the coming elections.

Senator Ted Kennedy Dead at 77

Senator Edward Kennedy Dead at 77

It will come to no surprise to anyone familiar with my viewpoints that Senator Kennedy is a personal hero of mine. I believe that he showed us all that a flawed person can indeed become a force for good in this world.

The Liberal Lion of the Senate is gone. He shall be missed.

The Boston Globe: Kennedy dead at 77
The Boston Herald: Senator Edward M. Kennedy dies at 77
The New York Times: Edward Kennedy, Senate Stalwart, Dies
The BBC World Service: Senator Edward Kennedy dies at 77

Peabody West Little Leaguers head to World Series

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

Well the young folks had quite a time in Pennsylvania! They represented the City of Peabody proudly, and while they did not always finish the game with a W in the scorebox, they certainly played with spirit and energy and gave it their very best! That is absolutely all that anyone can ask of another person or team!

Thank you all for your efforts this season and for allowing us to share in your success!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

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As many of you might have guessed, I am not the biggest sports fan out there. And I don't like to see school athletics favored over academics. But this is a different story.

Peabody West Little League has advanced to the Little League Baseball World Series in South Williamsport, PA after a stunning series of wins... some of them in the heart-stopping category.


The next 3 games are as follows: Schedule is here
and for more info: www.littleleague.org

GAME 4
8:00 pm, Friday, 8/21/09
New England vs. Southwest

GAME 13
6:00 pm, Sunday, 8/23/09
West vs. New England

GAME 22
4:00pm, Tuesday, 8/25/09
Great Lakes vs. New England

Now it looks like these will be broadcast only on ESPN360 (Click Here) I believe this is a free internet service IF you are using a member ISP. Note: Comcast and Verizon are BOTH MEMBER ISP's!

I think this is one event that can bring the entire City together to cheer on and support our young people!
GOOD LUCK PEABODY!

Here are some local stories about these fine ball players and their families, friends and fans:

NECN Video: Peabody West team a source of pride for City
Boston Globe: Peabody takes long route into Little League World Series
Salem News: Peabody West: World Series here they come
Lynn Item: Peabody West parents absorb a heart-stopping game and conclusion
Peabody Weekly News: West makes it to New England Finals

Peabody Fined $70,000 by EPA

***UPDATED***

The Salem News has provided a better picture of this story... and specifically why the City is getting charged the $70,000 fine.

The Salem News: City is fined $70k by EPA

Turns out this is NOT a case of anything but some poor paperwork management... or mismanagement on the part of the City. The Mayor, while taking ultimate responsibility, did blame in part the (swift? unexpected?) departure of Dick Carnevale as one major reason that these oversights occurred.

However, this does NOT appear to be a case of wanton pollution as is being promoted by a few vocal individuals in the blog'o'sphere. It never fails to amaze me how some people are so quick to jump to the worst possible conclusions. This is, of course, NOT AN EXCUSE FOR THIS INANE OVERSIGHT BY THE CITY! $70,000 would certainly have made the Peabody Public Schools a tiny bit better.

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The Lynn Item is reporting that the City of Peabody has been fined $70,000 by the EPA for...
failing to meet permit requirements designed to ensure that raw sewage and other pollutants stay out of storm sewers, which drain to local rivers, ponds and coastal waters.

The Lynn Item: EPA fines Peabody $70,000 over raw sewage drains

I will admit I don't really have much information to add to this published report. I am not familiar with the current regulations that are specified in the article and more importantly it really doesn't specify what exactly Peabody did wrong to deserve this fine.

I did want to post this so people can have a place to discuss this and I will update as morte information becomes available.