Worcester's New Parking Meters

Spotted this new parking meter on Franklin Street near the T&G building.
This just confirms what I know already: most people don't carry change or cash, but they do have their credit card and/or debit card handy.

Legalize it and Tax it!

I'm not going to stand on a soapbox and attempt to pontificate that the legalization of marijuana would be the downfall of the United States of America.

Shoot, while growing up in the Virgin Islands, it seemed as if all of my parent's friends smoked marijuana (read: weed) and more than a few grew their own stuff.  With year-round warm weather, it made for an ideal setting.

I know more than a handful of people that reside in Massachusetts that smoke weed everyday in order to alleviate pain from Multiple Sclerosis, herniated disks, glaucoma, and cancer.

These are not bad people.  They certainly aren't "druggies" that walk around flaunting it or try to influence others to smoke.  They're people that have jobs, take care of their family, run successful businesses and, shoot, one is a millionaire that owns two blocks of prime commercial real estate in Boston.

When the subject of marijuana comes up in a conversation, I always smile because of my experience and knowledge of the stuff.  I wasn't taught to "fear" the stuff or not to try it because it would make me stupid.  If there was ever a drug that I was taught to "fear", it was cocaine.

Currently, in California's upcoming November 2nd election, they're going to vote on Proposition 19, the state initiative to control and tax marijuana.

Just last week, US Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Obama administration would "vigorously enforce" federal drug laws against people who sell, distribute or grow marijuana for recreational use.

Holder's missive to the nine former chiefs of the US Drug Enforcement Administration stated:

"Let me state clearly that the Department of Justice strongly opposes Proposition 19. If passed, this legislation will greatly complicate federal drug enforcement efforts to the detriment of our citizens."

There were a number of people that rushed to echo Attorney General Holder's statement, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, in particular, held a press conference that morning in downtown LA.

Prop. 19 would allow Californians 21 and older to grow up to 25 square feet of cannabis plants, and to possess up to an ounce of marijuana. It would also empower cities and counties to regulate marijuana cultivation and sales. Several municipalities are poised to do so if the law passes, with initiatives concerning taxation and regulation on the same ballot as Prop. 19.

As we wait to see what the November 2nd election holds for the state of California, one of two things will happen: (1) the initiative will be voted "Yes" and then the respective city and town attorneys will file an injunction again Prop. 19; or (2) Proposition 19 will be voted "No" and then a number of groups will attempt to file appeals, which will go no where and waste resources.

It's already being reported that in Los Angelese, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich has contacted the Department of Justice asking them to file an injunction against Prop. 19.

Until November 2nd.........many in LA are shouting, "Puff, puff, give!"

Worcester Blogger Coffee Pictures

I was planning to post pictures of the Worcester Blogger Coffee on Sunday night once I got home, but I got lazy and decided that I'd post them on Monday.

Well, Monday came and then I was graced with footwear marketing campaign that I wanted to be involved with but thought the company and their team wanted to go with an advertising outfit in New York City.  Thus the delay with posting the pictures.

I do believe that everything happens for a reason and, while I don't completely know the reason at the moment, when I began to review the pictures, they brought a smile to my face and confirmed that we have some great Bloggers in Worcester who are passionate and, at the same time, don't take themselves too seriously.  And that is a good thing.

 

While I didn't note the folks in the pictures, believe me when I write this, these are just a few of the cream of the crop of writers in the Worcester Blogosphere.

Underperforming Public Schools

When I read the report from the Institute on Urban Health Research at Northeastern University, immediately I noted that while urban, public schools are underperforming, there are a number of Massachusetts charter schools, whose population is very diverse, in some instances, being more than 80-percent Black or Hispanic, and are outperforming their suburban peers.

For example, in Boston, the many urban schools that are underperforming are pretty much on their own and its only a matter of time before they're closed.

I'm sure that within the very near future the chatter regarding the underperforming schools in Worcester will become louder.  Worcester Public School Superintendent, Dr. Melinda Boone, will have to break the news to the public and I can only imagine what those town hall meetings will be like.  This is one time where, as in math, a negative plus a negative doesn't equal a positive.

So, what's the answer? 

Well, we can't expect folks to move their family from Worcester to towns such as Shrewsbury, Auburn, Millbury and Holden. Shoot, I'm sure the good folks of those towns don't want a ton of folks moving into their respective town and usurping resources (hey, I'm only being honest).

I've come up with a few solutions:

• Assess what is being taught at the charter schools, paying special attention to the teaching methods.
• Review the charter school's hiring practices.
• Implement longer school days.

While I'm sure you can add a number of additional items to this short list, I have to say that I purposely left "parent involvement" off the list.  From my experience, parent involvement at charter schools is very high and parents/ families are engaged and involved in school activities and pride themselves on such.  What's the reason? I honestly don't know.

Lastly, I would recommend every public school move to a "uniform" dress code. 

Students would be easily identifiable to their peers, the public and it dissuades the pressure that some children feel by not being able to afford the latest clothes and shoes.

It's a start, and I'm sure the researchers that drafted the Institute on Urban Health Research report are going to release some more information regarding their findings in early 2011.


I wonder if Superintendent Boone is working on her own report?

The YMCA....Excuse me, I mean The Y (Congrats)

You may recall when I wrote about the YMCA's rebranding and changing it's signage to simply "The Y".


Well, The Y of Central Massachusetts held their annual Strong Kids Campaign and raised $536,000!

This is great news and I know firsthand the great programs that The Y offers and the GREAT people that work there! 

Thank you.

Salute!

WE DID IT!

$536,000

Dear Friend,

We are writing to personally thank everyone who participated in this year's Strong Kids Campaign. Because of your generosity, much needed financial assistance went directly to children, teens and families in our community who need us most.

Whether is was learning to swim at Camp Blanchard, touring colleges in D.C., being voted in as lieutenant governor at Youth and Government Day or just being a kid in our after school program, our Y's children and teens spent the past year doing great things - made possible with YOUR SUPPORT!

This year's Campaign officially ended on September 30^th. As an Association, we have raised $536,000 in pledges - that's an outstanding 101% of our goal and more money than we have ever raised before!

Please know that every gift counts in helping to ensure that thousands of children and teens in Central Massachusetts have an enriching, safe and fun place to go after school and on the weekends.

On behalf of the thousands of children who count on us, thank you for your support of our YMCA. Together we truly are making a difference.

Warm regards,

Bob Seega                                Kathy Hunter

2010 Strong Kids Chair              President/CEO