Playgrounds: Some Truth Exist

I read Clive McFarlane's playground article and truly laughed out loud. 

The Roosevelt School playground, which I know about first-hand because my daughter attended the school when the conversation began about having a playground on school grounds, was built with alot of money from the school's parents and alot of  "sweat equity".

I wish Clive would have done a better job fact checking the figures because he would have learned that it was NOT $30,000 that was kicked in by the City from the City Sewer Fund as a way "to give something back" to the Vernon Hill and Quinsigamond Village residents, the real dollar amount is more like $300,000.

If you'd like the back story, you can read what I've written about the Providence Street Playground here.

Grand Hustle: Providence Street Playground pt. 3

I love how the Telegram and Gazette, with Rondo-sized assists from Paul Clancy, District 3 Councilman, Robert Antonelli, Assistant Commissioner of Parks and Public Works, and Robert Moylan, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, are reporting that the playground on Providence Street is "only" costing between $200k to $300k.

These are the same men that said that there would have to be improvements made to the surrounding area, sidewalks installed and the cost would be around the $455k mark.  Nice way to coveniently forget about $255k to $155k!

The kicker to the T&G article is, "Mr. Antonelli acknowledged that some neighbors remain opposed to the playground, though Mr. Clancy said he had only received one negative e-mail about the project since construction started last year".

Mr. Antonelli has a better memory than Paul Clancy, because he can remember the push-back from area residents at the meeting that took place at the Vernon Hill School on February 27, 2008, where residents in attendance told them they were full of shit building a playground when there were better ways to spend more than $100k.

Maybe the money didn't come from property taxes, but the playground was proposed as,"gesture to show the city's gratitude" to the residents affected by the expanded Ballard Street compost site. Neighborhoods such as those in the areas of Gibbs Street, Granite Street, Dane Avenue and Svenson Avenue, to name a few, are affected whenever the compost site emits odor.

The then principal of the Vernon Hill School, Ms. Joanna Bowolick, was all for the playground because it would benefit her students directly, but she wouldn't be a the school long enough to see the first backhoe at the site.

 The BIG kicker came in December 2008, when the proposal for the playground was approved by the City Council, after Paul Clancy very slyly had the proposal brought up at a City Council meeting right before Christmas.  Hey, he knows when people are sleeping and he knows when they're awake, and Paul Clancy banks on the fact that most of his constituents are asleep at the wheel.  True Masshole modus operandi.

The playground was approved, Clancy is pleased, Moylan is pleased, Antonelli is pleased and the people that live in the area are pleased, but do they know that they've been Grand Hustled?

Arizona: Here I Go!

It's time to put this out there and there's no reason to tip-toe around this fact. There are racists in the United States of America and many of them are the leaders that are elected by the people of the United States of America.

While I've met my share of prejudice and racist folks in Massachusetts or New England, for that matter, I know that not all folks are bigots.

What I struggle with today, more than ever, is that if you have a problem working with women, Latinos, Asians, Blacks (Yes, I use the word "Black" because I'm not a politically correct asshole that thinks Ronald Reagan was the best President and praise him for introducing "African-American" to our vocabulary.) and a truly diverse group of people, then you are going to struggle and you're going to have a very frustrating life. Believe that!

The debate that's taking place involving Arizona and Senate Bill 1070 is very interesting because there are people on the left, people on the right and, of course, people smack-dab in the middle. The folks in the middle are caught in mental double-dutch.

While I think that what the City Council pulled last week spearheaded by District 3 City Councilor, Paul Clancy, is truly a "bitch ass move", we have to STAND UP for something and decide what side of the debate the City is on.

Now, just as in life, we know that as more information is shared our position may change, slightly, but that's the beauty of all of this......we can debate and change our minds. It's called free will.

I think the Tea Party that protested outside City Hall last week do serve a purpose, but I do have an issue with their belief that their position is the ONLY position. We can agree to disagree and that's what a democracy is. (Hey, you don't have to stick your head up a horses ass to see shit; we can all agree we can look around and see it everywhere.)

Let the debate continue.

Grand Hustle 101: Providence Street Playground (cont.)

Remember when I wrote about the proposed $455k playground that is going to be built on Providence Street to benefit the Vernon Hill School? I wrote about it here, here and here .

Well, the construction has gotten under way and while there are new sidewalks and, generally speaking, there is no way that this playground cost $455,000!

If so, then I know that the playground has been aptly named "Grand Hustle".



I think it's time for Worcester to have it's own version of "The Ultimate Hustler" reality television show and topping the list of participants, in no particular order we would have:

• Paul P. Clancy, Jr., District 3 City Councilor
• Robert L. Moylan, Jr., Commissioner, Department of Public Works & Parks
• Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager
• Konstantina B. Lukes, Councilor-at-Large
• Melinda J. Boone, Superintendent, Worcester Public Schools
• Mauro DePasquale, Executive Director, WCCA TV13
  

I don't watch reality television shows, but rest assured that I'd be sure to tune in or set the DVR to record that bad boy! It would be straight comedy and great entertainment.



Maybe we can convince Andrea Ajemian and Kaz Gamble of "Worcester Love" and "We Got the Beat" to direct and film the show, and have Mike Benedetti of "508" be the host? But only if we can have Brendan Melican be the Trump-like boss that kicks people off the show or has the group complete an task such as carrying two fifty-pound weights, one in each hand, up and down George Street until there's only one person standing.

Hmmmmmmmmm.

City Council:"That's a B*#@H Ass Move!"

I love people that aren't afraid to speak their mind and are bold in the face of opposition. That being said, when I heard that Councilor Rick Rushton has decided to add to the City Council's agenda an item to stop doing business with any businesses in the state of Arizona, I thought that was a bold and good move.

It appears that after getting some media attention outside of Worcester and outside of Massachusetts, Rick Rushton decided to have the item filed and then allows the Dean of the City Council, Paul Clancy, to "punk" him.

While I understand Clancy's position to not have the City Council decide how it's going to handle interacting or doing business with businesses in Arizona, I think we have to be bold in the face of opposition and "Man up". What Clancy did to Rick is what he's done for years and no one pushes back.

As one gentleman said, after the City Council meeting, "That's a Bitch-Ass move!"

Sir, I have to agree with that statement one hundred percent.

Worcester Retirees: All We Got for Christmas is Screwed

When Virginia Ryan goes at City Council and the Councilors, you never know what you're going to get, but rest assured that she's not afraid to "mix it up" with the best of them, more notably District 3 Councilor, Paul Clancy.

Here's what she had to write in this weekend's Coalition of Worcester Retirees & Workers United:

GARY ROSEN will be covering Peter Blute's show on WCRN on Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday from 6-9 AM. Paul Clancy is his co-host on Monday. You might
want to call on Monday to chat with Paul. 508-438-0965
Mike Germain is cohost on Tuesday and Rick Rushton on Weds.

ASSIGNMENT FOR RETIREES: Call Monday and ask Councilor Clancy when he is going to retire. He filed our petition for Section 19 right into the basket at the December 1st City Council meeting (see Clancy Lowers the Boom on Workers United) below. Former longtime Worcester City Parks Commissioner Nugent would often say to people who asked when he was going to retire, about 8 PM tonight.

Make sure Councilor Clancy understands your question that is, when is he going to retire from the City Council and enjoy a true retirement, traveling and going to a warmer climate in the winter. Frank Beshai ran a great campaign and came in second with I think 40% of the vote in that district.

Secondly, those of you who receive no Social Security checks and will begin paying $110.50 a month (see attachment) as you are not being "held harmless" should also call Councilor Clancy tomorrow morning. Your Part B Medicare is much higher than mine. Thank Paul for co-sponsoring Section 18 along with former city councilor Mike Perotto. I understand Mike is going to run for Rep. Spellane's seat.

Thirdly, don't think I am going to do it for you. This is your homework.
Fourthly, no City Council meeting this Tuesday. School vacation. Huh?

Worcester Medicare Cost 2000-2010

City Council Pay Raises: A gloved slap in the face

I happened to read the news about the City Councilor's pay raises over at Daily Worcesteria and while, “It was the right thing to do. How could we do otherwise in this incredibly difficult time?,” says Councilor Kate Toomey. I had to write a response on Daily Worcesteria as well as post my response here on Worcester Is MAJOR!

The playground dubbed "The Grand Hustle" goes back to a meeting held on February 27, 2008, and written about on Worcester Is MAJOR! on February 28, 2008. Read that post here. Also, here's another post titled "The Great Divide" from October 16, 2007, so that you may get-up-to-speed on the history regarding the playground.

This is somewhat good news to read and hear, but when we have Councilors such as Paul Clancy pushing through, on the sly, the approval of $300k for a playground at Providence Street School, I guess not taking the pay raise is only a velvet-gloved slap in the face.

The amazing great act was played out prior to Christmas when most folks were still reeling from the ice storm and the snow storms that hit us all hard.

Mayor Lukes and the entire City Council should be ashamed, because in tough times, a playground is the last thing we need. There are good folks loosing their homes, struggle day in and day out to put food on the table and they have the audacity to approve a $300,000 playground?!

It's no wonder why Worcester is known as 'Wormtown'.

All the good people of Worcester have to get involved and call City officials to be responsible, especially when spending with reckless abandon is not the course we need to take during these lean times.

As in Latin, we must demand and expect Magis.

Change is Inevitable

We've heard alot about 'Change' for the past 2-years and now it looks
like Worcester is seeing some changes of it's own when it comes to how
the City spends it's tax payer's dollars.

When City Councilors (read: Clancy) are talking about spending $450k
on a playground
that is said to revitalize a neighborhood and serve as a 'gift' to the
neighborhood that had to deal with foul odor from the compost site, it
take residents to stand up and say 'No!'. Thank goodness Clancy and
others listened, but we also have to thank the failing economy for
knocking some folks down a peg or two. Now, if we can only get them to
do away with the outdoor ice skating rink. So much for being original
and basically copying Boston.

As the housing market continues to head south even more, the question
that begs to be asked is whether the government will bail out the
automotive industry
or will some of them fall by the wayside? We'll have to wait to see
what is to come.

Change is here and just as a wise man once told me, "Change is
inevitable, except from vending machines."

It's Official: Providence Street Fire Station to Close

Word was dropped like a gauntlet last night at the City Council meeting and City Manager O'Brien spoke about what had been rumor for many months....the Providence Street fire station is slated to be closed as soon as the Franklin Street Fire Station opens later on this year.

The rumors have been swirling for some time and everyone pleaded the 5th similarly to Ollie North, but now that the information is out there, it's time for residents of the Grafton, Vernon and Union hills areas to raise Cain.

If the Providence Street Fire Station is closed, imagine what the response times will be like for the area? A typical response time of 2-4 minutes would now be extended to 5-8 minutes. The extra 3-4 minutes could make the difference between whether someone lives and/ or looses their home.

So, what can you do? Call City Manager Michael O'Brien's office and let them know you oppose the closing of the Providence Street Fire Station at (508) 799-1175 or send mail to City Hall Room 309, 455 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.

You can also contact the City Council at council@ci.worcester.ma.us, or by calling (508) 799-1049.

WIM: One Man's Thoughts

Participate in the Worcester Is MAJOR talk show Thursday nights at 9 PM EST.

Grand Hustle 101: Playground

On Wednesday, February 27th, I attended a meeting at Vernon Hill School to discuss the proposed playground that has been slated to be built at Glodis Field on Providence Street.

What I experienced and witnessed first-hand was the grandest of all "grand hustles" put on by District 3 Councilor, Paul Clancy, Jr., and mouthed by Assistant Commissioner of Parks, Robert Antonelli, Jr.

While this meeting was supposed to be "open to the public" it was very obvious that such was not the case as the meeting was "stacked" with supporters in favor of the playground, particularly by teachers of Vernon Hill School.

The playground was proposed as a, "gesture to show the city's gratitude" to the residents affected by the expanded Ballard Street compost site. Neighborhoods such as those in the areas of Gibbs Street, Granite Street, Dane Avenue and Svenson Avenue, to name a few, are affected whenever the compost site emits odor.

While there was an opportunity to ask questions of both Clancy and Antonelli, it became glaringly obvious that this meeting was only being held for face value and that the playground was going to be built either way.

Knowing the current economic condition of the United States and, more specifically Worcester, it doesn't make a lot of sense to spend $365,000 on a playground for an area that has two other playgrounds in the general vicinity. While budgets continue to be cut and City employees are continually being asked to "do more with less", how can we, with good conscience, spend $365k on a playground?

As if this astonishing figure were not enough, Mr. Antonelli, Jr. reported that, through a grant of $455,000, Vernon Hill playground was going to be renovated beginning in July 2008. So, suffice it to say that not only is the $365k being "borrowed against the sewer account," we were now told that the area is going to receive close to $1 million in playground renovations! Again, does this make sense?

Hearing the principal of Vernon Hill School, Ms. Joanna Bowolick, speak about the playground, one would think that she, too, drank from the same contaminated water cooler as Councilor Clancy and Councilor-at-large Joseph Petty. Ms. Bowolick did her best to explain that she is for the playground by saying that she encourages children to go outside and play and that the current black top area is unsafe due to it being uneven and that the basketball hoops that were installed have been vandalized by local teens. Who's to say that this won't happen with the proposed playground?

We all certainly hope that Worcester Police Department will be able to patrol the area and keep the riff raff out, but there is no way to monitor the area 24-hours a day.

Yes, the PTO from Vernon Hill School deserves a round of applause for applying for and being awarded $5,000 as grant money through the Lowe's Toolbox for Education through the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, but should neighbors and families that don't live near the school have to pay for a playground when there are so many other schools that deserve a playground as well? It's simply all about what Vernon Hill School wants and leave all others to the wayside, right?

It's no longer all about the Benjamins, it's about what is right for our children and Ms. Bowolick and others are quick to play the child-card, because as we know, how can we deny little Timmy or Jane the right to play outside? Well, I know that I have to tell my child "No" often and she's not going to suffer any pain by hearing such a simple and yet powerful word.

So, suffice it to say that the playground received 18 votes in favor and 8 against it and I'm proud to say that I was one of those that voted against it, because I know we have to say "No" more frequently to reckless city spending.

Round of Applause

There was a meeting for the Compost Advisory Committee today at the Ballard Street compost site and to say that it was the best meeting that I’ve been to in years, it would be an understatement.

We at Worcester Is MAJOR have to give a star-studded hat tip to Ed Kochling who’s been manning the helm and making sure that the compost site doesn’t smell nor disrupt the lives of those abutting the compost site. Thank you.

We can’t forget Commissioner Moylan and City Councilor (District 3) Paul Clancy, thank you for attending the meeting this afternoon and listening to the residents.

Keep up the good work and we look forward to a non-odoriferous winter and beyond!

The Great Divide

I'm not sure when my parents and family would say that I grew up, but it would be at an early age.

Although someone may look at me or even speak to me, one would assume that I'm old than my age, but that's what happens when one assumes.

The recent playground debate, that's still be discussed, and some would say being "argued" about, is a debate that may divide more people and a community than one may expect.

The divide comes in the form of a DPW Commissioner, Robert Moylan, Jr., and a Councilor, Paul Clancy, Jr., that promised a community that an expanding compost site would be void of odor and impact on them, but such has NOT been the case.

The compost site was met with resistance, but not enough due to neighborhood apathy. Maybe that's the secret with becoming a "power-broker" in the City of Worcester; set up shop in the City, tell people what they want to hear while advancing one's own agenda. Oh, wait a minute! That's already taking place.

Maybe the residents need to be weaned from the "pacifiers", and learn to not accept the" same old, same old".

While there are some people that are advocating for the playground at Vernon Hill School (pictured above) "By Any Means Necessary", some fail to recognize that the City is not out-of-the-woods when it comes to the budget & particularly in upcoming fiscal years 2009 and 2010.

As written in the comments section of Clive McFarlane's opinion piece, I strongly recommend Commissioner Moylan and Councilman Clancy to hold an "open forum" to discuss the playground & how the money should be spent.

Trust me, there are some very good alternatives for spending $300k, and they need to be considered.

Wal-Mart: The battle continues

The proposed Wal-Mart in Quinsigamond Village has caused a heated debate on either side of the coin. Many residents in Quinsigamond Village feel that a Wal-Mart Supercenter is not the appropriate business to be built in the City nor in their back yard.

There have been articles in the Worcester T&G and certainly on the Worcester First website, but what I find interesting is that few people are calling for Mayor Lukes, City Council and, even, City Manager, Michael V. O'Brien, to give their opinion on the box store and what impact, if approved, the store may have on the City.

With this year being an election year, it seems as if city leaders are in a "wait-and-see" mode, because with the recent vote (7-2), to move Medicare-eligible municipal retirees to a Medicare supplement plan for their future health care coverage, City Councilors aren't the most popular people in the City at the moment.

This is coupled with the City facing a $5 million budget deficit, and the Council wanting to cancel the August 7th meeting and wait until the August 28th meeting to decide how the City is going to address the deficit. One council member, Frederick Rushton, representing District 5, put words to paper and stated, "We can’t wait until Aug. 28 to figure out how we’re going to deal with a $5 million budget deficit. We’ve got to face the music and make some decision as soon as possible. Now is not the time to go on vacation. The longer we wait, the deeper the cuts will be", as told to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

District 3 Councilman, Paul P. Clancy, Jr., chose to recuse himself from the vote due to having immediate family members who would be affected by the council's vote. Some people may say that Councilor Clancy and Rushton, made the fact that immediate family members may be affected by the vote as a cop-out, but due to a law dealing with conflict of interest, Clancy and Rushton chose to recuse themselves.

So, the City of Worcester is facing some hard times, but I've been told that the City has faced dire times and has come up with viable solutions. I certainly hope so and remain optimistic that the Council, will make the best possible decision for the City.

Be sure to listen to Episode #2 of the Talkcast regarding this topic and hear what listeners think about Wal-Mart.