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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 1:53:29 PM
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| If I'm not mistaken, I think when the school committees term of office was reduced from 4 years to 2 years, it required a charter change. Maybe, if someone from that movement could post and let us know how it was done. |
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Citizen Kane
Advanced Member
1082 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 2:10:28 PM
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I had forgotten about that, massdee. You could be right about that.
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justhefacts
Member
51 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 2:36:56 PM
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Yes you can change the charter section by section. The Common Council and Alderman can also vote to change it and send it to the state legislature for approval. However, the changes that people are asking for, such as eliminating the bicameral form of government has virtually no chance of passing those bodies because they would be voting to eliminate their own positions.
The group that changed the school committee term of office had to get the 15% of signatures as well. I would imagine that most of the charter would not be touched and just a few things would change, but if you have to get the 15% signatures anyway, why not be able to review the whole thing? |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 2:53:09 PM
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| I am not sure I am totally in favor of eliminating our bicameral form of government. Besides it being unique, I am afraid we will end up running into the same problems as the school committee. It is very hard for the mayor to stack the Board of Aldermen and the Council, since there are 25 members. |
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justhefacts
Member
51 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 3:17:57 PM
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| I agree with you. But it is something to look at, and would have to be voted on by the entire city to pass. Don't forget, the charter review can have multiple new charters put on the ballot and the highest vote getter would then be accepted. I think at least having it as an option would allow for the most intensive dialogue the city has had in years, and in the end, a better charter would come from it, whether it retained or rejected bicameral. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 3:26:17 PM
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I don't want to sound condescending, but do you really think the majority of voters will take the time or care enough to go over more than one option. I think I would go through city government for the changes and only put the changing of the bicameral government on the ballot.
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 3:27:35 PM
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| justthefacts, how did last nights meeting go? I haven't heard anything about it today. |
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justhefacts
Member
51 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 3:39:27 PM
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Valid points about just having the bicameral on the ballot.
As for the meeting...it went very well. We have people signed up as team leaders for 5 or 6 specific areas we want to cover. They will run each area, and I will continue to float around and help wherever needed. I am putting together a report for the papers, our ever-growing email list, and will also post some things on the blog.
Overall, we had about 40 people, and Toxics Action is very pleased with our organization so far. They think we have a good group that will have the ability to help stop this project. Also, representatives from Mayor Curtatone's office came and informed us that they would become very involved with the program. Another group has decided to help as well. Their name is East Somerville Main Streets. They are a newly formed community group that wants to coordinate efforts between the two cities.
I will get more info out soon. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 3:45:46 PM
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| You are doing a great job and thank you for keeping us all informed. Some of us are unable to make meetings and by posting here you are helping us to feel like we know what is going on. |
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justhefacts
Member
51 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 4:35:11 PM
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| No problem at all. I am glad that there is a forum like this to help get our message out. Having traveled around the country doing political campaigns and seeing what resources other communities have, it is nice to see my hometown finally getting into the information age with a growing group of highly active people. |
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H1ghCh4r1ty
Advanced Member
967 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 8:36:32 PM
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A quote to dwell on for a moment......
We know truth, not only by reason, but also by the heart.
Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662)
Justthefacts, thank you for your interest and keeping us informed. As massdee indicated, not all can attend all the time.
We appreciate your diligence.
The Pup
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Emile Schoeffhausen |
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Lori
Member
96 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2007 : 1:41:05 PM
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| maybe this doesn't belong here we have a nice ice rink in ward six tremont street why don't we know abut this |
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NSS
Member
31 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2007 : 6:08:08 PM
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| Lori,one of the nicest parks in the city is in ward 6 that rink park and 1/2 court basketball and tennis court if i'm not mistaken the problem is they put in in an area where our kids have a hard time getting to it . I'm willing to bet hardly anyone uses it what a shame |
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H1ghCh4r1ty
Advanced Member
967 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2007 : 8:27:40 PM
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It used to be chained and padlocked all the time.
Emile Schoeffhausen |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2007 : 9:42:21 PM
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| I didn't even know there was a park down there. |
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PLEASE EXPLAIN
