| Author |
 Topic  |
|
massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
 Posted - 02/06/2008 : 09:11:07 AM
|
There is an interesting article on page 6, titled, Mischief, thou art afoot.
It states that Chuck DiPerri is meddling with Everett city government. The last time I checked, Chuck was an elected official in Everett, it is part of his job to put forth items on the agenda to try and prevent the same fiasco that happened during last years budget season.
This has nothing to do with Carlo, last years budget hearings showed us all that our system is flawed. Chuck is trying to ensure this does not happen again. If I remember correctly, didn't RVC speak in support of this, too?
Carlo's campaign slogan was a "New Beginning," this ordinance would certainly support that. Our budget process needs to be fixed and it needs to be done before the next budget season is upon us. I hope this passes city government and they move quickly to enact it.
I think The Independent is way off base on this one.
|
|
|
Court4Fred
Advanced Member
1201 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 09:37:11 AM
|
| The Independent is proving once again, what a tin ear Josh has. People wanted change, and that's what was promised. The Independent supports the administration because that's where the ad revenue comes from. If the Indie is going after Chuck for trying to institute a little transparency, you had question where the attack is coming from. |
 |
|
|
massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 10:16:25 AM
|
| Court, my thought, exactly. |
|
|
|
tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 10:35:26 AM
|
I just got a chance to read this editorial...what a crock! The main thrust of it is that DiPerri's proposed ordinance would hinder any mayor's abilities to set their own budget. From what was presented at the last BOA meeting, it does nothing of the sort. Besides imposing a deadline on when the budget would need to submitted, it really has little impact on the mayor. For the most part, all it does is formalize the process that is currently being used since it is not currently defined in the city charter or ordinances. The only real change in the process is to how discrepancies between the Common Council and the Board of Aldermen will be settled if they can't agree on the budget. If a mayor presents a reasonable, balanced budget, things will probably not be a lot different than they were in the past.
I really don't understand where the Independent is coming from on this one. Court, I agree with you that the Independent's usual M.O. is to follow the money but I can't understand how anybody who was a part of or watched last year's budget fiasco could not realize that a definition of the process is needed. |
Edited by - tetris on 02/06/2008 10:38:33 AM |
|
|
|
Court4Fred
Advanced Member
1201 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 6:08:13 PM
|
Chuck DiPerri is the least mischievious one on the entire Board of Alderman. He's just a straight shooter. So....either Tin Ear Reznek thinks by putting something like this in the paper will help him suck up to the Mayor....or the corner office wants to preserve the status quo.
Let's hope and pray for the budget cuts. Given this economy, the new administration is going to have to tighten its belt significantly. The Patrick budget is built on revenue projections that include streams from casinos that have yet to be built...and for the most part, Patrick's budget flatlined Everett's unrestricted local aid. But the schools? The school do great in this budget, with a $6.5 million dollar increase. Evidently, Mr. Patrick hasn't met Fast Freddy yet.
|
|
|
|
tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 9:52:57 PM
|
There were a couple of interesting tidbits of information in yesterday's Independent that I wanted to point out in case any of you didn't happen to catch them.
In the article titled "Developing cooperation - City looks for state help on local projects", the following sentence in the article stood out to me:
"City officials noted that the final sale and redevelopment of the old city yards is being held up in court, but also said that even if the legal issue were to go away the city would still need infrastructure help from the state to RTE 16 in order to make it a viable project."
So what happens to the project if the state won't make the infrastructure improvements that Thibeault wants? Why should they?
The other interesting item was actually in the want ads. The city is looking for a water superintendent. This reminded of a couple of items that I accidentally came across on the DEP portion of the state web site while doing some research. Those items are reproduced below.
5/10/07: MassDEP issued a Unilateral Order with the city of Everett for Water Supply violations. The city lacks a primary and secondary operator for its municipal public water system. MassDEP had issued Everett a Notice of Noncompliance (NON) for lack of a secondary operator in September 2006. The City had planned to contract with a consulting engineering firm for a secondary operator, but has not yet issued the contract. In April 2007, the City terminated its primary operator without providing a replacement. Today's Order by MassDEP requires the city to obtain the services of primary and secondary operators within seven business days.
6/15/07: MassDEP entered into a Consent Order with an $18,000 Penalty regarding the city of Everett for Water Supply violations in Everett, specifically the city's lack of primary and secondary certified operators for its municipal public water system. Today's Order replaces a 5/10/07 Unilateral Order. Everett will hire primary and secondary certified operators within 30 days. MassDEP agreed to suspend the entire Penalty pending compliance.
Seems that the city is a little behind on compliance with this order. Couldn't find any evidence any further state orders. No wonder the water department has been in such disarray. |
|
|
|
massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2008 : 09:54:16 AM
|
There are a couple of interesting items in todays Independent. The first being Matewski running against Smith in the Reps race. I read that yesterday on The Mirror and really didn't believe it. I guess I was wrong. I wonder what's up with that?
The next being the editorial on page 6 about Joe Hickey and the Veterans Commissioners job, even the blogs made the article. It seems that Mr Parziale forgot to mention that Joe Hickey would need to resign his Common Council seat and be out of office at least six months before he could be appointed to that position. The article also fails to mention that Mr Hickey told the Boston Globe that he has in the past "lobbied" for that position. This should be interesting to see in which direction the mayor will proceed. |
|
|
|
Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2008 : 10:44:42 AM
|
I don't understand Matewsky running for State Representative unless Stat Smith doesn't want it anymore. I thought they were in business together, unless that's no more.
As for the Veteran's commissioners job... I know that the papers are setting it up to "make it look right" for the Mayor decision. If the Mayor does what I think he is going to do, he's making a HUGE mistake. He needs to get a qualified candidate for that office NOT involved with politics at all. Preferably, someone that no one knows. |
|
|
|
tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2008 : 10:56:40 AM
|
There was some chatter going around somewhere (probably on the Mirror) that there was some bad blood between Smith and Matewsky from the last state rep's race because Matewsky was secretly supporting Nuzzo in the hopes that Nuzzo would step down from his alderman's seat and Matewsky could walk right into it. Don't know if there is any truth to that. The thing in the article that I found the most interesting was Smith's account of how he went to Matewsky's home to confront him face to face on whether or not Wayne going to run against him and Wayne told him no. Unbelievable on both parts.
It's just my opinion but there seems to be some "damage control" going on over the veteran's director position and other issues that we have been blogging about lately. See the letter or the editor too. Where was the Milley/Mejia news? |
Edited by - tetris on 03/12/2008 10:58:42 AM |
|
|
|
massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2008 : 11:02:29 AM
|
I believe Stat is running for Rep again, that is what I got from reading the article in the paper.
I don't think Stat and Wayne were in business together. Wayne worked for Stat at the Prescott Hotel.
Tetris, now that you mention that about Wayne and Frank, I seem to remember reading that somewhere too. It kind of makes sense in a Matewsky kind of way. |
Edited by - massdee on 03/12/2008 11:27:20 AM |
|
|
|
massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2008 : 12:12:23 PM
|
Tetris,
What I found interesting in the letter to the editor was that little tidbit "be very leery and wary of the Van Campens of the world."
I wonder if RVC will be running for mayor and the campaign has begun from the DeMaria camp. |
|
|
|
tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2008 : 12:42:39 PM
|
Massdee,
At least publicly, there hasn't been anything that I'm aware of about an RVC bid, except from his dad at the Ward 5 meeting. In his position as president of the BOA, he has shown little that could be construed as other than full support for the mayor.
The other things that I found interesting about the letter were praise for the mayor for eliminating jobs and improving relations with the school department. With the exception of Jack Doyle, the only firings that I know of are from high profile, appointed positions. While it is true that some of these positions remain unfilled (some to the determent of the community), it is hard to believe that they will remain that way permanently. Does anyone know of any true job cuts that have been made or are in the works? There is only one way that I know of that the relationship between the school department and the city could be better than it was under the previous administration and we'll have to wait until the FY09 budget is presented to see that. |
|
|
|
tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2008 : 10:51:19 PM
|
| Happened to pick up a copy of this week's Advocate while I was out for a walk earlier. Another endorsement for Joe Hickey for VSO without any mention of the six month waiting period. The waiting period is not an issue that should be glossed over. |
|
|
|
wanda bee
Member
54 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2008 : 09:06:52 AM
|
| Is the six month rule City or State? |
|
|
|
Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2008 : 09:20:06 AM
|
| It is a state law. I read it and I think it was posted here before somewhere too. It's also a state law that the office must have a full time commissioner at all times. |
|
|
|
tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2008 : 09:35:24 AM
|
An excerpt from MGL CHAPTER 268A.
CONDUCT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES
Chapter 268A: Section 20. Municipal employees; financial interest in contracts; holding one or more elected positions
This section shall not prohibit an employee or an official of a town from holding the position of selectman in such town nor in any way prohibit such employee from performing the duties of or receiving the compensation provided for such office; provided, however, that such selectman shall not, except as hereinafter provided, receive compensation for more than one office or position held in a town, but shall have the right to choose which compensation he shall receive; provided, further, that no such selectman may vote or act on any matter which is within the purview of the agency by which he is employed or over which he has official responsibility; and, provided further, that no such selectman shall be eligible for appointment to any such additional position while he is still a member of the board of selectmen or for six months thereafter. Any violation of the provisions of this paragraph which has substantially influenced the action taken by any municipal agency in any matter shall be grounds for avoiding, rescinding or cancelling the action on such terms as the interest of the municipality and innocent third parties may require. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
The Independent
