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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
 Posted - 02/28/2008 : 4:00:33 PM
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| I’m no big fan of the mirror, I do read it and very rarely post to it but I must say from 2/25/08 on there are some really good posts about Mr. Rice. (Of course there is nonsense in the middle too) I am glad he left that message and I wish he would do the same here. Good luck Mr. Rice, you will be missed. God Bless. |
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Cam
Member
82 Posts |
Posted - 02/29/2008 : 10:24:32 PM
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In my opinion Carlo has made a huge blunder with the firing of Mr Rice. The man is qualified, professional and has always done his job well. Mr Rice was a huge asset to the city.
I certainly hope what I have read on the other blog about Mr Hickey getting the position is not true. I have nothing against Mr Hickey but it just doesn't seem the right thing to do.
It's hard to believe people like Pedulla, Henderson and even Jack Doyle are still there and a good honest man like Mr Rice was let go.
Doesn't look much like a new beginning to me. It looks like just more of the same.
The city now has an attorney from the office that represents Thibeault in his law suit against Everett. Makes no sense unless they are looking for loop holes to get the transfer station in. |
Edited by - Cam on 02/29/2008 10:34:03 PM |
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michael
Senior Member
195 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2008 : 04:37:38 AM
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| henderson is safe he made that know last week at the opening of shooters, jack doyle is under the city clerk so I will assume he is safe Pedulla had to go to school to learn how to do his job don't know about that one yet, and now we are coming up to the chief of police there are several in the running for that position for this month. |
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vets4ever
Member
35 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2008 : 11:05:21 AM
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Hi,
I was asked through PM to post a message or response here. I really don't have anything different to say other than in the two posts I made on the mirror and at that, felt I had to do so because there were a couple of factual (and innocent) errors in some rumors going round that could have damaged other folks. You can click over there for those comments.
I don't know how to phrase what I am about to write properly, but I'll do my best and I mean this sincerely: I didn't like the way things came down, but I've expected there would be a change. I always have and still do feel that in government structures such as this the Mayor needs to retain the autonomy to make his selections and replace some from previous administrations. So, while it happened to me and I don't like it, it still is nonetheless part of the landscape and goes along with the business.
Whatever the Mayor's issue was or is with me for the time being in my eyes is water under the bridge. He didn't feel I was a fit for his administration and that is his sole right as the way things stand. Neither am I a fan of his political style, and that is my right. Beyond what ever the Mayor's reasons - and he had them, their his, and the position/administration is his to profile in the best way he thinks will serve him or he can use those positions to advance some arbitrary cause, such as patronage, political payback, or personal reasons. In any case, my point is that he has the right to make those cabinet choices regardless of the popularity or political expediency (or not) of those choices and he is not legally compelled to explain his appointment. I am sure if he wants to optimize favorability ratings and minimize fallout he'll explain his motives in this or any issue as he deems necessary and appropriate that could impact his reelection chances. The Mayor has a couple of very good minds attached to compssionate people at this side, let's hope he uses those folks.
I am not defending Mayor DeMaria in any, way, shape or form, but I am trying to be fair and also not hinder the services Veterans will receive will the questions hang in the air. To be honest I've been bowled over by the responses and comments from people, and they aren't taking place just on the blogs. It has been a pretty emotional trip, let me tell you.
But, here is the way I see things:
There is no revisiting the issue on this move. I believe the Mayor will stick by it and under the circumstances of what happened and I cannot see any way that I would be comfortable working for the administration in any capacity after what has happened. On the surface, it appears that everything was done above board, despite the callous nature in which it was handled. The move, in my opinion was personAL not personnEL, but he never explained why. He stuck with the "Moving in a new direction" script word for word.
This leaves today - and what is the next step.
I have no ax to grind with the Mayor, the city government, or its' legislative bodies. I'm moving forward with my life - so long as the veterans don't get taken and no lies are floated about, then its' good riddens. However, if either of those things happens, as most know, I'm not shy about stepping up to object. The voters will make their feelings known at the ballot box and constituents will voice their opinion. However, I think the most important thing to remember right now is that there are dozens of veterans still receiving services from Everett Veterans Services. While I feel they are in most competent hands right now, I also feel it is urgent to conduct a bonafide search for Veterans Service Officer post haste. The Veterans deserve this.
I am not trying to be melodramatic in this request nor to I want to say that I am not grateful for your comments, because I am. From the bottom of my heart, quite frankly the things people have said to me made me look at this in a whole different light. Yes, I am upset about the way things have been handled and I think any resident who asks for answers deserves answers, but I think it only right that I leave the Mayor to answer for his personnel actions and governing policies. It is simply not my place to do so.
Like I said, right now I take no issue with the city. I don't like what was done, but that's tough nuts for me - you have to take your lumps in this business. And so long as the truth remains known, I'm fine with that. But, if the veterans get it in the back door on this one or if I am falsely maligned in any way, then I most certainly will fight back.
Now I'd like to help you understand why I approached the job the way I did. Many people always told me "Your heart is in this job." They were right. It was, it is, and it always will be. Better than 15 years ago a couple of real go getters in Veterans Services stepped up and helped me out. There is no question they saved my life and gave me the foundation to do what it is I did the last two years in Veterans Services here, and for several years before with the state. When I wanted to quit on myself, they wouldn't let me. That's what you need to know about that - when a veteran came to me asking for help, he or she was going to get it if I had any way to do it. But for the Grace of God......
And if being a proactive Veterans Service Officer who believes in paying back those who paid for him cost me my job, then so be it. The position needs to be filled ASAP and not with Joe Hickey or anyone else that is closely connected behind the scenes. The job needs to be removed from the political patronage section and secured in a way that doesn't make it a campaign currency.
I encourage people to ask questions not just about this, but about anything you feel interests your way of life. You pay the taxes here. So do I. For what its' worth - my wish is that the city advertise and interview qualified people for the job, fill it as soon as possible, and continue the services to the veterans in Everett. Since we cannot turn back, that is the most pressing need right now.
So, it's in the Mayor's court to answer. While I am quit unhappy about these turn of events, my only goal right now is to look forward and establish a new career for myself right now. I have a job offer for around the first of the year, maybe an hour or two consulting, and looking for new work to fill my week. Again, please don't think I'm at all ungrateful for the objections re my removal - because I am, very much so in fact. I hope the outrage (if that is a fair word) will lead to changes on how cities and towns hire and retain Veterans Service Officers. Perhaps if there were a state law that all positions of that type have to be publicly posted statewide in some fashion (such as the MMA) it would take some of the collusion out of things like you see here in Everett.
Best WIshes All - Happy Spring.
Walter Rice
PS: You can contact me by email as well, but the events immediately precipitating my departure and the conversation in the Mayor's office will remain private only because I feel that is the right of the Mayor to choose whether he wants to disclose that or not, which I am fine with, but he should retain the executive privilege with that. And of course, along with that right, comes the responsibility of living with the consequences of making the right or wrong decisions - but I will not discuss the hours leading up to the 1:00 p.m meeting when I got the letter stating "we are going in a new direction." WFR2003@aol.com)
For Freedom,
WR |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2008 : 9:13:59 PM
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Walter, I can not believe all the support you have! You are a phenomenal person and did so much as commissioner that the Everett residents appreciated what you have done and accomplished! My opinion is this is the Mayor’s first real blunder and hopefully for his sake the last but it’s not looking that way. Also, I hope he does the right thing and keeps Veterans office out of the political agenda and nothing personal to Mr. Hickey but it should have nothing to do with politics and Mr. Hickey is already directly involved in the political light. That is not good for the Veterans. Also, I know that Tony Rossi (Thiebault’s attorney) has been in the city solicitor’s office. I cant be certain he was hired but it seems he was. If this is true, I do not believe the Mayor kept his word to me. Regardless of “no dump going in Everett” per his words, I think hiring one of Thiebaults attorneys would be about back room deals. Perhaps the purchase of the old city yards? The past two administrations would not sell to him and I am sure it’s because of his history. I will wait and see what happens on that but it seems the Mayor is not thinking clearly and not putting time in his decisions.
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2008 : 3:44:57 PM
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Tails,
I believe I read somewhere, can't remember where, that the new Assistant City Solicitor, Jill Berringer, came from Mr Rossi's law firm. Do you or anyone know if that is true or not? If Mr Rossi has also been hired, that would make two attorneys from the law firm that represents Mr Thibeault, Wood Waste. In my opinion that smells of impropriety. It may be legal but it just doesn't seem right to have a City Solicitor that has a client, past or present, who is in a law suit with the City of Everett. |
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Citizen Kane
Advanced Member
1082 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2008 : 6:25:57 PM
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Jill Barringer did come from Tony Rossi's law office. Tony Rossi has not been hired as the city solicitor; additionally, his appointment would have to be approved by city government. Can anyone imagine that appointment passing?
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2008 : 8:11:17 PM
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Thanks Citizen. Do you know if Jill Barringer was approved by city government or is that just for the city solicitor? They keep referring to Collen Mejer as "acting" city solicitor which leads me to believe they have someone else in mind. I think they would have hired her by now if she was to be appointed city solicitor. Could be whoever the Mayor wants either lives outside the city or it's possible he has Tony Rossi in mind and the Mayor knows that's not going to go over to well with city government. I guess time will tell.
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2008 : 9:30:32 PM
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Tails,
The city solicitor is the only one in that office whose appointment must be approved by the Board of Alderman according to section 35 of the city charter. I'm not sure if the mayor had someone in mind when he requested the charter change to allow the city solicitor to live outside the city or it was done to enlarge the pool of possible candidates. You're right; only time will tell. |
Edited by - tetris on 03/02/2008 9:47:46 PM |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2008 : 10:17:14 PM
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Walter,
I just got a chance to read you post thoroughly and wanted you to know the phrase "Moving in a new direction" came from the previous administration. John Hanlon used that when he let certain people go so you can figure out where that came from. Believe me when I tell you everyone knows this was personal and this was the wrong thing to do. I see a few unqualified that are still in their positions and it's all politics as usual. So much for the new beginning. You certainly were not one of the unqualifieds, seems to me you couldn't /wouldn't be one of the brownnosers or be one of the one's to suddenly keep quite. I'm not happy with the fact two BOA meetings ago, Matewsky made a motion because of the smells coming from Thiebault's dump station and everyone on the BOA kept quite. They wouldn't even mention his name. BEFORE the mayor was elected, they were all over this issue, now all of a sudden it's swept under the rug. See where I am going with this. Walter, know at least your integrity is intact but please for the sake of the Veterans, don't go too far because the way this went down was sickening and I don't like the sounds of "The New Direction" for Veteran's Services. With the huge increase in services, they should have left it alone. Obviously, something was being done right and that was thanks to Walter Rice. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2008 : 08:26:17 AM
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| Speaking of Charter change, this city absolutely needs charter change/review. I think it was written in the 1800's. I hope we start hearing more about that too. I also feel it will alleviate some of the problems that the city faces today. I personally do not feel that someone running for a seat can run for two seats. C. Hicks is in my ward, she's a nice person, but running for Common Council and Alderman was wrong. It's one or the other. Can you imagine the Alderman if she was elected to the BOA. LOL. I mean it when I say nothing personal, but sometimes I feel she's not following along and the BOA is not the place for it. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2008 : 12:53:26 PM
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| Just a clarification on my last post. The change to allow the city solicitor to live outside the city was not a charter change; it was an ordinance change. The post was edited because it contained a discussion of the additional issues that would have surrounded the change had it been a charter change. Once I realized my error, I deleted the inaccurate parts from the post but missed one reference to charter change. Sorry for any confusion I may have caused. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2008 : 1:48:29 PM
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| Oh no tetris. I could have easily had misunderstood ordinance from charter. I know there's a difference but I appreciate your knowledge and help on these matters. I'm still for Charter Change! |
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Marie
Senior Member
114 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2008 : 9:22:14 PM
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From the mirror
Of course this whole Veterans issue is political. It reeks so bad that it stinks. If Joe Hickey had any idea of the things being said he’s the type of person to stand up and say “I categorically deny the things written and said about me” “I never planned to oust Walter Rice, etc” Did he do that? No, he did not. He did not have the courtesy to the people of Everett and either did the Mayor. They had an opportunity to speak on this matter and they chose not too. The Mayor babbles on about everything else during city meetings. The Mayor should be ashamed of himself for his actions…. you do NOT bring politics into a Veterans Office and Hickey knows this. There is NO New Beginning here and they are all in this for themselves. Look at Veterans Services….. Look at the Solicitor’s Office….hiring someone from Thibault’s lawyers firm…..Look at the city services director….. He was the mayor’s campaign manager…. He is a truck driver from Revere and you’re telling me the Mayor is not in this for himself.
I’m out! The final straw for me was Veterans Services. |
Edited by - Marie on 03/04/2008 9:23:27 PM |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 2:52:41 PM
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| Jack Doyle & the guy from the Rec Center, Melli (I don't know his first name) received their walking papers today. |
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Two Fired
