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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
 Posted - 03/05/2008 : 1:40:37 PM
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Does anyone know if the Mayor has hired a full time commissioner for veteran’s services? As I understand it, the office remains in a part time status which is wrong and against the state ethics law. With that being said, if a politician gets hired, regardless of who it is, that is a breach in the state ethics law and it’s also morally wrong. They need to find a legitimate and suitable replacement ASAP.
My personal opinion is this was a wrong move, Walter Rice is highly respected member of this community and we all know what he has done for the Veteran’s who currently do not have a full time commissioner. He also was very good at what he did. One thing that bothered me about the whole issue was the fact that Walter was on vacation and was let go the day he returned. If the Mayor was planning on letting him go, why did he allow him to go on vacation (spend money, that’s what I do on vacation) only to come back and be unemployed for no good reason. That was down right mean! I did not like the way that went down and I will be an advocate for Walter Rice and I also hear there is a petition started over this, especially to keep politics out of it, but have not seen it. I will sign it.
Veterans are first and foremost.
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JoeSister
Member
33 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2008 : 2:00:39 PM
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| Tails are you a Vet? |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
 Posted - 03/05/2008 : 2:35:28 PM
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| No, I am not and the question is not relevant to the matter at hand. |
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JoeSister
Member
33 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2008 : 2:47:03 PM
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It shows, I am a Veteran and it is relevant because you are using us veterans (I can say that you can't) as a weapon to pick on the Mayor for him changing his staff. I am offended by that.
Please stop.
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2008 : 3:08:12 PM
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Sorry, you are way off base and I am in no way "picking" on the Mayor and I would never use ANYONE, especially Veterans to do that. I deal facts alone and if I dont have facts, I specifically say " my personal opinion" All I will say is a Vet is very close to me. I didn't want to bring that up but that is as far as I will go on that one. This is not about "just changing staff" as you say so I would ask that you please stop unless you have a vested interest in it. Would you want your name given to city government and your name to leave the office of Veterans Services?
I helped the Mayor get elected and I think he is overall doing an okay job but he was wrong on this one because of the way it happened. There are other matters leading me to believe I made a huge mistake in November. Perhaps you should read the reasons Walter was let go and how this happened from Walter Rice himself.
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n/a
deleted
136 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2008 : 5:12:06 PM
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| I’ve been offline for a while so I can not comment directly on these matters until I read everything however coming from a family of military service I will say in no way a veteran would come on here and defend any political figure or any Mayor. I read today’s paper and nothing is said on this from the Mayor. I do not see Tails post as weapon to pick on Mayor DeMaria at all. A legitimate question was asked and actual facts were based on this post. Mr. Rice is a veteran and veteran’s stick together, including Mr. Rice. |
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JoeSister
Member
33 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2008 : 6:23:40 PM
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Tails I can care less about the politics of this, You are right I do have a vested interest in this I am a Veteran, why do you post here? why are you trying to be the dauntless defender of veterans? If you have questions for the mayor call him and ask him. The bottom line here is that Rice said no to his boss and he got fired for it. I think it's great he took a stand, he won the battle but he lost the war, and guess what, the Mayor is still going to see the list.
Six out
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2008 : 7:44:39 PM
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| A lot of us have a vested interest in this issue. Tails is absolutely correct, this whole thing does reek of politics. Mr Rice didn't just take a stand, what was asked of him was illegal. If that list is proven to be the reason Mr Rice was let go, as you seem to think, then I wonder what kind of legal recourse the administration could face. This city lost a good man when the mayor let Mr Rice go. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2008 : 9:21:56 PM
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You are taking this wrong again. This is not about being a dauntless defender of veterans. For your information I have contacted the Mayors office on this issue and they are not commenting on it. The bottom line is not that Walter Rice said no to his boss and he got fired for it. The bottom line is what his boss was asking for was illegal and morally wrong. This is not an administrative issue. You should know that office does fall under that. Walter did not make erroneous errors or hurt anyone. All he did was help veterans and he was great at it and this is what he gets for it?
Walter Rice was on a planned vacation and in his absence, the names of all the Chapter 115 recipients was requested by the "Mayor's Office." The first day Walter returned he was asked for this list and Walter told them that state law prohibits him from sharing the names with anyone, including the Mayor. He called Mass. Dept. of Veterans Services legal counsel to make sure he was correct, before refusing the Mayor. And he was. One hour later, he was called in and given his letter that they were going in a new direction.
This is all water under the bridge. We all (veterans and non-veterans) have a right to know what it is the Mayor is planning on doing and he is keeping quite about it and exactly what did he mean by new direction? The office went from 20 veterans to 90 in two years because of our time of war which is all 75% state refundable. That was thanks to Walter Rice, no one else.
My problem is I could never let someone go for no reason especially the day after they return from a planned vacation. That too is morally wrong. He has a family to support and he is a veteran of our military service that did not deserve the treatment he received. I know Carlo DeMaria has a lot of money and I’m happy for him however he succeeded but to just disregard someone like that like they are a piece of trash on the street makes me ill.
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michael
Senior Member
195 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 05:03:18 AM
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BOSTON -- A program that was created by Congress to help those leaving the military hit a big roadblock in Lawrence.
NewsCenter 5's Pam Cross reported Wednesday that one agency cut off funds, and now the Senate will investigate.
Video: Veterans' Program Loses Funding
"(I'm) going be doing heating and things such as that," said David Babineau, who is starting a heating and ventilation business.
Babineau is an Army veteran, who has taken courses and advice from the Northeast Veterans Business Resource Center.
For two years, the Lawrence-based center has assisted 3,000 veterans to improve or begin small businesses -- that includes a Boston to Baghdad Internet course.
"We lost our funding on (Oct. 1, 2007)," said Louis Celli, of the Northeast Veterans Business Resource Center. "So we've been six months now without funding."
Celli laid off his staff of three and is a one-man operation. The Lawrence center was cut completely, and two others centers in Michigan and Missouri had funds reduced.
Sen. John Kerry and others questioned why the centers, which provide direct services, are being squeezed. A Senate committee will hold hearings next week.
Rep. Niki Tsongas said that she wants answers.
"The long-term solution is to take a hard look at the veterans' corporation -- business development corporation -- and make sure it distributes the funds in the manner intended. They have enough money," Tsongas said.
Celli is living on his Army pension and continues working.
"Hotel rooms, VA centers -- wherever we can get the space, and we never, ever charge the veteran anything to participate in these programs," he said.
Some in Lawrence were willing to donate a little, but center leaders said it will take more -- an infusion of cash -- to support the services Congress originally intended.
Copyright 2008 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
I can't believe this is happening in today's world.. How sad |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 06:32:20 AM
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I realize the timing of Carlo asking for names (and being refused) and Walter Rice's termination were within a matter of hours but.................. Why is everyone so sure the two are related?
Isn't it just as possible that the termination letter was ready and waiting and that the request for names was nothing more than curiosity?
I agree Walter Rice was doing a great job and he should have been left in the position. However, I'm inclined to think people are linking the request and the termination for no reason other than to make Carlo look bad. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 08:36:08 AM
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I know this was previously posted but thought it would be appropriate to posted here, too.
EVERETT
HICKEY MAY SEEK VETERANS POST - Ward 4 Common Councilor Joseph Hickey said he is considering applying for the city's newly posted Veterans Services commissioner position. Mayor Carlo DeMaria last week terminated Walter Rice, who held the position for two years and was appointed by former mayor John Hanlon. "The mayor appreciates the service that Mr. Rice provided to the veterans in the Everett community, but he has decided to exercise his right to put someone in this position, and he will ensure that the veterans community in Everett continues to receive the same standard of services, if not better services, in the future," said Erin Deveney, DeMaria's chief of staff. Shortly after his termination, Rice posted a message on the Everett Mirror blog, which said, in part, "All I ask is that everyone remember the quality of life of several veterans hang in the balance on a monthly basis through any and all debate. Please remember them - they still need the city's help. I have a tentative offer in private industry to commence the first of next year; but for reasons very personal to me, my heart remains with Veterans work and always will." Hickey, 56, said the prospect of serving as the city's veterans commissioner is one that has long been "near and dear" to him, and that he lobbied Hanlon and his predecessor, former mayor David Ragucci, for the spot. "I did two tours of duty in Vietnam when people were burning their draft cards. I brought the Vietnam Moving Wall to the city of Everett in 2005 and I am now working on the Veterans Memorial Park next to the high school," he said. If Hickey does apply, he would have to resign his seat on the council, but would still face a conflict of interest issue unless his appointment was delayed. State ethics law requires that "No councilor shall be eligible for appointment to such additional position while a member of said council or for six months thereafter." - Kay Lazar
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 09:31:33 AM
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This is not about making Carlo look bad....Come on...Because of the way Carlo handled the situation, HE made himself look bad. The way he replaced Jerry Sheehan, he should have replaced the Commissioner as well and not leave that office hanging in the balance and people not knowing what he is doing. The way "I" am seeing things, it's all about political favors yet again and thats why there is still not a full time commissioner. If he planned all along to replace Walter, then why didn't he do it in January along with Jerry Sheehan and the others he replaced? Could it be because for political favor payback? I thought the days of favors were over. What happened to the new beginning? What happened to running for mayor for the people of Everett and their best interest and not about hiring friends. That was a big part of the campaign. I know, I was there. Lets wait and see what he plans to do with the office and who he hires. Hopefully, it wont be too long. The Governor has already stated the office must have a full time commissioner and not to have on is illegal.
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 09:50:20 AM
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Tails,
Do you know if anyone from that office has been made the acting Commissioner for the interim? Wouldn't that cover the full time law?
It really bothers me that Mr Hickey has been lobbying for a position that was already filled by a very qualified person. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 10:18:51 AM
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| As it stands today, Jerri is on her own. The problem I have with hiring a "political person" whom ever they would be, is the fact they were willing to sit quietly while the office remained part time for several years. Would it be because they did not know the laws concerning veterans or where they to afraid to take a stand. Either way it seems to me it's about serving their own self interest. Walter Rice was let go in a highly unethical manner and if anyone "political" had anything to do with it, they tossed their "brother veteran" under a bus. So now there needs to be a replacement and one rather quick, not friends of the Mayor. He needs to do a search and find someone not directly involved with the City or City politics. The office was run perfectly fine and if he changes it around to suit his purpose, he's making a big mistake. |
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charm
Senior Member
264 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 12:12:07 PM
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| How can Jerri do two jobs, part time at the veterans and the rest at city hall I just don't understand it nor will I ever. Joe Hickey was a person who wanted this job part time from many moons ago and it went full time, now someone has to post the salary, as I was reading the other blog they say he needs the money.. |
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Veteran’s Services
