New Poll: Democratic Nomination For State Senate

There are about two weeks left until the state primary elections.

There are two races on the Demcoratic ballot and none on any other parties' ballots. The two races are both for the Senate:

• The U.S. Senate race features John Kerry vs. Ed O'Reilly. The winner will go up against Republican Jeff Beatty in November.
  
• The State Senate race is between Mike Moore and Doug Belanger. The winner will face Republican John Lebeaux in November.
  

I don't think the U.S Senate race is likely to be competitive (sorry, Ed!), but the State Senate race could be close. Based on prolific signage in Shrewsbury, Mike Moore has more people who actively and openly support him. But that's just in Shrewsbury and there are a half dozen other cities and towns in the district. Also, having lots of signs and even lots of endorsement only shows strong organizational might, and doesn't necessarily indicate likelihood of success at the ballot box.

Nevertheless, you shouldn't discount the large number of signs. Otherwise, candidates wouldn't spend so much money on them. Signs cost a lot and they are a pain to organize.

This blog and I have remained neutral during this campaign. Both candidates granted me interviews, and I like both men personally. I think they could both beat John Lebeaux and any of them (including Lebeaux) could be a good Senator.

So look in the right column of this blog, and you will see my poll. Please let me and other readers know where you stand. After you vote there, you can leave a comment here. The poll will close when the ballot box opens on election day.

The election is Tuesday, September 16 and polling stations are open (as always) from 7:00am to 8:00pm.

Third Week of PAYT. How Did You Do?

Shrewsbury is now entering the third week for Pay As You Throw waste removal. I was a little curious the first week, I was constantly looking at everyone’s blue bags and I didn’t even get in any accidents! I was in the Gulf Street area and found myself looking for that family with the 5 big bags mentioned in the paper. The true test was would my neighbors, the ones who have never recycled in over 10 years have blue bags and recycling. I just had to see if they would recycle and boy they sure did, their blue bin was over flowing! I was so proud of them.

I do wish the town of Shrewsbury would add a PAYT component to the Share the Warmth donation plan, as do a few other towns. As I have been raging, it is going to be incredibly difficult for many to pay for heat, and food this winter. Whoever makes this decision please consider this option, it pains me to think of a poor elderly person or family stopped by police or a store manager for illegal dumping. This winter will be a true test of whether we are a kind and caring community.

This past Sunday Telegram’s Parade magazine had a little blurb and survey about Pay As you Throw, in between gossip about Tom Cruise and recipes for pancakes. When I cast my vote over one thousand American’s had responded to the question of whether we should pay for waste disposal like any other utility, so far about 2/3 of respondents think it should be like any other utility.

I ran into Dan Morgado last week and he told me, most comments have been positive about the new plan, people are saying it isn’t as bad as they thought. Fifteen years ago my father hated PAYT with the bags, now his town is using stickers and now he wants the blue bags back.
The Shrewsbury report from the second week states, about 50% less trash was collected and our recycling increased about 12%. WAY TO GO SHREWSBURY!

My family has been able to get all of our trash into one small bag; however with the Memorial Day shift in the pickup schedule, we might have to go into a second bag or hold for next week. All that back to school shopping, so how did you do?.

Finance Committee members appointed

Town Moderator Kevin Byrne appointed one new new member and reappointed two incumbent members of the Finance Committee for three-year terms expiring in 2011.

John Campbell and Charles Giacoppe were reappointed and Bretta Karp was appointed as the newest member of the committee. Karp takes the seat previously held by Mary Kay Alexander. There's no word yet if Alexander voluntarily retired or if Byrne chose not to reappoint her. Alexander missed as many as half of the meetings during Fiscal Year 2008.

They join the five other standing members whose terms expire in 2009 or 2010 along with new member John Masiello, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in the 2007-2010 class caused by the resignation of Andrew Carlson.

Masiello (Friend Of the Blog) is a frequent commenter to this blog. He manages Masiello Construction. He's an active member of the town's Republican party and ran this year for Selectman, coming in 4th place behind Moe DePalo, Ben Tartaglia, and Johanna Musselman.

Masiello was named to the FinCom seat from which Andrew Carlson resigned. Carlson was appointed in 2007 for a 3-year term. That seat had previously been held by Jim McCaffrey (Friend Of the Blog), who resigned in 2006, having been elected Selectman. After McCaffrey's election to Selectman, Byrne appointed Johanna Musselman to fill McCaffrey's term. When that term ended in 2007, Musselman requested reappointment, but Byrne refused to do so. She asked for explanation and was never told why she was not reappointed. Carlson was appointed in her place. There is no word yet as to why Carlson didn't finish his term.

Appointments to the Finance Committee are a heated issue right now as Selectman Ben Tartaglia and the group he runs, Seniors For Responsible Taxation, have criticized Byrne and the Finance Committee selection process.

Although I welcome your comments, please keep them civil because I know this is a hot topic. Please also refrain from wild speculation. I hate to be a wet blanket here, but there are many ways to maintain a productive conversation.

Meet Mike Moore, Millbury Man

Last week I interviewed Mike Moore. He's running for the State Senate seat being vacated by Ed Augustus. Moore is running against Doug Belanger in the Democratic Primary. The winner will be up against Republican John Lebeaux in the general election.

I started with the simple question: is he backing Ed O'Reilly in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate against John Kerry? No, Moore answered, he's not taking sides. Right now all his focus is on his own race.

I asked him about his most prominent backer, Guy Glodis. "I'm closer to Ed [Augustus] on social issues, and closer to Guy [Glodis] on fiscal issues." He added that Guy calls him his "token liberal" at the jail.

Glodis held this Senate before running for County Sheriff in 2004, and was then succeeded by Augustus. Mike Moore is Assistant Deputy Superintendent at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction, which Guy runs as Sheriff.

So how would he compare himself overall to Ed Augustus? On social issues, such as supporting gay marriage, he is the same. He calls himself pro-school and an advocate for public schools. Fiscally, on the other hand, "I'm very convervative." He is pro-business and wants to work with businesses and educational institutions. He wants to champion the life sciences industry in Massachusetts, including a stem-cell data bank.

He touts his career in public safety. That experience, Moore believes, makes him more invested in public safety concerns.

As previously noted, Moore claims a large number of endorsements, including many prominent Shrewsbury Democrats.

Finally, Moore cites his work ethic. He says he's very busy with his campaign. "I have to be out there, knocking on doors. I'm taking nothing for granted."

I asked: Would he be able to back his Democratic opponent should Moore lose the primary? He replied that he would support the Democratic ticket. The party will need to come together. The nominee needs the resources of the whole party to win.

His campaign website is ElectMikeMoore.com. The primary election is Tuesday, September 16.  The general election is Tuesday, November 4.

Commentville Challenges Change; Columnist Capitulates

The anonymity policy will remain status quo without change.

I remain concerned, however, that too many people are posting truly nasty comments behind the shield of anonymity. This isn't to say that pseudonyms haven't sometimes been over-the-top.

I would greatly prefer you to post under a pseudonym. It need not be your real name, just an alias/avatar/fake name/etc.

The goal of this blog remains: to improve our town. Nevertheless, a constructive voice can still be anonymous.

Opponents of this blog point won't participate in this great town-wide discussion. They claim it's because of nasty anonymous comments. We can prove them wrong.

Or not. Whatever.

Have a nice weekend!

Arlington compared to Shrewsbury

Arlington is the next town on the Shrewsbury Personnel Board used to justify Dan Morgado’s $20,000 raise. Again I do not question the raise, just the comparison rates from very wealthy towns around Boston. We were told these towns had similar town government comparable to Shrewsbury.

According to the 2000 census Arlington has 42389 residents; they have lost over 10,000 since the 1970 census.

Arlington has 21 precincts with 252 Town Meeting Members. Each Precinct has a chairperson and a clerk, sounds like they must do something. If you want to become a Town Meeting Member in Arlington you will be meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8pm to 11pm and the annual Town Meeting meets for one month! That is about 24 hours of Town Meeting and to think many Shrewsbury Town Meeting members grumbled when we went onto a second might and were really ticked off we went to a third.

A municipal election is held on a Saturday, with a 23.4% of the town showing up to vote in 2008 and 29% in 2009. The State General Election in 2006 had a 71.9%.

Arlington does have a Finance Committee with 21 members, one for each precinct. Gee, where have I heard that one before? ”The appointing authority (Moderator, Trust Fund Commissioners Chair, FinCom Chair) acted to reappoint all members whose terms had been completed and to fill vacant positions”

In 2006 their Fin Comm had 26 full meetings in addition to the subcommittee meetings meeting with various departments and the school. The Fin Comm gives their report on the third night of town meeting with their suggestions and additional info, in case Town Meeting members were interested.

In 2005 Arlington passed an override to cover their 5 year plan. Arlington has also passed other overrides. At the most recent town meeting Carol Brand and 10 others added an article to the warrant to ban leaf blowers. And then Carol and 10 others want a commission to be formed to study the feasibility of a recreation area including an outdoor swimming pool.

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce has a store front improvement plan to spruce up their down town area. Somehow I think they would frown upon our really huge signs on route 9, maybe residents of Arlington have better eyesight than us in Shrewsbury.

So far our similarity is that we have a Rep. Town Meeting and 5 Selectman and a Town Manager.

Whitehouse Wannabe Works With Wiki Words

(Please forgive me for stepping out of local politics for just a second. And yes, I know that "White House" are two words, but my alliteration headlines are getting desperate.)

John McCain reacted quickly Sunday to the Russian invasion of Georgia. So quickly, it turns out, that he cribbed his speech not from a speech writer or a think tank, but from Wikipedia.

Read more here. (CQPolitics)

I don't know if he actually plagarized. I'll wait until Paris Hilton gives me her opinion.

Sheriff Sends Senator Shivery Shoulder Says State Service

Is Guy Glodis backing Ed O'Reilly in the race for U.S. Senate?

For the first time in his incumbency, John Kerry is facing a primary challenger.

In this interview with the State House News Service, Guy Glodis (D-ish) all but backed Glouster upstart Ed O'Reilly at a recent Shrewsbury event. Guy's annual love-fest for seniors featured O'Reilly as Guy's guest. I won't parse the story any further, you should read the News Service story for yourself.

At the June 7 convention in Lowell, O'Reilly received enough support to get onto the primary ballot, although Kerry received the convention's endorsement. The entire delegation from the Second Worcester District (including all the delegates from Shrewsbury), voted for Kerry at the convention.

The primary election is Tuesday, September 16. Also on that ballot will be the State Senate primary between Democrats Mike Moore and Doug Belanger. One race is for the U.S. Senate (O'Reilly vs. Kerry) the other is the State Senate (Moore vs. Belanger). Four will go into that election and only two will come out!

Adler Alters Attitude About Anonymity

I want to try a SLIGHT modification to the anonymity policy for posting comments.

I have the choice of allowing comments for:
1. Anyone OR
2. Registered Users OR
3. Nobody.

Option 1 is completely inclusive and option 3 is completely exclusive. Option 2 allows people to register with Google or with some other OpenID service. (Learn more about OpenID here.) I like option 2, and we're gonna try it for a little while.

You can still post comments anonymously, except you'll have to do it using a pseudonymous user name. This is favored by many other news sites and blogs.

You can create a pseudonym (fake name or alias) of any kind you please. Neither I nor anyone else reading this blog will know who you are unless you specifically select to reveal your real name in the profile during the registration process.

I suggest registering a Google account. Make up a name or use your real name. Either way is fine. Here's my profile, just to give you a suggestion of what your profile could look like.

But before I do this, I'll continue to allow anonymous comments for one more week. This will let you readers to comment on this policy change using blank anonymity.

Please be nice.

---

(Update 8-8-08 8:08am): I'm sorry. Duh, I forgot to say WHY!

Why make this change?

First of all, it's not due to any pressure. If you think I could cave so easily to do you think I'd be doing this blog in the first place?

Secondly, it's because I have to be the moderator of comments. I rarely delete comments, but when I do it's because the comment was grossly mean, rude, disgusting, or just plain unnecessary.

It's easy for commenters just to swoop in, post something short and inappropriate, and swoop out. If I require the commenter to sign in, it will raise the threshold of work necessary to post an opinion. If it's a real opinion and not just a snarky remark, the commenter is still likely to go through the little effort and post it.

None of you have to post your real names. I do. I get all the blame for what's said here, and rarely any of the credit. But that's what I knew I was getting into when I started this blog.

Thirdly, I'm taking a week to hear your opinions on the idea. Maybe I'll back down to YOUR pressure, and leave it status quo. Even if I don't, I only plan to implement this new policy for a short time.

Finally, let me also admit to you what you already know: this blog is not a perfectly run and set-in-stone kind of enterprise. It's done using my own personal time and expense. It's just a little something which I love to do.

I hope you all love it, too.

Republican Reconsiders, Rejects Reporter's Rendezvous

John Lebeaux said he will not be interviewed by me.

Selectman Lebeaux is the Republican candidate in the race to succeed State Senator Ed Augustus. The general election is November 4.

Previously, John said he would be interviewed by me. Both of the people running for the Democratic nomination are being interviewed.

A little background is in order: In Spring 2007, John and I were both candidates for Selectman. Also in the race were Moira Miller and Ben Tartaglia. John & Moira ran tag-team and won the two slots. Ben came in third and I was a distant fourth (boo-hoo). Shortly thereafter, I started this blog. I solicited the selectman for interviews. Moe Depalo met with me, but John Lebeaux didn't.

Later in the year, I asked the selectmen each a question about street maintenance. John refused to answer. It was just a question about sidewalks, and he wouldn't answer because, as he put it, I allow anonymous comments on the blog. When I supsequently banned anonymous comments, he again refused to talk with me because, as he put it, "My opinion hasn't changed." To this day, I don't know what he meant. Coincidentally, I restarted anonymous comments after that.

When I ran into him this summer, it was the first time I'd seen him since he announced his candidacy for Senate. He agreed to an interview with me, but it would wait until later in the summer.

He called me yesterday to tell me that he had reconsidered his position, and would not be interviewed by me. He said it would not be in the best interest for his campaign. I asked why. He again said it because I allow anonymous comments. I asked would he be interviewed by the T&G? Yes, he said. I said the T&G allows anonymous comments, so is it really something else? He paused and said that the T&G is the paper of record. I didn't ask him about the weekly non-record papers because clearly he didn't want to be interviewed and I respect his decision. Instead I thanked him for calling me and I let him go.

Let me ask you this, dear readers: If John were to be interviewed by me, would you be more or less likely to vote for him?

Shrewsbury Compared to Brookline Part 2

Average Tax Rates (2006)
Us: $9.24
Them: 9.55 (residential) and $15.46 (commericial)

Trash and Recycling
Us: PAYT; Curbside recycling
Them: $200 flat fee (to look into PAYT) Curbside recycling

2007 Green Binney Award from MassRecycles
Us: No
Them: Yes for their paper recycling efforts which include public collection sites for cardboard and paper

Median Family Income (1999):
Us: $77,674.00 [Mass Rank= 79
Them: $92,993.00 [Mass Rank= 39]

Library Branches
Us: 1
Them: 3

Renter Occupied Housing
Us: 26.9%
Them: 54.7%

Trader Joes
Us: Yes
Them: Yes

Square Mileage/ Public Road Miles (2004)
Us: 20.78/157.24
Them: 6.62/111.05

School Enrollment (2006)
Us: 5,571 [Mass Rank= 38]
Them 5,845 [Mass Rank= 32]

Voluntary Bicycle Registration
Us: No
Them: Yes

CNN Money Best Places to Live 2007
Us: No
Them: Yes

2008 Sample Town Meeting Articles
Us: Article 26: Move to that the town vote to transfer $50,000 to fund a site assessment for Phase V of the landfill facility.
Article 29: Move that the town raise the sum of $72,000 for counseling and education (Shrewsbury Community Services)
Them: Article 26: “The U.S. Government recently conceded that vaccines caused a child to become autistic and the child is entitled to compensation,” (Kirby 2008). Health initiatives should “Do No Harm” to human health. Scientific Studies document a positive correlation between Thimerosol and increased risk for Autism and Alzheimer’s Disease. No Action vote by the Selectman and Town Meeting Members, and Favorable Action by the Advisory Committee.
Article 29 : to establish Committee to monitor local action plan on climate action passed in all 3 groups.
YEP, THIS IS THE WARRANT, WHICH GOES ON AND ON

Info from mybrookline.com, mass.gov, mma.org.

On to Arlington, gee they are starting to look like Brookline too. Who knew?

Gene's Got Grievances

In the T&G today, the following statements were made by Kevin Byrne and Gene Buddenhagen about the FinCom selection process.

Byrne:

“There are divisions in Shrewsbury … the anti-override, the override groups, pro-tax, less-tax that kind of thing. I don’t think it’s advantageous to town meeting to have people who are going to be there with an agenda...”

So who doesn't have an agenda?

I guess Byrne includes Gene Buddenhagen (FinCom chair) on his no-agenda list. Even though Gene said:

“I haven’t heard one thing yet that the committee has done wrong,” he said.

The Finance Committee only recommended the overrides when deficits were expected and the final appropriation from the state was not yet known, Mr. Buddenhagen said.

“We’re a very conservative committee. We’re not for overrides unless it’s necessary for the benefit of the town itself.”

Does that mean Gene has an agenda? Or maybe it's an agenda that Byrne agrees with. Gene has put campaign signs for John, Moira, and Moe prominently on his lawn.

I guess "agenda" means you disagree with Bryne.

Belanger Bullish 'Bout Backing

I met with Doug Belanger recently. We planned to meet at the Library, but I saw him early at the parking lot there. So we went across the street and sat on the commons and chatted about his campaign for the Democratic nomination to succeed State Senator Ed Augustus.

I'll meet soon with Mike Moore, Belanger's sole opponent in the primary election. After that, I'll meet with Republican John Lebeaux. I'll bring you both interviews soon after they happen.

Recently, the Moore campaign boasted a long list of prominent politicians who are endorsing him, including many in Shrewsbury. I asked Belanger about his endorsements. He cites individual support from his fellow elected leaders in Leicester and from State Rep. John J. Binienda, (Worcester), State Rep. James J. O'Day, (Worcester), and Governor's Councilor Thomas J. Foley. He also said that he's received support from a large number of groups who, themselves, represent many people in the district, including: Mass. Nurses Assoc, Worcester Firefighters Union Local, Worcester County Correction Officers Union Local, Teamsters Union Local, Central Mass. AFL-CIO, Worcester/Fitchburg Building & Construction Trades Council, IBEW Union Local, and UAW Regional.

To date, he lists 36 groups' support. Also endorsing Belanger are two progressive organizations: Mass Alliance and Neighbor to Neighbor.

After the primary, would his and Moore's campaigns work together? Belanger referred to statements of Moore and Sheriff Guy Glodis (a prominent Moore supporter) in which they said that would support the party's nominee. Belanger said it's important to keep this seat Democratic.

So what does he think makes him different from Moore? "Volunteering experience!" It's good to give back to the community, Belanger said. He said he's only running now because of the time of Augustus's retirement - it's time for the "next adventure."

How would he compare himself to Ed Augustus? "We share the same political passions and interests."

What would change if he were a Senator? He said the machine politics would change. He's "not the next guy" in a line of people run by a machine. He claims real accomplishments, not just promotion to the "next job." His volunteer experience, again, is important.

I asked him about his prominence as a union leader: as Vice President-Director of the United Food & Commercial Workers Local Union and Treasurer of the Central Mass. AFL-CIO. Readers of this blog have already criticized his union support. He said he's proud to represent working middle class families. "Workers, be they union or not, are my base." Unions, he said, help everyone.

So finally I referred to the first Democratic candidates' debate in June here in Shrewsbury. I believe that there is one scheduled for Leicester, but the T&G reports that it will be in Auburn.  (Once I have a definitive answer, I'll publish it here!) But would there be others? Belanger wants to have one in every town in the 2nd Worcester District. He claims that Moore is "not as enthusiastic" about that proposal.

The district includes Shrewsbury along with Auburn, Grafton, Leicester, Millbury, Upton and part of Worcester.  The primary election is Tuesday, September 16.  The general election is Tuesday, November 4.

His campaign website is BelangerForSenate.com.

FinCom Finale For Fourth

(Awful alliteration again. Apologies!)

This Monday, August 4, 7pm at Town Hall.

Will you be there?

Item 7 on the agenda at the next Board of Selectmen's meeting is "Selection Process of the Finance Committee." It's a follow up to the idiocy of a few weeks ago. This time, I presume tempers will be more restrained and everyone involved will be on their best behavior.

Selectman Ben Tartaglia (Friend of the Blog) has asked to allow members of the public to speak at the meeting. Presumably some of them would support the measure.

Last week, you may recall, Chairman James McCaffrey (another Friend of the Blog), invited four people to speak against Tartaglia's proposal to make the FinCom an elected committee.

I don't know if McCaffrey will allow public participation.

Tartaglia has asked the public to attend the meeting as a demonstration by their very presence in the hall, that there is widespread support for his position.

So… will you be there?

What's Worth Watching

Just for fun!

Summer Swelter Still Supports State Senate Showdown

(That was lousy alliteration. Sorry)

News from the race for the State Senate:

I met with Democratic candidate Doug Belanger this week, and I'll publish the interview in the next few days. Next week I'll interview Democratic candidate Mike Moore. I'm also scheduling an interview with our own John Lebeaux.

Meanwhile, I received a press release from the Mike Moore for Senate campaign, boasting their endorsement. The release reads, in part:

Those showing their support for Mr. Moore include: State Representative Vincent Pedone, Worcester County Sheriff Guy Glodis, Worcester City Councilors, Democratic State Committee members, local Selectmen, School Committee members, and community activists.

“Mike Moore is not only an experienced leader with a proven track record of success,” Democratic State Committee member Roberta Goldman said, “But he is also a strong, committed Democrat who cares deeply about improving the quality of life for local residents.” Mrs. Goldman is a long-time resident of Shrewsbury and a former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 11th Worcester District.

Many influential leaders from Shrewsbury have signed on with Mr. Moore’s campaign, including: Democratic State Committee member and former state Representative Roberta Goldman, Shrewsbury Town Moderator Kevin Byrne, Chair of the Shrewsbury Democratic Town Committee and former Selectman Peter Whitney, Treasurer of the Shrewsbury Democratic Town Committee Mary Ellen Killelea, former President of the Young Democrats of Shrewsbury High School and President-elect of Northeastern University College Democrats Jason Palitsch, former Chair of the Shrewsbury Democratic Town Committee John Keeton, President & CEO of YOU, Inc. Moe Boisvert, Shrewsbury Housing Authority Member Mary Jordalen, 2007 Eleanor Roosevelt Award Winner Rachel Savageau, and many more.

The Second Worcester District consists of Worcester (Wards 5-8), Grafton, Shrewsbury, Millbury, Leicester, Auburn, and Upton.

So how's the race shaping up here in Shrewsbury? I have been told that of the 41 voting members of the Shrewsbury Democratic Town Committee, 21 of them support Moore.

Update (1 Aug 2:11pm): An earlier draft of this story said that Mike Moore claimed to have support of 21 members of the Shrewsbury Democratic Town Committee. That was my mistake. I have been told that he has those endorsements, but it was not a claim that Moore himself has made.