Archive for the ‘local stuff’ Category

Unclear on the concept of representing the people…

Posted: March 20, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, local stuff, opinion/news
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What is the first thing I saw when I got home from the Worcester County Catholic Men’s Conference? An article I couldn’t believe in the sentinel:

Some city councilors said they’re not phased that a Fitchburg resident hired a lawyer to represent him regarding petitions he claims were mishandled by the City Council in February. “Lawyers’ letters don’t scare me,” Councilor-at-large Thomas Conry said Thursday.

Yes the Lawyer letter so didn’t worry him and the other counselors that instead of a 10-1 vote that was used to drop the petitions the entire counsel decided to let the March 16th petition go to the planning board. Update: It was unclear to some readers that I was referring to the March 16th petition advancing, including this edit to make it clear.

And I’m sure that the fact that the other side had legal representation and that Mr. Ciota had a letter from said representation in his possession had nothing to do with his silence at said counsel meeting.

I should make it clear that the article itself is very good. The Sentinel and Enterprise’s coverage has been good. It’s the answers that people are giving that are unbelievable. They go nuts if they hear the word “Planned Parenthood” and they get upset if citizens decide to get representation.

I’m sure the counselors are nice people but not a single one of them where installed in their positions by impressment, unless I’m very much mistaken each person campaigned for election asking the voters for the job. If they don’t want the job they can always resign.

Small Business talks: Belanger’s Hardware Fitchburg

Posted: March 20, 2010 by datechguy in local stuff, opinion/news, short films/interviews
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One of the things that I have done a bit has been to talk with people who run small business about their businesses. One of those businesses is Belanger’s Hardware which has been on Water street in Fitchburg since 1946.

We come to the front door and prepare to enter.

For what is pretty much a one man operation it was really jumping that morning:

Bob has been working there since he was 13. He explains the difference between himself and a Home Depot.

The best judge of a place can be their customers, Clyde was willing to talk on Camera:

He and Bob talked a bit about his issue:

And as Clyde explains there can be specific advantages to someone who has done the job since the 50’s

We close with Bob explaining what the government can and should do to help small business.

The government would be smart to listen to a man who has seen it all since before the current president was born. It’s all a question of if they will listen.

Maybe I should miss these city counsel meetings more often…

Posted: March 17, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, local stuff, opinion/news
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Because this time the zoning petition that was offered was passed onto the proper board rather than simply tabled:

Members of the Planning Board will have a turn to hear from those who oppose Planned Parenthood opening an office on Main Street, after the City Council referred a petition banning medical offices downtown to the Planning Board Tuesday night.

Several people, most of whom mentioned Planned Parenthood as the impetus for the petition, spoke in favor of such an amendment to the city’s zoning laws.

Normal procedure for any kind of zoning petition is to send such things to a planning board, in fact the general laws of the state demand it. The last time we were before the counsel the matter was tabled and not sent forward, this time armed with a lawyer’s letter stating what the law is, the counsel relented and the item was passed.

Joan Conroy said it best:

“The last time, most of you councilors knew we were green … so you withdrew the petition,” said Conroy, who added that city councilors should not cut off what she has to say.

“Whether you agree with me or not, you represent me and have a responsibility to listen to me,” Conroy said.

Of course this isn’t a final victory in the fight, but it was the first real win in what Stacy McCain called the Battle of Fitchburg so we are going to enjoy it for a day before preparing for the next fight.

Update: Much more info at the new Greater Fitchburg For Life Blog. Good idea starting a blog. I wonder what put that thought into their heads?

Fitchburg AM tea party protest first report and pictures

Posted: March 16, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, local stuff, opinion/news, short films/interviews
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Here are some quick images from the first of two tea party protests scheduled for today at Congressman John Olver’s office on Main Street

The people assembled were holding their signs and getting a fair amount of response from the drivers passing by. I only noticed one person giving a thumbs down while horn after horn was beeped in their favor.

I talked to people both on camera and off. Justin Brooks got involved in the movement in January mostly to find out for himself what was actually going on. He saw the negative spin in the media and the constant use of the …ism card, “race”-ism, “sex”-ism etc…etc…etc.

What he saw instead was average working people who were not at all what the media claimed to be. I met those people today and as I’ve seen over and over again they are the working class folk that was once the mainstay of the democratic party but feel that they are now being ignored.

Phillip Porter was first

His wife Arlene was very hesitant to go on camera, but she agreed in the end:

The Police asked the protesters to stay to the sidewalk and to be sure not to block parking spaces in front of Congressman Olver’s office, another officer swung by later. He said he had see the occasional protest maybe two a year in the 17 years he had been on the force. This was was no trouble, their main concern was to make sure that egress was not blocked for local businesses.

Jeff Wilson supported Scott Brown and he supports the tea party movement.

Michael Wertz had never protested before but he was protesting today

Some people passed by asking questions and some were interested. One man who worked at a local business had never seen any kind of protest like this (excepting the planned parenthood ones) in Fitchburg before. He also agreed that the health care bill was poor and if he was in congress would vote against it. Unlike the protesters he objected to the lack of a public option. He believed that house democrats should have the courage of their convictions.

When you are dealing with the most liberal congressman in the house it is unlikely that the protesters were going to change his mind, but they wanted to be sure that even if he didn’t change his mind that he was aware of how they felt. Anne Andrews put it best:

“We are tired of an out of control congress.” she said, she was tired of being taken for granted. “We are not dust in the wind!”

Update: Michelle and Robert Stacy are on top of the national stuff.

Update 2: Another Instalanche thanks muchly Glenn. Thanks for stopping by. Learn why Roger Maris is superior to Mitt Romeny, See why the president’s “courage” argument is bogus, learn the wisdom of the Barber Shop, and remember if you want your story told anywhere in the country I’ll do it for $1k plus expenses, “Have Fedora will Travel“

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