Posts Tagged ‘planned parenthood city counsel meeting’

Steve DiNatale on Planned Parenthood coming to Fitchburg

Posted: February 3, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, local stuff, opinion/news
Tags: , , ,

He was the first “citizen” speaker before the city counsel after the initial votes.

His arguments were pragmatic and exactly the type that will be most likely to make a difference when things come to a head.

And they will.

The “two” local papers cover the city counsel meeting…

Posted: February 3, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, opinion/news
Tags: , , , , , ,

I put the “two” in quotes because the Telegram is out of Worcester. From their story:

Dianne Luby, executive director of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, said the grant her agency has received will allow it to “be part of the public health solution.” Though the teen birth rate in Fitchburg is 17 per 1,000 — lower than the state average of 49 per 1,000, she said — the city’s demographics make it ripe for a family planning program. The grant wouldn’t allow for abortions and the office wouldn’t have surgical equipment, she emphasized.

One thing that I found frustrating at the meeting is nobody on the counsel asked “what demographics”? What makes Fitchburg ripe for their services when the rate is way below the state avg and has been dropping?

The Sentinel’s coverage noted something else interesting:

Those who had originally wanted to draft a resolution against Planned Parenthood two weeks ago, but ultimately voted to take no action, cited legal advice by City Solicitor Michael Ciota, who said a resolution may be unconstitutional and could make the city vulnerable to legal recourse.

Ciota said the City Council must protect the constitution of the United States, which gives women the right to have an abortion.

“I am concerned finally that even if (a resolution) were not to open the door to liability in any immediate sense, the expressions of the individuals in this chamber which form the government of this city can,” Ciota said.

The counselors reaction to Mr. Ciota’s representations were the real story of the night and I’ll be discussing that in later posts on the subject.

Although it is not yet up FATV routinely puts up the city counsel meetings online. They will be broadcasting and re-broadcasting it on local TV as well.

How good was the reporting? There is a lot that was left out that I believe was significant but these were not meant to be essays, fact that the meetings ran so late might have been an issue since both papers run in the morning and deadlines looming.

As I continue to post on this I hope to add some insight that time and space might not have permitted for them.

Planned Parenthood and the City Counsel summary pt 1

Posted: February 3, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, local stuff
Tags: , , , ,

I arrived at the City Hall at 5:30 p.m. one hour before the scheduled meeting.

Planned parenthood was there early too, these people were pros and had gone though this more than once before:

This not to say that Planned Parenthood didn’t have its supporters among the population. I spotted an old friend of mine with them and we chatted for a while. A local woman by the name of Sue Longey gave a strong defense of their position as well.

The Pro choice people came later and congregated between the inner and outer doors, they didn’t really want to talk as they were busy planning strategy.

The Chamber stood empty as the hour approached

Once the Planned Parenthood people saw I was a blogger everything became “no comment”, the city counselors didn’t want to say anything before the meetings either. Everyone was holding their cards very close to the vest. This is a close up of the Mayor’s spot it was empty and would stay empty as long as this subject was on the table.

The Mayor WAS in the building however and as this shot shows whatever our political disagreements, she has excellent taste in Pizza:

But the closest you would find her near this issue was her photo on the wall with the past mayors.

There was one slightly amusing false alarm when we were let into the room before they were ready, both sides filed in and were asked to file out.

One interesting addition was the police force, two uniformed officers were present. Nobody from the FATV people to anyone else ever remembered a meeting where police had to be present. I asked the officers if they ever remembered such a meeting but they declined comment, I then asked if they personally ever were assigned to a city counsel meeting but they declined comment again.

Both sides seemed a little worried hoping they would not be needed, but everyone forgot their worry once the meeting began.

(continued tomorrow when I’ve had some sleep.)

Just back from the City Counsel meeting…

Posted: February 2, 2010 by datechguy in local stuff, opinion/news
Tags: , , , , ,

it went on VERY late. I will have some photos and longer posts up in a bit but to sum it up quickly:

It reminded me of the Battle of Kasserine Pass. One side was professional and prepared and had laid the groundwork for the battle.

The other side more numerous, less organized and had a presentation that was not as strong.

And like the German army at Kasserine the well organized forces of Planned Parenthood won an early victory against the passionate but less professional forces of the working class residents of Fitchburg playing the role of the American G.I.

More details to come but the Zoning vote will take place in two weeks. It will remain to be seen if the Pro Life forces like the American army after Kasserine can recover from their loss in the first battle and learn lessons by their second.

Older Entries
Newer Entries