Although I do not support his politics, I want to congratulate our new Senator Scott Brown. I hope that he will represent the Commonwealth well in the Senate. I believe that most of his constituents are pro-choice, in favor of equal marriage rights for everyone, against foreign wars, and want to see universal health care enacted. I don't think Senator Brown will advocate for any of those goals. But that is what the residents voted for so perhaps I am mistaken. If you look over the comments on this blog you can see why the parties can't work together. It is possible to have a difference of opinion on policy and not have to demonize the other side. I blame talk radio and the media for fostering this divisiveness. Just listen to Limbaugh or Back. They don't disagree with the president's policies, they attack his patriotism.
Awful, awful stuff.Makes for good entertainment but leaves no room to work together.
The Standard Times reported that my colleague on the Select Board, Mr. Michaud, is planning a run for the State House after running for Select Baord this spring. I have great respect for Mr. Michaud and think he would be a good state rep. Trouble is he would caucus with the tiny Republican contingent. That means that his point of view can be neglected by those with the levers of power, the House Speaker and Senate President. To bad it is that way but it is the reality of the situation.
We are fast approaching the Special Town Meeting that will vote on funding wind turbines, a Padanaram Village bylaw, and adopting a section of Massachusetts General Law that requires retirees to join Medicare. The warrant for the meeting is at this link. There is a presentation from the residents who oppose the turbines circulating and I will post it here when I have a chance.
On February 4th, the selection process for a new Police Chief will be drawing to a close with Select Board interviews of a few finalists. A recruitment firm, Municipal Resources, has been winnowing down the applicants ...
... from the more than 50 who applied. The remaining candidates will be narrowed down through an assessment that will take place the day before with Municipal Resources. I don't know when the Select Board will make their choice. My preference would be to do it that day or by the following Monday, February 8th, at the latest.
The search for a new Director of Budget and Finance is also nearing completion and the field has been narrowed to a few candidates by that committee. The candidates for that job should be coming before the Select Board soon as well.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Whew! Quite a week! Town Meeting warrant and other things
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52 comments:
Bill, thanks for the critique on the upcoming events. Hopefully, town meeting will leave the retired health insurance alone. If you know, will the retired town employee's be grandfathered or will the passage become mandatory for all retire employee's, past and future??
Bill, if you honestly can't see this election as a HUGE vote against healthcare then there is nothing that will convince you.
WOW! If this was a vote against Healthcare, then why did a seat in New York AFTER BEING a REPUBLICAN SEAT in US house of Reps for 100 years change to a Democrat...in the heart of the Town Hall fiascos...I believe this was not a rebellion of any kind..it was Martha Coakley who dropped the ball and felt Entitled to the seat...and if Senator-Elect Brown thinks that he go more to the right along with the REST of the GOP nation wide he will be known as the FORMER SENATOR from Massachusetts.
Martha Coakley ran a disorganized campaign and the State Democratic Party was not much help. Scott Brown ran a well organized campaign and took advantage of every opportunity.
Coakley was not my first choice and yes, people are frustrated with the economy, wall st., jobs, etc.
I wish Brown luck. He has some big shoes to fill! Whether you liked Ted Kennedy or not, he was the people's senator. I don't think this was a vote against health care. Health care in this country is a problem and has been for a long time. Maybe Brown will surprise us all and work with the other side?
PART I. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE IV. CIVIL SERVICE, RETIREMENTS AND PENSIONS
CHAPTER 32B. CONTRIBUTORY GROUP GENERAL OR BLANKET INSURANCE FOR PERSONS IN THE SERVICE OF COUNTIES, CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS
Chapter 32B: Section 18. Medicare extension plans; mandatory transfer of retirees
Section 18. In a governmental unit which has accepted the provisions of section ten and which accepts the provisions of this section, all retirees, their spouses and dependents insured or eligible to be insured under this chapter, if enrolled in medicare part A at no cost to the retiree, spouse or dependents or eligible for coverage thereunder at no cost to the retiree, spouse or dependents, shall be required to transfer to a medicare extension plan offered by the governmental unit under section eleven C or section sixteen; provided, that benefits under said plan and medicare part A and part B together shall be of comparable actuarial value to those under the retiree’s existing coverage. Each retiree shall provide the governmental unit, in such form as the governmental unit shall prescribe, such information as is necessary to transfer to a medicare extension plan. If a retiree does not submit the information required, he shall no longer be eligible for his existing health coverage. The governmental unit may from time to time request from any retiree, a retiree’s spouse and dependents, proof certified by the federal government of their eligibility or ineligibility for medicare part A and part B coverage. The governmental unit shall pay any medicare part B premium penalty assessed by the federal government on said retirees, spouses and dependents as a result of enrollment in medicare part B at the time of transfer into the medicare health benefits supplement plan.
This section shall take effect in a county, except Worcester county, city, town or district upon its acceptance in the following manner:— In a county by vote of the county commissioners; in a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by a majority vote of its city council; in any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; in a district, except as hereinafter provided, by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; in a regional school district by vote of the regional district school committee; and in a town either by vote of the town at a town meeting or, by a majority of affirmative votes cast in answer to the following question which shall be printed upon the official ballot to be used at an election of said town:— “Shall the town require that all retirees, their spouses and dependents who are enrolled in Medicare Part A at no cost to a retiree, their spouse or dependents, or eligible for coverage thereunder at no cost to a retiree, their spouse or dependents, be required to enroll in a medicare health benefits supplement plan offered by the town?”.
Town of Dartmouth retirees are getting screwed by town meeting voters and the select board members. Yup....after all those dedicated years of town employment, now when you can lease afford more insurance the town is proposing an article to kick you out from blue cross/ blue shield. If town meeting members vote to accept chapter 32B section 18 this means you are being forced to pay out of pocket cost for Medicare part B. Yup, years ago when you decided to work for the town of Dartmouth we were promised health insurance to be paid on a 50/50 cost and that it shall remain in effect until you died. Now you shall be forced to end your town insurance and have it taken from your retirement. What a joke. Dartmouth is taking us into a new direction....this is like walking up to an old horse and shooting it in the head. All you retired people who are working in the town for no pay are nothing more than a bunch of fools.
Anyone who doesn't see the country is against the healthcare overhaul is as blind as Bill claims Beck and company are. (By the way, I agree with Bill's assertion there).I would add Keith Olberman to the mix too!!!
One thing is for sure....every poll in the nation has a 10-15 point AGAINST healthcare and voters continue to sweep into office those who will oppose the concept. If Bill and other dems want to keep pushing this, they will be soundly defeated in 2010.
Liberals are against THIS bill too...do you honestly think people are against reform...woo hoo crackmonkey. The public option is favored by 6% of the population...stop spinning your rhetoric your making me dizzy
sorry 61%
sorry 61%
CNN polls are not quite as accurate as you would like. Especially one from October of last year.
and I am sure the FOX NEWS polls you gathered are "fair and balanced"
Sen. Jim Webb (D -VA) “In many ways the campaign in Massachusetts became a referendum not only on health care reform but also on the openness and integrity of our government process.
Apparently some of the liberals here still don't get the message. Your own Senators see the writing on the wall. Wake up.
again!!! what about New York 23...is that being brushed aside?
Want to talk about open government...let's talk about campaign finance...YOUR REPUBLICAN APPOINTED CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES opened the heavens for $$$$ from corporations to fund campaigns....as if corporations dont run this DAMN country enough
More people than simply retired town employees are "getting screwed" these days.
again!!! what about New York 23...is that being brushed aside?
There is a HUGE difference between a Senate seat and a house seat. There are 29 house seats and only 2 Senators.
NY23 was also different because an Independent conservative was in the race. Many conservatives endorsed Hoffman who withdrew from the race DAYS before the election and endorsed the Democrat candidate. No such thing happened here.
Comparing these two races is apples and oranges and you know it, nice spin though.
also NY23 has only been in its current form since 2003, due to repeated reapportionment and renumbering of districts.
100 years of GOP control...nuff said
100 years of GOP control...nuff said
Clearly the facts have you flustered. It's OK, at least now you are educated on the matter.
Bill, I agree with you that Joe Michaud would be a great state representative for our town. I don't care that he'll be one of only a few Republicans in the House. He'll stand out more and won't need to vote with the Democratic party bosses. He'll still fight for our town and won't back down when the going gets rough. As a lifelong Democrat, I plan to vote for him.
Clearly then facts have you flustered. Consider yourself edu-macated on the subject.
I know I am an insufferable buffoon to repeat what you wrote than make no sense as to my point but that is just the kind of dimwit I am.
I find it hard to believe ANYONE on here is a life long Democrat....that said...Good Luck Joe ..2 full time jobs and a part time job...that is quite a work load and to be honest...I hope one doesn take away from the other.
Oh and to the NY 23 denier....provide link to your research...I dont believe ANYTHING on this blog without a LINK
NY23 was just like the NJ, Virginia, and Massachusetts races. Only there, it was the ULTRA conservative candidate who got bounced.
Let's be clear- America does not want political extremes governing this country. It is a center-right nation. No universal health care, No cut all government ideology and let chaos ring, no 100% capitalism and greed, no isolationist foreign policy.
What more proof do you need?
out of all the special elections through out 2009 ONLY ONE has gone to the GOP...all the rest went Democrat....As for NJ and VA, I believe that was all about local issues, like the economy and NJ well, let's just sat corruption had a BIG hand in that one.
But aside from the state elections ALL FEDERAL SPECIAL ELECTIONS held last year, WENT DEMOCRAT...so that tells me people are HAPPY with this administrations agenda and the democratic party...or they would have been thrown out on their asses all year....BUT THAT WASNT THE CASE
I agree.. for the better part of 2009, people were happy with the direction. That has taken a drastic course alteration since November. Besides NY23, what race went democratic since Nov? If you don't see MA going Republican as a significant shift, you are missing the national landscape.
There is still 10 months before November, and Republicans shouldn't be overconfident. But if Christmas Eve votes behind closed doors, deals for special interests (like unions), and corrupt bargains for states when senators pledge votes continue, 2010 will be a Republican year. This is some buyers remorse from the "Change we Beleive in" promised fifteen months ago.
1)New York 20th 111th March 31, 2009 Scott Murphy (D)
2)Illinois 5th 111th April 7, 2009 Michael Quigley (D)
3)California 32nd 111th July 14, 2009Judy Chu (D)
4)California 10th 111th Novembe3,2009
John Garamendi (D)
5)New York 23rd 111th November 3, 2009
Bill Owens (D)
these are all the special elections held in this country for the House of Representatives in 2009...ALL went Democrat.
there weren't any senatorial special elections at all.
For the person wanting links... Educate yourself and look it up. While doing your own research you are likely to even more things.... You are like the person who is given a fish instead of the person taught how to fish. You will always be looking for someone to do the work for you
ummm, no I just want to vet out YOUR information...you may just be spewing junk
You have the information...you must give us your reference...if you have any...if not...your "facts" are not credible
Joe Michaud is a republican ideologue, he will hold fast to the party line. Remember I haven't seen much that he has done since his term as SB started....other than bring in a new EA...whci really wasn't his idea...that was Gilbert's baby
oh wait...he voted in favor of the split tax rate until he found out it was popular then he changed his mind...he does what is politically expedient.
He also voted with the majority for the meals tax.
and he voted against the Made in USA flag by-law
To 10:44am- I agree with you. reread my post.. I will copy it again--
.. for the better part of 2009, people were happy with the direction. That has taken a drastic course alteration since November. Besides NY23, what race went democratic since Nov? If you don't see MA going Republican as a significant shift, you are missing the national landscape.
Every example you cited occurs on or before Nov 3rd. I agree totally the country was continuing to sweep in Democrats until then. The backroom deals , etc. SINCE Nov 3rd have changed the landscape SOME. I simply repreat.....if democrats don't change the direction, there will be far more MA results come November.
Who is running for SB this year?
For those that list elections that happened last year to dilute what happened here last week, you are either in denial or completely mssing the boat.
If Joe Michaud is a "republican ideologue" as suggested by a previous writer, then let's elect more of them, no matter what label is attached. Joe is hard working, smart, and willing to change his position (even on major issues) when the facts dictate a change from his initial position. Isn't that what we all want on a public official?
You're too funny Bill. In one sentance you state why the two sides can't seem to work together, then go on to list 2 conservative commentators to back up your assertion. Why not be fair and list the liberal commentators, perhaps the one that stated those that vote for Brown are participating in premedtitated murder of Obamacare? Or perhaps the one that claimed the only reason people will vote for Brown is because of his good looks? Or the one that protrayed him as a male version of Sarah Palin? Or the liberal commentators who continue to call participants in the tea party movement as tea baggers? Why not Bill?
Who are these liberal commentators/ Why none other than Keith Olberman, Whoopie Goldberg, the other 'The View' woman whise name escapes me, Chris Wallace etc....
It's ok Bill though as the more liberals that refuse to see the forest for the trees the better the results come November.
How could I forget about National Public Radio! Hours of liberal commentary under the guise of 'public radio'. In their wrap-up of Tuesday eleaction the entire NPR piece was devoted to why Coakley lost the race; not enough money, not enough campaigning by Coakley, lack of support from the Dem party, she was a woman-no woman has been elected to the senate in MA, etc etc etc. Not one mention about why Brown won! 10 minutes of liberal hand-wringing drivel! Followed up with a segment about 'what is America to do now that health care for all is likely doomed'
They're probably working up a month long segment on bringing back the fairness doctrine as they can't seem to compete any other way.
Here's a story from CNN interviewing MASS voters after last week.
Makes the case above...
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/22/king.sotu.mass/index.html?eref=rss_politics&iref=polticker
to 5:24...we want a leader who stands by his principles,not someone who shifts like sand.
The point of electing someone, is you elect someone based on policy and principles...if they hold your principles and policies,,,you vote for them...if not your vote for the other person....
John Kerry was labeled a flip flop in 2004 because of his wishy washy stance on the issues....it is NOT viewed as a positive in politics.
if you want to elect someone based on poliical expediancy then so be it...that is your choice....I will vote for the person that holds MY principles and policies and will not waiver from then even in the eyes poltical disater....you make the tough choices and stick by them...that is a leader...other than that you are just a sheep looking to get re-elected
So who will you vote for???
I dont know, there is a whole slate of potential candidates.
Jason Wentworth, Greg Demello,Joe Michaud, Ray Medeiros,Jr., Kathy Dehner...I really don't know any of them
According to the standard times, Joe Michaud is running for re-election but Natalie Dias is undersided if she will run for a third term. Natalie should defecate or get off the pot. This is no time to be wondering what if.
Defecate? do you even OWN a dictionary?
Defecate....to excrete waste matter from the bowels or get off the pot.
What is the problem??
Your a king all right...I am surprised you dont put your name...If anyone knew who half of you jackasses were, you would probably end up in the back of a trunk...
How laughable. Anonymous posters called every name in the book pretty much, and most by anonymous posters themselves.
And I guess signing your first name or both your first and last names gives you the liberty to be profane and abusive? That is supposed to show us what? How honorable and fearless you are?
How classless.
I am a King. If you feel I am a candidate to be stuffed inside the back of a trunk maybe you would like to become the stuffer. I drive a black ford F250 pick up truck. I'll drive it any place at any time so that you can feel comfortable in attempting to stuff me inside a trunk. What say you???
Hmmm, Black F250...how about a plate number...numb nuts...or a phone # or an address...come on King'''your pathetic
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