Troubled Department

It was shocking to learn that a trusted employee of the Building Department at City Hall had taken funds paid to the city for building permits. It wasn't a small chunk of change, either; the Everett Independent reported that a source close to the investigation estimated the loss to be between $25-$50 thousand dollars over several years. The theft was discovered by the new city auditors, who were hired this year to conduct the city's annual audit. The employee in question is on unpaid administrative leave pending a police investigation, and her supervisors were put on two-week, unpaid administrative leave.

Most disturbing is the fact that this woman was able to get away with this for years without discovery. Apart from her supervisors, where was the former auditor, who "retired"* only a year and a half ago, when this was happening? How was this missed in the city's annual audit for all those years?

Hopefully this is an isolated incident, but the administration did the right thing -- upon discovering the theft, action was taken. People are being held accountable. That is as it should be. When someone is suspected stealing from the cookie jar, you don't leave that person managing the bakery. Perhaps the School Committee should take a lesson from this.

* retired, but working for the school department, first as a consultant, then as employee. Status as of today isn't known. The State Auditor's report raised the issue of the former auditor's employment with the school department, and took a very dim view.

Terror in London

In the worst attack on its soil since World War II, four bombs ripped through the "Tube" in London today, and another bomb tore open a double decker bus downtown during the morning rush hour. Forty people have been reported killed, and at least 700 wounded in this coordinated attack. Responsibility for these atrocities has been claimed by an Al-Qaeda organization in Europe. CNN has the story here:

CNN World:Investigators pick through London carnage

We stand with the British people now as they stood with us on September 11. As Tony Blair said today, this is "not an attack on one nation, but on all nations, and on civilized people everywhere."

This again raises the spectre of terrorism in our country, as major cities around the country, including Boston, increased security on their mass transit systems. President Bush and Governor Romney, in separate statements, are urging citizens to "be vigilant." What happened in London is certainly no different than what could happen in Boston, or New York, or LA, or Chicago . . . but for today, it is about the British people and the horror that they are enduring. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall- Closing Ceremony Tonight!

Tonight is the last opportunity to see the Moving Wall in Everett and bear witness to the ultimate sacrifice made by more than 58,000 men and women, as well as untold thousands who came home wounded physically and spiritually. The closing ceremony begins at 6:00 PM.

Joe Hickey and the late Bill Henry, co-chairs of the Committee, along with their committee members and volunteers, did a wonderful job of putting this event together for our community.

The weather tonight may dampen the ground, but it can't dampen the spirits of our veterans or the memory of those who sacrificed so much to fight for our values and our country. Bring your umbrellas and take one last opportunity to see this moving tribute to our fallen heroes of the Vietnam War.

Happy Birthday, America!

It's been two-hundred and twenty nine years since the birth of our nation, and it's still pretty young, as far as countries go. Happy Birthday!

We have much to celebrate. This nation was born into world full of turmoil, yet our founding fathers' vision of freedom is still what defines our people and our country. The Declaration of Independence and later, our Constitution, were considered radical ideas in a world where many monarchies still ruled. The concept of freedom for all people, and not just the wealthy landowners was alien to most except a few philosophers who dared people to think beyond the rigid borders of class and religion. Unfortunately, it would be another hundred years before slavery would be abolished and another hundred more before racial inequities would be challenged.

Here we are, two hundred and twenty nine years later and we are still free. We have so much for which to be thankful. This is still a country in which if you get an education and work hard - you will get ahead. Millions upon millions of immigrants have made their way to our country in search of the American dream, and these include our great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles. And they are still coming! While we may grouse about all that's wrong with our country - many still want a chance at the "Dream."

Happy Birthday, America - land of the Free and home of the Brave! And while you're celebrating the 4th, please give a prayer up for our young men and women who are serving overseas. Also, don't forget to visit the Moving Wall, the Vietnam War Memorial at the stadium! It will be there all week. Additionally, there will be festivities for the kids at Glendale Park tomorrow.