More Bologna

We've had a phantom poster posting nonsense about the "tracking" of readers using this site, and nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, there's another Everett blog that has been accused of the same thing, http://zoom76.blogspot.com/

Let's examine the facts, shall we?

Phantom poster states that "I want you all to be aware that the administrator of this site is tracking you and has banned a person for telling the truth about our tax rates. " "My friend had his IP address banned by the administrator of this site due to his post."

Fact: We don't track anyone. In the fifteen months that we have been online, only one participant was banned due to numerous abusive and threatening postings. This occurred several months ago. We emailed the offending posts and asked the IP administrator to take appropriate steps. We had an obligation to our readers to take appropriate steps and we did.

Phantom poster also states: "then today, he was personnally confronted on the same subject matter."

Fact: Never happened. The web guru of this site actually lives out of state, and has informed us that full IP/email addresses are impossible to obtain on Blogger. Without a full address, identities are unknown to us. We were only able to have the abusive poster banned by contacting his IP provider. This is one of the rules of the blog. Please also note that Phantom never says who confronted him; this makes the story even more suspect because anyone confronted by a blog administrator for a posting would be telling that identity to the world! It would have been in the papers!

It would seem that The Phantom poster is clearly working on behalf of people who wish to muzzle anything they can't control, with lies and their own brand of intimidation. Unfortunately, for them, we're not going anywhere.

Thank you, Crimson Tide

Thanks for a great season. We're proud of all of you. It's a tough loss, but it's been a terrific season and you played your hearts out. We couldn't ask for more than that.

Division 1 Final Score
Xaverian 20 Everett 14

Who is Running the Asylum?

A majority of the members of the Board of Aldermen voted to send a 2 million dollar tax cut for the citizens of Everett into committee, where it will die unless acted upon by the end of the year. Only Aldermen McGonagle and Nuzzo voted for the tax cut.

Alderman Van Campen couldn't vote for the tax cut until he knew what the tax rate was. It isn't exactly brain surgery to assume that the tax bills will go DOWN with a $2 million dollar tax cut, but certainly won't without it. Alderman DeMaria opined that "he wanted to do what the citizens want him to do, like maybe save money for a Homecoming parade."

Is there any question as to who is running the asylum? Who else would think a Homecoming Parade should trump a tax break? Clearly, the Board of Aldermen is probably banking on the fact that they're going to need that money to bail out Fred and the school committee of yet another year of overspending...particularly if Don Andrew is coming back.

Crimson Egg on Their Face

Today's Boston Herald reveals a "crimson-faced" school administration once again.

Sure that a change of venue was in the offing due to their "foot-stomping,"Everett officials announced prematurely that the playoff game would be at Malden Catholic instead of Brockton during the Thanksgiving game with Cambridge. So sure of victory, our noble superintendent even bragged that he had called concessions superstar and philantropist, Joe O'Donnell in an effort to get his way. Unfortunately for Freddy Foresteire, the officials at the MIAA weren't buying it, and the game will be played in Brockton on Tuesday.

While every other team had a nice recap in the "Sweet 16" column, Everett players were treated to a line about the "controversy" and an acknowledgement that "none of the complaining was coming from the players." Nice. These kids have a fantastic season, but due to the chest-beating and rope swinging of their Tarzan superintendent, this is all they get.

When will this school committee wake up and finally understand that the Vine Street Villian isn't doing them any favors, on or off the field? The indictments, the audit...and now playground theatrics over where a game will be played. This reminds me of Foresteire's "don't you know who I am" performance with the Boston Herald's editorial board earlier this year. Someone needs to tell the school committee that a colossal ego stuffed into a suit is no substitute for a competent, rational ADULT. The children of this city deserve better than this....and so do the taxpayers.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So begins another holiday season in Everett. The newspapers are chock full of Christmas ads already, peddling everything from the latest in electronics to toys that are guaranteed to break on December 26th. The radio is blaring Christmas music already. You have to wonder where Thanksgiving went? Thanksgiving is turning into the Christmas gateway - a holiday to be rushed through in order to get to the good stuff. Well, we refuse. We're doing Thanksgiving, dammit! Bring on the family and friends! Bring on the feast! Most of all...let us be grateful for our many blessings.

We have much for which to be thankful. If you have your health, a roof over your head, a job, and food on the table - you are way, way ahead of so many people.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Community Service Notice

CALENDAR SUBMISSION from Cambridge Health Alliance

FREE EYE SCREENING

Free eye screening session in the Eye Laser Center at Whidden Memorial Hospital at 103 Garland Street in Everett, on Wednesday, November 16, from 1-3 p.m. with Dr. Vaid, MD, who will be checking for the presence of cataracts or glaucoma. Please call Chris Jackson, RN, at (617) 381-7173.

Hanlon's First Steps

In today's Globe North section, Mayor-elect John Hanlon discusses his intial plans for his administration focusing on establishing a quarterly tax billing period and requesting a full state audit of all departments in the City.

We agree with the establishment of a quarterly tax billing period, which would provide residents with a structured budgeting tool when paying their real estate taxes -- which more than likely will continue to increase over time, particularly if the state continues to chip away at local aid. While the issue of taxes may have sounded the death knell for the Ragucci administration, the reality is that as long as assessments continue to increase and state aid and revenues coming into the city decrease -- taxes will go up. Hanlon will truly be a Houdini-like mayor if he can help the city escape that reality.

The second issue that Hanlon highlights as a goal for coming into office is to request a full state audit of all departments in City Hall. This begs the question -- does that include the City Clerk's office, which Mr. Hanlon has run as his own little fiefdom for the past 20 years? If Mr. Hanlon is serious about the need for a State Audit, if the City Council approves the funding necessary to have one performed (and it's interesting to note that one of the first things Hanlon wants to do upon taking office is to make a large expenditure), if Hanlon and the City Council can put together a compelling enough case to the State to prove that an audit is necessary, AND if the State approves one -- it would be the sign of a true leader if Mayor-elect Hanlon would put his own office at the forefront be the first to undergo this audit. Hanlon has balked at audits of his office in the past and even though certain "administrative failings" have been noted in previous in house audits, there is no evidence to indicate that Hanlon has ever complied with recommendations resulting from these audits.

As so many said during this past election season, true leadership starts at the top. It's now time for Hanlon to practice what he and his supporters have been preaching. Open the books of the City Clerk's office to the State Auditors. Show the City that you will lead by example.

Common Council Races

There will be a number of new faces on the Council, as well as many of the "old ones." This is how the Council races shook themselves out:

Ward 1: Perrenial favorite Wayne Matewsky topped the ticket again, despite running for Alderman-at-large at the same time. Many had criticized Wayne for running for both seats, but it didn't hurt him in the Ward. Coming in second was Millie Cardello, and third was Michael Mangan, in his third run for the seat. Sergio Cornelio ran a spirited race, but fell short of grabbing the third spot. Joe Messina and Mary Silva came in with respectable votes, but not enough to overtake the incumbents.

Ward 2: Lou Sierra topped the ticket, with Joe King and Peter Simonelli taking second and third respectively. Anthony Fragione came in fourth, but pulled a very respectable vote.

Ward 3: Ticket topper Sal DiDomenico ran a solid race, setting the pace for Ward 3. Coming in second was Stephanie Smith and coming in third was James Keane, in his maiden run for office. Laurie Flagg and Bill Bowdridge pulled a respectable vote for their first runs at elective office.

Ward 4: No surprises with Joe Hickey taking the top spot, with Leo McKinnon polling second. Third place finisher for the final seat was Bernie D'Onofrio, who pulled quite a vote out of Ward 4 in his second run for elective office. Business owner, Stacy Caralis came in four, but pulled a nice vote in his maiden run for Common Council.

Ward 5: Topping the ticket was Lori Bruno, pulling a very nice vote out of the ward, with newcomer Rosa DiFlorio coming in second. Ten votes behind Rosa was veteran councilor Billy Cardello. Coming in fourth was Attorney Victor Dragone, who pulled a very respectable vote, and fifth was Eamon Kernan, who did well in his first, but very quiet run for office.

Ward 6: No surprises for Ward 6, with Kay Hicks topping the ticket again. Anthony Ranieri pulled in second place, with newcomer Cynthia Sarnie coming in third. Trailing behind Cynthia were Stephen Faia, and William Breining.

Congratulations once again!

Hanlon Takes the General Election!

In a razor thin win, John Hanlon bested 4 term-incumbent Mayor David Ragucci by 275 votes to take the General Election. Despite winning the primary, Mayor Ragucci fell under the weight of negative advertisements and constant mailings from his opponent.

In other contested races, Alderman-at-large Carlo DeMaria turned back the challenge by Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Matewsky, who topped the ticket in his ward for his council seat. Many had criticized Wayne for running for both seats, but it seems to have served him well. Carlo, who had deluged the city with mailings and literature drops clearly outspent his opponent, which was effective.

Ward 1 Alderman Frank Nuzzo was unchallenged, as was Ward 4 Alderman-Elect, Chuck DiPerri.

Ward 2 Alderman Jason Marcus easily beat back the challenge by newcomer Tina Ovalle. Jason won by his largest margin yet, by more than 2200 votes.

Ward 3 Alderman candidate Steven Smith prevailed against Kevin McCarthy, by the slim margin of 239 votes. While neither candidate broke a sweat campaigning, it's obvious that the McCarthy name still shines for more than a few in the city.

Ward 5 Alderman Robert Van Campen beat back a challenge by Common Council member, Catherine Gover by 183 votes. It was a close race and hats off to both candidates for keeping it clean.

Ward 6 Alderman Joseph McGonagle handily beat his opponent Robert Dunn, outpacing him by 3,288 votes. It was a nice finish for Joe, who has done a nice job in his first term as Alderman.

The School Committee races certainly indicated some anger against the school committee, with Joe Guliano, a newcomer to elective politics, taking TWO seats, topping the ticket in the at-large race, and besting Richard Baniewicz for the Ward 2 seat. Alconada came in third behind Lester MacLaughlin for the at-large seat, with Ruiz taking last place, despite Forestiere's best efforts upon her behalf. Surprising was the victory of David Ela, another Foresteire candidate and chairman of the school committee, over newcomer John Tumblin by more than 400 votes. Foresteire candidate Colarusso also bested Teke Ndi by a margin of 3-1. Candidates Allen Panarese, Frank Parker and Robert Carreiro were unchallenged.

Congratulations to all!

Next up: The Common Council races