Lakeville Tea Party

Representative Keiko Orrall Announces Legislative Aide

2011-10-29T16:06:00.002-04:00

Boston- State Representative Keiko Orrall (R-Lakeville) announced today that she has hired Jeanine Knowlton from Middleborough to be her Legislative Aide.

"Jeanine has been a dedicated volunteer and active citizen within the communities of the 12th Bristol District. I feel very fortunate that she will be assisting me with constituent services" said Representative Orrall.

Knowlton has resided in Middleborough for 16 years with her husband John and their two sons. " I am very pleased for the opportunity to assist Representative Orrall an get to work on the issues that are facing the people in our district. Having lived in the area for 20 years I am very aware of the needs, challenges and opportunities of the district. I look forward to working on the districts behalf."

Jeanine Knowlton can be reached at Jeanine.Knowlton@mahouse.gov or by calling 617-722-2430 ext 8464. Jeanine will be attending monthly in district office hours that will be posted in the newspaper.

Lakeville United

2011-10-19T12:19:00.000-04:00

The new proposed redistricting for the Massachusetts legislative districts, both representative and senate, have been released. Congressional districts are to be released at a later date.

As of a result, Lakeville will no longer be divided between two districts. The 12th Bristol as shown on the left in green is currently a gerrymandered snake worse than the other surrounding districts. If passed as proposed, our district will be more compact. as shown next left in green-ish tan. This should help keep our area in conservative hands. Better for everyone.

The Mass. Senate District shown on the right didn't change. We would still have Michael Rodrigues or the like until someone better comes along or the political demographic changes.

Now, if they could reconfigure of our current insidious, ugly, bloated like a fat python and makes no sense what-so-ever Barney Frank Congressional District 4, then maybe we can be better represented. Massachusetts loses one of it's 10 seats. Could the redistricting committee really make it any worse? There is always hope.

State Rep. Elect Keiko Orrall

2011-09-20T22:26:00.002-04:00

The people's choice is Keiko Orrall. With 2,125 to 1,761. Keiko won all precincts (even Roger Brunelle's own town of Middleborough) except New Bedford. She will be a state representative of the people, by the people, for the people.
Your voice has been and will continue to be heard.

Today is the day, 12th Bristol.

2011-09-20T06:29:00.001-04:00

Get out and vote! Vote early and bring your neighbors. It is your government you are participating in. If you don't vote for the candidate that best serves you and the Commonwealth, then don't complain. My choice is Keiko Orrall. She has my endorsement.

And, why does the Standard Times keep calling Steve Canessa a "legislative liaison". He's now a LOBBYIST.

Fact Ad or Attack Ad, You Decide.

2011-09-16T23:32:00.000-04:00

I'm still being inundated with mailing for both candidates. I don't mind the Keiko Orrall ones since it is no secret I support her and will be voting enthusiastically for her on September 20th. It is only natural for me to be annoyed by any Roger Brunelle Jr mailing, like his campaign contributions, is 85% paid for by other organizations other than his own campaign committee.
I received two of note today. Neither were from either candidate. One from the Massachusetts Democratic Party and the other from Massachusetts Republican State Committee. I think you can guess how this goes.
The MRSC ad starts off with pictures of Gov. Deval Patrick, Sal "Doing Time" DiMasi, Robert Deleo and Roger Brunelle Jr. with the caption:

"The Beacon Hill Insiders Agree: Roger Brunelle is Their Man!"

On the reverse side:

"Whose Interest Will Roger Brunelle Represent?"
Roger Brunelle will go to Beacon Hill and carry on business as usual for the Boston insiders.
Roger Brunelle already has their support. He received 85% of his pre-primary contributions from Unions.
Roger Brunelle won't rule out raising taxes, and promised to vote with the unions 100% of the time.
"Roger Brunelle is More of the Same."

Bullet point one is not "fact" but it is a logical assumption. The second is fact. Just looking at Brunelle's OCPF reports and it is obvious where he gets his support & money. Not an "attack in the least. If you like the union bosses and the liberal agenda they stand for, then you would be proud to have such a candidate. The last is from the Standard Times.

He pledged, in all circumstances, to protect the collective bargaining rights so important to hourly workers.

Not exactly a right of center leaning member of the print media reporter is Jack Spillane.
The MRSC mailing is mostly fact with some conjecture. Hardly an attack ad.

The Mass. Dem. Party ad starts off with:

"It's time we started to take a closer look at... Keiko Orrall"

with a magnifying glass over "Orrall."
On the reverse:

"As Election Day approaches, we've heard a lot of talk from Keiko Orrall about special interests...""But WHO are the special interests behind her campaign?"

Then it has two bullets, Questionable Fundraising & Secretive Direct Mail. Showing a big bag of money and copies of some of Ms. Orrall's mailings leaning against the bag.
It quotes the two eerily similar newspaper articles in the Taunton Daily Gazette and New Bedford Standard Times on the questionable fundraising. I already addressed this here as an obvious attempt to paint Ms. Orrall as a dishonest and unethical person. Anyone who has met or knows her personally can attest to the contrary. If you look at Orrall's OFPC report, you will find her compliant. 99% from individuals properly identified and no unions.
Now, the "Secretive Direct Mail" is actually kind of funny. Every mailing I have received with the exception of today have been all from and paid for by "The Committee to Elect Keiko Orrall." Now I don't examine every single disclaimer on each and every political mailing, so I can't say the all have been labeled prominently. But I will say this and even the yellow shirted MTA Activists that stand with Roger's mother on the street corners holding signs for him know that when an ad has the words "I pledge" or "I want to be your voice on Beacon Hill", that by using the first person, we know who is paying for the ad, Keiko Orrall and her campaign. what part of "I" don't they understand?
The MDP mailer is an obvious attack ad. Like I said, they are scared. There are no talk of issues, only unsubstantiated allegations of questionable behavior.
What is questionable is the Democrat's intelligence and scruples.

Before it hits the fan.

2011-09-13T23:33:00.001-04:00

This seems to be the new campaign strategy of the Mass. Democratic Party. Since they have no issues to run on that the people really want to hear, they feel it is time to muddy the race. Sorry, but when it comes to the regular voters in this district, they are not worried about easily remedied technicalities in complying with the campaign finance laws. These discrepancies as the Dems see it really only apply to contributions in the $200 - $500 (the max) range. John Walsh, MDP chairman, wants ALL contributions that came in through Pay Pal activity to be returned. Given the Orrall campaign is a grassroots one, as opposed to Brunelle's union boots campaign, there will be few meeting the disclosure requirement. Return them "ALL" he says. The Orrall campaign can request the required information (occupation & employer) on the upper limit contributions, but does not need to with the lesser. Two things are likely to happen. 1) the Orrall campaign will fix the "form" when a contributor donates by Pay Pal or 2) they will eliminate it all together and request the additional information as would be done anyway with even contributions made by check in both instances. Any nonconformist contribution to the state law would be returned. The average Joe contributor knows very little of the campaign contribution laws and candidates regularly have to seek the added information. Mr. Brunelle even has some to chase down. By Mr Walsh's standard, they should be returned immediately for non-compliance. As of the current filings, 35% of Ms. Orrall's contributions are in the upper range and ALL have the required information.
You can see who is giving, how much and status at the OCPF website.
This is a non-issue and easily remedied, if needed. This is the Dems desperate attempt to throw poo, because the 12th Bristol is a winnable seat for a conservative Republican.

Edgeway Homeowner's Association Endorses Keiko Orrall

2011-09-09T11:47:00.000-04:00

As printed in the Middleboro Gazette 9/8/2011

To the editor,
We are writing in reference to columns written by Mark Belanger and response from Senator Pacheco. We feel Mark hit the nail on the head when he stated, “Senator Pacheco seems to be more concerned with public unions than the public.” Many of us belonged to unions during our working careers and realize there is a place for unions in the work place. But they are not always right. We get the impression that we should vote for the person who belongs to a union, who is supported by the senator and who will in turn benefit from all the union members’ votes

Hello! Remember us, the older crowd who no longer are union people? We, the residents of Edgeway, reached out to Senator Pacheco on several occasion for help. His staff was kind and courteous, but no real help. The senator said he didn’t get involved in small town politics. No help, even though in 1993 the Legislature, under Senator Pacheco, amended the Manufactured Housing law to authorize the Attorney General’s Office to issue regulations and strengthen resident’s legal protection. We were told to complain to the attorney general’s office. We did, numerous times, to no avail.

We then reached out to Representative Steve Canessa who put us in touch with the right person in the attorney general’s office, we started to receive help.

Along came Allin Frawley and Ben Quelle, two caring individuals running for the Board of Selectmen. They listened and told us we would always be given the right to speak at Board of Selectmen’s meetings. They started working on our problems along with the rest of the board. What a difference decent, caring people make. And guess what? We didn’t belong to a union. They helped us and asked for nothing in return. So when the senator chose not to support Allin Frawley, because he was not union, we were upset. Allin had proven himself through hard work and commitment. We want our next state representative to help all of us! Therefore, after so many years of supporting Senator Pacheco, we withdraw our support and will no longer be voting for him or his choice for state representative, Roger Brunelle, Jr.

We have chosen to support Keiko Orrall, a candidate with some of the same views Allin Frawley possesses.

Edgeway Homeowner’s Association

This is a major dis to State Senator Marc Pacheco.

This must hurt. More disenfranchised voters for Keiko.

Senator Scott Brown Endorses Keiko Orrall

2011-09-09T08:34:00.000-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Keiko Orrall

September 7, 2011

BROWN ENDORSES KEIKO ORRALL Says GOP Candidate For State Rep Will Fight for More Jobs And Fiscal Responsibility

BOSTON – Keiko Orrall, a former public school teacher and Republican candidate for State Representative in the 12th Bristol District, announced today that she had earned the endorsement of U.S. Senator Scott Brown.

In Brown’s historic victory in January of 2010, he won nearly 60 percent of the vote in the 12th Bristol District.

Sen. Brown said: “I'm supporting Keiko Orrall for state representative because she’s committed to creating good jobs and getting our economy back on track. Keiko Orrall’s record demonstrates that she knows our spending should be less, our taxes should be lower, and citizens should be involved in the process. She will be a breath of fresh air on Beacon Hill, and I am proud to support her candidacy.”

“I am thankful for this endorsement from Senator Scott Brown and appreciate the support that I have been given in this campaign to bring your voice to Beacon Hill,” Orall said. “I am committed to advocating for taxpayers, businesses, and our communities as we work together to solve the problems that our Commonwealth is facing.”

The 12th Bristol district encompasses parts of Lakeville, Freetown, Middleboro, Taunton, and New Bedford. For more information on Keiko Orrall and her campaign, visit her website at www.Orrall2011.com.

MTA Member supports Keiko Orrall for State Rep. 12th Bristol District

2011-09-08T14:22:00.000-04:00

Reprinted from the Middleboro Gazette 9/8/2011

To the Editor:

I am a proud member of the Massachusetts Teacher's Association, and I can't wait to vote for Keiko Orrall on September 20. Unfortunately, my union leadership, like many other union leaders, caved in to political pressure (as well as a requirement to raise taxes), and endorsed Keiko's opponent for the 12th Bristol seat. But union members are not fools, and we know the real deal when we see it. She brings common sense and a real working person's perspective to Beacon Hill.

Keiko believes this is a service position, and will not take a pension or a travel stipend to do the job. She has pledged not to raise taxes, and will balance the budget by controlling spending. She does not agree that illegal immigrants should receive in-state tuition to our colleges, and will endorse the "Secure Communities" act. Keiko will be our voice on Beacon Hill, just like Scott Brown is in Washington. Her opponent will be obligated to all sorts of special-interest groups (all those "endorsements"), where Keiko Orrall will be able to represent what the people of our district actually want.

John Knowlton

Pearl Street

Middleboro

MTA all in a tizzy

2011-09-06T23:09:00.000-04:00

It seems the MTA is all upset with anyone who disagrees with their mob mentality, namely me. Someone from the MTA and likes to remain "anonymous" has got some extra time on their hands from sending out mailers. Yes, I got another one today. They have given approximately $7,400 in independent expenditures supporting Mr. Brunelle to date.
This MTA member goes on about "censorship" and the "Tea Party" like somehow they are connected. All the while remaining "anonymous". Another brave foot soldier doing their duty, I suppose. How can some be so prejudiced to make such statements?
I'm glad there are some members who don't follow lock step with there union overlords and are helping the Orrall campaign. The MTA may be all teachers, but not all teachers who have to pay MTA dues are all MTA.

Thanks for noticing.

2011-09-06T16:40:00.000-04:00

As published in the "comment" area at Jack Spillane's Blog, All Politics is Local: The Tea Party Candidate vs. the union candidate.

Dear Mr. Spillane,
As the the only "member" and creator of the Lakeville Tea Party website, www.lakevilleteaparty.blogspot.com , I am flattered at the attention that you are giving my personal opinions. I started my site years before "The Tea Party" became vogue to protest a tax increase in town. Thank you for the promotion of my site.
IMO Ms. Orrall is very independent and will not be doing anyone any favors, that includes "The Tea Party", the Republican Party or anyone else. Unlike her opponent, she will not follow the "party" or union line. As you may have read, there are many disturbing trends within the Brunelle campaign. Who is scarier to have as legislator representing the 12th Bristol, an independent strong willed woman supported by "the Tea Party" and the Republican Party or a "puppet" for the Democratic Party and union leaders?

Bikers or Tax Hikers / MMA or MTA

2011-09-02T21:58:00.000-04:00

As Treasurer of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Political Action Committee (MMPAC), I announce our endorsement of Keiko Orrall for State Representative, 12th Bristol District. Press Release will go out 1st of the week. Ms. Orrall has pledged support for the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) Legislative Agenda 100%. Riders in this District are encouraged to support Keiko Orrall and her campaign. Contact@MassMotorcycle.org with any questions. - Rick Ster

If I had to chose between leather jacket wearing while two wheeling bikers and taxpayer income steeling tax hikers, then I pick the bikers. Besides, bikes are way cooler.
I received ANOTHER mailer from the Mass Teacher's Association today. This is what it said:

Roger Brunelle will be an advocate for our students by supporting early childhood education, smaller class sizes and making public higher education more affordable.

But this is what it really says:

Roger Brunelle Jr. will be an advocate for the MTA by supporting tax increases on student's parents and all other taxpayers by supporting the unionization of early childhood educators, more teachers with fewer students and making public higher education more affordable for illegal immigrants with in-state tuition.

This about sums it up. Bikers rule, MTA drool.

Not Surprising

2011-08-27T19:42:00.000-04:00

So, the Massachusetts Teacher's Association decides at the beginning of the campaign to interview the candidates, so they could decide who to support. As expected neither Republicans were interviewed. They rejected any candidate that said they would not raise taxes and the MTA wound up with the same pick as any all the other unions.
This does have many MTA union members upset that the MTA was spending union dues on candidates that are not who their members want. The MTA even has the audacity (tongue in cheek) to tell these members to vote for the chosen one anyway.
You will hear more of this as the election comes closer. Not surprising.

Taunton Republican City Committee Endorses Keiko Orrall

2011-08-26T22:45:00.000-04:00

On Thursday evening, August 25, the Taunton Republican City Committee ENDORSED Keiko Orrall for State Representative for the 12th Bristol District. We need Keiko up on Beacon Hill with Taunton Representative Shaunna O'Connell so that we can continue to change the good ol' boy, do nothing Democrat/Socialist agenda. VOTE KEIKO September 20, 2012.

Attention Disenfranchised Democratic Primary Voters of the 12th Bristol District!

2011-08-24T22:20:00.000-04:00

Do you feel let down that your candidate (Nancy Yeatts or Allin Frawley) got the shaft because Roger Brunelle Jr. was coroneted as the chosen candidate by organizations like the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the SEIU, local unions and even unions associated with your candidate, spending their money (not his) for ads, mailers and robocalls leaving your choice to fight on their own?

Are you upset that your candidate was called by MA State Rep. Patricia Haddad, Speaker Pro Tempore or other “Democratic” operatives telling your candidate that if they won the primary that your candidate would have to cede their control over their campaign to the “Party” not letting your candidate be your independent voice for the 12^th Bristol District on Beacon Hill?

If this is you and you are looking for a voice on Beacon Hill, then Keiko Orrall is the candidate for you. She is independent, tenacious but respectful and will listen to you. Although she is registered as a Republican, she is not running for this seat to be a rubber stamp to anyone, nor to have public service as state representative become a “career move”. You can talk to Keiko and she will listen to you. She will fight for our district and its specific needs.

Vote for Keiko Orrall on September 20^th. She can be your voice on Beacon Hill.

Grassroots v. Union Boots

2011-08-23T22:09:00.003-04:00

Keiko Orrall has won the Republican Primary over Derek Maksy by about a 60% to 40% margin. It was an exciting night in the VFW in Freetown. Not so happy at The Country Club in Lakeville.
This win is just a water stop in a full marathon. Keiko loves to run marathons.

It looks like Roger Brunelle Jr. won the Democrat side. It looks like a tough battle, but Brunelle has little support up here. New Bedford will be his stronghold.

Tomorrow the battle lines are draw.

2011-08-22T18:37:00.001-04:00

Tuesday is the day. August 23^rd is the day the lines will be draw on who will represent the 12^th Bristol District as the new state representative replacing now Southcoast Healthcare lobbyist Stephen Canessa.

On our side, Republicans, we have Derek Maksy, current Lakeville Selectman, and Keiko Orrall, former Lakeville finance committee and grassroots conservative activist. Excellent profiles and websites of both Keiko and Derek you can find by the links attached to their names. You can find them both prominently on Facebook as well.

The other side, all Democrats, are Allin Frawley, current selectman from Middleborough, Nancy Yeatts, former selectman from Lakeville, and Roger Brunelle Jr. whom The New Bedford Standard Times calls a “labor activist”. Now that is funny. The only political experience he has had is helping family in politics and local government. Marsha Brunelle, his mother, was a long time Middleborough selectman who left office this year due to a major illness. Middleborough voters got sick of her and she was trounced by Allin Frawley and Republican Ben Quele last April.

I know all of the candidates in one form or another, all except Brunnelle. But, if Brunelle’s associations are any indication and the hanky-panky that has been noted by former Attorney General candidate Jim McKenna and Brock Cordeiro, Republican Town Committee Chairman in Dartmouth, then we can assume the tax payers of the 12^th Bristol District will lose big and it will be business as usual on Beacon Hill. Hold on to your wallets and no “change for the South Coast. The tactics used even for a primary are appalling. Both Frawley and Yeatts have union ties that should have at least gotten them some backing. Not in this state. They were both refused any endorsements in favor of Brunelle, union puppet. I’ve gotten 4 mailings just for the primary endorsing Brunelle. All paid for by the SEIU, the Mass Teacher’s Association and one other whose name escapes me. Hey, those mailings hit the trash faster than credit card applications in my house. The unions got their marching orders and they want Brunelle to do as they want.

We have a chance to make this district RED. Let’s pull out the stops for the Republican who wins the primary. The alternative would be disastrous. The battle ends September 20^th.

The answer from DOT about Rt. 79

2011-08-22T18:04:00.001-04:00

Thank you for emailing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Our mission is to provide the highest quality customer service to residents and visitors, with a focus on safety and efficiency.
This project has been delayed due to utility relocations. We have been waiting since last Fall for Verizon to perform their work. Verizon recently started working on this project with an estimated completion date of August 31, 2011. Verizon had since gone on strike. We are told that the strike is over and hope to see them back on the job soon to complete their work.
Please contact MassDOT if you have additional questions, comments or if we can be of further assistance. Thank you again for your email, and have a wonderful day.

Now that Verizon union workers have "blinked", maybe now they can get to work and get that mess cleaned up. But maybe not. This has been stalled long before the strike began.

Stop & Go.

2011-08-16T05:23:00.000-04:00

We may not be able to stop all the stupidity pushed through on ~~Bacon~~ Beacon Hill, but we can send them a message and make our voices loud and clear.

Help stop government fraud & waste, go Keiko, go!

Help stop in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, go Keiko, go!

Help stop EBT card recipients from getting "cash back", go Keiko, go!

Help stop hack holidays like Bunker Hill Day, go Keiko, go!

Help stop special right legislation for special interest groups, go Keiko, go!

Help stop any increase in taxes, go Keiko, go!

Help stop the insane growth of government, go Keiko, go!

Help stop the cadillac pay, pensions and perks that only state government employees enjoy, go Keiko, go! She won't take one.

Help stop legislative "per diems", go Keiko, go! She won't take one.

Help stop the one party domination on Beacon Hill, go Keiko, go!

Help stop job killing over regulation of good businesses, go Keiko, go!

Help stop the flight of consumers to "tax-free New Hampshire", go Keiko, go!

Help stop the exodus of businesses from the state, go Keiko, go!

Help stop the growth in size and scope of state government, go Keiko, go!

Help stop Beacon Hill back room deals, go Keiko, go!

Help stop career moves running for higher office as progression in "public service", go Keiko. go!

Help stop business as usual and send common sense to Beacon Hill as your voice, go and cast your vote for Keiko Orrall on Tuesday, August 23rd in the Republican Primary.

What's up with Rt. 79

2011-08-15T21:41:00.004-04:00

Below is the current description of the project from the MassDOT website. It is obviously going to be not done on time with only a month left of legitimate summer. Will it be over budget as well? But that is nothing new according to the New England Center for Investigative Reporting.

LAKEVILLE- MIDDLEBOROUGH- RELOCATION OF ROUTE 79 (RHODE ISLAND ROAD), PF #600356 This project consists of the relocation of Route 79 across land formerly belonging to the Lakeville State Hospital and now proposed for commercial development. The .5 mile segment of new infrastructure will relocate Route 79 away from the I-495 ramps and facilitate the signalization of those ramps to improve the overall operation and safety of Exit 4 in Middleborough located approximately .25 miles distant. Work also includes installation of signals on Route 105 and coordination with CANPRO development and the MBTA to address needs at the Lakeville Train Station.
Location:	Town of Lakeville Town of Middleborough
Construction Begins:	Autumn 2009
Construction Ends:	Summer 2011
Resident Engineer:	Manuel Correia
Construction Contract Value:	$2,372,332.00
Construction Bid Price:	$1,989,029.10
Initial Construction Estimate:	$2,810,492.00
MassHighway District:	District 5

Progress

# 59682 -- Construction Contract

Roadway Relocation and Related Work on a Section of Route 79 (Rhode Island Road.

46% Complete

The intersection is getting more dangerous than before construction started with the traffic coming from the train station. I have sent the resident engineer and project manager an e-mail requesting comment. I hope to keep you informed.

Keiko Orrall for State Rep Fundraiser

2011-08-09T16:55:00.005-04:00

Time: Saturday, August 13 · 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Mitchell Memorial Club Inc Middleboro, MA
Join us for food, fun, and great conversations! We need to stand together to get our government back on track. Meet others who are likeminded and want real solutions! The Committee to Keiko Orrall will be hosting a campaign fundraiser on Saturday, August 13 at the Mitchell Club in Middleboro from 6:00-10:00 pm. Some of our guests include David Pottier from the Taunton City Council.
Please RSVP at orrall2011@gmail.com or call 508-947-6977. Tickets are $20 pp, $30/couple and are available at the door.
http://www.orrall2011.com/
Checks may be made out to:"Committee to Elect Keiko Orrall"c/o Treasurer, Henry Roy 4 Daniel Rd. Lakeville, MA 02347

Meet & Greet Keiko Orrall, Sat. 8/6/11

2011-08-03T22:42:00.004-04:00

Meet & Greet Keiko Orrall, 12th Bristol State Rep. Candidate

Summary:
Meet Keiko Orrall, Republican candidate for the 12th Bristol State Representative seat.

Where:

Somethin's Brew'n Book Cafe.

241 Main St.
Lakeville, MA
02347

When: 08:30 AM - 10:30 AM

The high cost of teacher retirement

2011-08-02T20:58:00.003-04:00

If you want to see how much we are paying for the retirement pensions for past teachers and administration per year, look here, here and here. This obviously does not include health insurance.

This does not look sustainable.

Special notes:

STEPHEN FURTADO $116,947.80

DENNIS FLYNN 106,365.36

WILLIAM CONNORS 96,797.16

LOUIS RODRIGUES 83,607.96

Local voice(s) fill race for 12th Bristol race.

2011-07-07T12:58:00.003-04:00

The field is filling up with locals wanting to fill the seat vacated by Stephen Canessa. Derek Maksy, Republican, declared early. Also pulling papers is former Lakeville selectman Nancy Yeatts as a Democrat. Also pulling papers is a favorite of mine, since we worked together to defeat the ill conceived overrides 2 years back, is Keiko Orrall running as a Republican.

Others are Allin Frawley, Middleborough Selectman, Roger Brunnell Jr., son of former Middleborough Selectman Marsha Brunnell (both as Democrats) and as an unenrolled Frank Riberio of New Bedford.

It will be an active few weeks if all can get enough signatories. This looks like some local fun.

At First You Don't Succeed...

2011-06-28T22:46:00.002-04:00

... Try, Try Again.

Well, the first to throw in their hat for the now vacated 12th Bristol seat is none other than Derek Maksy. Going for the state senate seat last time around was tough against the popular Michael Rodrigues last fall. Especially in a general election where the Democrats came out in force. Republicans made only a few gains, but that was encouraging since they had only been losing seats for decades.

It didn't take him long to decide. I wanted to know and now we all do. The primary will be August 23rd and the election will be September 20th. So Precincts 2 & 3 get your sharpies ready. Now all we need is to see is who else will jump in.

Stephen Canessa calls it quits.

2011-06-24T22:30:00.001-04:00

As reported in the Standard Times,
http://www.southcoasttoday.com...
State Representative Stephen Canessa has decided to quit and become a lobbyist for Southcoast Health System.
The 12th Bristol District, which includes parts of Freetown, Lakeville, Middleboro, New Bedford and Taunton. Lakeville and Middleboro and mostly Freetown usually vote Republican and are overwhelmed by the Democrats voting in New Bedford & Taunton. Can we get a strong candidate to take the seat? I want to know. I would like to think so.
No date has been set for the special election.

False Alarm

2011-06-23T21:56:00.004-04:00

Sorry, but there will be no evacuation of the 4th grade from Assawompset to GRAIS. It appears that although to win full regionalization it was a promised benefit, the soon to be dissolved Lakeville School Committee voted them to GRAIS, then voted to reverse themselves, then finally the Lakeville BOS voted unanimously with 166 petitioners support attempted to move them back to GRAIS again only to be told by school district's and the MASC (Mass. Assoc. of School Committees) legal counsels that even absent a LSC on 7/1/11 the BOS has no authority to move any children anywhere. Only the school committee can with a 3/4 majority no less.

What is most disturbing about this whole subplot in the whole full regionalization saga is that the promise was made to move the 4th grade, and we were all given the perception through multiple meetings and debates that absent the LSC the BOS could request the move via the GRAIS amendment in the Regionalization Agreement only now to be rescinded with an appearance of arrogant disregard by some members of the LSC that it is felt as a right by them to ignore the pleas of Lakeville citizens. Comments from some Freetown School Committee members that who cares what the citizen's perception of the committee is are worse and are not afraid to say it. The LSC was even invited to attend the next BOS meeting and 3 members will not attend. Will they even let the BOS know they won't attend? There is such a bad taste in some Lakeville resident's mouths over the broken promises and unspoken implications of full regionalization that what trust that was hoped to be built between the Region and Lakeville are fading away.

On a positive note, the regional school committee needed to reorganize officers since the old committees will no loner exist and combined to be a transitional committee starting 7/1. The good news is that Lawrence Ashley (former Freetown Selectman) will be the new chairman and John Olivieri will be the vice-chairman. They both bring some more experience and polite tenacity that I believe will be welcome from some prior chairs.

Weiner-Gate

2011-06-16T21:27:00.004-04:00

Maja Look!

Promises, Promises

2011-06-02T23:15:00.004-04:00

July 1st will bring the full official start of Full Regionalization of the Freetown/Lakeville school district. Up until now the preparations of mostly budget finalization, a 13 member transitional committee and school grade configurations have been the major topics of all meetings since March are all that you could say are noticeable differences from former Regional School Committee meetings. The topics of discussion are far more varied in opinion because there are stronger members with their own ideas and convictions than there had been since I started attending meetings. There has been lively debate on what is being done or not being done. There are many ruffled feathers of those who have always voted the status quo.

Promises were made to sell full regionalization. To Freetown it was smaller elementary class sizes, shared resources, lesser administration workload and money. (A smaller percentage required to contribute due to a decrease percentage enrollment compared to Lakeville. Somehow the higher percentage for us was not discussed at the time. Would there be a wonder why?) To Lakeville the promises of smaller elementary class sizes, shared resources, lesser administration workload and the 4th grade could move back to GRAIS with ease. It is this last promise that has been left unkept that has many in Lakeville calling foul.

GRAIS population has been a soar spot for years. It is a highly under utilized building with only used at 33% capacity and Lakeville pays 100% of the debt while AES is at 114%. AES principal Laurie Hunter agonized for 2 years about the overcrowding. Now she is okay with it for another year? How is it that with added teachers with the fourth grade included that everyone could fit? We were told they could not. Magic happens apparently.

It is now a war of committees. Back in December the Lakeville School Committee voted to put the fouth grade in. On April 13th of this year, under the advice of the superintendent due to overall budget concerns, they voted the fourth grade back to AES. This raised the tempers of many, including the Lakeville BOS who favored FR because of the promises made, not what myself and others believed would be the reality. Dave Davenport on the LSC protested and advocated for a whole month to keep them in GRAIS, but the majority ruled and they were moved back.

Subsequent meetings turned personal at even the mention of the broken promise. Citizens verbally protested, the Lakeville BOS protested and threatened repeal with their right to do so under the GRAIS amendment in the regionalization agreement. The June 1st meeting saw all this and the LSC voted to continue as voted on April 13th. However as it was their right, the Lakeville BOS on June 6th voted to sent the 4th grade to GRAIS.

Now the regional budget has been voted again with only the amount that Lakeville can send, giving Freetown an extra $500,000 in their town budget. This is the final budget. It is what the region has to work with and now internally needs to be adjusted to having Lakeville's 4th grade in GRAIS. LSC vs LBOS and the BOS and the 4th graders won. Start packing the boxes for the move. Payback hurts.

Ticket to Ride.

2011-05-22T19:25:00.003-04:00

The nanny state will be showing off it's bulking biceps starting tomorrow with enhanced enforcement of "Click it or ticket" in Lakeville and 190 other local communities up until June 5th.

The message is simple: Massachusetts drivers and passengers should always wear their seat belts or be ready to face the consequences. (emphasis mine)

So, be on your best behavior or get fined. The seatbelt law passed by our know-it-all state government a couple of years back is only secondary enforcement, meaning you have to get stopped for something else first.

I don't have a problem with buckling my seatbelt. My car has been hit by more boneheads than I would have liked and was glad I and my family wear them, but who are these people that think they can tell individuals what to wear or when to wear it when driving?

Interestingly...

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), based on known usage, 52 percent of the passenger vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes in Massachusetts during 2009 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash, three percent higher than the national average.

...so that means 48% died with seat belts on in MA, 51% nationwide. I would like to know the comparison what the actual survivor rate in crashes between seat belted and non-seat belted occupants. Who is to say if any would have survived with seat belts on? Telling us about the dead ones doesn't tell of the circumstances or the potential of survival. Maybe they should have those statistics instead.

I hope that the take from these next couple of weeks is so small that it makes the know-it-alls look more foolish than they already are. I find it amusing (not in a funny way) that Nanny Fed would give out grants in a state that only has secondary enforcement. Somehow they still feel they have money to burn even with a $14 trillion in debt. Bright as a 2 watt bulb as usual.

Results are in...

2011-04-04T20:45:00.003-04:00

The winners are:

BOS: Scott Belliveau - It was close in Precincts 1 & 2, but 3 (Lakeville Hospital area) went 2 to 1 for Mr. Belliveau.

I spoke to Nancy Yeatts last week and she knew it was going to be a tough one. She of course wanted to win, but said if she lost she was going to enjoy the vacation.

Lakeville School Committee: M. John Olivieri - Won easily all precincts.

Charlene Shea was sure to lose. She doesn't campaign and was too much a no show when you would think it was most important.

Health Board: Terence Flynn

Moderator: Aaron Burke

We have new blood and hopefully change for the better.

Ballot is Finalized

2011-03-14T22:50:00.003-04:00

Tell me (us) why I (we) should vote for who. I would like to see the positives of the candidates. I think we can all come up with negatives on our own.

BOS - Nancy Yeatts v. Scott Belliveau

School Committee - Charlene Shea v. M. John Olivieri

Health Board - Terrence Flynn v. Tara Martin

FR a baby step away from "No Turning Back."

2010-11-29T22:21:00.002-05:00

Full Regionalization was approved at the Special Town Meeting by a 2 to 1 margin. Now it is up to the state department of education to approve the agreement before 12/31.

Both sides made compelling arguments and the town will have to keep an eye on what goes on at the region all the more.

This is going to be an interesting transition.

Stay tuned.

Consider Your Vote, STM November 29th

2010-11-26T00:06:00.002-05:00

This is another Dave Davenport commentary.

Dear Lakeville Residents,

The regionalization question is important to me first because of my two boys, one in AES and one in FLMS. I also take seriously my membership in this community and my recent election to the Lakeville School Committee when I consider this question.

Large class sizes have driven this debate for nearly two years. I respect the opinions and emotions of anyone who feels strongly that we need to lower class sizes. I share this goal. However, the only way to attain lower class sizes is to pay for them, and at times in this debate asking financial questions and offering skepticism has been portrayed as being against the children—which is unfortunate.

I will offer one financial example only. Last year the region faced cuts just like the local elementary schools did. Part of what the region did was to spend approximately $670,000 in a reserve account called E&D to fund operating expenses in this current school year—FY11-- to avoid cuts. You may think this is yesterday’s news, but it is very important to the current debate as this $670,000 will need to be found or cut in the region’s next budget—FY12—which in theory is the first year our elementary school will join the current region. So what has happened is instead of having $670,000 still in reserve going into the theoretical first year of full regionalization, a $670,000 liability exists instead. The full effective cost of this decision is $1,340,000. Thank you regional committee. We only hear that this marriage will bring benefits and savings to our current elementary school, but it will bring several liabilities also and this is just one of them.

There is reason to suspect—and to its credit the administration agrees—that the goal of four additional teachers in our elementary school could quickly slide back to two or worse yet just a “future goal.” More than one school committee member has equated anyone opposing FR with desiring larger class sizes and damaging our children’s education. More recently these individuals now tell me if FR can’t lower class sizes “it will at least keep them from getting any worse.” My question is: when did maintaining the status-quo become their rallying cry for FR?

Before entering into a permanent partnership with the current region and with Freetown I want to be sure we get the best deal for our elementary students. I am not confident this is the best deal and I believe we should consider other alternatives.

Alternatives are within our control as a community. Despite difficult times, Lakeville has revenue which could fund four additional teachers at AES. The mechanism is the same as we are going through now: community involvement in issues and participation in town meetings. If enough people in Lakeville want four additional teachers in AES, then there can be four teachers in AES. This is the “local control” certain school committee members have been so dismissive of and do not trust.

And what if we give up local control, which I have been told only a yokel could want in the first place? What will change? Some outspoken individuals have answered this question by saying nothing changes. I beg to differ. Our election process will change because it would have been a “deal-breaker” with Freetown if Lakeville had more members (as is our right by population) on the new committee.

The agreement also requires a 2/3 vote to move students from one school to another. This is a bigger issue than meets the eye. A 2/3 vote has been explained as a way to address parent concerns over their children being moved—sounds good. However, at the recent Freetown town meeting a selectperson who was also on the regionalization subcommittee described the 2/3 vote with an entirely different meaning. She explained how she helped craft 2/3 vote language to avoid a deal-breaker for Freetown because “Freetown owns GRAIS just as much as Lakeville and if Lakeville wants to create a K-5 elementary at GRAIS or even move a grade there we will have a say in it.” Where is the GRAIS amendment and the over 90% of the cost Lakeville is still paying for the renovation in that statement? The current administration position appears to disagree with the Freetown selectperson’s statement, but she claimed authorship and understanding of the 2/3 vote language—at the Freetown town meeting no less. What is one to believe? Other aspects of local control would change. Do we get good value in return?

I simply ask anyone currently supporting full regionalization consider the question fully and make an informed decision. I also discourage anyone from voting no just for the sake of voting no. Above all, please attend our town meeting on 11/29.

Guest Commentator: Dave Davenport, Debunking “The Legend of Sleepy Voter”

2010-11-26T00:02:00.008-05:00

Dave is a member of the local Lakeville School Committee

Debunking “The Legend of Sleepy Voter”

The myth of how full regionalization was defeated in Lakeville on October 18^th.

In Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow, Ichabod Crane ventures out into the night after a party and meets up with the Headless Horseman. He is never seen again. Moving right along from 1790 to October 18^th, 2010, The Times has woven a modern version of this tale into a series of recent reports, opinion pieces and columns. In this tale full regionalization ventures into a late night vote and meets up with the Sleepy Mindless Lakeville Voter! (cue frightening organ music)

Is it possible to review some facts surrounding this myth?

First, please allow me to compare the vote totals in each town now that Freetown recently had its meeting. Lakeville “dwindled” to 317 total votes. Freetown’s much better total--248 votes. Why has Freetown received absolutely no criticism for having “barely” (actually not even) 250 votes decide one of the most important issues in a generation? Does it have anything to do with the outcome of their vote? Hmmmmmm.

At the Lakeville meeting supporters and opponents overwhelmingly rejected a chance to postpone debate to another evening. Was this the work of the Mindless Sleepy Lakeville Voter? As debate began, the moderator indicated five children needed to be recovered from the closing sitter service—and he welcomed those parents to come back with their children. That’s right, FIVE. Reports in this paper suggest supporters streamed out the doors because of this issue. Really, how many? And of course it’s not possible that no voters would have been similarly affected . . .right?

During discussion of the regionalization question not one of the 142 yes voters--NOT ONE--rose to speak in support of regionalization. There were several school committee members present who fully support regionalization. Where were they? Superintendent McCarthy was left to battle the Mindless Sleepy Voter all on his own. Were all 142 supporters asleep?

I’m left wondering just when the Mindless Sleepy Voter(s) appeared anyway? It is not clear to me whether these legendary sleepy voters were yes voters too tired to raise their slip of paper at the right time, or yes voters who actually decided to switch their vote to no because they were sleepy. But if everyone was so sleepy, wouldn’t some no voters vote yes by accident, canceling out the sleepy yes voters who voted no? This figuring out how sleepy everyone was is a confusing business! Maybe we should consult Abbott and Costello.

Isn’t it possible full regionalization was defeated that night for legitimate reasons?

It’s easy to see The Times considers anyone opposed to full regionalization headless (er, mindless), and they put at risk the outcome they want on November 29^th by peddling this Mindless Sleepy (No) Voter myth instead of taking the time to investigate both sides of the issue.

Veteran's Day 2010

2010-11-11T11:53:00.003-05:00

Remember those who fought and died for our freedom.

I'm no film maker, but it is their memory that counts.

Reminder

2010-10-30T19:52:00.000-04:00

Democracy At Work, History Made

2010-10-19T01:20:00.002-04:00

The largest town meeting was had in Lakeville with over 1,400 in attendance. Quick highlights:

Mr. Bruce Malenfant got his vote from the town to get a hearing on his suspension as a Special Police Officer before the BOS.

A "secret ballot" was iniated for the zoning overlay vote for Sysco, which was defeated since it did not get a 2/3rds majority.

The Regional Agreement to initiate full regioanlization was shot down.

The meeting started at 7PM with over 1,400 voting citizens and ended at 12:45AM with about 320. What a historic night.

4th Congressional District Candidate Sean Bielat on the Howie Carr Show

2010-09-29T16:09:00.002-04:00

Watch this at WRKO

Citizens for Limited Taxation No Tax Pledge Endorsements

2010-09-20T20:10:00.002-04:00

Two Lakeville Republican candidates have taken CLT's No Tax Pledge and are therefore endorsed by CLT's 2 1/2 PAC.

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NINTH BRISTOL
Dartmouth, precinct 2, of the town of Freetown, and precincts F and G of ward 3, of the city of New Bedford, in the county of Bristol; and precinct 1 in the town of Lakeville, in the county of Plymouth.
Joe Michaud - Dartmouth	Open seat
Website: www.votejoemichaud.com STATE SENATE

FIRST BRISTOL & PLYMOUTH
Fall River, Freetown, Somerset, Swansea and Westport, in the county of Bristol; and Lakeville and Rochester, in the county of Plymouth.
Derek A. Maksy – Lakeville	Open seat
Website: www.maksyforsenate.com

Republican candidates do well in town

2010-09-15T22:21:00.002-04:00

As well they should.

While the hometown candidate could certainly be expected to do well against candidates from other communities for a regional post, Maksy’s good numbers reflected a Republican-leaning Lakeville electorate in the primary in general.

There needs to be some more layoffs in the state and in the nation, all on Beacon Hill & in Washington, DC.

Officials discuss concerns over regionalization

2010-09-08T21:29:00.004-04:00

Newer committee members, Dave Davenport of the Lakeville School Committee and Norman Orrall of the Finance Committee brought their concerns to the Board of Selectmen at the August 30th meeting.

Mr. Davenport and Mr. Orrall voiced concern over the apparent tax inequality between Freetown and Lakeville since all the current regional district facilities are on Lakeville land giving an advantage in tax base to Freetown that Lakeville is unable to realize. Mr. Orrall calculated this to about $87,500 per year. Superintendent John McCarthy called any attempt to alter the new regional agreement to cause Freetown to compensate Lakeville through increased school spending share, "almost de facto probably will sink the effort."

Mr. Davenport voiced concern that if full regionalization happens, what will keep from either town, who both together fund their elementary schools $1.6 million above Net School Spending, from only paying NSS to a full region causing an increased shortfall that the region will need to address. Currently the only funding projection presented was if the towns currently fund. There is nothing to stop the towns from reducing their total to fund other town areas no matter what any town officials may currently promise. A new BOS may not see it and hold to a promise of past selectmen.

How refreshing it is to have new people with new perspectives to challenge the status quo. No lazy thinking coming from these two new elected officials.

Immature Vandals

2010-08-30T20:15:00.002-04:00

It appears a "juvenile" has decided to voice their opinion on the proposed Sysco relocation project by defacing someone else's sign.

It seems during the evening hours the "Welcome Sysco" sign on the corner of Bridge St. and Rt. 105 (Main St.) has been defaced to read in big red letters, "LEAVE Sysco." Now that shows some real guts.

Regardless what any one's views on Sysco coming in or not. This kind of behavior does nothing in the debate.

Next big meeting relating to Sysco:

Planning Board 8:15 PM - September 14, 2010

Lakeville Public Library
4 Precinct Street

AGENDA:

HEARING --- Article to appear on Special Town Meeting Warrant

7.9 Industrial-C Overlay District Regulations

Get off your rear end...

2010-07-17T20:59:00.002-04:00

... and come to a meeting and ask the question, if you really care about what has or has not happened.

I had been on vacation earlier this month and am now dealing with work issues that have been very distracting. I hope to get back to blogging again soon.

Special Town Meeting, Warrant Article #2 Information

2010-06-05T16:36:00.006-04:00

Here is some the information distributed about Sysco and the proposed TIF. This is a heavily debated issue. If it was to go through, there are legitimate abutter concerns that need to be solved. I tend to want it to succeed, but it has many hurdles even beyond if the TIP article passes. Re-zoning, permits, state and local licenses, environmental impact statements, etc. This is not a done deal even if the article passes.

Attend the Special Town Meeting, June 7th, 6:30PM at Apponequet High School.

Just to be fair. There is an anti-Sysco blog called Sysco-Lakeville Info . It is decidedly against the project with no real debate on the subject. Everyone is allowed to debate here.

Full Regionalization and Overrides

2010-06-04T21:53:00.002-04:00

Something that Freetown and Lakeville should learn in proposing full regionalization, funding is a lot more complicated than on might think. Just read this about Bridgewater/Raynham. The proposed Prop 2 1/2 overrides in both towns would cause budgeting nightmares. Both towns would be waiting on the result of the other before any funding or cutting takes place.

Under state law, when the communities in a regional district have not agreed on proportionate assessments, the school committee has the option of refusing to certify the budget but instead each month to spend one-twelfth of what it spent the year before. That could continue until Dec. 1, when the state would step in, (Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School Committee member Gordon) Luciano said.

Is this the kind of thing we want with full regionalization? The best scenario in my opinion would be is for both overrides to fail, the towns live within their means and

“Raynham would then, I think, move very quickly in supporting the November Town Meeting article to deregionalize the K-8 in Raynham,” Luciano said.

CODE RED!

2010-06-04T21:31:00.002-04:00

Apparently we have a former custodian who entered the middle school on Wednesday causing a Code Red, since he was let in by someone, didn't sign in at the office and was allegedly seen entering the girl's bathroom by a female student. The police were called and questioned the suspect. A "no trespassing order" was placed on the individual.

Where is the press on this? This is disturbing.

Sysco and Special Town Meeting

2010-05-30T21:20:00.005-04:00

I heard the meeting last Thursday was quite an event. It was too crowded for me to get in and I could hear very little from out side the doors. You can read about some of it here.

They are asking for a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) before moving forward. This will need to be approved during the SPECIAL TOWN MEETING @ 6:30PM at the High School. I repeat, it is the SPECIAL TOWN MEETING @6:30PM, not the Annual Town Meeting scheduled for 7:00PM. Please attend both!

This is major concern for many. Concerns are raised by abutters that need to be addressed and the need to bring good revenue and economic development into the town is vital for the town as well.

Sysco to take the Lakeville Hospital property

2010-05-25T21:59:00.002-04:00

Just announced today and details will be made at the public meeting scheduled for tomorrow night, 7PM at the library.

Freetown Lakeville Full Regionalization is a “Bridge Plan” To Nowhere

2010-05-15T16:33:00.002-04:00

Posted by permission. This can be found in the 5/13/2010 printed edition of the Middleboro Gazette.

When Sandra Souza, Regional School Committee member of Freetown, recently used the “Bridge Plan” for political payback against the Lakeville Board of Selectmen she inflicted further injury to the already mortally wounded full regionalization effort, and every elementary school parent in both Freetown and Lakeville should be up in arms.

The “Bridge Plan” is essentially an accounting maneuver by which the school region could steer some needed money back to the local elementary schools. For over two months it has been the pet project of the Regionalization Sub-committee, which badly needed something to show for itself after missing a key deadline to attempt full regionalization for the coming year. This money could help keep already large elementary class sizes from getting even larger next year.

The source of Sandra’s anger began at a public meeting held April 20th, where the Lakeville BOS, facing its own budget woes, opted to “level fund” a regional school budget line for transportation, shifting approximately $180,000.00 to shore up the sagging Assawompsett school budget. This very same thing was done last year and was not much of a surprise to anyone. One significant difference is this time the BOS acted nearly six weeks before the annual town meeting whereas last year the budget change was done only days before town meeting.

Upon hearing this news at the Regional School Committee meeting held April 28th, Sandra lambasted the Lakeville BOS for not “communicating” and acting “just like last year.” She also went on to say how angry she was and how difficult it would be for her to maintain her calm at future Regionalization Sub-committee meetings. Bob Clark (also of Freetown) tacked on similarly scathing comments in support of Sandra’s outburst. True to her prediction, it wasn’t long before her anger surfaced at a Regionalization Sub-committee meeting by voting to withdraw support for the “Bridge Plan” citing the Lakeville BOS as the reason.

It is worth mentioning the Freetown BOS all along were willing, able, and in fact are proceeding to follow suit just like Lakeville by reducing their regional transportation funding, presumably to help their local school budget.

When the “Bridge Plan” was first proposed everyone already knew tough budget choices were ahead in all levels and areas of both towns. I thought--stupidly-- the Bridge Plan was evidence the school region was ready to make difficult choices that would be painful in the short term but beneficial to all our schools in the long run. Sadly, I thought wrong. When a Freetown regional committee member openly criticizes and uses her vote to punish Lakeville elementary students (and Freetown also by the way) as retribution to the Lakeville BOS, I feel we have a problem.

Sandra Souza (and Bob Clark) opined over how Lakeville was making the concept of full regionalization difficult for them to believe in--as if they stood on some kind of high ground. I agree the concept of regionalization is a difficult one to believe in. Why? Well, in the case of Sandra (and Bob), I would suggest their own political gamesmanship and grandstanding are high on the list of why full regionalization is not achievable anytime soon.

Time still remains to drop the politics and pass the “Bridge Plan.”

David Davenport
Member Lakeville School Committee

Freetown on the edge

2010-05-08T19:14:00.002-04:00

It seems there is something in the water that some of the pols over in Freetown drink. I'd like to get a Freetown man or woman on the street perspective regarding some of their elected/appointed officials. Who elects these people and why?

First there was my first Regional School Committee meeting where the Freetown's Bob "no longer chairman" Clark and Sandra Souza started whining about Lakeville level funding transportation costs for the region as if somehow Lakeville owed anything to the Region. This was a cut of approx. $260 grand when combined with Freetown's portion needing to be cut to balance off their share. Somehow giving the Region 7 weeks notice before town meetings is somehow not adequate time to announce such cuts. It sure beats last year's announcement a week before town meeting. I hear there maybe another $75,000 cut. Sure the region is going through some cuts with layoffs coming, but a 5% cut in overall budget sure looks a whole lot better than the 15-20% cuts Lakeville departments took for this year. One selectman in Freetown actually likes the idea, because it frees up revenue for their hurting budget. Wish other board & committee members in Freetown weren't so one dimensional and only thought of the Region. They also have a whole town to represent.

Then, there was a ruckus at the last meeting of the Full Regionalization Committee. Again Freetown getting all bent out of shape over that and a suggestion by Lakeville FinCom member Norman Orrall that the new regional agreement should contain some compensation from Freetown to Lakeville for the lost tax revenue that Lakeville incurs for having all the Region's property on Lakeville land. Freetown has none of the Regional complex in Freetown and in an indirect way collects taxes on land that Lakeville can't. They went into a tizzy.

I don't see how full regionalization is possible with the drama displayed by too many on the Freetown side.

Town Meeting pushed back 2 weeks

2010-04-23T10:12:00.001-04:00

The annual Town Meeting has been postponed two weeks until May 24 at 7 p.m. at Apponequet Regional High School's auditorium.

Town Meeting was originally set for May 10, selectmen said, because the town was rushing to become eligible for a Green Community Grant. Since it is not doing that now, selectmen said, it didn't need to hurry.

Town Administrator Rita Garbitt reported there are no zoning articles and the board will have to sign the warrant at its next meeting Monday.

She also reported that town Moderator Gordon Goodfellow, town counsel and the auditorium are all available for the new date.

Selectmen also postponed the special Town Meeting to 6:30 p.m. May 24. The purpose of that session is to transfer funds to balance the fiscal 2010 budget that ends June 30 and vote on other issues for the current fiscal year.

Signage

2010-04-21T22:20:00.002-04:00

For those who still have signs. I will be going around Thursday and Friday during the day and pick any up that you have. If you could leave them in a somewhat obvious place if you are not going to be home, that would be helpful.

If I don't get by, you have my permission to do with it as you please.

Thank you very much for all of you who displayed them!

Carl

The Lone Republican

2010-04-21T21:33:00.002-04:00

Mr. Maksy is the lone Republican candidate for the State Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Democrat, Joan Menard. There are several Democrats jockeying for the spot:

Michael Coogan (D-Freetown)
Selectman Lorne Lawless (D-Somerset)
John DeJesus (D-Somerset)
State Representative Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport)
Fmr. Mayor John Mitchell (D-Fall River)
Selectman Patrick O'Neil (D-Somerset)

A special note is State Rep. Michael Rodrigues who was caught in NH buying his booze after he had voted to raise the tax on booze earlier last year. Vanity plates will do you in every time.

A Couple of School Items

2010-04-21T21:08:00.002-04:00

How is it that the Elementary School budget allocates $52,000.00 for supplies, year to date has spent $10,000 and teachers are all crying they don't have enough supplies? Why are they and parents buying supplies out of their own pockets when there should be $42,000 left in the budget?

Is anyone really serious about full regionalization?

It seems that even though the full regionalization committee is in need of getting a draft regional agreement together by June, they have yet to meet with a quorum. No quorum, no work done. They have tried to meet every week this month, They are scheduled to meet on the 29th.

Somerset & Berkley have been talking regionalization and Somerset doesn't like it. An interesting note is Somerset's lack of dependence on Chapter 70 money from the state of which regions have become dependent on to work the school budget. The lack of funding for town budgets, including schools, from the state as local aid or Chapter 70 is what has been a factor in shortfalls on the local level, because it certainly is not that our property taxes have decreased. As I prepare to pay my next bill, it is more this year than last.

Change Starts Today

2010-04-05T22:00:00.003-04:00

Thank you! Everyone of you who voted for me, thank you. Your votes pulled it out for me. I won 202 to 171. I won in every district. Though the turn out was low, it still means something. With more fiscally conservative elected officials a greater difference can be made to work smarter in this town. With more new members maybe there can be trust rebuilt in areas that are lacking. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give it a shot.

Get Out And Vote 12 Noon to 8:00PM Ted Williams Camp

2010-04-05T09:03:00.001-04:00

Override Loses Again

2010-04-04T21:59:00.002-04:00

Prop. 2 1/2 loses big time in Middleborough. 2,378 to 827, 74% to 26%. It looks like our neighbors to the north know a bad deal when they see it. The towns need to be fiscally responsible with the money the taxpayers can afford to give.

The Only Real Race In Town And It Matters

2010-04-03T10:54:00.002-04:00

Too bad I missed Bill's call for this article, but he quotes what I would have said anyway.

Peirce has four children ages 7 to 16 who attend the Lakeville schools, "so I have a vested interest in the schools, how they're run and how the town runs with them," he said at a recent candidates night.
"I believe my children do and should continue to receive a quality education here in Lakeville. I believe they can continue to do so in these economically challenging times," Peirce said at the candidates night. "I am running to provide a greater voice for the taxpaying citizens of Lakeville, a voice I believe is seldom heard. The notion
(of) raising taxes more on financially burdened citizens has got to end. New, creative ideas have to be presented."

If you want to keep the same old, same old, do whatever the school or the rest of the committee tells you to do and favoring overrides, vote for Charlene. If you want change, vote for me.

Whatever the case, get out to vote on Monday and tell your neighbors.

My Candidate Profile in the Gazette

2010-04-02T18:40:00.002-04:00

Carl Peirce is the challenger running for the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee. Mr. Peirce and his family have lived in Lakeville for six years. All four of his children attend the public schools. Mr. Peirce is a native of East Taunton, and a graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology with a degree in Architectural Engineering. For the last 10 years, he has worked as a banker for Citizens Bank. Mr. Peirce also runs the "Lakeville Tea Party" blog. (I guess they are readers) This is his first time seeking public office.
Q: What is your stance on full school regionalization?
A: "Regionalization would be more cost effective, but the problem is when there isn't enough local input in terms of the regional budget. There has to be checks and balances if there is going to be a new regional agreement. We need more of a say in how the budget is laid out. As it stands, I am against it. If there were major concessions, I could be for it."
Q: What is the biggest challenge facing the schools?
A: "I think that the biggest challenge"¦is being able to juggle what cuts are going to happen, because state funding is just not going to be what it was in the past. Right now, I think that is going to be the biggest issue. It's a hard thing to juggle. If you don't have the money, you have to cut somewhere."
Q: What is the current state of the school system?
A: "I can use the examples of my kids"¦they're being taught, and they're happy. They're getting a really good education, and even though there have been tough times, they're learning. The teachers are doing a great job, and should be commended for what they're doing. They're doing a good job in a tough, challenging situation."
Q: Why are you running?
A: "Last year, the interim superintendent was so adamant about 'there's no way we're going to help the local schools'. He called it immoral, and that ticked me off. Whether it's the regional schools or the local schools, it's still our kids. It's still Lakeville. I was upset at the lack of cooperation between the region and the town."

Meet The Candidates and Vote For Me!

2010-03-31T23:52:00.001-04:00

The News Some Of You Have Been Waiting For

2010-03-31T23:48:00.003-04:00

The Police Chief Retires.

GateHouse News Service

Posted Mar 31, 2010 @ 05:05 PM

LAKEVILLE —

Mark Sorel has retired as police chief, effective last Friday, according to a statement issued by selectmen.

Sorel indicated he wanted to retire during his current leave of absence while the town administrator reviewed an unidentified “personnel matter,” according to the statement.

Town officials negotiated an agreement on an early expiration of his contract, which was to have run until next June.

According to the statement, officials felt it was “in the town’s best financial interests to work with the chief to reach agreement on an earlier expiration of his contract, thus facilitating his retirement and the transition to a new police chief.”

The statement concludes, “The board has reached such an agreement with the chief, and his last day as a town employee was March 26. Lt. Frank Alvihiera will continue to serve as acting chief of police, while the board considers how it wishes to fill the position on a permanent basis.”

Standard Times article here.

Paid for "unused sick time"? That needs to go in the next contract negotiations.

I sure hope that Ms. Gabbitt complies with the "freedom of information" request, unless she wants a law suit on the town's hands.

Gary Mansfield Resigns FinCom

2010-03-25T22:26:00.003-04:00

Well, that was the thing to do. I heard that this was coming. You can't be on the payroll when your wife is your boss and the town signs the checks and be on the committee. It is things like this that erodes trust. Time for more new blood.

Override Lovefest?

2010-03-24T21:26:00.003-04:00

Well, tonight's "How to win your override" turned out to have interest. Very little interest. It seems those against any overrides and those for were evenly split at 5 each with 2 unsure of their leanings. There was Dave McQueeney, Charlene Shea, John McCarthy, Bob Clark and an unknown woman. There was the speaker from Rockland and 2 "panelists". That was all there was for the taxaholics.

It was amusing to listen about how "magical" and "euphoric" it was for a town that looks, acts and feels nothing like Lakeville did such a thing to themselves. For years they couldn't count their way out of ba

d budgeting to finally getting to a point of spending $20,000 in PAC money to win an override with no organized opposition. "Magical" indeed! They claimed they were riding the Obama wave and we know now how that is turning out. The town of Rockland got suckered. Guess we know who the smarter town is.

It seems the only one around town to lead the charge for any new override attempt is Dave McQueeney. Good Luck, Dave. You are going to need it. Lakeville Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility has their game plan. Go head, Dave. Make my day. We'll shoot the override down like we did before.

Are they scared or what? They should be.

2010-03-22T11:40:00.003-04:00

As I have been out campaigning and getting my signs out this past weekend, I came to one current local committee member mentioned the word on the street is that the reason that both Dave McQueeney and Charlene Shea were no shows to last Thursday's Candidate's Night was because they were afraid that when asked the tough questions and had to debate myself and others on the issues, that they would have been humiliated regardless of their "vast knowledge" on regionalization and the need for Prop 2 1/2 overrides. There is just no appetite for their kind of political non-sense. They are so out of touch with the tax payers of the town.

In fact, maybe if you are willing to show some civil opposition to their politics, please feel free to attend on Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00 p.m. a presentation by Mr. John Retchless, Superintendent of Rockland schools entitled "Winning Your Local Override". The venue will be the Simas LectureHall at the Apponequet High School. I think it would be appropriate for them to see what the majority of Lakeville thinks of their tactics.

Candidate's Night

2010-03-19T09:00:00.002-04:00

Candidate's night was a worthwhile experience. An experience that several candidates were unable to take an opportunity to communicate their views before "TV Land", as moderator Jane Lopes of the Middleborough Gazette called the Comcast taping, and the 30 or so people in the audience.
No shows for the evening were all three of the candidates for the Park Commission (the only other contested race besides regional school), Dave McQueeney, Charlene Shea (away because of a family commitment) and other unopposed candidates that obviously did not feel the need to participate.
McQueeney and Shea were missed. Members of the audience really wanted them to answer important school questions. According to Jane Lopes, McQueeney never even responded to the invitation they sent by letter or from repeated phone calls. At least Shea replied and submitted a written opening statement which was all about her works of service and her full support for full regionalization. In other words, "Vote for me if you want the same old same old."
It was my first time being up front and I felt nervous and who should they pick to start with opening comments, me. I plugged my way through it. I considered it the low light of my evening. I made up for it in the question/answer portion. I kept it simple. I'm elected by the citizens of Lakeville and that is my main concern. I have a vested interest in the schools with 4 children attending them, so it is not that I want the schools to be left hanging high and dry. There just needs to be better and creative ways to fund the services needed "for the children" without losing local control and taxing citizens out of town.
Because we are in economically challenging times, the budgets were the main issues. Myself, Norman Orrall (for FinCom) and Dave Davenport (local school committee) all pounced upon any attempted to promote a Prop 2 1/2 override and bilk taxpayers more was going to hit a wall of opposition. The other candidates for FinCom and BOS were at least in agreement that the citizens spoke loud and clear that the option was off the table. Of course, McQueeney became part of the subject. If you don't show up, you can't defend yourself or your position.
The evening started with an eager complaint and action request by a resident and former employee with severe grievances that "the town" and particularly the BOS and Derek Maksy to have his situation resolved. The details of course could not be fully spoken about, but he really wanted the stonewalling to end. Steve Olivier, the other BOS candidate, could only offer looking into it once on the board. Sympathies go to him and his situation. I hate litigation issues. Where is Shakespeare when you need him? It takes too long to resolve much when lawyers and government mix. If elected, I get to go into "executive sessions." Now that will be interesting.
Overall it was a fun night. Friendly audience. The first question directed to me concerned my bumper sticker that reads: "STOP REPEAT OFFENDERS. DON'T RE-ELECT THEM" I was asked if it applied to me. To which I replied that if elected and I become like the career politicians being offensive to the citizens, go ahead, don't re-elect me. It was a nice ice breaker for me.

McQueeney, You've Done it Again!

2010-03-15T23:29:00.006-04:00

Insanity - doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

-----Original Message-----
From: Assawompsett Information [mailto:assawompsett-info@comcast.net]

Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 1:16 PM
To: Assawompsett Information
Subject: FW: "Winning your Local Override"

Please make your calendar for March 24th at 7:00 p.m. to attend a presentation by Mr. John Retchless, Superintendent of Rockland schools entitled "Winning Your Local Override". The venue will be the Simas LectureHall at the Apponequet High School and Mr. Retchless will be accompanied by other Rockland community leaders who helped with the passage of their override.

The failures of Freetown's and then Lakeville's overrides in recent years have hurt the proper functioning of our towns in all areas including public safety, our schools, libraries, senior centers and much more. Should our selectmen decide an override is necessary in the future, let's win it!

David McQueeney

Chairman

Lakeville School Committee

This could be a violation of some of the Office of Campaign & Political Finance laws. Specifically the use of public resources (public e-mail accounts and distribution lists) to promote a proposed ballot question. Why do they keep doing this and just think it is okay?

Signs available for display

2010-03-13T21:52:00.002-05:00

For those who are willing, I do have lawn signs available. You can either contact me via e-mail lakevilleteaparty@yahoo.com or you call me. I am in the book. I will also be bringing signs to Candidate's Night at the senior center on Thursday, March 18th. I hope to see you there.

Frustration and hope at the Freetown Lakeville regionalization meeting held on March 4

2010-03-05T23:12:00.001-05:00

To the editor:

After over a year of meetings and “great progress” in the last three months, full regionalization for Freetown and Lakeville next year (FY11) cannot even be considered. A deadline to file required documentation to the state was missed—back in December. This startling discovery was made only within the last day! The sub-committee (composed of dedicated individuals I respect) was even stymied when asked by a Freetown resident to state what its purpose is. So the fact finding sub-committee is going back to the regional committee to get the facts on its own purpose. Very Frustrating.

But there was good news also. Superintendent McCarthy revealed a second discovery made just within the last few days. It appears each town can keep exsisting budgeted money currently paid to support the superintendent’s budget—meaning an estimated $552,000.00 could (emphasis on could) go back to the local schools. Mr. McCarthy seemed more comfortable with a lower figure of $226,000.00--meaning $113,000.00 to each school. He called this “Plan B”. Considering this money has virtually dropped out of the sky from nowhere just in the past few days, I would suggest calling it Plan 9 From Outer Space.

We can name the plan later. I fully support moving every penny possible back to the local schools under this plan. Barring some unforeseen legal issue, anything less is unacceptable. Moving this money to local schools is exactly in keeping with the major aim of full regionalization to begin with. Some quick and decisive action on this plan will go a long way to ease frustrations caused by committee gridlock.

David Davenport

DOA

2010-03-04T22:08:00.002-05:00

Full regionalization for the year is dead. John McCarthy broke the news to the Regionalization sub-committee and the packed meeting tonight, informing us that the DOR (Dept. of Revenue) regs on regionalization sets a date of when the towns have to have their act together and that deadline was December. Forget getting anything on the town warrants this spring.
The blame goes to the sub-committee itself, since it has been in existence for at least a year and what has it accomplished, nothing. There were excuses going around. No clear plan. Three separate superintendents in one year to guide them. They still couldn't come up with anything except they agreed to agree on bringing forward full regionalization. The crowd wasn't happy.
But see, what this does do is open up more creativity in dealing with spending. Mr. McCarthy proposed bringing to the regional committee a vote to change the funding structure of the superintendent's office from 60-20-20 (Region-Freetown-Lakeville) percentages to 80-10-10. This would give $113,000 back to the towns. What was most interesting about this whole concept is that the funding percentage is not regulated anywhere within any town or region agreement or law. Where did this standard for funding the superintendency union even come from. Mr. McCarthy couldn't find it anywhere in 50 years of regional documents. Amazing what you can find when you go looking for something, nothing. The sub-committee did vote to bring this up with the region and at Derek Maksy's motion to make it a minimum with the possibility of it being 100-0-0. $226,000 to the towns sounds like a better number to me.
This is the kind of thinking that happens when the easy option like overrides and FR is taken off the table. Creative ideas on cutting costs can be found and should be found long before these other options are presented.

Take The Poll on Full Regionalization.

2010-03-04T22:03:00.002-05:00

If most of you think the way I do, take the poll found here at GiveToEd.org and turn the numbers around. It is a very "intersting" site. It is all that I expected it to be.

McQueeney Drops Out

2010-03-04T21:42:00.002-05:00

I spoke to Dave McQueeney tonight and he informed me that he has dropped out of the race for Regional School Committee. So, it looks like it is me against Charlene Shea. I'm sure it was an easy choice for McQueeney. Odds were against him and since there was no competition on the local committee, why not stick with the sure bet.
It will be just just as exciting and challenging running against Shea. I look forward to it.

Just Another John Kerry

2010-02-27T13:16:00.004-05:00

Flash back to January 2008: School board members question merits of full regionalization plan.

So, David McQueeney was for de-regionalization, before he was against it.

"In general, I think that if you're going to study regionalization I have no objection to that, but it needs to be expanded," he said. "I'd like to see the study include de-regionalization. That to me is an unbiased study.
"We have a system today that seems to be working," continued Mr. McQueeney. "Maybe we can do better as two separate districts. Frankly, we're growing and there are many K-12 districts that are smaller than Lakeville and Freetown today in
Massachusetts that have de-regionalized."

Or, was he against full regionalization before he was for it.

"From working for 37 years for the federal government doesn't teach me that bigger is always better, it teaches me the opposite," said Lakeville School Committee member David McQueeney. "I don't see evidence that bigger organizations educate their children any better. In fact, smaller organizations seem to be more efficient."

How about both? And this man wants to be on two school committees? I have a solution.

Maybe we can kill one bird with two stones by not just voting for me for Regional School Committee, but also vote for Dave Davenport and write-in candidate Mickey Mouse for the local Lakeville School Committee. That way Mr. McQueeney can take some time off from elective office to sort out his views All those years working for the federal government has got to him finally.

Funny thing happened to me on the way to see the Finance Committee

2010-02-18T22:50:00.003-05:00

I decided this evening to head over to the Finance Committee meeting to introduce myself to them and let them know that the reason I am running for the F/L Regional School Committee was because I wanted to be a voice for Lakeville. I want to be not just a representative of the residents and taxpayers of Lakeville, but also a voice for the other Lakeville boards & committees. The schools need to be run by the people, not the other way around.

I walked right in as they were going over a summary of the schools proposed budgets. Not to my surprise was there discrepancies in figures being given to the town and what was being presented to the finance committee via the business manager. Very enlightening. The town accountant and town administrator were there frustrated with the lack of timeliness it takes to get adequate information from the regional administration. Sounds like the same ol same ol. Some of the names have changed, but that is about it. It was the consensus that full regionalization will not happen this year. Safe guards for accountability to the local towns, aka "local control", would need to be in place before any favor ability rating comes from the finance committee on full regionalization.

Now the real kicker. I don't know if you all who attended town meeting last year where the police had "come to the table" and said that they were going to not take the 3% increase in pay this year because of the hard economic times. Well, apparently they were not skipping an increase as it had come across, but they were only foregoing it until next year. Not only do they want their 2% for next year, but they also want the 3% they didn't get for this year. So much for feeling our pain.

One, Two Punch

2010-02-18T22:41:00.002-05:00

Dave McQueeney got it from both sides in the Middleboro Gazette. I got mine in as noted in my previous post. Dave Davenport who os running for the other seat on the Lakeville School Committee hits McQueeney one the other page with the following:

A response to “McQueeney questions benefits of ‘local control’ over schools"

Dear Mr. McQueeney,

I am a Lakeville resident running for the Lakeville School Committee. I disagree with your thoughts on local control (Gazette, 2/11/10).

To your thinking those favoring local control are “misguided” people who have caused crowded classrooms and threaten future “punishment for our elementary school students.” Further, you explain Lakeville only has a few measly crumbs of control left, namely: electing a School Board, which in turn is responsible for hiring a Superintendent, developing a budget and setting policies and procedures— anachronisms from a bygone era. I value these things Mr. McQueeney, and I am not willing to give them up lightly.

Full Regionalization (FR) support seems to have two basic pillars:

1. FR can only bring good to Lakeville while saving money (a.k.a. create efficiencies)
2. No one can even imagine any other proposals or ideas that might benefit Lakeville.

One good thing I agree FR could do next year is to maintain or lessen elementary class sizes. The problem is we are simply punting class size issues a year or two into the future. A temporary benefit is not a suitable trade for fully regionalizing with Freetown permanently. Additionally, the purported long term efficiency and savings regionalization brings is unclear. According to one recent study median per pupil cost for smaller regional districts with under 3,000 students is HIGHER than municipal K-12 districts. The study views this as a significant obstacle to school consolidation—makes sense to me. (“School Consolidation in Massachusetts: Opportunities and Obstacles” Table 3/p.7)

Transportation savings has been a carrot waved in front of us as a big benefit of FR. This source of “savings” nearly became a big headache this year when reimbursement rates were almost slashed. My crystal ball won’t tell me if there will be cuts down the road.

The second argument in favor of FR is a default argument that there are no other possibilities or ideas to explore. Well, I can think of at least one idea:

De-Regionalize, become a K-12 municipality and dispense with indecipherable “Chapter 70” regional funding formulas. Do we want our entire school budget set by state driven formulas our local school officials do not like and can’t explain? The brief I have cited above recognizes Chapter 70 complexity and inequities as another obstacle to districts forming regions, or in our case fully regionalizing. (p. 11)

Recently, an upset Raynham resident (Bridgewater Raynham District is considering partial de-regionalization) asked about Chapter 70 and was given the following response from Stephen Hemman, the executive director of Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools: “I am not going to defend it, I am going to explain it.” (Taunton Gazette, Dec. 9 2009) I don’t ever want that kind of response given to a Lakeville resident.

Getting back to those transportation “savings,” according to the Mass Dept. of Ed. brief I have cited, K-12 municipalities often have lower transportation costs due to smaller geographic area served and lower minimum transportation requirements. (p. 12) Say it like it is: you want the state to reimburse a higher percentage of our inefficiency.

Mr. McQueeney, our current educational problems are not due to those who cling to their “nostalgia” and “local control.” Try focusing instead on monolithic school committees--particularly at the regional level—for starters. If anything, more local control, and not less would seem to be the antidote to administer to our schools. Money to lower elementary class sizes is being spent inefficiently at the regional level this year. And when the regional committee was asked to consider creatively funding two positions this year to help the towns the chairman attempted to end discussion without a vote! Local control becomes all the more appealing when elected representatives don’t listen to the locals.

I live in Lakeville. I have to consider the needs of Lakeville first (Freetown residents can do the same). The school region has not always been a good partner to either town. Now you propose that the “town within a town” must grow even larger to suit your vision of helping the children. You say my thinking—and the thinking of anyone lacking your vision--will “punish” children.

I disagree. And I feel you owe an apology to the residents of Lakeville.

David Davenport
Great Cedar Crossing
Lakeville

This is a well thought out piece with many references backing up Mr. Davenport's thoughts. Well done. Well done.

Peirce questions McQueeney's understanding of 'local control'

2010-02-13T15:00:00.007-05:00

The latest edition of the Middleboro Gazette has a long letter to the editor from my opponent for the seat on the Freetown/Lakeville Regional School Committee, David McQueeney. McQueeney questions benefits of 'local control' over schools. Of course I could not resist replying. Hopefully in fair play, the Gazette will publish it. Mr. McQueeney's letter was too long to quote here. Too bad the Gazette doesn't publish the letters on-line. My letter is equally as long.

To the editor,
The last words of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address describes best what separates our form of government in the United States apart from all others, we have a “government of the people, by the people, for the people…” This system of government afforded by The Constitution serves us greatly in our self governance. It is self-governance that preserves our freedom and turns back oppression and cuts off the hand of an over reaching government. It is the people that know best how to preserve prosperity and liberty for ourselves, not the bureaucrat or special interest.

The laws of this country and of the Commonwealth have given us, the people, the task of governing ourselves. The best form of democracy is the town meeting. Yes, we have through laws delegated certain responsibilities to have elected officials, for surely it would be chaos if all matters had to be settled before all the people. Our founding fathers saw so clearly what we at times take for granted and can easily think it wise to toss aside for convenience sake. Town meeting is the basis for “local control”. The farther removed from self-governance, the more control the few have over the many. Local control is not about “nostalgia” or “an emotional connection to the history of each town,” it is about self -governance. Who should have final budgetary control over our schools? The federal government? The state? The town? The school committee? Should it not be the people? The schools are filled with the people’s children. They belong to no one else. Who knows what is best for our children, the people. The people are their parents and grand-parents.

We all know that the state regulates much of how and what the people’s children receive for an education, but the last thing they do is “run our schools.” We see how over regulating hurts communities. Mandates that strap cities and towns fiscally to the point of begging for relief or a hand out. The state’s regional school funding model is no different. The current formula that is used is admittedly by the current school administration as complex and burdensome to the local towns. Do we want to expand this formula to all of Lakeville and Freetown’s people with no redress? Full regionalization may sound fiscally prudent and could be in a perfect world, but this is not a perfect world.

The last Lakeville Annual Town Meeting was evidence of the problems associated with regionalization of the schools. While lakeville, including its local school budget, had to take hits of 15% to 20% cuts, the region sat fat and large with its one take it or else warrant article. Interim superintendent Louis Rodriguez called it “immoral” for the region to make any concessions to help either town or their local schools. To the new superintendent’s credit, John McCarthy did something unheard of in years. He started working with the towns to help alleviate the burden by working with the separate boards and committees requesting the region pay for two special ed teachers, one for each town’s elementary schools. It wasn’t easy because there was actually little enthusiasm on the regional school committee to vote for it. Freetown’s members were against it and all but one of Lakeville’s was dead silent. To watch the vote on this was intriguing. In deciding how to vote, a Lakeville member, looked both ways across the table and at the audience for several seconds before voting in favor. This does not sound like a region enthusiastic to help. “Misguided local control” is not what has brought over 30 students in many elementary classrooms. It has been the unwillingness of the region to share the burden during a bad economy. Now we are supposed to make it all better with full regionalization?

The excuse of not being able to share resources between the towns and the region has been debunked. Full regionalization will only shift funding in a way that takes the people farther from making the real decisions. We can make the local schools work without full regionalization as long as the school's administration and the regional school committee are willing to help during tough economic times.

Local control is about the people having the final say, not just some board or committee deciding for us.

Carl Peirce
Candidate for the Freetown/Lakeville Regional School Committee

Can we trust the numbers?

2010-02-08T22:30:00.003-05:00

This from William Lombardi, the chairman of the Freetown Finance Committee concerning regionalitation and the numbers being thrown around by the school administration.

"We don't believe your numbers," Lombardi said. "If you want this to work you have to get the finance committees and members of the Board of Selectmen to agree with your numbers because right now we don't agree with your numbers."

I like the way this guy thinks. He has seen way too much he can't trust from the region when it comes to their budgets. Why should he trust them now? It would actually be nice to see the real numbers. You know, how it all was calculated. Like they say in school, "Show your work."

It is funny how someone else walked away from the meeting this past week with this quote:

"Full regionalization will not save money, it will provide better education for the same money." Superintendent McCarthy

But the reporter reports this:

The discussion over full regionalization continues with the latest chapter being a financial presentation by school officials, who said a single district could save the towns $700,000, boost the quality of education and improve the overall efficiency of the system.

So who is saying what? We should ask tomorrow night at the GRAIS. They are doing more sales pitches at 6:30PM

Lakeville police chief on paid administrative leave

2010-02-08T22:29:00.003-05:00

This is all like a soap opera. What next? Who is going to call him and what will he say?
More Chief stories here and here.

Health Insurance for Elected Officials?

2010-02-04T21:08:00.002-05:00

What ever happened to "public service"? This in my opinion is such a fiscally and politically irresponsible idea anyone can think of. This was reported at the bottom of an article in the Lakeville Call on February 3rd called, Town seeks housing assistance-repair applicants. The Call's site is so user friendless, you can't find the article on-line, if it is there somewhere. I'll quote.

In other recent action, the board began considering whether to grant health insurance benefits to elected officials but tabled a decision until a future meeting.
Selectman Chairman Dereck (sp) Maksy said town counsel is asking Lakeville officials to define under what rules an elected official would be eligible. Selectman Nancy Yeatts said the criteria would include earning more than $5,000 per year, working more than 20 hours per week and having more than 10 years of service with the town.
Board of Assessors Chairman Janet Black asked what quality of public official would be attracted to an offering like this.
Montgomery Street resident John Powderly said taxpayers may not mind the change because they know elected officials are underpaid.

"Taxpayers wouldn't mind?" This guy has to be kidding. Sure, let's give those who make their "life" being elected to some board or committee "serving" the town a perk those of us in the dreaded private sector can't get. No way, no how!

I Have Been Outed

2010-01-22T20:32:00.002-05:00

Okay, I will make it official. I was going to make the announcement once I turned in my nomination papers with all the signatures, but Cindy Dow of the Middleboro Gazette who probably checks in with the town clerk daily to see who is running for what has put it in print. My name is Carl Peirce, I live on Hill St., I drive a Jeep and I am running for Regional School Committee.

I will publish a more organized platform and reasons why I am running at a later date.

See you around town.

Coakley Concedes, Brown Wins!

2010-01-19T21:32:00.001-05:00

Lakeville Results for US Senate

2010-01-19T20:22:00.003-05:00

Scott Brown - 3,247 - 71.3%

Martha Coakley - 1,259 - 27.6%

Joseph Kennedy - 44 - 1% -

Edward (Ted) Kennedy - 1 - .01%

This about a 65% turn out.

Revolution 2010

2010-01-19T16:37:00.001-05:00

Special Ed Class Official

2010-01-18T13:27:00.002-05:00

The new special education class is on-line to start. It has some good "stipulations". Accountability is a good thing, something the school board has been reluctant to accept.

...the selectmen have established the condition that the money not be spent without both town boards knowing how the funds are being spent.

Also something the school committee wanted to pull back from was the number out of town seats in the class. Apparently they wanted to fill all the seats with Lakeville students and not accommodate other students and tuition money to come in from other towns. It looked like some end run attempt that the BOS was not going to allow since the whole project was designed and presented during the special town meeting to bring in some fiscal relief to its budget.

The way that this school committee works is so deliberately deceitful with its bait and switch tactics. That needs to change. I heard that David Goodfellow is not running again. Two seats are up on the school committee. As of last week, only David McQueeney has pulled papers. Someone with a more "people's seat" mind set needs to try and get on the board. There is still time to pull nomination papers.

Scott Brown Rally in Middleborough

2010-01-16T19:52:00.006-05:00

Excitement was in the air and barbs at Coakley were a plenty.

Thank you Dave for the following pics from inside the Flat Iron Cafe.

VOTE VOTE VOTE!

2010-01-14T21:50:00.002-05:00

Just 4 more days and history will be made.

GET OUT AND VOTE JANUARY 19TH FOR OUR NEXT US SENATOR!

Ted Williams Camp from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Absentee ballots can be obtained at the Town Clerk's office up to January 15th prior to 5:00 PM.

Principal On The Fast Track

2010-01-13T21:30:00.003-05:00

Superintendent McCarthy wants a new principal hired by the end of February to replace Apponequet's Gary Lincoln. Resumes must be overflowing the mail box to get this kind of response. So many good applicants?

A highlight of the interview process, McCarthy said, will be a round-robin series of interviews that the semi-finalists will undergo, conducted by three different segments of the school system’s interested parties. School officials, then 10 students, then 10 parents will interview the candidates separately for 45 minutes each.

How do we get on such a "round-robin" as a parent? Was the superintendent going to send out an invite to parents to participate? Most likely this wasn't going to be done during non-working hours of the day.

The April Election Stage Is Being Set. McQueeney To Double-Dip

2010-01-07T21:40:00.005-05:00

I can't find the online edition of this from the Middleboro Gazette. You'll have to buy the paper, if you don't get it already.

Steve Olivier, currently on the Finance Committee, initially had pulled papers to run for Charlene Shea's seat on the Regional School Committee now has changed his mind and has switched papers to run for the 2 year term for selectman to be vacated by Charles Evirs in April.

David McQueeney has pulled papers for his own seat on the Lakeville School Committee (erroneously reported as the Regional School Committee) and for the seat on the Regional School Committee now held by Charlene Shea (erroneously reported as the Lakeville School Committee). She appears not to have pulled nomination papers for her current spot for the region. The Gazette is showing some more inaccurate reporting as they mix up the Lakeville and Regional School Committees. Don't expect McQueeney to get a free ride. He will have competition.

Those who have pulled nomination papers for their current seats are:
Derek Maksy - BOS
William Garvey - BOH
Debra Kenney - Treasurer/Collector
Jan Tracy - Town Clerk
Nancy LaFave - Library Trustee
Gordon Goodfellow - Moderator
Brian Hoeg- Planning Board

Other spots where no nomination papers have been pulled are:
2 vacant seats on the Finance Committee
2nd seat on the Lakeville School Committee currently held by David Goodfellow
Board of Assessors now held by Paul Meleedy
2 seats on the Park Commission now held by Darryl Bernier and Jackie Velazquez
and Cemetery Commission currently held by Brad Bates.

If there are people out there who you think should be running for something, encourage them to do so. Maybe even some of you.

Nomination papers are available at the Town Clerk's Office until February 12th at 5PM and must be returned with the signatures and addresses of 41 registered Lakeville voters by 5pm on February 16th to get on the ballot.

Revisionist History

2010-01-07T21:04:00.004-05:00

The Middleboro Gazette for some reason has not got it's act together when it comes to accurate reporting. Granted, they can decide which letters to the editor to print. My recent didn't make the cut apparently. They could at least accurately report history.

In their "2009 Year in Review, Part II" they have the following excerpt:

July 23
Lakeville override proposal defeated by a 60-40 margin as 45 percent of the town's registered voters turn out to express themselves.

Hey Gazette! Get it right. The override lost BIG TIME! Try 70-30 and 79-21 for the smaller and larger override questions respectively.

Made the Standard Times

2010-01-05T08:49:00.002-05:00

Well, my rebuttal to "Dear Santa" from Mr. McQueeney made the Standard Times today. Hopefully it's little subsidiary, The Middleboro Gazette will do the same this week.

Apponequet Principal Gary Lincoln to Retire

2009-12-30T09:22:00.005-05:00

As summer comes in June (something to look forward to, brrrrr!) spring will leave and take with it Mr. Lincoln. No indication as of yet as to why. Retirement in the public sector at such a young age must be nice. I guess he won't stay around to see any of the technology updates at Apponequet he so desperately wants.

Special Interest Push-Back

2009-12-29T21:27:00.002-05:00

It seems if all goes well, the region will have their $235,000.00 transportation money back. Governor Patrick after hearing the cries from the regional school districts now believes his initial decision was "intolerable." Apparently the cries from mental health professionals or other cut services wasn't as loud as the regional schools.

You know what this means? The regional school district will have almost $1.2 million in their E&D Fund for next year. It is amazing how all this money is so easily saved, but still has some technology older than some of its teachers.

McQueeney Writes to Santa. Santa Replies.

2009-12-27T17:48:00.007-05:00

How this didn't get into the Letters to Santa, I don't know.
From the Middleboro Gazette Letters to the Editor and the Standard Times, Guest View:

Dear Santa,
At the top of my Christmas list this year is a wish for Full Regionalization (FR) of the Freetown/Lakeville School District in 2010. What a blessing this would be for the entire school system, most immediately the elementary schools!
As you probably know, Santa, the present Freetown/Lakeville Regional School District only covers grades 5 through 12, while grades Pre-Kindergarten (PK) through 4 are separate school districts in each town. Due to the current fiscal crisis many of the Freetown and Lakeville elementary grades have over 30 children in their classrooms this year, far too many for the most effective learning environment. Our new Superintendent john McCarthy has said that our school system is "upside down," with lower class sizes in the upper grades and the highest in the lower grades. FR would allow "harmonizing" the same total school budget across all 13 grades for the best educational effect. Mr. McCarthy has said that reducing elementary class sizes would be one of the first priorities of a fully regionalized school system.
Santa, let me list some other reasons why FR makes sense for all the children and the taxpayers of Freetown and Lakeville.
1. It saves money.
a. The minimum required total spending on the schools remains basically the same for each town under FR, but the state has historically paid a portion of transportation expenses for the regional school districts. In fact the two towns collectively have lost $2 million in state aid in the last five years because our school system is not fully regionalized!
b. The current system of three school districts is inefficient. The multitudes of required state educational and financial reports have to be prepared for each district, requiring substancial unnecessary paperwork and effort. This triplication is eliminated under FR, thus saving money while increasing efficiently.
c. Also, the Massachusetts School Building Authority will pay a higher percentage of the cost to repair or replace regional school buildings than local district buildings. This is currently important because the Assawompset School is in need of an upgrade, but it applies to both towns in the long run.
2. The current system, as measured by MCAS scores, has simply not been working well in the elementary schools.
a. Freetown and Lakeville 4th graders have averaged around or below the statewide average in both math and English for the past eight years. The state average is a very low benchmark for our communities.
b. Contrast this with the 10th grade MCAS results, which have been consistently above state averages.
3. It's easy!
a. A simple amendment to the current Regionalization agreement which is approved by both town meetings in the spring of 2010 and it is done. we can start the next school year with a fully regionalized PK-12 school system that helps our children learn and saves money too. What a Christmas present that will be!
Santa, next on my list after Full Regionalization is a Harley!

David McQueeney

Chairman, Lakeville School Committee

My reply sent to the Gazette for publication.

Dear Mr. McQueeney,
The number one priority and responsibility as citizens is to maintain our Constitutional right of self governance. It would become a curse on individual and collective rights to even voluntarily give them up, abruptly or incrementally. Those who may “wish” for full regionalization (FR) of the Freetown/Lakeville School District should only look to the recent past to see that the costs, though not all monetary, may actually negate the espoused benefits.
There are many reasons to question FR.
1) During our annual town meeting last June, the “town within a town,” as our current regionalized district has been described, was uncooperative and unwilling to help Lakeville and its elementary school with its budget shortfalls. Then interim superintendent Louis Rodriguez called it “immoral” to even consider helping, even though the region had over $1 million in its E&D fund. The Lakeville portion of the regional assessment is a one line article on the warrant. It is not like the rest of the town’s budget that can be called into question and or revised at town meeting. There are no line items to negotiate. The regional budget is not even present for review. It is a take it or leave it article. If we integrate our elementary school for FR, then the townspeople at town meeting will have no say on any items of the school's budget. It leaves you completely removed and left under the whims of the few who make the decisions in the budget process. According to Business Manager Michael M. Ward, the district's $24 million level-service budget for next year represents a 3.95 percent increase from this year. How much more of an increase would be demanded at town meeting with FR?
2) Our current superintendent, John McCarthy, to his credit has shown greater cooperation than his predecessors. By helping with funding for special needs teachers, he has brought much needed pressure off Assawompset’s crowded classes. He has noted that the pupil to teacher ratio is “upside down.” The upper regional grades are overstaffed and lower elementary grades are understaffed.. This means the upper grades should be cut down anyway, even without FR. There is no guaranty FR will bring those levels down. The most likely scenario will be leaving the upper grades where they are and raising the lower grade ratio at a greater expense to the towns
3) The current system of three school districts is inefficient. FR would eliminate that, but so would de-regionalization. That subject is taboo amongst the Lakeville and Regional School Committees. Other region towns like Bridgewater/Raynham have considered it. Although the school committees have “studied” and advocated FR for years, de-regionalization is not even an after thought. The decision for FR has been the only option under consideration. It will take two to tango. Freetown must agree as well. Will they? Their other boards are reluctant to accept FR as an answer to their own town issues. Should we?
4) The state currently hangs the carrot of more money to regional school districts that in good times could be a benefit for FR, but as we have seen, the state has cut funding for regional transportation costs this year. The state can and does pull the carrot away at will. There is no guaranty the state will always provide expected funds to a FR district. The state has proven to be unreliable in giving expected funds.
5) MCAS scores are not an accurate measure of regional or non-regional academic success. Some of the same people who decry that the MCAS as causing teachers to “teach to the test” and having “floating benchmarks” cannot in the same breathe use MCAS as their own benchmark to push for FR. Besides, 4th and 10th graders are like apples and oranges.
Citizens of Lakeville, full regionalization is not some perfect gift Santa brings on Christmas Day. Relinquishing your right to question and adjust budgetary matters at town meeting is no blessing. That is what is at stake. Local control will be gone.

Yours truly,

Santa

P.S. You can have a Harley. Just make sure you wear a helmet.

Regional School Budget Issues?

2009-12-20T21:15:00.003-05:00

It looks like one of the reasons to fully regionalize the Freetown/Lakeville schools has hit a bump in the road. The bump is the state that although they are the ones pushing from a state level for more regionalisation is still pulling $235,000 from the transportations costs it promised back in October.

The state originally started reimbursing for transportation costs as a way of encouraging local districts to rationalize to lower costs and increase efficiency.

Not very "encouraging" is it when you have to rely on the state to fund parts of your budget. it doesn't encourage me to want more regionalization. The state can't properly solve it's own budget. Raising taxes and fees is their solution. It hasn't and never will work.
The region is crying poor mouth. It is going to be a "level funded budget" with $950,000 in the Excess and Deficiency Fund. It used $700,000 for this year. That means they had over $1.6 million they started off with. Like they are really hurting.
They are complaining now about text books that are older than some of the teachers. No sympathy coming from me on their so called budget woes as Lakeville took a 20% cut to most department budgets. Gary Lincoln, principal of Apponequet Regional High School, wants to keep the tricked up Hummer running.

According to Business Manager Michael M. Ward, the district's $24 million level-service budget for next year represents a 3.95 percent increase from this year.

I just don't know how the rest of us ever got educated with overhead projectors and chalk boards. A mini-van is just not adequate for Mr. Lincoln and "the children."

Strings Attached

2009-12-20T20:50:00.003-05:00

It appears Fire Chief Hopkins wants to follow Police Chief Sorel's grant seeking success by applying for a federal grant to hire two more fire fighters. One problem, there are strings attached. Not only after hiring them for two years with grant money, we have to fork over a third year and not lay off anyone else. It is potential budget buster after year tow. Indications are that the board ain't biting. Don't even bother applying. There is a hook at the end of the string and it sure would hurt.

There goes the snow removal budget.

2009-12-20T19:04:00.004-05:00

All it takes is one big storm and we got it. 20 inches in my back yard. Good thing it is light. Even my 10 year old helped me shovel.

Other noted news that I just haven't had much time to comment since my computer reviving from a virus and the time crunch of the season, I can now get some stuff out for all of you who have constantly come here to read something. Thank you for patiently waiting to read.

Much has happened. January 10th, the Lakeville Police get to rehire two officers and one dispatcher with "stimulus money" just in time stop the delays in 911 responses and to continue the investigation of three suspects in the golf course vandelism incident labeled as a hate crime. Very much poor in taste, though nothing was ever done about the "BUSH" writing or stickers placed on stop signs just under the word "STOP". No investigation. But we need a rally for this one. Of course, Lakeville is not a place of hate. That is obvious even without a rally.

Police Chief Mark Sorel said his department's ongoing investigation has identified three suspects, but he would not speculate on when an arrest might be made.

"I personally don't believe it was directed against the president," Sorel said.

"There were three individuals who had a choice and they made a stupid choice. They chose to do wrong, and we will not tolerate this in Lakeville, a peace-loving town."

Nothing against the president in the Chief's opinion. I suppose it was just a "prank". Ruining someone's property to call the president a socialist definitely isn't a public safety concern. Is he waiting for CSI Lakeville to get the forensics on what was used to gouge the green?

Speaking of "pranks", many of you were very much right in you predition that the Board of Selectmen would "sweep it under the rug". When I ask them, Evirs responded with "two wrongs do not make a right" as to why the BOS should not respond since it was discussed during closed session with specific agreement by all parties not to discuss it. Given that Ronald Campbell and his attorney broke that agreement by speaking about the incident to the Standard Times, at least Maksy did say that they would consult counsel first. Counsel's response:

"The Police Officer Campbel settlement and all of the allegations and issues that were raised involving that settlement were matters that were resolved through a collective bargaining grievance process that the parties agreed to keep confidential."

It seems to me that Ronald Campbell's lawyer is a troublemaker and is being allowed to get away with it. I would sue for breach of contract, personally. This in no way should absolve others of wrong doing, whether it is called a "prank" or not. I hate for the board to be silent and not defend itself, but that is the choice it has taken. Just because they "agreed(ed) to keep confidential" about the incident, that does not mean the people can't or shouldn't say something. If this still bothers you, SPEAK UP!

Chuck Evirs to Resign BOS

2009-12-09T22:56:00.003-05:00

You can't ask for much bigger news that this. It was a shocker to everyone, but him. So this means there will be 2 spots up for grabs in April. Who will be jumping into the thick of it? Time will tell. Also, there is resignation of James Hanlon of the Finance Committee. His is immediate, while Evirs is hanging on until April.

The selectmen have asked anyone interested in serving on the Finance Committee to submit a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen by 4 p.m. on Jan. 4. A joint meeting with the remaining members of the finance board and selectmen will appoint a successor to Hanlon on Jan. 11.

There is some opportunities for some good people to jump in.

New Posts to come soon.

2009-12-08T22:26:00.002-05:00

Sorry for not posting lately. My computer caught H1N1 and is still in recovery. I hope for it to be fully functional shortly and get some conversations going again.

Tidbits Before Special Town Meeting

2009-11-24T20:58:00.004-05:00

Special Town Meeting to be held November 30, 2009
There will be a Special Town Meeting held at Apponequet Regional High School Auditorium on November 30, 2009 at 7:00 PM. To view the warrant, please click here.
In order to vote at the Special Town Meeting, you must be a registered voter in Lakeville. The Town Clerk will hold Voter Registration hours on Friday, November 20, 2009 between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM at the Town Clerk's Office at Town Hall. If you have any questions as to your voting status, you can contact the Town Clerk's Office at (508) 946-8800.

Some interesting things have come up this week. Police Chief Sorel announced some good news on the money front. $186,000.00+, from the feds to the state and then to Lakeville, will be coming to hire back 2 officers and one full time dispatcher for one year. Rep. Canessa phoned him the news yesterday. The official e-mail was to be sent today. The funds may not appear until January, but better late than never. More public jobs saved/created by stimulus money.

It appears the the regional school district before the timely exit of Mr. Rodrigues as Business Manager had supposedly put out a posting for the position "internally", but the position was filled almost immediately. Forgive me, but his name escapes me. The BOS is questioning the appointment since there was never an indication of even anyone ever interviewing for the job. The BOS is wondering the legality of the whole affair.

The check is in the mail from another gasoline company from the contaminated well lawsuit. No specific amount given, but it did seem to be an extraordinary amount. Apparently it is enough to cover Article 4 of the warrant which is $86 thousand plus for a special ed only class. That is still contingent on if the region gives Freetown & Lakeville their new special ed hires that they voted to give.

Veteran's Day Observances

2009-11-07T17:25:00.002-05:00

The Lakeville Historical Commission is inviting the residents of Lakeville to its annual Veterans’ Day Observance on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Participants will be gathering at Assawompset School by the William Hitchcock Memorial at 10:30 a.m.
Following remarks, those gathered will proceed to the World War I Memorial Dickran Diran Square. At 11 a.m. the church bells will ring 11 times in remembrance of our veterans.
Then the procession will continue to the Honor Roll area next to the 1856 Town House - Town Hall where a special event will take place. The World War II Staple Shore Memorial Flag Pole will be rededicated in its new site.