Some of my personal favorites sites include: Bible verse reference; Teen Challenge; Youth Storm (local Christian youth ministry); Battle Cry (national Christian teen ministry); Unclaimed Money/Property; Reverse telephone number & address lookup; Curt Schilling's baseball blog; Town Hall.com; Laura Ingraham; Stop Hillary Clinton; Deval Patrick Watch; New England Patriot's Fan Club; Boston Red Sox Fan Club; Boston Celtics News; Person Locator; Online World of Wrestling; D-Tension; Singer/D.J. Sharon DiFronzo; New England Stone Masonry; Whatever Happened To?; and Dead or Alive?.

”There is nothing so powerful as truth and often nothing so strange.”

–Daniel Webster

Public Service Announcement

NEW MILLENNIUM SEPERATED/DIVORCED SUPPORT GROUP: Meets every Sunday from 7-9 p.m., at St. Michael’s School, 15 Sixth Street, off Bridge Street (Route 38) in Lowell. New subject matter is addressed every meeting dealing with topics such as: anger, loneliness, surviving Divorce, lawyers, Judges and our Court system, Alimony, Child Support, Child Custody, Visitation Rights, asset/property entitlements, children, finances, forgiveness, acceptance, faith and prayer, moving on, and, planning for your new life. This is a non-profit support group. No fees are required. For further information, please either attend this Sunday’s meeting, or contact Carlos Kilberg @ 978-957-2063 (cck3353@MSN.com).

Subject: 4th of July Concert & Fireworks Author: Dracut Townie [Edit] Date Posted: 22:30 06/24/08 Tue Does anyone know when Dracut will be holding its annual 4th of July concert this year? I assume it will be either on the 3rd or 4th. Replies: Fourth of July Summer Concert & Fire Works -- dracuteer, 17:04 06/25/08 Wed Thank you for the info! -- Dracut Townie, 21:29 06/25/08 Wed summer concerts -- dracuteer, 07:26 06/26/08 Thu So... how to help? -- pink_y, 00:21 06/27/08 Fri summer concert help info -- dracuteer, 17:19 06/27/08 Fri Just keep an eye on Jimmy O.... his head will blow off any day now (NT) -- Townie, 18:12 06/25/08 Wed Rain Date for Concert & Fireworks? -- Dracut Townie, 21:17 07/03/08 Thu Unbelievable -- Nigel Tufnel, 02:12 07/04/08 Fri NO Rain Date for Fireworks : ( (NT) -- they are postponed until Labor Day weekend!, 06:57 07/05/08 Sat Summer Concerts -- Dracut Townie, 11:20 07/05/08 Sat Summer Concerts -- dracuteer, 07:15 07/06/08 Sun Jimmy O is the only selectman willing to fight for taxpayers -- Dracut townie, 10:15 07/07/08 Mon WELL THEN........ -- BILL, 23:36 07/07/08 Mon

Subject: Daigle puts a few previous postings in proper perspective for us all Author: Roger L. Daigle via Kopy Kitten [Edit] Date Posted: 08:16 07/04/08 Fri (Roger L. Daigle is a regular co-host on the local access cable TV show, "Inside Dracut Politics", which airs several times a week on Channel 8.) Response to a posting made 6/7/08: It’s always difficult to respond to any posting, not knowing who did the posting, but I’ll give a go anyway. First of all, congratulations on having attended the last annual Town meeting on 6/2/08. For several years, we had a dictator as a Moderator who was also a Town employee (someday citizens of Dracut will learn that if they want an even break, they shouldn’t elect town employees to “any” elected position). I can remember one instance where he, the dictator, had one citizen arrested and taken to Police headquarters. He bit off more than he could chew. Those in attendance were in an uproar. One elderly gentleman ran to the front of the auditorium and told our dictator that they wouldn’t allow him to continue the meeting until he allowed that person he removed to return. He had no other alternative. However, the Leopard can’t change his spots!! (he still was rewarded, by the Powers-that-Be, for his efforts – they appointed him Fire Chief soon after that incident). Our new Moderator has years of experience in the public sector. He’s educated (elementary school teacher); then became our Town Clerk (who also headed the Kenwood Water District) and was also, at the same time, the assistant Town Manager; but who now heads the Dracut Water Supply District. I’ve never doubted his ability to do the job. However, in my opinion, I never had any doubt either about how he gets things done. When the employee is smarter than his bosses (elected officials) and those bosses are of the same mind-set, costs take a backseat. I’ve brought out, on a number of occasions, that at Town Meeting, unless “We the People” attend in large enough numbers to offset special interest (town employees who are there to protect their own interests); who take an active interest by telling the Moderator and others that they will not tolerate being disregarded or disrespected and be prepared to back it up, things won’t change. Don’t rely too heavily on that one Selectman, he won’t do it for you. Response to “Dracut Taxpayers get screwed again” posting: If you think the Dracut taxpayer got screwed on the Leczynski property, for the greater benefit of others, think about those 120 acres on Marsh Hill Rd; the 46 acres on Richardson Rd and Marsh Hill Rd; the 50 some odd acres, also on Marsh Hill Rd; Harmony Hall; and the “White Elephant” on Mammoth Rd. The biggest, in my opinion, is the people at Town Meeting allowing up to one million dollars to be spent by the CPA committee and Finance Committee at a hearing by the Board of Selectmen and C.P.C., on 61A land, without Town Meeting approval. You talk about asking for it??!! Look at article 18, part 2 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. What else can you see there that should have caught your eye?? Response to “where’s the money coming from” posting: A trip to the Registrar of Deeds will give you the answer to a number of your questions (Panek property). If you’re privy to the Internet and are so inclined, you can get the information online, I’m not. Response to “500 Parker Rd” - posting of 6/23/08: 3 & ½ acres is substantially more than 21,900; and for $20,000.??? I’d be interested to know (and I’ve been meaning to go to the Registrar of Deeds but just can’t seem to find the time) the date of this sale as it relates to the sale of the rest of the Leczenski tract to D.D, using CPA and APR funds. The tract that the Town Approved was 31 acres - did we invest on 31 acres or 27 ½ acres?? Response to “I voted no to Canney’s farm” posting: Obviously you are not familiar with the CPA Fund. Your vote, though well intended, was for the wrong reason. Buying this tract of 16 acres plus building thereon (per article 20); when this tract;, per town records is, one parcel consisting of 10 acres and another of 6 acres. The home and garage represents a different lot, all for $1,420,000 begs the question. Is the Town going into the landlord business or are they going to displace those people who have lived there, to my knowledge, for a number of years??? Is the Town going to do something about utilizing all the acreage that was purchased or are they going to patchwork it, which would make no sense - but what’s new!!!

Subject: Perhaps we should change Bob Cox’ nickname to, “Carpetbagger” Author: Nostradamus [Edit] Date Posted: 22:53 06/29/08 Sun Now that our ‘08 Town Election is nothing but a distant memory, the vast majority of the candidates have submitted their final required “30-days After the Election Campaign Finance Reports” to close the proverbial book and make their runs officially official. Out of all the candidates in this past year’s election, Selectman Bob “Do You Know Who My Older Brother Is?” Cox appeared to draw the most financial attention from his native Lowell. In all fairness to Selectman Cox, the other candidates probably listed all their contributions received on one of the campaign finance reports required BEFORE the election – which most of them, I don’t have. It is sort of bizarre, however, for a Dracut candidate to pocket a considerable amount of campaign donations from a neighboring community. Anywho, Selectman Cox’ campaign contributions included: * John Cox, Attorney (Bob’s older brother), 144 Butman Road, Lowell, $200 * Harvey Gagnon, Former Dracut school bus contractor (Bob’s father-in-law), 1483 Hildreth Street, Dracut, $200 * Stephen Mason, Attorney, 147 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, $200 * George Miamis, Store Owner, 110 Totman Road, Dracut, $200 * Dan Mulhern, Consultant, 67 Middle Street, Lowell, $250 * Paul J. Murphy, Self-Employed Transportation Owner, 225 N. Lowell Street, Methuen, $500 * Paul Murphy, Self-Employed Carpenter, 25 Phyllis Street, Dracut, $200 * Louis Panas, Retired Dracut Police Chief, 54 Holly Lane, Dracut, $200 * Richard Williams, Self-Employed Home Builder, 47 Black Oak Lane, Dracut, $200 * Michael Zaim, Attorney, 147 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, $500 Cox also paid $332.50 for political buttons to All Sports Promotion, 40 First Street in Lowell. “Carpetbagger” further paid a company called, Corporate Image, 1260 Lawrence Street in Lowell, the sum of $1265 for political signs and $645 for bumper stickers. He also purchased $200 for tickets to the Committee to Elect Tim Murray; and $250 for tickets to the Committee to Elect Arthur Broadhurst. Cox’ fellow selectman colleague, John “life insurance ONLY” Zimini claims he spent $2494 in the last week of the Town Election, and was in a total negative deficit of $7802 after the entire campaign. Not too shabby for a guy who just lost his cushy $80K per year job with the State only a few months ago. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear Selectman Zimini is just itching to exploit the Town employees’ health insurance coverage just like his three good elected (or former elected) buddies: Carpetbagger, Barnyard Animal, and last, but by no means least, Coke-Head. Incidentally, Zimini’s $7802 debt which he indicated on his final campaign finance report was more than double the debt that Ted Kosiavelon, the sole challenger in the Selectman’s race this year, had on his report. Teddy K., stated that he was only in the hole for $3710. Campaigns definitely worth mentioning Victor Olson, one of the unsuccessful challengers to the Dracut Water Supply District commissioner’s seat, raised over $2000 and spent all but $23 on his campaign. Olson submitted a very detailed and organized report listing all his contributions and expenditures – he definitely seems like a fairly sharp cookie. Gerry Hould – the other unsuccessful challenger trying to unseat Bill Morin for Water Commish – as of last week, has still failed to submit his final campaign finance report. One of the most amazing races in this year’s Town Election had to have been the one for Housing Authority commissioner. It marked the first time in eight years that there was a contested race for this particular office. Incumbent Gerald Surprenant and challenger F. Russell Taylor were once former partners together on the Dracut police force. Unofficially, this might’ve been the most lucrative Housing Authority campaign in Dracut Town Election history. Taylor’s report claimed he spent more than $3000 on his campaign, while Surprenant states he spent $1822 on his. This is all for an elected office with a five-year term that pays an annual stipend of absolutely nothing. In other words, an elected Dracut Housing Authority commissioner doesn’t even qualify to enroll on the Town employees’ health insurance coverage as prescribed in Massachusetts General Law 32b. Should incompetent, unqualified “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary” be given the old heave-ho? What might be at stake here is the future of the incompetent, unqualified boob they’ve got serving as our Housing Director, Mary Karabatsos (a.k.a. Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary). Since fellow Housing commissioner Ken Martin donated $200 to Surprenant’s campaign, it’s obvious that he hopes to, at least, hold Karabatsos to a fair and reasonable contract when it comes up for renewal this Fall. Karabatsos, who had zero previous experience as a Housing Director, started out annually grossing about $6K more than her predecessor, Joe Tully Jr., who left that position with more than 20 years of Housing Director experience under his belt. Go figure on that one. It’ll be especially interesting now to watch the Governor’s Appointee to the Dracut Housing Authority, George “Three Sheets to the Wind” Nangle, to see exactly how he votes on Karabatsos’ next contract. George Nangle is the cousin to Lowell State Rep David Nangle, who was rumored as one of the one’s who strongly lobbied to land Karabatsos with the Dracut Housing Authority in the first place. “Three Sheets to the Wind” is also a former employee to his predecessor as the Governor’s Appointee to the DHA, Jim “Irish Stud Muffin” Gookin – perhaps the strongest supporter to land Karabatsos here in Dracut. George Nangle now claims he’s employed by the Middlesex Retirement System, which, ironically, Gookin just happens to serve as an appointed member on that board. Next year, Bob “Go Along to Get Along” Audet will be the DHA commissioner up for reelection, and then in 2010, Tom “Stone Face” Salem will have his seat up for grabs. Do you think Taylor will try taking on one of these two guys in the next two years? Somehow I doubt it. Stay tuned for more action. Replies: Victor Olson is an up and coming person to watch -- a neighbor, 15:17 07/01/08 Tue

Subject: Korean War documentary scheduled to air on Dracut Cable Access TV, Channel 8 Author: Kopy Kitten [Edit] Date Posted: 21:23 06/27/08 Fri Bill Pappas will be presenting a segment of seven (7) taped showings the Korean War from 1950-1953 -- possibly starting the week of June 30th. It will be shown over a period of about seven (7) weeks. Hopefully this be shown about 2-to-3 times a week. Please call DATV for the specific schedule of times and dates. Also, please pay attention to the song at the end of the tape. This is a very well done tribute to our veterans.

Subject: $64,000 Question: Why is Ogonowski still soliciting campaign donations for his now-defunct Senate run? Author: Kopy Kitten [Edit] Date Posted: 21:12 06/22/08 Sun (published in, Boston Sunday Herald, Pols and Politics with Dave Wedge, 6-22-08) Jim’s war chest Speaking of the race for Kerry’s seat, GOP challenger Jeffrey Beatty’s former opponent, GOP washout Jim Ogonowski, may have dropped out of the U.S. Senate race, but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to raise campaign cash. Ogonowski, who quit his Senate quest after failing to get enough signatures to get his name on the September primary ballot, recently sent out mailers soliciting contributions and is still accepting donations on his Web site. Maybe he’ll make a nice campaign donation to Beatty in the name of party unity . . Replies: Wasn't Ogie supposed to return that $300,000 he raised in donations after he was bounced out of the Senate race? (NT) -- exploiting a tragedy for $$$$, 00:34 06/23/08 Mon 500 PARKER RD -- where can you buy 3 acres of land for 20 THOUSAND TODAY?, 07:46 06/23/08 Mon wheres the money coming from -- curious, 16:58 06/23/08 Mon Dracut taxpayers get screwed over again! -- Bob, 17:23 06/23/08 Mon Warren "barn yard animal"Shaw loves C.P.A. funds for... -- Orgie's millions, 13:07 06/24/08 Tue Warren's "house on the hill" -- Farmer's daughter (not Warren's), 10:26 06/25/08 Wed do you really believe she is living there for free? he takes CASH no checks please (NT) -- overheard at local watering hole, 16:54 06/25/08 Wed Hey Bob is that your name or your job (NT) -- I'm a loser, 18:13 06/25/08 Wed

Subject: Get those signatures and give yourself a pay raise Author: Kopy Kitten [Edit] Date Posted: 08:27 06/19/08 Thu (published in, Boston Herald, Howie Carr’s column, 6-18-08) How’d you like to give yourself a 5.3 percent pay increase? It’s not too late yet, but the deadline is today (Wednesday, 6-18-08) at 5 p.m. If you want to at least put a question on the November ballot on whether to abolish the state’s 5.3 percent income tax, you need to get the signatures to your city or town hall before the close of business (too late now if you haven't done it already). Oh sure, there is an underfunded anti-tax group out there rounding up the 11,000 needed signatures, and they seem confident. But you never know - look at what happened to Jim Ogonowski, the would-be Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate against Liveshot Kerry. He fell 30 signatures short - that’s right, 30 - of making the ballot. So if you haven’t signed the petition to abolish the income tax, all you have to do is go online to the Web site smallgovernmentact.org, download a petition (both sides) and sign it. Then get your spouse to sign it, and your neighbors. You have to get it down to the clerk’s office at City Hall, or Town Hall before 5 p.m. If somebody you work with lives in a different town, print out a second petition, and get him to sign. He’ll have to drop his off at his town hall on his way home. I know what you’re thinking. The Legislature will never go along with a $12 billion reduction in the money to hire their friends and relatives, not to mention hand out an extra billion or so in corporate welfare to assorted biotech bandidos. Maybe. But at the very least, this will make it hot for them. If this abolish-the-income-tax question makes the ballot, the hacks and their pinky-ring unions are going to have to spend millions to make sure their gravy train isn’t derailed by working people. Let’s make ’em spend it all. Remember Paul Guzzi, a charter member of the forgotten-but-not-gone brigade, a guy who last won an election in 1974. Guzzi now runs the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Here is his take on the people’s attempt to remove government’s sticky fingers from their wallets: “It is irresponsible, and it goes too far, and reasonable people understand that.” So, if you make $50,000 a year, and the 5.3 percent income tax suddenly goes away, you’ll be getting an extra $2,650 a year. An additional $50 or so a week. How irresponsible of you to want to keep that 50 bucks in your pocket, when the “needs” are so great. How will they come up with that $16,457.16 a month for Billy Bulger’s pension? Who will pay the salary for Sen. Marzilli? How will we be able to pay to give every hack in Suffolk County Bunker Hill Day off? What if there’s not enough money left to pay the state cops to run speed traps? What will happen if state judges have to actually show up for work more than 35 weeks a year? How will Newton be able to afford its new $200 million high school? And what about Wellesley’s new plan to keep up with the Joneses, with its new $160 million high school? Who will pay for Deval’s Cadillac? Hasn’t the governor tightened his belt enough? What about all the community advocates he hasn’t hired yet, to . . . advocate . . . for the community? Who will coordinate the outreach to the outreach coordinators, if he has to keep the increase in his office budget next year to under 80 percent? Billy Bulger, he of the $16,457.16 gross monthly state pension, used to brag that he could slap a tax on a galloping horse. Well, the galloping horse that is the Massachusetts taxpayer is now hobbling toward the glue factory. There’s nothing left, the needle is on empty, and the native criminal class on Beacon Hill says it’s “irresponsible” to finally put an end to the highway robbery. We can bring their free ride to a long overdue halt. Turn in the petitions today, even if they’ve only got a couple of signatures on them, just to make sure. Ruin the hacks’ summers. Make it hot for them. Replies: i'm with you -- chad evans, 12:45 06/24/08 Tue

Subject: What Love means to a 4-8 year old Author: Kopy Kitten [Edit] Date Posted: 15:14 06/22/08 Sun So worth reading. Touching words from the mouth of babes. A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?' The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think: 'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.' Rebecca- age 8 'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.' Billy - age 4 'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.' Karl - age 5 'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.' Chrissy - age 6 'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.' Terri - age 4 'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.' Danny - age 7 'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss' Emily - age 8 'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.' Bobby - age 7 (Wow!) 'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,' Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet) 'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.' Noelle - age 7 'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.' Tommy - age 6 'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.' Cindy - age 8 'My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.' Clare - age 6 'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.' Elaine-age 5 'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.' Chris - age 7 'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.' Mary Ann - age 4 'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.' Lauren - age 4 'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image) Karen - age 7 'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.' Mark - age 6 'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.' Jessica - age 8 And the final one The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry' When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this. Heavenly Father, please bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of Your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with You. Amen. Then send it on to five other people, including the one who sent it to you. Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life.

Subject: Even more evidence that we currently live in an insane, reprobate world Author: Kopy Kitten [Edit] Date Posted: 14:39 06/22/08 Sun Court overturns father's grounding of 12-year-old OTTAWA (AFP) - A Canadian court has lifted a 12-year-old girl's grounding, overturning her father's punishment for disobeying his orders to stay off the Internet, his lawyer said Wednesday. The girl had taken her father to Quebec Superior Court after he refused to allow her to go on a school trip for chatting on websites he tried to block, and then posting "inappropriate" pictures of herself online using a friend's computer. The father's lawyer Kim Beaudoin said the disciplinary measures were for the girl's "own protection" and is appealing the ruling. "She's a child," Beaudoin told AFP. "At her age, children test their limits and it's up to their parents to set boundaries." "I started an appeal of the decision today to reestablish parental authority, and to ensure that this case doesn't set a precedent," she said. Otherwise, said Beaudoin, "parents are going to be walking on egg shells from now on." "I think most children respect their parents and would never go so far as to take them to court, but it's clear that some would and we have to ask ourselves how far this will go." According to court documents, the girl's Internet transgression was just the latest in a string of broken house rules. Even so, Justice Suzanne Tessier found her punishment too severe. Beaudoin noted the girl used a court-appointed lawyer in her parents' 10-year custody dispute to launch her landmark case against dear old dad.

Subject: The absolute epitome of stupidity Author: Kopy Kitten [Edit] Date Posted: 21:41 06/21/08 Sat (published in, Lowell Sun, 6-21-08) The pregnancy pact It was shocking enough to hear that 17 students at Gloucester High School became pregnant this year. But to discover that nearly half of those students planned to become pregnant so they could raise their babies together is not only appalling, it is heart-breaking. According to school officials, the teens made a pact to get pregnant and are looking forward to raising their babies together. Some of the girls seemed desperate to have a baby, reportedly becoming visibly upset when clinic workers informed them they weren't expecting. So they kept trying. Clearly the teenagers, all of whom are 16 or younger, are lacking in self-esteem, stability and a sense of reality. They believe their babies will always be healthy, happy, adorable tots who will love them unconditionally and forever. The reality is these babies will have to be fed at 2 a.m., will suffer ear infections, colic and fevers, and may one day scream "I hate you" at their mothers. Having babies at 14, 15 and 16 also means an end of adolescence. It likely means the end to education, opportunity and the ability to escape the cycle of poverty. Certainly, many teenagers have difficulty looking past next week. Setting goals that can't be attained for five or 10 years is often beyond their comprehension. That's where the adults in their lives are supposed to come in. Responsible adults understand the need to set long-term goals, to focus on positive endeavors and to show that making smart choices today can result in a much better tomorrow. Conversely, adults also know -- often from bitter experience -- that a bad decision made today can change the course of a life. Regrettably, it seems the 17 Gloucester girls don't have anyone to competently and consistently explain the importance of making smart decisions. Perhaps some do, but the girls simply refused to listen. Either way, it is crucial that adults involved in children's lives -- parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles, coaches, teachers, scout leaders, neighbors -- make it a priority to help guide youths toward smarter decisions and positive goals. Without increased effort by dependable adults, there will likely be more teens making poor decisions for which all of society will ultimately pay.

Subject: Has anyone ever seen Jim Ogonowski & Barney Rubble together in the same room? Author: Kopy Kitten [Edit] Date Posted: 11:24 06/18/08 Wed (published in, Boston Sunday Herald, Pols & Politics with Dave Wedge, 6-15-08.) Separated At Birth? Sounding like easygoing Neanderthal Barney Rubble, easygoing Republican Jim Ogonowski shrugged off his hapless failure to obtain enough ballot signatures for a Senate run with a casual, "Mistakes were made." Replies: Boston Sunday Herald, Pols & Politics with Dave Wedge, 6-15-08 -- GOP letdown, 07:22 06/19/08 Thu No I HAVEN'T BOO BOO!! (NT) -- fred flint, 07:22 06/19/08 Thu

Subject: How bout them Celtics? Author: 2 down & 2 to go [Edit] Date Posted: 00:36 06/09/08 Mon I'd love to see Boston sweep by winning the next two games in Los Angeles. What's really amazing is thinking about how lousy this team was just one year ago. This all sounds too good to be true. Replies: WE DID IT! AFTER 22 YEARS! (NT) -- #17, 01:23 06/18/08 Wed

Subject: Bill targets municipal cost savings Author: FYI [Edit] Date Posted: 07:40 06/16/08 Mon Coalition seeks changes to rein in budget busters By Connie Paige Globe Correspondent / June 15, 2008 A bill pending before Beacon Hill lawmakers could significantly change the way communities do business while saving tens of millions of dollars statewide to help pay for skyrocketing municipal expenditures. Proposed by a coalition of eight Merrimack Valley and North Shore communities, the legislation would allow municipalities to trim various costs by changing state billing practices for federal reimbursement, using state and federal healthcare plans for their employees and retirees, sharing resources either internally or with other cities or towns, and using the Internet for contractor bidding. Some of the proposed measures are now forbidden by state law. "Many of our communities are in fiscal meltdown, and this package is designed to help them save money," said state Senator Susan C. Tucker. The Democrat, who represents Andover, Dracut, Lawrence, and Tewksbury, said the changes, which have bipartisan support, would not cost the state money. Methuen Mayor William M. Manzi III said lawmakers should approve the bill, since the state has cut local aid for several years even as municipal expenses increased dramatically. "We're looking for the Legislature to remove the administrative shackles for reducing our costs," Manzi said. "There may be some legislative discomfort at some of these provisions. If that's the case, we say, send us the money." Manzi said that it's too early to tell how much any community might save under the bill, and it would likely differ from one municipality to the next. One big money-saver would be to change the procedures under which municipalities are reimbursed for the cost of special-education services. Communities receive reimbursement for half their costs from the Massachusetts Municipal Medicaid program, which gets money from the federal government and doles it out to individual cities and towns. Currently, the amount per student is based on a formula developed in the 1990s that averaged out the costs of all special-needs Medicaid costs statewide, including services for the entire spectrum of disabilities from minor to very serious. The bill proposes to scrap the average and pay communities a fee for service for each eligible student. That would allow a much higher reimbursement for those students with serious special needs. The solution was taken from a 2004 report by State Auditor A. Joseph DeNucci's office. That report said if communities changed to fee-for-service billing, they could expect $50 million more combined for special-education services. Another significant cost-saver in the package would make it easier for communities to enroll municipal employees in the state's healthcare plan. While state lawmakers approved a similar measure last year, it required municipal unions to sign off on a switch to the state plan. The proposed provision would permit such a switch without labor backing. Under the bill, communities also could require eligible retirees to receive healthcare from Medicare instead of private providers. Now the retirees can choose a private plan, which creates high expenses, the bill's advocates say. If the legislation passes, communities could also streamline the way they do business. Under the present system, two employees procure goods and services and manage hiring for the schools and for the municipal government; the bill would let communities combine those two jobs and other duplicative functions into one. Another provision in the bill would permit communities to save on administrative costs by jointly contracting for common providers, such as recycling companies. The bill also would allow communities seeking goods or service providers to conduct auctions, much like those held by the Internet company eBay, instead of the current protracted request-for-proposals process. The auction would allow prospective contractors to bid not only against competitors, but also against themselves, and lower their bids as the clock ticks down to the deadline. The idea for the legislation first gained traction more than a year ago when eight Merrimack Valley and North Shore mayors and town managers agreed to try together to put the brakes on budget-busting costs. The coalition members represent Amesbury, Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen, Newburyport, North Andover, and Salisbury. The coalition developed what it called the Municipal Management Package, now before legislative committees for consideration as part of next fiscal year's budget. "The purpose of this is to put more tools in the community's toolbox," said Merrimack Valley Planning Commission executive director Dennis A. DiZoglio, who acted as a facilitator for the coalition. He said the bill would apply to all communities statewide. Tucker cautioned that change would take time, if the legislation passes. "That is not something that's going to appear any time soon," she said. "It's a long process." Replies: enroll municipal employees in the state's healthcare plan (NT) -- this would save taxpayers millions!!!!, 16:48 06/16/08 Mon

Subject: Hay Dracut Moderator McCarthy,using meeting to advance Author: Taxpayer [Edit] Date Posted: 10:07 06/16/08 Mon .... your personnal/professional agenda?? The Miss's and I were watching your performance on cable,you were flipit and some what unattened. You got in a "piss in" contest with our Town Manager over a article that you read that was totally wrong. You were publicily corrected by our town manager.Inaddition you publicily promoted taking over the Town water system. This is in my view a conflict of interest and should be reported to State Ethics Commision. You seem to think because you've always had a public dole job,that you can use this current position as your personnal recruitment/take over of additional water system. Not gona happen youngman!! I know that this is only your second time at Moderator however you should reread Robert's rules of public order. Real slowly,underlining ethical proceduores. Even a public hack like yourself can figur that out. Inclosing you looked kinda bored up there,inaddition to all the mistakes you made,why not appoint one of your hack friends to "pintch hit" for you hon??????

Subject: Massachusetts Senate Bill S1075 Shared Parenting Author: concerned contributor [Edit] Date Posted: 08:04 06/15/08 Sun About Shared Parenting Shared parenting refers to joint physical and legal custody. In such an arrangement both parents share approximately equal parenting time and have the same rights that all custodial parents have. In Massachusetts, however, this is not the norm. There is no presumption of joint custody. Shared parenting, if implemented in Massachusetts, would create a presumption of joint custody except in cases where one parent is deemed unfit or abusive. THE BASICS OF SHARED PARENTING Did you know that SHARED PARENTING MEANS giving joint and equal physical custody (the right to have the child) and legal custody (the right to make major decisions concerning the child) to both parents, unless it can be shown that one of the parents is unfit (as by being violent, abusive, a drug addiction that interferes with parenting . . . ), or by showing that it is not practical due to no fault of one of the parents (as when one of the parents cannot find a job in the area and it is an absolute necessity to move)? Did you know while there are a number of proposed shared bills in Massachusetts (and other states), they all consist of : (1) a rebutable presumption that joint physical and legal custody is in the best interest of the child, (2) a meaningful opportunity to rebut and show joint physical is not appropriate, (3) does not end the best-interest of the child standard, (4) does not end case-by-case determinations, and (5) does not mean there will be automatic joint physical custody? Did you know that shared parenting does NOT end case-by-case determinations, does NOT mean there will automatically be joint physical or legal custody (it is a presumption that can be rebutted), and does NOT end case-by-case determinations, and that no credible father’s rights organization has ever made such a proposal? (Our opponents often CLAIM such is the case, but the text of the proposed shared parenting legislation specifically states otherwise.) Did you know we already have such presumptions in Massachusetts law, such as statutory presumption that if one has engaged in serious incidents of domestic violence, there is a rebutable presumption that joint physical custody is not appropriate? (This law is never attacked as hampering the discretion of judges, or doing away with the best interest of the child standard, or ending case-by-case determinations, even though it has a rebutable presumption of what is in the best interest of the child. Did you know that shared parenting means that the judge SHOULD consider what is in the best interest of the child, but that in normal circumstances, it is presumed that joint physical and legal custody is in the best interest of the child? Did you know shared parenting is creating a presumption that joint physical and legal custody is in the best interest of the child unless it can be shown otherwise and would deprive the judge of discretion to hold otherwise unless there is good evidence to indicate such is not the case? Did you know shared parenting does not end case-by-case determinations of child custody matters? Did you know that under current Massachusetts law there are already presumptions in child custody cases—if there has been a pattern of serious violence, there is a presumption that the offending parent should not obtain joint custody? Did you know that under any shared parenting legislation advanced by any credible fathers’ rights organization, custody will never go to an unfit parent. Fatherless homes account for 63% of youth suicides, 90% of homeless/runaway children, 85% of all children with behavioral problems, 71% of high school drop outs, 85% of youths in prison, and well over 50% of teen mothers”? Did you know that a major study by Dr. Robert Bauserman that was published by the American Psychological Association in the Journal of Family Psychology, which was a study of all studies on joint custody and sole custody in existence, concluded that “Children in joint custody arrangements had less behavioral and emotional problems, had higher self-esteem, better family relations and school performance than children in sole custody arrangements.”? Did you know that according to long term studies of children in the United States and New Zealand, that there is a direct link between a fathers absence and teen pregnancy, and that fatherlessness was so fundamentally linked to teen pregnancy, that factors such as poverty, race, being raised in safe or violent homes, and exposure to dysfunctional marriages, only showed a slight diminution effect thsn when the father was absent? Did you know that the right to be a parent is one of the most treasured rights under the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution, and the right to be free from discrimination in divorce proceedings is protected under the United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights, and that the Declaration of Human Rights was drafted with the help of Eleanor Roosevelt? Did you know that father’s started to lose custody cases from around 1900—1920 when the “tender years doctrine” was established, which is a presumption that children, especially those of tender years, are better off with the mother? Did you know that ever since the adoption of the tender years doctrine, fathers almost never win custody of their children? Did you that in 1999, Joseph McNabb, dean of Laboure College in Dorchester and a professor of health policy at Northeastern University, conducted a study of cases from the Worcester County Probate Court, which is demographically representative of the state, and that in his study, McNabb hand-pulled 501 case files and found fathers had won custody in fewer than two percent of cases, usually only in those where the mother was dead or institutionalized? Did you know that now the roles are reversed and men almost always lose today and that there is a false supposition of the supremacy of women? Did you know that the current so-called “best interest of the child” standard currently in use in Massachusetts has been constantly criticized by the United States Supreme Court because it is a “what the judge thinks is in the best interest of the child” standard and does not respect enough the rights of parents to rear their children? Did you know that the “best interest of the child” standard currently used in child custody disputes was attacked by the United States Supreme Court in the recent case of Troxel v. Granville as being unconstitutional because it did not sufficiently protect the parental right? Did you know that in Troxel v. Granville, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first women justice of the Supreme Court, said, “It is not within the province of the state to make significant decisions concerning the custody of children merely because it could make a ‘better’ decision."? Did you know that when judges substitute their judgment for the reasonable judgment of fathers and parents they act unconstitutionally? Did you know that in Troxel v. Granville it was stated, "As we have explained, the Due Process Clause does not permit a State to infringe on the fundamental right of parents to make childrearing decisions simply because a state judge believes a 'better' decision could be made"? Did you know that the naked "best interest of the child standard" was ruled unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court in parenting termination proceedings in Santosky v. Kramer, and that now clear and convincing evidence that a parent is unfit must be introduced before terminating parenting rights? Did you know that in the 1978 case of Quilloin v Walcott, the Supreme Court ruled: “If a state were to attempt to force the breakup of a natural family, over the objection of the parents and their children, without some showing of unfitness and for the sole reason that to do so was thought to be in the children’s best interest,” the Due Process Clause would clearly be violated? Did you know that shared parenting protects the constitutional right of both parents, and that the current sole custody, winner-take-all regime of Massachusetts does not? Did you know that under shared parenting legislation, children would not be given to drunkards, drug addicts, parents that are physically or mentally abusive, or to parents who have demonstrated that they are otherwise unfit parents? Did you know a March 1999 Health and Human Services report reads as follows: “More than ¼ of all American children——nearly 17 million——do not live with their father. Girls without a father in their life are 2 ½ times as likely to get pregnant and 53% more likely to commit suicide. Boys without a father in their life are 63% more likely to run away, and 37% more likely to abuse drugs. Both girls and boys are twice as likely to drop out of high school, twice as likely to end up in jail and nearly 4 times as likely to need help for emotional or behavioral problems."? Did you know, one long-term study of teen pregnancy published in Child Development found that a father's impact is so large that income, race, the mother's characteristics and a host of other normally powerful factors all mattered little, and that what mattered was dad? Did you know, according to the National Fatherhood Initiative, 24 million children in the United States (34 percent of all U.S. children) live in homes without their biological father? Did you know in 2000, 33 percent of all births in the United States occurred out of wedlock? Did you know that a 2006 report, What About the Dads? Child Welfare Agencies’ Efforts to Identify, Locate, and Involve Nonresident Fathers, examines the foster care systems of Massachusetts and three other states; that the report found that when fathers inform child welfare officials that they would like their children to live with them, the agencies seek to place the children with their fathers in only 8% of cases? Did you know that in the states that have adopted shared parenting legislation, studies have shown that divorce rates are lower and children are better adjusted? Replies: WOW Thank You ,Great research!!!!!! (NT) -- Dracut viewer, 13:43 06/15/08 Sun Cons of Shared Parenting Legislation -- FYI, 08:14 06/16/08 Mon A fair role for fathers -- The Boston Globe, 08:19 06/16/08 Mon What is the current status of this bill in the State legislation? -- just me, 08:29 06/16/08 Mon Shared Parenting Bill -- FYI, 08:52 06/16/08 Mon

Subject: Dracut O1826 Political Campaign Contributions – 2008 Election Cycle Author: Kopy Kitten [Edit] Date Posted: 22:35 06/14/08 Sat Dracut Political Campaign Contributions for 2008 Cycle Replies: "barn yard animal gives government subsidized ........ -- Walter Welfare, 13:31 06/15/08 Sun

Subject: LOOKING OUT FOR THEMSELVES Author: Tired of Idiots [Edit] Date Posted: 23:21 06/11/08 Wed Senate republicans,looking to keep their pockets full of oil money defeated a bill that would have put and end to government tax breaks to the oil companies as well as created a winfall profits tax on the companies. Oil companies could avoid paying this tax if they used their windfalls to invest in more refineries or alternative energy sources. During the first 3 months of this year big oil has posted 36 billion dollars in profits . At the same time a bill was brought foward to extend tax credits to companies that were developing alternative energy. The republicans quickly defeated it. Replies: tired of the idiots -- Im tired of the idiots too, 21:05 06/12/08 Thu Oil -- Tired of the same idiots, 00:02 06/13/08 Fri no more digging -- the real story, 00:20 06/13/08 Fri Tired of the idiots -- wondering, 05:10 06/13/08 Fri Fact of the Matter -- Tony the Tiger, 21:58 06/13/08 Fri Oil -- idiots, 05:42 06/14/08 Sat big oil -- john d, 23:56 06/13/08 Fri learn from brazil -- jose, 00:11 06/14/08 Sat

Now More Than Ever

Please help spread the word about, Dracut After Dark to all your friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors around town. It's crucial that we have, at least, one media outlet in this community that TELLS IT THE WAY IT REALLY IS. Let the people of Dracut have the opportunity to check out Dracut After Dark for themselves and draw their own conclusions. We’re constantly striving to become our town’s consummate underground network outlet. Thank you so much for your continued support to this message board as we appreciate it very, very, very much. Adios, and hope to see you again real soon.

[ Contact Forum Admin ]

---

Forum timezone: GMT-5 VF Version: 2.94, ConfDB: Before posting please read our privacy policy. VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems. Copyright © 1998-2008 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.