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Dracut After Dark
The Best Issues & Information Forum in Dracut
Untitled Document

Bon jour. Dracut After Dark is a moderated forum (a sounding board or bulletin board) which gives people the opportunity to express their views, ideas, questions, or concerns relative to Dracut Massachusetts and its surrounding area -- a local networking watchdog advocate or blog, if you will.

Any comments which are deemed: vulgar, inappropriate, libelous, slanderous, or in bad taste WILL NOT be posted here. Changing the subject on an already established string is strictly prohibited. Postings which contain specific addresses to other Dracut Internet message boards will also be rejected. Another thing we don't allow here are posts containing specific names and/or street addresses of private citizens, i.e. neighbor disputes. Furthermore, those who guess at pseudonyms will have their postings rejected, as well.

Opinions expressed on Dracut After Dark solely reflect those of the participants, and are not necessarily shared by the management of this message board. Participants post and read messages here on their own Free Will thanks to the First Amendment. We merely discuss issues here – we DO NOT profess to initiate, or even resolve, anything on this message board. If this Internet forum is not to your liking, then please, by all means, feel free to do your websurfing elsewhere.

Google (or any other Internet search engine) keywords:

Dracut After Dark

Please click only those search engine entries specifically stating,

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___________________________________________________________________________________

LINKS: Please check out these fascinating and informative local websites, which come highly recommended by the management of this forum: Official Town of Dracut website; Dracut Pop Warner football & cheerleading; Sandi Martinez, State Senate candidate, 3rd Middlesex District; Ed O'Reilly, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate; Warren Shaw.com (Deeb's view on Warren Shaw); Popular Dracut Restaurant Directory; Dracut School Department; Dracut Assessor Online; Property Deeds; Valley Patriot monthly newspaper; Obituaries; Ballot Initiative to Abolish Massachusetts State Income Tax; Dracut Weather Forecast; Citizens for Limited Taxation; Vote On Marriage.org; Tewksbury Issues; Dracut Street Map; Helpful Dracut websites; Official State Website; Official Federal Government Website; Public Bus Information; Storm-related Public Closings; Mass Backwards; Affordable Auto Insurance for All; Shawn's Dracut Blog; Howie Carr; and Anonymous Proxy Server.

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).


Dracut After Dark

Subject: Why do a lot of football fans, nationally, “hate” the New England Patriots?


Author:
Nostradamus
[Edit]

Date Posted: 09:08 01/23/08 Wed

What can I say, ladies and gentlemen, as far as Dracut issues go, it’s been a wee bit slow lately.

But people who know me are well aware that I’m a huge New England Patriots’ fan. From just a couple of years after its 1960 inception in the former American Football League as the Boston Patriots (which they were actually playing their home games in Boston) till now, I’ve always zealously followed these guys as perhaps my favorite team out of all the professional sport organizations in this area.

Having said that, it just boggles my mind how many people actually “hate” this professional football franchise, even to the point of creating an Internet blog where other like-minded football fans referred to as, “Hatriots”, can vent their bitterness and disgust against undisputedly the greatest sports team since the new millennium. Some are even labeling the Patriots as, professional football’s version of the New York Yankees – heaven forbid!

I hate the New England Patriots blog

Specifically, on Sunday, Feb. 3rd, the Patriots will be going for its fourth Super Bowl championship in the past seven years. In addition to that little tidbit, should the Patriots win this year’s Super Bowl a week from this Sunday, it will have completed a perfect season,19-0, a feat which has only been accomplished one other time in professional football. When the ‘72 Miami Dolphins had its perfect season 35 years ago, it played two less regular season games than they do now, making that year’s record, including post-season playoff games and the Super Bowl, 17-0. Absolutely incredible!

Perhaps there’s something to be said about “hating” an organization that’s pretty darn close to perfect. I happened to reside in west Texas a couple years while Tom Landry was the coach of the Dallas Cowboys. There’s no doubt that the Cowboys always had a reputation as one of the more dominate and successful teams in the National Football League, mainly because Landry’s meticulous and methodical attention to detail. Although most Texas football fans love their Cowboys’ winning ways, some actually find it boring and tend to root for them to lose after a while.

Ditto with the New England Patriots. In the first game of the season back in September, Patriots coach Bill Belichick had somebody with a video camera focus in on the New York Jets defensive coordinator to try to pick up signals and anticipate what it was planning before each play. When some of the officials from the National Football League found out about this incident, which is now known as, Spy-gate, Belichick was fined about $750K and forfeited a first round draft pick to the Jets next year. Some sports pundits claim the NFL should’ve forced the Patriots to lose that game for “cheating” despite a handful of other coaches publicly admitting they were doing the same thing.

Then, a couple years ago, Belichick was forced to testify in a New Jersey divorce hearing because he was allegedly screwing around with the wife – a lady who worked for the New York Giants admin offices back when Belichick was a defensive coordinator for that team. Around the same time frame, the Patriots’ All-Pro Quarterback and future Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady had a baby out-of-wedlock with former girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynihan. This proved, once and for all, that Belichick and Brady weren’t “perfect”, just human.

What goes around, comes around

But the reason I think I love the Patriots so much is seeing where they came from to where they are right now. When you compare this team to the other so-called, “dynasties” of the NFL since the Super Bowl era (1966 till now); namely the Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and Pittsburgh Steelers – none of these teams have had an uncanny knack for crappy, losing seasons and garnered the #1 overall draft pick (awarded to the team with the worst record in the league from the previous season) than the Boston/New England Patriots.

The way I see it, the gods of fate are finally compensating the Patriots, along with its faithful fans, for all the dismal and depressing seasons of the past. I realize that Bill Belichick isn’t going to coach the New England Patriots forever, nor will Tom Brady be our quarterback forever. That’s why it’s vitally important that we, as Patriots fans, respect and cherish the “here and now” for as long as it possibly lasts. These types of situations are literally so fragile, it could change 180 degrees in an instant.

Remember the Boston Bruins “dynasty”, with Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito of the early 70s, which it won two Stanley Cup hockey championships back then? What happened with the Boston Bruins? It hasn’t even come close to winning another Stanley Cup in the past 35 years.

The only thing I’ll be saying on Sunday, Feb. 3rd, alongside my kids is: Go Patriots!
Replies:
Subject: Big N Dumb from Dracut Police Dept


Author:
Roger
[Edit]

Date Posted: 17:07 01/31/08 Thu

so about 2 weeks ago my fiance who bartends in Nashua NH comes home from a hard night of bartending and tells me how this fat disgusting cop was bragging to her how he is a detective from the Dracut Police Department named Greg. To find out he gives her this number (617)694-6128 which is his personal cell phone number.

Don't these keystone cops have something better to do like solving the $300k worth of guns and drugs stolen about 4 years ago? What about the many of murders or store robberys??

we should all call Greg Byam (detective and loser that hits on my fiance) a call and congratulate him on his great police work

nuff said
Replies:
Subject: Worst Place To Drive In Dracut


Author:
No One
[Edit]

Date Posted: 18:53 02/06/08 Wed

As you know, there are some pretty bad drivers and every town has particular spots where accidents and close encounters occur. Here in Dracut, there are quite a few. Some locations that I think are the most dangerous are New Boston Road, Dunkin Donuts on Lakeview next to the bank, the credit union on lakeview on satuday mornings when the cop is there, intersection of lakeview and pleasant, pleasant and bridge, and so on. What do you think the most dangerous place is to drive in dracut?
Replies:
Subject: Hello Hillary - Although I wanted Romney


Author:
Mass resident
[Edit]

Date Posted: 18:32 02/06/08 Wed

Obama got his ass kicked.....along with Kerry and the Kennedys...I wanted to vote for Romney but no way wanted Obama so had to go democratic. Now I am from the 60'70's and when I saw his wife hold up her fist in Lowell Sun one paper back..I thought No thankyou. I'm tired of them calling us prejudice when they can do what they want.
"Black Power" they told us when they would hold their fists up. As for Mccain I like his getting back $2500 so we can put towards medical and capitol gains lowering..I like him but his wife dressy sleezy and slutty..and the makeup and hair yuck...don't forget she will be have visitors from other countries at her table at the white house..Cindy go get a makeover.... Hilliary what can you say about her...she a tough cookie to stay with Bill..But while she's busy running the country will Bill be entertaining at the White house again? Where is Bill latelty? I loved Richardson - sorry he's gone... Now theres Huckabee...When I saw him fake dry a tear immitating Hillary - nope now lost my vote....Ron Paul a lot of people like him but nobody knows Ron Paul so he hasn't a chance...too bad.....But then their Romney....The only one who hasn't cheated - has morals..doesn't smoke, drink alcohol, tea, or coffee....He knows how to make money...so I am hoping he will help us make money by keeping our jobs... I am in high hopes that he will help the middle class - Heaven knows we need our jobs - We work for the Rich and Support the Poor...
I'm poor but can't qualify for anything since I make too much...But I won't quit...I will just keep trying to survive.
Replies:
Subject: Shaw shakes the stick and Zimini dances


Author:
LOL
[Edit]

Date Posted: 07:53 01/23/08 Wed

JUST THE facts.

Lowell City Councilor Alan Kazanjian pulled his land deal off Dracut's table recently.

The old Canney Farm IS NOT a 14-acre parcel, more like 6 acres or even less!!!

Kazanjian opted to withdraw his sale offer and decided not to sell. Kazanjian said he doesn't "need the aggravation."

"I feel like I'm coming out as the bad guy here," he said, "and all I was trying to do was work something out with the town. They approached me."

Kazanjian bought the land in 1998 for $575,000 and now he wants $1.34 million for the swamp land. The Dracut sale would have represented a 74 percent profit.

At last nights selectmens mtg., palm greased Zimini says he personally met with Kazanjian and now its back on the table.
hey, John, what is it that you dont understand about this illegal and corrupt land scam deal???? or are you sooooo desperate in getting re-elected that now Shaw is pulling all your strings???
Replies:
Subject: May the Shaw be with you


Author:
Lactose Intolerant
[Edit]

Date Posted: 12:08 02/03/08 Sun


I wonder if we are lacking spine to allow this cow-teet yanker to have so
much influence and indirect power in this town. Frankly, I am sick of the guy
already. If the charter is altered to allow a non-educated, family money, skirt
chasing loser like this back into our already controversial board.....well I suppose we deserve what we get. Glad I can help pay for this rich puke's
health care by the way.
Replies:
Subject: Espindle pondered future last week with her frequent lunch date, "Compulsive Gambler" Campanini


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]

Date Posted: 01:41 02/04/08 Mon

(published in, Lowell Sun, The Column, 2-3-08. Nicknames inserted for added emphasis.)

IS DRACUT School Superintendent Elaine "Beehive Hairdo" Espindle really not interested in becoming Lowell's next school chief?

The Column suggested that she might be the right fit to replace Karla Brooks Baehr, to which Espindle replied: "Oh, that's funny."

So we asked her point-blank later in the week. Espindle said, "You can't ask me that, it's personal."

Espindle, who replaced Christos Daoulas in 1998, decided not to renew her contract, which expires in June.

She has been a tireless advocate for the construction of a new high school and talk around town is that she might be asked to stay on as a consultant. She initially refused to comment, but when pressed on Thursday's night's NewsTalk Live with Sun Editor Jim "Compulsive Gambler" Campanini, Espindle said she would love to see the project through to the end.

But would she be able to work shoulder-to-shoulder with her replacement, W. Spencer Mullin? There are those who don't think so.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

ESPINDLE IS credited with getting the state School Building Authority to take a good, hard look at Dracut's situation. Her application was one of 19 selected by the SBA for funding consideration. More than 60 school districts applied. Dracut's high school was built in 1957 and underwent a renovation in 1996. While the facility is functional, Espindle and School Committee members say it is ill-equipped to provide the science and technological learning that will be required in the future.

"Globalization has changed everything," Espindle said on NewsTalk Live. "Our kids will need to be better prepared educationally than at any time in our nation's history. They deserve to get the tools they need to compete for highly skilled jobs."

School Committee member Nancy Drolet-Mendonca-Gagnon-etc., also appeared on the show. Asked if she thought Espindle would do a good job as a project consultant, Mendonca-Gagnon answered in the affirmative.
Subject: Keystone cops


Author:
Kiki (How dumb and lazy can you be!!!)
[Edit]

Date Posted: 11:49 01/03/08 Thu

Why Do we have a multi million dollar Police station for probabaly the most inefficient cops in the Union???Do they ever investigate or solve a crime???
The poor guy from Sully Tuxedo had to hire a private detective to find out what really happened when his beloved 27 yr old daughter was run over and died 2 days later from her injuries. They were just going to take the word of the 71 yr old man who ran her over. Why would he lie according to the cops??????????? Hello wake up and smell the coffee!!! oh yeah they know how to drink that, mosy of them couldn't complete a mile run!!!!
Items are stolen all over town and the cops don't even want to investigate that means they would have to work. They are too busy pulling over cars and people to harass with no probable cause.
One man was struck by a hit and run driver outside the convenience store on Bridge st (about 2-3 weeks ago the old Dracut Pharmacy) and the Keystone cop wrote a short accident report and didn,t even investigate witnesses...Hello!!!!!! he said the person claims they were run over?????????????? Maybe ehe should have followed up with the ambulance and hospital the guy leg wwas severly injured and wears a brace now!!!The hit and run driver even came back to the scene later to pick up evidence. Maybe you should have let your dog out to investigate. He would have been fair.
And as far as tge scum bag who ran the male over you should come forward or you will not be able to live with yourself!!!
If you saw this accident please fill out a police report at the Drcaut Police station. I don't think the poor male who was runover and left there injured can afford a detective to do the Dracut Police work.....
Replies:
Subject: Lussier property @ 1476 Mammoth Road


Author:
How come?????
[Edit]

Date Posted: 18:03 01/20/08 Sun

How come???
the property in question @ 1476 Mammoth Road is assessed @ 1,691,400 and at the town mtg. the manager & slectmen pushed to pass a 2.68 million appropriation to buy it???

How come???
they are using 10% of CPA money for this purchase when the price to purchase OVER EXCEEDS the assessed amount???

How come???
Lussier purchased the place and ONLY paid 9.8 for it and now the town is going to pay 2.68 million and another 2.6 million to fix up the bldg. and bring it up to code???

How come???
they are doing this when it is not legal???

How come???
Mary Kerobatsos would not give a public document regarding the items mentioned above to a concerned taxpayer in this town when Kerobatsos doesn't even LIVE in Dracut or PAY TAXES here???

How come???
Mary Kerobatsos doesnt even KNOW the Correct address of this property???
Replies:
Subject: $64,000 Question: Why is May (Gorman) Paquette still enrolled on our Town employees’ health insurance?


Author:
Nostradamus
[Edit]

Date Posted: 23:43 01/31/08 Thu

Now let me see if I’ve got this straight – May Paquette lost her bid to get reelected to the Dracut School Committee last Spring, right? So why is this ”FORMER” elected official and current tax-fattened hyena still being covered under the Town employees’ health insurance?

Are there any further questions as to why people loathe and despise the Gorman family so much?

Spoke to my cohort-in-crime, Roger the Dodger, a.k.a., ‘06 Person of the Year, earlier today and he enlightened me of this little tidbit. Quite honestly, I just couldn’t believe my ear-balls. But then again – is it really that shocking?

Former selectmen Warren “Barnyard Animal” Shaw, and the late Jack DiTillio were NEVER considered, under Massachusetts General Law 32b, to be Town employees but rather elected officials receiving an annual stipend whose health insurance coverages should’ve expired on the day they left public office.

Instead, our former Town Treasurer and convicted thief, James “Sticky Fingers” Doukszewicz pencil-whipped in Shaw as being, “Retired from the Dracut Board of Selectmen”, and then widow Kathleen DiTillio as a, “Surviving Spouse”, duping the Dracut taxpayers into believing these guys were Town employees, which they actually weren’t. At least not according to M.G.L. 32b.

I wonder how our new Town Treasurer Ann Vandal lists Ms. Paquette on the Town employees’ health insurance rolls? How about, “Respective member of the highly prestigious Gorman bankruptcy family”?

And if the Town of Dracut ever tries to remove her off its health insurance rolls, Ms. Paquette would probably have a damn good lawsuit against the Town simply based on the fact that she’s just as deserving of that “perk” as Kathleen DiTillio and/or the Barnyard Animal.

Thanks a bunch, “Sticky Fingers”, you slimy little crook!

Talk about elected Dracut officials exploiting the town’s insurance coverages, we’ve got two more tax-fattened hyenas up for reelection in this upcoming selectmen’s race, John “life insurance ONLY” Zimini and Bob “Do you know who my older brother is?” Cox. Did I mention that May Paquette and Bob Cox are next door neighbors on Black Oak Lane?

I’d love nothing more than to see someone challenge these guys and take them to task over this issue. This crap is never going to change unless somebody steps up to the proverbial plate and brings it to everybody’s attention.
Replies:
Subject: Decreasing State Aid - Doesn't Big Dig play a role?


Author:
Observer
[Edit]

Date Posted: 20:00 01/31/08 Thu

"The latest property tax revolt peaked as a confluence of events reduced the dollars coming into municipal coffers. In contrast to the 1990s, when Massachusetts was comparatively flush with funds, in 2002 the state experienced a 15 percent decline in revenue, thanks to stock market woes and a recession that coincided with an income tax cut. Local aid payments from the state are now nearly 12 percent below the fiscal 2001 level. What’s more, most local aid increases since the 1990s have gone to education aid, limiting monies available for other services."
- Gabrielle Gurley, Commonwealth Magazine, Municipal Meltdown
http://www.massinc.org/

"When work began in 1991, the Big Dig was supposed to cost $2.6 billion. But as costs skyrocketed, the federal government got fed up and capped its contribution at $8.5 billion. Final cost: $15 billion, the rest paid by state taxes and tolls."
- John Cochran, ABC News, Dec. 31, 2007
http://abcnews.go.com/

" The state added 24,300 jobs (up 0.7 percent) during the course of the year; its labor force also shrunk 1.1 percent, from 3.425 million to 3.389 million. The labor force is the sum of those who are employed plus those who are actively looking for work."
- Business Briefs, Lowell Sun, Jan. 24, 2008

Massachusetts 2006 population estimate as reported by the U.S. Census bureau: 6,437,193

Conclusion: Things will become more transparent the more people have time to watch. How much will the workforce shrink before things change?
Subject: Ogonowski contemplates run against Kerry for U.S. Senate seat


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]

Date Posted: 07:43 01/13/08 Sun

(published in, Lowell Sun, 1-13-08)

Ogonowski plans to take on Kerry

By Ken Maguire
Associated Press Writer

BOSTON
-- Republican Jim Ogonowski, who narrowly lost a congressional race to Niki Tsongas in October, is preparing to challenge U.S. Sen. John Kerry.

Ogonowski, the brother of an airline pilot killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said he's been attending Republican events around the state since his 6-point loss to Tsongas, a Democrat.

"There's nobody in Washington who represents the status quo more than John Kerry," Ogonowski, who did not officially declare his candidacy, told The Associated Press.

Kerry, the Democratic nominee for president four years ago, hasn't faced a serious challenger since he fought off former Republican Gov. William Weld in 1996. The state GOP had no candidate against Kerry in 2002.

David Wade, a spokesman for Kerry, said Kerry is running for re-election this year to continue fights against global climate change and for universal health care, energy independence and ending the Iraq war.

"John Kerry brings to public service a lifetime of fighting the tough fights for change and standing up with courage and conviction, and he'll keep doing that in the United States Senate," Wade said.

Ogonowski ran on a platform of energy efficiency and stopping illegal immigration in his campaign for the seat vacated by Democrat Martin Meehan, now chancellor of UMass Lowell. He also said the Iraq war was a mistake, but he wanted the troops home only after their mission was complete. Emboldened by the results of his first run for office, the Dracut farmer said Kerry is not out of his league.

"We started a movement," the retired Air Force lieutenant colonel said. "After my campaign ended, I've been very active throughout the state. I want to continue my public service."

Since the election, Ogonowski has attended GOP events in the 5th District, as well as in Brookline, Marshfield and Hingham.

Kerry, 64, has $6.1 million in his campaign account, compared to the $65,000 Ogonowski has left over from his congressional run. Ogonowski said he's prepared to raise "a few million dollars."

Ogonowski won 45 percent of the vote to Tsongas' 51 percent, despite being outspent by his better-known opponent. Tsongas is the widow of the late Sen. Paul Tsongas.

Ogonowski, 49, benefited from public awareness of his family following the death of his brother John, an American Airlines captain whose plane was hijacked in the Sept. 11 attacks. But he raised just $463,000 for his campaign and eschewed any assistance from President Bush. Tsongas spent $2.5 million.

He stayed close even as Tsongas called in big guns from the Democratic Party. Among the establishment heavyweights who helped her were former President Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Edward Kennedy, Gov. Deval Patrick and Kerry.

Tobe Berkovitz, interim dean of Boston University's college of communications, said Ogonowski's chances of unseating Kerry are "slim to slimmer."

He said Kerry will benefit from high turnout for the presidential election.

"Turnout will be huge. It's going to be a walk for him. I don't see this as much of a workout for Kerry," said Berkovitz, who has worked for Democrats.

Ogonowski "did better than expected" against Tsongas, Berkovitz said, but Kerry's stock is "at a pretty good level with the voters of the Commonwealth."

Republican consultant Charley Manning disagreed, saying Kerry's record of delivering for the state is remarkably thin because he's been more interested in national and international issues.

"I think people are kind of tired of John Kerry being our senator and I think he's ripe for the picking," Manning said.

Manning said Ogonowski's "regular guy appeal" is a major contrast to the patrician Kerry. That, combined with the electorate's general desire for change in Washington, could boost Ogonowski.

"It might be the right time and the right place," Manning said.
Replies:
Subject: Good Olde Yum Yum


Author:
No One
[Edit]

Date Posted: 18:37 01/13/08 Sun

I went to Yum Yum the other day and the cookies I got were pretty stale. I think the Yum Yum has gone down hill over the years. What do you think?
Replies:
Subject: You know you're living in 2008 when...


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]

Date Posted: 08:47 01/28/08 Mon

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You're reading this, nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.
Replies:
Subject: Will WCAP finally flush its stinkin crap down proverbial toilet in ‘08?


Author:
Nostradamus
[Edit]

Date Posted: 04:27 01/02/08 Wed

(Photo posted on, www.dracutforum.com)

ShawAnthes

To paraphrase that famous quote frequently used at the annual National Football League (NFL) Draft – WCAP owners Sam Poulten and Clark Smidt are now officially “on the clock.”

When Poulten and Smidt purchased Lowell’s most popular AM radio station several months ago, they vowed that some major personnel changes would take place in the beginning of the new year. Well, that “new year” is finally upon us now and we can only speculate what these “new personnel changes” could possibly be.

A couple of likely targets for a WCAP on-air personnel overhaul would be the two shmucks pictured above: Warren “Barnyard Animal” Shaw and George “The Ukranian” Anthes.

Mr. Shaw has had a four-hour, Saturday morning show on WCAP for the past 11 years now. People who actually call into Warren’s show are few and far between, and rarely – if ever – talk about the topic at hand with the Barnyard Animal making his program often difficult to follow along.

Warren’s weekly broadcast isn’t doing all that great in the Advertising Department either, which is literally the life blood of any radio talk show. Approximately 80 percent of the commercial advertisements on Mr. Shaw’s radio show are freebie Public Service Announcements for charitable organizations, a.k.a. “fillers”. How the heck can WCAP pay its bills and salaries on an stupid arrangement like that???

Eleven days, perhaps; 11 weeks, you’re really stretching it here; but 11 BLEEPIN years??? I don’t think so. Former WCAP owner Maurice Cohen had to have been keeping his radio station financially afloat via other investments or perhaps other shows on WCAP – the Barnyard Animal certainly wasn’t doing it for him.

Another interesting tidbit here – Mr. Shaw “retired” from the Dracut Board of Selectmen in ‘02 after serving 24 years on that elected board. The ONLY Dracut business that faithfully advertises on Warren’s weekly radio show is a flooring and carpeting establishment located near Mr. Shaw’s restaurant in Dracut Center. Wouldn’t one assume that with all of Warren’s political clout, they’d be AT LEAST a dozen Dracut businesses constantly advertising on that radio program?

But wait a second, Nostradamus – How do you explain the phenomenon of the Annual Salvation Army Radio-thon? Doesn’t Warren get about a zillion phone calls for that event every year? Why would you want to mess and disrupt all the wonderful donations the local Salvation Army gets from WCAP every Christmas?

My response to that would be: A one-day event certainly does not make a great talk show host. Warren Shaw certainly DOES NOT generate that type of excitement and enthusiasm on his radio program the other 51 weeks of the year. Should the 80-something Jerry Lewis automatically be given his own major network TV show just because he hosts and coordinates a great Muscular Dystrophy Telethon every Labor Day weekend? Some people might justifiably contend that’s even too much TV exposure for the aged Mr. Lewis. Let’s not forget either, Mr. Shaw has an outstanding supporting cast like Fred Simon and Bill Dalton, who really push for that Salvation Army Radio-thon to reach its anticipated contribution goals every year. We need to give credit where credit is due here, I think.

If nothing else, it’s just counter-productive to leave Warren Shaw on Saturday mornings when hardly anybody is actually listening to the radio. WCAP should just have nationally-syndicated shows filling up its weekend programming schedule. Perhaps give Mr. Shaw the opportunity to do either a late weekday morning show, or maybe an early weekday afternoon program – when people are actually listening to the radio. If Warren can’t generate callers and advertisers in one of those time slots, then maybe he’s not cut-out to be a radio talk show host.

Poulten and Smidt didn’t wait till “the new year” to yank George Anthes off WCAP’s marque weekday morning slot and put “The Ukranian” in virtual obscurity, a.k.a. weekday evenings from 8-10 p.m. If that new arrangement doesn’t sound bad enough, WCAP also broadcasts Lowell Devil hockey games – usually on weekday evenings – so when those guys are playing, Anthes winds up getting that night off from doing his show.

How does Poulten and Smidt expect Anthes to establish any type of a “following” or an audience if his shows are interrupted a couple times a week for hockey games? If they were to terminate “The Ukranian” tomorrow, I’m wondering if anybody would miss him.

In defense of Anthes, I think he had a lot better weekday morning talk show as far as listeners and callers go than the new Merrimack Magazine team that WCAP replaced him with. Those guys may all have ties to the Lowell Sun, but they all suck as radio talk show hosts. Besides that, the “Social and Arts Scene” never really resonated that much in the Lowell and Lawrence areas. One of these guys in question, media restaurant critic Dean Johnson is reportedly a major financial owner in WCAP, which would probably put Poulten and Smidt in a bit of a quagmire to ever yank this guy off the airwaves due to piss-poor ratings. They probably never should’ve put themselves in that type of predicament in the first place.

Local funeral director and WCAP talk show host John "The Undertaker" McDonough has basically already relegated himself to be a frequent guest on Anthes’ weekday evening show, and just hasn’t done much, if any, weekday morning or afternoon programs since Mr. Cohen has left the scene.

More on any major personnel changes at WCAP as they unfold.
Replies:
Subject: "Bad Guy" Kazanjian contemplates building 29 condo units on old Canney's Farm


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]

Date Posted: 08:11 01/13/08 Sun

(published in, Lowell Sun, The Column, 1-13-08)

JUST THE facts.

Lowell City Councilor Alan Kazanjian pulled his land deal off Dracut's table recently.

The old Canney Farm, a 14-acre parcel off Lakeview Avenue, was appraised at a little more than $1 million. Town Meeting in November approved the expenditure of $1.34 million from the Community Preservation Fund for the land. The property was to be used for much-needed ball fields.

State law stipulates that the asking price cannot exceed the appraised value.

Kazanjian opted to withdraw his sale offer late last year after some in town, including Selectmen James O'Loughlin and Joe DiRocco, questioned whether the sale price would pass legal muster.

Asked last week about why he had decided not to sell, Kazanjian said he doesn't "need the aggravation."

"I feel like I'm coming out as the bad guy here," he said, "and all I was trying to do was work something out with the town. They approached me."

Kazanjian bought the land in 1998 for $575,000. The Dracut sale would have represented a 74 percent profit.

Last week, Kazanjian said he is thinking of putting 29 condominium units on the parcel.
Replies:
Subject: Towns to see CPA dollars dwindling


Author:
The Boston Globe
[Edit]

Date Posted: 07:56 01/27/08 Sun


The Boston Globe / January 27, 2008

For every dollar that cities and towns have raised for community preservation projects in the past six years, the state has contributed a 100 percent match.

more stories like thisBut the match wasn't supposed to last. And now, as more communities have adopted the popular program created by the Community Preservation Act, the pool of money is getting shallower. For the first time since the program started, the match is expected to go down this year and be more in line with what advocates initially projected.

"We had anticipated this all along," said Stuart Saginor, executive director of the Community Preservation Coalition, a statewide advocacy and support group based in Boston. "Not in our wildest dreams did we imagine that it would be a 100 percent match."

The coalition is projecting a 60 to 70 percent match for 2008.

Last year, 113 Massachusetts communities - including, in this area, Acton, Ayer, Bedford, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Lexington, North Andover, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, and Westford - received a 100 percent match from the state.

This year, 127 communities will be eligible for a state match. Northwest of Boston, Littleton voters approved the program last spring, and Andover residents will consider the measure this year. Belmont has formed a committee to study the idea.

"We've always been aware that somewhere down the line this would happen," said Andy Magee, an Acton selectman and member of the town's Community Preservation Committee. "We've been blessed with four years of a 100 percent match."

The Community Preservation Act allows communities to adopt a property tax surcharge of up to 3 percent. The money raised can be used for historic preservation, open space, recreation, or affordable housing. The state, using fees collected from Registry of Deeds transactions, provides a match ranging from 5 to 100 percent. The match depends on the number of communities participating and real estate activity.

Since the program started in 2002, the state's Community Preservation Trust has had enough money to provide a 100 percent match to every participating community. But as more communities have adopted the program and the housing market has cooled off, the match is expected to go down, Saginor said.

The match in 2008 will be determined by a distribution process that has never been used before, he said.

According to the CPA legislation, 80 percent of the money in the trust will be distributed to each participating community. Each community will receive the same percentage match in the first round.

In the second round, the remaining 20 percent will be distributed to only those communities that have adopted the maximum CPA surcharge, which is 3 percent.

Those communities will receive money based on a ranking system that looks at population and wealth. The smaller and less affluent communities will receive more money in the second round than more populated and wealthier ones.

"It's never been necessary to go to a second round - there's always been enough to give everyone 100 percent," Saginor said.

Currently, 71 out of the 127 communities have adopted the 3 percent surcharge, including Bedford, Dunstable, Groton, Lexington, North Andover, Tyngsborough, and Westford.

The Department of Revenue will set the percentage match in the fall after communities report how much local money was raised in the fiscal year that ends in July. The department is expected to release a projected match in the coming weeks, said spokesman Robert Bliss.

Bliss said a percentage estimate will be included in a budget planning document that is expected to be mailed out to all cities and towns sometime in March. Bliss said last year's planning document warned communities that the 100 percent match may not last.

"It's really because of the incredible popularity of the program," Saginor said.

Communities that have adopted the program are bracing for the change, while others still considering the CPA are watching the projections closely.

Joanne Gibson, chairwoman of the Concord Community Preservation Committee, said that if the match goes way down, the town might consider increasing its surcharge from 1.5 to 3 percent. That way, she said, the town would be able to participate in all funding rounds.

"If it happens in the future that those towns that do have 3 percent are getting more, then we may have to reassess," Gibson said. "It's been a moot point up until now. I feel badly we didn't adopt it earlier. At least we got in for some of the 100 percent match."

Concord received its first match in 2005.

Communities do have the option of increasing the surcharge, and three have done so since the program started. Chelmsford was the most recent to make the move, voting in April 2007 to increase the surcharge from 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent.

Saginor said he does not expect a mad rush of communities increasing the surcharge as the state match goes down but that he would not be surprised if some consider a change.

"It's certainly possible," he said. "It's an individual community decision. It's not anything that will be a vast statewide trend."

Two years ago, the coalition began working with the Legislature to direct more money to the trust fund. A bill has been filed that sets a minimum match of 75 percent, not the 5 percent outlined in the law now. Setting a higher minimum match would require more revenue, however.

Saginor said the legislation does not say where the money should come from, adding that it might make sense for the state to increase the Registry of Deeds fee.

In the meantime, communities may just have to do more long-term planning.

Tewksbury adopted the CPA in 2006 and immediately decided to put away some money instead of spending it all in one year.

Nancy Reed, the Community Preservation Committee chairwoman, said members knew the 100 percent state match wasn't going to last.

"We knew going forward there were no guarantees," Reed said. "Anyone can see the writing on the wall with the real estate market."

Other officials said they will have to reassess priorities if funding goes down. Open-space acquisition, which is a big-ticket item, may be put on hold, for example.

Richard Gilles, chairman of the Ayer Community Preservation Committee, said the group plans to hire a consultant to help with long-term planning. Gilles said the committee would like to target money for a land purchase but it may not be possible in the short term. Ayer adopted a 1 percent surcharge in 2001.

"If the funding goes down, that becomes harder," Gilles said. "But it's been a tremendous deal for the town. It's an amazing leverage of our local tax dollar."
Replies:
Subject: Why I should be President is


Author:
Bob Schell
[Edit]

Date Posted: 11:41 01/26/08 Sat



basically simple, I have more workable solution then do the candidates running for president from both political parties.

Hi! now that I have your attention I have one very interesting question to ask you, would you vote for me if I could get you and 10’s of thousands of your fellow students, after graduation and earning a living-job, to “VOLUNTEER”, yes “VOLUNTEER” to help pay for some of the rebuilding of America’s decaying infrastructures, etc., if I can logically prove to you, when all is said and done, it did not cost you “ONE RED CENT” (not a new type tax idea) to help do? In less than a week under the heading “TURTLE TWO” I will post the answer to the question by giving you one in-depth very prime example of a “particular group of people” I believe will “ENTHUSIASTICALLY”; yes “ENTHUSIASTICALLY” voluntarily participate in my said solution. In fact, this one “particular group of people” alone has the potential to raise ten’s of millions of dollars (conservative estimate) year after year to help pay for the rebuilding of America’s decaying infrastructures. As a matter of fact, some very wealthy people, particularly Hollywood celebrity types, may want to spend extra money to so-call “personalize” the said idea. I plan to participate in this solution, but understandably not this particular format, because I do not fit the narrow criteria.

If you did read about my S.S .TURTLE privatization account solution on the message board, what was your initial impression, did you like what you read and hopefully listened to on YouTube or not? Do you need to learn more about my S.S. “TURTLE” privatization account solution, before you will support it? Do you think it is logically possible by the time you do retire you would have earned a million dollars or more under my S.S .TURTLE privatization account savings (LOCK BOX) agenda, to spend after you retire? Remember, no matter what amount of money you make, you still will get your “full retirement benefit” you are entitled to from S.S. when you retire, under my “TURTLE” privatization account formula. Bear in mind, by supporting the Democratic S.S. agenda you will “deprive yourself”, I emphasize, “DEPRIVE YOURSELF” of the “POSSIBILITY” to make those extra dollars, let alone a conceivable million dollars or more. My point, if having an extra million dollars or more to spend after you retire doesn’t get you excited, my guess is, nothing will. If excitedly yes! "S.S. TURTLE" says, "CLIMB ON MY STRONG BACK", hold on tight "RIDE ME" until you either "RETIRE" to a better "FINANCIAL SECURITY" or until "DEATH" doth do us "PART". That can only take place if you and others, who like my solution, help me to get our politicians in Washington to do it. Incidentally, I did let the 4 remaining Democratic presidential hopefuls know about my S.S. “TURTLE” privatization account solution and my “David” vs. Goliath debate challenge. By the way, if you would like that to take place, then just start spreading the word about you know what. I doubt I will hear back from anyone of them. Anyway, I remind you one final time, it is you’re retirement livelihood they are saying no to. Something to think about, with so many good paying jobs being outsourced to other countries; don’t you think it is prudently wise to make sure you make enough money now by using your own S. S. taxes to do it by, for your retirement years, so that you can enjoy your retirement? To those who have no clue what this is about, please look up on YouTube the following, Social Security plan for a better understanding of how my “TURTLE” agenda will work safely for you.

My unusual speaker money back guarantees.

What is it about, very simple, how much I will get paid or not get paid if I were invited to speak at your higher learning institution. In other words, if a majority (80%) of the student audience liked my S.S. “TURTLE” privatization agenda and my volunteer agenda I get paid what I asked for. If less students like either solution (under 80%) I just get my out of pocket expenses paid for. That should tell you how much confidence I have in both solutions. In fact, have you ever had another public speaker, politician, etc., offer to do likewise, I bet you never have nor ever will. By the way, any other solutions (I have two or three others I can speak about including my own new in-depth solution for Iraq) will be excluded from the offer. I will leave it up to you to find out what my reasonable speaking fee is if interested. Incidentally, my offer is limited in duration, so I suggest you act quickly if you are interested in having me speak at your higher learning entity.

In closing, if you have some spare time and what to learn a little more about the person who sent you this, please look up my webpage at, imatired.org and click on art. Just prior to my retirement I mentioned to a number of my co-workers that I was going to create my own unique style of visual art. At the time I had no clue what it would be, I just knew I would do it. Anyway, you can see two of nine I have finished. By the way, I never took one art lesson in my entire life so please judge my art accordingly. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Bob Schell

P. S. to save time I will post the answer on the following University message boards. University of N. Carolina =The Seahawk,
Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) University News and Western Carolina =Western Carolinian. It would also help tremendously if you could spread what you just read out over the internet, that is if you liked what you read and what others to know too. Thanks.

My Presidential Motto

I’m not GOD (or a LAWYER)

I only have a few GOOD SOLUTIONS

However, enough to make a REAL POSITIVE DIFFERENCE in AMERICA’S FUTURE.

P. S. The only way for your friends and others to read this, is for you to suggest they read it, it is that important to their future too.
“Political Rhetoric Boloneyism”
What does it mean?

My answer, it is the art of political confusion, fictionalized hyperbole, brainwashing, negative propaganda, double-talk, malarkey, hogwash, bloviation, absurdity, twaddle and hot-air. That is, political offerings from professional politicians of solutions to important issues that will not become a reality (unrealistic expectations) if elected to office, but are just articulated consumption words that are put forth during political campaigns to get our vote. That is my cynical opinion on politics in general and presidential politics in particular, in America right now. Last, but not least, in my opinion, this is why so many of America’s voters are turned off and may not vote in the upcoming 2008 Presidential elections. Do you agree to what I just wrote?
Subject: Dracut Car Wash


Author:
Tammy
[Edit]

Date Posted: 12:37 01/21/08 Mon

Does anyone know what happened at the Dracut Car Wash Saturday night? There was a few police cruisers and fire trucks and they took out a kid on a stretcher. I wonder if someone partied a little too hard in there. There always seems to be a bunch of kids in there up to no good.
Replies:
Subject: Selectmen to discuss controversial Town Charter, Tues., 1-22-08 @ 6 p.m., in Library


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]

Date Posted: 07:31 01/19/08 Sat

(published in, Lowell Sun, 1-18-08)

One year later, Dracut charter board will meet

By Dennis Shaughnessey
dshaughnessey@lowellsun.com

DRACUT
-- It has been a year since selectmen voted to establish an elected charter commission, but so far nothing has been done.

The board will discuss the issue during a workshop Tuesday at 6 p.m., at the M.G. Parker Library.

There was a split on the board at the time. Selectmen John Zimini and Robert Cox, along with former Selectman Kenneth Cunha, wanted the process to move forward. Selectmen James O'Loughlin and Joe DiRocco argued that such a move demanded more discussion.

"I didn't see the need to rush it at the time," O'Loughlin said. "I wanted to know what it entailed. How many people would be on the board?"

An ad-hoc Charter Review Committee was appointed in 2005 to study the 25-year-old document. The 13-month study produced several recommendations, including the exploration of an alternative form of government. That move would necessitate the formation of an elected charter commission.

But O'Loughlin said the issue bears discussion.

"The review committee spent a year of their lives studying the charter," he said. "I'm more than willing to sit down and talk about it. Some of the recommendations are worthy of consideration. Maybe not everyone will agree on the recommendations, but at least you will have had a fair discussion."

The Charter Review Committee also suggested eliminating a Town Meeting quorum; changing the composition of the Planning Board from five to seven members; having an elected Planning Board; and changing the annual election date from May to November to coincide with state and national elections.

The formation of an elected charter commission would require signatures from 15 percent of the voters in each of Dracut's nine precincts. Several residents, including Dracut Water Supply Commissioner William Morin, took it upon themselves to gather signatures.

"It hasn't fallen off the table, but I really haven't made a concerted effort since May," Morin said.

Selectmen Chairman John Zimini acknowledged that there was no real direction from the board after the initial vote was taken.

"It's like we voted to establish an elected charter commission and then, nothing happened," Zimini said. "I voted in favor of it, and I'm happy to get the discussion kick-started."

Probably the most important recommendation to come out of the review committee, according to Zimini, is a requirement to review the charter every 10 years.

"Things change so quickly, we need to have an automatic review of the document every decade," Zimini said. "Little things have to be tweaked as they become obsolete. There are provisions in the charter for a fence-watcher, of all things."
Replies:
Subject: Primary Elections '08'


Author:
Dracut Resident
[Edit]

Date Posted: 11:10 01/22/08 Tue

Primary elections for Massachusetts are February 5, which is right around the corner. I am just curious to know what everyone's opinion is on who they think will win the vote for democrat and republican for our state. McCain and Huckabee have a stronghold for the republicans and Obama and Clinton for the democrats. Clinton and McCain seem to have the lead for their political party so far. Who do you think will win for democrat & republican for Massachusetts?
Replies:
Subject: Yet another “kiss-ass” Shaughnessey article pumping up Karabatsos & Gookin


Author:
Nostradamus via Kopy Kitten
[Edit]

Date Posted: 22:53 01/17/08 Thu

(Published in, Lowell Sun, 1-17-08.

N - Note: Needless to say, as you probably already guessed by the headline of this posting, I definitely don’t put too much credence into the validity of this particular article.

First, and foremost, Sun reporter Dennis “Porky Pig” Shaughnessey never quite comprehended the basic journalistic concept that, there are at least two sides to every story. Dracut Housing Authority elected board members Ken Martin and Gerry Surprenant, for example, both voted for another Housing Director finalist other than Mary Karabatsos – Why not interview either Surprenant or Ken Martin for their opinions of how they felt Karabatsos has been doing over the past 3-4 months?

Furthermore, D.J. Deeb and Sheila Richardson were both part of the Housing Director’s search committee which didn’t even pick Karabatsos as one of the finalists for that job – Why not ask either Deeb or Richardson what they think of how Karabatsos is doing thus far?

Had any of these initial Karabatsos critics changed their tune about this woman since last summer and added their comments to these “rave reviews” of three months on the job, I’d probably be more inclined to jump on the, “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary bandwagon.” Personally, I don’t believe either Rita Gagne or John Murray were recommended to Porky Pig by any of the aforementioned individuals for interviews to this article. It sounds like nothing more than a vain attempt on Shaughnessey’s part to make Gookin and Karabatsos appear like “wonderful” public officials.

Come to think of it, this incompetent and unqualified Ms. Karabatsos, who’s grossing more in annual salary than her predecessor – a 20+ year Executive Housing Director – she should be doing a fantastic job with “rave reviews.”

Also, I would assume this was a fairly recent interview seeing that the Sun jumped this article with Mary’s photo from page 1 to the full story on the Local Area section. If that’s true, why is Jim Gookin’s name still listed as one of the DHA board members on the sign behind Ms. Karabatsos? Didn’t Gookin resign from that board over a month ago? Granted, on her priority list of things to do, removing Gookin’s name off that sign is one of the last items Karabatsos needs to worry about although it does give some indication of just how incompetent this lady seems to be.)


New Dracut Housing Authority chief is earning rave reviews

By Dennis Shaughnessey
dshaughnessey@lowellsun.com

DRACUT
-- There were many sleepless nights.

Mary Karabatsos tried to remain positive as controversy swirled around her appointment as executive director of the Dracut Housing Authority in September.

"It wasn't an easy thing to go through," Karabatsos said. "I have a good professional and personal reputation. I have a strong educational background, and I take it all very seriously, so the process was difficult. I've had to develop a little thicker skin."

Director Joe Tully Jr. suffered a massive stroke in mid-2006. The search for his replacement began in July 2007. It was a process filled with animosity and in-fighting among of commissioners.

Karabatsos said her focus is now on the future.

She took over on Oct. 26. Residents describe her as friendly, helpful and sincere.

"She's doing a wonderful job," said 87-year-old Rita Gagne. "Everybody I talk to is happy with her."

John Murray, who lives at 971 Mammoth Road, called Karabatsos' office to report that his bathtub was not draining.

"She had somebody here in 15 minutes," Murray said. "What more can you ask for? It seems like she wants to do a good job and to take care of the residents."

Karabatsos worked in administration at the Lowell Housing Authority for 24 years. She said the Dracut Housing Authority has the same issues, only on a smaller scale.

Shortly after she was hired, she hosted an open meeting for tenants. She listened and took notes. She systematically inspects the 284 units, making sure they meet quality standards.

"It's a good way to see what the units look like and to talk to the tenants, get to know each other," she said. "My priority is safety and security in the units, especially among the elderly."

Her priority list includes the existing building condition assessment at 1486 Mammoth Road, which the authority is hoping to acquire. She met with members of the state Department of Housing and Community Development in November to ask for money for a portion of the building. She is waiting for a response.

Karabatsos leads a staff of five: two people in the office and three in maintenance. Karabatsos said the maintenance crew is "well-qualified and professional" and can meet goals to better serve tenants.

It now takes three weeks to fill a unit after a tenant has left; Karabatsos said she has told the staff to cut that to a week.

Karabatsos, 48, lives in Lowell with her husband, Angelo, and 12-year-old twin girls. She said she has enjoyed every day at the helm.

"Are there things I'd like to see? Yeah. More money in the budget, for one thing," she said. "Fortunately, (Gov. Deval Patrick) and the DHCD have a different mindset with regard to how money is funneled into housing agencies. There is money available, and the DHCD has come up with different approaches for agencies to access that money through grants."

She would also like to see tenants from the different sites form an association.

"It's easier and more effective to work with one person who can speak for an entire development," she said. "And it gives the tenants a sense of involvement in what happens to them on a day-to-day basis. Hopefully, we can get that started."
Replies:
Subject: Curious Message


Author:
Charter Concern
[Edit]

Date Posted: 21:37 01/11/08 Fri

I had heard they want to rewrite the Charter so that if you became Town Manager you didn't have to have a degree. Where I work Management all have to have a degree so I would think the same for a guy/gal running our town.
Would this mean that the Superindental of Schools wouldn't need a degree also?
Replies:
Subject: Oh, Dawg... you Devil, you!


Author:
pink_y
[Edit]

Date Posted: 09:13 01/18/08 Fri

Am I the only one who noticed this shocking photo of the Lowell Devils' mascot "hanging out" in front of the net? This image ran as the cover of last week's Merrimack Journal.

I guess the Devil Dawg is *quite* handy with the ladies!

Photobucket
Replies:
Subject: Candidate's nomination papers will be available on Feb. 1 for upcoming Town Election


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]

Date Posted: 08:01 01/05/08 Sat

(published in, Lowell Sun, 1-5-08)

By Dennis Shaughnessey
dshaughnessey@lowellsun.com

DRACUT
-- You have almost two months to think about it.

Nomination papers for elected office in Dracut will be available on Feb. 1 at the Town Clerk's office on Arlington Street.

Ten positions are open for the May 5 election, which includes the Dracut Water Supply District on a separate ballot. A three-year term as DWSD Commissioner is available. Bill Morin currently holds that seat. The three-year position of DWSD Clerk is also available. Town Clerk Kathleen Graham, currently holds that position.

In the town-wide race, the three-year terms of Selectmen John Zimini and Robert Cox will expire. There is one three-year seat open on the School Committee, which is currently held by Dennis "D.J." Deeb. There are two three-year seats open for the position of Library Trustee, currently held by Linda Trouville and Nancy Katin, and Brian Martin's three-year term on the Greater Lowell Technical High School Committee expires on May 5.

Town Moderator Gary McCarthy's one-year term is also up.

The Town Clerk's regular office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The last day to obtain nomination papers is Friday, March 14. The last day to file nomination papers with the town clerk for certification of signatures is Monday, March 17.
Replies:
Subject: Town officials probe future of Vet Park concession stand


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]

Date Posted: 08:08 01/14/08 Mon

(published in, Lowell Sun, 1-13-08)

Dracut eyes ways to improve concession-stand operation

By Dennis Shaughnessey
dshaughnessey@lowellsun.com

DRACUT
-- After a successful inaugural season, the Veteran's Memorial Park's Concession Stand Committee is evaluating how to run its operation this coming season.

Speaking before the Board of Selectmen this week, committee Chairwoman May Paquette suggested hiring students or senior citizens to run the stand, which made a $9,000 profit in August.

"Last year, people ended up working full time for the entire month of August on a volunteer basis," she said. "That can't happen again this year. I don't think we can fill that place with volunteers for an entire summer."

The park is open during daylight hours every day and closes at dusk. Pop Warner Football, the Dracut Baseball Association and Dracut Soccer, all lease the stand during the months of September, October and November. The sports leagues supply the items for sale and keep the revenue.

Town Manager Dennis Piendak agreed that a group is needed to oversee the operation of the stand, set the hours and schedule the help. He also agreed that some sort of paid staff will need to be brought on board.

"I'd like to see what kind of revenue is generated after it has run for an entire season," Piendak said, adding that the he would delegate the existing VMP committee to serve as a steering agency. "If there is a paid staff that has to fill in some hours, they would be seen as town employees, supervised by the committee."

The two-story, 3,000-square-foot building, which cost $200,000 to build, falls under the auspices of the town, which pays utility and insurance costs on the building.

Selectman James O'Loughlin said he would like to see a plan committed to paper at a future meeting.
Replies:
Subject: The Fine Art of Aging Gracefully


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]

Date Posted: 09:04 01/16/08 Wed

A 70 yr. old nurse walks into a bank and prepares to endorse a check. She reaches in her pocket and pulls out a rectal thermometer and tries to write with it.

She looks up at the teller, pauses for a moment, then realizing her mistake, she says, "Well that's great...just great... some BLEEPhole's got my pen."

# # # # # # # # # #

Reporters interviewing a 104 year-old woman:

"And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?" the reporter asked. She simply replied, "No peer pressure."

# # # # # # # # # #

I've sure gotten old. I've had two by-pass surgeries.

A hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer, and diabetes. I'm half- blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation, hardly feel my hands and feet anymore.

Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92. But...thank God, I still have my driver's license!

# # # # # # # # # #

An elderly woman from Brooklyn decided to prepare her will. She told her rabbi she had two final requests.

First, she wanted to be cremated, and; second, she wanted her ashes scattered over Walmart.

"Walmart!" the rabbi exclaimed. "Why Walmart?" "Then I'll be sure my daughters visit me at least twice a week."

# # # # # # # # # #

Bob, a 65-year old "Old Fart" went for his annual physical. All of his tests came back with normal results.

Dr. Lund said, "Bob, everything looks great physically. How are you doing mentally and emotionally? Are you at peace with yourself and do you have a good relationship with God?" Bob replied, "God and me are really tight. He knows I have poor eyesight, so he's fixed it so that when I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom "poof* the light goes on, when I'm done *poof* the light goes off."

"Wow!" commented Dr. Lund, "That's incredible! "

A little later in the day Dr. Lund called Bob's wife. "Paula, "he said,"Bob is doing fine. Physically he's great. But, I had to call because I'm in awe of his relationship with God. Is it true that he gets up during the night and *poof* the light goes on in the bathroom and then when he is through *poof* the light goes off?"

Paula exclaimed, "Oh, my God! He's peeing in the refrigerator again."
Subject: School Business Manager Wiggin housed Obama supporters in his home during N.H. Primary


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]

Date Posted: 08:00 01/13/08 Sun

(published in, Lowell Sun, The Column, 1-13-08)

DRACUT SCHOOL Business Manager Terry Wiggin's Manchester, N.H., home became Obama Central in the week leading up to the New Hampshire Primary.

"More like Obama west," said Wiggin, who said that as many as 60 volunteers were inside his home at one point.

"It was all very exciting. People were staying overnight. College students were coming by to pick up literature and canvass the streets and to work the phones on primary day.

Although he has met the Illinois senator several times in the past, Obama did not visit this time.

Several staff members spent time there, however, as did Chicago Sun-Times columnist Monroe Anderson.
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