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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,

www.voy.com/54926/

___________________________________________________________________________________

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; 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: dracut library


Author:
dracut mom
[Edit]
Date Posted: 18:29 10/12/07 Fri
I just wish they would get rid of Miss Penny in the Dracut Library. She is not kid friendly and is very rude to the moms at story time. I moved here over 10 years ago and she was rude to me and my 4 children. I know several parents who stop going their because of her rudeness. Just go to the Tewksbury public library. They are so nice and kid friendly. Penny your too old and grumpy to be around children, please leave.
Replies:
Subject: New Polish Government wants troops home from Iraq


Author:
D.A.D. International reporter
[Edit]
Date Posted: 20:51 10/21/07 Sun
New York times is reporting that a new Polish government that is probusiness, is about to celebrate a huge victory over conservative pro Bush administration in Poland.

This new Polish government wants Polish troops in Iraq out as soon as possible. thou their numbers are small and they serve as traing outfit.


Last soilder standing please shut the lights out!
Lowell (Colorado) Sun will have this strory tuesday
Replies:
Subject: Jr. High teacher injured during physical altercation with student


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]
Date Posted: 15:32 10/18/07 Thu
(published in, Lowell Sun, 10-18-07)

By Chris Camire
ccamire@lowellsun.com

DRACUT -- An altercation with an eighth-grade student landed a chorus teacher at the Lakeview Junior High School in the hospital yesterday, according to Principal Theresa Rogers.

Rogers declined to name the teacher or the student. She said the student has been suspended until she finishes investigating the incident.

Reached by telephone yesterday, the teacher, who asked not to be named, said she was treated at Lowell General Hospital for a bone fracture on the index finger of her right hand.

The teacher recounted her encounter with the student.

According to the teacher, she asked the student to leave the classroom for misbehaving. The student refused and unleashed a cruel, profanity laced barrage of insults on her.

When the teacher attempted to escort the student to the office, she said he grabbed her hand.

"He was two inches from my face, screaming bloody murder. I could feel his spit on my face," said the teacher. "Then he grabbed my hand. When I pulled back, he kept a hold of my index finger and starts twisting. I heard three pops."

The teacher went to the school nurse's office, where she said her hand was iced. The school contacted the teacher's boyfriend, who drove her to the hospital.

"My eyes were filled with tears. I was in so much pain it was unbelievable," said the teacher. "It was a very emotional thing."

Rogers said she has heard different versions of the story from students who witnessed the altercation.

"Some students said the altercation occurred inside the classroom. Other said it occurred outside," said Rogers. "That's why I have to ask all the parties."

Rogers said she spoke with the teacher, who said she will not be in school today.

The teacher said she filed an incident report with the Dracut Police Department yesterday.
Replies:
Subject: skate park closed


Author:
dracuteer
[Edit]
Date Posted: 10:25 10/18/07 Thu
SO yesterday i was down on broadway road doing some business and i see about 10 kids on skateboards hanging out where the old Civic club used to be. This is a joke, we have a skatepark that is all locked up and now the skater are skating in the whats left of the building whaere the civic clubs used to sit. Wake up dracut, open the skate park with $0 cost to use it and let the kids skate / bike there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Replies:
Subject: What this town needs


Author:
Bob M.
[Edit]
Date Posted: 14:14 10/29/07 Mon
What this town needs is more parents, taxpayers , concerned citizens to take back control of this town by the special interest groups. We need to re-inact a scene from the movie Network , where we stick our heads out the windows and say "I'm mad as hell and not going to take it anymore!!!" In the past few weeks we have had an unqualified person hired as housing director, at a higher pay than the former director, only because she was "connected".We just saw a farce made of that search as well as the one for superintendent when someone with no experience and has changed jobs 3 times in the last 5 years was chosen over more qualified aplicants.How these so called elected officals can look anyone in the eye and say this was done in our best interests is beyond me. We have a school committee lead by someone who hasnt a clue and only there because people think he's his grandfather and is connected. You have Mary Gail Martin who is making quite a name for herself . On one side of her mouth she says she has no agendas working with the current superentendent .Then once elected she decides that we should find another. She sits in on an interview for a friend . and then after all the interviews are done votes to immediately hire the obvious pre chosen one , making the whole process a farce. No AGENDA MARY GAIL????? . She has more connections than Comcast.We have former town officials and their familys unlawfully milking this town of thousands of dollars in health insurence benifits , yet nothing is done. We all know who the connected are. Who the groups are and we all know there is more dirty laundry in this town than Antons could ever handle. Now is the time to take it back . I'm tired of them slapping us in the face. I'm tired of them thinking they are above the law. I'm tired of them doubting our intelligence and thinking I dont know whats going on. "I'M MAD AS HELL AND NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE !!!!!!!!"
Replies:
Subject: SHAKE UP @ W.C.A.P. !


Author:
Local Yokal
[Edit]
Date Posted: 12:15 10/29/07 Mon
This morning george "Lutherain"Athanass was giving his goodye's as a broabcaster on W.C.A.P., this will happen next wk. were told. Inaddition Warren "barn yard animal" Was informed in person this morning. @ a meeting @ W.C.A.P.,
further news breaking as it accures.
Undertaker to "get the axe" as well as Chelmsford hack Ready.
Replies:
Subject: Lowell Sun publicly humiliates Ogonowski for declining to buy a post election "thank you" ad


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]
Date Posted: 08:04 10/28/07 Sun
(published in, Lowell Sun, The Column, 10-28-07)

EVERY LOSING campaign picks a scapegoat.

The people behind Republican Jim Ogonowski, who lost to Democrat Niki Tsongas in an Oct. 16 special election, chose The Sun.

Ogonowski's flacks thought The Sun's coverage was biased. Pressed to produce examples, the flacks either chose not to or couldn't.

In keeping with tradition, Ogonowski's campaign spokesman, Barney Keller, said "no" to The Sun's Advertising Department when a sales rep called to see if the campaign wanted to place an ad thanking the 46 percent of the 5th District's voters who cast their ballot for the Dracut citizen-farmer.

The Tsongas campaign was approached and signed on.

Traditionally, candidates place thank-you ads in the days following an election.
Replies:
Subject: Watch “Yours Truly” on History Channel, Sun., 10-28-07, @ 9 p.m.


Author:
Nostradamus
[Edit]
Date Posted: 21:42 10/26/07 Fri
Lost Book of Nostradamus

History Channel

Sunday, October 28, 9 p.m.

Monday, October 29, 1 a.m.

Saturday, November 3, 5 p.m.

In 1994, Italian journalist Enza Massa was at the Italian National Library in Rome when she stumbled upon an unusual find. It was a manuscript dating to 1629, titled: Nostradamus Vatinicia Code.

Michel de Notredame, the author's name, was on the inside in indelible ink. The book contains cryptic and bizarre images along with over eighty watercolor paintings by the master visionary himself. Follow the investigative trail of how the manuscript was found in the archives and exactly how it got there.

New insight is given into the life of Nostradamus and his relationship with Pope Urban VIII, who knew about this manuscript and in whose possession it was for many years.

Rating: TVPG V

Running Time: 120 minutes

Replies:
Subject: School Committee


Author:
All Ears
[Edit]
Date Posted: 13:21 10/28/07 Sun
Overheard Judy Ryan saying she is interested in running for School Committee next year. She would be a great candidate to unseat Mr Deeb.. Biggest difference I see is Honesty as well as having children in the system.. I hope she is serious!!
Replies:
Subject: State Ethics Commission is about as useless as mammaries on a bull


Author:
Nostradamus
[Edit]
Date Posted: 22:42 10/26/07 Fri
In what could only be described as a “huge disappointment”, the one known source that has informed this message board that they wrote to the State Ethics Commission, along with sending it numerous Internet postings and newspaper clippings on the recent Housing Director hiring fiasco has already received a response about a month later.

In a two paragraph letter, dated 10-24-07, by Adekunbi Adejumo, Investigator, it stated as follows:

We have conducted a careful review of the allegations you made to this Commission by letter dated September 24, 2007. Based on that review, we have decided not to take any further action.

While we understand you may be dissatisfied with this result, please be assured that we take all matters presented to us seriously. We appreciate your concern and we thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

I can only assume, ladies and gentlemen, that the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission “caved-in” to some of the political powers-that-be whom newly-appointed Housing Director Mary Karabatsos was very very financially supportive of during the past several years.

Keep in mind that, as far as most people know, the State Ethics Commission’s investigation of School Committee member Mary Gail Martin, which started about a month earlier than the probe of the Housing Director hiring fiasco, is still going on. Ms. Martin, of course, sat in while a friend of hers was discussing teachers’ hiring procedures with School Superintendent Elaine Espindle, when Espindle soon afterwards hired this woman as a teacher on the spot.

I would assume if Ms. Martin was already vindicated by the State Ethics Commission from any questionable wrongdoing, she’d push to have those results published in the Lowell Sun.

By comparison, I think all the ethical garbage surrounding Mary Karabatsos makes Mary Gail Martin look like a Cub Scout. There’s something just grossly BLEEPED up for the State Ethics Commission to simply dismiss this Housing Director appointment situation after a month without any further action.

We can only keep shining the light on these cockroaches and wait for them to screw up. Dracut After Dark may not have the political clout of the Lowell Sun or the State Ethics Commission, but I guess it’s better than nothing. Thank goodness for the Internet!
Replies:
Subject: detention


Author:
cheryl
[Edit]
Date Posted: 16:27 10/26/07 Fri
I would like to make a comment about the sat detention that is now in place at the dracut high school , I agree with it , if the kids will truly learn from it . from what I have learned about in house suspension for a full day is that kids simply are not effected by it so why will sat morn for a few hours . if they continue to let them sit in a room with nothing to do but sleep or play on there hand held video games it just wont work . in my opinion if you want them to learn anything they should have to do there school work while being punished if you want to call it that .I just see it all as a waist of time if the kids, young adults ect, do not have to do what is expected on a regular school day which is learning ..
Replies:
Subject: Dracut’s Skateboard Park committee chairman contemplates his next move


Author:
P.O.W. (Pal of Warren’s)
[Edit]
Date Posted: 17:05 10/28/07 Sun
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Replies:
Subject: Was School Committee set on Mullin BEFORE the interviews?


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]
Date Posted: 08:34 10/28/07 Sun
(published in, Lowell Sun, The Column, 10-28-07)

A Sun Staff Report

PERCEPTION IS everything, but it appears the Dracut School Committee still doesn't get it.

Did committee members have their minds made up before conducting interviews with four superintendent finalists last week? That's the talk in the local coffee shops and on message boards throughout the town.

In less time than it took for W. Spencer Mullin to leave the school parking lot after his interview, the committee unanimously voted him in as the new superintendent. Mullin was the last of four finalists to be interviewed by the board on Monday night. The committee spent close to an hour with each candidate, but very little discussion followed.

The committee chatted briefly about their site visits then committee member Mary Gail Martin announced, "I'm prepared to vote."

She nominated Mullin. Mike Miles quickly joined her, as did Dennis "D.J." Deeb and Chairman Ron Mercier Jr. Committee member Nancy Mendonca wanted more time to go over her interview notes but gave in when she sensed she was outnumbered.

Everyone is asking the same question: Why the rush?

Rarely, if ever, have school committees selected a superintendent on the same day or night that interviews are conducted.

Deeb was almost indignant at the suggestion after the meeting that Mullin was the board's pick from the beginning and that the committee's questions were crafted to suit him. Deeb said Mullin is clearly the best person for the job and there was no need to drag out the process.

To onlookers, it didn't seem that the one-hour interviews with the finalists had any effect on the committee's final decision. The "losing" candidates had to travel to Dracut from Lynnfield, Medfield and Paris, Maine (a nearly three-hour ride) for something that may have been a foregone conclusion.

This is the second so-called nationwide search conducted in Dracut in two months that resulted in a wink-and-a-nod fashion. The other came at the Dracut Housing Authority, where Mary Karabatsos, who wasn't even selected a finalist by the original screening committee, got the job over more experienced candidates. She was the choice of three DHA members, who added Karabatsos' name to the screening committee's list after a lawsuit to overturn the screening process failed.
Subject: With pitching and bating Red Sox look unbeatable!!


Author:
yaza
[Edit]
Date Posted: 23:12 10/27/07 Sat
Watching the American League champs,against the rookies is a lesson in chapionship baseball 101. If it's hitting, fielding, or pitching this team is running at full throttle.

The rookies were the best that the national league to deliver and the way Red Sox nation is handling them it's a classic run away.

After dispatching the Indians who played close tough baseball, the well rested rookies were no match the first two world series games in Boston. Now with Boston with a commanding lead this series will probably end quickly in Colorado.

However like the old saying go's,it aun't over until the fat lady sings!
Subject: Attention Dracut Senior Citizens


Author:
concerned for the elderly
[Edit]
Date Posted: 17:53 10/17/07 Wed
It has been brought to my attention by some senior citizens residing in Dracut elderly housing, that Commissioner Tom Salem, during a recent housing authority meeting, made a discriminatory remark in which he stated that people that become DHA public housing residents do so “just to die.”

These seniors indicated to me that they come to elderly housing for "quality of life". How can Mr. Salem effectively and compassionately represent these senior residents when he spews such venom? He should be asked to step down immediately. Please call the Department of Housing and Community Development's discrimination and equal opportunity hotline 1-800-827-500 (this is a toll free number), and voice your concern.
Replies:
Subject: High School Hell


Author:
AFRICAN KING
[Edit]
Date Posted: 15:27 10/25/07 Thu

I am laughing at you all with regards to to all Bleedin' hearts and Tazer
toting fools. When the real trouble comes into your schools and yeah it will
get worse with time. You all are gonna fold like a deck of cards. Some local
hick made
a comment about the black guy and his kids in the neighborhood on welfare.
Scared? Well make a comment like that to their faces and you will know what
fear is lady. You over-educated yuppies know NOTHING about how to
handle abused and neglected kids. Go to the city spend some time there and
see what they do. Then shoot your mouths off.

P.S. If you think that watching a well to do white kid is gonna help the mind
set of a neglected kid with a single Mom on section 8 you are WAY OFF!
Replies:
Subject: A politician is truly only as good as her/his supporting cast


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]
Date Posted: 15:03 10/21/07 Sun
Dracut After Dark proudly salutes all the hard-working men and women who helped put Niki Tsongas “over the top” in last week’s 5th Congressional District race.

Posed here for a photo in front of our Town Library include, but certainly not limited to, a handful of extremely zealous, faithful supporters of the Tsongas campaign -- Dracut chapter:

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

(l-r) John “life insurance ONLY” Zimini, Tommy “Stone Face” Salem, Gerry Surprenant, newly-elected Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, Clee Ace, John Dyer, Michael “Keno” Blatus, Brian “Belly Up to the Bar” Martin, Mary Gail “Tax Delinquent” Martin, and Ken “Firefighters’ Union Endorsed” Cunha.

Again, congratulations Ms. Tsongas on your rather impressive victory last Tuesday. It’s obvious to us, just by looking at this particular photo, that you had more savvy political supporters than Jim Ogonowski did working in his camp. We at, Dracut After Dark, anxiously look forward to some great and exciting things from you in the not too distant future.
Replies:
Subject: What is the cost of jumping over line for Dracut Public Housing?


Author:
Bag Man
[Edit]
Date Posted: 15:52 10/22/07 Mon
Tommy "bagman" Salem has been over heard on several occasions,telling prospective housing tenants,that the cost of getting public housing is $500.. This is to be payed for in cash of course. There are some interesting tenants who had to shell out this kind of dough.

Mary Barrett K.,has been greasing the skids for years to Marty Meehan fund raisers "donation" and other hacks in Greater Lowell area.

Jimmy "the bartender"Gookcon doesn't touch the bribe he leaves the heavy kifting to Tommy "bagman" Salem. This job tommy has had for years for Joe Tully Sr..

And this was his role at the old poltically corrupted water department many years ago. Before new comminsioners hired a professional administrators to run Dracut Water Dept.
Mr. Gary McCarthy,this professional adminisrator cleaned up the mess by gangster Tommy "bagman" Salem and rest of crooks.

However these crooks and theives never gave up Dracut Public Housing, until Joe Tully Jrs. untimely near death experience. Than this group of theives paniced when Mr.Kenny Martin wanted a transparent open process for Dracut Housing Authority. This was not to stand!! Jimmy "the bartender" Gookcon ran (not walked) to district court and tried to bar this open process from happening!

For some yet unlikely reason Mr.Kenneth Martin went against his and some elected Dracut Housing Board memebers
open process,and not only let unqualified poltically
payoff Lowell hack get interview than appointment!

This all has taken place with public knowledge from independant reporters from this newsblog.

Thou this matter is far from over, it still is foggy as to who the good guys really are. Granted Kenneth Martin has seemed to have followed proper procedure, up until adding this unqualified poltical money giver Mary K..
Was Kenneth Martin contacted by former congressman Marty Meehan on behalf of his big poltical donors, Mary K.,and Angeloy?????

It is a "head scrather" just what role Kenny Martin played in her appointment.

Kenny your letter to the editor did not explain how she got the interview after it was closed,and how did she get such a large financial contract, while you are chairperson of Dracut Housing Authority. Prehaps when State/Federal investagations are complete than these answers will be made public? mmmmmmmmm Me thinks additional investagation is in order.
Replies:
Subject: Watched Cable show with "pee wee herman" Ars'


Author:
cable guy
[Edit]
Date Posted: 14:26 10/25/07 Thu
Their showed had the same sad,inbread hacks, lead by "barn yard animal Shaw, The "Queen" Gary McCarthy was the star!

Her Majesty wants to revamp town meeting, using the same old committee flunkies that ran Skate Park,disaster!!!

This is like moving the deck chairs on a sinking ship to show some progress, it may look differant however.....

Poor "clueless" Joe Deracoon he looked like the cat @ a dog show, uninterested,unprepared and unawar of his surroundings.
Warren the longest inbread of Dracut politics,invited the public to apply for open committie positions. Knowing full well individual applications would have to pass, politicial hacks screening. Which means bending over and kissing "barn yard animals" deareair!
Her majesty just want a hand *&#. And "peewee"Herman your male preteen child!!!!

The other wanna bees are not worth mentionong on this posting, except for this comment; lay down with you get up with fleas.
Subject: Cow Boy


Author:
Cow Girl
[Edit]
Date Posted: 20:52 10/20/07 Sat
Didn't Cow Boy say to a caller "shame on him for not getting health insurance" The man was self employed and couldn't afford it. Cow Boy said he should get a job that has health insurance. Isn't Cow Boy self employed and took the Town Insurance and still taking it even though he ain't in office anymore. MOOOOOOO ONNNNNN quit milking the town of Dracut taxpayers.
Replies:
  • Cow Pie -- Warren's hate club, 21:05 10/23/07 Tue
Subject: Warrant articles for '07 November Town Meeting all set


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]
Date Posted: 08:36 10/21/07 Sun
(posted on, Official Town of Dracut website)

The annual November Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, 11-5-07 @ 7:30 p.m., in the DHS Auditorium.

There are 17 warrant articles in this year’s Town Meeting, which is traditionally geared towards non-fiscal items. A few of these warrant articles pertain to the refurbishing of Town Hall, and one is for the potential CPA purchase of Canney’s Farm in Collinsville (directly across the street from the Dracut Funeral Home) to convert that property into a recreational area for youngsters.

November Town Meeting warrant articles

You must be present to vote and you must also be a registered Dracut voter to participate. Registered voters are urged and encouraged to attend.
Replies:
Subject: Surprise! You have a new superintendent.


Author:
very concerned
[Edit]
Date Posted: 21:31 10/22/07 Mon
How is it possible that the school committee could decide to hire a new superintendent tonight without all of its members prepared to do so? Something didn't look right at all. I thought that tonights meeting was supposed to involve the discussion of redistricting Parker and Brookside schools. When did this all change? The school committee's web site is not up to date and does not reflect this change in "agenda". Communication was an important topic at the meeting. The school committee needs to learn to communicate with its own members as well as the public. I know how I will be voting in the future.
Subject: POP WARANER LIGHTS


Author:
HMMMMM......
[Edit]
Date Posted: 20:46 10/03/07 Wed
Why is there a link on the Dracut Pop Warner sight (put up today 10-3-07) which entered Dracut Pop Warner in a "Friday Night Lights" contest. When you click to vote- guess where the lights are going to go?????? Give you 1 guess - Veterans Park. (that's what it say on the link for the contest) guess this issue isn't really over.... maybe we should pick one of the competing towns - and cast our votes for it......what ya' all think???? see for yourself....here's the link
http://www.newfridaynightlights.com/
or
simply go to www.dracutpopwarner.com for the link
Replies:
Subject: Felony & fraud protection for Karabatsos?? Are you BLEEPIN serious???


Author:
Nostradamus
[Edit]
Date Posted: 01:51 10/22/07 Mon
There were at least a couple of things concerning Dracut’s newly-appointed Housing Director Mary Karabatsos’ contract situation last week that I wanted to elaborate on but didn’t have a chance to get around to till now.

First and foremost, was this excerpt from DHA’s Board of Commissioners chairman Ken Martin’s Letter to the Editor, published in the Lowell Sun last Wednesday, 10-17-07:

...* I personally cannot support any contract which contains language that requires a 30-day notice of termination upon conviction of a felony, dishonesty or fraud;...

Personally, I think the ONLY straight arrow from the DHA in this whole Karabatsos contract fiasco has been Ken Martin and I don’t believe for a second that he’d fabricate the aforementioned statement in a Letter to the Editor just to make Karabatsos look like a sleazeball – I believe she actually DEMANDED this particular item to be implemented in her contract.

$64,000 Question: What type of a person would push to have this wording implemented in their employment contract?

I was always under the impression that anyone who’d willfully engage in a felony, fraud, or some other incident of dishonesty – and got caught with substantiating evidence against them – was automatically terminated from their job. No excuses, no exceptions, and certainly no BLEEPIN 30-day notice of termination. Isn’t that just considered, Common Sense 101? If you don’t believe me, just ask former Town Treasurer James “Sticky Fingers” Doukszewicz how that works.

Speaking of the Devil, does anybody know if Doukszewicz actually paid back the $77K he stole from the Dracut Sewer Department, or did he choose to go to prison instead? I noticed that Porky Pig Shaughnessey has failed to report on any “follow-up” to this situation for the Lowell Sun – so what else is new? Inquiring minds, like me, want to know. Come to think of it, I’m fairly sure the Dracut taxpayers would really like to know, as well.

But getting back to my initial point here, does anybody else see this contract request by Karabatsos as absolutely bizarre? I realize that we’re constantly hearing these horror stories about a lot of the outrageous lawsuits the American Civil Liberties Union are winning in court these days. Ditto with some of the concessions that are constantly being afforded to many of the more powerful labor unions in America.

Moreover, what does it say about our society when we start equating “felony and fraud protection” on the same plateau of employee benefits as health insurance plans? It just seems that we, as Americans, are going more and more to “hell in a handbasket” every time we turn around, and unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression

In all fairness to Karabatsos, I’ll use the excerpt that Shaughnessey wrote in the Lowell Sun last Tuesday, 10-16-07, rather than the description I used when I referred to this incident on a posting from the evening before:

...Karabatsos, who has worked in the Lowell Housing Authority for 24 years where she was making $63,000 per year, attended the meeting but declined comment after the vote was taken. Several of the handful of residents who attended the meeting felt rebuffed by her quick departure.

"She didn't say anything, and she didn't even acknowledge us," said one resident who did not want to give her name. "I didn't like that."...

The cliche that comes to mind here is the one from, I believe, Head & Shoulders dandruff shampoo, which went, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

I would assume that the DHA Commissioners are strongly expecting Mary Karabatsos to develop and maintain a strong rapport with the residents of Dracut public housing. She may never “replace” Joe Tully Jr., in the hearts and minds of some of these residents, however, Karabatsos can certainly initiate “a place of her own” with these particular folks.

At 47 years old, Mary Karabatsos should know herself well enough that if that contract situation with the DHA Commissioners last Monday didn’t go 100 percent her way, she would proceed to act like a total bitch and then throw a temper tantrum similar to a spoiled little seven-year-old brat. She would’ve been much better off staying in the privacy of her own home rather than publicly attending that DHA Commissioners monthly meeting and just making a total ass of herself.

Funny, Dracut School Superintendent Elaine Espindle seemed to always be criticized by the School Committee for, “grossly lacking people skills.” As of the date and time of this posting, Mary Karabatsos has yet to even work a full day as the Dracut Housing Director and I can honestly say, without a doubt, that Mrs. Espindle is literally light years ahead of Mrs. Karabatsos in the, “people skills category.” But then again, that ain’t exactly saying a whole heck of a lot.

Resignation of acting Dracut Housing Director Maureen Wilkie

Wouldn’t it just be regarded as plain common sense to offer Mary Karabatsos a little transaction period to “get to know the ropes of the DHA” before she’s ready to take over the helm as Housing Director and then go, full steam ahead? Instead, with the sudden resignation of acting director and longtime DHA office manager Maureen Wilkie, it seems like they’re giving Karabatsos, “just enough rope to hang herself.”

Keep in mind, Ms. Wilkie was a member of the search committee that named four, very competent and QUALIFIED finalists for the Housing Director’s job to replace Joe Tully Jr. – not to mention, passed over the application of the very UNQUALIFIED Mary Karabatsos. In fact, an argument could be justifiably made here that Maureen Wilkie is a helluva lot more qualified and fit to be the regular Dracut Housing Director than Mary Karabatsos.

It may be just a gut feeling on my part, but I don’t think Ms. Wilkie resigned from the DHA to go to another job somewhere else, I just think she was probably sick and tired of all the crap currently taking place at the DHA, especially the mere thought of doing Karabatsos’ job for her and getting absolutely none of the credit.

I also think Ms. Wilkie will prove extremely helpful to the State Ethics Commission’s investigation of the DHA if she’s ever given the opportunity to be interviewed in that thing.

Hey, I almost forgot – today is Monday, Oct. 22nd, which is Karabatsos’ first “official” day as Dracut Housing Director. Good luck, Mary, in the DHA because I’ve got a real big hunch that you’re really going to need it.
Replies:
Subject: Is Congresswoman Niki Tsongas already a "lame duck incumbent" going into '08 election?


Author:
Nostradamus
[Edit]
Date Posted: 14:26 10/18/07 Thu
Realistically speaking, how much can Congresswoman Niki Tsongas accomplish over the next 13 months, or a little more than a year, till she's up for her first reelection bid?

I seriously doubt if the U.S. troops will be withdrawn from Iraq next year at this time. Didn't both Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama -- the leading Democratic Presidential hopefuls -- already say that American forces would be in Iraq, at least, till 2013?

I seriously doubt if all the Cambodian and Hispanic kids of Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill will have full health insurance coverage next year at this time. If I'm right, and Niki Tsongas can't deliver what she promised, then I guess that makes Ms. Tsongas a liar going into the '08 election.

Also, if she does have an opponent(s) for the '08 election, I would assume she'll be in this area campaigning for reelection moreso than in Washington D.C., where she should be initiating and voting for all this wonderful stuff.

If she can prove me wrong and get a ton of stuff done within the next year, then God bless her, Niki Tsongas deserves to be our U.S. Rep for as long as she wants the job. I just think any potential '08 opponent of hers will exploit Ms. Tsongas' first term in Congress as one big gigantic, Incomplete.
Replies:
Subject: A public salute to Ogonowski -- he gave the 5th Congressional District race one helluva run


Author:
Nostradamus
[Edit]
Date Posted: 08:18 10/17/07 Wed
When I turned on NECN at 9 last nite, my eyeballs nearly popped outta my head. At that particular point with about 35 percent of the precincts counted, they had Ogonowski ahead of Tsongas 49%-48%. Wow!

The NECN folks also said at that point that Ogonowski had won Dracut by about a 2-1 margin -- no big surprise there.

Then about 15-20 minutes or so later, reality set in and Tsongas was declared the winner.

When was the last time a Republican got at least 40 percent of the vote in a 5th Congressional District race? Personally, I thought Tom Tierney was going to win the Republican Primary -- after Ogonowski shirking the first half dozen or so debates and then doing rather poorly in the debates he did participate in. Yet Ogonowski absolutely crushed Tierney in the Primaries, 89%-11%. Incredible!

If Ogonowski doesn't want to take another run at Tsongas in 13 months (it'd be a crying shame to have Tsongas go unopposed next year when you could have her spend most of her first term campaigning rather than actually serving in Congress), I seriously hope he considers a run for State Rep, Dracut Selectman, or Dracut School Committee.

For what it's worth, I think Jim has a lot to offer the taxpayers and I hope, for all our sakes, he can put some of that energy and passion into another elected public office somewhere in the not too distant future.
Replies:
Subject: FINALLY, Karabatsos comes to her senses & is all set to sign deal with DHA


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]
Date Posted: 12:11 10/18/07 Thu
(published in, Lowell Sun, 10-18-07. Emphasis inserted with bold-face italics. KITTEN NOTE: I can hardly wait to hear Karabatsos' EXCLUSIVE interview -- or is it really an, oral report -- on Warren's radio show this Saturday.)

Karabatsos accepts one-year deal in Dracut

By Chris Camire
ccamire@lowellsun.com

DRACUT -- Mary Karabatsos has reached an agreement with the Dracut Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on a one-year contract for $67,000, and five weeks vacation.

Karabatsos said she plans to sign the contract today.

Karabatsos, who will become the new director of the Dracut Housing Authority, previously worked in the Lowell Housing Authority for 24 years where she was making $63,000 per year.

"I'm happy about starting out as the director," said Karabatsos yesterday. "The place has potential. The staff seems great. I'm looking forward to bringing the agency to a different level."

The number of years on the contract was the biggest sticking point, according to Commission Chairman Kenneth Martin.

Alluding to the controversy that has surrounded the selection process, Commissioner Thomas Salem said Karabatsos should be given a three-year deal.

Karabatsos said although she was hoping for a three-year contract, the one-year offer is acceptable.

"I'm OK with that. I'm going to do what I need to do, and I'm sure a year from now there will be no issues and the contract will be renewed," she said.

Former Director Joseph Tully Jr. suffered a massive stroke in July 2006 and was not able to resume his duties. He officially stepped down in July.

His longtime secretary, Maureen Wilke, served as acting director for the past 15 months. She has tendered her resignation and Friday will be her last day. Karabatsos said she plans to start next Monday.
Replies:
Subject: Shawn Ashe


Author:
Jim Supporter
[Edit]
Date Posted: 07:05 10/17/07 Wed
People always make fun of Shawn and yes even myself he has talked about on Saturday Morning radio show....
But I did admire him during Ogonowski's election.
Shawn was for Jim and stayed the course. He volunteered and showed up at all debates and parties. Most of all he put his money on him by donating $1,000 ! Shawn is not a follower. Current and former Selectmen/School Committee had enddorsed Tsongas. Shawn stayed his own course and was his own leader. Jim won his hometown Dracut! The people had spoken not the ones in office.
Replies:
Subject: Campanini, the Sun's editor, purchases Meehan's house


Author:
John Cox was the lawyer for Campanini
[Edit]
Date Posted: 07:27 10/19/07 Fri


Sun editor purchases house from Meehan
By Sasha Issenberg, Globe Staff | October 18, 2007

WASHINGTON - The editor of the Lowell Sun, which last December published a special section in tribute to Martin T. Meehan under a controversial arrangement between the newspaper and Meehan's staff, has purchased Meehan's house.

Neither Meehan, the former congressman who is now chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, nor Jim Campanini, the Sun's editor, returned multiple calls for comment on the Sept. 28 transaction.

It was the latest turn in an increasingly tangled relationship between the newspaper and the Democrat, who has described the Sun's coverage of him as "lousy." The newspaper and Meehan's staff collaborated to sell ads for the special section, with a share of proceeds benefiting a charity named for Meehan.

According to records filed with the Middlesex North County Registry of Deeds, Campanini purchased Meehan's 3,000-square-foot house for $585,000. The price for the stone Colonial-style house was below the $598,400 value assessed by the city of Lowell. The real-estate website Zillow, which uses an algorithm to compare a property to similar ones nearby, estimates its value at $618,895.

The property, which Meehan purchased for $340,000 in 1999 with his wife, Ellen T. Murphy, was not listed in the Multiple Listing Service, according to MLS spokeswoman Melissa Lindberg, suggesting that the property was not made widely available for bid.

Last December, the Sun published a section to celebrate Meehan's 50th birthday, as he "reflects on his life, local roots, and the commitment to public service," Sun publisher Mark O'Neil wrote in a letter to prospective advertisers.

O'Neil's letter also announced that a share of revenues from sales of ads in the section would go to the Marty Meehan Educational Foundation and identified a staff member in Meehan's Lowell office as a contact.

Among the paid tributes was a full-page ad from the Lowell Five Cent Savings bank. "The Lowell Five wishes Congressman Meehan a Happy 50th Birthday!" it read.

Nine months later, according to documents filed with the registry of deeds, the bank issued Campanini a $200,000 mortgage on his new house.

Meehan's $280,000 base salary at UMass-Lowell includes a $30,000 housing allowance.

"It will be interesting to see if he keeps his Belvidere home in Lowell," wrote Campanini in a March column, assessing Meehan's long-term plans. "Here's a prediction: He won't."
Replies:
Subject: Dracut Pop Warner official accuses School A.D. of basically screwing everything up


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]
Date Posted: 12:26 09/26/07 Wed
(published in, Lowell Sun, 9-26-07)

Dracut AD accused of blocking field use Deal reached, again, for Pop Warner practice

By Dennis Shaughnessey
dshaughnessey@lowellsun.com

DRACUT -- Last night, under the bright lights at the Lakeview Junior High School, about 300 children from the Pop Warner football league practiced for their weekend tilts, unaware of what the adults around them had gone through during the day.

"All they know is that they're playing football," said Brian Bond, one of the B-Team coaches. "We were getting ready to call ourselves the Dracut Nomads."

The league, which caters to children ages 6 to 14, has had difficulty finding a place to practice at night. They thought they had reached a compromise with the school administration Monday night, after the School Committee gave verbal assent for the organization to use the lighted baseball and softball fields behind the junior high school. The committee said they expected Pop Warner to share in some of the maintenance and utility costs for using the field three nights a week.

But things changed quickly soon after the meeting ended, according to Pop Warner Vice President Brian Martin. "Nobody had any issues," Martin said. "Then all of a sudden, we're hearing that the administration is trying to keep us off the fields. It's just not right."

Martin accused Dracut High Athletic Director Timothy Woods of scheduling junior-varsity football and soccer practices on those nights, leaving Pop Warner without a place to practice.

"They never practiced at night," Martin said. "They always practiced right after school. Why all of a sudden, are they switching to nights?"

"Categorically untrue," said Woods as he left a two-hour closed-door meeting yesterday afternoon in Superintendent of Schools Elaine Espindle's office. "Everybody has dates (to use the fields.) It wasn't an easy process but we got through it, and everybody should be happy."

Woods would not go into detail but late yesterday afternoon, School Committee Chairman Ron Mercier and Pop Warner President Bob Gantz said the plan calls for Pop Warner to use the fields on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights through the end of October when the season ends. The plan is identical to the one hashed out last week and approved at Monday night's school-board meeting.

Pop Warner officials, along with neighbors in the Veterans Park neighborhood came before selectmen earlier this month when the organization wanted to bring in portable lights on a temporary basis. Selectmen were reluctant to go back on promises of no lights that were made 10 years ago when the park was developed.

The portable lights were allowed on a temporary basis while officials looked for alternatives. Selectmen James O'Loughlin and Robert Cox thought they found a solution. The junior high school fields are lighted.

Tempers were raw and acrimony was high early yesterday when word spread that the original deal was off, according to several people at the meeting who did not want to be identified.

"We're not letting this go," said Cox yesterday morning. "I understand that (Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds Andrew Graham) is concerned that the fields are being over-utilized, but we made a deal with Pop Warner. They returned the lights that they rented for Veterans Park and then the administration lowered the boom."

By day's end, the dust had settled and an agreement was in place. Gantz said the problem is solved, for now.

"We went through the respective schedules and agreed that the three-night schedule can work until the end of the season," he said. "But what we really need to do is come up with some kind of arrangement for next year and the year after that."

Graham could not be reached for comment.
Replies:
Subject: Martin vows to uphold State & Federal regulations in Karabatsos’ contract


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]
Date Posted: 22:06 10/17/07 Wed
(published in, Lowell Sun, letter to the editor, 10-17-07. KITTEN NOTE: Emphasis inserted with italic, bold-face print. Is it safe to assume that DHA Commissioner Tommy Salem will NOT be calling into Warren’s radio show about this situation – or anything else – this Saturday? Furthermore, is it also fairly safe to assume the Warren will NOT be ”shining the light on this particular backroom deal in the Dracut Housing Authority” per order of DHA Commissioner, and former Shaw business partner, Jimmy Gookin? Just fasten your seat belts, ladies and gentlemen, and enjoy the ride.)

Contract with new director of Dracut Housing Authority under negotiations

Contract negotiations between Dracut Housing Authority and Mary Karabatsos are ongoing. I worked with Mrs. Karabatsos about 15 years ago at the Lowell Housing Authority, and one board member's comments that I'm "giving her a hard time" are simply untrue. Since the hiring process began, I have followed the guidelines established by the Department of Housing and Community Development, our funding agency, the agency from which we will be requesting funds to make the acquisition of 1476 Mammoth Road a reality.

The DHCD guidelines are:

* "New Hire. Any individual initially serving as executive director for that authority may sign a 1-year contract." The exception is, if a person is serving as an executive or assistant executive director or senior level position with another Massachusetts housing authority. Mrs. Karabatsos does not meet that criterion.

* DHCD issued a salary schedule for new directors on July 1, and based on that schedule the salary for 284 units as calculated by our fee accountant is $57,812. Mr. Tully earned $59,406 before his stroke and $62,376 until retirement. During the public interview, Mrs. Karabatsos indicated that a salary of $65,000 was acceptable. Any automatic salary increase is unrealistic given that for the last five years, DHCD has provided a zero percent increase in state budgets.

* I am a strong believer in professional development, but I feel a commitment to reimburse $4,500 in tuition within a 60-to-75-day period of hire is unreasonable.

* I personally cannot support any contract which contains language that requires a 30-day notice of termination upon conviction of a felony, dishonesty or fraud; for termination to require four votes of the board; carte blanche reimbursement spending for travel and other expenses, and the ability to serve as consultant or perform outside employment without board approval.

I have been an executive director for about 25 years. I am keenly aware of the responsibilities of the position and the need for a director to be well compensated; it is a complex job operating federal and state housing programs with over-regulated program requirements and limited funds.

In summary, I am hopeful we can agree on the terms, and Mrs. Karabatsos can begin to handle the many issues facing the authority. These past few months have been very controversial. I was taken to court and verbally attacked by her supporters. It would have been very easy to "go along to get along" (could this be an indirect whack against DHA Commissioner Bob Audet?); however, as a result of my 32 years in the housing field, I cannot claim ignorance and disregard of the HUD and DHCD guidelines.

Throughout this process, never once did I hear anyone ask, "What's best for our residents of the Dracut Housing Authority?" when it should have been our ONLY consideration.

When I ran for office 21 years ago to be a housing board member, I promised the residents that I would work for them and represent them -- even if it's unpopular.

On May 2007, I was elected for the sixth time and my commitment remains the same. I am here to represent the interest of the housing authority residents and the citizens of Dracut.

KENNETH R. MARTIN
chairman
Dracut Housing Authority
Replies:
Subject: Plagiarized-filled book challenges Jon Keller’s journalistic integrity


Author:
Kopy Kitten
[Edit]
Date Posted: 11:13 10/18/07 Thu
(published in, Boston Herald, 10-18-07. Emphasis inserted with italics and bold-facing. KITTEN NOTE: Jon Keller’s son, Barney, recently served as official spokesperson for the Ogonowski for Congress campaign and quickly developed a reputation for making several pompous, arrogant comments to the media on his boss’ behalf. Could this possibly be a case of -- Like Father, Like Son? Incidentally, just in case you’re interested in purchasing it, as of the date and time of this particular posting, Jon Keller’s book was currently being promoted on Pee Wee Herman’s website.)

’Bluest’ judgments
Keller hit on book’s use of quotes, sources

By Jessica Heslam

WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller’s highly touted new book, The Bluest State, is riddled with almost three dozen instances of direct quotes and other material lifted from numerous newspaper articles without any attribution, a Herald review has found.

In what four experts called a serious breach of journalistic ethics, Keller lifted quotes and other material that have appeared in numerous newspapers, including The Boston Globe, the Herald, The Washington Post and Worcester Telegram & Gazette, as well as from Reuters wire service stories.

“There’s no question in my mind that this is highly unethical, totally unprofessional and lazy besides,” said Sam Freedman, a professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, who reviewed a half-dozen examples from Keller’s book.

“It’s clear to me that what the author did was go to previously published newspaper articles and lift out quotes from them,” Freedman said. “There’s nothing wrong with doing that if you indicate to the reader that those quotes came from another source.”

Lee Wilkins, a Missouri School of Journalism professor and the editor of the Journal of Mass Media Ethics, who also reviewed examples from the book, said, “The general rule in journalism is you cite the source of your information. Secondly, the norm in journalism is we don’t steal. I would regard this as a violation of academic (honesty).”

Keller, also a Herald contributor, referred questions to his book editor and said the editor told him that footnotes were not necessary. Editor Michael Flamini did not return requests for comment.

The revelations come in the wake of a Globe story stating Keller aggressively covered Republican Jim Ogonowski’s congressional campaign without adequately disclosing that Keller’s son, Barney, was the campaign’s top spokesman.

In one example from Keller’s book, he took five direct quotes from neighbors, a parent, a school board member and city councilor from four Globe articles written in 1988, 1989 and 1990 on the controversy surrounding the Commonwealt