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HAPPY CINCO de MAYO !!!!
My dear friends, today is Cinco de Mayo, a great celebration of the Mexican culture, much like St. Patrick's Day celebrates Irish Culture. It is to honor the unexpected defeat of French forces " at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. It is celebrated primarily in the Mexican state of Puebla and in the United States. While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. "Yes, this date is celebrated all over the world by those of Mexican decent as a mark of pride in their culture and their achievements. But we here in Fall River have a need to celebrate a date that also honors the basic pride felt by citizens of this once great City. It's a date which need be remembered only for a scant four more days, if everyone's collective A.D.D. can be controlled for a short while. I'm talking about the most important in Fall River's recent momory, or at least since the Great Destroyer was voted out of office. It"s Nueve de mayo, or the 9th of May! On that day, the contract this City has with the Fall River Office of Economic Development (FROED) ends and it can only be renewed by a vote of approval of the Fall River City Council!
I positively urge every citizen of Fall River to bombard the Fall River Mayor's office and each member of the City Council with the demand that there is a public session, with public input, to investigate the success that FROED and it's Executive Vice President, Ken "The Weeper" Fiola, has been able to attain since the last contract was signed before any new agreement is approved. More over, I think it's time for the City Council to examine just what has been done by Fiola and FROED to solve the downtown/Courthouse related parking solution, and the TIGER grants that were suppossedly filed by Mr. Fiola, but whose existence cannot be found by a research of pertinent records online. The question becomes, did he file an application or not? He said he did, but there is no evidence! Is he lying in public about this? If he is, what do our esteemed elected officials plan to do about it. Or are we always to be the home of lying public servants who'll be protected because they know way too many insiders to ever have to worry about their jobs ending? Casting out the occassional sacrificial lamb, like the ex treasurer, when other co-conspirators remain on the payroll, does not clean the reputation of an entire City!
And it goes beyond FROED. I have discussed of late the extended "Family of Influence" that has long been the controlling cabal here in Fall River, the various political factions, bankers, insurance and real estate owners who set the tone of all things in this City. It extends like a huge "good ol' boys and girls" club, where winning elective office gains entree' to the club and acts as a substitute for wealth. It's all about power and control through political influence . And it's REAL. Let's look at a blatant example.
Turn your eyes to the Southeast Regional Transit Authority (SRTA). Here are the primary actors controlling what goes on there on a daily basis:
Agency Name / Title / Standard Hours / Annual Rate / 2008 / Earnings / Contract
Southeastern Regional Transit Authority / Arthur D. Frank/ Legal Counsel / N/A /$36,000.00 / $36,000.00 /Yes(contract)
Southeastern Regional Transit Authority/ Christine C. Comeau /Senior Clerk /35.00 $34,161.40/ $33,853.24 / No(contract)
Southeastern Regional Transit Authority/ Hague & Sahady Auditor / N/A / $27,500.00 / $26,500.00 / Yes(contract)
Southeastern Regional Transit Authority / Jane T Kirby / Executive Secretary / 35.00 / $75,220.60 / $71,367.42 / No(contract)
Southeastern Regional Transit Authority / Joseph L. Cosentino / Administrator /35.00 /$97,850.00 / $95,000.00 / No(contract)
Southeastern Regional Transit Authority / Meyer Regan & Wilner Accountants/ N/A/ $38,000.00 / $36,507.00 /Yes (contract)
Southeastern Regional Transit Authority / Sylvia Insurance Insurance / Consultant / N/A / N/A / $7,200.00 / Yes(contract)
Seems like the same old same old , the same names making money off YOU, the Fall River taxpayer, with absolutely nothing but worsening performance each year they "grace" us with their talents. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GET SICK ENOUGH OF BEING FOOLS ABOUT THIS! THESE PEOPLE TAKE YOUR MONEY AND LAUGH AT EVERYONE IN THIS CITY! WE, THE CITIZENS OF FALL RIVER , ARE ALLOWING WHAT AMOUNTS TO NOTHING MORE THAN A GLORIFIED "THREE-CARD MONTY " GAME TO CONTINUE YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR ON THE STEPS OF CITY HALL!
Take control of this situation by contacting your City Councilors and the Mayor's Office and demand there be an investigation into why there is no offical record at the state DOT for the TIGER grant application Fiola claimed he filed related to the Downtown Parking Garage . Demand a public review of FROED's performance since the last contract was approved, a meeting to be in public, broadcast on cable TV, and allowing public input. Do it before it's too late and the ruling cabal wins yet again!
After all, it's only your money!
HAPPY CINCO de MAYO...HAPPY NUEVE de MAYO!!!!!!
Hate to tell you this, Laz, but the FROED ain't going anywhere. It's a Karam front, they're not just going to give it up, hell they even stuck Two Fisted Steve the Son in there for insurance. Basketball Jones might get tossed, but the FROED is here to stay. The vote will pass the City Council, probably behind closed doors, or worst case scenario, I fear some Mayoral hijinks of the Correia kind to grant some kind of "contract extention" with no expiration date. With the rationale that "Economic Development is crucial to the revitalization of our fair city in the face of the austerity of these difficult fiscal times". And they'd be right, if they were genuine about it...
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm really interested in is who is going to vote in which direction? I think that at the least Poulin will vote against renewal. Probably Mr. Linda Pereira will vote against as well, riding the crest of this wave of new found back-slapping good times publicity she's getting lately. Kilby will vote for renewal, he's a good ol boy to his core with his eyes on the 6th floor. I'm more interested in blank slate and empty head votes like Sportcoat Bigelow and Pat Casey, which direction will they sway? Your thoughts?
-George H.
NEWS FLASH FROED CREATED JOBS.........AT FROED!!
ReplyDeleteGH...I think you are absolutely correct. The Karem Harem can do no wrong in this city...it's at the same relative level as the Gambino crime familiy, as the rest of the maggots scurry for the crumbs and scraps from their table...just look at that roach Fiola...the only man I ever saw who could hold up a cardboard check, a city's treasury, but not his own damn pants!
ReplyDeleteI have no illusions about this..but you have to try SOMETHING to get folks apprpriately riled up.....new guy, same as the old guy, and no one can deny that now....I keep hoping, but it seems like every time there's an opportunity to take the city in a different direction on a major issue, Mayor Flanagan either gives the decision a public face of no responibility ( Police cheif selection) while actually controlling the outcome, or goes with the good ol' boys and girls flow. Fall River deserves much better than it's getting. And these folks are so beat down, they believe this guy's propaganda! You'd think after the Great Destroyer Correia they'd learn. NOPE!
Yeah...the only new jobs being created by FROED are the one's they use tax funds to create for their OWN new people..lmao!
ReplyDeleteHey buddy. I get a kick out of people like you who are in all likelyhood receiving full compensation for some sort of disability, and you kick the guy or girl who is working for a living in government. If you dont like it, get off the public teet and put yourself on the ballot, or apply for the job if you are so eminently qualified. Action speak much louder than words. Although I guess in your case your actions are spewing this hate. Either way. I wish you well in your lonely little world.
ReplyDeleteHey...lol@you....like I care what you think..lmao@U...Fall River couldn't afford me, and why would I want to work with swine like Fiola in a lost cause like Fall River? For some local fool like Mayor Will? I care about the City but I don't have to care for idiots like the ruling cabal or YOU. And I spent my entire career working full time for well run communities, not a sink whole that people like you and the unqualifed pols, yet thieves at the same time, have turned into their personal piggy bank and run into the ground!. It's a shame to do what you all have done to this once great City. You and they and the citizens who are too stupid or beat down to work for a better community are to blame, not me. I gave at the office for a long, long time.
ReplyDeleteFiola doesn't work for a living...Beaver mouth Cadime doesn't work for a living, not now...lol...whose kidding who? I do not go after the day to day workers, the firemen, policemen, teachers and their staffs or DPW workers at all...they work for a living. No, I get pissed off by clowns like you who are no doubt friends with this waste of 200K in salary ande benefits and apologists for the powers that be. Take your crap and stuff it....I earned the right to say the things I say about government by accomplishing much during a career full of decorated public service, not by defending useless hacks. But then again, that's always been the Fall River way...to attack those who point out the truth just because it makes you think...what's a matter, you hurt you widdle head having to think...take a pill and cry for mommy to tuck you in....You must be a big booster of Hilltopper Basketball
Next!
BTW...you are either DUH HURRICANE, or one of his buddies, BUDDY, because I have stated many times here on this blog that I'm retired.... and yet that idiot follows me around from place to place making the same argument about getting a job...what is wrong Mike, am I in your head renting space again.... maybe YOU should find a job!
ReplyDeleteGeorge H., I just came from a fundraiser for Kevin Aguiar and people cheered when Shawn Cadime's name was mentioned by Rep. Aguiar. There was talk going around the room among some of the city's monied interests and power brokers about running a slate for council next year. And unlike the pathetic Poulin, Miozza and Dennis slate, this one would actually win.
ReplyDeleteA lot of talk like this has been going around like wildfire this past week so you George H. and Laz can praise Linda all you want but she finished at the bottom the last election and will be off the council soon and your other boy wonder "No Hope" Poulin, there is no hope for him, he is going to be a one-term wonder. He hasn't been sticking it to Flanagan as much as the others but he hasn't been giving the mayor all of the votes he has needed.
You can make fun of Mr. Bigelow but he'll be on the slate along with others who plan to vote Mayor Flanagan's agenda in the future so you've been warned.
Listen Buddy. If you don't like this place, why don't you move out. What brought you here? Was it the section 8 cert. or the FRHA? I am a hilltopper. Damn Skippy!
ReplyDeleteTo anon 12:06 - Why move out? That is for quitters! Work to make change.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to ask both sides here-- both Laz and the opposition to just stick to the issues at hand. I find Laz' commentary very funny and educational and would like to continue to appreciate it and choose to read it on a daily basis. If others don't -- fine--- don't tune in. I find it very sickening and childish to see both Laz and whoever this person or people are just throwing daggers back and forth. Let's move on and stop being so personal. That goes for Laz too, not just the commenter. I don't think it is a problem in his blogs because that is HIS arena. This however is just useless. (My opinion.)
ReplyDeleteIt IS useless...so if the Mike would just stick to his stool at Flaun-eh, we'd all be alot better off....He and his friends only want to cause "Maximum Consternation", a term created by Gen. Westmoreland during Vietnam, and we all know how successful he was!
ReplyDeleteI am a citizen of Fall River and have a right to my own opinions on my own blog...I let everyone comment without a scintilla of editing...I believe in free speech, not in attacking those whose opinions I don't like and have a visceral reaction to once the words are read ...and enough of the threats online...lol..talk about cranial erectile disfunction?...just stay away...you like Lefty's blog, he's a good guy, stay there!...personally, I don't give a hoot what you do...concentrate on your own life, not anyone else's, you just can't afford it.
I'm not changing a thing about this blog for you, or the cabal, or Flanagan...sue me, sue me, what can you do me....
And of course they want to consolidate power and hegemonize as much as possible. The greedy plan to steal as much as possible...and beware, just when you think no one can touch you and your collection of political toadies, someone's toes always get crunched, and THEN the tales start getting told out of school that eventually reach the AG or the US Attorney...go ahead, if the people in this City like being taken from behind there's little I can do about it!
"And I've been warned"...lmfao...where do people learn to say such things in the normal course of commenting....to quote Monty Python and the Holy Grail "What you gonna do, bite me bleedin' bum?!"
"Sport Coat the Lesser" Bigelow?...lmao...this city is in bigger trouble than I thought...it IS like the gambino family!
Can you all see what's going on here? In Fall River, if you don't agree with one side over the other you will be threatened, harrassed, insulted, demonized, and generally taken to task at every step by the thugs and henchmen of the side you just discussed. All to shut you up. Well no one's gonna shut me up....not Correia people, not Flanagan prople, no one...
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely NOT the approach to take with me...alot better politicians than the veritable ants that inhabit Fall River have tried and all have failed. But go ahead, play your silly little games....
BTW...notice how active this all started to get once we talked about a "ruling power cabal" and "cross political group" hack hires? I think I was close to the absolute truth. You see, you can ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS tell when you're getting close by how much resistence3 you start getting in a short period of time.....ALWAYS...The Karam Harem must be haveing a plotz hemmorage...can't touch me boyz,....lol...BWAHAHAHAHA.
I think it was a valid point one of the anonymous bloggers brought up. If you are accepting public assistance how can you take a stance that the city provides to much assistance. As for the back and forth I thought that was just as entertaining as the blog. Keep writing it. I enjoy it. I think in a round about way he was just saying get off your duff and do something with your life.
ReplyDeleteWhat in God's name are you talking about? And you are making statements and assumptions that just are not true...PETE...lol...so why don't you people backing Will Flanagan justify what he's doing, about to do, and what he hasn't done so far, instead of trying to tear someone down who has done far more in his life for the betterment of the tax paying public than you, that cretin ex radio jerk you hang around with, and the entire Flanagan crew could think of doing in their lifetimes. Glass Houses and all, right?!
ReplyDeleteAs for the back and forth being as good as other entries on this blog, I suggest YOU do something and start your own pro Will Flanagan blog....you take shots on a site that allows free speech...I will not edit anyone's comments...so be brave, don't hide yourself behind an anonymous tag, start a blog on Google and let everyone know what you believe and who you shill and toady for...lmao...no juevos, no nuthin'.....
You see here folks the attacks started by the Flanagan folks...everything I'm saying must be VERY close to the absolute truth...or they wouldn't be pulling the personal attack stuff....that's the ilk of people runninmg YOUR city...from Correia to this guy....they must want your money flow to them to continue in the worst way...The Karem Harem has spoken.....stop all threats to the kingdom, we own Fall River, and no upstart is gonna tell tales out of school or we'll have to do something about them...sorry boys, you doin't won me, you won't stop me, it only wants me to reveal all I know...think about that for a night guys...lmao, rofl...AND I KNOW A CRAPLOAD!!!
"you doin't won" SHOULD BE "YOU DON'T OWN"....
ReplyDeleteGuess you haven't been listening to WSAR, there was a great editorial praising Will not that long ago, an agreement has been reached with the Karams so you can go eat crow. Positive press from WSAR and the Herald, how he is Will going to lose? You complained about his lack of substance during the last election, it's a tired old song. So he can't describe every issue in detail. Can any politician? He has style and class and you can call it fluffy media coverage but it sells with the masses. Ain't no stopping our boy now. BWAHAHAHA
ReplyDeleteI am a flanagan supporter and don't appreciate your comments anonymous. I was able to debate the pros and cons of the election here and able to give my opinion and support for Will.
ReplyDeleteI use the word AM a supporter very loosely based on what happens going forward.
CharlotteDespard
" You complained about his lack of substance during the last election, it's a tired old song. So he can't describe every issue in detail. Can any politician? He has style and class and you can call it fluffy media coverage but it sells with the masses. Ain't no stopping our boy now. BWAHAHAHA "
ReplyDeleteThe writer of this must be really drunk!
Couple of things here:
Yes I did complain, and by your own words it appears I was right. But I knew I'd be vindicated, just hoped I was wrong...
-Should we all take sleeping pills all the time, or walk around like broken zomboids who drank the Kool-Aid from the Cajun Priestess and are now full of wacky-assed voodooo like you, and NOT ask for our Mayor, facing the worst set of problems in the City History, to be much more than a Pat Sajack clone and mumble and stumble his way through his term with that uneducated sounding Fall River acccent, grocery bag boy of the year thingy going? We need a brain and a leader, not a glad handing , happy news progenator with no substance, but planty of style. Friend, that kind of style spells one thing...LOSER...and it's Fall River and it's citizens that will pay. IF YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT FALL RIVER YOU HAVE TO EXPECT MORE THAN STYLE...and frnakly, if that dullard syntax and crappy haircut is what passes for style in Fall River, the entire city is in trouble! Maybe he needs to hire another girlfriend!...lol...that doesn't mean style in my book! Once again, eat, drink and breath Happy News and good thoughts about Fall River, the worst welfare city in this state by any measure (the state pays for 70% of everything we use, yet everyone in Fall River hates people on welfare or in public housing...lmao...), and somehow it will be...I live in the real world.....the only way is down from here, not up, if the majority of citizens are like you, and I don't think that's the case...BWAHAHAHA....yeah, I know who you are now...lmao@U...you're that moron who polishes plate glass windows with his head...it's good you found a use for it...and who listens to 'SAR...since Kerry Rodrigues left, there's no onje to listen to.....The hurricane ?....small potatoes..."he was never nuthin, he's nuthin now, and he ain't never gonna be nuthin" to quote the old fight movie....
Are you an official campaign spokesperson for the Flanagan campaign? You know alot of people read this blog...everyone knows it's you Michael....and you are here saying the masses in Fall River are so stupid they will swallow all of the Flanagan crap like they are mindless dogs eating dog food on command, like Pavlovian K-9's. Nice to see the high regard in which the Flanagan insiders hold Fall Riverites ...lmao...if they give YOU a job, then everyone will see just how stupid HE is...lmao
BTW...the BWAHAHA is a dead giveaway....you stole it from me because I beat you down with it so many times...please, go breed with flying monkees and stop wasting everyone's time....you are such a lost and pitiful child....how does it feel to be pittied Mike...the whole City of Fall River both pitties you and detests you.....nice lifetime acheivement there GUY!
And BTW, you really need to apologize to kerry Rodrigues for pulling an emotional Rothelisburger on her....tuff guy, screaming at a woman...lmao@U...That act alone will forever define you....if that is what passes for manhood in Fall River, it's digusting! The Karams have no place in humanity by hiring you and keeping you on after that.
Check yourself into rehab... your Friday night attacks after getting plastered are the equivalent to a middle aged drunk grabbing the half gallon of vodka and the phone, sitting at the kitchen table, and making drunken phone calls to college friends at 3:30 AM, saying annoying crap like " you never invited me to your wedding, I know you don't like me no matter what you say"....Mike, they don't like you....no go play in traffic...Bu-Bye
Everyone who comes here will always be able to leave an opinion and it will be treated with respect as long as it's intelligent and sincere....I don't mind criticism as long as it's not personal....and even if it is I will still print it...
ReplyDeleteFREE SPEECH KEEPS US FREE
Now I will return to regular programming...please for give the momentary self indulgent use of Blog time for petty personal crud...I will do my best to avoid further comment to the rants of those not on subject.
Flanagan didn't present a whole lot of substance on the campaign trail and if you listen to him speak he doesn't give us all that much now either. The difference is he is not as arrogant as that other blank slate Bob Correia. In fact, whenever I talk to one of Flanagan's supporters of how this mayor rants and raves in generics rather than specifics I get the same response, "At least he's not Bob Correia." That ain't saying a whole lot so they should re-think their response. Having said all that I think he will be easily re-elected. In this city unless your administration is basically a train wreck, like Bob Correia's administration was, the voters typically vote you in over and over again. In Fall River the slogan isn't "And Justice for All," it's, "And Mediocrity for All."
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's so sad...he will be re-elected...you just wish someone had more concern for the City than the same cast of fools who trot out their love for the City like a 20 year old artificial Christmas Tree each year at election time and dust off a few familiar ornaments like "Revitalize the Waterfront" and "Create Jobs for FR Citizens" and make a big show of it, when all they are concerned about is paying off their backers with hack jobs or contracts or influence on some board....the oldest shell game in FR....I can't care anymore than the majority of FR citizens do...and that's a fact!
ReplyDelete"DARE TO BE MEDIOCRE!"...how about this one,
"WE'RE FALL RIVER, WHERE THE PEOPLE'S TREASURY IS THE POLITICIANS PETTY CASH ACCOUNT!"
We'll Try!
ReplyDeleteWe'll try what?
ReplyDelete