Same Time Next Year
-
It’s been nearly a year since I wrote about the problems that come from
having 11 bosses who are not on the same page about anything, as well as
suggestion...
2 years ago
July 16, 2008
Fire Station Question
I know this will create alot of comments, but here goes. If you had to make a decision between closing Providence Street or Tatnuck Square fire station, which one would you close?
July 14, 2008
Final Airport Master Plan
Until I see one mention of this in the newspaper or at a City Council Meeting, I will just post here every once in a while. Sorry this whole idea of Master Plans and task forces are just an excuse no to do anything, but wait. Hey what about those charettes?
For the 100th time I was on one task force and I must admit it went about 100 times better then expected. We came up with great ideas and recommendations, but none were never enacted, so what did we really get done? Answer--nothing.
We really need to make a committed effort to have no more task forces or reports by consultants. Elected officials and the management in the City of Worcester need to make decisions and defend them on their own merit. No more excuses or reports to hide behind.
For the 100th time I was on one task force and I must admit it went about 100 times better then expected. We came up with great ideas and recommendations, but none were never enacted, so what did we really get done? Answer--nothing.
We really need to make a committed effort to have no more task forces or reports by consultants. Elected officials and the management in the City of Worcester need to make decisions and defend them on their own merit. No more excuses or reports to hide behind.
July 13, 2008
Rockford Airport Daytrippers
They have done it again. Instead of waiting around for reports from consultants, they actually do things that bring business to their airport. Here is a story from the AirportBusiness.com:
A planeload of "day trippers" from Rockford, Ill., will arrive at Niagara Falls International Airport on the morning of July 3 and depart that same evening in a first-of-its-kind tourism blitz.
The "all in one day" sightseeing experiment is the brainchild of the Greater Rockford Airport Authority to beef-up business at the underutilized Chicago Rockford International Airport. Tickets for the whirlwind trip to the Falls went on sale at 1 p.m. Wednesday and were sold out by 10 a.m. the next morning.
"People were really excited about having an affordable way to get to Niagara Falls," said Zach Sundquist, the Rockford airport's special projects coordinator. "It's a convenient and cheap way for a whole family to make the trip without the added expense of an overnight stay."
Rockford is located about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. Round-trip tickets for the charter flight, arranged through Southern Skyways Airlines, were priced at $154 for the first 40 passengers, with the remaining 91 seats going for $192 each. The pilot flight will depart Rockford at 7 a.m. (CDT) and arrive in Niagara Falls at 9:15 a.m. The return flight will leave Niagara Falls at 8 p.m., giving the day-tripping travelers some 11 hours to experience Niagara Falls and related attractions.
"We are delighted about the "day trip" concept, with hopes of discovering a potential for regularly-scheduled seasonal service in the not-so-distant future," said Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Chairman Greg Stamm.
The NFTA will accommodate the Rockford tour group with $10 shuttles from the airport to downtown Niagara Falls. An evening return shuttle will also be offered. The visitors are on their own to plan activities while in Niagara Falls.
A planeload of "day trippers" from Rockford, Ill., will arrive at Niagara Falls International Airport on the morning of July 3 and depart that same evening in a first-of-its-kind tourism blitz.
The "all in one day" sightseeing experiment is the brainchild of the Greater Rockford Airport Authority to beef-up business at the underutilized Chicago Rockford International Airport. Tickets for the whirlwind trip to the Falls went on sale at 1 p.m. Wednesday and were sold out by 10 a.m. the next morning.
"People were really excited about having an affordable way to get to Niagara Falls," said Zach Sundquist, the Rockford airport's special projects coordinator. "It's a convenient and cheap way for a whole family to make the trip without the added expense of an overnight stay."
Rockford is located about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. Round-trip tickets for the charter flight, arranged through Southern Skyways Airlines, were priced at $154 for the first 40 passengers, with the remaining 91 seats going for $192 each. The pilot flight will depart Rockford at 7 a.m. (CDT) and arrive in Niagara Falls at 9:15 a.m. The return flight will leave Niagara Falls at 8 p.m., giving the day-tripping travelers some 11 hours to experience Niagara Falls and related attractions.
"We are delighted about the "day trip" concept, with hopes of discovering a potential for regularly-scheduled seasonal service in the not-so-distant future," said Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Chairman Greg Stamm.
The NFTA will accommodate the Rockford tour group with $10 shuttles from the airport to downtown Niagara Falls. An evening return shuttle will also be offered. The visitors are on their own to plan activities while in Niagara Falls.
Nemeth
No story on the Airport Master Plan, but his stance on Narcan in the newspaper today is the right one.
July 12, 2008
Super Bore
We waited for the twenty year 400,o00 Master Plan for four years. Although it was released this week, I did not hear any discussion of it at City Council nor have I read anything about it in the paper.
Here's hoping Mr Nemeth writes about it tomorrow. Please note Jahn has hired me to do a 20 year Master Plan for his house. If anyone else would like my services let me know. The cost will be 4,000 and it will take me 4 months to do.
Here's hoping Mr Nemeth writes about it tomorrow. Please note Jahn has hired me to do a 20 year Master Plan for his house. If anyone else would like my services let me know. The cost will be 4,000 and it will take me 4 months to do.
Buy Worcester Now
Sorry I keep mentioning this, but the one task force I was regarding the non-profits in the City of Worcester recommended a Buy Local campaign for the colleges. The final report, spearheaded by Rep Leary, detailed how Philadelphia had done the same thing and how the purchasing power in Philadelphia for non-profits was a ridiculous number something like 100 million?
Thought of that yesterday as I drove by Clark and noticed a painting crew on the iron fences with a 617 number. You see the Univercity Partnership was suppose to conduct local fairs for Worcester based contractors and vendors would have an opportunity to meet with all the purchasing agents of the various non-profits. This never happened, neither did local jobs fairs for Worcester residents to meet the people who do the hiring at the non-profits.
Think we may have even called the campaign "Buy Worcester." The Worcester UniverCity Partnership had so much potential, but the wrong person was hired to get the job done. I just checked the website for more information and this is what I found:
"By Mutual Agreement the Worcester UniverCity Partnership has been dissolved. Feel free to contact Armand Carriere, former Executive Director, for additional information. He can be reached at the following e-mail address: ae2425@gmail.com."
Lets assume someone did stumble onto this site, why would you list Mr Carriere, the guy who was fired for getting nothing done and the reason the Partnershi was shuttered, as a contact??
Thought of that yesterday as I drove by Clark and noticed a painting crew on the iron fences with a 617 number. You see the Univercity Partnership was suppose to conduct local fairs for Worcester based contractors and vendors would have an opportunity to meet with all the purchasing agents of the various non-profits. This never happened, neither did local jobs fairs for Worcester residents to meet the people who do the hiring at the non-profits.
Think we may have even called the campaign "Buy Worcester." The Worcester UniverCity Partnership had so much potential, but the wrong person was hired to get the job done. I just checked the website for more information and this is what I found:
"By Mutual Agreement the Worcester UniverCity Partnership has been dissolved. Feel free to contact Armand Carriere, former Executive Director, for additional information. He can be reached at the following e-mail address: ae2425@gmail.com."
Lets assume someone did stumble onto this site, why would you list Mr Carriere, the guy who was fired for getting nothing done and the reason the Partnershi was shuttered, as a contact??
July 11, 2008
July 10, 2008
Frank Carroll Skating Rink
On a serious note how about this the Frank Carroll Skating Rink? Not the SBSB Frank Carroll but the former competitive skater and top ranked coach from Worcester Frank Carroll.
If not that I do like Ceeement Pond
If not that I do like Ceeement Pond
Skating Rink Name
Per Jahn's suggestion please submit names for the skating rink in the comment box and I will list the best ones.
July 09, 2008
Buy Worcester Now
I have to admit that I was excited to hear about this and looked forward to the press conference this morning. Since that time I have reviewed the website.
The biggest part of the initiative is that many employers in the City of Worcester, mainly non-profits, will help their employees buy houses in the City of Worcester similar to how Clark U does in the area surrounding their college.
Ironically this was a recommendation of the task force that I was on that resulted in the creation of the Univercity Partnership, where Armand Carriere did nothing and was eventually shut down. This is a great idea.
As far as I can tell, however, the rest is merely a compilation of many of the scattered programs that are available currently in one cohesive website. Don't get me wrong this is a good thing and has the potential of being effective, which is a good thing but what is new here?
I was actually hoping to see something like property taxes waived for one, or even, two years to BUY WORCESTER!! Lastly me is it just me or does it seem unfair for the City to, more or less, endorse one law firm , Fletcher, Tilton and Whipple, over another firm?
The biggest part of the initiative is that many employers in the City of Worcester, mainly non-profits, will help their employees buy houses in the City of Worcester similar to how Clark U does in the area surrounding their college.
Ironically this was a recommendation of the task force that I was on that resulted in the creation of the Univercity Partnership, where Armand Carriere did nothing and was eventually shut down. This is a great idea.
As far as I can tell, however, the rest is merely a compilation of many of the scattered programs that are available currently in one cohesive website. Don't get me wrong this is a good thing and has the potential of being effective, which is a good thing but what is new here?
I was actually hoping to see something like property taxes waived for one, or even, two years to BUY WORCESTER!! Lastly me is it just me or does it seem unfair for the City to, more or less, endorse one law firm , Fletcher, Tilton and Whipple, over another firm?
July 08, 2008
Allegiant 2nd Qtr
Allegiant Air LLC has announced that its second quarter passenger count for scheduled service grew 39.2 percent in the second quarter and by 33.1 percent in June.
For the second quarter, the airline had nearly 1.05 million passengers, up from 753,716 for the same period last year. In June, the carrier reported 421,380 passengers, up from 298,935 in June 2007.
The load factor for the second quarter was 94 percent, up from 88.6 percent for the corresponding quarter in 2007. The June load factor was 91.3 percent, compared to 86.9 percent in June 2007.
For the second quarter, the airline had nearly 1.05 million passengers, up from 753,716 for the same period last year. In June, the carrier reported 421,380 passengers, up from 298,935 in June 2007.
The load factor for the second quarter was 94 percent, up from 88.6 percent for the corresponding quarter in 2007. The June load factor was 91.3 percent, compared to 86.9 percent in June 2007.
Airport Master Plan On-line
Onc again a report that had much fanfare when announced has been released without hardly a mention. The 20 year Mastern Plan is now on the City of Worcester website, clikc here for the Executive Summary. Keepind mind that this took some 3-4 years to complete at a cost of $400,000--there is alot of nothing here? Maybe I am missing something, except of course the $141,000,000 in short and long-term capital projects, this report is disappointment.
Two of the biggest issues I see are 1) do we outright sell or long-term lease ORH to MassPort or another private entity and 2) do we downgrade to General Aviation. As far as I can tell neither of these topics were even discussed.
Two of the biggest issues I see are 1) do we outright sell or long-term lease ORH to MassPort or another private entity and 2) do we downgrade to General Aviation. As far as I can tell neither of these topics were even discussed.
Abandoned Buildinig Ordinance
We have a great, and effective, ordinance called the Abandoned Building Ordinance that was passed after the Cold Storage Fire. Maybe worrying about another ordinance we should enforce this ordinance first?
July 07, 2008
Councilor Rosen Responds
Received thius e-mail from Councilor in response to how passage of the current home rules petition regarding foreclosure will help. Thanks Councilor Rosen.
Federal, state and municipal governments are taking steps to begin to put a tourniquet on the hemorrhaging of foreclosures in this country. The US Senate is working diligently on a $300 billion foreclosure rescue program. The Massachusetts legislature is considering foreclosure legislation similar to home rule petitions submitted by both Boston and Worcester. Lawmakers see the need to address this national crisis, which has had a devastating effect on both poor and middle class homeowners and renters. While many of these mortgage loan problems were brought about by predatory and unscrupulous lenders, others were the result of a lack of information, legal assistance, and common sense by some individuals and families who did not realize or who ignored how difficult it would be for them to make ballooning ARM mortgage payments in the future.
The Worcester City Council, on an 11-0 vote, rather than wait for the Commonwealth to pass the foreclosure legislation in front of it, seeks to take action similar to that already proposed by the city of Boston. Our Home Rule petitions request a 6-month moratorium to slow the tidal wave of foreclosures and give homeowners a little more time to get the right advice and make the best decisions in an effort to save their homes. They request that tenants and families who, through no fault of their own, are in danger of being evicted have some reasonable protections through a just-cause eviction process. And finally, they ask that homeowners be given their day in court just in case judicial steps and intervention can realize a new agreement between homeowner and lender. Perfect legislation? No. But helpful to Worcester, its homeowners, residential and commercial taxpayers, I think and hope so.
Besides homeowners and tenants, their children and extended families, having their lives seriously disrupted, neighborhoods often become blighted as foreclosures occur. As soon as the boarded windows spring up, the economic and emotional well-being of the entire neighborhood goes down. and the safety, economic and emotional well-being of the entire neighborhood can be compromised. Squatters sometimes take up residence, houses are vandalized, copper tubing removed, and windows shattered. Often the lender is oblivious to the condition of the property that they now own. Values and demand for surrounding properties in which neighbors have significant investments go down. Further, the economic ramifications of foreclosure include the loss of tax revenue; increased policing, fire department activity (due to arson), and an increased need for social services.
Worcester has been especially hard hit by the foreclosure tsunami. I understand that some homeowners have brought their troubles upon themselves by making unwise and uneducated decisions. However, many homeowners have fallen victim to a drastic change in career and financial status while others were prey to predatory lenders. In any case, the legislation which Worcester is proposing hopefully will offer some help, some relief and some time to homeowners, tenants and mortgage lenders so affected by this national crisis.
Federal, state and municipal governments are taking steps to begin to put a tourniquet on the hemorrhaging of foreclosures in this country. The US Senate is working diligently on a $300 billion foreclosure rescue program. The Massachusetts legislature is considering foreclosure legislation similar to home rule petitions submitted by both Boston and Worcester. Lawmakers see the need to address this national crisis, which has had a devastating effect on both poor and middle class homeowners and renters. While many of these mortgage loan problems were brought about by predatory and unscrupulous lenders, others were the result of a lack of information, legal assistance, and common sense by some individuals and families who did not realize or who ignored how difficult it would be for them to make ballooning ARM mortgage payments in the future.
The Worcester City Council, on an 11-0 vote, rather than wait for the Commonwealth to pass the foreclosure legislation in front of it, seeks to take action similar to that already proposed by the city of Boston. Our Home Rule petitions request a 6-month moratorium to slow the tidal wave of foreclosures and give homeowners a little more time to get the right advice and make the best decisions in an effort to save their homes. They request that tenants and families who, through no fault of their own, are in danger of being evicted have some reasonable protections through a just-cause eviction process. And finally, they ask that homeowners be given their day in court just in case judicial steps and intervention can realize a new agreement between homeowner and lender. Perfect legislation? No. But helpful to Worcester, its homeowners, residential and commercial taxpayers, I think and hope so.
Besides homeowners and tenants, their children and extended families, having their lives seriously disrupted, neighborhoods often become blighted as foreclosures occur. As soon as the boarded windows spring up, the economic and emotional well-being of the entire neighborhood goes down. and the safety, economic and emotional well-being of the entire neighborhood can be compromised. Squatters sometimes take up residence, houses are vandalized, copper tubing removed, and windows shattered. Often the lender is oblivious to the condition of the property that they now own. Values and demand for surrounding properties in which neighbors have significant investments go down. Further, the economic ramifications of foreclosure include the loss of tax revenue; increased policing, fire department activity (due to arson), and an increased need for social services.
Worcester has been especially hard hit by the foreclosure tsunami. I understand that some homeowners have brought their troubles upon themselves by making unwise and uneducated decisions. However, many homeowners have fallen victim to a drastic change in career and financial status while others were prey to predatory lenders. In any case, the legislation which Worcester is proposing hopefully will offer some help, some relief and some time to homeowners, tenants and mortgage lenders so affected by this national crisis.
July 05, 2008
CIg Inventory Tax
Juts got my letter in the mail on the cigarette tax. After July 1st, all cigs that we order have the increased tax included, but the ones in the racks did not. We had to take an inventory, approximately 100 cartons.
We have to take that times that by 10 packs and then times that by the extra $1.00 per pack tax and we owe $1,000. We have twenty days to mail it in. Consider every outlet in the state needs to do that, there will be a bump in the July collections.
A true barometer will be the November collections. Tell you right now I have already seen a big drop in cig sales, why? I have decided that it is because of summer vacation and people are either going or know someone that is going to the beaches in NewHampshire and.or Maine and are buying cigs.
How can anyone, who voted in favor of this tax consider themselves pro-small business or to be business friendly?
We have to take that times that by 10 packs and then times that by the extra $1.00 per pack tax and we owe $1,000. We have twenty days to mail it in. Consider every outlet in the state needs to do that, there will be a bump in the July collections.
A true barometer will be the November collections. Tell you right now I have already seen a big drop in cig sales, why? I have decided that it is because of summer vacation and people are either going or know someone that is going to the beaches in NewHampshire and.or Maine and are buying cigs.
How can anyone, who voted in favor of this tax consider themselves pro-small business or to be business friendly?
July 04, 2008
Airport Master Plan
The Tuesday City Council agenda says the Master Plan has been placed on the City and Airport website. Just checked and I do not see it?
Other then that the monthly Economic Report on the airport 1) reports the same exact thing it has for almost two years on IMG that they are working on stuff and 2) a reminder that the DOT grant extension to spend the remaining $300,000 expires September 10, 2008.
Other then that the monthly Economic Report on the airport 1) reports the same exact thing it has for almost two years on IMG that they are working on stuff and 2) a reminder that the DOT grant extension to spend the remaining $300,000 expires September 10, 2008.
July 03, 2008
Home Rules Foreclosure Petition
Councilor Rosen has been a great advocate for ORH, even though he has been the first person (and only) to refuse an on-line blog interview?
Recently, he has also been on the forefront for the home rules foreclosure petition. Tonight, I sent him an e-mail asking him to give me an example how this passage would benefit the tax-payers, and tenants, in the City of Worcester.
When he gets back to me I will post.
Bill
Recently, he has also been on the forefront for the home rules foreclosure petition. Tonight, I sent him an e-mail asking him to give me an example how this passage would benefit the tax-payers, and tenants, in the City of Worcester.
When he gets back to me I will post.
Bill
July 02, 2008
Cigarette Tax
You can read the various stories in all the papers today, but the bottom line is that the Commonwealth of Mass has added a dollar tax to a pack of cigarette which in essence has increased the price of a package of cigarettes by approximately $1.25. In the past there have been other tax increases but never one that increased the price of a pack of cigarettes by approximately 25%. Why are we doing this?
The need Commonwealth of Massachusetts which has seen the creation of the Connector Authority and Commonwealthcare is running at a deficit and they need this added revenue from the sale of cigs to pay for it. One big problem, however, this increase will not only not increase total collections but will most likely result in lower collections.
At first this will not be realized since every outlet that sells cigarettes needs to pay a floor tax ($1 per pack) on all cigarettes in invenotry so there will actually be a spike in collections at first. By November and Decemeber this will flatten out and it will be interesting to see what is the level of collections. Why will revenues reduce?
The need Commonwealth of Massachusetts which has seen the creation of the Connector Authority and Commonwealthcare is running at a deficit and they need this added revenue from the sale of cigs to pay for it. One big problem, however, this increase will not only not increase total collections but will most likely result in lower collections.
At first this will not be realized since every outlet that sells cigarettes needs to pay a floor tax ($1 per pack) on all cigarettes in invenotry so there will actually be a spike in collections at first. By November and Decemeber this will flatten out and it will be interesting to see what is the level of collections. Why will revenues reduce?
- Some will quit, not many
- Some will switch to generic cigs
- Some will start rolling their own
- Most will find other places to buy cigarettes that are from other states like New Hampshire, where a carton of cigs will be about $20 less. Whether they drive to NH, a friend is going or maybe their local bar will have an entrepeneur who will see the opportunity this has created and will start selling NH cigs out of his trunk.
Imagine owning a store in the Fitchburg/Leominster area or north of that!!! You may as well nmot even carry cigarettes. Botom line is that Massachusets is not an island and we need to be competitive with surrounding states or we will lose business.
Kudos to Fresolo and Evangelides, the only two local states representatives that voted against it.
July 01, 2008
20 Million For Non-Profits
Here we go . Click here.
20 Million for non-profits to buy foreclosed properties with up to $60,000 grants per unit for affordable housing. In other words you do not have to pay the $60,000 back during the affordability period (usualyy 15 years) if you keep the unit affordable, or low income.
More low income housing for Worcester. More great news.
20 Million for non-profits to buy foreclosed properties with up to $60,000 grants per unit for affordable housing. In other words you do not have to pay the $60,000 back during the affordability period (usualyy 15 years) if you keep the unit affordable, or low income.
More low income housing for Worcester. More great news.
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