I read this in the Reader's Opinion section of the Keene Sentinel and sat there shaking my head. Then I received a few emails and a few phone calls in regards to this letter and was asked if what was being said was " don't come to us with your problems, we're not interested". I'm sure Gus didn't mean that; but you have to wonder, just who is in charge when the governing body states it's not the place to bring your issues to in regards to other boards. Are we suppose to take our issues to court to get answers?
Published: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thank you to all the people who, on March 9, voted me into office again as a Winchester selectman.
I also appreciate those folks who took the time to attend the Meet the Candidates session on a nice Sunday afternoon.
My heart is in Winchester, and my intention is to continue to work hard to assure that Winchester persists in moving forward, improving our image and making the town a pleasure to live in.
As a selectman I will continue to do my best to cut costs while maintaining the services and infrastructure that Winchester has. But (and there is always a “but”) as costs go up and if budgets get cut even more, services for the town and maintenance of the infrastructure are eventually going to suffer.
I urge Winchester residents to attend select board meetings to find out for themselves what really goes on there. The meetings may not be exciting, but they are always informative.
It’s the right place to ask about things you don’t understand, and to speak your mind about concerns you may have. It will give you a better understanding of the details of managing a town.
The select board isn’t the place to bring issues you may have with the planning board, zoning board, police or school, but we will listen and let you know what we can and can’t do for you and who you should contact if we are not the appropriate board to handle your problem.
GUS RUTH
So what do you think? How many of you have gone before this board or contacted them with an issue? How many of you have received a satisfactory answer to your issue and how many of you, like me, are still waiting for an answer months later?
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47 comments:
What, no comments in support of Gus?
This is the biggest bundle of horse manure I have ever read. Gus says; " As a Selectman I will continue to do my best to cut costs, while maintaining the services and infrastructure Winchester has".
I can tell you all as a past Budget Committee member for the last 3 years, never once did the Selectmen present the Budget Committee with a budget that was cost cutting. Every single year, despite the economy, it was always more and more money for department heads and their " must have it." ideals, spend, spend, spend. Never put anything away for a rainy day; just kept on blowing our tax money. Who's responsible for the town being $500,000.00 short this year Gus, the beavers?
Never did you or any other Selectman ever try to cut cost until I pressed the issues and pressured other board members to help reign in all of all your runaway spending. Yes, I made a complete arse of myself at meetings sometimes trying to get you spendthrifts in line with the real world, all to no avail. You wonder why people can't pay their taxes Gus? Go look in the mirror, you're one of the reason so many are so far behind. Isn't it the Selectman who handed out all those raises and bonuses and cost of living adjustments for people who can't stay within their budgets, show up for work on time or in some cases do the work they were hired to do? How about supporting people who continue, year after year to neglect and destroy town property and then cry they need more toys to play with. Wonder how many people in town had to give up buying a new car, just so Dale can have another new truck this year, even though he admitted he never took care of the old one.
Aren't you the ones who continue to add spending warrant after spending warrant on the town ballot, year after year, despite people losing their homes and property tax delinquency has gone over a million dollars? Hell, even one of you is years behind in their property taxes and the spending goes on. How is this being frugal and cutting costs?
This spin just goes on and on, you're claiming that you're cutting costs. Where Gus, where in hell have you and the other board members cut anything? Talk about malarkey, you sure can sling it.
I'll bet you're real happy I wasn't re-elected to the budget committee this year aren't you? It was really hard letting people know I was running again when all but 2 of my election signs were swiped; yet your signs and Theresa Sepe's signs, right beside mine stayed up? Hmmm? C'mon Gus, weren't you one of Stetsor's biggest supporters. Remember him, he of the town charge card fiascoes, underwear from Burlington Coat, the $195.00 hotel rooms up in Portsmouth and how about the fruit and flowers for your wife he charged to the town too? I could go on, there's a lot more and you know it. Why didn't the board act to recover all of that blown money? Wasn't that illegal, Gus? Aren't you one of the Selectmen that allowed him to shuffle money from the A.C. Lawrence Fund, set up for cleanup, to pave the town barn parking area? C'mon Gus, if you're going to blow your own horn, at least come clean with the people who voted for you and let them know the real truth.
You tell people to come to the meetings and approach the board with their concerns and yet when I came to you with 130 signatures from my neighbors and other neighbors of the racetracks and asked you to please give us some assistance with the noise, please I asked , just do a noise level check to see if they are in compliance. Please help us to enjoy our homes and backyards, I asked. Just what did you and the other board members do ..... NOTHING .. NOT ONE DAMN THING .. except sit on your hands and tell us you'd take it under advisement.
oops too long, continued below.
cont'
You are a hypocrite Mr Gus Ruth, you and the other Selectmen have totally misrepresented this wastewater treatment plant fiasco right from the start. Didn't you all insure us that this was already shovel ready last year to qualify for some of the stimulus money the state received and was doling out? Then how come we had to come up with another $500,000.00 again this year for more plans? Sounds like more malarkey coming from the beaver pond. You can bet you'll all be back asking for even more money next year and when you do, I will remind people of this letter you wrote and I'll be your biggest critic and strongest detractor.
Hey Gus, didn't you get chosen to sit on the planning board? Are you going to reign in Margaret Sharra or let her continue to have her way as she did Monday night in your presence? She doesn't care about the lawsuits or court? I hope you selectmen do and put a stop to her nonsense quickly. We'll be watching.
Wow, guess Gus better not write any more thank you's to the paper. He and Sharra seem to be on the same page don't they? Actions speak louder than words do Gus, Bob's right, you're all talk and no do.
Good Morning Blog!
It's going to be a great day. In fact most of us will be working in our gardens so that we can economize on our grocery bills to pay our taxes. That said I have a couple of comments:
1. I too read Mr. Ruth's letter in the paper. I am certain that those who voted for him are wondering why. Why did we elect a person to the select board if he is not going to help us? Oh well,we can change that in three years.
2. I am disappointed that Mr. Davis did not win however; here's what he needs to do. We need his help in making certain that funds are encumbered so that we can pay the town's bills. If we have to borrow money to meet everyday expenses our tax rate will go even higher.You also need to understand that the people in the accounting office only do what they are told.
3. We also need to pay particular attention to how much help Mr. Meleski has to give to other departments. If we are pulling him away from his job to cover for others then perhaps those that are not earning their money should be replaced. That's how it works in the real world. Also, if a department can not service equipment then perhaps the department head needs to be replaced.
4. The town boards need to understand that there are more of us watching as opposed to sitting on the fence. We can thank Mr. Davis and Mr. Towne for that.
Have a great day!
"Signs point to a still-soft job market"
"Time to Bail? Some owners say walking away from so-called 'underwater' mortgages is the smart choice"
"NH Jobs Outlook for 2010 - dismal"
"Years later, homeowners may still owe"
These are the headlines in today's Keene Sentinel.
We have neighbors losing their jobs and the outlook for them getting a job - not favorable. They can't afford to cover their mortgages and their taxes. No bank is going to give them a loan to pay their taxes with no job.
This is the economy that our Union Paid or Union Retired Board of Selectman are looking at. Is it possible that they can't grasp the big picture? That the money isn't going to be coming in...
Our Town needs to stop spending and get by with the bare minimum. And yes unfortunately, add to that "unemployment" list. Or consider the option of letting everyone keep their jobs - just cut them back to part-time with NO benefits.
How much would we save by not paying out benefit packages?
Please run the town like professional business men & women and consider the fact that we are loosing our jobs & don't want to loose our homes too.
WGYB
Yes, I saw that little thanks from Gus Ruth (in the letters to the editor section of the Sentinel) too. As someone who did not vote for Ruth because of the many different problems that have been brought to light and have been exposed on the Winchester Informer, I did find it a fluff piece trying to deflect the truth and to keep people thinking he is to be believed.
I find a couple of things interesting in Mr. Ruth’s statements:
1.) that he takes no responsibility for any of the current problems going on in town under whose very watch they have happened. He portrays Winchester to be on the cusp of some great achievement and not a community divided and run by a bunch of people who have personal agendas who stop at nothing and step on anyone to ensure their agenda is met.
My heart is in Winchester, and my intention is to continue to work hard to assure that Winchester persists in moving forward, improving our image and making the town a pleasure to live in.
2.) he’ll do his best to keep cost down but and this is to use his words – “and there is always a but”, he’ll do his best to keep costs down????? – he already has a track record that speaks volumes and volumes for the waste of taxpayer money and resources he has pissed away or has caused to have pissed away while a selectmen – what Mr. Gus Ruth are you going to do different now? Relying on government subsidies and grants to cover costs and/or to give reimbursements to the town coffers is a very foolish and unwise way to try to justify to the people that projects, which could easily wait a few years to get started and/or completed, must be done now. Why not wait until the economy improves a bit and people can better afford these upgrades before doing them? Sometimes you do have to sacrifice in the short term to get to the long term. Just because you may have money doesn’t mean everyone else is in the same boat, or is it that you don’t want anyone who can’t afford all the extras at this moment living in Winchester?
As a selectman I will continue to do my best to cut costs while maintaining the services and infrastructure that Winchester has. But (and there is always a “but”) as costs go up and if budgets get cut even more, services for the town and maintenance of the infrastructure are eventually going to suffer.
3) and finally he tells everyone exactly what he will do for any taxpayers in the town when it comes to any issues they may have with how the town is run, how any of the departments are run and if someone has a problem or issue with one of them simply put by Mr. Ruth they won’t be able to help you. Which is exactly what this Winchester Informer Blog has been saying and proving right along. There is so much information, so many documents, so many explanations and stories of one thing after the other on this blog proving and showing the BOS look away every time there is proof of showing them something is not right you have to believe they must be in on it.
The select board isn’t the place to bring issues you may have with the planning board, zoning board, police or school
So in a nutshell he believes he lives in a town that is cohesive with a nice image to the outside and pleasurable to live in, but he won’t commit to reducing taxes, and don’t go to him or any other board member if you have problems because they are not going to look into or have looked into any complaints, real or imaged, with proof or without proof.
I can honestly say that I am amazed at Gus' arrogance. He sat in the "Meet the Candidates" meeting and said he would like to have a BIGGER BUDGET...that in his opinion, the budget wasn't high enough! Now, I know his spin on this will be that if the PEOPLE vote for all these town "improvements" and projects, then it is the people who are setting the standard, thus the budget needs to be bigger to meet the peoples' needs. This is smoke and mirrors. Also, how many of the PEOPLE who voted are renters and have the misconception that it will not cost them anything....they don't pay taxes...but the truth is, this only means that rent prices will increase in order to cover the cost of rising taxes. That is unless you are HUD housing, which is a growing segment of our residents. Thank about it people, we all pay the price! Let's see if the State Budget makes good on all the "reimbursement" funds we are counting on. The State is in trouble too and I'll bet we don't get the reimbursement for the sidewalks we are promised. In the meantime, we will have sidewalks, and we will have to raise taxes again to pay for them!
About 1/3rd of the land in Winchester is off the tax roles, i looked at the map. I don't think we can afford much more, but i don't think Gus gives a s--- what i think.
Aren't you the ones who continue to add spending warrant after spending warrant on the town ballot, year after year
I am confused by this statement by Bob.
The selectman are responsible for the warrents showing up on the ballots for the voters to decide if it is something we need to do as a town, Right?
The majority of voters decided that it was something they thought we needed for our community and VOTED SO. do you think the voters shouldnt have a say in the towns spending?
I get really confused when you blame Selectman on decisions made by voters, is there something i'm missing?
Thanks
Both Bob and I have tried time and time again to get people to listen to the real truths, both here on the blog and at the Meet The Candidates get together put on by the Grange. Our town is in deep trouble and the hole is getting deeper every day; but our voices have fallen on deaf ears. No one wanted to hear that we need to cut back hours for employees, cut benefits and hours the town hall is open. I had a plan to offer more service at less hours and less costs and at the same time be able to provide more service and assistance for those in trouble that need help. In other words run the town like a business, not a country club for the privileged few; but alas, voters in this town thought they could get the needed changes by electing the same bunch of people who not only will continue doing the same old things; but these are the very people at the root of Winchester's problems. I don't know what it takes to wake you all up. I guess the prospect of losing your homes or falling deeper in debt doesn't phase some, or perhaps you haven't been affected by the downswing in the economy yet, or perhaps you're so far behind the eight ball you figure there's no way out and are just riding the train to the last stop. I don't know what the answer is; but I know the results of this last election shows that the suffering will continue and the divide will get wider in the coming year and people have no one but themselves to blame.
Our Selectmen, despite their claims really haven't a clue. Dept. Heads are not held responsible or accountable and a few employees are really not worth the money they get paid and either need to shape up or ship out. There's too much favoritism, too many related people working together and too many of the same people on all of the boards and committees not only giving the appearance of impropriety; but influencing others on the boards they sit on because they are all friends and won't buck the status quo; because as one of them said to me" I have to socialize with these people every week". Well that's real nice, don't do the job you ran for office for; because you don't want to upset a friend you socialize with, to hell with the affect it might have on someone who came to you for help.
Nothing can be done now to change the results of the election, it's over and done with. I just hope people will start paying a bit more attention, speak out about injustices and get involved with whats going on. If you don't, which is what those in power count on, things will never change for the better. You choice, Bob and I can't force you to drink from the trough.
to confused at 12:45
If you can't figure out that the voters have been lied to time and time again by our selectmen and their department head cohorts, then you really do have a problem. Also, 600-700 or 800 voters are not a majority of the town's voters, there are roughly 3000 registered voters here in Winchester, most are too lazy to care and vote; but those that vote for the spending are not the majority by any means, they are the supporters of the clowns in power and probably benefit in one way or the other with the way they cast their votes. I'm sure you know what I mean by this too, after all it is evident who you voted for and why you are asking Davis what he meant.
also to confused;
The selectmen write up nearly all of the spending warrants and our own Margaret Sharra has been known to write up a few more each year, especially if it will help her in some way or the other under the guise of beautifying downtown Winchester. What about the rest of the town, shouldn't we benefit from all of this spending too?
Carefully check the minutes and you will see that they all vote yes on these warrant petitions they write up. The board votes 5-0 to approve. NOT ONE selectman is against more spending.
At deliberative, to insure their spending warrants get passed, they have packed the hall with family, friends, town employees and their families and friends and 40-60 of them, the majority, vote to approve these warrants for the ballot.
Then comes our farce of a town election, with more infractions and violations of election law then you can shake a stick at and again, the results reflect who voted; the same friends, family, employees and their friends and relatives and those they swayed by stating the BOS and Budget Committee support this NEEDED, GOTTA HAVE SPENDING.
Most people have no clue what they are voting for, only that their leaders say we need it and just go along. The town even sends out a newsletter in support of their spending warrants. They attempt to use fear to get their way and sway even more voters, noting once again that this spending is supported by majority votes of both the BOS and BC and going even so far as to say, " If we don't do this now, we'll lose millions in grant and stimulus money we have qualified for". What they don't tell people is, the town may have met the qualifications set up to receive this money; BUT IT HASN'T qualified or even received any of it and MAY NOT EVEN GET IT. You've been duped to vote for more taxation.
Yes, the people do have the last word; but unfortunately most don't exercise their right to vote one way or the other, so the MINORITY, votes in more spending and continues to run this town, NOT the MAJORITY.
Which brings us to our current situation that is growing worse. The town spends more money, year after year than it takes in because people can not afford the taxation, more keep falling behind creating a bigger deficit. The selectman's answer is to add more spending and raise the tax base to cover it and the hole gets deeper and wider and more people fall into the hole. They rely on money they don't have in their hands to run the town, "a dangerous trend", says our Town Administrator, Bob Gray. Basically what they do is rob Peter to pay Paul, move money around from one account to another to cover expenditures and hope there's enough cash coming in to cover Peter. Is this anyway to run a town? I think not and suggest to those that support this lunacy to wake up. Rome is burning while our select board fiddles around manipulating the truth.
You'd also be very surprised to learn, how many on the town's payroll are behind in their taxes too, despite their high salaries and the fact we pay for their health care and other benefits. Why do you think that this very public information is kept hidden instead of being made public like other towns do?
Lastly they'll be those of you who state, " Winchester is just like many other towns across the state, they're in the same boat too."
You're right, we're not alone; there are problems in other towns too. We can't do anything to help other towns; but you can do something about Winchester's problems, open your eyes !
to confused @ 12:45
IMO the playing field is skewed & the people who run the town aren’t transparent.
It’s true when u say the majority of voters voted to increase taxes.
What u don’t mention & makes your statement less than transparent is that less than 30% of voters voted. So the registered voting population of Winchester hasn’t spoken only those who voted did.
We have too many problems
Dept heads that don’t like to run depts with taxpayers in mind
Boards that don’t care whether they abide by the laws or not & the many other issues such as:
4 lawsuits, how much for them & what are we up to?
Towne & Homan v Winchester–PB 5/08
Kulick's v Winchester-ZBA 8/08
Winchester v Pasquarelli-Code Enforcement 8/09
Reppucci v Winchester–Police Dept Sept 9/09
The Chief & Lt already were told by the AG’s office what they did with the Police Association was wrong, quoted from the AG’s letter posted on this blog “Based upon a review of the allegations the Attoney General Charitable Trusts Unit has concluded Gary A Phillip, Christopher Roberts, and Maryan Platz did not follow the bylaws of the Winchester Police Association in electing new officers and in changing the authorized names on the Association’s bank account and hereby requires the following corrective actions be taken for the purposes of resolving this matter:”
I read on this blog that Dan Reppucci & Warren Breau worked with the AG’s office & provided the information to them in the 1st place back in July of ‘09.
Posted on this blog is signed paperwork from Gary Phillips & Chris Roberts to TD Banknorth with false & inaccurate information allowing the two of them to successfully & illegally change the authorized users on the bank account. This must be true or the AG’s office wouldn’t have said in their letter they didn’t follow the laws. How come they weren’t arrested?
This was done to deceive the bank, call it what u will is this what u want in a police dept? Leaders of this caliber? Leaders who break the law? If u condone that you’re part of the problem. What’s the saying – ignorance of the law is no excuse, so what’s the excuse when u know the laws & break them anyway?
The PB has to defend it’s actions in the Supreme Court. Actions that violate the town’s policies & the rights of the citizens who live in the Town of Winchester.
How many 100,000’s of 1,000’s of $$$ will all of this cost us?
These are fine & clear examples of how those in charge don’t care about anyone but themselves & how they can lie to protect themselves in their up to their necks deep in the do do hides.
These lawsuits represent dissatisfaction with many different depts in this town & these lawsuits pretty much say what’s going on just ain’t right & the laws in this town either violate some other laws or the people we have enforcing them are violating the laws.
When people take money out of their own pockets to fight a wrong, they usually aren’t nuts, crazy, malcontents or other names these people have been called. Instead, they are usually law abiding, law respecting individuals who only ask that the rules apply to all.
If u live by the rules no one can say u have no integrity, if u live by the rules no one can say u are unfair, if u live by the rules u will come to be the winner because illusions can’t stand up on their own. Eventually illusions fall apart on their own, in this case when right & wrong, legal & illegal get exposed.
So as shown here IMO much of the spending is unnecessary, imposed on us not by choice, but because of all of the skewed information & cloudy explanations given.
Imposed on us because of incompetence, a need to cover up incompetence & outright belief by some that breaking the law is OK.
Exposure & transparency will tell who is lying & who is truthful & honest & then those who rule the roost will have no one to blame but themselves when they have to explain how they wasted our hard earned money.
I don't care who marries who, but i was a little taken back by the Reader Opinion in the Sentinel where our Rev. McCarthy advertised her eagerness to perform these services.
To Anonymous @ 12:28 PM
Very nice perspective, explanation and detail on real issues and real preventable expenses the town heads seem to think we should own because of their decisions.
I would love to see the total the town has paid in legal expenses for these cases, broken down if possible to date.
Does anyone have the breakdown and dollar amounts? Can someone post them for the rest of us to see?
I can tell you that the Towne/Homan vs. the planning board case filed July 1st in Superior Court has already cost the town over $23,000 in legal fees so far and it's going to go much higher. Figure at least another $15,000 for the Supreme Court hearing and then probably another who knows how much if it's kicked back to Superior Court for a re-hearing. And what everyone should be made aware of, this appeal Towne and Homan filed on behalf of the abutters to the Van Dyke project is that this was just an appeal of the conditional approval the board gave him and Sharra's involvement beyond her official position as an agent for Van Dyke. Just wait until they go back to court at a later date for the illegal final approval with conditions the board has given Van Dyke. I know for a fact Mr. Towne attempted to go before the Selectman to offer a settlement with them and the planning board and was turned down.
To all Winchester Informer Readers, Winchester's Select board and Town Hall Employees,
The blogger who posted March 20 at 8:49 AM is NOT a member of WGYB and has no authority to post using the WGYB name. WGYB, "We've Got Your Back", is a coalition to reduce underage drinking and substance abuse in Winchester and Ashuelot. WGYB is NOT an individual with an opinion about town politics. I have attended all but one WGYB meeting and not at one meeting has the group decide (or even discussed) to change it's mission and attack town politics, officials or town employees. While individual WGYB members and attendees may each have their own opinion about town politics,unemployment, taxes, this site, candidates, etc., they are not a representation of the WGYB coalition. This entry makes one question the integrity and validity of any of these comments and the bloggers. Can anyone just say they are someone they are not?
Danielle Borges
Just how would you know that the person who posted using the initials WGYB is not a member of that organization? Just because you don't think so, what gives you the right to question or speak for someone else. Suppose that person has a different opinion of you or perhaps it's more than one person. What gives you the right to come on here and state otherwise? Seems you're a very opinionated person and all your blog proves is that your integrity and purpose is questionable. Who are you to talk, Danielle?
Why don't you fill us all in on the ELMM board member that recently was ordered to attend anger management sessions for at least nine months, you know, the one you've been protecting although you have received complaints from parents and others about this person coming in contact with their children? Don't come here talking about integrity when it's obvious you have none of your own. What a hypocrite !
To Anonymous poster@
Danielle Borges
March 23, 2010 8:01 AM
Thanks for the intellectual deduction Danielle Borges, I’ll make sure I never post with initials or someone might think I’m the governing body of the Town of Winchester speaking on behalf of them.
It doesn’t cease to amaze how there are people in this town who should not be in charge of anything and responsible for nothing and then show the world so clearly why we feel that way.
Nobody signed a name, only a few letters Danielle.
Maybe you were using this opportunity to market your group, who knows.
Danielle I ask you has your group filed to trademark this letters?
If not I suggest you all hurry and do that lest you are faced with a more serious defense of your organization.
REMEMBER Danielle it looks like this TM, if you don’t have it, you don’t own it.
Anonymous
White Guy Yelling Boldly
Does anyone besides myself find it amusing that our town employees and other so-called officials have nothing else better to do than constantly attack this blog? Especially when they are getting paid to perform duties that do not include surfing the web and reading comments on our time. No wonder they are so far behind in their work, too much play time at our expense.
Hey Danielle maybe it was a reflection on you,
White Girl Yapping Babble
Okay everyone, settle down, no one needs to start with the name calling stuff we've all witnessed before.I'm sure Ms. Borges has gotten the message that her accusation was a bit unfounded and pointing fingers and crying wolf has gotten her no where except a bit of self promotion for the WGYB group. A worthy cause if done right.
Good Afternoon Blog!
It's a great day! I have just finished reading the planning board minutes. I would like to share this thought with all of you. Brian and Kim have succeeded in the "Taming of the Shrew". We should all give them KUDOS. The minutes were easy to read and let the public know that there were going to be no shenanigans this year. Thank you for doing the job that we elected you to do.
However, I do have a concern. One poster on the blog raised a concern about anger management issues at the ELM center. I have no idea who it is and frankly don't care; but if the person is still working with children he/she needs to be removed. How do we make certain that this happens? Children have enough issues with self esteem. If you could keep us posted about the welfare of the children that use the center it would be appreciated.
Thank you blog. Keep up the good work.
A actual WGYB member
I am posting this is support of Danielle Borges, She did have the right and the mission of informing you and our community that WGYB did not post @ March 20, 2010 8:49 AM.
The actual WGYB group had a meeting Monday and it came up that someone posting as WGYB was posting comments on the Informer that had nothing to do with our coalition or its goal.
First a quick history of WGYB (We Got Your Back) it is a coalition of individuals and organizations with 1 purpose and 1 purpose only, Under age drinking and substance abuse. It grew out of C.A.S.T. (Community And Schools Together) and was responsible for all the signs you may have seen around town last fall. We are providing education, resources and tools for parents and community members to prevent or stop underage drinking and substance abuse. The 9 out of 10 slogan you may have seen, shows that in our focus group and surveys 9 out of 10 parents want to know if their children are consuming alcohol or have a substance abuse problem.
Danielle took on the task of making everyone aware that our group had nothing to do with the post @ March 20, 2010 8:49 AM and now you are attacking her for that? As a core group member and 1 of the facilitators she had the job of informing the Informer and our community that it was not WGYB, as stated earlier we have 1 goal, underage drinking and substance abuse prevention, not town politics or any issues that the Informer may have with our town or its officials. To attack a person that has worked so hard at giving us a community center we all can enjoy, and a safe healthy place for our kids to have recreation and programming, is proof of the destructive nature that this blog supports.
Again WGYB has Danielles back, and if you are a parent dealing with underage drinking or substance abuse with your children we have your back and are here for you.
Ed Lake
Actual WGYB member and 1 of many
Regarding WGYB - Finally a mystery solved. While I support the cause, I fail to see how cryptic messages help to stop underage drinking.
Don't you think it would have been smarter to tell everyone this information up front instead of putting up those silly faux for sale signs that made Winchester look like forclosureville and kept sprouting more messages last fall?
If this is the way the ELMM center elects to spend money, the folks who voted for their $50,000 this year should engage in some head scratching...
WGYB is not a ELMM expense, we support the cause and help but the ELMM has not spent a dime of money on it. The 50,000 you mentioned goes straight to kids programming
Thank you
Of course you're going to say you have Danielle's back, hasn't she been in your corner these past months?
Just how much of the 50,000 goes to children's programs and is any of it used for other purposes, like administrative costs and salaries?
Ed lake a member of WGYB ?? He should practice what he preaches! The only reason he joins these commities is because he has way to much time on his hands. Sad but true.
Re: March 24 3:15's question -
The answer is YES! A board member and volunteer with MANY of the children's programs and the organizer's shadow.
Ed Lake on the temperance committee??? Now that's irony. This is the same guy who used to expound that the ELMM center would be awesome if it had a beer garden out by the baseball fields.
I would advise anyone who really cares about the Town of Winchester, its citizens and its children to not bother to reply to any thing on this “blog”. Do not give them the satisfaction. This used to be an interesting site to review other points of views now it is full of hate, name calling, and personal bashing, shame on the Informer for stooping lower than the people you are trying to get out of office.
I think it is the people that are anti Informer that say, don't try to change what you don't like, MOVE. Lets stop the nasty rhetoric, use the Informer to report what you see and hear, GOOD and BAD. Also its a good place to state what you would like to see happen.
The problem is, the few facts that are uncovered and brought up here get lost amongst all the romors, slander and hostile personal attacks.
its impossible to tell what is fact and what is not on this sight anymore. as a past Informer supporter I can no longer rely on the information here. when 5% truth and fact is hidden among 95% rumor,hearsay, slander and hostility it becomes impossible to find the credible fact here anymore. The people who say they support this sight have ruined its credibility all their own.
Why don't you go find something to do with your time Ed, like get a life and stop attacking this blog. People in glass houses shouldn't be casting stones on here.
Wow, take a deep breath everybody... No need to throw the baby out with the bathwater, just take this site for what it is, a FORUM for OPINION. At least for the time being in this country everyone is entitled to an opinion (although I'm sure Barry, Harry and Nancy will tackle that next)
To say that the informer should be avoided becasue it is full of opinions is more than a bit shortsighted.
Do you suppose he is requesting that we blog all of the true facts we know about him?
Didn't he already have his priviledge to blog on here denied - twice?
Danielle and Ed-
Unbunch your shorts. The heinous WGYB poster simply pointed out that the economy stinks and asked our elected officials to live within their means like the rest of us have to. Is that an attack? Hardly.
WGYB may not be an ELMM expense, but (in my OPINION) putting up phony for sale signs and expecting them to act as a substitute for good parenting is not a fiscally responisble idea. One would have to assume (and yes, I remember what Benny Hill used to say about assume...) that at least some of the same folks who thought this was a good idea have some control over the $50,000 that we approved "for the children"...
That is what leaves me scratching my head
Just in case you forgot
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Please feel free to leave your comments or questions. We ask that you post responsibly, the use of foul language and any personal attacks will not be tolerated. If you have a town matter you'd like to discuss drop us an email and we will post the subject and open it for discussion for you.
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Seems someone is mistaking criticism and hard questions in regards to fact for a personal attack. Get over it, people are entitled to their opinions and when someone blogs on here, their comments or actions are subject to criticism as is all public officials when people feel they are full of it and not doing their jobs. Go ask any attorney.
No matter how many times you explain things, the same person seems intent on trying to discredit the efforts of those that run this blog. I suppose when the truth hurts you have to do something to attack your detractors instead of providing an explanation for your confusing actions and behavior. People in glass houses shouldn't be casting any stones, they may bounce back and hit them squarely between the eyes.
Would like the selectmen to take a look at the Sat. Sentinel Opinion Page 8 heading Who pays whose pension. Overtime and the police detail work, with Winchester getting the bulk of it in Cheshire Co. is killing the State budget. Again, if its such a good deal why don't the other towns go for it. We just keep buying cruisers and inflating pensions.
Not to worry folks. The taser probe was successfully removed from the victim's chest. The probe removal procedure was recorded for evidentiary and litigation purposes. Stay tuned for further information.
Now let’s all play a guessing game. Who do you think the officer was who forgot to remove the taser probe?
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