Monday, May 28, 2012

CELEBRATE A CASH FLOW

Thanks to Trippy I got lots of pics for today's MEMORIAL DAY PARADE (scroll down, you'll see). Veterans and some of their groups were there. You had LYNN ENGLISH JROTC, CUB SCOUTS, and I even saw SWAMPSCOTT BAND represented. Of course, you can't have a parade where the politicians don't show up.

I am sure I missed a few but I am old and my memory ain't so good. I do remember seeing MAYOR KENNEDY, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PHELAN, COUNCILMAN DAN CAHILL, COUNCILMAN PETE CAPANO, and COUNCILMAN HONG NET. The LSC was represented by MARIA CARRASCO and CHARLIE GALLO.

The fact that it was MEMORIAL DAY is symbolic of what I want to talk about and that is the CITY ought to be in the business of making memories. There is money in celebrating, being POSITIVE PAYS. Trickle down and ring it up.

We are a city of many differences and many opportunities for an expression of those differences. With differences there is energy, things flow from hot to cold. If everything is the same, you have no movement, no energy. A static result.

So the trick, the ECONOMIC MAGIC  comes from harnessing that energy. We need to make some memories to make some money. FESTIVALS and FINANCE kind of roll of the tongue together. I may be poor but I never said there's no money in poetry.

Memorial Day Parade 2012


Friday, May 25, 2012

CITY'S NEW POTENTIAL REVENUE STREAM

Forget about attracting new business. If we play our cards right, I mean pick our numbers right, we can kiss our tax burdens good-bye. See we got this SIXTEEN MILLION DOLLARS in FREE cash just lying around the MAYOR'S  that with a little selective selecting we can exchange them for POWERBALL tickets and we gotta win some BIG money.

BUT, HEAVEN FORBID we lose, what the hey, it was FREE CASH.

GETTING RIGHT WITH RIGHTS

Lynn board to appeal ruling on police residency

Granted I don't always agree with the MAYOR'S legal opinions

BUT

I think she is DEAD-ON on this one. It's a battle we will probably ultimately lose. Do I want our police to live here? You bet your DONUTS. Having them live here gives them a vested interest in the community and more importantly gives the community a vested interest in them,

The argument that it doesn't cost anything to appeal is ludicrous. Even if it doesn't require a secret appropriation from some undisclosed line item, we as a community pay. The currency we use is social capital.

We want our police to want to live here. Give them a substantial reduction on their property taxes would make LYNN a more attractive place to live for them.

Sure, it's going to cost MONEY but so does losing lawsuits. Bad blood will be spilled.

BESIDES.....,

who do you want to give your money to: people who RISK THEIR LIVES.....

or....

people who RISK GETTING A PAPER CUT?

Thursday, May 24, 2012

THE COLOR OF MONEY

At Tuesday night's LYNN CITY COUNCIL meeting it was approved that all of the groups that got grants last year would get them this year with NO new additions.

Because they experienced cuts from their funding source a couple of years ago, the FRIDAY NIGHT FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP applied last year for a Block grant from the city. The FFSG provides with an opportunity for socialization and support for emotionally and behaviorally challenged youth and their families, They were DENIED.  So that meant this year they were denied too.

COUNCILMAN PETE CAPANO spoke up after the vote and vouched for the good work the group does and that we ought to try and find them something. COUNCILMAN BILL TRAHANT echoed the sentiment and thought we should be able to come up with 10 to 20% of what they asked for. No votes were taken but there seemed to be an air of agreement in the chamber.

You know it's kind of funny in an ironic sort of way. At the last COUNCIL meeting they were all wearing GREEN RIBBONS in support of MENTAL HEALTH.

CONDITIONED FOR PROFIT

Not that anybody listens to me (my wife and kids sure don't) but I am all for the idea of adding AC. I mean it sure does get nasty in there in the summer. I've sat through a couple of those dance recitals. Drawing people in to the city is a good thing. Helps out what businesses are here.

STILL....,

I'd like to see some numbers to at least would make the fiscal medicine go down a little easier.  Also, maybe a stepped up booking schedule would help make LYNN truly a destination location. I mean. after all we got that CULTURAL DISTRICT designation thing going on.

PLANTING THE SEEDS OF CHANGE


                                            The Goldfish Pond Association
                                             is having their
                                            32nd Annual Planting Day
                                            Saturday, May 26th
                                            Beginning at 8:30am

Join in helping plant flowers around Goldfish Pond.
For more info, contact Jack, Phone: 781-507-5879

JUST WHO'S PENNIES ARE YOU PINCHING?

http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2012/05/24/news/news07.txt

I don't know how you could have 16.8 million dollars in excess from last year's budget so you can propose all types of PUBLIC WORKS (Is there snow in the forecast?) give raises, and hiring a couple of new bodies, then introducing the prospect of maybe needing to raise taxes at the end of year (hint-after elections) to pay for all this generosity.

Hey, I wonder if that INDEPENDANT DPW auditor will have any extra time when he comes in?

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

HEAR YE, HEAR YE!

Perhaps I need to study the CITY CHARTER again, a petition may be in order over this DPW mess!

NO CORRUPTION HERE, WELL MAYBE THERE


Attorney: Lynn DPW in the clear
After members of the LYNN CITY COUNCIL venerated  the memory of ST. FINK. JAY broke no laws and the big, bad media unfairly beat up on him.

Funny, I didn't see it so much that way. I personally went out of my way to not focus on him

BECAUSE

the problem is much bigger than one individual. It is SYSTEMATIC of a bigger culture of potential corruption.
By their own admission this budgetary HOCUS POCUS has been going on for 30 years. COUNCILMAN CAHILL tried to fall on the sword of responsibility for the problem. He was quick to point out and I agree, this sword would slay all of CITY HALL, past and present.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

SMOKING IS LEGAL, EVEN WITH MIRRORS INVOLVED

Now you see it, now you don't. To find the answer to what happened to the DPW money enter here [more] . Hurry before the SNOW we had melts.Nothing illegal happening here, keep it moving.

I was wondering, could we have those same auditors look at LPS'S budget to see if the same legal illegalities might be happening over there?

Monday, May 21, 2012

RESOLUTION FOR A REVOLUTION

Once again LYNN CITY COUNCIL is trying to exert a token influence on matters outside of the halls of this city. Only  this time they are dealing with matters that directly affect all of the citizens of our cuty, our communities.

The resolution before the council calls on the state to ease the revenue burden placed on our's and other cities when taxes were cut in a disproportionate manner. The resulting cuts make providing basic services and an adequate educational system difficult for all classes.

More revenue is needed and this NON-BINDING resolution asks that the COMMONWEALTH not look to the low and middle classes to solve this shortfall. Yes this resolution can not actually force anybody to do anything but somebody needs to take a stand before the masses take over.

COUNCILMEN CAHILL, CRIGHTON, HONG, CAPANO, and BARTON are responsible for sponsoring this call for equity.

Friday, May 18, 2012

WORKED OVER PUBLICLY

It's kind of funny, funny ironic, not funny ha,ha that there is a BIG banner on CITY HALL about next week being PUBLIC WORKS week amid all the attention created by this manufactured controversy over overruns.

Yes it is ridiculous the amount of money spent given the winter we had. It is equally ridiculous to feign surprise that this could happen right under  these people's noses. How long ago were they all singing the praises of JAY FINK? They knew, THEY ALL KNEW. For COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIM PHELAN to fake ignorance in order that he might lead a crusade only makes a mockery of the council's fiduciary responsibilities.

Exposing past practices for personal political gain is "risky business" if you may have been a participant.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!



Saturday, May 12th
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
FREE Food & Childcare Provided
Ford School, 49 Hollingworth St in Lynn


Partnering with SEIU 1199, Neighbor to Neighbor, and many other allies, the NSLC is gearing up for a day of canvassing to register Lynn voters. If you are interested in participating, please contact Aliza at 781-595-2538.

SEATING ARRANGEMENT?


www.itemlive.com

You know, do you remember when you were little and when you had dinner? All the grown-ups sat at one table and all the kids were at another.

Do you think when you sat on a stool or card table chair, you seats were equal?