A COURSE IN DISCOURSE

DA issues statement on fatal shooting

THERE IS A CIVIL WAR GOING ON!

I just escaped from a voluntary incarceration in a prison camp in the other side. There was kind of an exchange. My son says he has switched sides.

We were down south and some of the stereotypes apply but many do not but all need a little explanation, a footnote of sorts. Cause you see there is no MASON-DIXON line of demarcation of the horizontal variety. Not even one percentage being held hostage by the other.

It is more like a circle closing in on itself. The pressure of the poverty of difference causing the collapse. The other side has guns and they sometimes hang them on racks in their pickups.

Our only weapon is EDUCATION. Use your bullets wisely.

THE "REAL" REASON FOR THE ELECTION PROTECTION

Jean-Francois: I’ll run sticker campaign in 10th Essex race

According to well-place sources in my imagination, the challenge to this challenger stemmed from an obscure nomenclature that dealt with the fact that GARDY JEAN-FRANCOIS had TWO last names and a FIRST that easily could have been used as a LAST.

Having an opponent thusly named would subject the incumbent to easy exposure if or when he chose to speak out of both sides of his mouth. Running a "STICKER" campaign falls right in line with the dual name game since everybody knows that is really just a psuedonymn  for 'WRITE-IN".

SINGING A SONG OF CIVILITY

Building Bridges Through Music Program Marches for Peace

Part-time photographer for WATCH PUBLICATIONS, TRIPPY WOTRING was a participant in this expression of a peaceful commitment to the community-at-large. Kudos to MAYOR JUDY FLANAGAN KENNEDY who took time out of her busy schedule to congratulate the kids.      

TRASH TAX TWISTED

Lynn issues 1,000 citations in 10-day trash ticket blitz

Looking over this article I am CONFUSED. Homeowners are usually responsible for GARBAGE COLLECTION. So who pays the TRASH TICKET TAX, those OUT-OF-TOWN LANDLORDS who then pass it on to their tenants. Usually it's their cans that have the holes.

Guess those LANDLORDS found holes of their own in the MAYOR'S  extermination plan - they're called LOOP-HOLES!

POSTCARDS FROM THE PAST LIVED TODAY

Visiting back home in WV brings back many old, fond memories. Many a cold and snowy winter mornings we waited in a bakery where they made the best Italian bread and peperoni rolls. It was heaven, a real sensual feast.

But past memories don't always jive with present reality. It seems that rural peacefulness has collided with urban reality. Last week there was a murder on the corner near my recollection. A drug deal gone bad. It seems that METH LABS have sprung up everywhere.

Town folks are complaining homeowners have all moved out and once that where single family residences have been turned into multi-unit rental complexes. The sense of ownership in the community has gone. Sound familiar? You know it has been said, "You can't go home again", but home can come to you.

The answer in CLARKSBURG, WV is the same as in LYNN, MA. We are all LANDLORDS OF OURSELVES, take ownership.

RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS - FREE CASH DISAPPEARS

» Lynn mayor vows to maintain city’s $15M rainy day account

What many groups across the city were counting on to be their personal panacea no longer exists, if it ever truly did. How much of it was just creative accounting carry-over? I would hope that the DPW DEBACLE taught us something. Well I guess it did, how to REHASH RHETORIC.

COME GET YOUR FOLK ON!

6:54am Jun 21 Join us Saturday, June 30 at the waterfront park - many of the agencies, restaurants, and people of Lynn have been contributing to make the day a great community event for Lynn and the North Shore. Food, music, and activities. Bring a chair and enjoy. My daughter opens this, so get there early!

HODGEPODGE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2012

Now, for the third year in a row, Lynn's very own Hodgepodge Music Festival is coming! Hodgepodge has the most unique blend of local music styles; including acoustic, rap, rock, punk, metal, funk, and everything in between! AND AS ALWAYS THE FESTICAL IS FREE!

Starting at... 12PM, and extending all the way to 7PM, the show spans over hours of music.

FOOD will be for sale as well! Nothing over $2!
Hot dogs, burgers, drinks...

BRING YOUR FRIENDS!


QUESTIONS?
QUESTIONES?


CALL DEAN @ 781-307-6894
CALL DOM @ 339-440-1303


LINE-UP 2012
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _



12:00PM - 12:30PM

Cody Dexter


12:30PM-1:00PM

Jayel


1:00PM-1:30PM

The Dirty Floorboards


1:30PM-2:00PM

The Informers


2:00PM-2:30PM

Panic Candy


2:30PM-3:00PM

The Zen Heads


3:00PM-3:30PM

Aesthetics of Murder


3:30PM-4:00PM

This Day in History


4:30PM-5:00PM

C̶o̶u̶r̶a̶g̶e̶ ̶L̶i̶e̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶C̶a̶s̶k̶e̶t̶s̶ NOW Cosmic Origin


5:30PM-6:00PM

Xeno Hemiptera


6:00PM-6:30PM

Fiddlehead


6:30-7:00PM

The Chiefs

STATE OF THE STATE OF THE CITY

Last year the MAYOR called me out at this event. If she does so this year she willhave to speak up since I'm visiting my parents in WV. I am sure that I will hear all the juicy details and will have something to say. I encourage everyone to fill the seats.

A NEW KIND OF CANDLELIGHT

SUPPORT

MAYOR JUDY KENNEDY’S

CITY OF LYNN - FIREWORKS FUND

Join us at The “Blue Ox”

Tuesday, June 19th from 5-10pm

10% of food and beverage sales will benefit:

The 2012 Fireworks Display

At Red Rock Park

Dinner, Refreshments, and Raffles

Come on down and join us for a great time!!!

Contact Mary Chalmers in Mayor Kennedy’s Office for more information 781-586-6850.

Every donation counts!

Please make checks payable to The Lynn Fireworks Fund

The Fireworks Fund Lynn City Hall, Room 306 Lynn, MA 01901

PASTA'S PRIMAVERA WITH ME

No, that wasn’t just thunder you heard rumbling Friday night, my stomach started rumbling when I heard I missed RICH COLUCCI’S fundraiser the night before. It was going to be at OLD TYME ITALIAN CUISINE RESTAURANT and RICH gave me a COMPLIMENTARY TICKET.

Now the part WV I am from, CLARKSBURG, we had marinara sauce pulsing through our veins and pizza shops on every corner. I was so looking forward to this. If I can ever be bought, the price is pasta. Rest assured though, I have not succumbed to culinary corruption.

It wouldn’t matter anyway; I got the DATE wrong and missed it altogether. Now I don’t want RICH to think I snubbed him. My stomach is not that discerning. I mean, I know I supported CEF ROSA in the last election but RICH has made significant strides since then.

He has stepped up his COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT lately. On top of all of that he got me the key to the locked bathroom while I was waiting in COUNCIL CHAMBERS to watch a COUNCIL MEETING. I mean I have priorities.  1) FOOD, 2) BATHROOM, and 3) THAT OTHER STUFF.

WHEELS THAT SQUEAK AND MOVES THAT WREAK

Coming soon to COOK STREET PLAYGROUND is a program involving the PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

Starting on JULY 9th, someone will be at the park five days a week engaging our youth in some sort of something. Thank you somebody.

JFK SAVES THE DAY

Probably provided by all that FREE CASH. How are you going to vote?

DID YOU NOTICE THE ENTERTAINMENT AT NET'S NIGHT?

A new musical group is coming to LYNN AUDITORIUM. HARRY SCNURR, HONG'S campaign manager will bang the drums with MICHEAL OUK  on bass behind front man, HONG NET who will be crooning all of the hits from their soon to be released CD.

The talented trio form the group, named H20, will debut the release WATERMARK at an upcoming party at CITY HALL. Details of their upcoming tour will be available as soon as I can make them up. Sorry for the wait but I am a busy man.

RESIGNED TO RESIGNING, NO PRESSURE

June 1, 2012

Dear Honorable Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy,

As I am sure you are aware, my term on the LYNN DISABITY COMMISSION is about to expire. For the past year I have had both the pleasure and the honor to serve as Chairman. Your support has been invaluable and unwavering.

We have accomplished a lot with the updating of the city’s ADA policy, getting improved signage, starting a recognition program for individuals who serve as role models for the disabled community, advocating for the school department to successfully install a TTY device at the Parent Information Center, and some other important advances.

Your call for auditing all city facilities to identify ADA compliance is an important and exciting task. However, due to my ongoing efforts to point out problems throughout the city, I feel that there is becoming too much of a problematic conflict between my need to be journalistically objective and my need to show you the loyalty you deserve.

So it is with heavy heart, I am respectfully suggesting that my name be removed from consideration for the renewal of my appointment to the commission. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Stanley H. Wotring, Jr.

Chairman, Lynn Disability Commission 

Big City Mural

Representative Walsh Talks The Talk

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

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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?

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

SThe Daily Item: McGee, Cowdell downplay fact ports pact does not include Lynn

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?

COUNCIL COMES THROUGH FOR CATHE

I want to thank the LYNN CITY COUNCIL for their 11th hour unanimous support for DR. LATHAM. I'm glad to see them finally take a stand for the children of LYNN. I understand that they were too busy over a month ago to listen to, not endorse my efforts to launch a petition drive. I even sent TERRY YOUNG a LETTER. I mean they had to fight for those union jobs in BOSTON.

Then they were preoccupied pronouncing their preference for UNION PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT jobs statewide.Important business, just not LYNN'S business.

If I knew they were going to read letters into the record, I would have asked my MOM to write one. I figure she knows as much about how education stands in LYNN as COUNCILMAN CYR.

PICTURE THIS!

A new business in town that tugs at the creative strings to this poor, disabled poet's heart.  You know I love words and a picture that's worth a thousand of  them. The timing of this opening couldn't be better and was probably no accident since it coincided with the new ARTS DISTRICT DESIGNATION.

BOB told me that while he does other things, you know graphic arts stuff, he wanted to follow one of his passions and feature some photography work. My son and I attended his OPEN HOUSE, Trippy of course was there for the food, trying the shrimp cocktail, and I must say it is a very nice studio and will represent an excellent example of the positive growth of downtown. 

PICTURE PERFECT, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

KILEY KAN DO

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  Thanks to the LYNN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION for their efforts at KILEY PARK. They just don't TALK about problems they DO something about them.

MORE TAXI LANGUAGE PROBLEMS

Lynn police officer requests board punish taxi driver

Apparently this driver is not much of a music historian so he consequently doesn't know of JIM CROCE'S advice, 'YOU DON'T TUG ON SUPERMAN'S CAPE, YOU DON'T SPIT INTO THE WIND".

LIVING HISTORY

“More Than a Number: Stories From Lynn” at the Lynn Museum

Wednesd

This is a well-written article (I said it was well-written so it can't be by me) about a social experiment gone madly wrong!

SUGAR HIGH PASSES BY BUSINESS LOW

Hey, I just remembered, I thought COUNCILMAN BRENDAN CREIGHTON had asked the ATHANUS FAMILY to come to council last night to talk on the state of their development plans. I guess everybody was so excited about the D'AMICI'S announcement it just slipped by.

D'AMICI'S DOWNTOWN BRINGS BAKERY BUSINESS

The excitement downtown is rising with the news D'Amici is not only opening up a new retail store downtown to temp the taste-buds of locals and tourists alike (that BUTTERCREME frosting can pull them in) but also they are putting in a production business to service their three stores bringing 60 jobs to LYNN.

COUNCILMAN CAHILL did try to add a stipulation forcing them to stay open past 5 o'clock so he could pick up some treats after work.

FINK FINALE

DPW Head JAY FINK will be leaving for FLORIDA to spend time with his GRANDCHILD. Hmm - I never would have guessed he was that old. The COUNCIL was disappointed about losing him.

BELLY UP TO THE LYNN CITY BAR

Looks like tonight we are going to talk about what your politicians are serving up. From tonight's LYNN CITY COUNCIL agenda:

                                   Petition of Lynn Auditorium, James Marsh, Community Development, for

                                   permission for Wine & Malt Beverage License at 3 City Hall Square.

                                   (Crighton)

Clearly liquor is how you make money and everybody loves money. I just don't know how I feel about our elected officials tending bar in CITY HALL. If we want to maximize the Auditorium's profits.

When I went to college there was a pub put in an old church. You know place is important and some things just give you the willies. 

FIX IT (FOOD) AND THEY WILL COME

Lynners say neighbors, patrons need to help spruce up and secure parks

Once again I would like to advocate for COMMUNITY COOKOUTS! Food attracts more than rats. Once people put a face on a problem suddenly it doesn't seem like a problem!

"UNION STREET", LYNN'S RED-HEADED STEP-CHILD

EDIC director looking to past in vision for city's future

Clearly this is great news proponents of downtown. Raising the rhetoric is the way to go. positive talk leads to positive action. Bringing people to the place is a winning combination.

BUT.....,

as always UNION STREET is missing from the conversation. Everyone KNOWS its reputation and by ignoring it we risks subjecting all of the positive developments in downtown vulnerable to a flank attack. The energy and vitality of this area could be leveraged in such a way that could lead to an explosion of growth.

Failure to address and confront the problems associated with this street and its image will end up tarnishing the luster of the downtown's development and any designations.

SCHOOLS CAN SAVE OUR COMMUNITIES

The Daily Item: Dispatches part 2: Putting heat on Lynn gang

Listen closely to what this teen is saying. We need to give our kids a place where they can belong and belongs to them. That is the premise behind OCCUPY LVTI. It would be a gathering place, a learning place where all the community could come together an be an extended family. IT TAKES A VILLAGE!

YOUTH LEADERS TO TAKE THE LEAD

Lynn students form first Youth Council

It's good to see our young kids take ownership in their city and the goings on. Hey, that's a picture of my daughter, "How'd that get in there?"

Seriously, it was good to see so many young people stepping up to take responsibility for their future and ours.

COUNCIL TO COUNSEL COUNCIL

LYNN YOUTH COUNCIL TAKES OFFICE

COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIM PHELAN  gave a few opening remarks telling how oroud and excited he was to be working with this promising group of young kids. COUNCILMAN CRIEGHTON (who turns 29 tommorrow) introduced all of the kids since this was h

is iniative. COUNCILMEN BILLY TRAHANT, DARRIN CYR, PETE CAPANO,RICK FORD, DAN CAHILL, BUZZY BARTON, and HONG NET were all present to show their support.

Even though the MAYOR was in WASHINGTON she was represented by MARY CHALMBERS and JAMIE CERULLI. Also in the audience were REPRESENTATIVE BOB FENNELL and STATE SENATOR TOM MCGEE.

JUDGE GARY MCMANUS swore in the following youth into their new offices:

WARD 1: VICTORIA BENE                         MICHEALA HAMILL
WARD 2: TAMARA  SARITA                      ASIAH WOTRING
WARD 3: MICHAEL DELUCA                     EMILY LADDERBUSH
WARD 4: ARELY ESCOBAR                       OURY BAH
WARD 5: MAKENZI MACKIN                   ZACHARY SAY
WARD 6: MARCUS GARRAUD                  STEPHEN SIV
WARD 7: NEYAT FISEHA                           SIMON KAZIMERCZYK
                              COUNSELORS-AT-LARGE:
     WANDA PEREZ                      BRENDEN SENG
     HEUBERT SEGURA                FARHA MITHILA