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Gonna get high with a little help…
Posted on August 15, 2008 by John Andre
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I’m beginning to wonder about this state and why I continue to call it my home.
(Media-Newswire.com) - BOSTON – Of the three questions on the Massachusetts ballot this November, only one question — #2 the decriminalization of marijuana — appears all but certain to pass, according to a poll analysis released today by 7NEWS/Suffolk University. Seventy-two percent favored the proposed law, which would replace the criminal penalties for possession of up to one ounce of marijuana to a civil penalty of forfeiture of the marijuana and a fine of $100. Twenty-two percent opposed the proposed law.
What’s next, it’ll be okay to drive with an open container of alcohol as long as it’s under 12 ounces?
Making the tough call
Posted on August 1, 2008 by John Andre
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You have to hand it to Carol Lyons and Kerry Vigorito for calling off the Block Party Thursday morning as bad weather threatened for the afternoon.
Who would want such a responsibility?
The thunder and lightning and heavy downpour never arrived. But despite the cancellation, many local folks still took to the streets, popping into the local shops and eateries. And even looking in as Sharon Credit Union dedicated the North Attleborough branch to Ed Lambert Jr.
So the weather held off and the evening wasn’t a total bust.
Imagine what would have happened if the Block Party wasn’t cancelled and a storm ripped through downtown?
File under: Covering your back side.
Rebate checks hit the mail Monday
Posted on April 25, 2008 by John Andre
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Just getting word that rebate checks are going out Monday makes me want scream and shout. However, I know where most of that money is going: the gas tank. I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I’m starting to lust for a low-end motorcylce or motored scooter.
On I-495 I set the cruise control at 55 MPH - stop laughing - and not for the great respet I have for Mother Earth, but because the juice to get back and forth to work is costing some serious coin. Seems like no one else is following me, they’re cursing me because I’m flat out in the way. What are they buring, cholesterol?
Somebody save us.
Turning it into a worthy cause
Posted on April 18, 2008 by John Andre
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The David Ortiz jersey unearthed from the site of the new stadium the New York Yankees will play in beginning next year is getting much deserved attention.
Marge, Bill out; who cares?
Posted on April 2, 2008 by John Andre
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The voter turn out in North Attleborough’s general election was a careless 15 percent, no surprise when you consider the lackluster showing for the preliminary election Feb. 19.
Incumbents Marge Kraskouskas, a six-term selectman, and William Moffitt, coming off his first term on the board, were sent packing as the voters that went to the polls elected Mark Williamson and Michael Thompson to the board.
Williamson is the newcomer, while Thompson is a former selectman. Both are finance committee members and have different views of what the definition of government reform is.
Events at Thursday night’s meeting should be intersting, particularly who will be voted chairman. John Rhyno is a former chair. Selectmen Paul Belham and Dale Langille are fairly new faces on the board who may be called upon to sit in the middle chair.
How this will impact the town is unknown, and whether anyone cares at all remains to be seen. Voters barely showed up to the tune of 2,711.
Make historical district study committee history
Posted on March 28, 2008 by John Andre
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Give the board of selectmen credit for approaching with caution the request of Historical Commission Chair Ann Chapdelaine for the creation of a historic district study committee. The single reason given to adopt certain areas of the town, be it buildings or parcels, as historic districts is to get more state funding for preservation projects.
In the meantime, residents could find themselves trapped in a no win situation, unable to paint their door trim other than white, or having to spend a fortune on replacement windows because of the need to keep their homes historically accurate.
Selectman Paul Belham put it straight: Once you’re into it, it’s hard to get out.
Truth be told, you don’t get out unless you sell.
Selectman John Rhyno expressed his concern too. He said that having a home on
One specific area raised was
Selectmen will investigate some surrounding communities, such as Norton, who have adopted such districts. It was also discovered that a study committee, created in 1983, is still an active committee, however, only Jim Hale is the sole member. Selectmen would have to appoint members, from three to seven, and meet certain requirements, including an architect, realtor, and one familiar with historical preservation.
Taunton blaze destroys old stomping grounds
Posted on March 25, 2008 by John Andre
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The site of the former Crown Tanks in Taunton, a manufacturer of heating oil stoarge tanks, most recently a marble warehouse, goes up in flames.
I was a welder there at Crown Tanks in my younger days. It’s where I learned to be a working man.
See the video and read the story by Taunton Call editor Frank Mulligan here.
Watch where you put that snow
Posted on February 19, 2008 by John Andre
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Selectmen have issued a statement asking residents and business owners to be cautious about where they are tossing snow:
As we deal with the challenges of winter weather, the Town of North Attleborough asks for the assistance of all of its residents, including commercial establishments, in dealing with snow removal.
If you have someone plow your driveway or parking lot, or if you take care of it yourself, we ask that you pay close attention to not dumping snow into the public way, including streets and sidewalks. More importantly than the fact that our Town By-Laws prohibit such actions, there is a safety issue.
With the limited resources available, the town makes every effort to try to make sidewalks passable. If you, or the person taking care of your snow removal, piles the snow into the sidewalk areas, then it means there is a greater risk of residents, including children, jumping out into the road area because they can not get through the piles of snow that have been dumped there. Needless to say, this presents safety concerns and a potential disaster that no one wants to see.
We are asking for everyone’s cooperation and assistance with this important matter. If we are unable to address this problem in this manner, then we will have to take necessary legal actions with the violators. Thank you for your support.
Don’t complain; they asked nicely. Offenders should expect reprimand that will include fines.
Town engineer position will be the focus of next government reform meeting
Posted on February 8, 2008 by John Andre
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The board of selectmen has agreed to hold another open meeting where residents and town government can continue the discussion of reform. It will serve as their Monday monthly meeting, and set for 6 p.m. March 10.
The board has concluded there are three key elements to the government reform which they want to be the focus.
It seems that a town engineer is priority number one, and issues continue to surface to strengthen the need for a position to whom department heads report.
Town Administrator Mark Fisher has secured 500 pages of documents relating to the Hickory Woods neighborhood. He told the board not to expect a report any time soon, it’s going to take a long time to sort through the documents.
He said there was no consistent link between work reports and invoices, and that work hours are recorded, they do not have a link to a specific project.
Fisher said the documenting and permitting process is being done differently now.
Catch basins are being raised as well, and Selectman John Rhyno said that residents are ecstatic over work being done.
F
It’s all hands on deck
Posted on February 5, 2008 by John Andre
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Voting is in full swing this Super Tuesday. Your party may be the party to end all, but chips and dip can’t feed an army.
Chuck Sweeney of the Rockford (IL) Register Star says to vote early and often:
I predict that because of the way the Democrats apportion delegates — they don’t do a lot of winner take all — should mean that the Hillary vs. Barack race will go on, and on, and on, PERHAPS all the way to the Democratic Convention in the Twin Cities. If it gets that far, the Dems have these unelected “Super Delegates,” party leaders and fundraisers, who have more say than average, elected delegates, and they will decide the outcome. Not very democratic for a party that calls itself Democratic.Clearly Obama has the momentum, the question is, did he get it in time? Remember, early voting in states like California — where 1 million have already voted — has been heavy. That will give Clinton reserve of votes, because her popularity has been coming down while his has been going up. That’s why for Obama it’s been all hands on deck in a massive voter turnout effort.
It’s risky business, indeed. Sweeney has more.
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