June 16 Council Meeting: cough, cough - Cedar Street; cough, cough - The McLellan

    

As Chance led us to do, we just took a look at the Agenda for the Brunswick Town Council Meeting this coming Monday, June 16th.  Two items on that Agenda merit being passed along for your edification.

    

The first is this under “Manager’s Report:”

(c)  Update on idling trains in Brunswick

It’s on the Agenda because of an emailed letter from Mary Heath to town officials:

==============================================

From: Mary Heath
Date: June 6, 2014, 1:51:01 PM EDT

To: "John Eldridge
Cc: Jane Millett

Subject: Amtrak Train Idling at Cedar Street

Dear Mr. Eldridge,

I am writing to request that as the Brunswick Interim Town Manager you write to NNEPRA
requesting the installation of a Commercial Power Supply to Amtrak engines during their
layover periods in Brunswick at the Cedar Street location.

Currently Amtrak Diesel engines idle seven days a week for up to six hours on the tracks near
Cedar St., from approximately 12:55 to 5:50 pm.

It has been well documented that the exhaust from these old dirty engines, manufactured prior
to 2002, is highly toxic and pose a cancer risk greater than any other air pollutant. Diesel
exhaust has been categorized by The World Health Organization as a known carcinogen.These
engines would violate EPA standards and be in violation Federal law if build today. As a RN I
currently working in a practice that specifically focuses on preventive health. I consider this
violation unfair, unjust, unhealthy, and unacceptable.

In August, 2012 the FRA was granted a Categorical Exclusion for construction of a siding track
near the Bouchard St. neighborhood to allow Amtrak trains to sit and idle during layovers. The
FRA stated an auxiliary power source was to be provided. That was never done. Patricia Quinn
stated in a e mail to a member of the Brunswick West Neighborhood Coalition in October,
2012, that “NNEPRA doesn’t intend to put power out there this Fall.” Trains have been idling
ever since; for the past 3‐4 months on the tracks just west of Brooks. I am aware that a power
source can only be used when temperatures are above 40 degrees F. At that point the engine
will automatically shut on. However the summer months are when windows are open and folks
are outside enjoying their gardens and yards. Cedar St also experiences a lot of foot traffic to
and from downtown.

My neighborhood consists of families with young children from toddlers to elementary school
age children to people in their late eighties. One of my neighbors is expecting a baby in July.
Theses are the people most vulnerable to the effects of these toxic fumes.

There is a precedent for a commercial power source near Cedar Street. In 2004 a so called
“temporary train station” installed in the DOT lot between what in now Downeast Energy and
the bridge over Spring St. It was cleared for parking and passenger access to the train going up
to Rockland in the summer. All the vegetation, including mature trees, were removed to
accommodate up to 200 cars. ( it remains an eye sore today.) Neighbors were never notified.
My councilwoman at the time, Barbara Demaris had no knowledge of this, nor evidently did the
the Town Manager! Trains idled for hours on end. Several neighbors vigorously complained
about the fumes and the noise. Mat Eddy, a Town Planner at the time, worked with the train
people and a commercial power outlet was installed. It was a tremendous relief!

The NNEPRA’s answer to idling trains has been to build a Maintenance Train Facility on the
tracks near Bouchard Street. As you know the opposition to that proposal has been well
organized, clear and well documented. The FRA decision is still pending. Even if a MLF is built it
will be a long time before it becomes operational. There is mitigation work to be done, also
significant track work down the line in order to make it possible. Meanwhile we are exposed on
a daily basis to these dangerous fumes.

My neighbors and I would appreciate your support in this matter and ask that you make a
request for a Commercial Power Source to NNEPRA for Amtrak trains currently idling near
Cedar St. There are CMP power lines close to where the Amtrak train idles.The current situation
has gone on too long. It can be resolved.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Mary Heath
10 Cedar Street
Brunswick, ME 04011

============================================================

             

The second has to do with finishing the work on our “new” Town Hall:

73. The Town Council will consider adopting a “Resolution Amending the 2013-14 Budget to Appropriate an Additional $150,000 for the Purpose of the Designing, Renovating, Equipping and Occupancy of the McLellan Building for Municipal Use,” and will take any appropriate action. (Manager)

We’re passing these along because Shirley you’d want to know about them. 

Or so Chance says.

PS: we have a feeling that this item under the Manager’s Report belongs under “stand by for incoming,” but there is no amplifying data in the packet:

(d)  Update on the Graham Road landfill issues

Technorati Tags: Amtrak,Downeaster,NNEPRA,MLF,McLellan,dumps

Side pops-up on The Ostrich

For the first time in longer than we can remember, we had an item appear on the op-ed page of the Times Record today.

The link is this: http://www.timesrecord.com/news/2014-06-11/Commentary/Questioning_claims_in_Diversification.html

We weren’t permitted to view it ourselves on the web, but we’re confident that what we’re attaching below is the text as it ran:

To the Editor:

My entire career was spent working on Navy shipbuilding programs, and specifically ships built at BIW. I worked with BIW directly, beginning in the early 80's. I've also spent many years following the governance of Brunswick. Lastly, I track things going on in Augusta to a modest degree.

This experience leads me to question a number of assertions made by Gary Anderson in his commentary of June 5^th called “Converting to Diversification.” Let me take them one by one:

• “BIW’s expressed embrace of “non-military non-defense oriented projects” was roundly celebrated and then soon forgotten as Clinton opted for globalization over homeland jobs.”

I have no personal recollection of such BIW 'embrace,' nor it's 'celebration.' I would appreciate Gary's citations to substantiate these claims.

• “In 2013, BIW would have finally diversified into a globalized wind turbine manufacturing leadership position — until Paul LePage opted for a his-way or no-way vision of Maine’s economic future.”

Similarly, I'd appreciate proof that BIW was about to become a leader in wind turbine manufacturing, and how Governor LePage personally and specifically negated that transition.

• “Those invested in the defense industry, however, long immune to capitalism, are suddenly vulnerable to a full blown case of losing market share.”

As someone who spent his entire career in the defense industry, I suggest the author, who has not, is vastly unqualified to comment on 'capitalism' and 'market share' in this regard. His established reputation as an anti-capitalist adds to this appraisal.

• “Despite loss of military families, Brunswick school and municipal building projects flourish. Looking at Brunswick’s growth, one might almost entertain the thought that maybe what Bath needs for development is “Goodbye BIW.””

These are bizarre thoughts. The only things 'flourishing' in Brunswick are municipal and school department spending. “Growth” is a stretch beyond imagining. Suggesting that BIW closure would be good for Bath (and the region) is destructive, highly offensive thinking.

• “BIW is suddenly bursting with activity, an economic engine fully fired up like no tomorrow.”

A review of BIW's employment history, topping 11,000 at its peak many years back, would show that this claim is way off base, unless you have a window of months, not years and decades. Words like 'fired up like no tomorrow' are hyperbole employed for rhetorical effect, not accurate characterization.

• “Here in Maine, there is growing interest in Connecticut’s model.”

I have no knowledge of such 'growing interest,' so I'd appreciate the author's illumination on this matter.

I have no doubt that Mr. Anderson is sincere in his views, but so am I. More important than sincerity is credibility. I hope he substantiates his offerings far better in future columns.

Pem Schaeffer

Pem Schaeffer is a retired Business Development Leader who lives in Brunswick; he blogs at http://othersideofbrunswick.blogspot.com/

Technorati Tags: Ostrich,diversification

Upcoming local “Common Core” discussion event

      

Like it or not, the ‘3 R’s’ of our youth – readin’, ritin,’ and rithmetic,’ have been replaced by three R’s driven by political correctness.  Rather than giving our children the basic skills necessary for a productive adult life, we seem all too consumed by the need to program their behavior.

                       

A bit of searching on 3 R’s will bring up a bewildering array of subjects that have nothing to do with mastering the fundamentals of knowledge.

We here at Side have no background in education in the formal sense, and our offspring have long since made their way through the ‘public education’ system.   None-the-less, we find ourselves more and more concerned by the ‘institutional mediocrity’ we hear so much about.

So we thought you should know about this upcoming event related to “Common Core,” the newest highly touted thrust in the education world.  We know two of the speakers: Heidi Sampson, and Brunswick’s own Bob Morrison.  We think both are highly qualified to discuss the subject.

Here’s the announcement for the event that was passed along to us:

Are you interested in learning more about the Common Core State Standards, Proficiency-Based Diploma Law (LD 1422) and Smarter-Balanced Assessment? Major changes are coming to public schools.

Private and home school students could also be impacted. To learn more, please join us for an informative presentation sponsored by No Common Core Maine.

Speakers: Heidi Sampson – Co-Founder NCCM;  David Lentini - Former School Board Chair, NCCM Member;  Bob Morrison – Retired Superintendent, Principal & Teacher.

Who should attend: Parents, taxpayers, school board members, elected officials, teachers & anyone interested in education.

When: Tuesday, June 24th, 6:30pm

Where: Meeting room at the Unitarian Universalist Church,15 Pleasant St, Brunswick (across from the Curtis Memorial Public Library)

Find us on Facebook at www.commoncoremaine.com

We expect it to be a lively discussion.

Technorati Tags: Common core,schools,Brunswick

It’s here.

The number 5, that is.

               

But in another sense, nothing is.

Then there’s this number: 929 with this post.

Here’s our takeaway.  We’ve spent the last five years ‘publishing’ this blog.  That’s a lot of time that could have been spent on other things, though we’re not sure what they would have been.  During that time, we’ve ‘printed’  more than 900 items.  That number scares us; an average of more than 3 per week.

We must be nuts for doing this.  If you’ve been a loyal reader, you must be even more nuts than we are.

                

None the less, we’re very thankful for our loyal readership, and we’re going to make a special gesture in your honor.  Free and unlimited access to our ‘digital’ publication is available to all, until further notice.

                       

We want to do whatever we can to light your way, in a manner of speaking.  We’re not sure how long those little candles will burn, but we’ll take it one year at a time.  Timing is everything, including choosing the time to go down in flames.

                               

Technorati Tags: Anniversary,Other Side,Poppycock

Proud grandparents, two ways….

Can’t help it folks; these just arrived.  So humor us a bit.

Two grand-kids with their new playmate:

“A boy and his dog…..”

                           

We’re no expert, but we think some serious bonding is going on. 

Maybe Cinnamon is a ‘boy-whisperer.’

Technorati Tags: Admin,family,dogs

Grand-kids and Grand-dogs

Update:  We’ve been advised that our Grand-dog’s name is Cinnamon, not Moxie, as had been advertised a few days ago.

Those of you who are fond of (love) dogs know that we’ve shown our two ‘kids,’ Boo-Boo and Sweetie-Bitch, on our blog home page from the very beginning.

They’re now 12 plus years old, blind, and best we can tell, pretty much deaf.  Boo-Boo and Magoo are the names we use more these days.

We have four grand-children at this point: two in Massachusetts, and two in New Jersey.  We’ve had ‘step grand-dogs’ a few times, but never one that was a permanent family addition.

That changes today.

         

Pictured above is “Moxie,” a roughly six week old Chocolate Lab, who checked in at 12 pounds a day or so ago, on the way to her ‘forever home.’  Which is with the half of our expanded family that lives in New Jersey.

While we personally prefer ‘dark chocolate’ over milk chocolate, that doesn’t matter much when it comes to dogs.

Besides; ‘dark’ is in the eyes of the beholder, and she looks pretty dark to us.  We’ll be spending a week with her before too long, and we hope she still fits on our lap when we do.  We still welcome Booboo, at 45 pounds or so, on our lap when he wants to be there.   His sister gave up the habit a while back.

You know how it is; the ‘kids’ grow up so fast you hardly have a chance to take it all in.

We suppose a few of you smart-alecks out there will say ‘we don’t see much physical resemblance, but we’re guessing your breath smells the same.’  Thanks.

Puppy kisses have a way of becoming one of your favorite things, dog-breath or not.

Just like our posts.  So there.

Technorati Tags: Grand-kids,dogs

Buddy Holly/Downeaster post-script…..

                          

You’re probably still dealing with the frivolities of yesterday’s post, so forgive us for coming to you with more on the subject so soon.  You’ll just have to learn how to handle it; you’ll be a better person for it.

First, as to NNEPRA’s sponsorship of MSMT, it looks like they rank higher on the ladder than we might have first thought.

On page 44 of the Buddy Holly program, you’ll find a portrayal of the major sponsors.  First, Highlands/Highland Green as the “Season/Website” sponsors.  Then Androscoggin Bank and Five County Credit Union as the “Curtain Raiser and Intern” sponsors respectively.

Followed immediately by the “Transportation Sponsor” – the Downeaster.  Below that level are sponsors of the individual shows; at least that’s how we read it.

So we see NNEPRA’s place in the zoo as near the top, just where you might expect an outfit with their kind of operating losses to be.

On another note, we were reminded of the Don McLean song “American Pie” as we looked into Buddy Holly history after seeing the show.  We’ve always liked the song a lot, but found it to be a puzzle of major proportions.  Now that the show was fresh in our minds, and we’d done a bit of reading, we understood more of the lyrics, if not all by any stretch. 

We listened to the song today and appreciated the creativity, and the memories of our teen-aged years, ‘a long, long time ago.’

Shown below are the lyrics we found here: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/donmclean/americanpie.html

You can find any number of performances of the song on YouTube; we suggest you do if you’ve already seen the show or will be

"American Pie"

[Intro]
A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step
I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died

[Chorus]
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"

[Verse 1]
Did you write the book of love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now do you believe in rock and roll
Can music save your mortal soul
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you're in love with him
'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died

[Chorus]
I started singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"

[Verse 2]
Now for ten years we've been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin' stone
But that's not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lenin read a book on Marx
A quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died

[Chorus]
We were singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"

[Verse 3]
Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and falling fast
It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
Now the halftime air was sweet perfume
While the sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance
'Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?

[Chorus]
We started singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
And singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"

[Verse 4]
Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
'Cause fire is the devil's only friend
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell
Could break that Satan's spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

He was singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
And singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"

[Outro]
I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
And in the streets, the children screamed
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died

And they were singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"

[Chorus]
They were singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
And singin' "This'll be the day that I die"

Just reading it and taking it all in is a challenge.  It’s like a half dozen songs rolled into one.

A brilliant work.  Hearing it play as we exited the theater would have been a stunning touch, but we’re guessing that gets into intellectual property issues that were never able to be resolved.

At the creative level, it would have been a magnificent move.  Too bad it didn’t happen.

But if you play the song before you go, you’ll hear it in your mind on the way out.

                                  

You can trust us on this; we’re not like all the others.

Technorati Tags: Amtrak,NNEPRA,Buddy Holly,MSMT,American Pie,Don McLean

Buddy Holly rides the Downeaster gravy train….

                     

One of the unmistakable ways to know life here in town has changed to non-winter mode is the arrival of the Maine State Music Theater season, which provides four full scale productions (plus a number of special events) at the Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin College Campus.

                                   

Side and Mrs. Side have had season tickets for nearly 20 years, and last night we attended the opening performance of the first show of the season: “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story.”  It was a great show, typical of the first rate productions MSMT is widely known for, and it included an ‘opening act’ called The Hayriders that we really enjoyed.

We’re not here to plug the show; others will do just fine at that.  Instead, we want to tell you about a ‘surprise’ we received before the curtain opened.  And not a particularly pleasant one.

To provide some context, we remind you of this recent post: “MaineBiz earns “Five Backsides” Award.” In it, we expressed befuddlement that a business publication could present an award to a public enterprise created with taxpayer funds, with an operating loss of nearly 45%.  And that a state employee, who heads the responsible state authority, could be declared the ‘Non-Profit Business Leader of The Year.’

We found the very idea of such an award bizarre on any number of levels, which we identified in that post.

Back to last night.  In the MSMT tradition, before the curtain rises, a theater official comes out to welcome the audience to the show, and to elicit thanks/applause for the major ‘sponsors’ backing the MSMT enterprise.  Last night was no different. 

First, the Artistic Director thanked the ‘season sponsor,’ The Highlands and Highland Greens, who have held this position for several years.  Then  he moved on to ‘show sponsors,’ which included Lebel & Harriman, a financial advisory firm, and then….are you ready….drum roll, please……The Downeaster and NNEPRA…..”for the first time.”

We did a mental, if not physical double take when we heard the words.  Are you kidding?  A publicly funded enterprise, operating at a huge loss, and run by a state authority, is sponsoring a theater group?

We have no idea how much money is involved, but we assume it’s not pocket change.  Getting mentioned on stage with only two or three others surely marks elite status in the donor hierarchy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We don’t know if any quid pro quo is involved in this arrangement, or even any quid pro quinn. 

We were sitting right up front, and the volume of many of the songs in this ‘juke box musical’ was  quite high. None-the-less, we thought we heard a verse during the classic “Peggy Sue” number that went something like this:

Patsy Quinn, Patsy Quinn, oh how you can dish the spin, my Patsy, my Patsy Quinn…in…in…in…..innnnn. 

Oh we love you gal, we love you Patsy Quinn.

It’s hard to be sure, but that’s what it seemed to us, hearing aid battery condition notwithstanding.

We know many in these parts call us “The Big Popper,” so you have to allow for our imaginative interpretations of musical history.

                      

And you KNOW what we LIKE, baby!

           

Given the way things unrolled, we were going to stretch another iconic thought and say that what we witnessed last night was “the day the honor died.”  You know, ‘bye bye Miss American Pie; drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry’ and all that.

                   

On reflection, we thought that a bit bizzaro, so we decided against it.

Because we have a reputation to protect.  We’re not sure what it is, but we’re going to do our best to see that it’s preserved.

We owe you that at least, don’t we?                       

Technorati Tags: MSMT,Downeaster,NNEPRA,Buddy Holly

JP2 takes another bite of the apple….

                

Much as we’d like to have access to the NSA’s accumulated metadata for the Brunswick region, they’ve yet to accept our application for access to this pot of gold.  But we do have a few bell ringers of our own who provide us with a rudimentary form of their services.

In this case, we’re referring to the post on “Primary Colors’ from last week: http://othersideofbrunswick.blogspot.com/2014/05/primary-colors-candidate-forums-and.html

                                    

In it, we asked a number of questions of our local primary candidates for the state legislature.  Not surprisingly, the response has been as we expected.

                                                  

We also pointed out circumstances relating to candidates running under provisions of the Maine Clean Elections Act, and the guidelines associated with doing so.  In particular, we referred to a local political celebrity we refer to, at a reader’s suggestion, as JP2.

As Chance would have it, a related missive flew in over our transom, adding to our questions as to whether she’s crossed the lines of propriety in this regard.

For your convenience, here’s the relevant passage from that post:

• The guide language we refer to is this: http://www.maine.gov/ethics/pdf/2014MCEALegisFinal_002.pdf  The pamphlet states in Chapter 5, page 27, under the topic, "CAN A CANDIDATE FUNDRAISE FOR A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OR POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEE?", that

“while a candidate is not prohibited from fundraising for a political action committee (PAC) or a political party committee, the candidate should be aware of certain risks in doing so.  If the PAC or party committee is going to spend money to promote the candidate, the candidate may wish to consider whether the assistance with fundraising will create the public perception or lead to the conclusion that the candidate cooperated with the PAC or party committee’s expenditures to promote the candidate."

Now that you’re refreshed on the details, take a look at this message:

From: Jacqueline Sartoris 
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2014 4:01 PM
To: (presumed officers and members of the Brunswick Town Democrat Committee)

Subject: Re: REMINDER: Important meeting WEDNESDAY,MAY 7, 6-7pm, HAWTHORNE SCHOOL

Dear (Chair),

I'm afraid I will not be able to make tonight's meeting. I will be happy to promote our fundraiser, and another reminder email that can be forwarded to other folks would be great in that effort.

I do want to just comment briefly on the Unity picnic idea. Whomever wins in the primary, I am voting for the Democrat in November, as Democratic values are most needed in Augusta. However, as I've made clear, I truly, strongly disapprove of the personal ethics displayed in this race. Mr. Tucker knew I was running last May, as we had discussed it. Quietly soliciting support from well-known Brunswick Democrats without divulging they would be used against a fellow Democrat may have been an effective way to gather people's names, but it was also misleading to them, and to anyone else who sees those names and believes all those people chose Mr. Tucker over me. While I certainly understand wanting to win this race, I simply don't believe that winning should be more important than being honorable. Ditto for the claim about not knowing about our sign ordinance. It's not simply a matter of winning or losing, it's the ethics we display that gives our fellow citizens a reason to respect the work political parties do, and perhaps be encouraged to join in. I didn't serve as Vice Chair to run for office. I served because I sort of thought we were about values.

My point is this: Win or lose, I will, of course, vote for the person who will carry Democratic values to Augusta. I've worked hard, with so many others in the past few years, to make sure in the face of the hate-the-poor LePage years, that we live our Democratic values, through the MLK fundraiser for MidCoast Hunger Prevention Program. In three years we've raised $3600, and I've been more than willing to do that sort of work. But spending my family time picnicking with an opponent who has now spent more money to elect himself than I have been able to raise for hunger in 3 years? That's asking too much of this loyal Democrat!

I suggest we have a gathering towards the end of the summer, let things cool down, and please not call it "Unity."

Unless it's "Unity against LePage." That, we are.

Sincerely,

Jackie Sartoris

Much as we wanted to include the full list of addressees to the message, we just couldn’t bring ourselves to do so at this point.  We know you’d have found it ‘delicious’ in the editorial sense of things.  And revealing of the family squabbles inherent in pursuit of a position in the ruling class.

At the same time, we can’t help but note the author admirably restrained her ‘biting’ instincts.

We’ll leave it to readers, and should they show an interest, the Ethics Commission, to decide whether a line has been crossed.

Or we could look to the author to put some teeth into her commitment to ‘honorable’ behavior.

Not that there’s much advantage to doing so these days.  Or many good examples in recent electoral pursuits.

Brunswick doesn’t seem to ‘value’ or ‘celebrate’ such things. 

Is this any way to run a railroad?

Technorati Tags: Ethics,primaries,clean elections,fund raising

Side hits a media ‘daily double’

As we warned you in this recent post, we were invited to appear the other day on WCME, the local Brunswick radio station.  We had to use all available navigation aids to find the WCME studio, but lucky for them, we did.

The odds are you missed the live broadcast, so we’re providing you with a chance to redeem yourself by listening to a recording of the spot.  If and when you do, you’ll realize that besides having a face made for radio, your correspondent has a voice made for blogging.

Here’s the recording, in the form of a YouTube ‘video,’ which it plainly is not.  Unfortunately, it’s the only way we could find to get it on the web, since our IT person has never shown up for their first day of work.

           

With any luck, when you click on the play arrow, you’ll only have to listen to a brief interlude of ‘front matter’ before getting to the heart of the discussion.

Jim Bleikamp, the owner of the station, was a gracious host, suggesting that Side is an “intellectual.”  We have a different understanding than he of what that label means, but we won’t bother exploring the various interpretations, especially as they might relate to the denizens of our local Ivory Tower.

We had briefly discussed what subject areas might be involved in the spot prior to our appearance, so we had a chance to prepare some thoughts.  None-the-less, Jim surprised us by suggesting that ‘conservatives’ have more bozos in their ranks than ‘progressives’ do.  So we were not prepared with citations to refute his assertion on the spot.

More than likely he realized that had he told us this would be a point of discussion, we’d have fire-hosed him and his studio with numerous documented examples to counter his view.  No matter; we will, one way or another, have the last word on this subject.

For now, here’s a trademark Side amuse bouche on the subject.  We hope Jim enjoys the tasty little tidbits and shares them with his listeners.

• The President pointing out that he had visited ‘57 states, and only had one more to go.’
• Nancy Pelosi’s comment that ‘you have to pass the bill to find out what’s in it.’
• “We haven’t had a very collective notion of ‘these are our children,’ so, part of it is that we have to break through our kind of private idea that kids belong to their parents, or kids belong to their families and recognize that kids belong to whole communities.” Your kids belong to the government, so says MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry.  She also said that said that kids shouldn’t count as real human beings “until parents decide” they should qualify as “life.”
• Maxine Waters, Congresswoman from California: “We don’t need to be having something like sequestration that’s going to cause these jobs losses, over 170 million jobs that could be lost.”  Since we only have about 140 million folks working, that would be quite a decline.
• Congressman Hank Johnson on Guam: "My fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize,"

We’re just getting started, but we think discretion calls for us to stop there for now.

Later the same day, we had a lengthy sit down with Rob Montana, the new Managing Editor of the publication we lovingly refer to as The Ostrich.

It was a cordial session, and our host patiently listened to the evidence we accumulated over the years regarding the TR’s less than stellar contributions to ethical, objective journalism and the local area.

As we said in this earlier post, we wish Rob well.  It’s our impression that he comes to the job with good intentions, a clean slate, and an absence of the taint and biases that those long  involved in Maine journalism take on, whether they realize it or not.

We have hope, of a modest level, that he will reverse the obvious decline in The Ostrich over the years, and bring it to a place of value in our community and region.

Only time will tell, but it won’t take much time to tell.  This isn’t a case of trying to change the course of an Aircraft Carrier or Super Tanker.

Most of the barnacles on the hull of the aging ship have been scraped away, and she has a new captain. 

The paper is a daily operation, shaped by daily decisions and leadership.  We’ll be watching with interest for signs of a new commitment to objective, ethical, and locally focused journalism.

Even though we haven’t subscribed to the paper for years, nor do we pay for digital access.

Now that we think of it, though, the bird with its head in the sand doesn’t pay one red cent for full access to our publication.

So we’re all square at the moment.  And we hope Rob isn’t expecting us to change our direction in the same way we’re hoping he changes that of the TR.

We’re just a little dinghy in the great sea of journalism, and we’ve got all we can do just to keep the winds from blowing us off course.

We have no idea where we’re headed, but that doesn’t mean we can’t stick with ‘steady as she goes’ as our guiding principle.

                           

We trust you agree; this is no time for mutiny.  And as long as you’re up, pass the blueberries, Chief.

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It’s almost here….

Hint 1:  7 more days

Hint 2:  921 and counting as of 6 pm, June 2, 2014

                 

Can you guess what it is?

Technorati Tags: Admin,Other Side