Tag Archives: 2015 municipal elections

InCity Voices

Worcester voters have spoken (a few of us at least!)  

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More Americans must vote! This means YOU, Worcester!

By Edith Morgan
 
The figures are in, except for a few provisional ballots – and depending on your point of view, the news is good, at least for most incumbents. All except one on the School Committee were returned, and the May or retained his position.

I have tried to figure out what all this means: are the voters well satisfied with their representatives, are they leery of change, or do they merely vote for familiar names and faces? Do the incumbents have so much greater an advantage over new candidates or are their supporters so much more loyal and active?

There was in this election a definite uptick in the number who voted: In 2013, only 14.4 % voted, whereas this year on November 3rd, 21.34% went to the polls. Though that is a good-sized increase, that is still a pretty dismal showing – it means that just over 1 in 5 registered voters select the people who will govern us locally for the next two years.

The small turnout could not have been caused by a lack of choices, because we had enough choices to need a primary run-off. And running in District requires less money, fewer signatures, and less “shoe leather” going door to door. Yet only three of the 5 District races were contested. 

And only District 2 has a new councilor, due to the vacating of that seat by Phil Palmieri, who first decided to go for an at-large council seat, and then withdrew altogether. The other new face in the council is Khrystian King, who gained the seat let by Rick Rushton, who chose not to run again.

What conclusions do I draw from these facts: It would seem that despite the constant complaints we hear about our local government, those who bother to vote are sufficiently satisfied with things as they are, to continue to entrust the steering of our ship of local state to the same group. I have to assume that those who voted knew enough about the candidates, followed their activities, and felt they could trust them to do the job.

Of course, we are also all aware that there are a lot of people who merely complain, but do not do anything to improve things. Whether they intended it or not, the present council will have a bit more variety than the previous one: with Mr. King replacing Phil Palmieri  there, we  now have at last ONE non-white male on the council, one who works with youth, minority families, and who is not a lawyer. Mr. King also slightly lowers the average age of the council so perhaps he will introduce a newer, younger outlook to the proceedings.

The balance of male-to-female councilors is still skewed in favor of males:  of the eleven councilors, four are female: two district councilors (Candy Carlson and Sarai Rivera) are female, and of the five district councilors, two (Lukes and Toomey) are women. So, four of eleven is not too bad – depending on your point of view.

We do have a number of careers represented: as is so often in government in the U.S., there are lawyers, of course. But we also have realtors, teachers, social workers, and activists represented. So I am hopeful that their varied backgrounds will give balance and breadth to their decisions on the next council.

There are occasional murmurs about changing the Charter, as some people still feel that a strong mayor form of government would put more power in the hands of one elected official who could then more easily be held responsible. The evidence for that assumption seems rather inconclusive, as there are cities of our size with either of these forms, and they seem to succeed regardless of the form. So it has seemed to me that it is not so much the form as it is some other factors. In our case we have been very fortunate to have great cooperation between our Mayor, our city manager, and also our School committee members and our superintendents. It would appear that the very important ingredient is a spirit of cooperation, and a sense of mission where all are going in the same direction.

There were more changes on the School Committee than on the council: two of the six incumbents were not returned (Hilda Ramirez and Tracy Novick) – replaced by Donna Colorio, who had been on the Committee before, and a newcomer, Molly McCullough. I was very surprised by the loss of Tracy Novick, as I had been very impressed by her thoroughness, her energy, and her dedication to excellence in public education. What these changes portend for the very important decision that will face this school committee – the choosing of a new superintendent to succeed Dr. Boone, we will have to watch closely.

I would hope that all the members – new and old – would be strong advocates for excellence in our schools, for equity in distribution of funds so that allegedly “underperforming” schools would immediately get the financial and academic support they deserve, and for protecting our children from the evils that beset our public schools: more important than who is superintendent is the ongoing question of how best to bring out the best in each student, agree on a comprehensive curriculum that all can master, in their own time, and to return to teachers the power to decide how things must be taught, and to enable them to maintain control of their now overfilled classrooms.

We must enforce the regulations already on the books that hold parents responsible for sending their children to school ready and willing to learn, having learned to respect others’ rights. We have many support systems for those unable to do this, and should not hesitate to use them.
 
Worcester has so many great and innovative schools, and so many cooperative ventures, that there must be a place for every child’s individual needs, talents and interests. The school Committee spends over half of the entire city budget- and serves around 25,000 students.

As the world changes and moves, our schools have to remain flexible and innovative, always planning to meet the future. As we live longer, and many of the mind-bending, boring jobs are done by machines, we will have to deal with more time beyond work, when we can be productive.
So look to our school committee members to be imaginative and creative, to understand what our children will need to survive and thrive in the future, and to see to it that the funds are available to teachers and administrators to implement new ideas, but always to provide the foundation learnings and skills a child will need to succeed in America, not just in Worcester.
 
The people we have elected represent a shamefully small fraction of the total voting population. Even the 21% of voters who voted in the present group are not enough to be truly representative.

But I do hope that at least they kept in mind the good of those who did not show up, and selected representatives who will work for everyone’s good, and will truly love this city and see it move forward. And I hope that they will always remember two of my guiding ideas:

1.      “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar” and
2.      “ Always keep your word soft and gentle, for someday you may have to eat them.“                                           
Above all, let’s keep our eyes on our representatives, and let them know how they are doing. Remember, no one can do you any harm until you give them the power to do so. Voting is only the beginning, not the end.

Green Island Grrrl, Rosalie's Blog

This past weekend Worcester’s inner city was alive with fall fun!

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On Cambridge Street, in Maloney Field, we saw scores of kids and their parents playing soccer. All the families were, pretty much, folks of color. Poverty, struggles do NOT stop kids from playing – nor interested parents from joining in the fun.

So important for Worcester politicians to keep Worcester’s older neighborhoods in mind. The middle class can always buy themselves out of problems and dilemmas. The poor face them every day – and surmount more than you think!

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PLEASE VOTE TODAY FOR WORCESTER POLITICAL CANDIDATES WHO STAY TRUE TO THE PROMISE OF OUR INNER-CITY!

I’m a former (and present-day) Worcester inner-city kid: Worcester Public Schools student, kindergarten – grade 12; participant in Worcester’s Summer’s World; dreamer in the Worcester Public Library’s children’s room; belly flopper in Worcester’s Crompton Park swimming pool, mad dasher at the Girls Club on Vernon Hill, quiet girl at St. Mary’s church and catechism class in Green Island … eons later owner and editor of InCity Times.

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The City of Worcester services, parks and schools worked for my single mom and us kids. The WPS teachers supported the work ethic that my mom was all about, the Worcester parks and our public library and their city events – the Fourth of July fireworks at East Park, the free musical instrument instruction at Lamartine Street School – kept things interesting and fun for us. FOR FREE. For kids and grandkids of immigrants.

The American Dream in ACTION – WORCESTER!

Worcester politicians need to remember first and foremost we’re a Gateway city. They must INVEST in the kids and parents and adults of our urban core. We’ll most likely be here for the rest of our lives, giving the city its true feel … .

… Its every day music.

– pics and text: Rosalie Tirella

InCity Voices

VOTE TODAY!

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America

By Edith Morgan
 
It’s here: Decision time has come, ready or not! TODAY Worcester votes! We elect or re-elect our local government officials.  And against all reality, I am still hopeful that we will erase the dismal figures of past local elections and show up in greater numbers.
 
Before casting our ballots, we should give a few moments’ thought to some very fundamental questions: because local government touches most of us most directly – in our homes, our streets, our children, our neighborhoods, our daily lives, we should be most concerned who makes decisions about these things, but we should also learn what the limits of the powers of the local officials really is.
 
I am often amazed at how little so many of us really understand about the structure of our government, the powers that each position actually has, and how to get things done by our local leaders.

Too many of us go directly to our councilors for help with things that are better and more quickly taken care of by the established bureaucracy – like filling potholes, trimming trees, reducing traffic, picking up trash, etc A call to DPW and P, at 508-929-1300 is the best way to go – they will direct you to the right department if needed, or give you a number to refer to if they can not help you immediately.  

For help with school matters, it is best to go up the ladder – from the classroom teacher, to the principal, to someone at 20 Irving Street, then as a last resort, to the elected members of the school committee.
 
I always encourage people to start with those most likely to be able to solve problems directly, because that is their job, and because they are the most likely to have the answers.
 
So, what can our elected officials really do?

While we are accustomed to expect “favors” from those we elect,  I do NOT expect that. That is the road to nepotism and corruption. Rather, I expect that those I elect will provide leadership, long range planning ideas, make sure that the city is governed by the basic philosophy that we can agree on. Often, a single occurrence bring out the hysterics, so we end up with ordinances that are not well thought out and affect too many of us negatively.  

There is always a temptation to win votes by taking on tasks that should be done by hired employees, but I look to my elected representatives to keep their eyes on the broader picture – they all represent the entire city, whether they are elected from a district, or at large.
 
I look for a person who has a vision for the future, who knows and understands our city, who is well-informed, and can listen to other viewpoints.

I am not impressed by buzzwords, by “kissing babies”, hiring relatives, being seen at all events, ( we grew up believing that “:fools’ names and faces are often seen in public places”) – and I also hope that voting for people who represent a variety of viewpoints will bring good discussions to our meetings.

Above all, I want to be represented by people who are guided by FACTS, not emotions or the drive to power.
 

Green Island Grrrl, Rosalie's Blog

Tuesday, November 3, Worcester votes!

Our Worcester City Council candidate endorsements:

The Worcester of 2015 is multiracial, multicultural and multi-voiced. It’s a city with a healthy middle and upper-middle class and biz community. But it is also a Gateway City filled with immigrants, second generation Americans … lots of poor families, hungry children … youth violence, racial strife – BIG CITY CHALLENGES!

We need city leaders who can work our problems with: INTELLIGENCE, SENSITIVITY, OPTIMISM.

So, Tuesday, November 3, please vote for:

Mayor – Joseph (Joe) Petty (incumbent)

Great person! Smart, thoughtful on the issues, won’t be swayed by the naysayers or the alarmists. Rebuilt Elm Park, pushed for a recovery high school AND a high school for the gifted, working to upgrade so many of our public schools, working with the police department to keep our schools safe, building playgrounds and safe spaces for our inner-city kids. THIS IS WHAT JOE PETTY IS ABOUT. COMMUNITY. All of us sharing the good things,feeling we have a say … that we ALL matter: black, white, poor, straight, gay, inner city, suburban style …

He’s our QUIET MAN – and we mean the JOHN WAYNE flick! Don’t let his modesty fool ya! Petty’s tough and determined! Go, Joe, go!

RE-ELECT JOSEPH PETTY!

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Councilors at Large

PLEASE VOTE FOR:

Joseph Petty (see above. You have to vote for Petty in this category too, if you want him to be re-elected mayor).

Morris (Moe) Bergman

A steady voice. A calm, thoughtful, smart guy who LOVES our public schools. He’s had three kids go/going through the system – so he’s not just talk! He knows the school buildings, the teachers, the courses. He is PROUD of what our public schools offer kids and their families. Moe is also for a brighter downtown, economic development … a better Worcester for all.

Juan Gomez

We love Juan! He is so real! Warm, yet tough! Fun and cute but biz savvy. We have been a Juan fan for years, back when he was a Worcester city councilor who was business friendly but never forgot the peeps! He was always honest about the issues, where he stood. Sometimes that cost him a vote or two but, for us, that spells INTEGRITY.

William Coleman

Billy Coleman has been a pal for years. What you don’t see when he’s kinda got the spotlight all to himself is: HE REALLY IS A VERY CARING, LOVING PERSON WHO IS THERE FOR ANYONE. Billy is a GREAT PERSON! Which means he’ll work hard for ALL THE PEOPLE OF WORCESTER – meet you, talk with you, hear your side of the issue. He’s a gentle soul who doesn’t hurt folks, and he is especially sensitive to the poor, the homeless, city kids … the people others sometimes forget.

VOTE WILLIAM COLEMAN!!!

District 2:

Vote for Candace Mero Carlson!

She wants to take Phil Palmieri’s seat – she’d be a great voice and advocate for D 2. Candy holds a special place in my heart because she is a GREAT DOG LOVER! Has had English bull dogs that are just gorgeous! And spoiled, like my Jett and Lilac. Candy is also people focused, has done so much volunteer work, community advocacy ….LOVES WORCESTER! She knows District 2 and would represent it with smarts, grace and intelligence.

VOTE CANDACE MERO CARLSON!

Vote for the Worcester you dream of …

Green Island Grrrl, Rosalie's Blog

Go, Edith, go!

Where were YOU on Worcester preliminary election day?

By Edith Morgan

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DO THE AMERICAN THING AND VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3! pic:R.T.
 
On Tuesday, September 8, I got up at 5 a.m., an unusually early hour for me, as I am a “night owl” and like to read before going to sleep. But on this particular Tuesday, I was at my assigned post by 6 a.m., ready to begin my fifteen-hour day as Warden of my precinct.

As soon as George, the policeman assigned to my precinct, arrives, a flurry of activity takes place: he has the new voting machine, the ballots, the keys, and the know-how to get it all started – he has been with me at this precinct for more years than I can count.

This year for the first time, I wait anxiously for his arrival, as he is usually here before me. When he arrives, he tells me that this year, instead of making five deliveries to other precincts, he had to make TEN, before doing the opening “ceremonies” at 6 a.m. – a great rush between 5 and 6 a.m.

Our “clerk” is there at 6 a.m. also, and by 6:30 our four inspectors are due: this year unfortunately, one of them is ill, and we call to see if she will be replaced, and when.

Every one of Worcester’s 50 precincts is staffed the same way: a clerk, a warden, six inspectors, a policeman. The inspectors and clerk and warden represent a balance of democrats, republicans, and unenrolled registered voters, even though the primaries are nonpartisan. There is still some confusion on the part of some voters, as many years ago if you were not affiliated with any political party you were an “independent”, but when an Independent Party was formed, that category was called “unenrolled”.
This year, as always, we had to attend a training session, to be reminded of the rules and regulations, informed of changes if there were any, and to ask any questions we might have.

The real excitement this year was the demonstration of our new voting machines – after 25 years of the old ones, some of which were getting rather tired and moody, it was great to see how they worked, and how much easier it would be to get the final tally when the polls closed at 8 p..m. These machines are “smarter” than our old ones: unlike the past ones, which could only recognize the special black pen markings in the tiny oval, now we give each voter a ball-point pen to keep after using it to mark their ballot – and a sticker to wear when they go back home (maybe as a reminder to the many non-voters they should vote also?) . These new machines are smart enough to read pencil marks too!!!

A small screen continuously demonstrates how to feed in your ballot, records the number of votes cast so far, and in a few seconds thanks the voter. If there is an “overvote” (meaning that the voter has marked too many names in any column) the machine refuses the ballot until the voter either decides to re-do the ballot or allows the machine to record only those votes correctly marked. So, if you don’t want t o do the whole ballot over (you’re in a hurry?) it will count only the part of your ballot that was correctly marked.

I went through the rather detailed explanation above to show our readers that much are and thought have gone into making the entire process as accurate, quick, and pleasant as possible.

Our preliminary election was a good time to inaugurate Worcester’s new machines, as primaries are usually light, so there are no long lines and we have time to explain if need be, and to observe if there are any tough spots.

Our ballot was not very long: the left column held the names of the candidates for councilors-at-large, from which the voter was asked to select up to six names. They were free to select any number up to six, but no more.

Some voters chose to “bullet” their ballot, meaning that they would vote for only their very favorite(s). The column on the right was empty in all but District 2 ballots, where there were four names that had to be whittled down to two for November 3rd, to fill the seat to be vacated by Phil Palmieri.

After the votes were counted, twelve candidates will be on next Tuesday’s ballot for the Worcester at-large city council seats: Mayor Joe Petty, Konstantina Lukes, Kathleen Toomey, Michael Gaffney, Morris Bergman, and Matthew Wally were the top six, in that order; rounding out the twelve were Juan Gomez, Robert Sargent, Khrystian King, Christina Zlody, Bill Coleman and Linda Parham. Unfortunately, three candidates did not make the cut: Carmen Carmona, Ronald O’Clair and George Fox III. Phil Palmieri decided to drop out of the at large race (bumping up Linda Parham).

In the District 2 race, Candy Mero-Carlson and Jennithan Cortes will also go on to next Tuesday’s ballot. 

Green Island Grrrl, Rosalie's Blog

For these Worcester times: Re-elect Mayor Joseph Petty!

By Rosalie Tirella

When did Worcester cease being the city of my childhood (rough and tumble working-class town with so many shining stars!) and become the Worcester of 2015? Kids with guns killing kids, home break-ins galore, folks addicted to heroin dying in stairwells, slug-fests at local high schools with teachers taking it (literally) in the chin, poverty so encompassing many of our school children look like they’ve walked out of a Charles Dickens novel?

It is heartbreaking to see what former president George Bush (and before him prez Clinton and vp Gore with NAFTA) have done to this once great country.

Cities and towns all over America suffer because of our warped economy – one that rewards and perpetuates a healthy upper middle class but creates a bigger and bigger under class every day.

The factories are gone, the mines shut down, the farms industrialized … and the good paying American jobs that immigrants and uneducated folks used to catapult themselves and their families into the American middle class are gone with them.

Now it’s service jobs galore and everyone makes $8, $9, $10 and $11 an hour. Everyone lives pretty much on the cusp of homelessness. No wonder we see hunger, violence, drug addiction … despair in cities and towns all over this great land – Worcester, included.

Have you ever seen so many Dollar Stores in Worcester? You used to see them in the poorer parts of the South. Now they are here and all over the country – and doing gangbusters.

Where are the stores for the working middle class in Worcester? The old American Supply on Front Street? The old Sylvia’s Dress Shop on Franklin Street? All gone. Yes, we can blame Wal-Mart, but it’s their cheap prices that drive working families there. Stores built for the $9 an hour paycheck.

Where does the Mayor of Worcester, a supposedly ceremonial job, fit in with all this?

Why should we care so passionately about giving the Worcester MAYOR’s job to incumbent Joe Petty or challenger Mike Gaffney in a few weeks? (We love Bill Coleman but, seriously, he’s gotta get a new hobby!)

Because THESE TWO GUYS HAVE TOTALLY OPPOSITE WORLD VIEWS … DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED SOLUTIONS TO THE SOCIAL ILLS THAT ARE EATING away at Worcester – and America’s – soul.

It’s more than Democrat (Petty) versus Republican (Gaffney).

It’s more than KEEP GOVERNMENT OUT OF MY POCKET BOOK (Gaffney) versus IT’S NOT THE POCKETBOOK – GOVERNMENT IMPROVES PEOPLE’S LIVES (Petty)…

It’s about TRUST, DECENCY, NO GAMES and FAIRNESS/RESPECT FOR ALL OUR CITIZENS.

That’s what Worcester needs now and Mayor Joe Petty, who is running for re-election, has all of the above!

Today’s Worcester has a huge amount of people who are poor. The Worcester of 2015 has a majority minority school system. Our housing is expensive and our people don’t have the dough to pay for it and all the essentials. THIS IS AMERICA. THIS IS GRINDING POVERTY that never lets up for lots of Worcester families. Plus: So many of our kids and families are folks of color, come from different parts of the world. This adds more layers to our challenges. So many Worcester families are under duress – racism, poverty, domestic abuse, shitty apartments, violence in the streets …

Mayor Petty has worked to RELIEVE THE PAIN AND BUILD BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR ALL WORCESTER FAMILIES.

He gets that we have a diverse population with lots of needs. He believes good government helps meet some of those needs.

Mayor Petty has:

Pushed for the RECOVERY SCHOOL for Worcester kids once addicted to drugs and now ready to learn in a supportive classrooms

Pushed for an ACADEMY FOR THE MOST GIFTED WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS. Sorta like a mini Boston Latin housed in Doherty High School

Beautified Elm Park so it is gorgeous and there for all folks to enjoy

Worked effectively and sensitively with Worcester folks of all colors and creeds

Pushed for city programs that support Worcester inner-city youth and families

Pushed for several playgrounds and playscapes to be built at some of Worcester’s neediest inner-city schools in some of Worcester’s poorest neighborhoods

Championed Woo’s inner city neighborhoods and small businesses

Has taken an even-handed approach to the violence that erupted in the city and around our public schools. Petty did NOT bash anyone, was no alarmist … HE JUST WORKED THE PROBLEM and things got better. And he took the heat from morons who had a less nuanced view of the problem.

NUANCED!

That’s the word!

In the Worcester of 2015 we need NUANCE! We don’t need folks screaming:

WE HATE DR. BOONE!

BRING IN THE NATIONAL GUARD!

KILL THE CDCs!

WHITE TEACHERS IN WORCESTER RULE!

MAUREEN BINENDA FOR WPS SUPERINTENDENT – OR ELSE!

CUT OFF THE MOSAIC FOLKS AND STICK BRENDA JENKINS HEAD ON A STICK!

These folks, on a very deep SUBCONSCIOUS level are racist/classist, but will never see it. They are not living in the Worcester of 2015. THE WORCESTER OF TODAY.

Or maybe they feel the societal/economic changes in Worcester and they’ve panicked.

They want to preserve the old Worcester World Order – one where you CALL IN THE COPS, GET THE IRISH TEACHERS WPD BACK-UP, STOP BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EXERT SOME TOUGH LOVE.

This is the Old Worcester World Order that Worcester city councilor at large and Worcester mayoral candidate MICHAEL GAFFNEY IS EMBRACING AND ESPOUSING.

It ain’t gonna work, Mike!

GAFFNEY IS SO WRONG FOR THE WORCESTER OF TODAY IT’S NOT EVEN FUNNY.

IT’S DOWNRIGHT SCARY!!!!!!!!!

Like presidential candidate Donald Trump, Worcester mayoral candidate Gaffney reflects the fears and prejudices of people.

Also their rage, disappointments, longing for an America, a Worcester, that simply no longer exists. That is gone FOREVER.

It was always complicated, but the big factories and big employers that gave folks – in America and Worcester – the foundation (filled stomachs, bills paid, a little house maybe) from which to solve problems is GONE. Now we’re in crisis mode. And people are wicked freaked out.

You can vote your fears and prejudices and vote for Gaffney November 3.

As a city councilor Mike Gaffney’s done shit. He’s for cutting everything. Then he demagogues the problems that he helped create with his scorched earth politics.

Sure he’s bright and very articulate and a good writer, but so were the Harvard professors and scientists who years ago published papers on the intellectual superiority of men over women because women’s brains were physically smaller. The brilliant professors papers were elegantly written and people all over the world bowed down to their brilliance. But they were still full of shit. STILL WRONG.

They had used their intellect to SUPPORT PREJUDICE. They had elegantly, scientifically backed into their era’s deepest prejudices.

This is what Mike Gaffney is doing today, in Worcester.

Let’s vote for a guy who is bright, hopeful, open and willing to admit great ideas can come from any one – even a gang banger’s mum, even a former drug addict, even a slip of a black girl running up Harrison Street to get to Union Hill School on a lovely Worcester autumn day.

VOTE JOSEPH PETTY FOR MAYOR OF WORCESTER!

InCity Letters, InCity Voices

A message from Ron O’Clair – Worcester City Councilor at Large candidate

DSCF1099Ron O’Clair. On the ballot it’ll be: Ronald L. O’Clair.

Hello, Worcester Voters!

I would like to thank all those who graciously accepted my request to sign my nomination papers, from the very first person: Tamami Okano to the 300th and qualifying signature of Seiwaah Osei Kyei and all those in between who made it possible for me to get my name on the ballot for the upcoming Municipal Election as a Worcester City Councilor At-Large Candidate.

I enjoyed interacting with each and every one of you and pledge that if I am elected as your City Councilor I will faithfully execute the duties of that office with the best interests of the people in this city foremost in my mind at all times.

Here are some of the areas in which I believe I can make a difference:

Better relations between the citizens and the Worcester Police.

Increased safety in the individual neighborhoods through community involvement in the judicial process.

Help to ensure that all citizens are treated equally under the law.

Help to ensure that our elderly receive all the help they can get to survive the harsh New England winters.

Reduce fraud, waste and abuse of programs designed to help the needy in Worcester.

Advocate for those who need help combating drug and alcohol addictions, focusing on rehabilitation.

Be available to discuss the issues affecting the average citizen and work to address those concerns.

I would like to help lead Worcester into the future and make it a shining example for other communities in the Commonwealth of of Massachusetts. I have worked with all of my previous Worcester District 4 City Councilors: Janice Nadeau, Barbara Haller and now Sarai Rivera to make a difference in the neighborhood where I have resided since 03 July 1996 – the 700 block of Main Street.

I believe that if elected as a Worcester City Councilor, I can help make the improvements made in my Main South neighborhood happen in the other neighborhoods of Worcester. I believe we need accountability at City Hall and that citizens deserve to be treated fairly and with respect.

If elected, I will strive to make that happen.

Please consider my name when you vote on the 8th of September and the 3rd of November, 2015.

Thank you,

Ronald L. O’Clair

InCity Feature, InCity Letters, InCity Voices

Main South community activist/writer Ron O’Clair runs for Worcester City Council

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Ron, outside the rooming house he manages in Main South. He is a Worcester City Councilor at Large candidate. (photo R.T.)

From Ron O’Clair:

To the registered voters of Worcester, Massachusetts, and those not registered currently who would like to register to vote to support my candidacy for Worcester City Councilor At-Large:

I hereby formerly announce my intention to gather the required signatures on the nomination papers for a seat on the Worcester City Council, here in the City of Worcester.

I have long been involved with citizen activism, having worked with all of my former District 4 Worcester City Councilors since I purposely established myself as a resident here on Main Street in the 700 block, where I have had a bird’s eye view of the goings on in the public streets since the 3rd day of July, 1996.

I worked first with District 4 City Councilor Janice Nadeau, her successor Barbara Haller and, after a time, Barbara’s successor, Sarai Rivera. I have found all three of these women to be tireless workers trying to make the quality of life here in District 4, and the City of Worcester in general, better for all who live and work here.

Over the years I have even sponsored petitions to the Worcester City Council in my attempts to improve living conditions here in the City of Worcester, specifically Main Street, where criminal activity had been allowed to prosper to the point that life in my district became intolerable.

I have always been an ardent supporter of the rights of the people as outlined in the United States Constitution since signing on the dotted line when I became a noncommissioned officer with the United States Air Force Reserve program at Westover, AFB in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts.

I have attended and participated in numerous Worcester crime watch meetings, authored many articles to bring attention to the problems facing our city, and most of all, observed with a critical eye the root causes of what I perceive to be the decline of Worcester since the time of my youth, until the current time we live in now where disrespect for authority seems to be on the rise, and a sizable percentage of Worcester residents are involved in  illegal activities that stem directly from the sale and use of illegal narcotics.

I was initially educated in the Worcester Public School system – one of the finest in the nation – and have credits towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science with the Community College of the United States Air Force. I left formal education early to enter the workforce, due to a pressing need within my family, earning a G.E.D. through the Worcester Night Life program in order to qualify for entrance into the military with a high school education or its equivalent. I never stopped seeking knowledge and have the accumulated wisdom learned the hard way, by practical experience.

I have a strong desire to help transform the City of Worcester back into a place where anyone can succeed on a basis of equality. There will be many people who will try to discredit me, something I have been dealing with since I was 25 years old, and a victim of the old “good ole boy” corruption then in power in Worcester County. Throughout the entire ordeal, I never gave up being an ardent supporter of law enforcement, which is essential to maintain a Democracy, such as the one we live in.

I will run my campaign like my idol John F. Kennedy did, meeting and greeting as many voters as I can in a grass roots effort to secure enough signatures on the nomination papers to get on the ballot in the upcoming election.

My record of service to my City of Worcester, and my country, speaks for itself, and will withstand any challenges made upon it, despite my having been diagnosed with bi-polar. Winston Churchill was said to suffer from the same malady, and it did not affect his ability to help govern Great Britain to victory during the Second World War. Truth be told, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to see firsthand how the criminals and those diagnosed mentally ill are treated within our institutions, and society in general. I will advocate on the behalf of those afflicted, as I have met some of the best people in the strangest places.

If elected to the position that I seek, I will faithfully execute the duties of the office that I enter, and work ceaselessly to make the City of Worcester a better place to live for ALL of its residents, regardless of any labels put upon them based on race, handicap, religion, sexual orientation, gender, illness or age.

Please consider voting for Mr. Ronald L. O’Clair, City Council At-Large in the next election.

Thank you, and may the God of your understanding bestow upon you many blessings.

Ron O’Clair, Worcester

Want to contact Ron? Please email him at ronaldoclair@hotmail.com