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Chris parked in A.I!

Dear friends of Bernie …

By Chris Horton

We’re doing fine. We really are. We’re doing just fine.

The Powers that Be, the billionaire class and their flaks and agents, are doing their best to stop presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Their message is: Candidate Hillary Clinton is Inevitable, Resistance is Futile … Give Up and Go Home!  

They actually believe that because Clinton won a few primaries they’ve got us beat, and we’ll sober up and admit it, or at least Bernie will.  They actually believe we’ll slink back into line and get with the program!

They think they’ve got us beat, but they don’t.  Every day the Bernie campaign goes on in any corner of this country, more people are thinking and talking about Bernie’s ideas. And every day we continue is a win because this revolution belongs to us all.  It belongs to the people of Indiana who vote next week.  It belongs to the people of Puerto Rico and California who vote in June.  Every phone call we make, every Bernie Journey, every dollar we donate helps build it. 

They think they’ve got us beat, but they can’t beat us because you can’t kill an idea, and once an idea is loose and in people’s hearts there’s no stopping it.  

There’s a Big Idea they’ve been trying to keep bottled up ever since any of us can remember.  Like Aladdin’s genie, it’s out of the bottle now and no one can put it back!  And it changes everything!

Thanks to the Sanders Campaign millions of Americans are now talking about the whole spectrum of issues that confront us.  But none of it by itself is new.  So what’s this Big Idea?

It’s not the idea of massive job creation through public works and projects. There are people alive today who remember that’s what President Franklin Roosevelt did and plenty who’ve been saying we need to do it again.

It’s not the idea of making healthcare a human right, available to everyone rich or poor. President Harry Truman tried to get that past Congress in 1948, and folks have been fighting for it ever since.

It’s not the idea that the billionaire class has corrupted and bought our political system and that we need campaign reform, that we need to get Big Money out of politics. People have been saying that, fighting for that, for years.

Nor is it the understanding that the super-rich, the billionaires, have rigged the whole economy so they’re getting richer and richer while the rest of us get screwed. Or the idea of breaking up the big banks, freeing our young people from student debt or equal pay for women.  

It’s not the idea of banning private prisons, or ending the war on drugs, ending police violence against people of color, immigration reform or bringing our jobs home from Mexico and China. Nor the idea of ending foreign tax havens, taxing financial transactions or making the millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share. 

It’s not even the idea of bringing everyone together to fight for all of these once, although that’s getting closer.  

So what’s this Big Idea that ties this all together? 

It turns out we all knew most or all of the things Bernie’s talking about already.  Bernie didn’t suddenly come along and start preaching the truth and suddenly the scales fell from everyone’s eyes.  Bernie is telling us things we all already knew were true!  

And we already knew that the TV Networks, the news media were manipulating us and creating illusions, but most of us believed the final illusion: that of all those other lazy stupid people out there watching TV and believing it all.  And so we played it safe and didn’t speak out.

The Big Idea is this: We’re all in this together, we all know what’s up, and if we come together, speak out, stand up for each other, and stand together to confront the billionaire class and demand our country back, there’s nothing we can’t do! And that idea, with your help, is spreading like wildfire across the land! It’s an Emperor’s New Clothes moment, when everyone starts speaking what everyone already knew was true but afraid to say.

So courage, my friends! Let’s organize and carry on! This is only the first stage! A lot can happen between now and July, but win or lose, it’s not over!

This is just the beginning!

****

Stay tuned for phone banks this weekend and Tuesday to call Indiana. It’s their turn to Feel the Bern, and our turn to support them!  Exciting news coming about national mobilizations in June and July.  And please let us know if you are interested in our upcoming all-day retreat.

Chris

WorcesterWantsBernie@gmail.com

508-963-1399

InCity Voices

Feel the Bern! Bernie Sanders wins big in New Hampshire!

By Chris Horton

Bernie 60% Hillary 38% in New Hampshire: how did THAT happen?

Bernie scored a huge win in NH, beating all expectations. It was the result of hard work, but it was something more.  Something is shifting in American politics, and everyone who’s paid attention can feel it. 

The NY Times reports that under 30 voters, the “social media generation”, went for Bernie by more than 80% – many voting for the first time!  We saw them at Worcester’s North High School, 4000 wildly enthusiastic young adults turning out on 2 days notice, but Tony from Marlborough says that at the rally at Concord (NH) high school Tuesday night the enthusiasm and energy that filled the room went far beyond that! Dating himself, he said it was “more exciting than a Rod Stewart concert.  Bernie has attained Rock Star status!”

The NY Times observed that Sanders had “only” won half the Democratic voters in NH, and his victory margin was almost entirely from independents.  Seriously?  “Only?”  With practically the entire Democratic establishment coast to coast endorsing Hillary, with thousands of Democratic officeholders and operatives – hundreds from Massachusetts including Jim McGovern – commuting to New Hampshire to campaign for her every weekend, pulling even was huge! 

Half the Democratic base walked away from their leaders!

Bernie won the bigger cities, but won by huge margins in a lot of small cities and towns, especially the old mill towns along the rivers. Some produced lopsided margins, up to 80% for Bernie (and twice the number of Trump votes.)   Stone from Dudley described his old hippie friends living in one of those towns whose politics “had gone underground because “they believed they were surrounded by ignorant fascists,” who “woke up to discover that most of their neighbors feel the same way they do!”

Jack told of a meeting of his gun club this week outside Worcester. About 100 members showed up and everyone was taking about New Hampshire.  He estimated the house was evenly split between Sanders and Trump supporters, with the “gun nuts” and “survivalists” lining up with Trump and the “sportsmen” nearly unanimous for Sanders.  The two camps had in common being totally fed up and done with politics as usual and the “political establishment”, as personified by Hillary.  

To his surprise, he thinks that if Trump dropped out, many of his supporters would come over to Bernie!

Putting this all together, I think what we’re seeing is bigger than the sum of a lot of individual choices.  Whole communities seem to have decided “Bernie’s our guy, and we’re all going out to vote for him!” 

This might seem like a miracle, but it was already there. Bernie’s not telling us anything we didn’t know – he’s showing us each other!  Like Stone’s old hippies, most of us felt alone with what we knew and believed. We believed that what we wanted was impossible and hopeless, could never happen in America. It’s an Emperor’s New Clothes moment.  

Everyone already knew the emperor was naked, but they dared not say so because everyone else said they could see his clothes.

There’s a broad consensus starting to form that it’s time for Bernie – and for us.  In a way, Bernie IS us!  The pundits and odds-makers betting on Hillary will be confounded because they have nothing to compare this to!
But before we get all Kum-by-ya about Bernie’s campaign, I’ll let Bill, who spend many weekends campaigning in New Hampshire, have the last word.  

Bernie won not just because the moment, the message and the messenger were right but “because a whole boatload of people put their butts out on the streets, day after day, week after week, talking to the people who thought they might vote for Bernie and getting their commitment to actually do it.”  He figured that knocking on 20 doors in an hour was getting Bernie 1 vote.  

Many thousands of volunteers putting in dozens or hundreds of hours each added up to hundreds of thousands of votes!

I asked Bill: can we repeat that here in Massachusetts on March 1?  “That depends on how fast we hit the road and how many people we can put on it!  The work is not hard and you can learn how in 20 minutes. I could tell you what to say but it’s your own authentic conversation that really wins people’s votes.”

Green Island Grrrl, Rosalie's Blog

Go, Edith, go!!

Don’t be an “I” – stay registered and VOTE!

By Edith Morgan
 
So, you are registered, you voted recently, and have not moved. But how do we know you are still there, and still alive?

A few days ago we all received a plain “billet doux” from the City of Worcester Election Commission, asking us to verify that we still live where we are registered, and to correct any errors or omissions on this paper.

I hope you did not toss it out, or misplace it or expect that your spouse or other family member filled it out. 

From my many years of experience as Warden on election day, I know there is so little fraud at voting time that it is not worth the paranoia and suspicion that has been fomented in recent years – mostly to make voting more onerous, but not dealing with any REAL problems.

Btu every year, we find many voters who come to their polling places and find that they have an “I” by their name. They still get to vote, but  have to complete a “voter certificate” – not a very difficult process, but a delay, and many voters are in a hurry (on their lunch hour, or with family at home,etc).

So , fill in the  “Voter Registration  Information System Validation” form and send it back in the self-addressed envelope. Surely keeping our election lists up-to-date is worth the 49 cent stamp needed – or take the envelope and deliver it in person to the Election Commission in person, at City Hall.
 
Then, save Tuesday, March 1 – and VOTE. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Since March 1st is a primary, there will be four ballots available: you can only take the ballot of the paqrty you belong to. There are Democratic (D), Republican(R), Grenn/Rainbow (J), and United Independent Party (CC) ballots.  If you and Unenrolled (U), that is, have not designated any party, you can choose which ballot you want. Whatever ballot you choose, your party designation will not be changed.
 
I was surprised to learn that there are 24 additional parties listed, but they are not running candidates. However, if you are a member of any of these other parties, you can still vote, but only using one of the above mentioned four parties. (There will be a complete listing of these
at your poll, or at the election commission.)
 
It is always a good idea to have a picture “ID” with you, just in case there is problem. Also, if you have moved in the last few months, have “proof of residency” with you (that includes any of the following: current utility bill, bank statement, payroll statement, government check, or any other document that sows your name or address. Of course, your driver’s license or ID is acceptable) YOUR PASSPORT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, as it does not have an address.
 
All of us at each poll will do all we can to make your voting experience pleasant and quick. The new voting machines are a pleasure to use. And we in Massachusetts are fortunate to have a paper ballot, so we have a “paper trail” if there ever is any question about an election result.

We have done everything in our power to make our elections foolproof and honest – the rest is up to you, the voters. 

The precious privilege of voting is well worth a little effort, is it not?

InCity Letters, InCity Voices, Uncategorized

Worcester NAACP voter registration drive – door-to-door canvassing‏

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The Worcester NAACP is in the Vernon Hill area going door to door registering and reminding people to vote in the upcoming municipal elections.

Many people only vote in the national elections and are not aware that voting in local elections is a way to advocate for a better life you community.

Voting is not about politicians, but a way to improve schools, make housing affordable, provide access to better health care, create quality jobs and provide equal rights for all!

We need your help! Chuck Jackson our Political Action Chair is coordinating volunteers. Please contact him if you have any questions @ (508) 450-5654.  We’ve included our canvassing schedule below – hope to see you soon!

Thank You and Let’s Get Out The Vote!

Thursday – October 10th
4:30pm – Meeting @ Oak Hill parking lot (74 Providence St., Worcester)
Canvassing Vernon Hill Area 4:30pm – 7:00pm

Friday – October 11th
4:30pm – Meeting @ Oak Hill parking lot (74 Providence St., Worcester)
Canvassing Vernon Hill Area 4:30pm – 7:00pm

Saturday – October 12th
10:00 am – Meeting @ Oak Hill parking lot (74 Providence St., Worc.)
Canvassing Vernon Hill area 10:00am – 12:30pm

Sunday – October 13th
12:00pm – Meeting @ Oak Hill parking lot (74 Providence St)
Canvassing Greendale area 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Monday October 14th
4:30pm – Meeting @ Oak Hill parking lot (74 Providence St., Worcester)
Canvassing Vernon Hill Area 4:30pm – 7:00pm

Tuesday October 15th
4:30pm – Meeting @ Oak Hill parking lot (74 Providence St., Worcester)
Canvassing Vernon Hill Area 4:30pm – 7:00pm

Wednesday October 16th
4:30pm – Meeting @ Oak Hill parking lot (74 Providence St., Worcester)
Canvassing Vernon Hill Area 4:30pm – 7:00pm

Green Island Grrrl, Rosalie's Blog, Uncategorized

Let the newbies in!!!

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By Rosalie Tirella

Last election cycle we supported Hilda Ramirez for Worcester School Committee. We thought this super educated, super smart woman would be a boon to the education scene in Worcester. We wrote a cover story on her. We talked to her supporters. Everyone seemed so jazzed about her candidacy. But election day came and went and Worcester voters could not see the light.

This Latina lady, a woman who, like InCity Times, supported district representation on the school committee, needs a good second look courtesy of the Woo voter this November. Please vote for her election day! We need her and more new young voices. We have a majority minority school district. We have challenges and new perspectives to accommodate and to UNDERSTAND.

The Worcester School Committee is filled with folks who are eligible for AARP membership. There are people like Brian O’Connell and John Monfredo who have been on the committee FOREVER. For O’Connell it’s basically been his life for DECADES. Decades!!!! Monfredo has been involved in the schools for almost half a century- starting out as a teacher at the old Lamartine Street School and ending as a school principal at Belmont Community School. After he retired from Belmont, he made the jump to the school committee. He’s been in the public spotlight for almost half a century. John loves the limelight. He needs to know that there are fantastic candidates, candidates not embedded in the community the way he is, who need a chance. When does community service morph into a warped egomania? We wish he, along with O’Connell, would gracefully retire and FUCKING GIVE SOME OTHER CANDIDATE A CHANCE.

Close to a century of Worcester Public Schools between these two guys.We applaud their dedication but new blood is needed. New ideas. New perspectives. New supporters. We need a Hilda Ramirez … How long will it be before she just shakes her head and moves on?

We need Monfredo and O’Connell to take their final bows and have the curtain drop. On them, if necessary!

Green Island Grrrl, InCity Letters, InCity Voices, Rosalie's Blog, Uncategorized

Does District 4 City Council candidate Sarai Rivera “stretch the truth”? …

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By Rosalie Tirella

… Or fib? Or bull-shit? Or pad her resume?

District 4 voters need to know.

Incumbent District 4 City Councilor Barbara Haller has so much integrity. She works tirelessly – at everything. Her relationship with the Main South CDC goes back years. She and director Steve Teasdale are friends who have worked on countless projects together through the years.

So why did her challenger, Sarai Rivera, attach a doctored Main South CDC logo to her campaign literature? Why did she bull shit the community and make it seem like the Main CDC was endorsing her candidacy, when, according to Teasdale, it was most clearly NOT. The CDC was shocked that Rivera would do such a thing.

Sarai gave a weak excuse.

This kind of bull shit must stop.

Another example of Sarai Rivera’s “stretching the truth”: during the recent debate between the two District 4 candidates a few nights ago, the daily reported that Sarai said something like to the crowd: I am already doing all the work of a city councilor and I will continue to … .

No, Sarai, you are not doing ALL the work – especially all the work that City Councilor Barbara Haller does for her district. Pretty much from the morning to night – all the time. For years …

Let’s stop stretching the truth, Sarai Rivera. Voters don’t want to elect liars.

Of course, creepy rabble rouser Keven Ksen is running Rivera’s campaign. The 40-soemthing Ksen does not even have a job – living off his parents bucks/trust fund, no doubt. And – of course – he is not getting paid by Sarai. More “volunteer” work for Kev! Keven was pretty much fired by the City of Worcester from his Common Ground CDC job after an incident with the Worcester police over his camera. Ksen, whose short fuse makes him scary-mean, saw the funds for his job at Common Ground magically disappear after that incident – years ago. He hasn’t made traction since – but he always makes it a point every election cycle to try to destroy Barbara Haller. Every election cycle Ksen throws his weight behind Haller’s challengers – any challenger really. Which is what a few biz owners/property developers on Chandler Street do, too. Cynical moves, really.

So now it’s Sarai for Kev. Or Kev for Sarai!

But not for District 4 – we hope! Because they are playing the election game a little dirty.

Another question: Sarai claims she is a pastor and then claims she is a social worker. Which is it? What does she do?

Voters need to be respected. Not finessed.

InCity Letters, InCity Voices, Uncategorized

District 4 City Councilor Barbara Haller will get my very first vote

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By Dean Jacob Williamson

When I found out that I would need a community representative for my Eagle project, my father knew exactly who to call. He knew a city councilwoman who not only knew a lot about city government, but also cared about each and every one of her constituents. That councilwoman was Barbara Haller. She is known throughout the community not for being another politician who cared more about herself than anyone else, but for being a veritable person concerned for her fellow Worcesterites. Barbara Haller was a great help to me before, during, and after my Eagle project.

I contacted Barbara Haller early this spring about my Eagle project, and she was quick to respond. I have always had problems trying to get in touch with those in the government but not with Barbara Haller. She emailed me back with a few questions about my project and took the time to meet with me over lunch. I was impressed by how well she knew the city and those in the community. I needed to contact people about grants and permission to start my project, and she knew who to call. She helped jumpstart my project right then and there.

My project was to restore the planters of Pleasant Street. Many of the planters were not taken care of and filled with water and trash. My project was to raise support and volunteers to rid the pots of the trash and water and fill them with dirt and flowers. This required some money. Barbara Haller knew some people involved with the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and helped me write a grant application. Unfortunately, the grant did not go through, but Barbara Haller gave me the idea to go door to door down Pleasant Street raising support. The community was willing to help and we raised all the money needed.

While all of the planning and fundraising was going on, Barbara Haller kept in touch with me and offered me plenty of advice and help. I did not have to keep sending emails to her to get her to respond; she sent emails to me to see how things were progressing. This kept me focused and on task. I do not know how I would have completed my project if it was not for her. I do not believe that any other city councilperson would have helped me the way Barbara Haller did.

The most kind and humble thing Barbara Haller did for my Eagle project was to get her hands dirty and help. It rained the day of my project and the dirt turned to mud, yet Barbara Haller did not think it was beneath her to plant flowers in the rain. Barbara Haller used her hands as well as her brains and connections to help me with my project.

Barbara Haller was there every step of the way for my project. She did not just benefit me with her help; she benefited the entire community. If you want someone who cares deeply about the community and those who make it up, then vote for Barbara Haller. The Pleasant Street community would be sorely lacking without Barbara Haller representing it. I believe I will turn 18 just before elections this year; Barbara Haller will get my very first vote.

Green Island Grrrl, InCity Letters, InCity Voices, Rosalie's Blog, Uncategorized

Does District 4 City Council candidate Sarai Rivera “stretch the truth”? …

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By Rosalie Tirella

… Or fib? Or bull-shit? Or pad her resume?

District 4 voters need to know.

Incumbent District 4 City Councilor Barbara Haller has so much integrity. She works tirelessly – at everything. Her relationship with the Main South CDC goes back years. She and director Steve Teasdale are friends who have worked on countless projects together through the years.

So why did her challenger, Sarai Rivera, attach a doctored Main South CDC logo to her campaign literature? Why did she bull shit the community and make it seem like the Main CDC was endorsing her candidacy, when, according to Teasdale, it was most clearly NOT. The CDC was shocked that Rivera would do such a thing.

Sarai gave a weak excuse.

This kind of bull shit must stop.

Another example of Sarai Rivera’s “stretching the truth”: during the recent debate between the two District 4 candidates a few nights ago, the daily reported that Sarai said something like to the crowd: I am already doing all the work of a city councilor and I will continue to … .

No, Sarai, you are not doing ALL the work – especially all the work that City Councilor Barbara Haller does for her district. Pretty much from the morning to night – all the time. For years …

Let’s stop stretching the truth, Sarai Rivera. Voters don’t want to elect liars.

Of course, creepy rabble rouser Keven Ksen is running Rivera’s campaign. The 40-soemthing Ksen does not even have a job – living off his parents bucks/trust fund, no doubt. And – of course – he is not getting paid by Sarai. More “volunteer” work for Kev! Keven was pretty much fired by the City of Worcester from his Common Ground CDC job after an incident with the Worcester police over his camera. Ksen, whose short fuse makes him scary-mean, saw the funds for his job at Common Ground magically disappear after that incident – years ago. He hasn’t made traction since – but he always makes it a point every election cycle to try to destroy Barbara Haller. Every election cycle Ksen throws his weight behind Haller’s challengers – any challenger really. Which is what a few biz owners/property developers on Chandler Street do, too. Cynical moves, really.

So now it’s Sarai for Kev. Or Kev for Sarai!

But not for District 4 – we hope! Because they are playing the election game a little dirty.

Another question: Sarai claims she is a pastor and then claims she is a social worker. Which is it? What does she do?

Voters need to be respected. Not finessed.

InCity Feature, InCity Voices, Uncategorized

Working with Worcester District 4 City Councilor Barbara Haller is a pleasure!

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By Lorraine Laurie, Green Island neighborhood activist

As a Green Island Neighborhood activist since 1981, I have seen Worcester City government move from 9 At- Large Councilors to 6 At- Large and 5 District Councilors. This was definitely a change for the better, at the neighborhood level and Citywide. The first District 4 City Councilor elected was Janice Nadeau. I had gotten to know Janice through Worcester Fair Share and her efforts to improve the quality of life in her own South Worcester neighborhood.

Janice brought her dedication and no nonsense way of handling neighborhood issues to her job serving the densely populated district. I remember Janice’s many trips and letters to the License Commission when residents felt that there were just too many bars on Millbury Street.

Then there were the years and years of Rt. 146 meetings and Janice was always there advocating for the area. She wouldn’t let the officials and engineers forget that the flooding issues in Green Island and under the Cambridge Street Bridge had to be addressed. Illness, however, forced Janice Nadeau to decide to retire and not seek re-election. The District 4 seat was now up for grabs.

Barbara Haller’s name had been mentioned as a possible successor to Janice. I had first heard of Barbara in articles about the Beacon/ Brightly Initiative. I then started seeing her at meetings involving crime prevention and neighborhood services and funding. Barbara Haller’s name appeared on the ballot at the next election and she was the successful winner of the District 4 seat.

Janice Nadeau was a tough act to follow. She had been noted for her hard work and long hours, exceptional constituent services and ability to speak up for and with her “neighbors.” It would be hard to fill her shoes. Barbara Haller did not attempt to fill Janice’s shoes. She brought her own. Having been involved in Beacon/ Brightly, Barbara had seen problems faced by most inner-city neighborhoods – neglected properties, vandalism, crime, drugs, litter, lack of jobs to name a few. Barbara Haller tackled these problems as a whole and also addressed each neighborhood’s particular issues individually.

At the Green Island Residents Group, Inc. meetings, Barbara has spoken about topics such as staffing in the Police Impact program, the Property Review Team and the Asian Long-Horn beetle problem. Since Crompton Park is an integral part of the Island neighborhood, it is a priority for the neighbors and their District Councilor. There had been a pool at Crompton Park for years and years. They used to refer to it as the “mud hole.” It was a fun place to go and an important part of growing up in the Island. This pool was succeeded by a “modern” pool in the early 1960’s. This pool faithfully served the neighborhood until the City decided to close all the City pools several years ago because they were deemed unsafe and there was lack of funds to repair or replace them.

At the August 6, 2008 Annual Meeting of the Green Island Residents Group, Inc., it was voted unanimously that Crompton Park should have a pool. Councilor Haller was in attendance at this meeting and she heard the message loud and clear. The City had not made any decisions yet regarding the pools. Hearings would be held and the Residents Group requested a meeting in the Island regarding their neighborhood pool. A hearing was held and residents gave testimony. When Councilor Haller attended the August 27, 2009 Annual Meeting of the Residents Group, she told the group that the City Council would vote on September 1 regarding replacing the Crompton Park pool. She was able to carry back to the Council the unanimous support of the Green Island Residents Group, Inc. for the building of a new pool. There were no private pools close by – no colleges, no beaches, and no institutions or independently run non-profit clubs.

Councilor Barbara Haller carried the message of the Island residents and those of neighboring lower Vernon Hill to the Council floor and Crompton Park now has a super new pool. Thank you, Councilor Haller!

Over the last five years, especially since the demise of the Canal District Community Development Corporation (formerly known as the Green Island/Vernon Hill CDC), I have worked with Councilor Haller more and more. She is a regular participant at the Green Island/ Lafayette Place Crime Watch meetings. She was in attendance at the Crompton Park Master Plan meetings and even went house to house with me on the neighboring streets to drop off flyers about the meeting.

Just a few Sundays ago, she attended a meeting in regards to the recent flooding in the Island. She is currently working with the City Manager and the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works and Parks to set up a large meeting with residents and businesses to further discuss this issue and the City’s plan of action.

On a periodic basis, Councilor Haller and I ride around the Island and lower Vernon Hill checking for vacant and foreclosed houses, trash, graffiti, overgrown lots and illegal dumping. Councilor Barbara Haller is just a phone call or e-mail away. As a long time neighborhood activist, I can truly say working with Barbara Haller is a pleasure.

Green Island Grrrl, Rosalie's Blog, Uncategorized

Nick K.’s column on candidate Bill Coleman

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By Rosalie Tirella

I called Worcester city council/mayor candidate Bill Coleman last night. He writes for us and is also a friend who has helped me in so many ways, both personally and professionally (i. e. building shelves to hold ICT issues, doing small carpentry/handy man projects around the house; listening to me when I need a sounding board, etc.).

So yesterday I said: “Hey, Bill, I just read Nick K.’s column on you. I thought it sucked. You finished 8’th in the preliminary election (for an at large city council seat – you need to place 6th or better) and he showed you no respect. Minimized your very strong showing by poking fun at you.”

Bill, ever the optimist, didn’t see it that way. “It was OK!”

I guess Bill believes crappy press is better than no press at all.

Wrong.

Nick and the T & G have been making fun of Bill Coleman for years. And in a way, Nick’s latest column on Bill smacked of a more subtle kind of racism. If another of the city council candidates – white and well heeled – had won the spot Bill did this past preliminary election, Nick would have written an entirely different piece. He would have been impressed! He would have written: Look out incumbents! But no. It was just Bill who won. So Nick poked fun and make jokes. In Nick’s column, Bill didn’t get any credit for the job he did so well (8th place!) – only back-handed compliments. Crumby compliments that pissed me off – and lots of Bill’s supporters, of which there are many.

Nick, when was the last time we had an African American city councilor? When was the last time we have had a person of color speak for people of color – or just regular folks – on the Worcester City Council?

Maybe like twice in the City of Worcester’s history.

Bill Coleman has made a name for himself in Worcester doing many good deeds, meeting a ton of people, listening to their concerns, touting the folks and establishments he loves. He is as high energy as they come – certainly more energetic than you, Nick, a fat, gray-haired, old columnist who has overstayed his visit, when it comes to covering politics in this town. You have been around for so long (more than 25 years!!) you can’t even tell that the city you have been writing about so drippily for eons is changing.

WORCESTER NEEDS NEW COLUMNISTS for NEW TIMES!