1st Worcester district, meet your neigbors

We received Ken O'Brien's latest flier in the mail yesterday. Ken, as you may recall, is running for state representative for the 1st Worcester district. He's a local guy and, as his campaign material says, he's the right choice for our communities and our families.

The photographs on his flier weren't of any people I know, so I thought I'd look around a bit. It turns out that posing for stock photography is a popular occupation kids in our area.

Elementary school geography class | Royalty Free Stock Photo Image | iStockphoto.com

Pretty Female Student Surrounded by Library Books | Royalty Free Stock Photo Image | iStockphoto.com

Doctor holding and monitoring baby with stethoscope

For what it's worth, I threw out the campaign literature from Kim Ferguson or Jon Long, so I can't comment on how they are portraying their prospective constituents.
Ferguson's web gallery has gone missing:

via Gallery « Vote for kim

Jon Long's home page has picture of the Holden town hall and an outdoorsy scene blended together.

via Jonathan Long for State Representative

Jon Long's response

In a Holden blog post earlier this week, Your next representative in the Worcester 1st, I asked each of three candidates to offer their thoughts on why one of the other candidates might win the election. Here is independent candidate Jon Long's response, sent to me in an email:
Jon Long's response

Happy 19th, Matt

Your next representative in the Worcester 1st

Cross-post of my Holden OntheCommon.com blog Your next representative in the Worcester 1st

When I say that I need help, I mean it.

Anyone who knows me and my writing knows that I make typos. Plenty of typos. Enough to fill a sand truck.
My favorite was in a system management manual that I wrote a dozen years ago. I intended to write, using the passive voice, even, "If an error occurs, you will be alerted." What came out in print was "..., you will be altered."
So, it's with great compassion and empathy that I present this item from the local Help Wanted listings:

Our coffee is so hot that ...

---

A jury of your white peers

Missed it by one. The last person called to the jury was #51. My juror card was #52.
This is the closest that I've been to being on a jury. In times past, I've called the juror hotline and learned that my services wouldn't be needed at all. In a couple of instances a long time ago, I sat in the juror waiting room until I was told that my services wouldn't be needed. Yesterday, I made it into two separate courtrooms and sat through two jury selection sessions before being told that my services wouldn't be needed.
A few observations:

• The Worcester trial court is a very nice place indeed.
• The acoustics in the courtrooms themselves are horrible. I guess that the high ceilings may be good because the extra air gobbles up the sound of conversations at the sidebar and at the parties' tables. When the judge spoke to us in a normal voice, his voice was also absorbed by the big boxy room. 
• People make interesting choices in what to bring and what to wear.
  Some folks had backpacks and briefcases; others brought nothing at all. Many people brought newspapers. A few brought a book. Many just sat there and stared into a space beyond the walls.
  Some dressed as though they were going to an office job. Others wore sweat pants, t-shirts, and sneakers.
• Somehow, couples managed to have jury duty together. In one case, this one guy had his girlfriend, I kid you not, carry his coat and hat from the juror waiting room to the courtroom and back. Twice.
• I didn't hear the phrase "a jury of your peers" during the orientation films or from the judges. The operative phrase was "trial by an impartial jury." 
• A friend who had jury duty last week remarked that she saw no people of color in the jury pool and thought that very odd. I figured that it was a fluke.
  Yesterday, in a pool of 100 or so jurors, there were two people of color. 

Into each life, some balloons must rise

At the request of Krista, we gathered yesterday afternoon on the lawn outside UMass Hospital and presented Joe with balloons and good cheer.

Joe was glad to see us, but it wasn't easy. This was his first time outside since Wednesday.

Football ok. English needs improvement.

via How will Wachusett Football fair against Leominster? Check out Ken Powers' predictions

Wachusett defeated Leominster 35-14 in a Friday night game.

I'm old. I vote. Now, gimme.

The Social Security Administration has determined that the core inflation rate is close enough to zero. As a result, there will be no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients in 2011.
[Disclaimer: I currently receive Social Security disability payments.]
The SSA bases its rates on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  In 2009, because of a jump in energy prices, the payments increased by more than 5%, an increase that, upon review, was higher than warranted. Because the payments increased more than they should have, it will take a time of inflation before the price index recovers to the 2009 level.
There is talk about a $250 payment in lieu of a COLA, but nothing will happen until after the election.
The newly-minted Google Price Index (GPI) indicates that prices overall are declining, that we're nearing a deflationary period. Deflation, as in lower prices, sounds good to most of us, but can be just as disruptive to the overall economy as inflation because, well, because people who are selling stuff don't make as much money. As a side note, the GPI measures prices on items sold on the Internet and so doesn't address many of the things that Social Security recipients purchase.
So, there will be no COLA increase.The reaction from seniors was loud and clear:

“We have a generation now that we’re not going to leave a very good legacy for,” said one senior advocate.

A good bit of the commentary tied the no-COLA-for-you decision to the upcoming election, that Democrats would suffer because they were trying to balance the budget by inflicting suffering on the elderly. That might be fun, watching AARP voting in a Tea-soaked Congress.
In a similar vein, Yvonne Abraham notes in The inside men that the State Police Association of Massachusetts has endorse Charlie Baker because they believe that a key part of his platform, state pension reform, cannot pass a Democrat-controlled legislature. Elect people whose policies you oppose because you want to slap the incumbents.
Last year, I wrote a similar piece and heard from some people who made good points about how the COLA calculations didn't truly reflect the costs that affect seniors. No doubt, some people's expenses have gone up more than the average and that there are people who are receiving Social Security payments who don't need them. Big systems that operate on averages are inherent unfair to most people, unfair in their favor or against. To insist, however, that Social Security payments should increase at rate faster than wage income is unrealistic and even, well, wrong.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 27 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, October 4

1:03 a.m. Motor vehicle pulled to side of road; only dropping someone off on Main St.
8:20 a.m. Light on pole on Salisbury St. remains on during daylight
8:42 a.m. Suspicious vehicle driving around station; has found dog over the weekend
10:48 a.m. Complaint about kids loitering at doctor's office
1:06 p.m. Caller has no phone service and wants to be connected to West Boylston resident; advised to use cell phone to call
2:20 p.m. Group of kids removed from steps of doctor's office
3:53 p.m. Senior Center requesting police disperse group of kids gathered at back door
4:48 p.m. Caller from Manning St. asking for vehicle to be removed from end of driveway
5:06 p.m. Report of young male doing wheelies on sidewalk on Main St.
6:11 p.m. 911 Raccoon unsteady on its feet on Wachusett St.; heading into woods
7:09 p.m. Report of illegal dumping on conservation land on Rte. 31

Tuesday, October 5

7:13 a.m. Caller asking that police advise wife not to call and harass him at work; wife said she had no intention of calling him
8:10 a.m. 911 Suspicious window open on Doyle Rd.
9:02 a.m. Suspicious person on Main St.
10:48 a.m. Caller heard blast; advised contractor working/blasting
2:20 p.m. Kids loitering at Dr.'s office on Main St.
2:37 p.m. Caller regarding his missing motor vehicle
2:44 p.m. Tire moved out of roadway
4:14 p.m. Bat in house on Damon Rd.

Wednesday, October 6

12:06 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on side of Putnam Rd., one individual hanging out of car
9:18 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Harris St.; ok, party using cell phone
9:30 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on River St.
1:17 p.m. Caller concerned about sidewalk washing away on Main St.; DPW notified
1:44 p.m. Report of cat in tree
8:33 p.m. 911 hang-up from Jennifer Dr.; child playing with phone
8:40 p.m. Caller about accidents in town possibly involving individual; no such accidents
10:01 p.m. 911 Report of suspicious motor vehicle parked in middle of Phillips Rd., doors open, operator appears to be staggering
11:20 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in lot on Main St.

Thursday, October 7

2:05 a.m. Vehicle doors open in driveway on Country Hill Rd.; homeowner was unloading groceries
11:53 a.m. Suspicious person looking up driveways on Salisbury St.; no contact
3:32 p.m. Report of dog returning on Princeton Lane
4:24 p.m. Vehicle lockout at post office on Princeton St.
7:29 p.m. Six kids in front of business on Main St.
8:25 p.m. Cars blocking road on Union St.
9:56 p.m. Cars blocking road on Wachusett St.
10:34 p.m. Mixter Rd. resident reports three suspicious cars entered woods past house

Friday October 8

12:45 a.m. Suspicious person on Reservoir St.
3:50 a.m. Motor vehicle lockout on Stoneleigh Rd.
7:17 a.m. Large group of kids at Dr.'s office on Main St.; issued trespass notice
10:49 a.m. Motor vehicle parked by side of Malden St. gathering sand; too close to roadway
2:15 p.m. Caller reports employer holding her check
4:19 p.m. Caller reports sex offender that lives behind caller staring at her and her daughters; says he was walking dog and comments drew his attention
5:01 p.m. Suspicious car parked behind business on Shrewsbury St.
6:14 p.m. Dog attacked neighbor's dog and female owner in High Ridge Rd. neighborhood
11:31 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Autumn Cir.

Saturday, October 9

12:50 a.m. Tractor trailer having trouble making it under railroad bridge
9:30 a.m. Two raccoons appear to be sick near Rail Trail
10:55 a.m. Motor vehicle lockout at post office
11:05 a.m. Report of female walking down Main St., male in vehicle following, yelling at each other
11:19 a.m. Dog with West Boylston tags
12:21 p.m. Ongoing boundary dispute on Pilgrim Dr., trash left on neighbor's property
1:46 p.m. Suspicious vehicle might belong to individual with restraining order, Brattle St.
4:37 p.m. Power outage on Boyden Rd. after loud pop heard
7:51 p.m. Suspicious phone call received on Avery Heights Dr.
8:05 p.m. 911 Several calls reporting drunk male walking/hitchhiking in road

Sunday, October 10

1:45 a.m. Vehicle coming from behind business on Wachusett St.
3:33 a.m. Citizen in to file complaint
8:03 a.m. Call regarding boundary dispute
9:01 a.m. Caller asking for info regarding overnight parking; states neighbor parks ugly truck in yard across from his front door
9:15 a.m. Possible sick vulture/hawk; number given for environmental police
10:11 a.m. Caller considering moving to area of Diamond Hill Rd. asking about safety
1 1:18 a.m. 911 Misdial; meant to dial 411
12:01 p.m. Caller reporting baby rabbit in yard; advised to leave it for mother
12:33 p.m. Caller inquiring if she can press charges on sister for not providing ride to retrieve belongings; advised not
4:25 p.m. Car egged on Brattle street during the night last night
5:45 p.m. Dogs in road on Broad St.
7:36 p.m. Homeowner having issue with smoke detector beeping, no fire or smoke
8:08 p.m. Caller reports individual borrowed canoe five years ago and hasn't returned it; advised it's a civil matter to take to court

Paxton

Monday, October 4

8:58 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in area of abandoned house, Keep Ave./West St.
5:13 p.m. Call from young child, another screaming in background, Pleasant St.; children playing with phone

Tuesday, October 5

7:20 a.m. Call about need for police detail for utility crew working in roadway, Streeter Rd.
10:53 a.m. Loose sheep in road causing traffic hazard, West St.

Wednesday, October 6

11:10 a.m. Suspicious person in yellow jacket went into mailbox, Holden Rd.
4:02 p.m. Assist homeowner with basement heater, Monticello Dr.

Friday, October 8

4:25 p.m. Call about male on motorized scooter, West St.
4:54 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at home, Pleasant St.
7:33 p.m. Group of kids knocking on door and running away, Red Oak St.

Saturday, October 9

12:38 p.m. Vehicle hit and killed cat, Maple St.
2:37 p.m. Person locked out of vehicle, Suomi St.

Sunday, October 10

7:40 p.m. Female locked out of home, Keep Ave.

Princeton

Monday, October 4

6:01 p.m. Caller reports young child going door to door soliciting donations, concerned for boy's safety, Laurel Ln.

Tuesday, October 5

7:03 a.m. Report of teal-colored pick up truck hit several turkeys, turned around and hit more, Jefferson Rd.

Wednesday, October 6

11:30 a.m. Police remove large tree branch from Hobbs Rd.

Thursday, October 7

3:23 p.m. Call about incident with aggressive dog, Mirick Rd.
7:15 p.m. Report of dogs barking and woman screaming, Ball Hill Rd. Police speak with dogs' owner

Friday, October 8

5:40 p.m. Vehicle dropped furniture in roadway. Police help pick up items and direct traffic, Gregory Hill Rd.
6:25 p.m. Police conduct educational program for Cub Scouts, Redemption Rock Trl.

Saturday, October 9

6:51 p.m. Suspicious female came to door asking for directions, Worcester Rd. Police speak to all parties
7:15 p.m. Vehicle locked in parking lot at state reservation, Mountain Rd.

Sunday, October 10

4:25 p.m. Large black bear in roadway, Westminster Rd.
5:30 p.m. Motor vehicle violation, criminal
complaint issued to driver for driving with revoked
license, Rte. 140 N
6:24 p.m. No power at home, Mirick Rd.,

Rutland

Monday, October 4

9:00 a.m. Possum in back yard. Homeowner unsure if it's rabid, Pleasantdale Rd.
12:01 p.m. Suspicious vehicle with one male occupant in parking lot for long time, Pommogussett Rd.
12:30 p.m. Wire down, Pleasantdale Rd.
1:40 p.m. Low hanging wires near Watson Rd.
1:42 p.m. Person at station reporting wires snapped from pole and sparking, Main St. Phone lines also down
5:55 p.m. Low-flying aircraft circled number of times, engine sputter, Bushy Ln.

Tuesday, October 5

11:13 a.m. Two dogs running loose, Jackson Ave.

Wednesday, October 6

8:30 a.m. Person at station to report suspicious vehicle, Pommogussett Rd. Person using computer
12:32 p.m. Call lost cat, Prescott St.
9:11 p.m. Mother concerned about son late from scout meeting, Hope Way. Person had trouble starting car

Thursday, October 7

11:41 a.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about problem with neighbor, Main St.
3:09 p.m. Caller reports inappropriate signs targeting particular female, Emerald Rd. Signs removed
5:42 p.m. Loose golden retriever in yard, Michael Dr.
5:48 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about people holding campaign signs at busy intersections during peak traffic hours, Main St.
6:40 p.m. Ongoing issue with neighbor's dog being loose and running after kids, Main St.

Friday, October 8

7:04 a.m. Dead beaver in road, Pommogussett/Bigelow Rds.
8:15 a.m. Missing gray cat, E. County Rd.
9:16 a.m. Possible injured or dead bear cub, Pommogussett Rd. Found to be previously reported beaver
1:38 p.m. Pole on town common is rotted at the base and leaning, Main St.
1:55 p.m. Resident's dog killed by vehicle that didn't stop, E. County Rd.
5:58 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked behind building, Main St.
7:00 p.m. Vehicle door open, no one around, Main St.
10:10 p.m. Vehicle parked beside rail trail, Wachusett St.

Saturday, October 9

12:08 a.m. Deer hit, Barre Paxton Rd.
9:03 a.m. Backpack found on playground, Memorial Dr.

Sunday, October 10

10:05 a.m. Two loose Labrador dogs on Rail Trail, E. County Rd./Wachusett St.
2:50 p.m. Keys locked in vehicle, Main St.

Sterling

Monday, October 4

4:25 a.m. Multiple reports of white box-like truck that hit front of fire station, bushes, flagpole and mulch damaged. Person said she sees same vehicle every morning, Main St.
8:03 a.m. Vehicle impounded, may have been involved with fire station incident, Worcester Rd.
10:04 p.m. Loose chocolate Labrador running on Dana Hill Rd.

Tuesday, October 5

1:26 p.m. Residential lockout, Chace Hill Rd.
5:28 p.m. Old English sheepdog in Chace Hill Road yard, ran toward Metropolitan Rd.
5:29 p.m. Stray dog dropped off at kennel, no kennel space available, person told to bring dog to police station, Laurelwood Rd.
10:55 p.m. Loud gunshot, Samuels Ln.

Wednesday, October 6

1:25 p.m. Person turned in old gas meter found in middle of Wilder Rd.
6:55 p.m. Missing Port-a-potty that was chained to fence at park, Muddy Pond Rd.

Thursday, October 7

10:09 a.m. Request for officer to discuss parking problem, Main St.
11:38 a.m. Suspicious male in pickup truck, Clinton/Flagg Rds.
5:27 p.m. Caller heard rapid gunshot fire in woods, Holden Rd.
8:51 p.m. Suspicious person walking with flashlight, Osgood Rd.

Friday, October 8

7:01 a.m. Request for officer to Town Hall to deal with possible irate customer, Park St. No problem
9:47 a.m. Suspicious truck, Pine Woods Ln.
10:29 a.m. Suspicious male asking about scrap metal, Beverly Dr.

Saturday, October 9

12:11 p.m. Wallet found on Rte. 12
1:19 p.m. Suspicious male walking up and down Rte. 140
1:30 p.m. Officer wanted, male acting aggressively, threw trash can, destroyed mailbox, Walnut Dr.
8:41 a.m. Caller reports people on street yelling at each other, Chestnut Ave.

Sunday, October 10

1:09 a.m. Three intoxicated males jumping into traffic, Pratts Junction Rd.
1:28 a.m. Intoxicated male walking on Pratts Jct. Rd. toward power plant; placed in protective custody
1:10 p.m. Request for well-being check for person on bridge, slumped over, Muddy Pond Rd.; OK, fishing
1:48 p.m. Tan dog running in and out of traffic, Princeton Rd.
3:42 p.m. Board of health regarding testing of raccoon, Birch Dr.
8:45 p.m. Redstone Pl. caller requesting Sterling PD call Mass State Police regarding arrest of her son