Publicly noted

I learned of my appointment as a Notary Public by piece of advertising mail that arrived the day before my official notification showed up. The advertising, along with the three additional pieces that have arrived in the past week, offers cool-looking seals that will emboss the paper, ledgers for recording items that I've notarized, and various signs, cards, and letterhead stationery to indicate that I'm the real deal. It's nice of them to be so eager to help.
There is no public listing of notaries public in the state (raising the question of how I got on the advertisers' lists). The state's website suggests places where you might to find one hanging around.
The application process has been much more rigorous since 2003. Governor Romney signed an executive order that gave more guidance to notaries public about their duties and how those duties should be performed. (A copy of the executive order is here, in Word 2003 format(!).)
I applied in late May, having obtained signatures from three references and one attorney and detailing my past deeds and misdeeds. The advertisement arrived on July 6, the date of my appointment; my official notice arrived on the 7th.
To complete the process, I needed to pay $60 and take the oath of office. I could take the oath at the state office building in Boston, which I did.
The trek into the city is becoming less of a big deal. Thirty years ago, I wouldn't drive through the Summit. Now, I can find my way into and out of the city, getting lost creatively and finding my way again. I parked in a garage a couple of blocks from the State House and made my way to the office tower.
Lifers in state bureaucracies are a grim bunch. I was in the office for maybe 20 minutes and saw one worker smile and that only because there was a mother with her child at the counter. The person at the counter took my check and stapled it to a form (making it all the more difficult when it came time to deposit the check at the bank, I'm sure). She then directed me to a large bound volume where I was to print and sign my name and enter various dates and other information. A copy of the oath, complete with the "I, (name), do solemnly swear", fill-in-the-blank sections, was printed on a card. I read the oath, including the appropriate words as needed. The clerk nodded and handed me a manila envelope with my certificate and other documents.
When I got home, there was an piece of advertising in the mail. The seller has an Earthlink email address.

What the newspaper business used to be

It used to be, said one of the people at the table, that the first paragraph of a news story had to include the who, what, when, where, and why -- just the facts. "Now, every reporter thinks that he's a columnist." The person's comment was directed at Sean Murphy, long-time reporter for the Boston Globe. Murphy was at the State House Library today, talking about his 25-year career as a reporter and attorney.

Sean P. Murphy at the State House Library

As an investigative reporter, Murphy has used the state's public records law (and a lot of persistence) to draw important documentation about the Big Dig. He told the story of waiting for days in the lobby of the Bechtel offices until the company finally produced the documents that they were required by law to produce. The public records laws, Murphy noted, allow any citizen, not just a reporter or an attorney, to obtain information to public meetings and the public's business.
Institutions such as the Globe have the resources to both obtain information and ensure its accuracy. Murphy referred to editing often, in the context of a process for ensuring that a story is accurate and complete.
The news business is in trouble, he observed. "We're fighting for our lives."
When I asked him about the role of citizen journalists (bloggers, mostly), he said, "It's a threat." It's a threat to all of the major newspapers, TV stations, and other professional news outlets. He didn't detail the nature of the threat, but said that people should insist that their news sources are appropriately edited and vetted.
Leaving the balcony area where the meeting was held, I walked past file cabinets full of past issues of newspapers, including those from papers gone by, and past the microfilm readers. The place where old newspapers, along with clippings, photos, and related materials, is often called a morgue.

Reflections on radio

Tim Wallace has posted a couple of interesting and fun pieces, Red Sox Radio Rivalry and More on Radio Maps, about Red Sox and Yankees radio broadcasts. The maps show the areas covered by stations that broadcast Red Sox and Yankees games.

via Red Sox Radio Rivalry | Bostonography (click to enbiggen)

I had an aunt and uncle who lived in St. Albans, in the upper-left corner of Vermont. Wallace's maps show how this area has broadcasts for both teams.  As a kid, I watched Red Sox in French from the Montreal TV stations. As I've mentioned in earlier notes in this journal,I was shocked to speechlessness when, one day, I stumbled upon a radio broadcast of a baseball game that was the Yankees and some other team that wasn't the Red Sox. I might have just as well picked up the signal from Radio Moscow or readings from Chairman Mao. Normal Americans wouldn't be listening to baseball games on the radio when the Red Sox weren't playing, would they?

Reflections on radio

Tim Wallace has posted a couple of interesting and fun pieces, Red Sox Radio Rivalry and More on Radio Maps, about Red Sox and Yankees radio broadcasts. The maps show the areas covered by stations that broadcast Red Sox and Yankees games.

via Red Sox Radio Rivalry | Bostonography (click to enbiggen)

I had an aunt and uncle who lived in St. Albans, in the upper-left corner of Vermont. Wallace's maps show how this area has broadcasts for both teams.  As a kid, I watched Red Sox in French from the Montreal TV stations. As I've mentioned in earlier notes in this journal,I was shocked to speechlessness when, one day, I stumbled upon a radio broadcast of a baseball game that was the Yankees and some other team that wasn't the Red Sox. I might have just as well picked up the signal from Radio Moscow or readings from Chairman Mao. Normal Americans wouldn't be listening to baseball games on the radio when the Red Sox weren't playing, would they?

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 16 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, June 27

9:58 a.m. Driver on side of road, out of vehicle in travel lane, Main St. Cleaning up coffee spill; now on his way
1:30 p.m. Person received call from Bay State Veterans, Inc. for a donation, saying they want to pick up check tomorrow, Chapel St. Advised caller to check credentials and call with suspicious activity
1:34 p.m. Suspicious incident, illegal dumping, Chaffins Pond
6:33 p.m. Call about approximately five kids skateboarding in Heritage Ln.; brought pole in board to do tricks

Tuesday, June 28

12:01 a.m. Two suspicious males on foot in area, one wearing white tank top and jean shorts, other all in black, Fox Hill Dr.; All set, two residents out for a walk
1:05 a.m. Vehicle parked on Zottoli Rd., no one around
4:53 a.m. Caller reporting ongong brown water, High S.; will call DPW during regular business hours
6:00 a.m. Sick-looking raccoon, Reservoir St.
12:12 p.m. Black bear in area, doesn't appear to be tryng to harm persons or property, Heather Cir.

Wednesday, June 29

12:04 a.m. Police check group of kids at McDonald's, Main St.
2:47 a.m. Dead skunk in Reservoir St.
12:04 p.m. Woman called station to report she will show up at police station after work so HPD can serve restraining order against her
4:10 p.m. Skunk call, Fox Hill Dr.
8:39 p.m. Two suspicious males walking toward Highland St., checking yards and cars

Thursday, June 30

10:15 p.m. Caller damaged tire on pothole on Main St. near Papa Gino's, will try to get the commonwealth to reimburse him
10:49 p.m. Stray golden retriever mix, Salisbury St.

Friday, July 1

2:36 a.m. Caller reports fireworks in area, Country Hill Rd.
5:56 a.m. Caller complaining about neighbors' dog barking, Ft. Sumter
8:13 a.m. Suspicious white utility-type van stopping, dropping a cone but does not appear to be doing anything utility-related, Arizona Ave.; cable company truck
10:35 a.m. Suspicious vehicle with N.Y. plates, Bailey Rd.; operator involved in Asian longhorned beetle work
4:59 p.m. Illegal dumping, Princeton St.
7:21 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.; OK, driver pulled over to use cell phone
7:32 p.m. Person looking to retrieve her revoked license; advised sent back to Registry of Motor Vehicles

Saturday, July 2

12:28 a.m. Party in lobby regarding firearms; advised firearms were sent to state police for testing
4:57 a.m. Person advising of "large, squishy porcupine" deceased in front of Holden Spa, Main St.
6:10 a.m. Officer confirms deceased porcupine to be the size of a small child
9:10 a.m. State DPW advised of dead animal on Main St. They will have people remove animal.
3:52 p.m. Male in lobby to report an "idiot" that "flew by him" on Highland St., provided vehicle's plate number
9:31 p.m. Complaint about fireworks in area, Avery Heights Dr.
10:34 p.m. Caller reports knives and forks stuck in her front yard, Flagler Dr.
10:50 p.m. Report of fireworks, Shrewsbury St./Parker Ave.

Sunday, July 3

7:04 a.m. Person in lobby to speak with EMT about what type of cold pack she should use on her arm that she bumped the previous day
3:35 p.m. Caller reports injured turkey in her yard
5:20 p.m. Caller advises someone tried to take lug nuts off his vehicle, Main St.
9:19 p.m. Report of people setting off "things that explode in the air" and "are illegal," Mark Bradford Dr.

Paxton

Monday, June 27

12:50 p.m. Bear in back yard, West St.
10:23 p.m. White truck in driveway of vacant house, Iron Forge Rd.

Tuesday, June 28

11:15 a.m. Vehicle parked on Pleasant St. OK, dog in vehicle having seizure
12:53 p.m. Request to speak with animal control officer about large snake in yard, Red Oak St.
6:11 p.m. Deer hit and seriously injured, Reservoir Rd.

Wednesday, June 29

12:25 p.m. Officers assist ATF agents with investigation, Marshall St.
4:33 p.m. Two-car accident, Grove St. Request for animal control officer for a dog
4:56 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, person sleeping in car, Pleasant St.

Thursday, June 30

12:34 p.m. Request for officer to check on person at playground that seems too old to be playing there, West St.
7:26 p.m. Multiple gunshots, Davis Hill Rd.
7:45 p.m. Officers off with ATF agents to seize firearms, Marshall St.
10:12 p.m. Suspicious person, Pond St. and Sunset Ln.

Friday, July 1

8:34 a.m. Suspicious vehicle between South St. and Paxton Rd., vehicle pulling in and out of driveways
6:16 p.m. Three mangy looking foxes playing on the tennis courts, Pleasant St.

Saturday, July 2

1:52 a.m. Suspicious vehicle at park on Mower St.

Sunday, July 3

2:14 p.m. Several calls regarding skunks on Camp St. Mother apparently hit by car and baby skunks are staying with her in the street
3:06 p.m. Police destroy injured skunk, Camp St.
8:26 p.m. Smoke coming from chimney of building under construction, West St. Smoke is from wood boiler

Princeton

Monday, June 27

8:58 a.m. Person came to station requesting officer set up radar on Goodnow Rd.
3:50 p.m. Dumpster fire, Brooks Station Rd.
4:33 p.m. Request for backhoe from highway department to scene of Dumpster fire, Brooks Station Rd.
6:18 p.m. Request for traffic control every day during early morning motorcycle traffic, Hobbs Rd.

Tuesday, June 28

9:30 p.m. Motorcyclist lost wallet, possibly on Brooks Station Rd.
6:43 p.m. White vehicle parked by pond on Goodnow Rd.

Wednesday, June 29

7:46 a.m. Radar patrol due to complaint of speeding traffic, Hobbs Rd.
8:28 a.m. Radar patrol due to complaint of speeding traffic, Goodnow Rd.
9:46 a.m. Injured porcupine, Goodnow Rd.
5:37 p.m. Child fell off bicycle, Mountain Rd.

Thursday, June 30

8:42 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on Houghton Rd.

Friday, July 1

8:29 a.m. Large green truck, either pumping water from or into brook, Ball Hill Rd.
9:38 a.m. Small, older vehicle speeding on Prospect St. Caller wants officer to speak to operator
11:24 a.m. Request for officer regarding dispute between property owner and person fishing in brook, Ball Hill Rd.
9:35 p.m. Report of fireworks being set off over neighbor's garage, Leominster Rd. Words exchanged, officer wanted
11:40 p.m. Police investigate group of youths at building, Mountain Rd.

Saturday, July 2

8:50 p.m. Caller locked inside gate at state reservation, Mountain Rd.
10:49 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at community building. Boylston Ave.

Rutland

Monday, June 27

2:17 p.m. Person wants deceased skunk removed from Maple Ave.
6:17 p.m. Male caller using vulgar language, yelling at dispatcher, Main St.

Tuesday, June 28

9:03 a.m. Motorcyclist lost his wallet between Rutland and Princeton
9:22 a.m. Request for animal control officer to pick up stray cats in neighborhood, Turkey Hill Trl.
10:27 a.m. Six gunshots in area, River Rd.
2:50 p.m. Caller using vulgar language against the dispatcher, department and the President, Main St.
2:51 p.m. Caller using vulgar language toward the dispatcher, the department and the President, Main St.
3:39 p.m. Selectmen's secretary received nasty phone calls from same person that calls dispatch on regular basis, Main St.
6:04 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Barre Paxton Rd.

Wednesday, June 29

3:27 p.m. Person using vulgar language against dispatcher, Main St.

Thursday, June 30

11:03 a.m. Black bear climbing onto deck, Davis St. Bear now on E. County Rd.
12:41 p.m. Request for officer regarding window removed from caller's house, Pommogussett Rd.
2:59 p.m. Report of dog living in an apartment, Maple Ave.
5:30 p.m. Person at station regarding someone riding motorcycle up and down Edith Ln.
7:30 p.m. Dog running on Rte. 68, E. County Rd.
7:45 p.m. Caller found several baby bunnies, Richards Ave.
9:07 p.m. Selectman reports board members are getting phone calls from person that keeps calling the station, Main St.
9:59 p.m. Caller inquiring if anyone at the department would like to "mouth off" at him. Person made comments towards detectives and selectmen

Friday, July 1

10:25 a.m. Caller wanted dispatchers identification and wanted to speak to "Ron's" boss, Main St.
4:07 p.m. Caller using vulgar language, yelling at dispatcher, said he was going to call select board members, Main St.
9:31 p.m. Police checking for fireworks in area of Watson Lane and Ten Rod Rd.

Sunday, July 3

4:10 p.m. Selectman reports receiving three calls from person that is using vulgar language, Main St.
6:43 p.m. Report of female bitten by dog, Anthony Dr. Animal is from another town

Sterling

Monday, June 27

6:22 a.m. Caller reports hearing cow mooing for over an hour, may be hurt or stuck somewhere, Crowley Rd. and Redemption Rock Trl.
2:59 p.m. Caller reports being bitten by a dog, Birch Dr.
4:16 p.m. Caller reports hearing shots behind house on East Park Rd.
4:44 p.m. Caller requesting animal control officer about a baby bird found in the toilet and now the bird won't leave the person, Hall Ave.
5:56 p.m. Caller report a horse was left to her in a will and wants to know where she can move it to, Main St.

Wednesday, June 29

10:22 a.m. Person at station to speak with an officer regarding a neighborhood problem, Tanglewood Rd.
3:52 p.m. Person came to station with a heavyduty trailer hitch found on roadway, Main St.
4:42 p.m. Police out with cars parked on lawns of residents, Upper North Row Rd.

Friday, July 1

2:36 p.m. Report of small boy running down the street, child said he was running away, Princeton Rd.
10:44 p.m. Caller reports finding three baby raccoons and mother has been killed, Bean Rd. Doesn't know what to do with them

Saturday, July 2

12:50 p.m. Clinton Hospital reports person bitten by a Boxer, South Nelson Rd.
4:16 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked in front of business on Main St.
7:52 p.m. Report of fireworks going off, Oakwood Dr.
9:41 p.m. Report of a lot of fireworks going off in area of Jewett Rd.

Sunday, July 3

11:13 a.m. Report of suspicious person following person walking dog, Rowley Hill Rd.
10:41 p.m. Report of possible fireworks, Lakeshore Dr.
11:13 p.m. Complaint about noise, people setting off fireworks, North Row Rd.
11:49 p.m. Report that party is getting out of hand, Tanglewood Rd.