 |
| Click for full-size clipping |
Editor's note: there are two typos in the article, likely to be noticed by one reader for each.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Happy 100th, Toivo and Olga
My grandparents were married on this day in 1910. Here's the newspaper clipping from their 50th. My grandfather was 17 when he married; my grandmother was 22.
Editor's note: there are two typos in the article, likely to be noticed by one reader for each.
Editor's note: there are two typos in the article, likely to be noticed by one reader for each.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Kim Ferguson'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 Republican candidate Kim Ferguson's response:
Kim Ferguson's response:
Kim Ferguson's response:
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
On procrastination
Procrastination is not caused by laziness. It's worse than that.
You might think that procrastination is caused by laziness. I was thinking about that as I rotated the desk in my home office by another 90°, claiming to myself that I was sorting out my thoughts.
I worked for a manager who said that the bottom third of any stack of papers was out-of-date and could be safely discarded. The pile o' stuff gets smaller, for a time, but never goes away and grows again soon.
No, procrastination is resistant to all manner of schemes because it isn't about getting organized. It's about understand that we won't be much different in the future than we are now.
I saw my future self and understood in an instant what I was up against. At that moment, I knew that there was no hope for me.
You might think that procrastination is caused by laziness. I was thinking about that as I rotated the desk in my home office by another 90°, claiming to myself that I was sorting out my thoughts.
Procrastination is fueled by weakness in the face of impulse and a failure to think about thinking.We think that we'll be better, smarter, more focused sometime. As a result, our queue of library books, Netflix movies, and smart-folk magazines grows steadily, but we'll just check Fail Blog one more time before getting to something serious. I have nearly 800 delicious bookmarks tagged for blogging. I suppose I could dump the lot of them into a post like some kind of giant gummy worm. It won't change anything.
I worked for a manager who said that the bottom third of any stack of papers was out-of-date and could be safely discarded. The pile o' stuff gets smaller, for a time, but never goes away and grows again soon.
No, procrastination is resistant to all manner of schemes because it isn't about getting organized. It's about understand that we won't be much different in the future than we are now.
The trick is to accept the now you will not be the person facing those choices, it will be the future you – a person who can’t be trusted.I've mentioned this before, but it's worth repeating. Some years ago, my mother was in her early 70s. She was sitting on her bed. Letters and folders and notebooks and books were stacked on the bed, floor, and night table. "I've really got to get organized one of these days."
I saw my future self and understood in an instant what I was up against. At that moment, I knew that there was no hope for me.
1st Congressional District Debate
It was clear from the outset that it was going to be a wild night. You make the turn in to the driveway to Mount Wachusett Community College and are immediately flanked by two or three dozen Bill Gunn supporters. They've got signs. They're loud. They've got t-shirts.
The debate for the First Massachusetts district was sponsored by the college's Center for Democracy and Humanity. The moderator was MWCC Prof. Jim Korman, chairman of the MWCC Paralegal Studies department. Students from the Paralegal Studies program were time-keepers. The debate would be shown on local cable. The panelists who asked questions of the candidates were from the local newspapers - Joseph Benavidez of the MWCC student newspaper, the Mount Observer, Andres Caamano, senior news editor of the Gardner News, and Marisa Donelan, city editor of the Sentinel-Enterprise.
In the commons area in the center of the college, nearly 100 chairs werfe set out. By the time the debate started, they need more chairs in the back. Even then, there were folks standing. Did I mention that they have t-shirts?
It was going to be a wild night.
Except that it wasn't.
The audience, with just a couple of exceptions, listened intently and articulated their opinions with facial expressions only.
There are three seeking the congressional office - incumbent Democrat John Olver, Republican Bill Gunn, Jr. and Independent Michael Engel.
The topics were familiar, but presented as thoughtful questions that invited thoughtful answers. As the candidates outlined their views on Social Security, spending and deficit, immigration (legal and illegal), Don't Ask-Don't Tell, the stimulus plans, housing, and transportation. Olver not only defended, but even promoted his liberal actions and his support of the president. Gunn would jettison the Education Department, replace the income tax with a national sales tax, and urgently pared down the size and scope of government. Engel proferred nuanced solutions. He, for example, would support raising the retirement age, but only if we address the issue of age discrimination in the workplace. His approach to tax reform and simplification would ensure that corporations and the very rich would have fewer ways to avoid paying taxes on their considerable income.
By this late in the election season, the three candidates had their stories well-honed, except when they didn't. Olver stumbled badly on many answers and ran over his alloted time without finishing his answers. He had a lengthy and somewhat embarrassing 15-second pause while he tried to think of a description something that the Republicans wanted to do with Social Security. It's called privatization, which he finally remembered. Gunn put Wal-Mart in Hubbardston, rather than in Gardner.
At the end of the night, the winner was Engel on points. He commanded his ideas and facts well and made us want to listen. Gunn started out as the most collegial, but tended to get louder when straying from substance and into platitudes. His remarks regarding immigrants, illegal and otherwise, and those who were losing their homes in the mortgage meltdown, were mean-spirited. Finally, it was just not John Olver's night as all. He was generally inarticulate, except when detailing the funding that he brought to the district. We should probably be grateful for his work, but that doesn't mean that we're proud of it.
After the debate, Gunn supporters talked enthusiastically among themselves about where they would be in the coming days. The few Olver supporters sought out each other and quietly chatted. If Engel had supporters there, we couldn't tell. There were no signs for him, no t-shirts. Just some folks mulling over his ideas.
The debate for the First Massachusetts district was sponsored by the college's Center for Democracy and Humanity. The moderator was MWCC Prof. Jim Korman, chairman of the MWCC Paralegal Studies department. Students from the Paralegal Studies program were time-keepers. The debate would be shown on local cable. The panelists who asked questions of the candidates were from the local newspapers - Joseph Benavidez of the MWCC student newspaper, the Mount Observer, Andres Caamano, senior news editor of the Gardner News, and Marisa Donelan, city editor of the Sentinel-Enterprise.
In the commons area in the center of the college, nearly 100 chairs werfe set out. By the time the debate started, they need more chairs in the back. Even then, there were folks standing. Did I mention that they have t-shirts?It was going to be a wild night.
Except that it wasn't.
The audience, with just a couple of exceptions, listened intently and articulated their opinions with facial expressions only.
There are three seeking the congressional office - incumbent Democrat John Olver, Republican Bill Gunn, Jr. and Independent Michael Engel.
The topics were familiar, but presented as thoughtful questions that invited thoughtful answers. As the candidates outlined their views on Social Security, spending and deficit, immigration (legal and illegal), Don't Ask-Don't Tell, the stimulus plans, housing, and transportation. Olver not only defended, but even promoted his liberal actions and his support of the president. Gunn would jettison the Education Department, replace the income tax with a national sales tax, and urgently pared down the size and scope of government. Engel proferred nuanced solutions. He, for example, would support raising the retirement age, but only if we address the issue of age discrimination in the workplace. His approach to tax reform and simplification would ensure that corporations and the very rich would have fewer ways to avoid paying taxes on their considerable income.
By this late in the election season, the three candidates had their stories well-honed, except when they didn't. Olver stumbled badly on many answers and ran over his alloted time without finishing his answers. He had a lengthy and somewhat embarrassing 15-second pause while he tried to think of a description something that the Republicans wanted to do with Social Security. It's called privatization, which he finally remembered. Gunn put Wal-Mart in Hubbardston, rather than in Gardner. At the end of the night, the winner was Engel on points. He commanded his ideas and facts well and made us want to listen. Gunn started out as the most collegial, but tended to get louder when straying from substance and into platitudes. His remarks regarding immigrants, illegal and otherwise, and those who were losing their homes in the mortgage meltdown, were mean-spirited. Finally, it was just not John Olver's night as all. He was generally inarticulate, except when detailing the funding that he brought to the district. We should probably be grateful for his work, but that doesn't mean that we're proud of it.
After the debate, Gunn supporters talked enthusiastically among themselves about where they would be in the coming days. The few Olver supporters sought out each other and quietly chatted. If Engel had supporters there, we couldn't tell. There were no signs for him, no t-shirts. Just some folks mulling over his ideas.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
If voting was like tipping
When I go to a restaurant, I plan to leave a 20% tip because 1) these folks work hard and 2) many are paid below minimum wage with the expectation that tips will bring them up to a decent income, and 3) the math is easier.
There are rare times when I'll leave less than 20%. Sometimes, the service is egregiously bad and not related to the work of the folks in the back room. Most times, however, I wind up reducing the tip if I have to wait to pay the bill. The going rate is roughly 1% for every two minutes I have to wait beyond some reasonable amount. I want to leave and get on with my life.
Now, if I had my choice, I'd like something similar with voting. In this instance, the more that the candidates keep talking, the less enthused I am about voting for them. Over the past few weeks, I've talked with, read about, or viewed quite a few candidates. They've been whining about how they've been treated unfairly by people whom they've helped. They've focused on narrow points of legality; not doing something that's illegal doesn't mean that you've done something good. In an effort to highlight their opponents' failings, they bring discredit to themselves.
Witness Lew Evangelidis's insert in today's Telegram. While there are legitimate reasons for campaigning again Guy Glodis's political system or Tom Foley's state police pension, this flier just plain annoying.
Look, Foley's pension may not seem right, but it is legal and not an abuse of the system. Until the public employee pension system is changed, which is not under the jurisdiction of the county sheriff, disabled police officers can seek employment.
I like Lew. I think that he's done a good job as our rep and would be a good sheriff. At least I thought so until this morning. More stuff like this will have me shopping elsewhere.
There are rare times when I'll leave less than 20%. Sometimes, the service is egregiously bad and not related to the work of the folks in the back room. Most times, however, I wind up reducing the tip if I have to wait to pay the bill. The going rate is roughly 1% for every two minutes I have to wait beyond some reasonable amount. I want to leave and get on with my life.
Now, if I had my choice, I'd like something similar with voting. In this instance, the more that the candidates keep talking, the less enthused I am about voting for them. Over the past few weeks, I've talked with, read about, or viewed quite a few candidates. They've been whining about how they've been treated unfairly by people whom they've helped. They've focused on narrow points of legality; not doing something that's illegal doesn't mean that you've done something good. In an effort to highlight their opponents' failings, they bring discredit to themselves.
Witness Lew Evangelidis's insert in today's Telegram. While there are legitimate reasons for campaigning again Guy Glodis's political system or Tom Foley's state police pension, this flier just plain annoying.
Look, Foley's pension may not seem right, but it is legal and not an abuse of the system. Until the public employee pension system is changed, which is not under the jurisdiction of the county sheriff, disabled police officers can seek employment.
I like Lew. I think that he's done a good job as our rep and would be a good sheriff. At least I thought so until this morning. More stuff like this will have me shopping elsewhere.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Misheard history
On this day in 1854, a British general led his troops into a massacre because either he misinterpreted an order or was set up by the captain who carried the message to attack.
The Charge of the Light Brigade, written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, immortalized those mortals who were led by duty and arrogance to their deaths.
Lord Raglan, commander of the British forces during the Crimean War, gave an order to attack an installation of Russian guns. The order was carried by a Captain Nolan to another general, Lord Lucan.
Some historians believe that Nolan despised Lucan and pointed to a valley where there were Russian installations along three sides when the real order was to attack a Russian contingent on the periphery that was making away with guns. Others contend that Lucan misunderstood the letter and order because he wasn't a good general.
Lucan dispatched Lord Cardigan and the 600 members of the Light Brigade. They charged into the valley and, in the words of another song from from another war, were "led like lambs to the slaughter."
Hear the BBC report, Witness: The Charge of the Light Brigade, on how this story came to us by way of a Times of London reporter. Here's a text version, Charge of the Light Brigade Ends in Heroic Failure, of the tale.
As an addendum, my junior high school teacher once told us, when we were given an assignment that we disliked, "yours is not to question why; yours is but to do or die" For most of my life, I've heard that admonition as "do or die." Tennyson's words, however, are more dire: "do and die." You don't get a reward for following a stupid order. You follow a stupid order and you die.
As the bumper sticker used to say, Question Authority.
The Charge of the Light Brigade, written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, immortalized those mortals who were led by duty and arrogance to their deaths.
Lord Raglan, commander of the British forces during the Crimean War, gave an order to attack an installation of Russian guns. The order was carried by a Captain Nolan to another general, Lord Lucan.
Some historians believe that Nolan despised Lucan and pointed to a valley where there were Russian installations along three sides when the real order was to attack a Russian contingent on the periphery that was making away with guns. Others contend that Lucan misunderstood the letter and order because he wasn't a good general.
Lucan dispatched Lord Cardigan and the 600 members of the Light Brigade. They charged into the valley and, in the words of another song from from another war, were "led like lambs to the slaughter."
Hear the BBC report, Witness: The Charge of the Light Brigade, on how this story came to us by way of a Times of London reporter. Here's a text version, Charge of the Light Brigade Ends in Heroic Failure, of the tale.
As an addendum, my junior high school teacher once told us, when we were given an assignment that we disliked, "yours is not to question why; yours is but to do or die" For most of my life, I've heard that admonition as "do or die." Tennyson's words, however, are more dire: "do and die." You don't get a reward for following a stupid order. You follow a stupid order and you die.
As the bumper sticker used to say, Question Authority.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Crime in suburbia
From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 24 suspicious items this week.]
3:27 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in lot on Main St.
3:51 a.m. Two dogs barking on Main St.; dogs left on porch, owner fell asleep
1:59 p.m. Walk-in with photos of suspicious incident at Jefferson Mills
4:40 p.m. Group of youths "up to no good" behind church on Reservoir St.
5:26 p.m. Sick fox lying in mulch on Birch Hill Rd.; animal moved along
11:47 p.m. Three individuals inside closed business on Main St.; ok, cleaning crew
8:47 a.m. Student parked car in business lot; vehicle tagged
10:23 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Harris St.
11:35 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Shrewsbury St.
11:42 a.m. Large fish in driveway on Malden St., sans head
2:52 p.m. Caller about pepper spray application process
3:50 p.m. Fox in area of Blossom Sq.; chased into woods
5:01 p.m. Injured hawk on Cranbrook Dr.; environmental police will take care of bird
5:59 p.m. Kids skateboarding in parking lot on Holden St.; advised to move along
6:13 p.m. Kids skateboarding in road on Heritage Lane; ok, they move when traffic comes
7:49 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Salisbury St.
9:29 a.m. Suspicious incident on Cook St.; neighbors left garage door and basement door
wide open
10:19 a.m. Paving company working on Reservoir St. with no detail
12:49 p.m. Call about leaf blowing from business parking lot on Shrewsbury St.
1:55 p.m. Request for youths to be dispersed from doctor's office on Main St.
4:10 p.m. Request for police assistance for mother trying to get daughter in car on Reservoir St.
5:48 p.m. Lights at Main St. and Highland St. not cycling correctly; possibly kids pressing crosswalk button
6:27 p.m. Caller reports people removing items from home he just bought at auction
4:22 p.m. Caller reports neighbor followed her to gas station and was screaming at her
4:44 p.m. Caller reports wife went to pick up their children at friend's home and neighbor not letting them leave
8:05 a.m. Large sink hole on Rte. 31
9:59 a.m. Large recycle bin removed from roadway
11:00 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on North Main St.
2:09 pm. Checking on vehicle beside road on Main St.; texting
3:15 p.m. Walk-in asking if uncle was chief in Holden at any time
5:52 p.m. Dog found
7:16 a.m. Elderly female walking in middle of Malden St.; lives in area, out for a walk
1:21 p.m. Report of motorcycle doing wheelies on Twinbrooke Dr.
1:36 p.m. Walk-in reports vehicle wouldn't let her merge on Rte. 122A causing her to drive off road
4:55 p.m. 911 hang-up; child dialing phone
8:10 p.m. 911 accidental; trying to dial a number with 911 in it
8:27 p.m. 911 German Shepherd found on Quinapoxet St.
9:19 p.m. Dead deer in roadway on Salisbury St.
11:27 p.m. Suspicious party on bicycle circling around neighborhood on Nola Dr.
11:45 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle idling on Tannery Dr.
5:55 p.m. Large amount of water in road on Thorny Lane; possibly neighbor emptying pool
7:23 p.m. Suspicious individual asked for gas from elderly residents, promised to come back
12:08 p.m. Report of gunshots, Dunanderry Way
7:25 p.m. Report of multiple gunshots, Camp St.
1:37 p.m. Beagle/pug mix dog got loose at Moore State Park
2:50 p.m. Possible breaking-and-enteringattempt, male threw rock through window, Pleasant St.
5:36 p.m. House broken into, basement door kicked in, Pleasant St.
8:42 p.m. Home broken into, Pleasant St.
1:20 p.m. Keys locked in vehicle, Red Oak St.
7:10 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, possibly connected to recent housebreaks, Laurel St.
1:53 p.m. Suspicious male in neighborhood, Brigham Rd.
3:40 p.m. Arrest: ---- breaking and entering in daytime, felony, burglary (unarmed), attempted breaking and entering, larceny over $250
4:55 p.m. Small brown dog loose, Sunset Ln.
12:04 p.m. Suspicious phone call about winning large sum of money and car, Crystal St.
12:53 p.m. Dog escaped from electric fenced-in area can't get back in, running around Holbrook Ln.
4:38 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked beside road, Suomi St.
9:14 p.m. Male and female arguing, female began walking toward center of town, West St.
9:48 p.m. Lights on at baseball field in center of town, Pleasant St.
6:08 p.m. Dog locked keys in car, Radford Rd.
6:15 p.m. Vehicle locked behind gate at state reservation, Mountain Rd.
8:02 p.m. Assist fire dept., possible microwave fire, E. Princeton Rd.
3:43 p.m. Large black bear with blue tag in yard all day Monday, Ball Hill Rd.
6:51 p.m. Possible injured dog on side of Mountain Rd. Found to be dead porcupine
10:10 p.m. Disabled truck, operator waving down traffic, Rte. 140 N
7:14 p.m. Disabled vehicle, police follow person to gas station, Rte. 140 N
12:31 a.m. Light dept. called, Sterling Rd.
1:45 a.m. Light dept. requests traffic officer while they repair wires, Sterling Rd.
3:05 p.m. Complaint about dog barking all day long, Dowds Ln.
6:20 p.m. Person locked behind gate at state reservation, Mountain Rd.
2:17 p.m. Small black and tan dog loose in neighborhood, Walnut St.
5:25 p.m. Stray dog on porch of home, Edson ens and Ave.
6:18 p.m. Caller says youth riding bicycle was trying to sell "weed" Memorial Dr.
8:43 p.m. Vehicle lockout, Main St.
1:25 p.m. Someone on the rail trail dirt area is target shooting. Crawford Rd.
3:38 p.m. Large coyote near house, Edson Ave.
5:46 p.m. Person lost beagle in Pleasantdale Rd. area
8:10 p.m. Suspicious male says he was going to swap out cable boxes, Maple Ave.
3:58 p.m. Police waved down by person complaining about local merchant, Barre Paxton Rd. Advised to contact attorney general's office
5:14 p.m. Disgruntled customer picketing, Barre Paxton Rd.
6:22 p.m. Report of people parked in travel lane, Main St. None found
7:45 a.m. Large pumpkin smashed over mailbox, Prescott St.
7:53 a.m. Mailbox smashed with pumpkin, Juniper Ln.
11:59 a.m. Person at station to file report about being threatened on rail trail
1:56 p.m. Loose horse in Pommogussett Rd.
3:01 p.m. Report of 10 loose cows on little league field, Pommogussett Rd.
4:09 p.m. Black bear traveling on Glenwood Rd. toward Ridge Rd.
7:41 a.m. Tree on wires blocking road, bus driver needs police assistance backing up, Bushy Ln.
11:15 a.m. Two yellow Labs running loose in traffic, E. County Rd.
12:51 p.m. Report that people have moved from property and left behind a pen full of chickens and
kittens, E. County Rd.
3:44 p.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about person picketing in front of business, Barre Paxton Rd.
6:59 p.m. Police inspect car seat installation, Main St.
3:46 p.m. Black bear in yard, Clealand Cir.
3:27 a.m. Someone going through vehicle, Juniper Ln.
10:17 a.m. Person calling about his deceased dog, Lord Ln.
10:48 a.m. Stray dog in yard, Forbes Rd.
9:50 a.m. Animal control officer picked up raccoon for testing, Leominster Rd.
12:15 p.m. Loose chocolate Labrador, Quail Roost Dr.
5:18 p.m. State police reporting boxes in travel lane, Leominster Rd.
4:01 p.m. 911 hang-up, child playing with phone, Pikes Hill Rd.
5:21 p.m. Lost black and tan hound, Old Princeton – West Rd. Dog later found
6:24 p.m. Person whose home was foreclosed on wants police check on individuals going through the residence, Worcester Rd.
7:37 p.m. Caller concerned about recent house breaks, says neighbor's dog has been barking for long time, Clinton Rd.
1:58 a.m. Caller's dog barking as if someone is outside, Avery Ln.
2:28 a.m. Caller reports several people around his wife's car, unsure what they are doing, Heywood Rd.
6:43 a.m. Possible gun shots, Chace Hill Rd.
12:36 p.m. Caller wants to know if skunk in his back yard can be shot, Sandy Ridge Rd.
3:53 p.m. Skunk in area foraging for food, caller says animal appears wobbly, Sandy Ridge Rd.
8:56 a.m. Small white deceased dog on side of road, Main St.
[Editor's note: There were 24 suspicious items this week.]
Holden
Monday, October 11
12:01 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in lot on Main St., no one around3:27 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in lot on Main St.
3:51 a.m. Two dogs barking on Main St.; dogs left on porch, owner fell asleep
1:59 p.m. Walk-in with photos of suspicious incident at Jefferson Mills
4:40 p.m. Group of youths "up to no good" behind church on Reservoir St.
5:26 p.m. Sick fox lying in mulch on Birch Hill Rd.; animal moved along
11:47 p.m. Three individuals inside closed business on Main St.; ok, cleaning crew
Tuesday, October 12
7:21 a.m. Repossession company reports individual holding car hostage in garage; owner claims repo company is blocking egress from property8:47 a.m. Student parked car in business lot; vehicle tagged
10:23 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Harris St.
11:35 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Shrewsbury St.
11:42 a.m. Large fish in driveway on Malden St., sans head
2:52 p.m. Caller about pepper spray application process
3:50 p.m. Fox in area of Blossom Sq.; chased into woods
5:01 p.m. Injured hawk on Cranbrook Dr.; environmental police will take care of bird
5:59 p.m. Kids skateboarding in parking lot on Holden St.; advised to move along
6:13 p.m. Kids skateboarding in road on Heritage Lane; ok, they move when traffic comes
Wednesday, October 13
7:33 a.m. Caller asking how to file complaint against officer7:49 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Salisbury St.
9:29 a.m. Suspicious incident on Cook St.; neighbors left garage door and basement door
wide open
10:19 a.m. Paving company working on Reservoir St. with no detail
12:49 p.m. Call about leaf blowing from business parking lot on Shrewsbury St.
1:55 p.m. Request for youths to be dispersed from doctor's office on Main St.
4:10 p.m. Request for police assistance for mother trying to get daughter in car on Reservoir St.
5:48 p.m. Lights at Main St. and Highland St. not cycling correctly; possibly kids pressing crosswalk button
6:27 p.m. Caller reports people removing items from home he just bought at auction
Thursday, October 14
4:22 p.m. Caller reports neighbor followed her to gas station and was screaming at her
4:44 p.m. Caller reports wife went to pick up their children at friend's home and neighbor not letting them leave
Friday, October 15
12:42 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle took off when officer approached to do well-being check8:05 a.m. Large sink hole on Rte. 31
9:59 a.m. Large recycle bin removed from roadway
11:00 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on North Main St.
2:09 pm. Checking on vehicle beside road on Main St.; texting
3:15 p.m. Walk-in asking if uncle was chief in Holden at any time
5:52 p.m. Dog found
Saturday, October 16
1:42 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway with door open on Manning St.7:16 a.m. Elderly female walking in middle of Malden St.; lives in area, out for a walk
1:21 p.m. Report of motorcycle doing wheelies on Twinbrooke Dr.
1:36 p.m. Walk-in reports vehicle wouldn't let her merge on Rte. 122A causing her to drive off road
4:55 p.m. 911 hang-up; child dialing phone
8:10 p.m. 911 accidental; trying to dial a number with 911 in it
8:27 p.m. 911 German Shepherd found on Quinapoxet St.
9:19 p.m. Dead deer in roadway on Salisbury St.
11:27 p.m. Suspicious party on bicycle circling around neighborhood on Nola Dr.
11:45 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle idling on Tannery Dr.
Sunday, October 17
9:15 a.m. Two small dogs wandering on Sycamore Dr.5:55 p.m. Large amount of water in road on Thorny Lane; possibly neighbor emptying pool
7:23 p.m. Suspicious individual asked for gas from elderly residents, promised to come back
Paxton
Monday, October 11
4:12 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked in front of home, Boynton Pkwy.12:08 p.m. Report of gunshots, Dunanderry Way
7:25 p.m. Report of multiple gunshots, Camp St.
Tuesday, October 12
11:10 a.m. Suspicious males tell homeowner they are from asphalt company and have extra materials, possible scam, Marshall St.1:37 p.m. Beagle/pug mix dog got loose at Moore State Park
2:50 p.m. Possible breaking-and-enteringattempt, male threw rock through window, Pleasant St.
5:36 p.m. House broken into, basement door kicked in, Pleasant St.
8:42 p.m. Home broken into, Pleasant St.
Wednesday, October 13
10:47 a.m. Person locked out of vehicle, Pleasant St.1:20 p.m. Keys locked in vehicle, Red Oak St.
Thursday, October 14
6:36 a.m. Gunshots behind residence, Cutler Rd.7:10 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, possibly connected to recent housebreaks, Laurel St.
1:53 p.m. Suspicious male in neighborhood, Brigham Rd.
3:40 p.m. Arrest: ---- breaking and entering in daytime, felony, burglary (unarmed), attempted breaking and entering, larceny over $250
4:55 p.m. Small brown dog loose, Sunset Ln.
Friday, October 15
11:21 a.m. Caller inquiring about loose dog reported, Sunset Ln.12:04 p.m. Suspicious phone call about winning large sum of money and car, Crystal St.
12:53 p.m. Dog escaped from electric fenced-in area can't get back in, running around Holbrook Ln.
4:38 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked beside road, Suomi St.
Saturday, October 16
3:07 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in front of vacant house, Orchard Dr.9:14 p.m. Male and female arguing, female began walking toward center of town, West St.
9:48 p.m. Lights on at baseball field in center of town, Pleasant St.
Princeton
Monday, October 11
12:56 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about ongoing neighbor issue, Goodnow Rd.6:08 p.m. Dog locked keys in car, Radford Rd.
6:15 p.m. Vehicle locked behind gate at state reservation, Mountain Rd.
8:02 p.m. Assist fire dept., possible microwave fire, E. Princeton Rd.
Wednesday, October 13
10:13 a.m. Missing black cat with brown stripes, Sharon Dr.3:43 p.m. Large black bear with blue tag in yard all day Monday, Ball Hill Rd.
6:51 p.m. Possible injured dog on side of Mountain Rd. Found to be dead porcupine
10:10 p.m. Disabled truck, operator waving down traffic, Rte. 140 N
Thursday, October 14
4:35 p.m. Suspicious older black vehicle parked at Krashes Field, E. Princeton Rd.7:14 p.m. Disabled vehicle, police follow person to gas station, Rte. 140 N
Friday, October 15
2:09 p.m. Suspicious gray vehicle and people with tripod and camera, Mountain Rd. Filming foliageSaturday, October 16
12:26 a.m. Wire sparking against tree, Sterling Rd.12:31 a.m. Light dept. called, Sterling Rd.
1:45 a.m. Light dept. requests traffic officer while they repair wires, Sterling Rd.
Sunday, October 17
10:11 a.m. Older male lying under guardraill, E. Princeton Rd.3:05 p.m. Complaint about dog barking all day long, Dowds Ln.
6:20 p.m. Person locked behind gate at state reservation, Mountain Rd.
Rutland
Monday, October 11
11:10 a.m. Strange vehicle parked partially on lawn, Nick Alan Cir.2:17 p.m. Small black and tan dog loose in neighborhood, Walnut St.
5:25 p.m. Stray dog on porch of home, Edson ens and Ave.
6:18 p.m. Caller says youth riding bicycle was trying to sell "weed" Memorial Dr.
8:43 p.m. Vehicle lockout, Main St.
Tuesday, October 12
9:45 a.m. Person lost firearm ID card, Main St.1:25 p.m. Someone on the rail trail dirt area is target shooting. Crawford Rd.
3:38 p.m. Large coyote near house, Edson Ave.
5:46 p.m. Person lost beagle in Pleasantdale Rd. area
8:10 p.m. Suspicious male says he was going to swap out cable boxes, Maple Ave.
Wednesday, October 13
10:35 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about possible payroll fraud. Advised not a police matter, Main St.3:58 p.m. Police waved down by person complaining about local merchant, Barre Paxton Rd. Advised to contact attorney general's office
5:14 p.m. Disgruntled customer picketing, Barre Paxton Rd.
6:22 p.m. Report of people parked in travel lane, Main St. None found
Thursday, October 14
6:50 a.m. Report of gun shots in area, Intervale Rd.7:45 a.m. Large pumpkin smashed over mailbox, Prescott St.
7:53 a.m. Mailbox smashed with pumpkin, Juniper Ln.
11:59 a.m. Person at station to file report about being threatened on rail trail
1:56 p.m. Loose horse in Pommogussett Rd.
3:01 p.m. Report of 10 loose cows on little league field, Pommogussett Rd.
4:09 p.m. Black bear traveling on Glenwood Rd. toward Ridge Rd.
Friday, October 15
7:41 a.m. Tree on wires blocking road, bus driver needs police assistance backing up, Bushy Ln.
11:15 a.m. Two yellow Labs running loose in traffic, E. County Rd.
12:51 p.m. Report that people have moved from property and left behind a pen full of chickens and
kittens, E. County Rd.
3:44 p.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about person picketing in front of business, Barre Paxton Rd.
6:59 p.m. Police inspect car seat installation, Main St.
Saturday, October 16
3:14 p.m. Item delivered, Maple Ave.3:46 p.m. Black bear in yard, Clealand Cir.
Sunday, October 17
12:51 a.m. Assist Barre PD trying to locate male involved in domestic assault and battery, Settlers Ln. Person no longer lives there3:27 a.m. Someone going through vehicle, Juniper Ln.
10:17 a.m. Person calling about his deceased dog, Lord Ln.
10:48 a.m. Stray dog in yard, Forbes Rd.
Sterling
Monday, October 11
7:56 a.m. Older male dog wandering on Maple St.9:50 a.m. Animal control officer picked up raccoon for testing, Leominster Rd.
12:15 p.m. Loose chocolate Labrador, Quail Roost Dr.
5:18 p.m. State police reporting boxes in travel lane, Leominster Rd.
Tuesday, October 12
11:25 a.m. Stray black and white dog in yard, Village Ln.4:01 p.m. 911 hang-up, child playing with phone, Pikes Hill Rd.
5:21 p.m. Lost black and tan hound, Old Princeton – West Rd. Dog later found
Wednesday, October 13
6:45 a.m. Bus company advising of lights flashing and no train coming, Newell Hill Rd.6:24 p.m. Person whose home was foreclosed on wants police check on individuals going through the residence, Worcester Rd.
7:37 p.m. Caller concerned about recent house breaks, says neighbor's dog has been barking for long time, Clinton Rd.
Thursday, October 14
1:33 a.m. Ongoing issue with barking dog, Stuart Rd.1:58 a.m. Caller's dog barking as if someone is outside, Avery Ln.
2:28 a.m. Caller reports several people around his wife's car, unsure what they are doing, Heywood Rd.
6:43 a.m. Possible gun shots, Chace Hill Rd.
12:36 p.m. Caller wants to know if skunk in his back yard can be shot, Sandy Ridge Rd.
3:53 p.m. Skunk in area foraging for food, caller says animal appears wobbly, Sandy Ridge Rd.
Friday, October 15
6:18 p.m. Loose dog near animal shelter, Laurelwood Rd.Saturday, October 16
1:55 a.m. Suspicious activity in business parking lot, Redemption Rock Trl.8:56 a.m. Small white deceased dog on side of road, Main St.
Sunday, October 17
12:14 a.m. Loud outdoor party, Redstone Pl.Ken O'brien'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 Democratic candidate Ken O'Brien's response, sent to me in an email:
Ken O'Brien's response
Ken O'Brien's response
Saturday, October 23, 2010
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.
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:
Jon Long's home page has picture of the Holden town hall and an outdoorsy scene blended together.
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 |
Ferguson's web gallery has gone missing:
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
Jon Long's response
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Your next representative in the Worcester 1st
Cross-post of my Holden OntheCommon.com blog Your next representative in the Worcester 1st
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
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:
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:
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:
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.
Monday, October 18, 2010
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.
Joe was glad to see us, but it wasn't easy. This was his first time outside since Wednesday.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
I'm old. I vote. Now, gimme.
[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.]
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
5:13 p.m. Call from young child, another screaming in background, Pleasant St.; children playing with phone
10:53 a.m. Loose sheep in road causing traffic hazard, West St.
4:02 p.m. Assist homeowner with basement heater, Monticello Dr.
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.
2:37 p.m. Person locked out of vehicle, Suomi St.
7:15 p.m. Report of dogs barking and woman screaming, Ball Hill Rd. Police speak with dogs' owner
6:25 p.m. Police conduct educational program for Cub Scouts, Redemption Rock Trl.
7:15 p.m. Vehicle locked in parking lot at state reservation, Mountain 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.,
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.
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
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.
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.
9:03 a.m. Backpack found on playground, Memorial Dr.
2:50 p.m. Keys locked in vehicle, 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.
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.
6:55 p.m. Missing Port-a-potty that was chained to fence at park, Muddy Pond Rd.
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.
9:47 a.m. Suspicious truck, Pine Woods Ln.
10:29 a.m. Suspicious male asking about scrap metal, Beverly Dr.
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.
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
[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 him8:10 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 car9:18 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 groceries11:53 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 bridge9:30 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 parties7:15 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 computer12:32 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 problem9:47 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. 121:19 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
Saturday, October 16, 2010
In the best world, kids would not need hospitals
noGrandson Joe has been in the hospital for a few days with an infection that's dug deep into his system. The good folks at UMass have kept him comfortable much of the time, but he's had a really rough go of it. This past evening, his fever spiked.
Mike and Lynn have been with him around the clock, taking time away for a quick trip home for a shower, perhaps a nap, and a check on the other kids. We're fortunate to be just across town. Our chores have been modest: a ride to there or elsewhere for one of the kids, evening meals for whomever is home, 'n stuff like that.
And, amid the claustrophobic tedium of two MRIs, the severe pain, and the loss of his football season, Joe remains polite to the staff and grateful to family and friends.
Joe's is not the worst case in the hospital. There are kids on the ward who probably won't go home again. Still, I hope that the other parents and grandparents will understand that, as much as we empathize and share their sadness, this is our only Joe and that's where our thoughts and energies are focused.
There are explanations of why these things happen to kids, but there are never any good ones.
Mike and Lynn have been with him around the clock, taking time away for a quick trip home for a shower, perhaps a nap, and a check on the other kids. We're fortunate to be just across town. Our chores have been modest: a ride to there or elsewhere for one of the kids, evening meals for whomever is home, 'n stuff like that.And, amid the claustrophobic tedium of two MRIs, the severe pain, and the loss of his football season, Joe remains polite to the staff and grateful to family and friends.
Joe's is not the worst case in the hospital. There are kids on the ward who probably won't go home again. Still, I hope that the other parents and grandparents will understand that, as much as we empathize and share their sadness, this is our only Joe and that's where our thoughts and energies are focused.
There are explanations of why these things happen to kids, but there are never any good ones.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)