Layoffs at OSV

I was surprised by the recent layoffs at Old Sturbridge Village. I shouldn't have been, with the economy in the shambles it is in, but everything I have read and seen about OSV over the past year ran contradictory to layoffs.

Were the layoffs and salary cut backs more prudence, than an actual necessity? I don't know, and I won't question those in power at OSV, they have done a great job over the past couple of years, but like all layoffs, it is sad.

Face it, Sturbridge Village is responsible for this town evolving into what it now is. As of just a few years ago Sturbridge had more hotel rooms than Worcester, and all those rooms aren't just there for the Brimfield Flea Market three times a year. If OSV went under, then what? Not only would we loose a fantastic place of learning, its absence would affect countless businesses in Town and in neighboring towns as well. No longer would Sturbridge be on the list of things to do every school vacation, or long weekends for families in New England and beyond. With exception of the Pan Mass Challenge, we would have very little bringing people to our town.

Of course, the Host Hotel would continue to sponsor trade shows, and large conferences, but the number of people coming in and using our towns businesses, would be a trickle compared to now.

I use OSV in many ways. Sometimes just to take a walk on one of their trails, or for just wandering about in the spring. Their Gift Shop is great, and the Sunday brunch at the Oliver Wight Tavern cannot be beat. Sometimes, after a Sunday morning walk elsewhere, we stop buy for a coffee and a scone, and sit outside on the patio and enjoy the morning. As Sturbridge residents we are eligible for free admission, but I was told a couple of months ago that a Sturbridge resident can also become a member of the Village, and share in all the other member only events and discounts as well. The Sturbridge Resident Membership costs less than the regular membership, but all the membership perks are the same.

I meant to join this program a few months ago, but as with everyone else, other things take priority. I think this program is something worth joining considering the time we spend at the Village, and it is on the list of things to do for this Spring. The extra memberships from here in town would do much to spike the bottom line at OSV, problem is hardly anyone knows about the program.

I wish the Village well, and I will continue to support them. We are so fortunate to have this facility within our town. Not only is it a fun place to wander about with the family, but an important educational center for the country. Yes, I truly wish them well, and hope they make it through this economic nightmare, and that all of us will come out in one piece on the other side.

Election Prep 101

I've always had in the back of my head to run for local office. I don't know why exactly, maybe it's a sense of duty, a giving back in a way. What stops me is the fact that I am not qualified to do anything in town government. Oh, I can sit back here and voice my opinion on a myriad of things that I believe need changing, or implementation, you know, coffee shop talk, but to actually be good, and accountable in an office, that may be just beyond my abilities.

I have to admire those that do throw their hats into the ring. The other day, a neighbor stopped by and asked us to sign papers in order to put herself on the ballot for school committee. We signed, and if elected, I know she will do a fine job. I don't know her too well, but what I do know about her in the almost three years I have been here on Route 148, is that she is a good person. That's a sure qualifier, being a good person.

Being a good person is something that one is, or they ain't. One can pretend to be good, as many in politics do, but they are found out pretty early on. Unfortunately, that "early on" is often after the election. Being a good person encompasses a lot of variables. The Golden Rule is something a good person abides by everyday, that's just for starters. A good person will most always put another first before themselves. I think of my self as being good, but I don't think I would hesitate to eat a fellow a survivor, if I was ever stranded in the Andes, even before they were ready.

I have some things to work on.

A good person will have a thick skin and not let the slings and arrows of office affect them in a way that may be detrimental to those doing the slinging. I have a thick skin, but I know I would secretly Saran Wrap the toilet seat in the restroom of the Town Hall as a sort of "tit for tat" against the slingers.

When a person decides to run for a particular office one of the first thoughts that run through their head is, "Hey, I could do that, in fact, I could do it better!". That is the first step to doing more, and a better good. The next step is to share those "better" thoughts with others. They will either applaud the thoughts, or rip the person a new one. Very seldom is there an in between, but those that are not only good, but smart enough to allow compromise into their efforts, will be the ones that succeed.

So, to run for office one not only has to be a good person, but smart, and have an ability to compromise as well. All good traits for any one, not just a politician.

I have a lot of good traits, but I also have a number of ones that would not be displayed best in the Land of Public Office. Minor things, quirky things. Things I know could be improved, but most of these quirks I enjoy too much to change at this stage of the game.

Well, that rules me out as a candidate, but what about others? If one has a history of being a decent person, with a reputation of putting others first, community service, a knowledge of what is needed in the particular office, a track record of prudent ideas, and improvements in other areas that could be carried into office, then that person is worth a look. Now, not every good person will appeal to all the voters. Personality has a way of weighing more than actual knowledge at times.

The gregarious clown, or the timid bank clerk may meet all the other qualifications, but it is how they present themselves, not necessarily their ideas, that first spark the synapses of the voters brain in a positive way. After the brain says, "OK, so far so good, let's listen to more." then the actual weighing of the information the candidate has to offer can begin.

We're coming into election season here in Sturbridge, and many good, decent people are going to run for office. It is time for us, the voters, to shake out of our heads all the preconceived notions about the candidates. Start fresh. Look at not only what they have to offer to the town, but who they are as a person as well. They may have the best ideas, but are no more than a well spoken ignoramus.

Once the weighing of each candidate is complete, then vote for the one that you feel has the most good qualities, and ideas, to bring to the service of the town.

It's just that simple, but so often we tend to be swayed by personality, looks, reputation, mannerisms, education, or the organizations they belong to.

This time, not only weigh their words, but weigh their hearts.

That way one can't make a bad choice.

1909--2009: Only The Names And Expenditures Have Changed

A.B. Chamberlain was the Town clerk here in Sturbridge in 1909. D.B wight, C.P. Silence, and Wm. Whittemore were our selectmen. There were nine members of the Library Committee, four constables, one Tax Collector, and three Fence Viewers.

We had a lot of fences to view in 1909.

Residents were taxed as today. Expenditures were spent. John O. Nichols was paid $4.35 for his services at a forest fire here in town. He was just of several paid for their services at the fire.

New England Telephone was paid $1.00 for tolls, and George Seaton received $3.50 for the use of his well. The Tree Warden had a budget of $10.00 that year, and he spent it. A new sidewalk at the North Cemetery was built for $275.02, $24.98 less than what was appropriated. Other sidewalks in town fared the same way, and were built, or repaired for less than appropriated.

Amazing.

The amount appropriated for street lighting was $900.00, and only $554.80 was spent, and $250.00 was appropriated for the "Suppression of the Illegal Sale of Liquor". Eight men were paid from this budget for their services in this regard, and they had $99.65 left over. Probably because they remembered to return the kegs after their meetings.

The Burial of Soldiers, one James M. Scarborough cost only 37.00, and the amount was returned by the State.

The appropriation for the schools was $3500.00, and with other unspent balances from previous years, came to a total of $5859.02. From that total a number of men and women were paid to care for each of the eight schools. Eugene Boudry was paid $13.75 for the care of school No. 8, Snell Manufacturing was paid $210.92 for coal, A.D. Barnes was paid $6.55 for sawing wood for the schools..

The highest teachers salary was paid to Nellie M. Chase at School No. 1. She was paid $418.00 for the year. Elizabeth Ogilvie was paid only $48.00. There was $227.99 unspent dollars left over at the years end. Obviously, there was no teachers unions back in 1912.

The schools seemed to warrant the most attention. $134.50 was spent on repairs to all of the schools for things such as repairs to a pump, new glass, and labor. Books and supplies came in at $539.82 with $43.78 left over.

The property of the town was small, and listed on its own page in the annual report. The town Hall was valued at $5000.00. The hearse house, hearse, and harness was valued at $500.00. Four pair of handcuffs were valued at $15.00. The schools were worth $25000.00.

All the receipts taken in by the town were listed in the Town Report as well. $3.00 for goods sold from "pest house", $10.00 for a pool license, $6.00 for a pedlers license, $624.00 received from the State for transportation of paupers.

I wonder where they were being transported to? Brimfield?

The Report of the Overseers of the Poor was long and exact. Everyone from the local doctor, merchant, barber, and other in town were paid for their time, and goods supplied to the Almshouse. The names of people supported at the Almshouse were listed along with the number of weeks they were there. So much for privacy. The number of "tramps" lodged there was 11, and were required to cut wood for two and a half hours to pay for their keep.

The Highway Surveyors report took two and half pages. They were overdrawn by $108.05, but received a total of $37.25 in donations from three people for improvements for the highways, and street cleaning. A number of ongoing repairs were made around town that year. Union Road was repaired, and a number of bridges were fixed as well. Only $22.15 was spent from the Snow Budget with $227.85 left over. Must have been mild winter, or just too cold to go out and scrape the roads.

In 1909 there were 14 marriages in town, 41 deaths, and 55 births. the number of licensed male dogs was 189 at $2.00 each, and the number of females was only 7 at $5.00 each. Seems that some folks found it cheaper to have a male dog, even if they were female. I don't think we had Dog Viewer in 1909 to confirm the dogs sex.

The last part of the Town Report is a detailed report on the schools, cemetery, and library. The report of the school tells of the course of study, exhibits, health reports, and statistics. the number of books at the library and the expenditures was listed, as was the obvious statistics of the Cemetery Committee.

The Town Warrant for 1909 is very interesting. Although 100 years have passed, many of the same kind of articles that were listed in 1909 have a familiar ring to them. There were articles to repair the sidewalks in Fiskdale from the hotel to the Post Office and in front of the house of George Holley on the road leading to Brookfield, by the schoolhouse. There was another article to see if the town would provide some way to carry off the surface water on the highway in front of the house of E.D. Brown. An article to widen the arch bridge in Sturbridge Center, and another to replace the wooden manhole grates with ones made of iron.

Article 26 was placed to see if the town would authorize the selectmen to paint the town hall, inside and out, provide a new ceiling in he lower hall, and to fit the hall to comply with the demands of the inspector of public buildings. The requested sum was for $750.00.

There was even an article to see if the town would elect to light the street lamps for the coming year, and to contract with the Webster & Southbridge Electric Light Company.

So much has changed since 1909, but so little has changed as well.

Now We Know

The video at the top of the page is a "table turner". No longer are the current arguments against the expansion of the Southbridge Landfill at the top of the list as to why the expansion should not take place. This one argument alone is enough.

The expert in "bird strikes" on airplanes around airports is experienced, respected, and totally credible. He is a strong speaker that leaves no wiggle room for avoiding imminent tragedy if the expansion goes forward. His expertise is sought worldwide, and spoke on the subject after the "Miracle on the Hudson" on CNN.

One cannot deny his knowledge.

No longer is the argument about what will seep into our water and hurt us down the road, or the increased traffic to the site, or any of the other excellent arguments to prevent the expansion. This one is about death, not down the road, but immediately.

Those that are for the expansion of the landfill cannot ignore this man, and his testimony. If they do their names will be attached to any tragedies that come from the expansion. It is not like it would be if they went ahead, and there was no airport around. They would be accused of ignoring a world class expert of the imminent danger of expanding the landfill next door to an airport, and the very real possibility the increased birds population at the landfill will take down a plane.

And where would that plane come down? What part of town? Whose house? What schoolyard?

After a tragedy occurs the investigations begin. Who signed off on this project? Were they warned about the what could happen? Why did they choose to ignore it? And, then they will look to see exactly why such a strong warning was ignored. Forensic accountants will examine bank accounts, and phone records in order to determine if their was something that made the choice to go forward easier for those in power.

And, this will happen immediately, not 20 years down the road.

The video is entitled, "Now You Know". Very appropriate. It puts the ball into the court of the expansionists. They have been warned by the leading expert, and he has stated that nowhere in North America is an airport sharing the same parcel of land as a landfill.

Since none of those involved in expanding the landfill want a tragedy, or the consequences that would befall each of them after such an event, the issue of expanding the landfill is now dead.

I predict the expansion will be abandoned, and if not, then start lining up the forensic accountants because it is then obvious to all that something else was placed in higher regard than human life.

Now we know.

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=LH4S_EdzUnY

Oh, And One More Thing...

Every once in awhile I will write something that will prompt someone to email me a response. They won't leave it in the comment section, and that is fine, most of the time the emails are more involved than what the comment section is meant for.

I appreciate it when people write to me to offer an opposing view, a clarification, or just to knock some sense into my head. Almost always the emails enlighten me in some way.

But, I feel that's my purpose: to illicit a response.

There is a problem, though. Almost every time I receive an email, the first sentence in the message is, "This is not for print, but for your information only."

If one feels that strongly about what I have written, and as equally as strong about giving ones side, then allowing me to print it as a rebuttal should not be a problem. After all, I am not the only one needed to be convinced, it is the readers that need to know.

The other day I got such an email. The email had a lot of information in it, and I appreciate the fact that the writer took the time to share it with me. It did allow me to understand more just what was behind the issue from an other perspective, although I still feel the same as I did when I wrote my original piece.

I wish the writer had submitted a rebuttal for publication in order to share their views with other readers.

I am not the only person one needs to share your information with, or to clarify something I may have not gotten quite right, there are hundreds of others out there that read this page each day.

One thing I don't do is "Ghost Write", so I won't take an email sent to me and reword it into something I may have written in order to share another point of view. That form of writing is a sham, and lacks credibility, so if one wants to set the record straight, please send something along with permission to publish it, and I will publish "the other side", otherwise let my words stand.

This is a great place to share information, and if I don't get something quite right, or there is need for further clarification, then it is important to set things straight. I still might not agree, but at least both sides are out there.