Please excuse the temporary generic view of Thinking Out Loud In Sturbridge. I am currently looking to change the template in order to give those with older platforms, and browsers a similar view as seen by others with updated browsers, and more current computers.
This may take a bit.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Browser Problems?
I've received a couple of comments about the background on this blog not allowing one to read the contents. I've had the same background for several years, and this is the first I am hearing about a problem, but I want to make it right for everyone if I can.
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Below is a snapshot of what a post should look like against the transparent background.
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A Fleet. Really? A Fleet?
One question: Why?
Doesn't the TA own his own car? Why would the TA's use of a town own car be necessary?
The article speaks of "fleet" of town vehicles.
A "fleet".
Police vehicles. Check.
Fire vehicles. Check.
Board of Health. Not sure, but probably. Check.
School Department. Of course. Check.
Where is this vehicle coming from? And, why does Sturbridge have a "fleet" of vehicles?
Cripes. Never mind. It's just me. I'm just having a moment trying to rationalize a town of 7,837 people having a fleet of vehicles at it's disposal, and one extra for the Town Administrator to use in place of his own vehicle.
Forget about it. Just me, being a catalyst again.
Sturbridge administrator to get a town vehicle
STURBRIDGE — The town administrator now has one of the town’s fleet vehicles at his disposal, thanks to selectmen.
In a 2-1-1 vote, selectmen last night authorized Town Administrator Shaun A. Suhoski access to one of the town’s vehicles.
Chairman Thomas R. Creamer made the motion, which was seconded by Selectmen Priscilla Gimas, and they both voted for it.
“I think it’s inequitable that the town administrator is not authorized to have one of the fleet vehicles out here at his disposal,” Mr. Creamer said. “I think as a sign of equity that the town administrator should be authorized to use a fleet vehicle whenever he deems it necessary. If he wants to take a fleet vehicle home and respond back to the town with the fleet vehicle, I think it’s only fair and appropriate because he is the senior individual in respect to on-the-ground, day-to-day decisions.”
According to the motion, selectmen can rescind the vehicle whenever they want to.
Selectman Mary Blanchard said allowing the town administrator access to a vehicle is “extra compensation” and is “over and above” his contract. She voted against the motion.
“As valuable as Shaun is he’s not really an emergency person,” Mrs. Blanchard said. “We would also have to check with insurance and liability for a vehicle out of town.”
Selectman Mary Redetzke also questioned giving the town administrator access to a town vehicle. She abstained from voting on the matter.
Mr. Suhoski lives in Gardner.
— Craig S. Semon
Friday, May 3, 2013
MEMORIAL DAY 2013
The Sturbridge Veterans Council cordially invites all residents, youth groups and a special invitation to our Veterans to participate in the annual Memorial Day Parade. The Parade this year will be held on Monday, May 30, 2011. The parade will follow the same route as in the past, the parade will end on the Town Common The Honorary Parade marshal for 2013 is Sturbridge Resident Roland “Rollie” Hewitt a WWII veteran and survivor of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
09:30 A.M. Parade formation at the Old Fire Station at RT 20 & RT 148
09:45 Parade Step-Off
09:50 Parade Stops for ceremony at the American Legion Monument
10:00 Parade Stops in St. Anne’s Cemetery for service, reading of “In Flanders Field”
10:20 Parade Marches out of St. Anne’s to board buses
10:45 Parade Reforms in front of Public Safety Complex
10:50 Ceremony at Firefighters Monument
10:55 Parade Step Off, 2nd part, proceeds to North Cemetery
11:10 At North Cemetery, memorial service, reading of the Gettysburg Address
11:25 Parade returns to Town Common for final ceremony
11:30 Memorial Service for Old Cemetery, Decoration of Monuments, Replacement of the POW Flag, National Anthem and Flag raising
12:00 noon Open House at the American Legion, All parade participants and residents invited.
Bus transportation will be provided BEFORE the Parade, starting at the Town Hall at 09:00 A.M., Safety complex at 09:10 A.M., Senior Center at 9:20 A.M. Legion Hall at 9:25 A.M. at Old Fire Station for 9:30. Bus transportation will be provided during the parade from the Senior Center to the Public Safety Complex, and after the parade from the Town Hall back to the Old Fire Station with stops at the Safety Complex, Senior Center and Legion Hall. Any veteran, elderly or disabled person needing a ride for the parade is asked to call the American Legion Post 109 at 347-3248 by Friday May 24th. For more information call Phil Courville at 413-237-7879.
STURBRIDGE Pre- Memorial Day ACTIVITIES
All Veterans are encouraged to attend any or all of the events listed.
Friday, May 24,
1: Annual Memorial Day breakfast and ceremony, 8:00 AM Tantasqua Regional Junior High School, All veterans invited, please call the Junior HS to confirm your attendance, 508-347-7381.
2: Veterans who want to help decorate graves are asked to meet the American Legion Hall at 6:30 P.M.
Sunday, May 26:
All veterans are invited the annual Memorial Day Sunday Service of the Sturbridge Federated Church. Veterans are asked to meet outside of the Church at 10:15 A.M.
Monday May 27:
Annual Memorial Day Parade and Services. Parade Forms at 9:30 A.M. at the old fire station, Corner of Rt. 20 and Rt. 148, proceeds to St. Anne’s Cemetery, for services at 10:00 A.M. then reforms at the Public Safety Complex at 10:45. Parade concludes at 11:30 on the Town Common.
Open House will follow at the American Legion Hall.
Bus transportation is available before, during and after the parade.
Veteran’s needing rides are asked to call Post 109 at 347-3248. Before Friday May 27.
For further information call Phil Courville, Senior Vice Commander at 413-237-7879.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
There Is No Excuse For That
Even from a distance the reporter in the attached Telegram article can see the complicity of others--it's that obvious. It is also embarrassing as well, and that is something we feel locally. This whole debacle was allowed to go on for so long, and was maintained by those in power: the BOS. A stronger personality would have fought cuts more vigorously. They have the perfect victim whose department they could lay waste to in while saving money without much of a fight.
Any other manager would have been eliminated years ago, but he served a purpose. Those in charge must always assume responsibility for the oversights, errors, and mistakes of those they are in charge of. Depending upon the severity, and this is near the top, those in charge should step down.
There are two things to consider here beyond the lack of managerial skills of the Chief. He may be a very skilled firefighter, but management is not his strong suit, and the BOS took advantage of him for this, and used it to their advantage. Then, the BOS acted as they did, and put the Chief under the lights, and made it appear it was all his doing.
It wasn't all his doing.
The second, and more important thing, is the BOS allowed this scenario to continue for years putting every one of us in jeopardy. Every resident in Sturbridge, and those in neighboring towns we serve in mutual aid.
There is no excuse for that.
The next time you are at the local polls, the phrase, "There is no excuse for that" will hopefully come to mind, and, guide your vote.
The attached article is from the Worcester Telegram & Gazzette.
Sturbridge: Is fire chief fall guy?
Any other manager would have been eliminated years ago, but he served a purpose. Those in charge must always assume responsibility for the oversights, errors, and mistakes of those they are in charge of. Depending upon the severity, and this is near the top, those in charge should step down.
There are two things to consider here beyond the lack of managerial skills of the Chief. He may be a very skilled firefighter, but management is not his strong suit, and the BOS took advantage of him for this, and used it to their advantage. Then, the BOS acted as they did, and put the Chief under the lights, and made it appear it was all his doing.
It wasn't all his doing.
The second, and more important thing, is the BOS allowed this scenario to continue for years putting every one of us in jeopardy. Every resident in Sturbridge, and those in neighboring towns we serve in mutual aid.
There is no excuse for that.
The next time you are at the local polls, the phrase, "There is no excuse for that" will hopefully come to mind, and, guide your vote.
The attached article is from the Worcester Telegram & Gazzette.
Sturbridge: Is fire chief fall guy?
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