Friday, October 2, 2009
Will Cambridge suffer when Governor Deval Patrick cuts the budget?
Massachusetts state revenues are down 243 million dollars for September, while unemployment continues to increase. Economists claim there are signs of recovery, but we do not see those help wanted signs.
How are residents of Cambridge surviving these economic hard times? What effect does it have on local business? Were there warning signs that were ignored? Can the City meet it's obligations? We have already used emergency funds to keep the tax rate artificially low, what revenues can we turn to if the Governor Patrick cuts funds to Cambridge?
These and more questions should be what the City Council asks the City Manager, but will they? Stay tuned....
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Climate Change Emergency In Cambridge MA Still Unsolved? Now, How Could That Be?
Can we stop the DCR's destruction of the Urban Wilds along the Charles River Estuary,on the International North Atlantic Flyway, and protect the wildlife?
Thank you for sending the notice, copied below, to me, I will post it on my blog, asap, at http://votekathy.blogspot.com, and I will have it posted on the Captains Island Preservation and Protection blog, which I co founded with Marinly Wellons. I have beed advocating foreffective, meaningful and sustainable solutions to the Climate Change we are all expierencing, however, here in Cambridge most folks are satisfied with what some call green washing and others call wholly inadequate.
http://cipapa.blogspot.com/
In my opinion, the City still fails to take this isses seriously. Too many folks continue to make this a political bone of contention, and satisfy themselves bad mouthing the other party, the other organization, the other theory, and sign onto not only weak initives but schemes that are worse than the problem they seek to cure.
Some examples I have opposed are building the Urban Ring, ANOTHER highway thru Cambridgeport, Area 4, and East Canmbridge, whicu the so called environmentalists claim will be good for the environment. Another campaign I strongly oppose, and which I campaigned against when I ran for City Council 2 years ago, it bio fuels and ethanol which uses farm land to produce fuel. The City pushed thru a mandate for taxis to use this, its in the pubmps, and will be, if not already, be in heating fuel. This results in the contamination of water, including thew Gulf of Mexico, contributes to the rise in fuel prices, and contributes to the growing world wide food shortages and last years rice riots.
I am an advocate for pasive solutions, such as solar water and energy, with micro solar being locally manufactured and made available to homeowners, as well as joint ventures for/with large concerns, such as Hospitals, Universities, and commertial entities, be they for or free from profit.
One question I have for all of those who join groups, and/or preach "green energy" is why have you turned your backs on the environmental destruction going on right here in Cambridge, on our City Squares, in your very own neighborhoods, and along the Charles River? You want to make changes, and tell the State, Washington DC, Corporations and the world what to do? But you can't speak the truth to your elected City Council, nor oppose the DCR? If we cannot take care of our own back year, if we rubber stamp the destruction here, if we turn our backs at home, who outside Cambridge do yoy expect will take us seriously?
And, yes, I did convert to the energy effecient lightbulbs, the ones laced with Murcury, but, folks, where are the plans to deal with the fall out from recycling these time bombs?
take care, now, and do visit my blogs
Subject: [PSNA] announcement for distribution--in text and attachment
To: psna@portersquare.net
Date: Friday, September 18, 2009, 11:40 PM
==> HOW URGENT IS THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY? <==
· WHAT SHOULD THE CITY DO?
· WHAT SHOULD RESIDENTS DO?
After recognizing the existence of a climate emergency on May 11, 2009, the Cambridge City Council will hear from scientists about why climate is changing, what impacts to expect, and what response is needed at a Special Meeting of the Council at City Hall on September 24th at 5:30 pm.
Speakers will be Dr. Melanie Fitzpatrick of the Union of Concerned Scientists, Dr. Jill Stein of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Dr. Frank Ackerman of the Stockholm Environmental Institute at Tufts University and Dr. John Sterman of MIT Sloan School of Management.
If you want Cambridge to be a leader in responding to the global emergency,
—Come to the hearing on Sept. 24 to let the City Council know, and
—Please forward this notice to friends.
Background:
Ø Last March, more than 2,500 climate experts from 80 countries, assembled for an emergency meeting in Copenhagen to prepare for the UN Climate Change Conference in December, declared that
· "the climate system is already moving beyond patterns of natural variability within which our society and economy have developed and thrived;"
· "the worst-case IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) scenario projections (or even worse) are being realized;"
· "there is a significant risk that many of the trends will accelerate, leading to a risk of abrupt or irreversible climatic shifts;" and
· "there is no excuse for inaction."
Ø In December 2002, the City of Cambridge adopted a Climate Protection Plan with the goal of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) city-wide 20% below 1990 levels by 2010.
Ø Despite the efforts of City staff and others the City has fallen far short of this goal.
For more information see http://greencambridge.wikispaces.com/Calendar+of+Events
The meeting should appear on Cambridge cable TV channel 8.
Thank you for sending the notice, copied below, to me, I will post it on my blog, asap, at http://votekathy.blogspot.com, and I will have it posted on the Captains Island Preservation and Protection blog, which I co founded with Marinly Wellons. I have beed advocating foreffective, meaningful and sustainable solutions to the Climate Change we are all expierencing, however, here in Cambridge most folks are satisfied with what some call green washing and others call wholly inadequate.
http://cipapa.blogspot.com/
In my opinion, the City still fails to take this isses seriously. Too many folks continue to make this a political bone of contention, and satisfy themselves bad mouthing the other party, the other organization, the other theory, and sign onto not only weak initives but schemes that are worse than the problem they seek to cure.
Some examples I have opposed are building the Urban Ring, ANOTHER highway thru Cambridgeport, Area 4, and East Canmbridge, whicu the so called environmentalists claim will be good for the environment. Another campaign I strongly oppose, and which I campaigned against when I ran for City Council 2 years ago, it bio fuels and ethanol which uses farm land to produce fuel. The City pushed thru a mandate for taxis to use this, its in the pubmps, and will be, if not already, be in heating fuel. This results in the contamination of water, including thew Gulf of Mexico, contributes to the rise in fuel prices, and contributes to the growing world wide food shortages and last years rice riots.
I am an advocate for pasive solutions, such as solar water and energy, with micro solar being locally manufactured and made available to homeowners, as well as joint ventures for/with large concerns, such as Hospitals, Universities, and commertial entities, be they for or free from profit.
One question I have for all of those who join groups, and/or preach "green energy" is why have you turned your backs on the environmental destruction going on right here in Cambridge, on our City Squares, in your very own neighborhoods, and along the Charles River? You want to make changes, and tell the State, Washington DC, Corporations and the world what to do? But you can't speak the truth to your elected City Council, nor oppose the DCR? If we cannot take care of our own back year, if we rubber stamp the destruction here, if we turn our backs at home, who outside Cambridge do yoy expect will take us seriously?
And, yes, I did convert to the energy effecient lightbulbs, the ones laced with Murcury, but, folks, where are the plans to deal with the fall out from recycling these time bombs?
take care, now, and do visit my blogs
Subject: [PSNA] announcement for distribution--in text and attachment
To: psna@portersquare.net
Date: Friday, September 18, 2009, 11:40 PM
==> HOW URGENT IS THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY? <==
· WHAT SHOULD THE CITY DO?
· WHAT SHOULD RESIDENTS DO?
After recognizing the existence of a climate emergency on May 11, 2009, the Cambridge City Council will hear from scientists about why climate is changing, what impacts to expect, and what response is needed at a Special Meeting of the Council at City Hall on September 24th at 5:30 pm.
Speakers will be Dr. Melanie Fitzpatrick of the Union of Concerned Scientists, Dr. Jill Stein of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Dr. Frank Ackerman of the Stockholm Environmental Institute at Tufts University and Dr. John Sterman of MIT Sloan School of Management.
If you want Cambridge to be a leader in responding to the global emergency,
—Come to the hearing on Sept. 24 to let the City Council know, and
—Please forward this notice to friends.
Background:
Ø Last March, more than 2,500 climate experts from 80 countries, assembled for an emergency meeting in Copenhagen to prepare for the UN Climate Change Conference in December, declared that
· "the climate system is already moving beyond patterns of natural variability within which our society and economy have developed and thrived;"
· "the worst-case IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) scenario projections (or even worse) are being realized;"
· "there is a significant risk that many of the trends will accelerate, leading to a risk of abrupt or irreversible climatic shifts;" and
· "there is no excuse for inaction."
Ø In December 2002, the City of Cambridge adopted a Climate Protection Plan with the goal of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) city-wide 20% below 1990 levels by 2010.
Ø Despite the efforts of City staff and others the City has fallen far short of this goal.
For more information see http://greencambridge.wikispaces.com/Calendar+of+Events
The meeting should appear on Cambridge cable TV channel 8.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Marjorie Decker Spins Her Tales: Fibs, Lies, and Barking At Civil Rights Laws
Now I hate dogs, now I love dogs....now dogs are a health threat, now dogs are therapudic...woof, woof, watch Majorie Decker spin her tales....
"I bring a dog to visit my father every week, because dogs are very therapudic."
{{Although Marjorie claimes to be confronted unexpectedly by the presence of my (service) dog at this City Council meeting, she is not. In fact, at the previous meeting she requested that I sit on the far side of the public seating section, which I agreed to do, because she wasn't taking her meds due to alergie testing. Then, at this meeting, I went right to the requested and agreed upon seating, thirty feet away from her. Notice how neither she, nor ken reeves tells the public that I had already 'accomodated" her "allergie." When I first filed the MCAD complaint, she claimed she was not alergic to all dogs, just dogs like mine. Huh? Can you believe it? Why didn't Marjorie explain how nicely I agreed to sit on the far side, and in the back, immediately upon her request?}}
In this video, in the second part, Marjorie Decker explaines how she brings a therapy dog to visit her father every week. However, in her reply to my MCAD complaint about her and ken reeves calling the police to try and expel me from a public City Council meeting, Marjorie Decker claims that the very presence of a guide dog poses a direct threat to the health of other people, equivelant to the health threat caused by cigarette smoke.
Pardon me, but if guide dogs are a health threat like cigarette smoke, why does Marjorie Decker bring a dog to visit her father? Wouldn't that pose a direct threat to his health?
Wait a min, in the first half, she claims that she has allergies to dogs. Oh, oh! Marjorie Decker, I think you are pulling someone's tail!
By the way, Ken Reeves, when an individual with a disability, accompianied by a trained service dog, attends a public City Council meeting, it is not an entitlement, it is a civil right. Segregation is NOT a reasonable accomodation.
The DOJ stated then, as now, that the City's "offer" to me of "reasonable accomodation" is neither reasonable, nor appropiate. In fact, it is a violation of law. Segregation, by definition, is discrimination, and is a fundamental basis for civil rights laws.
42 U.S.C. § 12182 : US Code - Section 12182
Chapter 126; Subchapter iii Section 12182
(a) General rule
No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of
disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services,
facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place
of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases
to), or operates a place of public accommodation.
(b) Construction
(1) General prohibition
(A) Activities
(i) Denial of participation
It shall be discriminatory to subject an individual or
class of individuals on the basis of a disability or
disabilities of such individual or class, directly, or
through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, to a
denial of the opportunity of the individual or class to
participate in or benefit from the goods, services,
facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of an
entity.
(ii) Participation in unequal benefit
It shall be discriminatory to afford an individual or class
of individuals, on the basis of a disability or disabilities
of such individual or class, directly, or through
contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with the
opportunity to participate in or benefit from a good,
service, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation
that is not equal to that afforded to other individuals.
(iii) Separate benefit
It shall be discriminatory to provide an individual or
class of individuals, on the basis of a disability or
disabilities of such individual or class, directly, or
through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with a
good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, or
accommodation that is different or separate from that
provided to other individuals, unless such action is
necessary to provide the individual or class of individuals
with a good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, or
accommodation, or other opportunity that is as effective as
that provided to others.
(iv) Individual or class of individuals
For purposes of clauses (i) through (iii) of this
subparagraph, the term "individual or class of individuals"
refers to the clients or customers of the covered public
accommodation that enters into the contractual, licensing or
other arrangement.
(B) Integrated settings
Goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and
accommodations shall be afforded to an individual with a
disability in the most integrated setting appropriate to the
needs of the individual.
(C) Opportunity to participate
Notwithstanding the existence of separate or different
programs or activities provided in accordance with this
section, an individual with a disability shall not be denied
the opportunity to participate in such programs or activities
that are not separate or different.
"I bring a dog to visit my father every week, because dogs are very therapudic."
{{Although Marjorie claimes to be confronted unexpectedly by the presence of my (service) dog at this City Council meeting, she is not. In fact, at the previous meeting she requested that I sit on the far side of the public seating section, which I agreed to do, because she wasn't taking her meds due to alergie testing. Then, at this meeting, I went right to the requested and agreed upon seating, thirty feet away from her. Notice how neither she, nor ken reeves tells the public that I had already 'accomodated" her "allergie." When I first filed the MCAD complaint, she claimed she was not alergic to all dogs, just dogs like mine. Huh? Can you believe it? Why didn't Marjorie explain how nicely I agreed to sit on the far side, and in the back, immediately upon her request?}}
In this video, in the second part, Marjorie Decker explaines how she brings a therapy dog to visit her father every week. However, in her reply to my MCAD complaint about her and ken reeves calling the police to try and expel me from a public City Council meeting, Marjorie Decker claims that the very presence of a guide dog poses a direct threat to the health of other people, equivelant to the health threat caused by cigarette smoke.
Pardon me, but if guide dogs are a health threat like cigarette smoke, why does Marjorie Decker bring a dog to visit her father? Wouldn't that pose a direct threat to his health?
Wait a min, in the first half, she claims that she has allergies to dogs. Oh, oh! Marjorie Decker, I think you are pulling someone's tail!
By the way, Ken Reeves, when an individual with a disability, accompianied by a trained service dog, attends a public City Council meeting, it is not an entitlement, it is a civil right. Segregation is NOT a reasonable accomodation.
The DOJ stated then, as now, that the City's "offer" to me of "reasonable accomodation" is neither reasonable, nor appropiate. In fact, it is a violation of law. Segregation, by definition, is discrimination, and is a fundamental basis for civil rights laws.
42 U.S.C. § 12182 : US Code - Section 12182
Chapter 126; Subchapter iii Section 12182
(a) General rule
No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of
disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services,
facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place
of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases
to), or operates a place of public accommodation.
(b) Construction
(1) General prohibition
(A) Activities
(i) Denial of participation
It shall be discriminatory to subject an individual or
class of individuals on the basis of a disability or
disabilities of such individual or class, directly, or
through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, to a
denial of the opportunity of the individual or class to
participate in or benefit from the goods, services,
facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of an
entity.
(ii) Participation in unequal benefit
It shall be discriminatory to afford an individual or class
of individuals, on the basis of a disability or disabilities
of such individual or class, directly, or through
contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with the
opportunity to participate in or benefit from a good,
service, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation
that is not equal to that afforded to other individuals.
(iii) Separate benefit
It shall be discriminatory to provide an individual or
class of individuals, on the basis of a disability or
disabilities of such individual or class, directly, or
through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with a
good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, or
accommodation that is different or separate from that
provided to other individuals, unless such action is
necessary to provide the individual or class of individuals
with a good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, or
accommodation, or other opportunity that is as effective as
that provided to others.
(iv) Individual or class of individuals
For purposes of clauses (i) through (iii) of this
subparagraph, the term "individual or class of individuals"
refers to the clients or customers of the covered public
accommodation that enters into the contractual, licensing or
other arrangement.
(B) Integrated settings
Goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and
accommodations shall be afforded to an individual with a
disability in the most integrated setting appropriate to the
needs of the individual.
(C) Opportunity to participate
Notwithstanding the existence of separate or different
programs or activities provided in accordance with this
section, an individual with a disability shall not be denied
the opportunity to participate in such programs or activities
that are not separate or different.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Should The City of Cambridge Continue to Spend Taxpayer's Dollars Trying to Ban Guide Dogs From City Council Meetings?
Here a a video, where I discuss how "education" as a method to enforce civil rights of people with disabilities who use guide dogs, or service dogs, has failed.
One reason people file law suits is because other people refuse to obey the law, and choose to remain ignorant. here in Cambridge MA there is an actual effort to also ban accurate information about what Civil Rights laws are, and how to obey them.
Considering that in the Montero case, the City had an opportunity, early on, to settle the case, but refused to do so, and now the $$$$$ are up to a reported $4.5 million, should the City continue to refuse to settle the Podgers v City of Cambridge, et al, service dog in City Council case?
This should make howling good copy if it lands in federal court.
By the way, does anyone know of any other City Council in America that has banned Service Dogs? What is the MCAD's position on this? Segregation, by definition, is discrimination. Can Marjorie and Ken really segregate people with disabilities who use guide dogs? When will we ever learn?
One reason people file law suits is because other people refuse to obey the law, and choose to remain ignorant. here in Cambridge MA there is an actual effort to also ban accurate information about what Civil Rights laws are, and how to obey them.
Considering that in the Montero case, the City had an opportunity, early on, to settle the case, but refused to do so, and now the $$$$$ are up to a reported $4.5 million, should the City continue to refuse to settle the Podgers v City of Cambridge, et al, service dog in City Council case?
This should make howling good copy if it lands in federal court.
By the way, does anyone know of any other City Council in America that has banned Service Dogs? What is the MCAD's position on this? Segregation, by definition, is discrimination. Can Marjorie and Ken really segregate people with disabilities who use guide dogs? When will we ever learn?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Homeless In America? One of the Greatest Social Disasters of the 20th Century.
The Criminalization of the mentaly Disabled in America
I found this video to be very well done. Please take some time and watch this.
Whenever discussions about "the homeless" in Cambridge arises, one should understand that many individuals are UNABLE to fend for themselves. That is why they are called disabled. Not everyone who is mentally ill is disabled by their condition, but many are. Should we turn our backs on them, like we did in the Dark Ages, or should we work to craft programs to assist them to live as independently as possible, while providing them with the proper level of support needed?
Do you think mentally disabled people are doing their homless thing deliberately? Do you believe mental illness has something to do with "will power" or lazyness? Do you wonder why they don't just cut it out and get a job like everyone else? Perhaps compassion is what we need to understand that there but for God,......
I found this video to be very well done. Please take some time and watch this.
Whenever discussions about "the homeless" in Cambridge arises, one should understand that many individuals are UNABLE to fend for themselves. That is why they are called disabled. Not everyone who is mentally ill is disabled by their condition, but many are. Should we turn our backs on them, like we did in the Dark Ages, or should we work to craft programs to assist them to live as independently as possible, while providing them with the proper level of support needed?
Do you think mentally disabled people are doing their homless thing deliberately? Do you believe mental illness has something to do with "will power" or lazyness? Do you wonder why they don't just cut it out and get a job like everyone else? Perhaps compassion is what we need to understand that there but for God,......
Monday, September 14, 2009
Should the DCR be Permitted to Cut Down the Mature Urban Forrest Along Memorial Drive?
DCR Plans Destruction Of Hundreds Of Healthy Mature Trees On Memorial Drive, Along The Charles River In Cambridge
Mass State Department of Conservatopn and Recreation is progressing with it's plans to destroy HUNDREDS of healthy mature trees along Memorial Dr in Cambridge MA. Marilyn Wellons of CIPAPA and Friends of the White Geese is not your "ordinary" tree hugger. She has attended most, if not all meetings held by the DCR in their vain attempt to garner public support for their destructive policies. Not only has the DCR failed to get the public support it desired, but thousands have writen, signed petitions, and just plain voiced negative opinions during public testimony at pubmic meetings. Still, the DCR buldozes ahead, I am not exagerating, with the development of this precious riverfront resource.
Here is an exerpt from Marilyn's recent letter to the Cambridge Conservation Commission:
"In addition to protecting water quality, the Wetlands Protection Act, WPA, charges the Commission with protection of all habitat in wetland and associated areas, not simply habitat of rare or endangered species. Please note, then, that this project does not restore habitat critical to the health of our metropolitan area. Rather, it destroys it. Memorial Drive here, now, is indisputably habitat to hawks, small mammals, waterfowl and other birds, including migrants. Its mature trees and woody and herbaceous plants from the river to its northern side provide food and shelter for them. The plants beauty and shade constitute human habitat essential for our physical, mental, and spiritual re-creation. Their photosynthesis sequesters carbon from passing cars and improves the air for all. The trees and smaller plants along the shore and banks also prevent erosion. One, Amorpha fruticosa, is used elsewhere in the United States for the erosion control that is central to water quality here as well. The discussion of this plant at 3.3 Invasive Species is more than disturbing. A. fruticosa holds the bank for free. The DCR will eradicate it. Resprouts from the deep-growing roots that make it so valuable for erosion control will be treated with Rodeo. On its face this plan is contrary to the WPA."
Here is Marilyn's comment...
"The DCR is not content with stewardship of a mature landscape on the Charles. It is hungry for projects to serve its own bureaucratic needs and its design-development constituents. It will devour that landscape to get a project, as here."
Estimates of $6 to $8 millions of taxpayers money will be wasted on this wanton destruction of habitat. It is ironic, considering that the DCR recently cried poor when they abruptly closed 21 of 27 public swimming pools around the state in Mid August, in the midst of a hot humid heat wave. The pools shut down were in Lowell, Lawrence, Everett, Somerville, Brighton, Brocton, Worchester, Springfield, So Hadley, among others.
Here I am, answering questions at the City Council candidates forum
Here I am, speaking at the candidates forum sponsored by the East Cambridge Planning Team and the League of Women Voters at the Marlowe Hotel September 9, 2009.
I qant to thank Roy Bercaw for this video.
Can We Trust Elected Officials To Know What Clean or Green Energy Is?
This video speaks for itself. I hope everyone begins to question the non-sustainable, "Green Energy" solutions being advocated by some folks whth a limited, narrow focus, lacking in the wider view of "how does this affect the environment?
Plese note the debate re "clean coal." I would also raise the issue of using farm land do "grow" fuel, which has the nasty, unintended conseqquense of contaminating water, driving up the cost of fuel, and contributing to the world wide food shortage and rice riots. This is why I whole-heartedly oppose bio-fuel economics.
T H I N K
Always ask this question...What makes this green? What is the downside? Who makes money on this scheme?
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Is Segregation of the Disabled Different Than Segregation Based on Race or Religion?
GU Student Sues Popular D.C. Bar After Wheelchair Incident
posted 11:44 pm Wed September 09, 2009 - WASHINGTON from ABC 7 News
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0909/657848.html
Taylor Price, a Georgetown U student who uses a wheelchair since a spinal cord injury 5 years ago, claims he was discriminated against when he tried to head for the piano to enjoy the music with his friends. The manager at the bar insisted he "sit in the corner" because he presented a "safety hazard" to the bar.
Here in Cambridge, City Councillor Marjori Decker, and Ken Reeves want to ban people with disabilities who are accompianied by service dogs to a seperate room, where they can "watch City Council meetings on TV."
Do folks see this as unlawful segregation, or as a good way to "accomodate people with disabilities? What does Federal Civil Rights laws say about segregation? In fact, opposing segregation as a "solution" is the very basis of Federal Civil Rights law.
Price has filed a law suit, and I have filed a complaint with the MCAD, because we believe we should not be excluded from the full and equal enjoyment of the activities in question. What do you think? Is it segregation to exclude PWDs from some areas where other members of the public are allowed?
How would you feel if we told African Americans that they had to sit in the corner, or watch City Council meetings on TV in a seperate room? Woulkd you see that as segregation? Or perhaps we should have a seperate seating section for Jews? I wonder if Michael Muehe, the City's ADA coordinator would agree that wheelchair users pose a safety hazard, and agree to their segregation?
Why has the current City Council not addressed this issue? Will it end up like the Montero case, costing Cambridge taxpayers millions of dollars? I have "won" probable cause, and prevailed against the City's appeal, yet the City refuses to settle. And what am I aslking? I am not asking for millions of dollars, I am asking for the City to obey the Civil Rights Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336, otherwise known as the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Service dogs should be welcome at all public meetings, especially City Council meetings.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Sgt James Crowley had 8 Previous Citizen Complaints Against Him Including Racial Profiling
Are the Cambridge police capable of policing their own?
It is a difficult decision for a citizen, especially one who resides within Cambridge and must face these police every day, to actually go forward and file a complaint against a police officer, at the police station. I believe that for every complaint filed, there are a dozen who didn’t file the complaint, either because they did not know they could do so, or due to concerns about retaliation.
Reports that 8 citizen complaints had been filed against Sgt James Crowley were finally released today, weeks after the highly publicized arrest of the disabled Harvard professor at his own home. However, at the time of the arrest and droping of all charges of the Harvard professor, news media swarmed the story, repeating over and over again police assertions that Crowley was an exemplemary cop, who teaches a course on racial profiling, and could therefore never have behaved in an unfair way toward the professor. The MSM demeaned the Harvard professor, further, by repeting the police union's and the police commissioner's praise for both Crowley and for police proceedures. The media stories failed to include the fact that 8 other citizens had filed formal complaints, including two that alledged racial bias, because the police withheld this information.
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/08/20/cambridges_sergeant_crowley_cleared_in_8_citizen_complaints/
How different the national story would have read if this information had been redily available..."Cop with 8 past complaints does it again!"
We learn that the police deemed none of the complaints against crowley to have any merit whatsoever.
What that shows is that the police, believing themselves members of “The Brotherhood,” take care of their own.
It shows is that these 8 complaints were whitewashed.
What it also shows is what I explained twice to Police Commissioner Robert Haas, “If you don’t hold Sgt James Crowley accountable, he will keep on doing it, and eventually he will do it to the wrong person.”
It is a difficult decision for a citizen, especially one who resides within Cambridge and must face these police every day, to actually go forward and file a complaint against a police officer, at the police station. I believe that for every complaint filed, there are a dozen who didn’t file the complaint, either because they did not know they could do so, or due to concerns about retaliation.
Reports that 8 citizen complaints had been filed against Sgt James Crowley were finally released today, weeks after the highly publicized arrest of the disabled Harvard professor at his own home. However, at the time of the arrest and droping of all charges of the Harvard professor, news media swarmed the story, repeating over and over again police assertions that Crowley was an exemplemary cop, who teaches a course on racial profiling, and could therefore never have behaved in an unfair way toward the professor. The MSM demeaned the Harvard professor, further, by repeting the police union's and the police commissioner's praise for both Crowley and for police proceedures. The media stories failed to include the fact that 8 other citizens had filed formal complaints, including two that alledged racial bias, because the police withheld this information.
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/08/20/cambridges_sergeant_crowley_cleared_in_8_citizen_complaints/
How different the national story would have read if this information had been redily available..."Cop with 8 past complaints does it again!"
We learn that the police deemed none of the complaints against crowley to have any merit whatsoever.
What that shows is that the police, believing themselves members of “The Brotherhood,” take care of their own.
It shows is that these 8 complaints were whitewashed.
What it also shows is what I explained twice to Police Commissioner Robert Haas, “If you don’t hold Sgt James Crowley accountable, he will keep on doing it, and eventually he will do it to the wrong person.”
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Should The DCR Close Public Pools In Mid August?
The Department of Conservation and Recreation has closed public pools in cities of Lowell, Brocton, Springfeild, Allston-Brighton, Worchester, Everett, Cambridge, Somerville, Lawrence, and more. The kids and working families that live in these cities have no way to get to lakes and ocean beaches.
This comes in the midst of a heat wave. It was 94 yesterday and 95 today, with high humidity making folks feel miserable and Cities declaring a heat emergency, opening "cooling centers."
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20090819kids_all_hot__bothered_pools_closed_as_temps_soar/
The State of Mass claims they are too poor to keep pools open for "poor" kids.
However, the City of Boston operates 20 public pools, and Mayor Menino is extending the hours the Boston pools will be open until 9pm.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/08/19/city_hits_95_degrees_matches_record/
Two pools that were schedualled to close Monday, in Cambridge, recieved a one week reprieve, when City and State pols worked with the DCR to have the city pay half the funding. This even though the DCR claims it's not money, but that the lifeguards are college students who have left to return to college. The DCR claims that it costs $12,000 weekly to operate each pool.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/x772306071/Magazine-Beach-pool-closed-after-chlorine-spill
I believe the DCR pools should be opened from Memorial day on weekends until schools close for summer, then daily thru Labour Day. DCR should have plans to open earlier in May and later in September when heat waves come early, like last year, or late as sometimes happens. This year we had plenty of cool rainy days until barely a month ago, and now the pools are being closed in Mid August, in Mid summer, with no place for kids to go.
DCR runs the pools and answers to the Stewardship Council which oversees DCR and all things environmental. RAISE YOUR VOICE AND BE HEARD! SEND AN EMAIL.
Please submit any comments to the Stewardship Council in written form via email c/o Jeff Daley at jeff.daley@state.ma.us or via mail to DCR Stewardship Council, c/o Jeff Daley, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.
Call your State reps and senators. This is not just about where you swim, but serving a public need for those who are in need.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Should Public Servants In Powerful Positions of Responsibility, Like the Transportation Secretary be Allowed to Lie With Impunity?
Today widespread disatisfaction with Mass Transportation Secretary Aloisi could be heard from Republicans, newspapers, TV and radio news, not to mention talk shows. At issue is the lack of transparancy, to state it mildly, or more frankly, the lies being told by Aloisi about the ouster of the MBTA's General Manager.
The video above shows Aloisi promising to be truthful going forward, but the Boston Globe published emails between Aloisi and Dan Grabauskas that shows it was in fact Aliosi who pushed for the unpopular fare increase, not the Grabauskas. What has folks truely upset, is that even after Grabauskas came out and explained he opposed the fare increase, Aloisi, and Gov Deval Patrick continued to misinform "We The People" claiming, falsly, that Dan Grabauskas was at fault, when in fact it was Aloisi.
Even as more heads roll at the MBTA, major TV news reports that it is not only the Republicans that want Aloisi out, but prominant Democrats as well. Voters calling in to talk radio are now blaming Gov Patrick, because, most of them point out, deval Patrick should have known who Aloisi was, and what a great manager Graubauskis is.
http://www.bradjonesonline.com//admin/documents/repository/275/Aloisi_ResignationLetterToGov_11Aug2009.pdf
In addition many critized the Gov for his slander of Grabauskas, blaming him for the two trolly crashes, that investigation determined to be human error and not mismanagement.
We The people need to consider what level of transparancy we are comfortable with, and how many lies and slanders we can tolerate from our elected officials. For myself, I cannot trust those in leadership positions who lie and blame others, unfairly. We need leaders we can trust, because we are also busy doing our jobs, and when we entrust public officials with the peoples business, we do not expect betrayal.
Meanwhile, the toll inequity law suit against the Turnpike Athority is rolling.
http://blog.tollequitytrust.com/
The video above shows Aloisi promising to be truthful going forward, but the Boston Globe published emails between Aloisi and Dan Grabauskas that shows it was in fact Aliosi who pushed for the unpopular fare increase, not the Grabauskas. What has folks truely upset, is that even after Grabauskas came out and explained he opposed the fare increase, Aloisi, and Gov Deval Patrick continued to misinform "We The People" claiming, falsly, that Dan Grabauskas was at fault, when in fact it was Aloisi.
Even as more heads roll at the MBTA, major TV news reports that it is not only the Republicans that want Aloisi out, but prominant Democrats as well. Voters calling in to talk radio are now blaming Gov Patrick, because, most of them point out, deval Patrick should have known who Aloisi was, and what a great manager Graubauskis is.
http://www.bradjonesonline.com//admin/documents/repository/275/Aloisi_ResignationLetterToGov_11Aug2009.pdf
In addition many critized the Gov for his slander of Grabauskas, blaming him for the two trolly crashes, that investigation determined to be human error and not mismanagement.
We The people need to consider what level of transparancy we are comfortable with, and how many lies and slanders we can tolerate from our elected officials. For myself, I cannot trust those in leadership positions who lie and blame others, unfairly. We need leaders we can trust, because we are also busy doing our jobs, and when we entrust public officials with the peoples business, we do not expect betrayal.
Meanwhile, the toll inequity law suit against the Turnpike Athority is rolling.
http://blog.tollequitytrust.com/
Should Cambridge MA Swimming Pools Be Open During Summer?
Should outdoor public swimming pools be open during the summer? Marty raises a good point, and I wonder how much money was spent to open the Magazine Beach pool from late June thru mid August? If any of you have this info, please share it with us all.
As many of you know, I have advocated for keeping our swimming pools open from Memorial Day thru Labour day, with contingency plans to open pools on weekends, earlier, or later, if hot weather dictates the need. I think that from Mem day through the end of the school year, shortened daytime hours, afternoons, and long weekends would suffice.
It seems unfair and unjust for those who live in the Harvard and MIT community, as well as those who have access to expensive private pool memberships can swim on these hot, humid summer days, while the children of our residents, taxpayers, and so called working poor, are to be denied what seems to me to be a basic service for City residents.
Shall we return to opening the fire hydrants? Please.
Will it cost money to open our pools to our children during the summer? You bet it will cost money! What better way to spend taxpayer's dollars, than to ensure a safe, healthy and fun way for children to expend their energy during hot hazy humid summer days?
As many of you know, I have advocated for keeping our swimming pools open from Memorial Day thru Labour day, with contingency plans to open pools on weekends, earlier, or later, if hot weather dictates the need. I think that from Mem day through the end of the school year, shortened daytime hours, afternoons, and long weekends would suffice.
It seems unfair and unjust for those who live in the Harvard and MIT community, as well as those who have access to expensive private pool memberships can swim on these hot, humid summer days, while the children of our residents, taxpayers, and so called working poor, are to be denied what seems to me to be a basic service for City residents.
Shall we return to opening the fire hydrants? Please.
Will it cost money to open our pools to our children during the summer? You bet it will cost money! What better way to spend taxpayer's dollars, than to ensure a safe, healthy and fun way for children to expend their energy during hot hazy humid summer days?
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Should Property Taxes Be Used to Pay for the MBTA?
The MBTA "assessment" is raised aprox 2.5% yearly, and on Cambridge for 2010 it is $8,302,878 on some 101,000 population, or aprox $82.00 per person. However, the City passes this head tax on to property taxes, resulting in some individuals having to pay 2, 3 even 4 times their "fair share." seniors and people with disabilities are unfairly burdened by this "hidden property tax" to pay for the MBTA. Small business is also burdened, unfairly. And while some will claim it is a small amount of money, I see that those who ust the T to communt to work, and earn a good living, expect the poor, unemployed, seniors, disabled, even babies to pay this "small amount" for them. If it is such a "small amount" let those who work pay for their own transportation.
In what many believe to be bad politics, Gov Deval Patrick, through his appointees, has ousted The MBTA's General Manager, Dan Grabauskas, by paying off his contract in full, basically paying him not to show up for work. For now, the MBTA will have it's attorney to head up one of the largest public transportation systems, and surely one of the most diverse and troubled.
Among other things, the MBTA has it's own "private police force," opperates ferries, high speed rail service, and is working to fulfill agreements to end disacrimination based on disability due to the law suit filed by BCIL.
When Dan first came on to T management, he immediately vistied Towns and Cities, taking spontaneous questions, and listening to, and responding to comments from seniors to bike users. He has been most available and transparent, and fixed things from urine in the elevators to the "Hidden Service Cuts," a secret policy he ended last year, after I documented this "unofficial policy" with photos, bus numbers and times, to demonstarte that busses had been pulled off service routes without either hearings nor public notice.
What most folks do not realize is that the funding of the MBTA was changed, and not for the best, in 2000, with an effort to shift funding of the MBTA to property taxes. This is achieved through MBTA assessments on Cities and Towns, and cambridge pays over 8 million. property taxes now make up some 10% of the MBTA's budget. That is not progressive, it drives up rents, and I wonder just how many of you think property taxes is the right way to fund public transportation? Regressive enough for you?
The MBTA has a huge buget shortfall. How should they raise the funds? have your say..
Attend a public workshop or the public hearing We invite you to attend one of the public workshops to share your comments and discuss your suggestions with MBTA officials. The public hearing will be an opportunity to offer your recorded comments. Comments at all meetings will be considered by MBTA staff and Board of Directors for further action. A court reporter will be present at the public hearing to record comments.American Sign Language services and assistive listening devices available at all public workshops and hearings. All locations are accessible to persons with disabilities.
• Written comments will also be accepted through September 4, 2009 and should be
mailed to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza, Boston,MA 02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee.
• You can also submit your comments electronically at the MBTA website www.mbta.com
at fareproposal@mbta.com, and by phone at (617) 222-3200, TTY (617) 222-5146.
The schedule of public meetings, including a series of workshops and concluding with a formal hearing, is as follows:
Monday, August 10
Boston
Gardner Auditorium-State House
24 Beacon Street
4-7: P.M.
Interpreter: Chinese, Spanish
Written Material: Cape Verdean Creole,
Chinese, Haitian Creole, Italian, Spanish
NOTICE: Gov Patrick has cancelled all
the following public meetings....
Tuesday, August 11Revere
Garfield Elementary School
Auditorium
176 Garfield Ave.
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Spanish
Written Material: Khmer, Spanish
Wednesday, August 12
Braintree
Thayer Public Library
798 Washington Street
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Chinese
Written Material: Chinese
Thursday, August 13
Somerville
Somerville High School Auditorium
81 Highland Ave.
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Portuguese
Written Material: Haitian Creole, Portuguese,
Spanish
Monday, August 17
Salem
City Hall Annex, Room 313
120Washington Street, 3rd floor
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Written Material: Spanish
Tuesday, August 18Framingham
Town Hall - Blumer Room
150 Concord Street
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Interpreter: Portuguese
Written Material: Portuguese, Spanish
Wednesday, August 19Worcester
Union Station, Union Hall, 2nd Floor
2Washington Square
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Interpreter: Spanish
Written Material: Spanish
Thursday, August 20
Attleboro
City Hall Council Chambers
77 Park Street
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Written Material: Cape Verdean Creole,
Spanish
Monday, August 24Haverhill
Haverhill Public Library
99Main Street
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Interpreter: Spanish
Written Material: Spanish
Tuesday, August 25
Dorchester
Grove Hall Community Center
51 Geneva Ave.
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Cape Verdean Creole
Written Material: Cape Verdean Creole,
Spanish
Tuesday, August 25Roxbury
Roxbury Community College
Media Arts Center
1234 Columbus Ave.
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Haitian Creole
Written Material: Cape Verdean Creole,
Spanish
Wednesday, August 26Fitchburg
Fitchburg State College
Ellis White Lecture Hall
160 Pearl Street, Hammond Building
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Written Material: Spanish
PUBLIC HEARING
Thursday, August 27
Boston
State Transportation Building
10 Park Plaza
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Chinese, Spanish
Written Material: Cape Verdean Creole,
Chinese, Haitian Creole, Italian, Spanish
In what many believe to be bad politics, Gov Deval Patrick, through his appointees, has ousted The MBTA's General Manager, Dan Grabauskas, by paying off his contract in full, basically paying him not to show up for work. For now, the MBTA will have it's attorney to head up one of the largest public transportation systems, and surely one of the most diverse and troubled.
Among other things, the MBTA has it's own "private police force," opperates ferries, high speed rail service, and is working to fulfill agreements to end disacrimination based on disability due to the law suit filed by BCIL.
When Dan first came on to T management, he immediately vistied Towns and Cities, taking spontaneous questions, and listening to, and responding to comments from seniors to bike users. He has been most available and transparent, and fixed things from urine in the elevators to the "Hidden Service Cuts," a secret policy he ended last year, after I documented this "unofficial policy" with photos, bus numbers and times, to demonstarte that busses had been pulled off service routes without either hearings nor public notice.
What most folks do not realize is that the funding of the MBTA was changed, and not for the best, in 2000, with an effort to shift funding of the MBTA to property taxes. This is achieved through MBTA assessments on Cities and Towns, and cambridge pays over 8 million. property taxes now make up some 10% of the MBTA's budget. That is not progressive, it drives up rents, and I wonder just how many of you think property taxes is the right way to fund public transportation? Regressive enough for you?
The MBTA has a huge buget shortfall. How should they raise the funds? have your say..
Attend a public workshop or the public hearing We invite you to attend one of the public workshops to share your comments and discuss your suggestions with MBTA officials. The public hearing will be an opportunity to offer your recorded comments. Comments at all meetings will be considered by MBTA staff and Board of Directors for further action. A court reporter will be present at the public hearing to record comments.American Sign Language services and assistive listening devices available at all public workshops and hearings. All locations are accessible to persons with disabilities.
• Written comments will also be accepted through September 4, 2009 and should be
mailed to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza, Boston,MA 02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee.
• You can also submit your comments electronically at the MBTA website www.mbta.com
at fareproposal@mbta.com, and by phone at (617) 222-3200, TTY (617) 222-5146.
The schedule of public meetings, including a series of workshops and concluding with a formal hearing, is as follows:
Monday, August 10
Boston
Gardner Auditorium-State House
24 Beacon Street
4-7: P.M.
Interpreter: Chinese, Spanish
Written Material: Cape Verdean Creole,
Chinese, Haitian Creole, Italian, Spanish
NOTICE: Gov Patrick has cancelled all
the following public meetings....
Tuesday, August 11Revere
Garfield Elementary School
Auditorium
176 Garfield Ave.
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Spanish
Written Material: Khmer, Spanish
Wednesday, August 12
Braintree
Thayer Public Library
798 Washington Street
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Chinese
Written Material: Chinese
Thursday, August 13
Somerville
Somerville High School Auditorium
81 Highland Ave.
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Portuguese
Written Material: Haitian Creole, Portuguese,
Spanish
Monday, August 17
Salem
City Hall Annex, Room 313
120Washington Street, 3rd floor
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Written Material: Spanish
Tuesday, August 18Framingham
Town Hall - Blumer Room
150 Concord Street
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Interpreter: Portuguese
Written Material: Portuguese, Spanish
Wednesday, August 19Worcester
Union Station, Union Hall, 2nd Floor
2Washington Square
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Interpreter: Spanish
Written Material: Spanish
Thursday, August 20
Attleboro
City Hall Council Chambers
77 Park Street
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Written Material: Cape Verdean Creole,
Spanish
Monday, August 24Haverhill
Haverhill Public Library
99Main Street
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Interpreter: Spanish
Written Material: Spanish
Tuesday, August 25
Dorchester
Grove Hall Community Center
51 Geneva Ave.
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Cape Verdean Creole
Written Material: Cape Verdean Creole,
Spanish
Tuesday, August 25Roxbury
Roxbury Community College
Media Arts Center
1234 Columbus Ave.
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Haitian Creole
Written Material: Cape Verdean Creole,
Spanish
Wednesday, August 26Fitchburg
Fitchburg State College
Ellis White Lecture Hall
160 Pearl Street, Hammond Building
6:00-8:00 P.M.
Written Material: Spanish
PUBLIC HEARING
Thursday, August 27
Boston
State Transportation Building
10 Park Plaza
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Interpreter: Chinese, Spanish
Written Material: Cape Verdean Creole,
Chinese, Haitian Creole, Italian, Spanish
Friday, August 7, 2009
Are Mass Police Held to the Same Standards of Justice That "We The People" Are?
Some people believe race was the problem in Crowley's arrest of Gates. Others see the problem as wider that just race.
In How Do We Build Community? Hope and Healing, I discuss the very issue of inclusion, including race and disability. One of the most amazing things about the Gates Crowley story is the way the MSM has once again glossed ovet the disability of Prof Gates. I am sure that "people" do not believe that disability had anything to do with this, at all. In fact, by brushing this issue aside, we cannot even examine it. Worse, most folks do not even know. Why? Are we afraid of the truth? Mark J is right when he suposes that race may not the be-all behind the "unfortunate" arrest of an innocent disabled black Prof at his home at Harvard in Cambridge.
http://fromtheport.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-do-we-build-community-hope-and.html
Obama's speach on "race" provides us with real insight into what the barrier of attitude is, and how it handicaps us.
The attitude that I see here in Cambridge MA, and throughout MA, is the police are not held to the same standards of human behavior that the "citizenry are held to. Police that commit felonys are "diciplined" but continue to "serve" without the support and trust of "we the people."
Like in Hamilton, Danvers and Cambridge, there is the "hurry up and move on" attitude that only enables police mis behavior. One cannot but wonder if the AG's marraige to a Cambridge Police officer, now retired, "colours" her "perceptions?" I cannot imagine that these same crimes, when committed by ordinary people, would not be prosecuted by Coakley to the fullest extent of the law. Why then does she coddle police who cannot or will not obey the laws we all are supposed to live under? How can we trust police who themselves have no respect for the law?
http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_214234459.html
(Be sure to read the comments, which is where you will see the divid between the view of the people and the view of the AG. And this case is not about race, but that does not mean that in the gates Crowley arrest that race was not a factor. Surely there can be more than one factors when police abuse their power, and then lie about it.)
Sweeping things under the rug, often referred to as "moving on" or "putting this behind us" is just another way of avoiding the lessons we need to learn, and changing our attitudes. It is just another way to continue our denial. We are creeping into a police state, and the police more and more behave like an occupying force.
"Under the terms of an agreement brokered through Attorney General Martha Coakley's office, the officers will keep their jobs, but each will have to work 30 days without pay, take an additional 30 days off without pay and pay a $5,000 fine to the town.
Like the officers in Hamilton, the Danvers officers faced criminal prosecution if they did not accept their punishment."http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_216000258.html
I fail to see how minority communities can trust a system that repetedly exonerates police who commit felonies yet continue with one arrest without probable cause after another, with the judge throwing cases out one after the other, but with innocent folks ending up with coris, while the police who lie and commit purgery walk away scott free. I am a membey of the so called white privleges class, but I myself can no longer trust police in the State of Mass, as long as their enabler is enthroned in the office of the AG.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Councillor Marjorie Decker Not On The Ballot For 2009?
Looks like Marjorie Decker failed to submit enough signatures on her nomination papers in a timely way and she won't be on the Nov 3 ballot for City Council this year. Robert Winters, who runs a great web site about politics in Cambridge, and supporte candidate pages for those who are running for office, a great public service, reported today that Decket missed the cut.
Is it possible that she decided not to run at the last moment, or was it just an oversite on her part? I have not seen this reported in the news, probabally because reporters cannot contact either the Election Commission nor Decker today.
One thing is sure, people who use guide dogs are relieved that Decker may not return to City Council, because she is trying to have guide dogs banned from City Council meetings when she is present, due to her claim that they bother her allergies. Decker does not want to take allergy meds, refusses to change her seat, and sit away from the public section, wan't waer a mask, or use any ventilation equipment. She has also not applied to the City for a reasonable accomodation, based on "disability" acording to employee rules, and the City manager, only, reported that she asked him to ban guide dogs due to her allergies.
I would like to point out, that I had already agreed to relocate my seet to the far side of the public seating area, some 30' away from her, in a very large, well ventilated, public meeting hall. Still, Decker won't be satisfied until people who use guide dogs are segregated to a completely seperate room.
So, if it is true that marjorie is not on the ballot for City Council, and she may not be reelected to City Council, then guide dogs will be howling in celebration!
It is never right to exclude people who are protected from discrimination, based on race, religion, gender, disability, etc. It is always wrong to seek segregation as the first solution to "problems."
Is it possible that she decided not to run at the last moment, or was it just an oversite on her part? I have not seen this reported in the news, probabally because reporters cannot contact either the Election Commission nor Decker today.
One thing is sure, people who use guide dogs are relieved that Decker may not return to City Council, because she is trying to have guide dogs banned from City Council meetings when she is present, due to her claim that they bother her allergies. Decker does not want to take allergy meds, refusses to change her seat, and sit away from the public section, wan't waer a mask, or use any ventilation equipment. She has also not applied to the City for a reasonable accomodation, based on "disability" acording to employee rules, and the City manager, only, reported that she asked him to ban guide dogs due to her allergies.
I would like to point out, that I had already agreed to relocate my seet to the far side of the public seating area, some 30' away from her, in a very large, well ventilated, public meeting hall. Still, Decker won't be satisfied until people who use guide dogs are segregated to a completely seperate room.
So, if it is true that marjorie is not on the ballot for City Council, and she may not be reelected to City Council, then guide dogs will be howling in celebration!
It is never right to exclude people who are protected from discrimination, based on race, religion, gender, disability, etc. It is always wrong to seek segregation as the first solution to "problems."
Memo to E. Denise Simmons, Mayor of Cambridge re Sgt James Crowley
From: Kathryn Podgers Subject: Sg Crowley: When does a police officer come to one's home, and NOT show his ID?To: "Mayor Denise Simmons" Cc: "Craig Kelley" , "Ken Reeves" , "David Maher" , "Tim Toomey" , "Mar Decker" , "Henrietta Davis" , lward@cambridgema.gov, "Sam Seidel" , "Robert Healy" , "Rich Rossi" , "Bill Dwyer" , "Kathy Watkins" , "Robert Haas" , "Steven Williams" , "Bethany (AGO) Brown" , "Phyllis (MOD) Mitchell" , "Phyllis (MOD) Mitchell" , "Marilyn Wellons" , "David Harris" , "Jillian Fennimore" , "The Bridge" , "Roy Bercaw" , "pat arcand" , "Dan Rea" , president@harvard.edu, "Martha Walz" , "Neal Alpert" Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 11:26 PM
Hi,
When did it happen that a police officer would come to your home, and NOT show his ID?
Then, when the occupant asks for name and badge #, he still refuses to ID himself, at that point, is the Cambridge Police officer following Department rules? or not?
We in Cambridge finally got a "new" police commissioner to put an end to problems like this, but we still have some officers who believe thay can get away with it. Commissioner Robert Haas has worked hard to set a fine example for the police so they know what the standards are. Sgt James Crowley has repetedly violated these standards, to the shame of the other fine officers, who don't deserve to have their fine efforts smeared by Sgt James Crowley's sociopathic behavior.
I have a good relationship with both Neal Alpert, office of the Mayor, and Police Commissioner Robert Haas.
I am also an Mass Office on Disability, MOD, trained Community Access Monitor. I regularly monitor and document Mass Arch Access Board, State Safety Code violations, and Federal Civil Rights Act of 1990, the ADA, violations, and then bring them to the attention of the City, so the City can correct the violations, voluntarily, so it isn't necessary to file complaints. Unfortunately, there are those in the City of Cambridge that do not wish to comply with the ADA. I have a good relationship with the DPW, Superintendent of Streets and Sidewalks, Bill Dwyer. I am a founding member of Citizens of Feasible Compliance, a group of citizens who believe that the City should follow both State and Federal Law, and voluntarily comply with regulations and standards.
On Nov 6, 2008, Citizens for Feasible Compliance had a meeting with the Police Commissioner Robert Haas, Deputy Superintendent Steven Williams, the police legal advisor, Neal Alpert, myself and other member of Citizens for Feasible Compliance at the office of the Police Commissioner.
One of the items on the agenda was Sgt James Crowley's behavior towards myself.
We discussed his repeted threat to have me arrested, falsly accusing me of creating a disturbance, falsley accusing me of yelling at him, and an assortment of other lies. In fact, it was Sgt James Crowley who would show up at a construction site, and demand I leave, not take photos, get into my face, screaming and yelling, schreeching, like a stereotype of a drill sgt in a "B" movie. When I would show him my ID, and explain what I was doing, and BTW, I was in contact with DPW Bill Dwyer, while they were on the way to check the contractor was complying with state safety code, when I would ID myself, Sgt Crowley would threaten me with false arrest. "I'm gonna call for a patty wagon to come and take you away."
This behavior, interferring with me while I am exercizing my civil rights, and the threat of the use of force, unlawfully, is a Colour of Law Violation.
We explained to Police Commissioner Robert Haas, that if Sgt Crowley was not disiplined, we feared he would continue to threaten others, because we did not believe his threats to me were personal. (there are witnesses)
Based on my observation, there are only a few officers in Cambridge who are problems. Sgt James Crowley is one of them, he is an unstable, cruel, sociopath.
I have always been supportive of the police, and support fully, community policing, and the bike police. However, the idea that there are no rotten apples, and that the police force should cover up for the bad actors, is not only not a good model of policing, but hurts most the reputation of the department, which then will lose the trust and support of the people.
Also, do not believe the outrageous literally fabulous story that is the police report. The arresting officer, not following rules, brushing aside civil rights laws, writes a self serving prolie report filled with lies.Please, use your common sense!
The City of Cambridge has ongoing problems complying with Federal Civil Rights Laws, as well as State Law, and the Mass state constitution, they do NOT need a rogue police officer holding them back as they seek to improve their image and move forward.
After 20 years on the force, Sgt Crowley should know that
1. When a neighbor calls that they see someone entering or B&E a neighbors house, that is NOT probabal cause to go into the house. We have had the Police Commissioner testimony In City Council on this issue.
2. When you approach a house, based on such a report, and without any evidence of a breakin, and without the occupant's call to the police, the police officer should knock, and show his ID. Clearly, Sgt Crowley didn't do that. Why not?
3. If you can reverse the colour issue for a moment, a Black Man, dressed in a Police Uniform, but alone, without another officer, knocks on the door of a white man, and demands the white man open the door, and show him ID, but refuses to ID himself. What would you do if you were the white man? Is there anyone that believes colour is not a part of this? because we do not need more denial, we need to move beyond denial.
You would't ask the man to show his Police ID? With name and badge #? Prof Gates did what any of us would do, and Sgt Crowley took issue with it, refusing to ID himself, and who knows what else Sgt Crowley said. he obviously FAILED to take control of the situation, instead he inflamed the issues. He became personally "insulted" and retaliated against an innocent man, who had committed no crime whatsoever.
4. In my opinion, the only mistake Prof Gates made was opening the door so the police officer could get in, before the Sgt IDed himself. I believe that Gates should have called Harvard police immediately.
However, the issue here is that Sgt Crowley seems to believe that he can order around ordinary citizens and threaten them with arrest, as though we were all homeless. Prof Gates, myself, and my friends and neighbors do not believe we live in a police state. We do believe that we should have police who can conduct themselves in a professional way, that does not bring shame on our City, the Department and themselves.
I will be following this up, I will testify In City Council next Monday evening, and I will make a Youtube Video on this.
In this instance Prof Gates in not the bad guy, who played the race card, but an innocent mman who had committed no crime. He was abused by this individual officer, and the City of Cambridge needs to take action, not just use words, to hold this officer accountable..
And, Oh, BTW, the City of Cambridge does NOT have a functioning police review board, could that be part of the problem, with rogue police con fident that internal complaints will whitewash their "mistakes?"
This afternoon, at 4pm, the Cambridge Police were still refusing to ID the arresting police officer. I was told they will not ID him, until they finish their investigation into who was responsible for the leak of the police report. It seems that the Cambridge Police continue to take care of themselves, instead of serving the public.
The Cambridge police should immediately release the police report, be transparent, abd understand that they are governed by the people of Cambridge, not the people are goverend by the police.
take care, folks,
Kathy Podgers
Pearl St
Cambridge, MA 02139
kathypodgers@yahoo.com
http://fromtheport.blogspot.com
Hi,
When did it happen that a police officer would come to your home, and NOT show his ID?
Then, when the occupant asks for name and badge #, he still refuses to ID himself, at that point, is the Cambridge Police officer following Department rules? or not?
We in Cambridge finally got a "new" police commissioner to put an end to problems like this, but we still have some officers who believe thay can get away with it. Commissioner Robert Haas has worked hard to set a fine example for the police so they know what the standards are. Sgt James Crowley has repetedly violated these standards, to the shame of the other fine officers, who don't deserve to have their fine efforts smeared by Sgt James Crowley's sociopathic behavior.
I have a good relationship with both Neal Alpert, office of the Mayor, and Police Commissioner Robert Haas.
I am also an Mass Office on Disability, MOD, trained Community Access Monitor. I regularly monitor and document Mass Arch Access Board, State Safety Code violations, and Federal Civil Rights Act of 1990, the ADA, violations, and then bring them to the attention of the City, so the City can correct the violations, voluntarily, so it isn't necessary to file complaints. Unfortunately, there are those in the City of Cambridge that do not wish to comply with the ADA. I have a good relationship with the DPW, Superintendent of Streets and Sidewalks, Bill Dwyer. I am a founding member of Citizens of Feasible Compliance, a group of citizens who believe that the City should follow both State and Federal Law, and voluntarily comply with regulations and standards.
On Nov 6, 2008, Citizens for Feasible Compliance had a meeting with the Police Commissioner Robert Haas, Deputy Superintendent Steven Williams, the police legal advisor, Neal Alpert, myself and other member of Citizens for Feasible Compliance at the office of the Police Commissioner.
One of the items on the agenda was Sgt James Crowley's behavior towards myself.
We discussed his repeted threat to have me arrested, falsly accusing me of creating a disturbance, falsley accusing me of yelling at him, and an assortment of other lies. In fact, it was Sgt James Crowley who would show up at a construction site, and demand I leave, not take photos, get into my face, screaming and yelling, schreeching, like a stereotype of a drill sgt in a "B" movie. When I would show him my ID, and explain what I was doing, and BTW, I was in contact with DPW Bill Dwyer, while they were on the way to check the contractor was complying with state safety code, when I would ID myself, Sgt Crowley would threaten me with false arrest. "I'm gonna call for a patty wagon to come and take you away."
This behavior, interferring with me while I am exercizing my civil rights, and the threat of the use of force, unlawfully, is a Colour of Law Violation.
We explained to Police Commissioner Robert Haas, that if Sgt Crowley was not disiplined, we feared he would continue to threaten others, because we did not believe his threats to me were personal. (there are witnesses)
Based on my observation, there are only a few officers in Cambridge who are problems. Sgt James Crowley is one of them, he is an unstable, cruel, sociopath.
I have always been supportive of the police, and support fully, community policing, and the bike police. However, the idea that there are no rotten apples, and that the police force should cover up for the bad actors, is not only not a good model of policing, but hurts most the reputation of the department, which then will lose the trust and support of the people.
Also, do not believe the outrageous literally fabulous story that is the police report. The arresting officer, not following rules, brushing aside civil rights laws, writes a self serving prolie report filled with lies.Please, use your common sense!
The City of Cambridge has ongoing problems complying with Federal Civil Rights Laws, as well as State Law, and the Mass state constitution, they do NOT need a rogue police officer holding them back as they seek to improve their image and move forward.
After 20 years on the force, Sgt Crowley should know that
1. When a neighbor calls that they see someone entering or B&E a neighbors house, that is NOT probabal cause to go into the house. We have had the Police Commissioner testimony In City Council on this issue.
2. When you approach a house, based on such a report, and without any evidence of a breakin, and without the occupant's call to the police, the police officer should knock, and show his ID. Clearly, Sgt Crowley didn't do that. Why not?
3. If you can reverse the colour issue for a moment, a Black Man, dressed in a Police Uniform, but alone, without another officer, knocks on the door of a white man, and demands the white man open the door, and show him ID, but refuses to ID himself. What would you do if you were the white man? Is there anyone that believes colour is not a part of this? because we do not need more denial, we need to move beyond denial.
You would't ask the man to show his Police ID? With name and badge #? Prof Gates did what any of us would do, and Sgt Crowley took issue with it, refusing to ID himself, and who knows what else Sgt Crowley said. he obviously FAILED to take control of the situation, instead he inflamed the issues. He became personally "insulted" and retaliated against an innocent man, who had committed no crime whatsoever.
4. In my opinion, the only mistake Prof Gates made was opening the door so the police officer could get in, before the Sgt IDed himself. I believe that Gates should have called Harvard police immediately.
However, the issue here is that Sgt Crowley seems to believe that he can order around ordinary citizens and threaten them with arrest, as though we were all homeless. Prof Gates, myself, and my friends and neighbors do not believe we live in a police state. We do believe that we should have police who can conduct themselves in a professional way, that does not bring shame on our City, the Department and themselves.
I will be following this up, I will testify In City Council next Monday evening, and I will make a Youtube Video on this.
In this instance Prof Gates in not the bad guy, who played the race card, but an innocent mman who had committed no crime. He was abused by this individual officer, and the City of Cambridge needs to take action, not just use words, to hold this officer accountable..
And, Oh, BTW, the City of Cambridge does NOT have a functioning police review board, could that be part of the problem, with rogue police con fident that internal complaints will whitewash their "mistakes?"
This afternoon, at 4pm, the Cambridge Police were still refusing to ID the arresting police officer. I was told they will not ID him, until they finish their investigation into who was responsible for the leak of the police report. It seems that the Cambridge Police continue to take care of themselves, instead of serving the public.
The Cambridge police should immediately release the police report, be transparent, abd understand that they are governed by the people of Cambridge, not the people are goverend by the police.
take care, folks,
Kathy Podgers
Pearl St
Cambridge, MA 02139
kathypodgers@yahoo.com
http://fromtheport.blogspot.com
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sgt James Crowley Should Apologise to Prof Henry Gates Jr.
Hi, here is a transcript of the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9964bHrXtA
Sgt James Crowley should apologise to Prof Henry Gates Jr.
"Sgt James Crowley, Prof Gates has asked you for an apology. Will you apologise?"
"There won't be any apology. I asked him if he will step outside, and he said "No, I will not.""
Prof Gates: "When I went to the door, he, (Sgt James Crowley,) demanded that I step outside.
Now the reason that is important, and important for all your viewers to understand,
is that you are protected without a warrent in your own home. As soon as I would have
stepped on that front porch, he could have been arrested on suspicion of B&E
and after all he was responding to a 911 call, I found out later that it had been reported that two black men with backpacks had broken into my house.
So I had to rewrite this narrative in his head, I had to identify myself, as not one of the perpetrators, but as the owner, the occupant of the house."
Look at this man, Henry Gates Jr, distinguished professor at Harvard University:
Unarmed
58 years old
5' 7" tall
150lbs
Father of two daughters, alone in his own home.
Notice the attire, polo shirt, slacks with a belt walks with a cane
Now look at Sgt James Crowley:
this ARMRD officer shows up to Prof Gates door ALONE
and FIRST demands for Gates to "STEP OUTSIDE".
He tells little Henry Gates Jr to "Step Outside."
Is that the "appropiate" police response for this circumstance?
REALLY?
You don't tell an unarmed little old man who uses a cane to
"Step Outside" the first time you see him inside of a house.
That's not "serving and protecting," that's HARASSING.
You say, "Hello sir, I just recieved a call of a break in taking place.
Might I ask if you are the resident of this home?
Can you provide any identification? Thank you"
Then you wait OUTSIDE!
You do NOT enter the house ALONE without a warrent or being invited in.
Prof Gates shows his ID card(s)
You say, "Thank you for the inconvenience."
AND YOU LEAVE
IF YOU FELT ENDANGERED BY Prof Gates (LOL)
or uncertain about the situation (in the afternoon)
WHY DID YOU ENTER HIS HOME ALONE?
AND NOT WAIT FOR BACKUP?
You DO NOT WHINE over Prof Gates exercizing his
FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN HIS OWN HOUSE
OLD PEOPLE SAY RUDE THINGS ALL OF THE TIME
It doesn't mean you arrest Old People for saying things you find "strange."
WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT OUR FREEDOMS IN AMERICA?
It is your job to serve and protect.
NOT punish people for exercizing their freedom of speech.
...nor intimidate & harass people when you arrive on a scene.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH??
SERVE AND PROTECT???
When have black cops done that to an old white man?
Would that bother you?
If these are police "standards" then
police standards have to improve.
Prof Gates was scared, Ron Paul could have been scared,
if harassed by black cops in his own home.
When you are scared, you might say things to stiffen your spine.
A HOME IS A MAN"S CASTLE
If this can happen to Skip Gates, what happens to average black men?
How are their rights protected?
This is about progress: progressing from the past
into a new dawn of racial equality.
To get there requires everyone to envision themselves
or their race in the place of another, or
UTILIZE THE GOLDEN RULE
Sgt Jim Crowley, YOU OWE PROF GATES AN APOLOGY
It's not that hard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9964bHrXtA
Sgt James Crowley should apologise to Prof Henry Gates Jr.
"Sgt James Crowley, Prof Gates has asked you for an apology. Will you apologise?"
"There won't be any apology. I asked him if he will step outside, and he said "No, I will not.""
Prof Gates: "When I went to the door, he, (Sgt James Crowley,) demanded that I step outside.
Now the reason that is important, and important for all your viewers to understand,
is that you are protected without a warrent in your own home. As soon as I would have
stepped on that front porch, he could have been arrested on suspicion of B&E
and after all he was responding to a 911 call, I found out later that it had been reported that two black men with backpacks had broken into my house.
So I had to rewrite this narrative in his head, I had to identify myself, as not one of the perpetrators, but as the owner, the occupant of the house."
Look at this man, Henry Gates Jr, distinguished professor at Harvard University:
Unarmed
58 years old
5' 7" tall
150lbs
Father of two daughters, alone in his own home.
Notice the attire, polo shirt, slacks with a belt walks with a cane
Now look at Sgt James Crowley:
this ARMRD officer shows up to Prof Gates door ALONE
and FIRST demands for Gates to "STEP OUTSIDE".
He tells little Henry Gates Jr to "Step Outside."
Is that the "appropiate" police response for this circumstance?
REALLY?
You don't tell an unarmed little old man who uses a cane to
"Step Outside" the first time you see him inside of a house.
That's not "serving and protecting," that's HARASSING.
You say, "Hello sir, I just recieved a call of a break in taking place.
Might I ask if you are the resident of this home?
Can you provide any identification? Thank you"
Then you wait OUTSIDE!
You do NOT enter the house ALONE without a warrent or being invited in.
Prof Gates shows his ID card(s)
You say, "Thank you for the inconvenience."
AND YOU LEAVE
IF YOU FELT ENDANGERED BY Prof Gates (LOL)
or uncertain about the situation (in the afternoon)
WHY DID YOU ENTER HIS HOME ALONE?
AND NOT WAIT FOR BACKUP?
You DO NOT WHINE over Prof Gates exercizing his
FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN HIS OWN HOUSE
OLD PEOPLE SAY RUDE THINGS ALL OF THE TIME
It doesn't mean you arrest Old People for saying things you find "strange."
WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT OUR FREEDOMS IN AMERICA?
It is your job to serve and protect.
NOT punish people for exercizing their freedom of speech.
...nor intimidate & harass people when you arrive on a scene.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH??
SERVE AND PROTECT???
When have black cops done that to an old white man?
Would that bother you?
If these are police "standards" then
police standards have to improve.
Prof Gates was scared, Ron Paul could have been scared,
if harassed by black cops in his own home.
When you are scared, you might say things to stiffen your spine.
A HOME IS A MAN"S CASTLE
If this can happen to Skip Gates, what happens to average black men?
How are their rights protected?
This is about progress: progressing from the past
into a new dawn of racial equality.
To get there requires everyone to envision themselves
or their race in the place of another, or
UTILIZE THE GOLDEN RULE
Sgt Jim Crowley, YOU OWE PROF GATES AN APOLOGY
It's not that hard.
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