They will deny that this computer business is a witch hunt, but we all recognize it for what it is. Most businesses have computer programs that allow them to take a look at any computer in their system anytime as long as there is a policy. I know where I work there is a policy and a system. Wareham has a policy, but I heard that they don't have the system (not very expensive from the IT guy at my place). Instead, they are spending in the thousands (it has to be. Several days just copying hard drives and then someone has to search through them. Hours of work) for this witch hunt.

This has the bos all over it. They think they are so righteous. They get away with this kind of behavior all the time. When will the insanity stop? 

You think they are trying to can the department heads who they can't find other reasons for canning them so they are witch hunting? You may be right. But what kind of a person would come to work in Wareham? We need to be sure to warn any newcomers that they have entered the gates of hell, not the gateway to the cape.

indianchief wrote:

Actually, they are showing what pieholes they really are....  some department heads requested this program years ago and they  (the powers elite) said it cost "too much money".... then it was around $3-4,000.00 now look they have probably spent 100 times more for this witch hunt!

That kind of price tag is ludicrous. Our ethically and technically challenged BOS could have legally purchased spyware for $100. Cracked copies of the same software distributes freely on the net. Root kit, anyone?

Anyone with two brain cells to rub together could have... yeah, never mind. Why give them ideas? My guess is the BOS approached the town's computer resource staff and were told to go pee up a rope. I'd like to think so, anyway.

Wouldn't it be interesting if the state law quoted by a member of the BOS was to apply to personal computers that were used for town business? (As an example; Bruce's home computer) Technically speaking, if "said" computer is utilized for town business, which is what the BOS is supposed to do, then shouldn't it be subject to the same laws and rules as a computer utilized at the police station and/or town hall?

In basic terms, shouldn't they also confiscate the hard drive off all BOS member's computers and apply the same standards??????

If not, why not?

All the more reason why we should request that the computers of all Selectmen be subject to the same search. The one thing that people keep forgetting is they are elected officials and as registered voters in this town, we have the power to direct their actions. Let's start using that power! IF they want to show a fair and equitable government, they should respectively hand over their computers to be audited.

A recall effort is useless because no one cares, that lack of caring is what got us in this mess. I think that the BOS has overstepped their bounds and I wonder if all the ES are even legal considering that they have NO jurisdiction.

iliveinazoo wrote:

A recall effort is useless because no one cares, that lack of caring is what got us in this mess.

No, that's arrogant ignorance.

I'll repeat this until I'm hoarse. The current horror show did not metastasize in a vacuum. Wareham's great unwashed, the disenfranchised majority of its voters, were shut out and ignored for so many years, they were all too easy to exploit.

Attitudes have to change.

You make a good point. But whenever someone runs against these people, they lose. My issue with all this is that if they are targeting one or two people, then that's different. Get a warrant or just get their hard drives. Making every town employee nervous is bad for good workers who happen to check email while at work or do a little banking over the lunch break. How long is this going to last waiting for the hard drives to be forensically examined? They could care less about the many good employees we have in town. If, in fact, there are a couple problems, deal with them using good management and leadership style. I know several town workers in different departments whose work was interrupted by this fiasco (so much town work is computer based, duh) and more of them are hanging around talking about this than working. Good for morale. Let's show some trust here for the people who show up every day (yes even when they are sick) to do their jobs.

Where I work, we get these occasional reminders that we should not use computers for personal use. If this was such a problem why wasn't it handled that way. Give everyone a warning and then, after waiting a fair amount of time, buy the cheap software and have random checks done by IT. That's how it is done in civilized work places and towns.  But to pay this much for a witch hunt?

Word is that the lawyers have been on hand all this time because of the sensitive files in the police department. So we are paying by the hour to have lawyers hanging around. It takes a while to download a hard drive. I also heard this will be done by Friday. So, 6 or 7 days. What a waste.

Go to the charter and look up the recall rules. It can be done. This is not Nazi Germany. We don't need ruthless dictators with over inflated egos running the place. Oh, and if they are looking on this blog to find out who we all are?? It's called freedom of speech. I don't, nor would I ever, work for this town. So I don't care. But if they are targeting town employees who look at or write on this blog to crucify, or send to their own BOS gas chamber, then maybe we need to join forces and bring in our own troops. Call your lawyers if you are employees and see where you stand. This is outrageous.

When people fear for their jobs, they do some very strange things, so I don't think any type of strike would be forthcoming. I certainly don't want to put them in jeopardy of losing their jobs.

I just got word the BOS are in Deep doo doo over the speed limit change on Maple Springs Road. It was NOT legal, and AGAIN this may cost legal fees the town cannot afford. What we need is a list of the blunders made by the BOS that have cost the town valuable income. The legal fees mount, the town is restless and they continue to thumb their noses at the taxpayers.

I'll help, but I want more facts and figures to present to the taxpayers. If I am correct, financials for the town are available for viewing (public record). If we can put together a package that details the bonehead actions of the BOS, then we can proceed with removing them. I'm not going after one or two, I want the entire BOS held responsbile. If there is a recall, then the ones who are trying to do the right thing will end up back on the board.

Another point I want to make clear. I'm not interested in replacing the current board with another board that is just as bad. We need good people that want to see this town prosper.

Last edited by Maplesprings Road Man (2009-05-28 11:58:50)

Maplesprings Road Man wrote:

Another point I want to make clear. I'm not interested in replacing the current board with another board that is just as bad. We need good people that want to see this town prosper.

Hokay, the list of horrors is regrettably easy so let's start where it's hard. Who would you vote for and never mind whether or not they're actually willing to serve?

I nominate Cindy Parola, strictly because she doesn't suffer fools. Also, Lynda Ames for the same reason and because if we don't lock her into public office, she'll move as far away from Wareham as her little legs can carry her.

I'm facing a mountain of work here but will check back this evening.

Last edited by billw (2009-05-28 12:20:39)

A strike for a municipal employee is against the law (MGL Chapter 150E).

I do not know Cindy or Lynda, but I never had a complaint when Cindy was on the BOS.

Not sure who else you have in mind MRM, but I am bewildered at who sits on the BOS who has the best interest of Wareham at heart, haven't they all proved they want nothing more than revenge?

The only hope is to don some dead president masks, an unmarked vehicle, and round all these idiots up after a meeting and put them in front of a tv repeating over and over their stupid motions and votes and comments made each week all the while with subliminal message mixed in telling them they are not worthy and need to resign!!  Never will happen, but makes this gloomy rainy morning easier to deal with thinking about it!!