Yes please continue insight into Wareham's history would be helpful. My question is this. It seems that you have been in Florida since 79'. Knowing what happened then is good but do you have a take on things that have happened from 1979 to present as well??

I would love to read about the towns history. I think with this group of bloggers, maybe they'll be a change.

However, I have one question for you....

Wasn't it you that wrote a letter to the editor in the Wareham observer praising their coverage of Wareham? I distictly remember a former selectman residing in FL doing so.

I'm not asking to discredit you, I hoping that your here because you saw the rag paper for what it was.

Last edited by commonsense (2009-07-03 17:01:29)

Thanks for your honesty. I look forward to your future posts.

I won't be picking on anyone. I will only be telling the facts. If I have some thing bad to say to someone, I say it to their face. I guess that's the Marine in me. Like I have stated, I don't run, and I don't hide. I am never afraid of debate, and have never lost one. Why? Because I deal in facts. Period. There is an old expression that I love...Don't let your mouth write a check that your ass can't cash. You don't spend as many years as I have being a talk show host on TV and Radio if you allow someone to destroy your credibility.
I never deal in personalities. Only facts.

pink panther ,i do suport a recall they should be tar and feathered and thrown out on there colletive asses , they are stupi ,mean aned vindictive , bruce could not even run a pizza joint , they belong in jail.

On this beautiful Independance Day let's remember that our forefathers fought and died so we could be free. The board that was recalled in the 1980's was "guilty" of far lesser offenses. Recall is a part of democracy. Speaking of which, I hope the national democratic party knows that based on the behavior of the local one I will not cast a ballot for a democrat again in my life.

Zoo--if you judge ALL democrats by the ones in office in Wareham, isn't that a form of prejudice? You know--pre-judging people because of a group or affiliation?  That's what racism and bigotry is based on, and I don't think you would fit into that category.

You should vote for people based on your own views, beliefs, etc. In local politics in Wareham, parties were never really a consideration. If I named you 10 former selectmen, I would bet that most people wouldn't be able to tell you their party. So, isn't it better to keep an open mind when we are looking for local politicians? We the people should vote for selectmen who will follow the will of the people. That is not happening now.

When we vote down articles three and four times....guess what? That's the will of the people. Yet the word is, we are going to go another round on the nitrogen and earth removal articles in October and I'm sure Westfield,  that we voted down at least twice that I remember, is ready to go again. Elected officials work for US. We Passed the bdod, but the bos are not exactly welcoming Makepeace's business development which was the point of passing the bdod. I could mention many other items that town meeting voted against or for that have been ignored. Where is the will of the people in Wareham? Watch the fireworks tonight and remember, we the people have a right to be heard, and to be listened to!

TO DANOCONNEL THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH WAREHAM GOV  AND A LOT OF INFIGHTING  , THE   DECADE OF THE 1990, S  WERE NOT BAD, BUT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING AS BAD AS IT IS NOW , THERE IS CORUPITION IN THE TOWN OF WAREWHAM , THEY ALL HAVE TO BE RECALLED EXCEPT CRUZ AS HE JUST GOT ELECTED, ANS AS FAR AS YOU GETTING INFO FROM THE RAG , SLAGER IS THE BIGGEST LIAR THAT EVER WALKED THE  EARTH.

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Last edited by Hamatron5000 (2009-07-04 19:47:29)

these are my sentments exactley, and i did not go to the fire works , i boycoted them i cant see haveing them and laying off people  , maybe  john and jane will come down and sweep . johe donahue ruined this town many years ago when he was selling abatments for votes and now he is makeing a comeback and a lot of people forgot, and why i like the library , jane leaned on  pacheco to have the library recertified when it should not have been, the library director voted with her feet out the door,DO YOU KNOW THAT THEY WERE TOLD THEY COULD NOT TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONERAT THE LIBRARY FROM SANDQUIST, WHO GETS HIS MARCHING  ORDERS FROM BROCTON BRENDA. WELL AT THE SAME TIME THAT GOD FORSAKEN SANDQUIST SITS WITH HIS FAT ASS IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM.        THIS IS THE SAME SADQUIST WHO HAS APPLIED AT OTHER TOWNS RECENTLY FOR TA AND WAS  QUICKLY SHOWN THE DOOR.                                 PACHECO. BARNEY FRANK,AND KERRY ARE ALL BAD NEWS , AND TO MOLLEY I CAN TELL YOU ARE A LIBRARY SUPORTER AND SO AM I BUT IT IS NOT PREDJUDICE NOT TO VOTE FOR THESE GUYS , THEY HAVE BEEN IN TO LONG THESE GUYS ARE ASS HOLES, PLAIN AND SIMPLE AND THEY DONT GIVE A RATS ASS ABOUT WAREHAMS PLITE,     THERE IS AN ECONOMIC SOWNTURN IN THE COUNTRY AND THESE SELECTMEN HAVE USED THIS DOWNTURN TO SETTLE OLS SCORES.                                               WHY THEY FORCE OUT BELL ON COUNCIL ON AGEING AND CUT HER PAY AND PAYED THE NEW DIRECTOR MORE , WHY DID THEY PAY THE EDIC DERCTOR MORE THAN THE LAST ONE AND WHY DID THAY CUT THE PAY OF SUSAN 25% ONLY TO ADERVERTISE THE NEW LIBRARY DIRECTORS JOB FOR AT LEAST 40% MORE THAN WHAT SUSAN GOT WHWN SHE WAS THERE 20 YEARS  AND THIS NEW LIBRARY DIRECTOR WOULD BE JUST STARTING OUT, I PREDICT THEY WILL HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING A DIRECTOR IN WAREHAM .

THE CAPE VERDEAN FESTIVAL IS A GOOD THING BUT DONT GO THERE AFTER NITE WITH THE BARS OPEN  THERE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH POLICE PRESENCE AND I WOULD FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. PREVIOUS SELECTMEN CLOSED THE BARS AT 6 00 NOT THESE GUYS AND IF I WERE A POLICEMAN GET THE BLUE FLU AND CALL IN SICK , YOU ALL REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BARS A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN THE BARS WERE KEPT OPEN PAST  6 00.

THESE ARE THE MOST INCOMPEDENT SELECTMEN I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE AND THERE LEADER  BRUCE COULD NOT EVEN RUN A PIZZA JOINT , HOW CAN YOU HAVE A GOOD PIZZA JOINT WHEN YOU STICK A PLASTIC FORK INTO A KIDS HAND T HAT YOU ARE SERVING ORWHEN A COUSTMER COMPLAINS THERE IS PLASTIC IN HIS GRINDER YOU DONT JUST MAKE HIM A NEW ONE , YOU REACH IN WITH YOUR HANDS AND PULL OUT THE PLASTIC AND SLAP THE GRINDER  BACK DOWN ON THE COUNTER AND SAY HERE ,  HIS COUSTOMER BASE DWINDLED WITH THERE SHITY SERVICE AND VOTED WITH THERE FEET TO PAPA GINOS , BUT IN EAREHAM WE GET SHIT ASS SERVICE WE HAVE NO PLACE TO GO , WE  DONT HAVE ANY PLACE TO VOTE WITH ARE FEET  UNLESS WE MOVE OUT OF TOWN AND I HAVE LIVED IN THIS TOWN A LOT LONGER THAN  THESE CROOKS , THEY HAVE TO GO FIRST, ITS EITHER THEM OR ME AND IT AIINT GOINY TO BE ME , I WAS HERE FIRST AND I WANT WAREHAM THE WAY IT USED TO BE  WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR THE WAREHAM WE WANT , WE DONT HAVE TO BE AFRAID  WE HAVE TO RECALL THESE ASSHOLES  CANDIDATES HAVE TO STEP UP FOR THE FIGHT IF WE WANT TO SAVE WAREHAM , I KNOW IT WILL BE HARD WHAT WITH THAT SLAGER CRAPING ON YOUR PRADE BEFORE YOU EVEN BET STARTED  , WE ALL HAVE TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITORS  ,THE SELECTMEN HAVE SHIT ON US FAR TO LONG , I FOR ONE WANT TO CHASE THEM OUT WITH PITCH FORKS.

It is outrageous if the ITA has denied airconditioning in the libraary and all other town offices have AC.  Maybe now that Susan has left, they will stop their childish vendetta.  Emotionally secure individuals recognize what a sad day it is for Wareham now that Susan has moved on. They will not find a smarter and more dedicated individual who will care for both the town and the library.

I noticed too that for all the complaints about town employee salaries, new salaries are just as high or higher.

Mr. O'Connell,
You are definetly a generous man to share your knowledge of the history of Wareham.  In 2000, I stepped back onto Wareham soil - many years after two especially happy experiences: 1) as an 8 yr old on a week's vacation from Brockton in the late 40's and 2) as a graduating senior after my HS Field Day.

I regret ever having a delusion of building a summer family homestead in Wareham for my growing family scattered around the country.  I was attacked on all fronts.  No decent person could imagine that in this Country - or any democracy - that the magnitude of corruption and irresponsibility could be not only tolerated but accepted as the "norm".

Is it true that about half of the property owners in Wareham are seasonal residents?  Most of these folks are not allowed to vote during Town meeting, at all.  In Connecticut and some other States, subscribing to Town Government System,  property owners can vote on BUDGET ARTICLES.  In Mass, this privilege is permitted  - if adopted by Charter.  Wareham may have more responsible government and administration if the people who pay the bills have a stronger voice.  Wareham has "Taxation without Representation".  How about the Boston Tea party? Have we also forgotten that part of our History?

John Adams and our other forefathers risked all they had to ensure against the very things that are happening in Wareham.  The Selectman are violating the BIRTHRIGHT of all its citizens.

Mr. O'Connell,

Please share your memories and knowledge of the history of this beautiful community.  I understand that problem spots of Onset, Swifts Beach and the other beach colonies had great influxes from the Cities starting in the early 20's.  The summer folks were a major part of the community - many settling permanently or retiring to their renovated seasonal homes for the summer and spending the winters in the South.

Obviously you still care about the Wareham Community.

To Waterview...Thank you for your kind response. I can recall that when I was a Selectman, I would counsel summer residents who owned property in Wareham to split thier voting rights. In other words, if folks came from other parts of Mass. or any other State, I would recommend that the wife register to vote in their "home" Town, and the husband register to vote in Wareham. I don't believe there was a minimum residency requirement then. If you owned property, even though it wasn't what you and I would call a homestead, you were allowed to register to vote and of course attend Town Meeting. In fact, in those days, we reserved the balcony of the Town Hall Auditorium for the spouses of folks I described and others who wished to watch the proceedings but could not speak or vote .There were times that the Town Meeting members voted to allow some people to speak from the balcony.
Consider that if you are not yet registered to vote in Wareham. Yes, I still care for Wareham. It was were I was born and raised and spent 33 years. I loved it then, I love it now. I am sad about what is happening, but, I really believe that there are some very fine people out there, like you and others who visit this site, that can learn from the past and adapt to the present. I believe that with forums like this, the chances of resolving Town issues are a 100 times greater than when I was in office.
It's not the fight that's important..it's how you fight the fight.
There is no greater weapon, especially against a Politician, than knowledge.
Thanks again for your kind words. I am going to decide over this weekend if I will write the history of Wareham/Onset. I have been pleased by the responses I have received, and if I continue to hear such positive responses I feel compelled to write the story as I remember it, and to share some very interesting things with the viewers and members of this site.

Mr. O'Connell,

I feel that the seasonal people are not aware of their rights.  They could be a valuable
asset to the community- as in Florida - as volunteers, committee members, and active participants who have knowlege and experience.  Some of these older citizens may help restore a standard of conducting Town business in a professional and ethical manner without the lawyers and infighting and big city politics.

Looking forward to your history.  You may find that other people will come forward and contribute to your effort. If people want to contribute do you have an email address?

I have never had the pleasure of meeting you, but i recall reading your "Letter to the Editor" from a couple of years ago.  There was no contact information.  I will contact you through your email address within the week.

I still very much hope you begin to write your memories. Even if some of the stuff is bad. If it helps to allow some of us who may not be sure of how we got to where we our now ,so that we may change our future then it needs to be told. Mabey a weekly series from you covering different periods going back as far as you can remember? I am looking very forward to seeing what you have to say.