#1 2009-10-02 21:40:42
Today, I received my October copy of THE SENIOR BEACON. This boring little newsletter is published by the Wareham Council on Aging, and it is funded by a mix of public monies, grants and advertisers. It has a very large circulation-possibly a thousand copies - that are distributed to the senior centers, restaurants, doctors’ offices and other public places. In the past, it has listed relevant info for seniors-such as menus, travel tips, bingo games, etc: I usually tape my copy to the refrigerator for reference. Today, I went scrambling to the phone for more details.
As everyone knows, Liz Pezzoli is now working for the COA. Logically, she was asked to help put together the Senior Beacon. This has ALWAYS been an apolitical newsletter. In the October issue Liz has added two political pleas to senior voters. I quote directly.
Page 1 Need A Ride To Town Meeting?---------------------------------------”An item that might be of special interest to seniors is Article 2 on the town meeting warrant. It seeks clearance for the town to move ahead with a proposed affordable housing rental property for those over 65. without a yes vote on the article, the project cannot move ahead.”
Page 4 Senior Housing At Town Meeting! “Of special interest to those over 55 is Article 2 on the annual fall Town meeting warrant to be aired on October 26 in the high school auditorium. Without support on the article, selectmen cannot proceed with their plans to build over-55 affordable senior housing at Westfield on Charlotte Furnace Road in West Wareham . The vote is critical and “yes” vote would help many seniors living here. Presently there are over 200 residents whose names are on the waiting list for senior housing managed by the Wareham Housing Authority at Redwood and Agawam. Just think, no leaves to rake, no snow to shovel. That’s worth getting out for the evening!”
Even if Marcia and Liz receive a slap on the wrist for advocating for Westfield, the damage is done.
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#2 2009-10-02 21:53:03
this is not a Housing authotity development and the people on the waiting list will not be first on the list for westfield. To date I have not seen any support from the housing Authority for this project. The stimulus package targeted housing authority developments for up dates in the heating and insulation has Wareham taken advantage of this money ???.
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#3 2009-10-02 21:58:25
gogatemen wrote:
Presently there are over 200 residents whose names are on the waiting list for senior housing managed by the Wareham Housing Authority at Redwood and Agawam. Just think, no leaves to rake, no snow to shovel. That’s worth getting out for the evening!”
Even if Marcia and Liz receive a slap on the wrist for advocating for Westfield, the damage is done.
Excuse my old English, but that's fucking nasty. Worse yet, you'll notice the Selectmen have scheduled no public BOS meetings for Oct, between now and Town Meeting, to answer for crap like this.
Wareham Meetings Calendar
Last edited by billw (2009-10-02 22:40:56)
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#4 2009-10-02 22:50:12
This is yet another example of the COA and whomever using a government agency to spew partisan politics. How can they even begin to consider themselves proud of what they are doing? This shouldn't be allowed.
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#5 2009-10-03 04:06:00
Thanks gogatemen, get the facts here folks. There is no way I would have learned this except from here. Thanks to you & BillW.
Who Has No Shame?
gogatemen wrote: Today, I received my October copy of THE SENIOR BEACON. This boring little newsletter is published by the Wareham Council on Aging, and it is funded by a mix of public monies, grants and advertisers. It has a very large circulation-possibly a thousand copies - that are distributed to the senior centers, restaurants, doctors’ offices and other public places. In the past, it has listed relevant info for seniors-such as menus, travel tips, bingo games, etc:
October's "THE SENIOR BEACON"
"An item that might be of special interest to seniors is Article 2 on the town meeting warrant. It seeks clearance for the town to move ahead with a proposed affordable housing rental property for those over 65. without a yes vote on the article, the project cannot move ahead.”
Senior Housing At Town Meeting! “Of special interest to those over 55 is Article 2 on the annual fall Town meeting warrant to be aired on October 26 in the high school auditorium. Without support on the article, selectmen cannot proceed with their plans to build over-55 affordable senior housing at Westfield on Charlotte Furnace Road in West Wareham . The vote is critical and “yes” vote would help many seniors living here. Presently there are over 200 residents whose names are on the waiting list for senior housing managed by the Wareham Housing Authority at Redwood and Agawam. Just think, no leaves to rake, no snow to shovel. That’s worth getting out for the evening!”
If they can't see the problem with this they're blind.
PShooter
Last edited by PShooter (2009-10-03 04:06:31)
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#6 2009-10-03 05:33:53
does that fat bitch liz want a free apt. at the new place along with her free oil , what a lazy bastard. what a useless piece of garbage is fat liz.
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#7 2009-10-03 08:42:57
This seems to me to be a blatant attempt to influence a public vote. They are now obviously using a public department funded by public money to promote a political campaign. I believe there are laws about using any public department, computer, phone line etc etc to influence the outcome of a public vote. Town meeting is a public vote. If anyone has a copy of that article I believe it should be sent immediately to the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the District Attorney immediately.
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#8 2009-10-03 08:53:53
I would suggest the following, to fight fire with fire.
A group of you, with literature in hand that you have been passing out, get dressed in your TAKE BACK WAREHAM t-shirts, with a large donation of donuts and travel to the senior centers that have the bingo games and other gatherings to introduce yourselves and educate the seniors about the REAL issues that are taking place in Wareham.
It will be a very good day.
One day is all.
The next day there will be such an outcry and gnashing of the teeth about soliciting senior citizens that it will all come to a crashing halt.
However, political comments in their news letter will have to come to a halt as well.
The damage that you do will overcome the damage the other side did.
Don't forget...there are people on this site that are very well connected to the senior citizens community.
If you do it, do it quickly before someone attempts to stop you before you start.
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#9 2009-10-03 09:22:51
Actually, Dan if we can wait a week I will have entered my 80th year so I'll have another oak cluster on my Geezer Campaign ribbon ! That'll impress 'em!
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#10 2009-10-03 09:29:20
They would welcome you now, Dick...you'll be the youngest guy there!!
In Florida, you are just a baby.
I can't begin to tell you how many people I have met over the years here in Florida that are in their late ninety's and play golf three or four times a week, swim in the Gulf every day they can, and are active and healthy.
It helps when the sun shines 365 a year!!
But, you would be the perfect man to distribute the donuts and information to these folks. They will trust you and relate to you. That's what they are missing now.
Happy Birthday in a week...you old geezer!!
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#11 2009-10-03 09:55:46
Dick Wheeler wrote:
Actually, Dan if we can wait a week I will have entered my 80th year so I'll have another oak cluster on my Geezer Campaign ribbon ! That'll impress 'em!
happy early 80th!!!!!!
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#12 2009-10-03 10:11:24
Gogateman is right. Maybe Marcia will get a slap on the wrist but I doubt ITA will say anything. You have to remember it was Larry Gaines who suggested Liz sign up for the program and had Marcia hire her from the program. I thought initially when she was placed at the library it was just an in your face kind of strategy, just to piss people off.
Maybe Larry wanted her hired so she could write the Beacon. The clerk that use to write the Beacon quit so the slot was open. I know for a fact that Larry Gaines has asked many times if he could write a section in the Beacon, he was always turned down. Now he has someone writing the whole thing. This could become Liz’s new Observer. The Beacon had a strict format; it was always the same all you had to do was fill in the blanks. The only things mentioned about Town Meeting were the free rides to Town Meeting. I think this is a very slippery slope. Although not blatant, very subtle articles could start appearing. Remember these Beacons go to doctors offices. Think how many people go in and out of a doctor’s office everyday.
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#13 2009-10-03 10:14:04
Dick Wheeler wrote:
Actually, Dan if we can wait a week I will have entered my 80th year so I'll have another oak cluster on my Geezer Campaign ribbon ! That'll impress 'em!
You are so amazing to me! I just want you to know that you serve as a role model to me. I appreciate everything you do!
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#14 2009-10-03 10:23:51
well.. im speechless.... paul shooter and bruce both said there is only 1 way to deal with a bully and i am thinking they are right...to our elected officalls and ita this all seems like a game they are playing...maybe we should play their game only better...?
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#15 2009-10-03 11:56:59
gogatemen ty.. here is the lkink to the senior beacon oct 09 issue...
http://www.seniorpublishing.com/system/ … 0_2009.pdf
Last edited by LIZdaGNOME (2009-10-03 19:57:57)
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#16 2009-10-03 15:56:01
I found the link and document on the other thread. Thanks Liz. here's the link again.
http://www.seniorpublishing.com/system/ … 0_2009.pdf
PShooter
Last edited by PShooter (2009-10-03 16:57:52)
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#17 2009-10-03 17:28:10
Cat Lady, let me be the first to congratulate you on your new job as Editor of the Senior Beacon. Yes, you used to publish your own newspaper printed on actual newsprint, whereas now you put out a photocopied hand-out for old folks, and oh how the mighty have fallen. But who cares? At least you have a new place to write your crap.
And Cat Lady, just remember, don't make the same mistake twice! Fool me once, shame on me, you know the rest. If a fast talking leather jacket wearing flim flammer comes in and tries to talk you into letting him be your Senior Beacon partner, JUST SAY NO!!!!
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#18 2009-10-03 18:14:44
Uhoh.....I think our State government might have something to say about this :)
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#19 2009-10-03 18:30:37
BREAKING NEWS: Bobo and Paul Coyle are now co-owners of the Senior Beacon. In a related story, the Cat Lady now gets double the light bulbs.
DISCLAIMER: Parody.
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#20 2009-10-03 19:55:07
marny wrote:
Gogateman is right. Maybe Marcia will get a slap on the wrist but I doubt ITA will say anything. You have to remember it was Larry Gaines who suggested Liz sign up for the program and had Marcia hire her from the program. I thought initially when she was placed at the library it was just an in your face kind of strategy, just to piss people off.
Maybe Larry wanted her hired so she could write the Beacon. The clerk that use to write the Beacon quit so the slot was open. I know for a fact that Larry Gaines has asked many times if he could write a section in the Beacon, he was always turned down. Now he has someone writing the whole thing. This could become Liz’s new Observer. The Beacon had a strict format; it was always the same all you had to do was fill in the blanks. The only things mentioned about Town Meeting were the free rides to Town Meeting. I think this is a very slippery slope. Although not blatant, very subtle articles could start appearing. Remember these Beacons go to doctors offices. Think how many people go in and out of a doctor’s office everyday.
Only disagree with one thing. Marny and everyone else.......Liz Pezzoli was NEVER hired to work at the library. That I know is true.
Larry Gaines may have had a hand in Liz's working with the COA, I don't know but it sure sounds like it. Even if the Beacon writer quit and Liz was asked to fill in, she overstepped her bounds again. Who is she answerable to? Who is Gaines answerable to? Who has the final say of what is written in the Beacon? Does anyone? If this is funded, even partially, by town or state or federal funding, she just broke the law. Even just printing only one article that will be heard and voted on at town meeting without the entire list for town meeting, is singling this article to be the main focus of our seniors and anyone else that may read it.
Never, ever does a reporter take a side. I would almost bet $ that the ITA will do nothing about this to Marcia or Liz. This is exactly what they want the seniors in Wareham to believe. How do you correct the damage that has been done. Do we have the COA, ITA print an apology of the one sided message given to them in the Beacon and delivered every where the Beacon has been. Impossible to do, what with dr's offices and restaurants handing them out randomly. The only positive thing to do would have to take place at the actual town meeting and that will never fly. Someone should read the article out loud and have two people explain the pros and cons. Then it could be debated and voted on. We have to try harder to reach our voters with the facts about how the land has already been voted on by the townspeople in 1977. Even if every i and t weren't dotted and crossed by the selectmen or whoever was supposed to do it, the majority of the town meeting voters made it known what was to done with that land. Affordable senior housing was not on the list. I do believe that Liz's position is paid from a fed. grant. I feel bad for the poor, misinformed seniors - that they should be worrying about something like this.
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#21 2009-10-03 20:32:14
Born… Marcia has to give the final approval before the Beacon goes to print. I would assume Liz has to answer to Marcia since Marcia is the one who gave her the assignment of writing the Beacon. Larry doesn’t answer to anyone. He is a member of the board of the COA who are supposed to stay out of the day to day business of the COA. But he continues to stick his nose in everything. Two or three different people have told me he is in charge of marketing for the COA. I don’t know if this is official but they say he is doing all the marketing.
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#22 2009-10-04 05:11:09
I have some questions. Is 55 considered a senior citizen? In the article in the warrant does it specify that older citizens will be guarantied a number of sites? Does it guaranty that the site will only go to Wareham citizens? Is it possible if this passes, in some far fetched way, that it could end up housing people who are all 55 years old and from other towns?
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#23 2009-10-04 06:57:44
I don't know if this will help answer some of your questions, ob19, but here's the Article:
ARTICLE 2
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen, pursuant to G.L. c. 40, s.15A , to lease the care and custody of the real property and improvements thereon known as Westfield Site, more specifically located at Charlotte Furnace Road, consisting of 18.5 acres, more or less, and identified on Wareham Assessor's Map 105, Parcel 1001 and Assessors’ Map 105A, Parcels 107 through 130 and Parcels 162 through 175 and Parcels 198 through 213 and Parcels 215 through 221 and Parcels 229 through 238 and Parcels 259 through 287, and described in the instrument recorded with the Plymouth District Registry of Deeds in Book 4314, Page 189, said portion containing 24.49 acres, more or less, being the premises shown as Westfield Overall Plan surveyed by G.A.F Engineering on May 11, 2006, to be placed under the Selectmen’s care and custody for the purposes of continuing and expanding the use of the parcel for affordable senior rental housing and further, to authorize the Board of Selectmen, if the Board of Selectmen so vote, to lease or convey said property and improvements for the purposes of improving, expanding and the perpetual management of the property for affordable rental housing pursuant to the requirements of G.L. c.40, s.3 and G.L. c.30B, et seq. and upon terms and conditions acceptable to the Board of Selectmen and pursuant to the authority granted the Board of Selectmen by G.L. c.44, s.55C , and further, that if the Board of Selectmen is to lease for a maximum of 99 years said property, that lease be subject to the prior placement of a restriction on said property, including but not limited to that found at G.L. c.184, ss.31-33, ensuring that all dwelling units constructed thereon be restricted for affordable housing purposes in perpetuity; or take any other action thereon or to do or act in any manner relative thereto.
Inserted by the Board of Selectmen
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#24 2009-10-04 07:41:25
Thank you PShooter. This not only goes against the deeded use of the land, I believe this does not guaranty how much of the housing the seniors will get. Having anything placed under the care and custody of the existing selectmen is scary.
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#25 2009-10-04 08:27:06
onboard19 wrote:
I have some questions. Is 55 considered a senior citizen? In the article in the warrant does it specify that older citizens will be guarantied a number of sites? Does it guaranty that the site will only go to Wareham citizens? Is it possible if this passes, in some far fetched way, that it could end up housing people who are all 55 years old and from other towns?
55+ is considered senior...
the bos have put a wareham resident for 1 year or a graduate of wareham high clause in the plans but legal counsel hadnt said if these were legal or not..
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#26 2009-10-04 08:31:09
onboard19 wrote:
Thank you PShooter. This not only goes against the deeded use of the land, I believe this does not guaranty how much of the housing the seniors will get. Having anything placed under the care and custody of the existing selectmen is scary.
also if you not in th article is say "to lease or CONVEY"..... CONVEY meaning sell wareham will lose that property forever.....every generation from here on out will have lost 25 acres of public land....
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#27 2009-10-04 09:14:41
I'm not sure the BOS can limit who can get into the senior housing if federal money is used especially HUD money. In some senior housing anyone who qualifies for low income housing can put there name on the list but residents are given preference. In other words you could put your name on the list but if there is a person from Wareham on the list they can jump ahead of you. I'm not sure how the Housing Authority here works I can give them a call Monday to find out. The Housing Authority said that there were 272 people on the waiting list but I don't think all of them are from Wareham. As I said earlier I don't think you can restrict who lives there if federal money is used but I'm not 100% sure. I'll do some research and see if I can find the guidelines.
I think some people are getting confused the Westfield article isn't about whether you approve or don't approve of senior housing. It's about changing the use of the land.
Last edited by marny (2009-10-04 09:44:57)
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#28 2009-10-04 09:38:59
Something smells rotten. It's sad when finding loop holes in the law and misusing power become the norm.
Thank you, to all the hard working people on this site. I'm not completely hopeless but the value of your help cannot be measured.
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#29 2009-10-04 09:51:09
onboard19 wrote:
Something smells rotten. It's sad when finding loop holes in the law and misusing power become the norm.
Thank you, to all the hard working people on this site. I'm not completely hopeless but the value of your help cannot be measured.
thank you we are all in this for WAREHAM....
MARNY IS RIGHT.. this article is about changing the deed restrictions NOT senior/affordable housing..
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#30 2009-10-04 14:12:13
marny wrote:
I think some people are getting confused the Westfield article isn't about whether you approve or don't approve of senior housing. It's about changing the use of the land.
Marny, this is an excellent point, and that confusion has been propagated by the very people who should be helping us to understand this, and all, of the Articles, the elected officials.
VOTE NO ON ARTICLE 2 VOTE NO ON WESTFIELD
PShooter
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#31 2009-10-04 14:30:32
Pshooter Everyone I talk to thinks the Westfield Article is about approving or not approving senior housing. Most of the people I talk to are seniors. There is a tremendous amount of confusion out there. When I mention that the word CONVEY is in the article which means the selectman can do anything they want with the land they are shocked. Heck they could sell the land to anyone and we wouldn’t have any control over what was built.
Last edited by marny (2009-10-04 14:31:23)
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#32 2009-10-04 14:32:38
marny wrote:
Pshooter Everyone I talk to thinks the Westfield Article is about approving or not approving senior housing. Most of the people I talk to are seniors. There is a tremendous amount of confusion out there. When I mention that the word CONVEY is in the article means the selectman can do anything they want with the land they are shocked. Heck they could sell the land to anyone and we wouldn’t have any control over what was built.
exactly my point.... thats land 24+ acres will be lost forever to our future generations not just a 99 years lease..
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#33 2009-10-04 15:03:10
Donuts and t-shirts???
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