tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post2273243430346875616..comments2023-10-17T22:56:42.784-04:00Comments on Only in The Republic of Amherst: Turbo Sucking at the public troughLarry Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-79768052041568524352008-07-23T16:27:00.000-04:002008-07-23T16:27:00.000-04:00Nope. She's 'Gone Like the (ill) Wind' as of 8/31...Nope. She's 'Gone Like the (ill) Wind' as of 8/31.<BR/><BR/>Yeah, maybe I'll throw a party!Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-28114410850609836652008-07-23T15:37:00.000-04:002008-07-23T15:37:00.000-04:00Larry,Don't look now but Anne Awad may have to sti...Larry,<BR/><BR/>Don't look now but Anne Awad may have to stick around a while longer as a member of the Select Board. The Gazette has an article that the Select Board is considering moving the election from Sept. 16 to Nov. 4 because of a request from Vince O'Connor.<BR/><BR/>Think Anne might retract her resignation and re-submit it with a later date, like Oct. 31?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-27560044439392316262008-07-23T13:29:00.000-04:002008-07-23T13:29:00.000-04:00Yeah, that would solve a lot of problems. I suppo...Yeah, that would solve a lot of problems. I suppose if Umass can afford to build a $50+ million Recreation Center they could afford to add Cherry Hill to their portfolio (not like its paying property taxes these days anyway).<BR/><BR/>Of course, that brings up another point LSSE would not want you to know: A "recreation business"--Golf Course, Health Club, Bowling Alley,etc--has a value of 2 maybe 3 times annual revenues.<BR/><BR/>So the $264,000 LSSE is now crowing about, gives the Cherry Hill Golf 'business' a value of under $750,000. Amherst Town Meeting paid $2.2 MILLION for it twenty years ago.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-65784882477163323542008-07-23T12:51:00.000-04:002008-07-23T12:51:00.000-04:00What is the biggest problem Amherst *thinks* it ha...What is the biggest problem Amherst *thinks* it has -- unruly UM students. What does Amherst always want -- UM to deal with Amherst citizens who happen to attend UMass.<BR/><BR/>So the IDEAL solution for Cherry Hill would be to sell it to UMass. UMass could then develop it into student housing, put a police substation down there, and create a student recreational area that isn't downtown and thus doesn't bother people....<BR/><BR/>And if you don't have 4/5/6/10 people living in a 2 bedroom apartment, you won't have all the problems that exist now.<BR/><BR/>Solve lots of problems, wouldn't it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-27144713795046981402008-07-23T11:21:00.000-04:002008-07-23T11:21:00.000-04:00First things first. Terry makes a good point, what...First things first. Terry makes a good point, what's to negotiate? Either the Parade Committee wants or does not want protesters in the parade. The Parade Committee already knows they can raise sufficient funds to run a parade. <BR/><BR/>Shaffer's offer is no more than a bribe, to buy your cooperation for his agenda, which may or may not be your agenda. <BR/><BR/>The Parade Committee knows enough to make its decision now. However, if the Parade Committee wants to allow protesters then they should get a whole lot more for it. Look at financial resources the town was prepared to provide LSSE to run the parade and start negotiation from there. You know what a parade costs because you've run seven in a row. Assume LSSE would have been provided with those funds to accomplish the job because it can't be done for less. <BR/><BR/>Shaffer has staked his reputation as a can-do manager on getting the Parade Committee to consent to protest marchers. <BR/><BR/>That's a lot of negotiating leverage for the Parade Committee. <BR/><BR/>He really low-balled you guys in his first offer. What's up with that? I don't think he respects your position, even if he did buy a round of beers and laugh at all your jokes. <BR/><BR/>Above all, the Parade Committee must be organized and agree on a direction. What is their opinion of the negotiating terms identified on the last thread?<BR/><BR/>I'd like to add another item to the list. Return the $800 he charged the Boy Scouts last winter for conducting their fundraiser in Kendrick Park. That is their money. They raised it from residents who bought their Christmas trees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-88451168343659810832008-07-23T09:47:00.000-04:002008-07-23T09:47:00.000-04:00Hey Terry,Yeah, I hit the ground running. I'm stil...Hey Terry,<BR/><BR/>Yeah, I hit the ground running. <BR/><BR/>I'm still a tad pissed (could you tell?) that I asked for the numbers on Friday and then get a phone call yesterday from the Springfield Republican for a comment on the press release issued by LSSE.<BR/><BR/>Funny thing is the Town Manager had the raw numbers (and quickly gave them to me) but did not have the idiotic propaganda release from the recreation PR wizards.<BR/><BR/>As you know I’m a big fan of public meetings. But I am no longer a Parade Committee member so it is really up to them whether the meeting with Mr. Shaffer is open or not.<BR/><BR/>If I had a vote it would be NO to his bribe offer.<BR/><BR/>Yes, Anon there’s no doubt that the DPW budget as well as LSSE has hidden costs associated with our White Elephant golf business.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-78681789451465713802008-07-23T08:58:00.000-04:002008-07-23T08:58:00.000-04:00There is probably additional golf course costs bei...There is probably additional golf course costs being added to the LSSE budget if you examine how employees are charged.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-85155970363458019642008-07-23T08:52:00.000-04:002008-07-23T08:52:00.000-04:00Hi Larry,Back so recently, and you're already ahea...Hi Larry,<BR/><BR/>Back so recently, and you're already ahead of me.<BR/><BR/>I was intending to comment on the previous post, and now we're on to the golf course. But, back to the past, if I may, with my 2 cents....<BR/><BR/>At the Select Board meeting, I had my doubts as to the wisdom -- if only for reasons of public relations -- of no one from the parade committee showing up to discuss things. But if there are to be discussions, that is the forum for it. Off the record negotiations -- well, I fell into that trap once with Barry -- and never again. Larry S is a public official, and everything he says should be in front of the press. <BR/><BR/>(I can't testify to this myself -- but I've heard he is often less than truthful -- all the *more* reason for making sure what he says is on the record.)<BR/><BR/>Even when he seems open and positive, I get this feeling I ought to check my wallet. <BR/><BR/>What is to be gained from a chat over beer? You have already won the whole thing. Giving up half of it in exchange for a beer, a handshake, and a friendly word, isn't a good deal.<BR/><BR/>It's true he asked you to betray your principles for a bribe. It's not even a good bribe! (I'm assuming the $1500 breaks down as: $1200 -- police detail<BR/>$300 -- insurance)<BR/>Anyone who fights him over the police detail, on First Amendment grounds, already has a high probability of winning. And the town's insurance company will probably forbid the throwing of candy to children.<BR/><BR/>Terry FranklinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com