tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post2843641085598636486..comments2023-10-17T22:56:42.784-04:00Comments on Only in The Republic of Amherst: Override is not the answer! (neither is WAR)Larry Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-9630347608951225352010-03-22T20:40:36.582-04:002010-03-22T20:40:36.582-04:00The "tools" are anonymous too Larry, so ...The "tools" are anonymous too Larry, so they shouldn't mind speaking up now, should they? Or am I wrong about that? Will I be able to find Cap'n Trick in the phone book? Or maybe on the Town Meeting member list? Or in the contact info for members of one of our town boards or committees? Just wondering what his contributions to the town might be other than Chief Petty Officer in Charge of Ridicule (with an emphasis on petty).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-40924048490218939962010-03-22T20:37:10.820-04:002010-03-22T20:37:10.820-04:00SlamSlamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-1838879109071380862010-03-22T19:31:58.306-04:002010-03-22T19:31:58.306-04:00Why would anyone "speak up" to respond t...Why would anyone "speak up" to respond to a Cowardly Anon Nitwit?Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-82250421328544077622010-03-22T19:26:37.812-04:002010-03-22T19:26:37.812-04:00So I wonder, how many of Mr. Kelley's "to...So I wonder, how many of Mr. Kelley's "tools" (as Larry likes to call folks who clamber on board someone else's coattails) actually put themselves out there to serve in volunteer positions in the town? Or do they just like to sit back and take mean spirited pot shots at folks who are actually trying to make a contribution? Speak up, I'd like to hear from you.<br /><br />FAILAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-23445530501260769752010-03-22T14:54:11.116-04:002010-03-22T14:54:11.116-04:00"I will be voting yes. As a potential School ..."I will be voting yes. As a potential School Committee member, I want as much money as possible to work with as we work to improve our schools."<br /><br /><br /><br />FAILCap'n Trick Hoodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-76756326072687098212010-03-21T23:29:53.525-04:002010-03-21T23:29:53.525-04:00But with layoffs looming everywhere, including at ...<i>But with layoffs looming everywhere, including at Amherst's biggest employer</i><br /><br />My information is good and these are going to be SIGNIFICANT layoffs....<br /><br />The likes of which Amherst has never seen before....Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-31985168870357622312010-03-21T22:57:31.110-04:002010-03-21T22:57:31.110-04:00Yeah, something like that.Yeah, something like that.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-59511919263596549632010-03-21T22:17:10.787-04:002010-03-21T22:17:10.787-04:00Time for some sweeping generalities.
First, ther...Time for some sweeping generalities. <br /><br />First, there's a huge difference in how electronically savvy the "Yes" and "No" sides are. "Yes" is headed by a former VP of worldwide marketing (Tierkel). He's used mailing lists to trumpet his cause and bring traffic multiple sites. Localocracy is a big one, and it was not coincidentally launched just before the override push (Tierkel is an advisor to that site). The dominance of the pro-overide side there is <i>supposed</i> to reflect community sentiment. In fact, I think, it more reflects a bias in Tierkel's mailing list, heavy on parents and other people likely to support an override. And it also reflects the awkwardness one inevitably feels in this town when daring to ask where all the money is going. Laugh if you want, but in Amherst, openly voicing an anti-override opinion is likely to gain you some scorn from parents and others honestly convinced that more money crucial for the well-being of the children. <br /><br />The "No More Overrides" side doesn't even have a URL or contact info on their signs-- in one way, very sensible, because they're meant to be used over and over! But I had to dig even to find out where I could get a sign, and the last I looked, that basic info isn't even posted on the "No More Overrides" (very Web 1.0) website! <br /><br />Fewer signs, nobody waving black and yellow on the corner doesn't necessarily mean a lack of support. It may just be a reluctance to get verbal abuse and scorn. But these reluctant folks still may vote "No."<br /><br />It's going to be close. But with layoffs looming everywhere, including at Amherst's biggest employer, I wouldn't bet against the "No" side just yet. Too many town salaries over $100K for people not to notice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-67206024498323278932010-03-21T21:48:33.469-04:002010-03-21T21:48:33.469-04:00Yeah, all three of them.
As real estate agents ...Yeah, all three of them. <br /><br />As real estate agents are overly fond of saying, "Location, location, location."Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-63420622526818126672010-03-21T21:11:34.268-04:002010-03-21T21:11:34.268-04:00I see little cracks starting to show in the confid...I see little cracks starting to show in the confidence here from the Town Bully.<br /><br />The spin here on Wednesday morning will be something to behold, like "I knew it all along".<br /><br />Count the number of properties in town with multiple "No More Override" signs. In other words, they had more signs than places to put them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-65630669845671010152010-03-21T19:14:23.716-04:002010-03-21T19:14:23.716-04:00Ummm...yeah.
Ricky Boy Hood, his family and you...Ummm...yeah. <br /><br />Ricky Boy Hood, his family and you. Yikes.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-32179838380327948922010-03-21T19:01:02.699-04:002010-03-21T19:01:02.699-04:00you give me a lot of credit. more than I deserve. ...you give me a lot of credit. more than I deserve. ("your" presence)<br /><br />at least the pro-overriders could attract some people who were willing to stand up for what they believe in.Actually Cowardly Nitwit Anon 5:12noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-75094427726396853382010-03-21T18:47:37.271-04:002010-03-21T18:47:37.271-04:00No, actually it's not. Nice thing about a hav...No, actually it's not. Nice thing about a having a core.<br /><br />I went through town center a few times today, and I would not call your presence a "presence."Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-998257417489712822010-03-21T18:38:25.262-04:002010-03-21T18:38:25.262-04:00Larry, you dope, I'm not saying public safety ...Larry, you dope, I'm not saying public safety concerns (like police and fire), I was referring to your bogus rationale for NO no-more-overriders in the center of town because they were afraid of what...? distracting drivers into accidents? remember? you were so concerned about the number of accidents that might be caused by people holding signs that you deferred that activity this year.<br /><br />Like trying to keep tracks of lies, it must be hard to remember all of your excuses for not having a presence.Actually Cowardly Nitwit Anon 5:12noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-14045821117745001802010-03-21T18:35:08.582-04:002010-03-21T18:35:08.582-04:00Well I think he learned his lesson from the last t...Well I think he learned his lesson from the last time I (or I should say Stan Gawle) kicked his butt on this issue.<br /><br />Although he did throw in the $50,000 in street lights snuffing, so maybe he needs another lesson.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-8049127863639389322010-03-21T18:08:38.589-04:002010-03-21T18:08:38.589-04:00Geeze Larry, that really destroys the Shaffer hold...Geeze Larry, that really destroys the Shaffer holding public safety hostage theory so popular on this blog doesn't it? But I'm sure you'll remind us of a lot of other reasons to remain distrustful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-4512985927102653462010-03-21T17:22:32.188-04:002010-03-21T17:22:32.188-04:00Actually Cowardly Nitwit Anon 5:12 PM, I'm now...Actually Cowardly Nitwit Anon 5:12 PM, I'm now told by a reliable source (and yeah, I should have remembered this) that Public Safety--one cop and two firefighters--are no longer on the cut list. <br /><br />Sooooo... if the Override passes or not, NO difference.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-6943129004990402232010-03-21T17:16:48.632-04:002010-03-21T17:16:48.632-04:00What difference does it make if I'm sure or un...What difference does it make if I'm sure or unsure? As Doris Day so once famously belted out: "Que Sera, Sera--whatever will be will be."<br /><br />The fact of the matter is THIS Override is going to lose--as well it should. <br /><br />But the other 'fact of the matter' is these "true believers" have also packed Town Meeting with their drones so it will be coming back soon enough for another go. <br /><br />And next time they will be smart enough (in an Elementary School sort of way) to make it a "menu Override."Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-30460784289118228622010-03-21T17:12:08.429-04:002010-03-21T17:12:08.429-04:00translation: not enough people to make an anti ove...translation: not enough people to make an anti override contingent. oh right- pubic safety concerns are preventing the no more override side from standing on a sidewalk with signs. I forgot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-50995011693165189252010-03-21T16:49:35.754-04:002010-03-21T16:49:35.754-04:00Translation: LarryK's not sure he's going ...Translation: LarryK's not sure he's going to winAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-84544965577848954532010-03-21T15:46:41.092-04:002010-03-21T15:46:41.092-04:00that guy i affectionately call aqualung...balding ...that guy i affectionately call aqualung...balding with long hairaqualungnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-46633879441738721712010-03-21T15:34:13.105-04:002010-03-21T15:34:13.105-04:00A tip for anyone who walks past these or other dow...A tip for anyone who walks past these or other downtown protestors/petition pushers/sign holders and does not feel like getting confrontational...if they approach you, just ask for directions to the Emily Dickinson House and that will short circuit the spiel. (Doesn't work if they know you of course.)uninformed localnoreply@blogger.com