Hmm, I wonder where they got the Pizza

Newburyport is represented nicely in a post on this blog, "No Stranger Land." Two recent college grads are walking across the country.

As an added bonus, the post ends in my hometown. The school profiled didn't existing during my day. But it's nice to know the accents haven't changed (check the video.) It's also nice to see the two hikers seemed to overcome their initial trepedation over the visit.

As for the pizza, I'm guessing Average Joe's.


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R-E-S-P-...oh Forget it.

During the first mayoral debate last fall when all five pre-primary candidates participated, Gardiner Bacon, the high school senior who sought to be be King, kicked butt at the start.

He was articulate. His answers showed thought, humor and originality. Folks in the crowd actually began to believe. He still wasn't going to win, but he had a chance of not getting his doors blown off as he ultimately did.

Then came a question about the landfill. Bacon offered an admirable, but ill-advised approach for someone running for office. He suggested he would treat New Ventures with respect, with the idea being they, in turn, would do the same, maybe.

That was it. He lost the crowd (and me.) The air rushing out of his candidacy was audible. Bacon once again looked like a naive high school student who was better off going to college and living the the "real world." Voters prefer a little table pounding.

But what about constituents? I think we'd prefer results. It seems to me the City Council and the actual Mayor, John Moak, must find a way to work with New Ventures. It's always easier for chest-pounders and fist-pumpers on the sidelines to call for war, but it's toughter to fight one.

Face it, the city signed a bad deal a few years back. I'm not sure there is a clean way out. The secret negotiations between New Ventures and the state isn't a good sign. If there was any chance of breaking out of this deal, our city officials would be in the loop on these dicussions. They seem largely loopless.

So I've grown to appreciate the slow and steady approach we've seen from the mayor and council so far. This issue certainly warrants a separate meeting--as we'll get on Monday night. And the neighborhood group representing the victims abutting the landfill should be an integral part of that hearing as they will need to live with whatever "we"--meaning our elected officials--decide.

I still firmly believe the city shouldn't agree to anything without knowing the big picture. And I agree completely with the abutters who spoke at last night's council meeting. I actually went to the meeting to watch a good ole fashioned tongue lashing, but they really impressed me with their measured and reasonable statements. I expected more yelling and hysterics, but they stayed on message and advocated for the best possible resolution. I'm not sure I would have been as composed.

So let's hear what New Ventures wants. Let's see what the state says, and then let's make the best deal--including any bonding or side funds that will cover our behinds--to close the landfill properly. I'm not sure respect comes into play at this point, but you don't always have to respect someone to work with them.



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Who Loves a Parade

Had an interesting conversation with a friend who knows his way around local Memorial Day parades. It's his opinion that relatively few people attend Newburyport's Memorial Day parade while others--like Amesbury--draw quite well.

I'll fess up. I didn't go. In fact, I forgot there was a parade until I was driving down Green Street and saw smatterings of folks gathering on either side. So if there is a problem I suppose I'm part of it.

I don't really have a legitimate excuse for not going. We were committed to doing yard work all day, and we did just that. Again, we didn't actively choose not to go. We simply didn't know of the alternative.

Ari Herzog did go, and he reports on his experiences in his blog along with some nice photos. According to his account, he only noticed four city councillors marched in the parade. (My friend had offered a similar observations.)

(Update: Peter McClelland has photographic evidence of a wider councillor showing. I'd be surprised by a massive no-show of councillors. I'm guessing viewing them was just a timing thing.)

I'm happy that friend, neighbor and ward 4 councillor Ed Cameron was one of them, but his appearance doesn't get me off the hook. I voted for him to represent me in city government, not parades.

Honestly, I didn't grow up connecting Memorial Day to honoring our veterans. No one in my immediate family served in the military (although my grandfather did survive the sinking of his commercial vessel, which was torpedoed by a German U-Boat off the shores of New Jersey.) Instead, I spent my day being driven from family gravesite to family gravesite, a experience I don't really practice today. Intellectually, I know the connection exists, but it's not in my core.

So what gives? I have some theories.

* Many of these veteran-centric traditions are fading. Military service doesn't directly impact as many families as it once did. And one could argue it impacts even fewer families in Newburyport, although families in this community certainly have sacrificed.

* The Spring Festival--or whatever the weekend fair was called--keeps the locals away from the downtown. Perhaps people are opting to stay away from the traffic and congestion, so that means they won't attend the parade.

* Folks are just busy all the time, so they don't want to miss any opportunity to work in a yard or visit with friends.

* Lastly, blame the newbies like myself who just aren't up on local customs.

I recognize none of these theories are very strong reasons for not attending, and it's likely the ultimate answer or answers is an amalgamation of all of them.

But I'd be interested in hearing what others have to say. Is there a problem that needs a solution?

Here's the Daily News' slide show.

HighKu

You are kidding me.
$14 million for that bridge?
Big Dig, not so bad.

Clarification

A comment on my Starbucks item suggested I might shill for Starbucks. Nothing could be further from the truth, and it tarnishes this blog's otherwise so-so name.

Just to be clear, I've put myself out there as a shill for New England Development for obvious and inevitable reasons and Fowle's because I want a free T-shirt.

But the line is drawn there.

And, of course, insect overlords. I'd shill for them in a second and happily remind them that as a trusted blogger I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground sugar caves.

Or, in the case of NED, shop in high-priced homogenized stores.

"
via videosift.com">

More Info Needed

I've got some concerns about where this landfill deal is headed. Let me preface this by saying, I haven't followed the situation closely from the start, but I have read what's our there including several on-the-spot posts by Gillian Swart plus whatever is in the Daily News, including today's article.

Apparently, New Ventures wants to haul even more junk to the landfill. The apparent goal is capping the landfill this year, which I suspect would be welcome by the folks who live in stench nearby. In order to do this, however, the City Council and Mayor have to sign off on the plan.

Okay, the vindictive part of me is screaming for city officials to take advantage of this leverage. But doing so apparently would delay the capping, which doesn't help anyone. (Someone please correct me on this if I'm wrong.)

But here's my problem. New Ventures has been negotiating with DEP and the Attorney General's office. Unfortunately, the city has no part in those talks. Even worse, apparently the public isn't worthy enough to know the details of the talks at this point.

From the News:

Refuse at the site must reach a specified capacity before a sealing membrane can be placed and other capping operations can be carried out. Increasing the incoming volume of waste would speed reaching that target.

[Ward 5 Councilor Brian] Derrivan, who said he couldn't provide too many details because the city is in negotiations regarding the site, said the request from New Ventures comes at a time when the company also is negotiating with the state's attorney general and Department of Environmental Protection to develop a plan for capping the landfill.

City officials are not involved in those negotiations, and a deal between the company and the two state agencies — if one has been struck — is not yet public information.

Derrivan, whose ward includes the landfill, said the city is not privy to much of what is going on at that level. But city officials, including Mayor John Moak, have said an agreement between the parties is due at any time.

In the end, though, Derrivan said whatever the two state groups decide with New Ventures, the city has the last say on volume amount and also "we have the luxury, if need be, to issue a cease and desist order.

"But we don't want to go there if we don't have to," Derrivan said.

Derrivan said New Ventures is likely coming to the city before signing a deal with the state.

I hope the negotiations Derrivan mentioned means the city is getting details of any agreement between New Ventures and the state. I can't see how any councilor could give a thumbs up or thumbs down to increasing the loads coming to the landfill without knowing what the long-term plan is.

Incidentally, the meeting will be Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., not Monday--aka Memorial Day--as the article suggests.


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Why Regionalization Isn't working

I don't know if any of our locals were there, but the Massachusetts Municipal Association held a forum last week on regionalization

First, in a bit of weirdness I first heard about the conference from a friend's kick ass Shrewsbury-centric blog. This fellow isn't a journalist so it pains me, just a bit, to say I wish this blog were as close to being as comprehensive as his. But he does have more time to work on it, so I'm not beating myself up too vigorously. The blog benefits from his being directly involved in the governing process as he's a town meeting member.

Anyway, the blog item linked to a story on the MMA website about a regionalization conference which, coincidentally, was written from another friend of mine. My blogger friend didn't write the piece and even if he had he doesn't know my MMA writer pal so this was a bit of coincidence. It's a small InterWeb afterall.

The gist of the article is this: regionalization is difficult. We've talked about it here and here . It seems as if the most successful endeavors happened in areas that are regionally bound, Cape Cod, or rural areas where small towns have fewer choices and, frankly, fewer egos.

But putting all that aside, regionalization is tough. But--in the familiar words of Franklin Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting--communities don't have a choice.

“For the vast majority of cities and towns, I don’t believe that local government [as it currently operates] is sustainable,” Nutting said. “People are not going to vote every year to increase their taxes, and that’s what they’re being asked to do.”

Nutting noted that the potential obstacles to regionalization, including resistance from unions and from some local officials unwilling to reduce their own authority, are considerable. But he emphasized that it is important for local leaders to understand the need to regionalize not as a sign of failure but as a necessary response to fiscal realities.

“Wouldn’t it be better to have one library in two towns, rather than no libraries in two towns?” Nutting asked. “And why in the world do we have 106 [municipal] pension systems? Wouldn’t it make more sense to have one single organization to send our money to?

“If this conference accomplishes anything, it should be for all of us to walk away and say, ‘How am I going to create change?’”

How indeed.

Hah! Take that.

Attention Starbucks' fans: I was the FIRST customer to set foot in the refurbished Starbucks store this morning at 5:30 (and change) a.m. I happened upon the opening quite by accident during an early morning walk with Lucy, but how could I resist such an opportunity? I tried to honor my vows to our local coffee shops by ordering a tea. That doesn't count as cheating, right?

So there's a little bit of Buy Local Street Justice--Newburyport Post-style.

And a review of the new store....I honestly wouldn't have noticed the change if no one told me they were changing. They did move the condiment station, so watch out for that.

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Moment of Zen

Folks,

Work is taking me far and wide.

Plus, I'm just taking some time to listen rather than squawk.

Please enjoy the silence.

(No that wasn't supposed to be a Haiku.)

I'll be annoying again shortly.

-Tom

High(Street)Ku

Yes, I'm losing my mind.

The NRA Lots
A parking lot would be nice
But dirt is cheaper

* * *

Karp may own it all
The land, the stores, our future
But he has no blog

***

Plum Island Roasters
Were you too easy to find?
What's with the PODs Box?

Join in.

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Huh?

So? This is the Eastern Bank commercial....note the opening line.

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Where are the cobblestone streets on Newburyport? I count one, I think, and it's more of an alley.

Still at the Library

From the third floor, folks on the street aren't quite at "look like ants" status yet, but they are a great deal smaller.

And that got me thinking about the Kids in the Hall, "I squish your head" skit.

And that led me to Youtube.

But that led to heartache as I couldn't find the bit.

However, I did find another favorite, the "Daves I Know" song.

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Where in the world is...

the Newburyport Poster?

Blogging today from the Newburyport Public Library. We've got a nice strong wireless signal and a great view of State Street.

Traffic is steady, but manageable. Our Eyewitness Weather Report indicates a thin cloud layer stretching across a pleasant pale blue sky.

NP out.

The New Phone Books Are Here!!!

Well, things aren't that exciting.

But in case you haven't noticed, the Daily News is beginning to take advanced orders for Port in Progress, The Book. It appears this will be a compilation of all the great collection of articles and photos that graced our Monday paper for most of last summer and early fall.

Yet another perfect Blogger's Day gift. (The Fowle's T-shirt is still welcome as well.)

On a related note, I can't get confirmation on the rumor that the Daily News is writing a series about the writing of the Port in Progress series. Stay tuned.

I hate Iced Coffee

Just had lunch a while ago. I got charged $3 for a large iced coffee which probably contained less coffee than a medium sized cup of the hot stuff.

What's the deal? Is it cheaper to keep coffee hot than to cool it down? Can I blame the Bush Administration?

And no, I didn't go to Starbuck's, just a sandwich place.

Discuss!

Take a long, deep sniff

One of my favorite movies of all time is "The Paper."

Lots of reasons why. I happened to be working at the Daily News when I first saw it. At the time, I thought I wanted to be Michael Keaton's Henry (God what is his last name), a rough and tumble reporter at an edgy newspaper. At least I admired folks like that. But as the movie rolled on I saw qualities of his life I knew I didn't want and, frankly, probably couldn't handle.

So the movie is important to me. But I also value it because of the script, a cascade of snappy lines that you might miss the first, second or third time through but eventually you'll catch every word that was said, and you'll enjoy a well-earned laugh.

One of the more prominent lines, and one we use frequently around the household is, "Sometimes you can just smell a horrendously shitty day on the way, can't you?"

Perfect. Just perfect. We all know the distinct stink of a coming shit storm. (I'm growing to really like the term.) And sometimes it makes the ordeal a little more tolerable if we just accept the doom-filled forecast and ride the storm out with the only smile we can muster.

I know. What the hell am I talking about. Okay, here's my point.

I admire the approach the mayor's taking toward figuring out the budget problem. I have some questions that I'll ask--and hopefully will get answered--as the process moves along. But overall it seems like a reasonable plan to restoring some lost services, steadying the fiscal ship, and even putting us on a good course for the future.

[Add: the mayor is likely to seek a debt exclusion, which is a temporary tax, rather than a true override, which is permanent. So I'm referring to the potential debt exclusion vote. Please read the DN article.]

But I think I smell a horrendously shitty fall election coming. I might be wrong. I hope I am, but I've got a feeling this override election will be a tough one.

A few reasons why:

People are scared: Jobs are getting cut. Banks getting bought. People are losing homes. If we're not actually in a recession this certainly feels like one. In fact, this reminds me a whole lot of the early 1990s when I graduated college uncertain if I'd ever find a decent job. In short, people won't part with their money too easily at all, and it's hard to blame them.

Presidential Politics: No matter who the Democrats finally decide upon, this election will be ugly and divisive. Folks like myself who wonder how our current president could have been any worse will shake our heads at the thought at a continuation of Bush policies. Supporters of McCain, whom I mostly like, will ask how the hell I can trust anybody but McCain during this time of global strife. Whatever your position, this is going to stir up some hard feelings that we'll carry to the polls.

The Water Bill Fiasco: Yes, it's an enterprise fund. Yes, the dollars lost or regained won't help the school police or highway department. But people don't make that distinction. Depending upon how the meter reading falls, folks will either feel they've been hosed by the city (pun intended). Or that they're neighbors are water rustlers. Either way, I can see people deciding they'll issue their protest by not voting for any sort of override or debt exclusion.

The City Council: Don't get me wrong. I love the current council. I was overjoyed back in November when Cameron, Ives, Holaday & Co. swept into office (while mourning Gary Roberts, of course.) The politics of the council majority largely match my own, so I'll feel represented. (I guess I'm also a "progressive.") But I don't know how many "me's" there are out there. Certainly there were enough to elect the current board, but there are number of "not-me's" out there as well. They will have some representation when the council votes on whether or not to have an override, but I'm not certain there will be enough to give them the sense their voice has been heard. (Mary Eaton put forth a similar theory months ago. I'm just applying it to the override.) So they'll speak rather loudly at the ballot box, and many from the "me" group may vote along with them if they're at all bothered by the above three points.

Old vs. New: Gillian Swart hit upon this point today on her blog. I won't get into details because I'd be commenting on a blog that's commenting on a blog. But she was disappointed to find out there is a stronger townie element to Newburyport than she had thought. This group generally resents--or regrets--what's happened to Newburyport over the past 20 or 30 years. Not everyone is bitter. Mary Eaton wrote thoughtfully on the subject a bit ago. But I've also read comments where "true Newburyporters" blame newcomers--sorry carpetbaggers--for seizing control of the city and running it into the ground. In the same breath we're accused of never leaving the confines of our highly valued homes to be part of the community. That's tough to do. Apparently, someone established a cut off date that neatly and easily determines whether or not your opinions should matter. If you lived here before the date, you're defending a way of life. Move to town after the date and you're a troublemaker. To those folks I offer a hearty...whatever.

(Hackett! That was Henry's last name.)

I'm sure we can find some other reasons. I considered adding blogs to the list. I think we've got five or six already and, well, this isn't really hard to do. I could see a few more popping up pushing forth one agenda or another. Done well, and we'd all benefit. But if folks start tossing blog bombs we could be in trouble.

So there we are. I hope I'm wrong. I just fear it's going to be too easy to slip into anger and answer calls for "outrage." We can turn a fiscal problem into our own little civil war. Supporters of any override measure will be accused of wanting to force our senior citizens from their homes. Opponents will be told they hate children.

It doesn't need to be that way. I think the mayor's proposal--with its reliance on a debt exclusion to pay off existing and new city debt--might be able to muster broad support. I'll personally be shooting for some good old fashioned civil discourse.

Am I nuts? (on this matter, not in general.)


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And the logo?

I'm ready if I ever get the www.newburportdev.com blogger gig.

Enjoy it while you can. I'll be dumping it when the lawyers call.

New Font

What do you think?

I had a choice between Arial, Georgia, Trebuchet, Courier, Times and Verdana.

I went with Georgia. I think it makes me look much smarter.





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Well?

I can't stand the suspense....


Who bought the booths? For how much? And when can I visit?


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Fowle's

Just so you folks know, Blogger's Day is coming up in a couple of weeks. And I'd be tickled pink to get one of the new Fowle's T-shirts.

I should have taken a picture, but they're quite classy looking.

I'll take a blue one.

Well this is neat

It happened during my decade away. A shipwreck on Plum Island.

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If that happened today it might have rested on someone's back porch.

Pizza Vote 2008

Congratulations to Nick's for winning the first annual (probably not) Pizza Vote!

I can't argue too much with the results. I would have placed Angelina's a little higher, and I was surprised by the level of support Papa Gino's receive. But as noted in some comments, PG makes a good pie.

Thanks for participating. Next poll: Favorite Newburyport Blog!

Maybe.


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Pizza Vote 2008

Domino's scores!

Pizza Vote 2008

The Park Lunch scores one! Domino's appears headed for the only shut out.

The Booths Revisted II

The Daily News must have read last night's post and sent out a reporter who assembled this Booth report just before the 10 p.m. deadline.*

It appears as if the discarded booths were replicas.



* Or not

The Booths Revisited

Boothgate is getting interesting.

For those who came in late, I had railed against the reported removal of the booths from 10 Center Street. Apparently, the old booths were gone, but they've been replaced with some comfier, upholstered benches. Frankly, I never found the old booths to be uncomfortable, but hey, it's not my restaurant.

A couple of days ago, I got the comment below. I can't verify the accuracy as its from an anonymous poster, but here goes:

2 booths from Center Street will go on the auction block Friday night at Michael's Harborside for a Restore our Stadium event. The booths came from the Old Wolfe's Tavern. The rest were put out on the curb I think.

Now I did confirm that there is a silent auction tomorrow as part of a RESTORE-sponsored dance. Read about it in the Daily News here.

Now, as to the historic significance of the booths. If this is true it seems like a pretty big deal. As everyone knows, Old(e) Wolfe's Tavern was....

Okay, who am I kidding. Well, I'd heard of it, but I couldn't give details. I had to look it up. From comity.org.

For many generations passing time or a lifetime here in the Waterside, Wolfe Tavern was a favorite respite --- the place where your ancestors tarried3 along life's journey. Good food and food for thought became the standard fare: Patrons discussed current events and debated topical issues while exchanging banter over a tankard of ale or mug of mulled cider, flip or syllabub. Although Wolfe Tavern now stands only in historical notation, its connotation remains a strong edifice in the Waterside community's "Fifth Estate," unrivalled in its mystique and moment.

The original tavern inn first opened its doors in 1762 when William Davenport converted his dwelling house on the lower corner of Threadneedle Alley and State (then Fish) Street, nearby to Market Square. At first the establishment was advertised (under the proprietor's name) as an inn for lodging guests. Soon the Davenport Inn's parlors became a popular meeting place for locals --- particularly those who had served with Captain Davenport during the 1759 expedition to Quebec. The tavern's assumed epithet (Wolfe Tavern) was inspired by its distinguished sign --- an elaborate carving of General James Wolfe, in tribute to the fallen hero of that epic battle which had decided the French and Indian War.4

With its proximity to Market Square and the Waterside Parish meetinghouse (down the way) and town hall (across the way) --- Wolfe Tavern became a convenient place for the Waterside people to congregate before and after town meeting. Tradition holds that mere motion to petition the General Court to form the separate town of Newburyport made significant headway at Wolfe Tavern5 --- a deed done in 1764. Other words and deeds emanating from Wolfe Tavern would have consequences beyond the bounds of the Waterside community. Within a decade, the first militia company of seamen mustered to defend American rights would be formed at Wolfe Tavern. A plaque marking the original site of Wolfe Tavern is dedicated to the Independent Marine Company formed there in 1774, mounted on the exterior wall of the building where the tavern once stood.

The place burned down in the fire of 1811 so I'm guessing the booths would have come from the NEW Old(e) Wolfe Tavern, built at the intersection of State and Harris Streets. That building stood until 1953 when it was unceremoniously demolished by the owner.

So does anyone know if the claim that the booths hailed from the Old(e) Wolf Tavern is true? If so, it'd be a shame if they got tossed.

Well, all of them except for two, which can be yours if...the price is right.

Well check it out

We're getting our own Web site.

Note the fashionable Inn Street adddress. I had just assumed the address would be the same as Piper Properties, but I guess not.

Hmm, maybe they need a blogger. I can already envision the first poll:
----
Which restaurant is the best in town.
* 10 Center Street
* Michael's Harborside
* Both of the above
-----

This is pure gold, baby.

Pizza Vote 2008

Well, Domino's PR dept is asleep at the switch. I can't believe they haven't brought down Newburyport Posts servers with a flood of nationwide support.

Reminder: Polls close tomorrow at 11:59 p.m.

I've got a notion to frame the results and present them to Nick's where they can hung with pride on their wood panel wall. But I suspect this idea will go the way of the Dexters.

Thanks to all who took the time to vote.

Senior Center

A worthy idea on Ari Herzog's blog. There's also a pre-school in the basement. They might appreciate a move to the ground floor, although temporary relocation would be a problem.