Sunday, January 18, 2009

Snowjob

I went out around 11:30 this morning and the roads were TERRIBLE. Heading up Durfee Street toward Milliken Blvd. I discovered why the dangerously icy, snowy city roads had barely, if at all, been touched by plows. The Fall River Department of Public Works plows clearly had more important plowing to do in the parking lot of the Karam's 10 North Main Street (aka Bank of America/Karam Financial/First Bristol Corp.) building.




How will Correia justify this one? In the middle of a snowstorm, the roads covered in snow, cars fishtailing around me, and city plows aren't plowing the city streets, they are plowing the Karam's parking lot. This essentially put the interests of the Karams (for a building that probably isn't even open today) above public safety.

155 comments:

Anonymous said...

We so need a bigger watchdog group, how long do you think this has been going on, while there is no money in the budget?

Tom Paine said...

Once again I tip my hat to you Shamrock.

Now for the story.

Bob will put the blame on the 2 who are doing the plowing, even if he told them to do the plowing. And I can guarantee that Bob gave the orders.

This is sickening, it does not end with this administration!!!

FRC said...

Just look at the condition of the street in the pictures.

Priorities, people ... priorities.

Anonymous said...

Hopefully the FRH will pick this one up and run considering the Mayor's lastest editorial.

Anonymous said...

Great post and pictures!! A picture is worth a thousand words... should be an interesting spin they put on this one!! LOL

Anonymous said...

Hmm, we should have a poll of who will get the blame and what the excuse is.

It's probably the school commitee's fault or the 8000 voters that wanted an audit.

Tom Paine said...

Bob is going to the phone book, open to a random page, point his finger at some name, and say:

There, he is the one that caused this problem!!!

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...maybe the public works employees had Karam's building confused for Gov't Center.

Anonymous said...

I am sure the public works employees were doing what they were told. They have no vested interest in the Karams.

Anonymous said...

Who is blaming the public works employees? This came from the top no doubt.

Anonymous said...

Here's another fine example of the Mayor's propensity for "snowjobs:"

http://radiofreekrod.blogspot.com/2009/01/radiofree-podcast-bob-correia-and-fight.html

Anonymous said...
Geez, I remember the city's high school dropout rate was a 'transcending issue' (HA HA) for the Mayor as well, during his campaign.

What has he done for leadership with the $492,000 federal grant received by the city to address it? NOTHING!!!!!!!

http://www.heraldnews.com/archive/x1017431864/-500K-grant-targets-at-risk-students

http://www.electbobmayor.com/News%20-%20Educational%20Blueprint%20Grant.htm
BOB CORREIA HAILS EDUCATIONAL “BLUEPRINT” GRANT 10-5-2007
----------------------------------
“The First Step in Development of New Educational Strategy for the City”

FALL RIVER – Representative Bob Correia (D-Fall River,) Candidate for Mayor of Fall River, today hailed the city’s recent award by the U.S. Department of Labor of the “Multiple Education Pathways Blueprint (hereafter Blueprint)” grant of nearly a half million dollars.

“This represents the first important step in our Development of a new educational strategy for the City of Fall River ,” Correia said. In his race for Mayor, Correia has emphasized the need for new approaches to schools, crime, and economic development to “move the city forward.”

This grant, in the amount of $491,666, will be used in the development of a master plan within the Fall River educational system that will pool community efforts and resources to address the real educational and economic needs of the city’s population.

“The future of our students is the future of Fall River . To remedy our economic and educational ailments the city needs to invest in a long-term, multi-faceted plan. The Blueprint is one such plan. As Mayor and a strong proponent of the Career Pathways concept, I would chair the Blueprint’s Leadership Team and would actively promote and garner community support for the full implementation of the Blueprint,” Correia further stated.

Promises, promises. Oops! I Forgot he's busy micromanaging the school department instead. Do we now go with 16 paras, or 8?????????? Eneee, meenee, mineee, moe...Cindy Keene has gotta go!

Leadership that gets things done, alright!

Anonymous said...

Did you actually see the plows pushing the snow in that lot?

I only ask because i often see plows organizing themselves in lots such as that one.

Anonymous said...

That doesn't really make sense, by 11:30 they should have been on the road and plowing, the lot also looks plowed.

Anonymous said...

Good point, however plows are down in the photos.

Fear and Loathing in Fall River said...

What does it look like they are doing in the picture to you? Picture #1 clearly shows a plow down and pushing snow.

Anonymous said...

Gonna have to come up with a better excuse then that one.

shamrock said...

Yes, they were most definitely plowing the snow and it wasn't just the annual plowers convention in the Karam lot.

Anonymous said...

Not necessarily, at 11:30 they could have been regrouping after assessing the city's condition.

As for the lot being plowed, did it ever occur to you that the Karam family has a bit of money and can afford to hire a company to plow their lots...

I'm not saying they didn't plow the lot, all I'm doing is playing Devil's Advocate and trying to point out any other possibilities before we jump to conclusions.

Anonymous said...

Do be so quick to jump to conclusions, the plow isn't pushing snow in that first picture it appears to be parked to me. fyi plows do park with their blades down.

plows often meet up in parking lots to situate themselves, not everything is a conspiracy Shamrock.

Fear and Loathing in Fall River said...

If they can afford to have their lots plowed by a company , why don't they have their plowed by a company, and not the City of Fall River?

shamrock said...

The last 2 pictures were taken in succession from durfee street headed toward milliken. They smaller truck was driving and you can see the change in positions. The top picture was taken from bedford and you can certainly see the position of the larger truck is different and an action plow shot. They aren't just circling the lot.

Anonymous said...

I inquired about those trucks and the one pictured first with the racks isn't even on the road today. Im guessing these are from a previous storm. nice try shamrock. I concur with Silence Dogood not everything is a conspiracy. As much as i loathe Mayor Bobby, this seems to be nothing more then a sad attempt at stirring up crap.

If you are so confident go to the papers and push this story.

Tom Paine said...

The city council - Hello Mr Kozak - should demand that the head of the DPW, the two individuals doing the plowing, and representative from the mayors office attend the next meeting.

Hell, why wait, they can hold a special meeting like Joe Camara did.

The citizens want answers now!

Anonymous said...

Silence,

This is what is known as a fact, it happened. Shamrock saw this happen with his own two eyes, and took pictures to show us what he saw.

The pictures tell the story. He isn't even making a claim as to 'why,' it happened he is simply saying 'here it is, it happened' and asking the question 'why?'

I await the Mayor's response.

Anonymous said...

Shamrock, if you're confident that this is corruption take your story to a real medium of news, instead of a blog.

Anonymous said...

Mr. I Inquired, who did you inquire with? I'll call myself and discuss with them. Because this was in fact today. However, that is irrelevent, because this would never be ok.

The person you spoke with was quite likely telling the truth. It was in fact NOT on the road, it was at the Karam's lot plowing.

Tom Paine said...

Hmmm, Bobs own defenders are calling it corruption now. MMM???

We are calling for an investigation, and his defender calls it corruption.

shamrock said...

Anon 15:56 -

This most certainly was from today. But playing into your argument....what day were they plowing the karam lot, and what day would make that ok?

Anonymous said...

I am but a simple middle-aged widow, who is not personally a fan of mayor bob. However you people have to listen to yourselves, you sound like paranoid citizens who have nothing constructive to do with their day. Contrary to what you may believe not everything that the city does is corrupt, just most of it...

Anonymous said...

You inquired about those trucks and they aren't on the road during a major snowstorm today?? Who did you speak with??? Give us the name and we will call them as well, not that I need to I work for the city and will find out the truth.

Anonymous said...

BTW what are the license plate numbers you called in, how do you know "that" truck is not on the road today or all of them for that matter?

Anonymous said...

Anon 16:03

If you work for the city, then you will most certainly know who to call and inquire about matters concerning snow such as this

Anonymous said...

I don't work for the city. So please tell me who you called to 'inquire' about this. I will most gladly call and inquire about it. But I need a name.

Anonymous said...

SnoopDogood, This is just a reminder of the blatant actions of this mayor and disregard for the citizens of this city.. So yes it is important. I am a middle aged widower want to get together.

Anonymous said...

You can call kenny or charlie at the dpw.

Anonymous said...

Silence Dogood, Are you really a middle-aged widow, or are you just pretending to be the great man Benjamin Franklin?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silence_Dogood

Tom Paine said...

Silence has a point.

Shamrock, that was wrong of you to take that picture of city trucks plowing a private business. There should be a law against people like Shamrock. Exposing wrong doing is plain wrong.

I hope Bernie Sullivan does an editorial about this. He will explain how important it is to make sure the Karams are happy, and by making them happy, we are all happy.

What Shamrock has done could make people like Bob Correia angry. We do not want that, do we?

Anonymous said...

Anon 16:08

You mistake me for a fan of the mayor. This i am not, i am a citizen just like you who has been slighted time and time again by this tyrannical administration. However i don't not fabricate stories in order to create havoc, this mayor can do that all on his own.

I'm sorry but this time I haven't been persuaded by your argument. Maybe I'm wrong, but it does not look like they are plowing the parking lot, it looks like they are most likely regrouping.

Anonymous said...

Make sure you talk to Charlie he is a supervisor the other guys that answer don't really know what they are doing, much like the guys plowing karams lot today.

Anonymous said...

naive snoopdog

Anonymous said...

Anon 16:11

Me? Ben Franklin? nooo, i am but a simple middle aged widow just as Tom Paine the author of Common Sense,Rights of Man, and The Age of Reason is posting in this blog.

Fear and Loathing in Fall River said...

Dogood, GilC,

The pictures are clear. What is happening is obvious. You are using false logic to argue. You are clearly a crony of the mayor pretending to be a third party.

We, as citizens, want to know why our money is being used to plow private lots, rather than public streets. Even if they were regrouping, why not regroup on public lots? It is a liability for our plows to enter private lots. Get real.

Tom Paine said...

Do not forget my series entitled "The Crisis"

FRC said...

Shamrock has already stated that the plows were definitely plowing the snow.

I don't know how anyone called and learned that the truck was not on the road today since I don't see any legible identification.

If these are pictures from a previous snow storm, why wouldn't Shamrock have posted them then?

I don't think Shamrock would take pictures of idle trucks in the parking lot.

Heck, if the trucks are not plowing, then what are they? tresspassers?

Shamrock was there and took the pictures and says they were plowing.

Anonymous said...

Gil C, yep that's who it is.

Anonymous said...

PERCEPTION IS REALITY

especially in a re-election year, but you already know that from the poll you took.

Tom Paine said...

My last comment on this subject - for now -

Shamrock has a great record of being accurate. Once a blogger posts something knowing that it is incorrect they know their reputation as a blogger is kaput.

I have seen and heard Bob lie.

So whom will I believe in this case, Shamrock hands down.

Anonymous said...

Tom Paine i seem to have forgot that one my mistake.

Maybe i am wrong, perhaps the plows were plowing prince karam's lots. Perhaps this was an order from Das Führer himself It isn't to far fetched.

However listen to yourselves, you are so filled with hatred you do not even think to question what is being handed to you as proof.

If it did happen i apologize i was mistaken. But when dealing with issues such as this it is wise to question the information being fed to you.

There is no doubt that most of the information being fed to us by our local government is complete garbage but do not forget the mayor isn't the only one capable of making things up.

Anonymous said...

You probably should have left the mayors phrase "fabricated" out of your argument.

Anonymous said...

I am not trying to squash Shamrocks reputation, because you are right in the past he has been correct.

Just don't be so quick to jump on the train. Think for yourself first. Use reason and intellect before blindly following the leader.

FRC said...

Silence,

Most of the spin so far has been silly.

Where are the identifying marks on the truck that someone allegedly called in and learned the truck was not on the road today?

Certainly these are still pictures, but Shamrock said the trucks were plowing.

Heck, maybe Shamrock purchased 2 trucks, painted them with the Fall River Public Works paint scheme, moved them to this parking lot, got out of the truck and crossed the street, snapped some pictures, and then uploaded it to the blog.

I suppose that is possible too.

Anonymous said...

FRC,

I am the one who called to verify if it was off the road, if you can't figure out who to call to inquire about such things then you have no business even talking about this subject because you obviously know nothing.

You do not need identifying marks, i called and described the truck, it is the only one that the city has with racks like that. This is how i know. If you do not believe me research it, dig and find the truth out for yourselves.

There is much behind the scenes that we do not understand. don't be ignorant get informed.

Fear and Loathing in Fall River said...

Dude, seriously. Either you are lying, or you are being lied to. Because this was most definately plowing the Karam's lot today.

FRC said...

Anonymous,

I don't have a problem about who to call. My question was about an identification such as license plate number or a vehicle number.

If these pictures were from another snowstorm, why wouldn't Shamrock have posted them then? After all, if this was today, last week, or next week, I think we can agree that the city should not be plowing private lots.

As for Silence DoGood and thinking for yourself...

What time did you or your neighbors go out to shovel snow today?

I know I went out at 12:30 because that's when it stopped snowing. Yet these pictures were taken at 11:30 and this parking lot is plowed to the pavement?

Why would the Karams whose building will be closed until Tuesday plow the parking lot on Sunday morning?

Why not Sunday afternoon after the snow or any time Monday or even early Tuesday morning?

I suppose the Karams could have plowed their lot privately on Sunday morning only to do it again when the snow stopped, because a good businessperson clearly likes to hire someone to do the same job twice.

Anonymous said...

Fear and Loathing,

How do you know that this happened? because shamrock said so?
what makes him more credible than I?
because he has a screen name?
is it because he has the same opinions as you

If someone comes on this blog with different opinions they are immediately written off as cronies or the mayors people posing as third parties.

However if someone who hates bob comes into this blog and says something and posts some pictures he is automatically right.

It is this one sided mentality that stops blogs like this from becoming credible mediums to present the news.

If you are all as enraged about this i hope to see it in the paper very soon. or do none of you actually want to put forth the effort of seeing this thing through. or maybe its because you know there is some explanation for what is happening in those photos.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I emailed it to the Herald News hours ago asking about the DPW budget and is this how our tax dollars are being spent.

Charlotte

Anonymous said...

FRC,

In my earnest opinion it does not appear that these trucks are actually plowing .

Why would they plow today you ask? because snow freezes over and becomes almost impossible to move. you must have noticed this in your shoveling exploits.

Also private contractors plow whenever they get the chance to, they have many contracts and plow a lot whenever it is possible. if it is still snowing they will get it down to pavement and once it is clean, snow will not stick as easily negating the need to plow again.

FRC said...

Anonymous,

Please think of what you just said.

How do I know this happened?

There are pictures.

Why is Shamrock more credible than you?

Shamrock witnessed it.

Anonymous said...

Charlotte,

you asked about the budget? obviously the city is over budget. I'm surprised DPW hasn't spent more. A snow budget is totally erroneous, there is no way to adequately remain with in the narrow budget while still keeping the streets passable.

I personally have no problems with the way the city has handled snow, If someone here in their infinite blogging wisdom has a great idea to improve the snow removal effort without increasing the budget i would advise you to speak with someone at government center about it.

RJR said...

50 comments in a 2 hour span! That could be a record! For some reason certain people think such milestones are important! So I want to make sure we highlight such an achievement when it happens in the blogosphere!

Anonymous said...

I called and spoke to a gentleman at DPW. He said they use it as a point to meet their supervisor. However they were in fact NOT PLOWING.

I think it is clear to anyone who looks at these pictures that the plows are moving, and the lot is being plowed. The first picture is the first in the series, and you can clearly see snow on the other side of the plow. Later the other two pictures, you will see that the plows are circling the lot. They are clearly plowing.

Why is city money being used to plow private lots? So they can be used as rally points? Why not use public lots, there are certainly enough in that area that could be used.

Anonymous said...

If they were "re-grouping", why would they do this on private property, as another comment mentioned...private property that happens to be owned by the Karams. Do you people realize how expensive it is for private business to hire for snow removal?? BIG BUCKS!!! Nice favor, Boss Correia!! Also, you may want to check the DPW trucks for plate numbers, there was one that nearly killed me while the driver gabbed on his cell phone, I tried to get the plate number to report it, but the plate number had been painted over, that green color that matches the plate...the numbers had no contrasting color and couldnot be identified. I figured this could not be legal, but frankly, I was not surprised...disgusted,but not surprised. Oh, and to question these photos and "what was happening" is really just typical Fall River Denial at its best. Good try at the smoke and mirrors, but did you look at the pictures?? It could not be any clearer. Shamrock, donn't ever leave home without your camera!

Anonymous said...

The ignorance in the blog is astounding. I would advise any of the conspiracy theorists in this blog to pay attention next time it snows, instead of listening to all the concerned citizens in this blog who don't know anything about snow removal.

FRC said...

Silence,

So you believe that the Karams had this parking lot privately plowed prior to 11:30?

Anonymous said...

FRC,

I do not know, i wasn't there. All i am saying is that it disgusts me when people respond and jump on the bandwagon without asking the important questions!

All i am doing is stimulating the conversation, it was one sided. Someone needed to be the bad guy and try to get people in this blog to think outside the box.

This particular blog in turn became interesting to write in. for once there was a legitimate conversation about this. Although many of you still refuse to think for yourselves.

Anonymous said...

My question about the budget pertains to the appearance that the we are paying taxes so the DPW can do favors for the mayor and his friends.

Charlotte

RJR said...

What I think is funny is that some people actually think that Shamrock took these pictures during a previous snow storm!

Yes, Shamrock woke up this morning stretched, looked out the window and said 'FINALLY, I have a use for those snow pics I took!'.

I have no doubts that these pictures were taken today.

Perhaps there is a legit reason that the city uses/plows the Karam's lot. This post now makes me want to know what that answer would be.

More important is this observation by Shamrock:

"How will Correia justify this one? In the middle of a snowstorm, the roads covered in snow, cars fishtailing around me, and city plows aren't plowing the city streets..."

I was driving in a different part of the city at about the same time and found the same conditions. The roads were unplowed, the driving conditions horrible.

If the plows were regrouping the roads around Government Center should have been plowed. If they were just starting, why so late?

I don't see this post as 'finger-pointing' I see it asking the question 'why were you in a parking lot when you should have been clearing city streets?'

I'd like to know the answer to that myself.

FRC said...

Shamrock,

Please use a video camera next time.

What important questions have gone unasked?

Did this occur today?

Nothing in the picture suggests when it was taken other than it was a day that is snowed. The person who took the picture says it was taken today. I don't see anything in the pictures that contradicts that. Further, if it was taken another day, Shamrock could have posted the pictures then. Further, to a degree, WHEN the pictures were taken is irrelevant because the point is that city trucks were allegedly plowing a private parking lot.

Were the trucks plowing?

I guess Shamrock had the misfortune of not arriving sooner to see the plows really moving the snow to take those pictures. However, Shamrock says that the plows were plowing. If the City of Fall River did not plow this parking lot, that means that someone else did. Do you think that a private company plowed the parking lot before 11:30?

Thank you to the Karams for plowing their private lot that the City uses as a rally point. Because if the Karams did not privately plow their parking lot, where would the DPW go to rally?


Anymore unasked questions?

Anonymous said...

Has anyone noticed that if this was supposidly at 11:30 right before it stopped snowing then why is there so much less snow than the rest of the city. I guess god loves the karams so much that he doesnt make it snow on their lots. I advise anyone believing shamrock to take a ride by that lot today and look at the drastic differences

Anonymous said...

the city has been using that parking lot for years, even when lambert was mayor, and as for the plow being down when a plow parks it puts its blades down. i know i used to plow using my pickup and i was involved in staging at that very parking lot.

Anonymous said...

for the city or a private towing?

Anonymous said...

Mr. Plow,

When the city used that parking lot for years, can you please describe who plowed the parking lot?

Anonymous said...

It was plowed by a third party never the city...while I was there. Once in a while I'd plow myself a spot to park when regrouping but that's it. However I wouldn't put it passed this mayor to take care of his friends

Anonymous said...

The spots in the lot are assigned to people who rent at 10 N main.

Anonymous said...

I just find it hard to believe that the parking lot would be plowed by a private party every time before DPW uses the parking lot to regroup.

What about snowfall where the plows are out all night, seems like an unnecessary burden for the Karams to pay to have their parking lot plowed early so that the city can use it to regroup.

I don't think it is far-fetched to think of the scenario that DPW goes to this parking lot to regroup and it is unplowed, so DPW then plows the parking lot.

Anonymous said...

My experience as a plow driver is that the city doesn't do this, the parking lot isn't always plowed, this picture seems like one of good timing although I can't deny that it's possible. The city may be corrupt but DPW seems to have a good system as far as snow goes and it also seems to have a head on it's shoulders.

Anonymous said...

I don't think anyone is alleging the DPW workers just went there on their own, it appears they were told to go there by someone higher up.

Anonymous said...

SORRY to ruin your big scoop shamrock but once again you have zero regard for the truth.A man named Liberal Silva plows all of Jim Karams property.Look it up do the research and you will see,Do you yhink Jim Karam is stupid enough to have city plows remove snow on his property for all the world to see on main st.You people have no idea.Get over KARAMS and the HERRENS.Shamrock has zero credibility his b log is full of lies.

Anonymous said...

Once again did anyone mention herren here today? No, Shamrock you should delete that post.

Anonymous said...

Shamrock are you serious the plows arent down and they use it as a staging area.Its irresponsible jounalists like yourself that gives bloggers a bad name.Shamrock full of lies and dceiet

Anonymous said...

Even if the trucks are there as a staging area.

Why are they using private property to stage?

Anonymous said...

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PLOWING TAKING PLACE OR BLADES TOUCHING THE GROUND IN THESE PICTURES!ESPECIALLY THE FIRST ONE, THERE IS SNOW UNDER THE TRUCK!! THIS BLOG IS A JOKE!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Can't you guys see that the parking lot is already plowed?

You want them to plow the pavement?

Anonymous said...

CITY TRUCKS DO NOT BELONG ON PRIVATE PROPERTY- PERIOD.

Anonymous said...

The clueless clover stole page from hate rod play book. If your site is dying go after a herren or karam to bring out the jealous haters. U people are sad. Hey 3rd tuesday here this week go get your checks. Shamrock no cutting the line :)

Anonymous said...

Once again gotta get herrens name in here- getting desparate. start deleting the posts.

Fear and Loathing in Fall River said...

Trying to figure out the logic here. So far we've been told that Liberal Silva plows the Karam's lots, we see that the lots were being plowed by city trucks, the specific truck in question was not 'on the roads' today, so therefore this leads me logically to deduce that Liberal Silva is using city trucks to plow the Karam's lots. Interesting... I'd like to see the lease he has on the trucks.

As for the plows not being down in the pictures. It is down in the first picture, it is up in the others. Have you ever watched a plow truck plow a parking lot? They lift the plows while moving over already plowed areas, and drop them when they hit snow. This allows them not to cut too far into the pavement. So, if you look at the clear motion blurs, and the fact that the two pictures are taken in succession, you will see that they are in fact moving.

As for this post:

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PLOWING TAKING PLACE OR BLADES TOUCHING THE GROUND IN THESE PICTURES!ESPECIALLY THE FIRST ONE, THERE IS SNOW UNDER THE TRUCK!! THIS BLOG IS A JOKE!!!!!

First of all, I'd like to say that there are a lot of brands of Decaf on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing.

That being said. The FIRST one is in fact the one with the plow down, and it is clearly plowing the area. It looks to me as though it just plowed a trail, and is backing up to ready to plow another trail, which is how plows plow...


I expect none of you to understand logic, so I feel as though I am wasting my time.

Anonymous said...

I do not question Shamrock's intent because he (or she) has consistently proven to be credible. However, in order to end the back and forth debate once and for all, a few calls should be made to DPW and/or anyone else with pertinent information. I am sure someone there can help you out. The Herald News cannot print this story unless it is validated.

Anonymous said...

I did call, they told me they have been using the lot for 20 years, and do not plow it.

How can you work with someone who is lying to you? It is clear from Shamrock's testimony, and from the pictures that it was in fact plowed. So how can you verify this if no one in the city will ever tell the truth?

Anonymous said...

Ask someone previously in the administration or dpw that would have witnessed this for the past 20 years.

Anonymous said...

To plow or not to plow, the question remains why are the DPW trucks are on private property?

Anonymous said...

http://www.heraldnews.com/homepage/x1135112603/Plow-crews-go-into-action-as-snow-falls

Plow crews go into action as snow falls
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Loading multimedia...
Photos



Herald News
Despite predictions of a possible morning start, Friday's snowfall began at about 2 p.m. Here, a pedestrian crosses busy Milliken Boulevard.

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More related photos


By Marc Munroe Dion
GateHouse News Service
Posted Dec 19, 2008 @ 09:21 PM
Last update Dec 19, 2008 @ 11:43 PM

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Fall River — Shortly after 2 p.m. Friday, workers at the Department of Public Works on Lewiston Street pushed up the big metal doors of the garage and looked at the snow just beginning to fall.
“There it is,” said Fall River Department of Public Works Supervisor Charlie Denmead.
It had been a long wait for city workers and private contractors who were deployed throughout the city during the day Friday as the storm slowly made its way here.
Original predictions had said the snow might start as early as noon. And before the first fluffy flake fell a couple hours later,

Denmead said there were about 160 trucks out, waiting. Denmead said 120 private plow vehicles and 40 city plow trucks and salters were gathered in seven different sectors in the city, including Lafayette Park, Rhode Island Avenue, President Avenue, Stafford Road, Central and Durfee Streets, the Globe section of Fall River and North Main Street.
“The guys are all out,” Denmead said.
“Originally, they said noon with the brunt between three and nine,” Denmead said
Denmead said preparations for what was expected to be a big storm started before midnight on Thursday when trucks started treating city streets with a mix of salt and water.
“It’s like a pilot program,” Denmead said. “This is the first year we’ve used it.
“It’s brine,” Denmead said. “It’s just salt and water. The salt is about 20 percent of the mixture and the water is about 80.”
The DPW mixes 5,000 gallons of the stuff at a time and spreads it on roads before it snows.
“It’s like a clear coat,’ Denmead said of the brine. “It keeps the heat under it so the snow, when it first starts to fall, stays slushy. It doesn’t form a hard pack.”
As the first flakes fell, Denmead said the plow trucks would be out soon, judging from how fast it was coming down.
“We’ll start plowing at about 1.5 inches,” Denmead said. “Whenever we can plow without damaging the streets.”
Denmead said a snowfall of less than a foot is “manageable.”
“It gets to be a problem when you plow it and it makes heaps and people start shoveling out their cars and shoveling it back out into the street," he said.
Ten-year DPW veteran Jason Desmarais had a different reaction when the snow began to fall. Desmarais drives a backhoe for the DPW, plowing the main streets.
“I’ll be here all weekend,’ he said. “It looks like white money to me.”

E-mail Marc Munroe Dion at mdion@heraldnews.com.

Anonymous said...

Denmead said there were about 160 trucks out, waiting. Denmead said 120 private plow vehicles and 40 city plow trucks and salters were gathered in seven different sectors in the city, including Lafayette Park, Rhode Island Avenue, President Avenue, Stafford Road, Central and Durfee Streets, the Globe section of Fall River and North Main Street.


Sure sounds like they were waiting on the stretts an in the park not in a bank parking lot.

Unknown said...

Shamrock ...

What a scoop! Misappropriating tax dollars for political favors in plain sight! And pics to boot! That's called covering your ass.

And in light of the cozy relationship/electioneering they've got going on between the radio station and the Mayor -- it might even qualify as PAYOLA! (Payola means a bribe to influence the programing content of a broadcast radio, television, or cable television program and is a federal misdemeanor.)

Way to go!

Anonymous said...

Those plows are in the lot at the corner of Durfee and Central St.west of the Bank of America parking lot entrance. Does Karam own that lot and the one across from the Bank St. Armory too?

Anonymous said...

Get it on video with a date and time stamp.

Anonymous said...

Simple pleasures for simple minds.Shamrock you are kidding right?What a travesty.Do you think you even came close to your burden of proof as a journalist?Show a picture and you have all the answers..you are a disgrace to your heritage,your family and every decent media type,You are the reason why bloggers have reputations as slanderers and smut peddlers.Get another hobby junior you cant cut it in the minor leagues

Anonymous said...

I would pretty much say the above comments are a personal attack,on you, your heritage and your family?? Did the bars close late last night because of the holiday?
By the way please explain again that this is not your job and you are not a journalist. I'm pretty sure if you called into the local radio station today and made these types of comments you would be yelled at and hung up on.

shamrock said...

It does seem like a bit of a double standard doesn't it.

Anon-3:19

For the umpteenth time, I am not a journalist, by trade nor by hobby. I am merely a concerned citizen with a blog, which clearly bothers you.

And finally, before you throw legal jargon at me, that you clearly don't understand, let's have a little lesson on slander spotting. Hmmm what would be a good statement for our lesson? OOh how about this one, "you are a disgrace to your heritage,your family and every decent media type,You are the reason why bloggers have reputations as slanderers and smut peddlers." This is an excellent example of a libelous statement for our lesson. One may construe this as libel because 1.) it is written
2.) it has been published to a third party 3.)It is untrue (because i checked with my mom and she promised I am not a disgrace to her/I also checked with the irish heritage membership committee and they said that I haven't caused them shame lately) 3.)It could cause damage to me because it tends to harm my reputation and lower me in the estimation of the community or to deter third persons from associating or dealing with me - our sample statement could likely diminish my credibility in the community or lessen my readership

Now that you are armed with knowledge about what libel looks like from the sample statement you kindly provided, I invite you to scour my blog and libel spot...let me know what you find.

Anonymous said...

You may have to post the fcc regulations and that you can't say anything you want on the air depsite free speech laws .

Anonymous said...

I am not a journalist, by trade nor by hobby.

A journalist would have gotten out of his/her car, identified him/herself and ASKED the guy in the truck what he was doing.
Simple, isn't it?

Fear and Loathing in Fall River said...

Irrelevent.

There are two questions here.

1. Why are public trucks on private property. (This is a liability, so we need to make sure the city is protected)

2. Are they plowing these lots as a courtesy to the lot owners. (If so, why)

Anonymous said...

Cities and Towns never budget enough money that way they can CRY poor mouth to the state and get emergency funds. We elect them, bad streets are OUR OWN fault. We need the "FALL RIVER OBAMA" ....Lefty for mayor

Anonymous said...

I am most definitley and extremely proud of Shamrock!

Shamrock's Mom

Anonymous said...

Another question for you Shamrock: How about you take your camera and go out to the house in Tiverton that is being built for Mr Karam by the man who works for our city, Ken Pacheco? I would like to know whether he is going there during the time that our city is paying him. Considering the cozy relationship between the mayor and the Karams, it wouldn't surprise me. Can you check it out?

Anonymous said...

If the people posting on this blog put half of their time into community service or giving back to the city of Fall River rather these ignorant comments, maybe the city would be in a much better place. It seems everyone has critism and all of the answers, but what have they done to change the problems. At least the Mayor and the Karam's aren't sitting on their a**.....THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE CITY OF FALL RIVER!!

Anonymous said...

What exactly have the Karams done for the city of Fall River?

Anonymous said...

How? Seriously. What do they do.

Anonymous said...

Contributing to themselves is more like it.

Anonymous said...

What should have been is that SHAMROCK needed to have the BALLS to go over and take pictures of the drivers faces. Then publish those images. That way the people of Fall River would know who the thieves are, follow the money by starting at the BOTTOM

Anonymous said...

I think you have it backwards it should be those at the TOP, not the poor snow plow guy.

Anonymous said...

How old is Liberal Silva now, he must have been tired plowing Karams properties.

General Property Data



Parcel ID N-18-0027 Account Number
Prior Parcel ID --
Property Owner SILVA LIBERAL D Property Location 205 SO MAIN ST
C/O CULTURAL CENTER Property Use STORE
Mailing Address 158 PLAIN ST Most Recent Sale Date 11/20/2007
Legal Reference 68814-94
City FALL RIVER Grantor SILVA ,LIBERAL D
Mailing State MA
Zip
02723

Anonymous said...

clueless clover why do you delete the posts that prove this supposed story is a farce and you posted it because you are envious and bitter man . Sounds like a karam put your face in the snow as a kid or something.

Anonymous said...

to the rocket scientist who wants to know why a city employee is building Karams house. They are 2 different people. Paheco is kind of a popular name in these parts welfare rat. Does the holiday screw up the bloggers on this site getting their checks tomorrow from the government? I will drive down North Main Street 1st thing and make sure city shoveled sidewalk so you can wait in line for your free money

Anonymous said...

clueless clover do you still live with mommy? Awwwww clueless go get mommy her baileys and coffee like a good boy

Anonymous said...

I don't know about shamrock but I don't get a welfare check. I work at a hotel in somerset.

Anonymous said...

No a Karam threw a drink at me in at a black tie public function then rolled around in his tux.

Anonymous said...

The Herald News will have a big scoop by the end of the week.

Anonymous said...

was it vodka or bacardi?

Anonymous said...

everybody needs maid service even at a hotel

Anonymous said...

everybody needs maid service even at a hotel

Anonymous said...

Yeah especially in the bathroom after a raid.

Anonymous said...

seriously doubt anyone on here could get date to black tie affair

Anonymous said...

Scamrock must have worked for the karam's and been fired.......

Anonymous said...

scamrock or clueless clover? let's discuss

Anonymous said...

tee hee tee hee

Anonymous said...

Pachecos,Plows,Political patronage,Payolla,.....PLEASE PLEASE give me a break!!Instead of all these ridiculous accusations how about some self examination.How about that ? It would be much healthier than the bitterness and envy that consumes you and this blog.Try this for a start..have a weeks worth of blogs without a Karam or a Herren being mentioned and try to get 100 posts on your own name and your own work.Ready ..set..go..good luck!!

Anonymous said...

Public vehicles in a private lot. Why? That's the bottom line. If a city worker got out of a vehicle and fell on his ass and hurt himself who is responsible? Some interesting insurance/liability questions here but again, private lot/public vehicles... why? Forget the "to plow or not to plow" questions for a second and ask yourself if this makes sense/smells right?

shamrock said...

Anon 19:42 -

As a testament to the fact that I haven't deleted anything, I am letting these retarded off topic comments flow freely from the IP addresses of these 2 people.

Anonymous said...

I didn't know you were counting the posts, is this some kind of competition?

It should be easy to not mention herren since he wasn't mentioned in the first place until someone started hijacking the posts again.

Karam on the other hand is too deeply imbedded in the payolla to not comment on. and there is much more payolla going on that will come out this week to prove the conspiracy theories, ready set ............

Anonymous said...

Oh, how we all wish...
I belive wholeheartedly that the demise of this country has its roots in parochial, corrupt communities (especially as of late) like Fall River. Please let the truth be told, and let the public wake up and take a stance like never before, to save our community and country from any further demise. Our future depends on it. Bloggers are an essential part of that equation.

Anonymous said...

A political figure is going down for payolla.

Anonymous said...

Are you sure that they are going down for payola and not something else? Payola is when a radio station receive payments, services, or other valuable consideration for airing material and do not disclose the fact.

Anonymous said...

pay to play wrong term

Anonymous said...

pay to play wrong term

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the clarification. I'm really curious! It would be great to see a corrupt politician go down. I think our local government needs a huge wake up call and this may do it.

Anonymous said...

12/12/2008 WSAR Radio
1 Home St. Somerset, MA 02725 Correia, Robert Radio Ads $375.00
11/10/2008 WSAR 1480-AM
* *, DeMelo, Gregory C. Ads $192.00
11/4/2008 WSAR
Kitchen, Paul B. ad $165.00
10/31/2008 WSAR
One Home St Somerset , MA 02726 Aguiar, Kevin Advertising $375.00
10/31/2008 WSAR
MA Saunders, Christopher T. ADS $825.00
10/30/2008 WSAR Radio
1 Home St. Somerset, MA 02725 Correia, Robert Radio Ads $500.00
10/29/2008 WSAR
1 Home St Somerset, MA 02725 Ferry, CJ Radio Ads $420.00
10/28/2008 WSAR
Kitchen, Paul B. WSAR $330.00
10/22/2008 WSAR
1 Home St Somerset, MA Heroux, Robert advertising $1,242.00
10/21/2008 WSAR
1 Home St Somerset, MA 02725 Ferry, CJ Radio Ads $500.00
10/15/2008 WSAR 1480-AM
* *, DeMelo, Gregory C. Radio Ads $772.00
9/17/2008 WSAR
Fiola, Carole AD $455.00
9/16/2008 WSAR
One Home St Somerset, MA 02725 Sullivan, David B. Radio Ad $330.00
9/15/2008 WSAR
1 Home St Somerset, MA 02725 Cipollini, Jr., Oliver P. Radio Ad $560.00
9/12/2008 WSAR
One Home St Somerset , MA Aguiar, Kevin Radio Advertisement $375.00
9/11/2008 WSAR
One Home St Somerset, MA 02725 Sullivan, David B. Radio Ad $1,370.00
9/11/2008 WSAR
* *, DeJesus, John Ad $30.00
9/8/2008 WSAR
O'Neil, John C. ADS $1,200.00
9/8/2008 WSAR
* *, DeJesus, John Radio - Ad $535.00
8/28/2008 WSAR
DeRossi, Gina L. Ads $1,440.00
5/3/2008 WSAR/WHTB
1 Home St. Somerset, MA 02725 Rodrigues, Michael J. Advertisement $310.00
3/4/2008 WSAR
ONE HOME ST Somerset, MA Aguiar, Kevin ADVERTISING $70.00
2/27/2008 WSAR
ONE HOME ST Somerset, MA 02726 Aguiar, Kevin ADVERTISEMENT $600.00
2/19/2008 WSAR
ONE HOME ST Somerset, MA 02726 Aguiar, Kevin RADIO ADVERTISEMENT $300.00
2/15/2008 WSAR
Home Street Somerset, MA 02725 Leary, Jr., Raymond P. Radio Ads $785.00
2/13/2008 WSAR
Home Street Fall River, MA 02720 Menard, Joan M. Christmas Greetings $299.00
2/6/2008 WSAR
ONE HOME ST Somerset, MA Aguiar, Kevin RADIO ADVERISEMENT $215.00
2/4/2008 WSAR
ONE HOME ST Somerset, MA Aguiar, Kevin ADVERTISEMENT $510.00
2/4/2008 WSAR
ONE HOME ST Somerset, MA Aguiar, Kevin ADVERTISEMENT $275.00
2/4/2008 WSAR Radio
1 Home Street Somerset, MA Sousa, Tony M. Ads $40.00
2/1/2008 WSAR
ONE HOME ST Somerset, MA Aguiar, Kevin ADVERTISEMENT $500.00
1/28/2008 WSAR Radio
1 Home Street Somerset, MA 02725 Sousa, Tony M. Ads $300.00
1/22/2008 WSAR Radio
1 Home St. Somerset, MA 02725 Correia, Robert Radio Ads $299.00
1/15/2008 WSAR
1 Home Street Somerset, MA 02725 Sousa, Tony M. Ads $420.00
1/11/2008 WSAR/WHTB
1 Home St. Somerset, MA 02725 Rodrigues, Michael J. Ad/holiday Greeting $199.00
1/4/2008 WSAR
ONE HOME ST Somerset, MA 02726 Aguiar, Kevin ADVERTISING $199.00

Anonymous said...

11/6/2007 WSAR
ONE HOME ST. Somerset, MA 02726 Aguiar, Kevin ADVERTISEMENTS $240.00
10/28/2007 WSAR
One Home St Somerset, MA 02725 Sullivan, David B. Radio Ad $620.00
10/28/2007 WSAR
One Home St Somerset, MA 02725 Sullivan, David B. Radio Ad $700.00
10/25/2007 WSAR Radio
1 Home St. Somerset, MA 02725 Correia, Robert Radio Ads $610.00
9/4/2007 WSAR
One Home St Somerset, MA 02725 Sullivan, David B. Radio Ad $1,941.00
8/15/2007 WSAR Radio
1 Home St. Somerset, MA 02725 Correia, Robert Radio Ads $2,660.00
6/11/2007 WSAR
One Home St Somerset, MA 02725 Sullivan, David B. Radio Ad $1,612.81
1/24/2007 WSAR
1 Home St Somerset, MA 02725 Haddad, Patricia A. Holiday Message $325.00
1/12/2007 WSAR/WHTB
1 Home St. Somerset, MA 02725 Rodrigues, Michael J. Ad/holiday Greeting $199.00
1/12/2007 WSAR Radio
1 Home St. Somerset, MA 02725 Correia, Robert Radio Ads $325.00
1/11/2007 WSAR
Home Street Fall River, MA 02720 Menard, Joan M. Christmas Greetings $199.00

Anonymous said...

10/31/2006 WSAR Radio
1 Home St. Somerset, MA 02725 Correia, Robert Radio Ads $500.00
10/26/2006 WSAR
1 Home St Somerset, MA 02725 Paleologos, Philip C. radio spots purchase $300.00
9/19/2006 WSAR AM 1480
1 Home Street Somerset, MA Long, Perry C. * $250.00
9/15/2006 WSAR
* SOMERSET, MA 02725 Sutter, C. Samuel radio a ds $1,048.00
9/12/2006 WSAR
1 HOME ST. Somerset, MA 02726 Aguiar, Kevin ADVERTISEMENT $200.00
9/11/2006 WSAR 1480 Radio
One Home Street Somerset, MA 02725 Patrick, Deval L. Radio Ad $990.00
8/30/2006 WSAR Radio
1 Home St. Somerset, MA 02725 Correia, Robert radio ads $1,036.00
1

Anonymous said...

9/11/2008 Cultural Center
205 S. Main St. Fall River, MA 02720 Correia, Robert Dinner For Pres. Cesar of Portugal $4,800.00

The plow guy

Anonymous said...

All I got out of that is that candidates for office buy radio time...what is this supposed to prove?

Anonymous said...

oops, you can put that towards the raise you didn't take.

11/27/2008 Frank, Arthur
309 Bedford St Fall River, MA 02720 Correia, Robert Reimbursement of Excess Donation $150.00
11/27/2008 Frank, Donna
265 Hinchey Lane Somerset, MA 02726 Correia, Robert Reimbursement of Excess Donationimb $300.00

Anonymous said...

Just giving you the facts, you figure out if they got ad time or not. Mushy editorials don't count.

Anonymous said...

Must have forgot my church envelopes.

/2/2008 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Donation For Dinner Fundraiser $72.00
3/5/2008 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Donation For Dinner Fundraiser $120.00
6/26/2008 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Donation For Church Event $500.00
9/9/2008 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Donation For Dinner Fundraiser $120.00
10/7/2008 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Donation For Dinner Fundraiser $120.00
6/14/2005 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal Street Fall River, MA 02720 Correia, Robert donation $100.00
6/28/2006 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert donation $100.00
7/23/2001 Santo Christo Church
Columbia Street Fall River, MA 02720 Correia, Robert donation $100.00
1/5/2007 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Tickets $68.00
1/16/2007 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Tickets $102.00
2/5/2007 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Hall Rental $200.00
2/28/2007 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Tickets $102.00
6/23/2007 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Donation $100.00
8/30/2007 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Tickets $170.00
10/29/2007 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721 Correia, Robert Tickets $80.00
6/27/2003 Santo Christo Church
185 Canal Street Fall River, MA 02720 Correia, Robert donation $100.00

Anonymous said...

It is unbelievable how much HATE there is in Fall River. From the streets to the radio station. What the city needs is a person who can bring everyone together to change the city for the BETTER. What the city needs is the FALL RIVER OBAMA

LEFY FOR MAYOR

Anonymous said...

10/17/2007 White's Restaurant
P.O. Box 248 Westport, MA 02790 Correia, Robert Fundraiser Breakfast $12,822.75


5/16/2008 White's Restaurant
P.O. Box 248 Westport, MA 02790 Correia, Robert Fundraiser Breakfast $22,698.11

shamrock said...

SHAMROCK for LEFTY's DRIVER!!

Anonymous said...

out of (campaign) pocket personal donation :


3/4/2008 CD Recreation
72 Bank Street Fall River, MA 02720 Correia, Robert Donation $100.00
12/8/2008 CD Recreation
72 Bank Street Fall River, MA 02720 Correia, Robert Donation- Great Night $500.00

shamrock said...

AHAHA....good find for his out of pocket contribution.

Anonymous said...

This FACTUAL message brought to you directly from the very public records of the office of campaign finance state of mass. We approve this message.

Anonymous said...

still paying the phone bill from campaign funds.

1/14/2008 AT & T-Cingular Wireless
P.O. Box 536216 Atlanta, GA 30353 Correia, Robert Cell Phone Bill $184.41
2/18/2008 AT & T-Cingular Wireless
P.O. Box 536216 Atlanta, GA 30353 Correia, Robert Cell Phone Bill $89.65
3/13/2008 AT & T-Cingular Wireless
P.O. Box 536216 Atlanta, GA 30353 Correia, Robert Cell Phone Bill $87.72
4/18/2008 AT & T-Cingular Wireless
P.O. Box 536216 Atlanta, GA 30353 Correia, Robert Cell Phone Bill $87.89
5/18/2008 AT & T-Mobility
P.O. Box 536216 Atlanta, GA 30353 Correia, Robert Cell Phone Bill $87.89
11/5/2008 AT & T-Mobility
P.O. Box 536216 Atlanta, GA 30353 Correia, Robert Cell Phone Bill $98.53
11/14/2008 AT & T-Mobility
P.O. Box 536216 Atlanta, GA 30353 Correia, Robert Cell Phone Bill $104.37
6/24/2008 AT&T Mobility
P.O. Box 536216 Atlanta, GA 30353 Correia, Robert Cell Phone Bill $89.73
6/30/2008 AT&T Mobility
P.O. Box 536216 Atlanta, GA 30353 Correia, Robert Cell Phone Bill $89.73
8/25/2008 AT&T Mobility
P.O. Box 536216 Atlanta, GA 30353 Correia, Robert Cell Phone Bill $179.98
9/18/2008 AT&T Mobility
P.O. Box 536216 Atlanta, GA 30353 Correia, Robert Cell Phone Bill $39.20

Anonymous said...

Thanks for cleaning up that eyesore.

9/11/2008 McGoverns Restaurant
310 Shove Street Fall River, MA 02724 Correia, Robert Cocktail Party Fundraiser $30,000.00

Anonymous said...

wow. who needs woodward and bernstein when intrepid investigators such as yourselves unearth such secret and shocking info. It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic

Anonymous said...

I agree the political patronage would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic and blatant. Thanks for the comments Richard.

Anonymous said...

Looks like the new president will bring transparency to government,
get ready fall river politicians and friends- no more hiding public information.