Fall River Flea Markets

I had a great time perusing the very eclectic offerings at the Fall River flea markets this weekend. I found out a few weeks ago that Fall River has two (that I know of) indoor flea markets in mills. The newer of the two is at the end of Weaver Street off of North Main and the other, Globe Flea Market, is right off of Globe 4 Corners next to the old Ukrainian Club. I believe both are open Saturdays and Sundays from 10-4 (but don't quote me on that).

I thoroughly enjoyed the randomness of the items at both places. Its probably not for everyone but I had a great time and highly recommend a trip. The bad news for everyone is that I bought the only Santa riding a dolphin.

Citizen Input 3/24/09 Fall River City Council Meeting

I watched about 10 hours of council meetings from this week and wanted to share some of the best parts. The following is citizen input from some very moving citizens.

Dan Robillard

Joe Carvahlo

Alan Amaral

Cecile Scofield

Numbers are hard

Councilor Pat Casey dealing with numbers at Tues 3/24's council meeting

Great moments at city council meetings

Disorder in the Court - watch more funny videos

Kid Uses Fart Machine During City Council Meeting - watch more funny videos

Fall River Boys

The name Richard Renaldi has been coming up in my Fall River Google alerts, for quite some time. It wasn't until yesterday that I clicked on one of the Renaldi updates, and am very glad I did.

In 2000, and for many subsequent years, artist Richard Renaldi came to Fall River to photograph our mills but was inspired by our people to take his work in a somewhat different direction. Renaldi wanted to capture the image of coming of age in a town with not alot of opportunity. His 184 page book with 89 images is available at Charles Lane Press .

From a review by 5B4 (a great read if you have the time)

when I see the young man Erik in plate 32 with his straightforward glare with one hand on a baby stroller you know that that new responsibility will have a profound effect on what risks, and ultimately what decisions, he makes. Each person may start with the potential to do anything as we are told, but the possibilities narrow greatly with even the slightest of choices.

Portrait after portrait, we look upon the faces and clothing and momentarily ask about their futures; which of them will leave the street corner, which will become artists, which will work passionless jobs and which will find their calling, which will learn to love life and which will learn to hate it.

The landscapes in Fall River Boys describe not a town of horrible circumstance but simply of the ordinary. It is not affluent but middle working class and perhaps mind-numbing. As Michael Cunningham who penned the absolutely wonderful introduction tells us, Fall River's motto is 'We Try' - a motto which seems to be apologizing for itself and preparing for disappointment. Renaldi gives just enough of the surroundings for us to get a sense of the industry and perhaps the limiting opportunity for those who remain. Limiting as it may appear, Renaldi's view camera also ups the ante with its lush descriptions that render even the most dreary of industrial site in its moment of beauty.

An interview with the artist, Richard Renaldi:


Richard Renaldi at Jackson Fine Art from Art Relish on Vimeo.

Who is Running?

(Alphabetically)

City Council -

Kris Bartley - Fall River based artist/photographer, involved in the Ward 7 democratic committee
Don Berube - Attorney, recently moved back to the city and immediately recognized that Fall River needs a change
Jamie Boulay - Structural engineer, ran for council in 2007, active in the community, board member of the Children's Museum
Ron Cabral (possible) - Ran for city council in 2007, attends many municipal meetings
Dave Dennis - Attorney, veteran, **extra credit for already having a candidate website!, involved in the Ward 7 democratic committee
Chris Marcelino - former police officer, hosts a cable access show on Channel 95 "Bristol County News"
Mike Miozza (possible) - PhD, LNG Superhero, stances

Mayor -

Will Flanagan - Attorney, previously ran for school committee
Mike Raposa - here ..... and here


Who am I missing?

Life on the Brink

This is the accompanying video to a great front page article in the Boston Globe about Fall River's struggles: Life on the Brink

Call Leo

ACTION ALERT - MORE PHONE NUMBERS FOR PELLETIER

Foolish City Councilor Leo Pelletier not answering his home phone? Here are two other phone numbers for Loony Leo.

Call him and tell him off!

HOME PHONE - 508-678-0209

CELL PHONE - 508-320-9571

LEO'S CLUBHOUSE - 508-673-0007

At the last Fall River City Council Meeting, March 10, Councilor Leo Pelletier stated that due to the dire economic straits "we need the Weaver's Cove LNG project," here in Fall River and Somerset, because "it will pay four million dollars in taxes. It appears Hess Weaver's Cove has gotten to Leo. Tell Leo how disappointed you are in him. After six years of fighting this LNG monster we are very close to killing it once and for all. This is not the time to give up! All local, state, and our federal delegation too (BOTH MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND) oppose this dangerous and environmentally damaging project.

?

I just read Superintendent Meg Mayo Brown's letter to the editor. I am not filled with confidence in someone leading our children, in their educational pursuits, who thinks this sentence is ok, "Fall River public schools is at a critical juncture. " Proofread! Work on your grammar and punctuation skills.

Cathy Ann Viveiros' Plan to Balance the Budget

Storefront Artists and Fall River Exhibit Tomorrow

Experience the Arts in Fall River! Tomorrow 3/12/09

The Cherry and Webb gallery is hosting an exhibit by artist Don Hammontree called "Photographs Near and Far" and includes many images of Fall River.

The Cherry & Webb opening is Thursday, 12 March 2009, from 5pm until 7:30.

AND

The Fall River StoreFront Artists Program has currently placed four artists in downtown storefronts. They will each have an open house on Thursday from 5 pm until 8 pm, and welcome the public to stop by and view their work and ask questions. They are all eager for the exposure and represent a great collective of emerging artists in the city.

They include:

Michael Close, Artist, 371 S. Main Street
Elizabeth Graham, Painter, 25 N. Main Street
Bob Martin, Photographer, 25 N. Main Street
Scott Camara, Illustrator, 18 Purchase Street

LNG Action Alert from Green Futures

URGENT ACTION ALERT FOR NARRAGANSETT BAY, MOUNT HOPE BAY, TAUNTON RIVER - Pelletier endorses flawed LNG project At last evening's Fall River City Council Meeting, March 10, Councilor Leo Pelletier stated that due to the dire economic straits "we need the Weaver's Cove LNG project," here in Fall River and Somerset, because "it will pay four million dollars in taxes." He also said, "Maybe they will give us four million dollars in advance ...before the project is built." Leo also mentioned all of the construction jobs that the project would provide and also the "spin-off" jobs. He seemed fixated on the four million dollar figure and mentioned it numerous times. It appears Hess Weaver's Cove has gotten to Leo.

PLEASE CALL/WRITE LEO AND HAVE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, ETC. CALL/WRITE HIM TOO. Tell Leo how disappointed you are in him. After six years of fighting this LNG monster we are very close to killing it once and for all. This is not the time to give up! All local, state, and our federal delegation too (BOTH MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND) oppose this dangerous and environmentally damaging project. If you know Leo personally, please meet with him and explain the foolishness of what he proposes.

EVERYONE ELSE PLEASE CALL/WRITE LEO NOW - PHONE - 508-678-0209
COUNCILOR LEO PELLETIER
CITY COUNCIL OFFICE
ONE GOVERNMENT CENTER
FALL RIVER, MA. 02722

Video: Leo gives in to LNG

Leo "LNG truout the country; we have 96 truout the country. We have 43 in New England."

Me This is an example that clearly indicates his incredible misunderstanding of the issue/buying into Hess-LNG spin. The Weaver's Cove proposal is for an LNG terminal. There are not 96 in the U.S., there are eight. But he does say he isn't good with uhritmuhtic.

WTF

Councilor Leo pelletier just came out in support of negotiating a deal to bring LNG to Fall River, at the Council meeting.

Update:
Councilor linda perreira said she would prefer LNG to raising taxes.

Anyone else?

It Just Keeps Getting Worse.....

Shocker - I am again outraged at a Correia decision. I will preface this by saying that Correia still has a driver hauling his ass around in his Lexus and holding his umbrella over his head in inclement weather. That being said, Correia cut funding so that the elderly no longer have a driver for trips to the grocery store.

Dear Mr. Mayor:

Dear Mayor Correia:

Thank you for cutting so many police AND a very special thank you for cutting most of the gang task force! We owe you one. Also, thank you for using the graffiti removal machine to powerwash city hall rather than removing our gang tags.

Yours Truly,
Chew, Hanover Boyz, BK, Asian Boyz, etc.

!!SUPPORT OUR FIREFIGHTERS!! Tonight

Please come and show support for our unjustly out of work firefighters..

WHEN: TONIGHT

WHERE: WHITE'S of WESTPORT 508-675-7185

TIME: Doors open at 6:30 Entertainment starts at 7:30

COST: $15.00 to go to out of work firefighters

The Herald News Makes God Sad --Bernie Sullivan

Bernie Sullivan's weekly "editorials" (listen below) on WSAR just keep getting more foolish. His target this week was the Herald News, the police, Herald News commenters, and things that make God sad (ie the Herald News).

I think perhaps the most egregious lines in his verbal diarrhea were about the police:

"It is not the Mayor who is the problem. Where was the tight bond of brotherhood and sisterhood we hear so much about, when the call came to agree to wage adjustments that would save the jobs of many. They talk of taking a bullet for each other, but I guess that love affair doesn't extend to a pay adjustment"

In my opinion, the Herald News has done a 180. They are reporting in depth, on a variety of news stories, and it no longer pains me to read it. I think the comment section of the online paper is a great outlet for residents to share their thoughts and collaborate with ideas.

Bernie claims that the Herald News has the secret agenda of selling ads to make money...no shit (sorry mom) - that is how they stay in business, dumbass (again).

Is it easier to trust a newspaper whose agenda is selling ads and papers or the local radio station whose owners are trying to promote their political agenda, get their candidates elected, and keep an option to purchase on prime real estate in Fall River?

I'll take the newspaper hocking 'headache medication' any day, Bernie.
_________________________________________________________

No Take Backs

In November 2008, the School Committee voted to turn over 13 unused buildings to the city. This vote put the buildings in the hands of the City Council. Since then the Council has been paying the utilities on all of these buildings.

Given the poor decisions of the RDA and FROED over the 64 Durfee Street issue, several of the councilors have since expressed their refusal to turn any of these buildings to the RDA. Now, all of a sudden, the school committee, lead by Bob Correia, doesn't want to turn the buildings over....but they already did! Shouldn't the school committee know the old school rule of 'no take backs.'

Why are the administration and the school committee refusing to turn over the buildings that already belong to the city council. Is the Mayor afraid that without the help of the RDA/FROED that the buildings aren't going to get into the hands of his pals?

It is suspicious that now, after 20 years as the chair of the real estate committee, Leo Pelletier was replaced by, of all people, Pat Casey, a proud do-er of the Mayor's bidding.

Thoughts on Cutting our Police Force

Absolutely unconscionable that the Mayor still has a driver. Yes, I realize that she does other things like holding his umbrella over him in the rain, gets him coffee, attends the occasional neighborhood meeting to earn her title as 'Director of Intergovernmental Affairs," and yes I realize cutting her would not completely solve the budget issue but I would rather save one police officer's job than have the comfort of knowing Bob will never get wet in the rain. Her position is a symptom of the disease in this administration.

I have not seen one of the many good suggestions on ameliorating the budget issue, by the city council, acted upon. Three weeks ago, at a city council meeting, Councilor Steve Camara requested that Adam Chapdelaine bring him the list of the 68 non-union employees at city hall to perhaps start trimming with them. That seemed like a great idea. Trim the fat at city hall. Two weeks later, at the next city council meeting, Chapdelaine failed to provide the council with that list, this failure to comply with the request indicated to me that the administration wasn't at all interested in making cuts at city hall. Councilor Lund suggested making the top 100 salaries take percentage decrease. Councilor Viveiros had submitted a 5 page report to the Mayor with suggestions. Councilor Bigelow suggested that the city do an inventory of things we own like at the prison where they inventory screwdrivers because if they lose track a prisoner may get one and use it as a weapon.......not sure where he was going with that, but hopefully I am making my point. MULTITUDES of good suggestions (and Councilor Bigelow's) have been made yet Bob has not, from what I have seen, used any of them and continues on with the plan he had from the beginning: CUT SAFETY.

Don't even get me started on the city's law department...I think William Shakespeare would take a more forceful approach,"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." - (Henry VI ), but can't we at least cut some of that fat? Or in retrospect, knowing that a financial crisis was only months away maybe we shouldn't have given Arthur Frank a 30/40,000 dollar raise.

Mayor Correia, dust off your fiddle, sit in your throne on the 6th floor of government center, and be prepared to watch Fall River burn.

• I think that pretty much sums up my thoughts at the moment.

This Special Request Goes Out to Anonymous

As I have stated many times before, I am not a journalist. However, I do take pride in ensuring that the information put forth on this blog is accurate. A recent post on this blog by Tom Paine cited to recommendations made by Nick Christ's, Community Advisory Group on Public Housing, from 2001. An anonymous commenter, in what I perceived to be an attempt to undermine the validity of the assertions being made, challenged the accuracy of the information. The commenter also 'suggested' that I post the report online. I maintain that the information cited from that report was accurate, therefore, going out by special request to my sarcastic anonymous commenter pal, here is the report (although I have a feeling you have read it before):
CLICK HERE TO READ