Watched just enough of last night's BOA meeting last night that made breakfast barely tolerable. The three stooges (JS, PDR, and the Water/Sewer Consultant) sat up there mouthing off their self-righteous nonsense re: justifying the horrible tiered water system. Their extremely harmful and ignorant "management" of the rate-setting process is hurting this community and they are hearing many many citizens, and yet they don't actually hear at all. It was beyond disgusting. Getting past the "protesting too much" about their virtue in "following the law" and abiding by the idiotic hired consultant's supposed "analysis," it was astounding to see almost the entire BOA once again buy the nonsensical crap, hook, line, and sinker. Aside from Monica Medeiros, the only one who made sense and who was obviously fighting for us as citizens, the entire rest of the Board of Aldermen went along like Dolan's lemmings, seemingly incapable of anything resembling a critical thought process, buying every bit of the gibberish and failing miserably to represent the interests of the citizens. Even more disgusting was watching the Entire BOA fail to second several motions of Ms. Medeiros, even for the purpose of discussion--motions that included removing the Recycling Coordinator (J Schmit) and the mayor's right-hand (BA) from the Water/Sewer line item! It is ludicrous that this bunch thinks it's legitimate to charge Brigitte's salary to the Water Line Item, and it is disgusting to see the open disrespect of the BOA towards a colleague in failing even the simple courtesy of a second on her well-thought motions. Then there's the great Don C, with his fake "humility" in admitting his "mistake" in approving the enormous and ridiculous 2nd meter fees. It was all just a horrible example of the kind of non-process, where everything is obviously cooked up behind closed doors ahead of time, that takes place in virtually all school matters, which Mrs. CKK fights valiantly every week.
Watching the BOA was confirmation that this board is every bit as contemptuous and dysfunctional as the SC, though they pretend to decency and appropriate process. It's obvious they are down the Rabbit Hole every bit as much as the SC, and they deserve to be removed from office.
Please, good citizens, please, gather some good candidates and let's get some logic, thinking, and decency back in our governance! Please!
Thank you, Ms. Medeiros, and thank you Mr. Mroz, for trying to inject some common sense into this Water-sewer rate craziness. It's insane, it's devastating to many in the community, if not most, and it is going to change this community for the worst. Only the wealthy will be able to stay in Melrose. Everyone else will have to leave eventually. Maybe that's the intent. If so, shame on them and shame on us for staying asleep and letting it happen.
Was really disappointed to see JLB, DC, and a couple of the others go along and not even be courteous to MM. Her motions and orders make sense, and it's just unacceptable that these aldermen won't even allow a discussion, instead just going for whatever unmitigated crap RD has predetermined they must all kowtow to. They don't even care about the senior citizens that are now having to use their food money to pay for their water bills! The previous poster said it right, the BOA behaves in an ignorant and self-righteous way (what we've come to expect from the mayor's right-hand "experts"), and they were beyond rude to Monica, who made sense and deserved the basic courtesy of having the issues at least discussed. It is not acceptable that this BOA is just ramming through this unfair, unjust, nonsensical water charging system. And what's wrong with Scott? Or Bob? John? Why is there no advocacy for the citizens? We know that PM, GI, FW, and Crocodile Tears MBMM can be counted on to be the ignorant, contemptuous fools that they are (several of them bought and paid for with the GIC), but now there is no reason to count on the rest of them, except one, to have any of our trust.
Gerry Mroz said it right, like he always does: The MWRA doesn't charge different tiers for different water usage, they charge a flat rate. More usage equals more usage. For whatever failings in the system, it is basically equitable. This tiered system is grossly inequitable, it's hurting many citizens (& landlords, etc.), and it was a huge mistake. Instead of listening to common sense, the BOA obeys the stupidity of a bad consultant and fake analysis. Shame on them. Gerry is right when he says this is "egregious"!
Makes one really glad to be residing in another town. Unfortunately, now I have to pass on these grossly unfair charges to my tenants.
Gerry Mroz and Monica Modeiros should be commended widely in this community, and they should be put in charge of things. They work for us (and Mr. M isn't even elected or paid!). The rest of them should be so ashamed. They might thinnk they are public servants, but they serve the mayor, not us. This is not right. They are wrong and they need to be held accountable.
And have you noticed how quickly Gail and Peter rushed in to shut down Public Participation? Disgusting!
Patrick DR is beyond horrible. "We are M-A-N-D-A-T-E-D" to "follow the law" etc etc etc. His condescending and self-righteous BS is impossible to listen to. "There is no grey area here." "That's the law." ..."strict adherence to rules and regulations" and again "There is no grey area here." and then again "That's the law." and for the third time, "There is no grey area here." Who do these pompous awful officious officials think they are???? "Period"! This guy is just offensive. "Hold onto your chair" (oh boy, now comes the Proclamation from Above...) Ridiculous and offensive and shameful.
Repeat after me, There is Grey Area Here, and a lot of it! Unfortunately there is little grey matter between the ears of those aldermen who sat there and nodded approval of the twisted garbage being shoved down their throats by this Snake Oil Salesman.
And these officious creeps think they're convincing us to vote for their Override. NO! NO! and No! For that, there is absolutely NO grey area!
It makes one wonder whether there really is an end game here. Is their purpose to make it impossible for apartment/condo owners to live in Melrose? The current tiered system is one of the most egregious examples of unfair regulation I have ever seen, and in my years in Melrose I have seen a lot of them. In this country, when the government acts in such an unfair and irresponsible manner, it is the right - if not the duty - of the populace to revolt against such conduct.
Here's a question to ponder - how many of these so-called officials live in a circumstance where they are paying at the highest tier rate?
Mortimer openly tells constituents to "shower at the Y like he does"!
End Game = Elected for Life, some with GIC for themselves and their families, For Life! Override voted in so they have plenty of Slush funds where they can hide all the stuff they can then use to vote stipends for their buddies and to Cover their Sorry A$$es when they goof in their "budget" calculations.
blo·vi·ate
ˈblōvēˌāt/
verbUSinformal
verb: bloviate; 3rd person present: bloviates; past tense: bloviated; past participle: bloviated; gerund or present participle: bloviating
talk at length, especially in an inflated or empty way.
verb (used without object), bloviated, bloviating.
1.
to speak pompously.
Origin of bloviate
1850-55, Americanism; pseudo-Latin alteration of blow2 to boast; popularized by Warren G. Harding
: to speak or write verbosely and windily
Just tuned in and watched last night's BOA Water & Sewer debacle unfold. It really was a new low for Melrose. Monica Medeiros deserves our enormous appreciation, not only for attempting to bring some justice to this unjust Water/Sewer Rate Structure by filing sensible orders, but also for remaining the dignified lady that she is, in spite of the absolutely BOORISH conduct of the entire rest of the board, and that by I mean the ENTIRE rest of the BOA, who couldn't even manage a second to her motions, even for the purpose of discussion. It is clear that this woman is working for the best interests of our community, and it is also clear that the rest of them are only interested in their bad politics. Wow. Even those whom I still had some hope for (DC, JLB, SF) did not display one iota of backbone or intelligent representation or even basic decency in respectful conduct for their colleague. So I guess none of the rest of them believes that any kind of discussion should take place, that their only responsibility was to sit there and let the prepackaged nonsense of those paid officials and consultants stand without so much as a thoughtful question. How many even read, let alone bothered to think about the mess they've allowed to be inflicted on the community? Clearly only Monica. What a disgrace. (Thank you, Monica!)
Take a gander at what that clown Scenna has being funded out of the water and sewer enterprise funds... Better hope the state doesn't come knocking.
"Take a gander at what that clown Scenna has being funded out of the water and sewer enterprise funds... Better hope the state doesn't come knocking."
Can you provide the amount? (Minimal access to internet right now) That would be very helpful! Thank you!
Before Melrose becomes Everett, I would like to propose that either Monica Medeiros, Don Conn or Mark Hutchinson run for Mayor.