Bellicose Bumpkin

Thanks, Mark, as I missed both the original and the rerun.

What can one say? A simple request to add significant minutes from a meeting and a BOS member goes postal? Dragging out the old “take out papers” routine represents the last bastion of an argument gone dry. Intent means nothing but reaction does. Time for a change.

Right bogo (who’s this Mark guy?),

I found the “cheap seats” comment to be particularly telling.

It had an insulting, dismissive “let them eat cake” quality that doesn’t bode well for someone who happens to want something outrageous like fair representation.

Yeah, time for several changes, as each one of them comes up for reelection, Mr. Rodgers included. This is utterly shameful. Mr. Spataro and Mrs. Brunelle should be ashamed of their outbursts. What Mr. Solmini asked was not out of line, given the central importance of the issue, and unless you watch the public access channel religiously, chances are you won’t see the tape Mr. Rodgers refers to. As Mr. Solmini asked, what are they so afraid of?

As a person of a certain caliber, I take offense.

I do have to agree that it ha been all crap over the past two years. Crap,that was brought forward by the same people who are now complaining that they have to explain things that should have been explained BEFORE this bingo hall was approved.

Thanks Mike and Al for your efforts.

Marsha is correct in only one point. The record does not have to be verbatim.

She however is dead wrong to say all they have to record is the vote.

dead wrong.

This board is not doing their job.
They’re getting all upset because they cannot handle the truth nor record it.

It is time for Mr. Spataro to be gone.

I’ve shown that video to three people already. The same question comes up everytime. Mr Solomini accused him of recieving a blanket.
He didn’t have his facts straight.

It was a $2.00 Coffee mug and T Shirt! I think they gave out 15 or so of them. I actually got one.

How can these selectman operate Town business with the blatant accusations and false facts being thrown around for 7-8 weeks now.

Try and Take a persons integrity, He has no choice but to respond and defend.

Asking for minutes was cool. But to fasley accuse someone That was just wrong.

IMO.

What difference does it make what sort of gifts he received?

Selectman have no business getting gifts from people that do business with the town. Whether the value comes in under the state limit of $50 or not, they should have all had the sense to do what Pat did: Take no gifts, attend no parties.

If you show the video to three other people who are outside your hardcore pro-casino, anything is OK, circles, I’m quite sure you’ll see a different reaction.

This is simple. You accept nothing and don’t develop friendships with people who you’ll have to negotiate with later. End of story.

Some many gifts, and he mis-understood who got what….maybe it should have been listed in the minutes after all?

What Steve received a caddy?

It is about the law, and the BOS doing their job. They are not doing their job. Until they do their job people like Mr. Solomini need to keep trhem to their responsibilities.

Steve’s comments were cheap…and he was elected from the people in the cheap seats…..why does he and this board think they’re better than those in the audience???

I wonder if those Coffee cups had the Apple logo on them if things would be different?

Of course not it would be wrong.

“What difference does it make what sort of gifts he received?”

Mr solomini said it was a blanket then went on to say “We” Knew when you gave it back.. Who is We? and why didn’t “We” tell Mr Solomini it was a coffee Cup?? He never gave a blanket back because he never recieved one. Mr Solomini was accusing Mr. Spataro of all kinds of wrong doings.

BB do you know who got the blankets?

So in your eye’s nobody should get frustrated at any of you even if your wrong..

By The way FYI.
Something is wrong with that video the voice is not matched up with the lips.

Bellicose Bumpkin,

Many thanks for posting the video.

We can describe how inappropriate the conduct was, but it isn’t close to watching their outrage at being questioned.

If we remove the “C” word from the discussion and present the issue as 3 members of the Middleboro Board of Selectmen, a quorum, accepting gifts, meals, socializing, transportation and entertainment from ABC Development Company, the conduct is inappropriate, unethical and clearly illegal.

Marsha Brunelle, my favorite Selectperson has yet to comment on gifts she received or whether she has returned them.

If a person fails to protect their own integrity by accepting gifts, gratuities and chooses to attend events sponsored by the town’s “business partner,” the public has every right to question their conduct.

Two private organizations have been formed, of which a quorum of Selectmen have been involved. That they see nothing wrong denies the landmark case of Open Meeting Law violation against Middleboro.

This isn’t about the “C,” but about the law and failure of 3 members to refrain from questionable conduct.

Town business isn’t conducted at private meetings or social events.

When you put yourself in that position, be prepared to accept the consequences.

Your assessment of Mr. Rogers’ conduct, I believe is accurate. If you adhere to appropriate ethical standards, you have nothing to explain, no gifts to return, no reason for future indignation.

This Board looks and sounds like Mikey Mouse in their response.

Mr. Spatero owes Mr. Solamini a written apology for his attack.

BB do you know who got the blankets?

By The way FYI.
Something is wrong with that video the voice is not matched up with the lips.

Mike – I presume,

Adam got a blanket, which he immediately returned and discussed it at a BOS meeting. This was back in August ‘08 I think. You said “blankets” – plural and I don’t know who else received one. Do you?

It is my belief that you are trying to invalidate the point of accepting gifts because Solimini had a detail wrong. He said blanket, Steve corrected him that it was a cup and a T-shirt. Agreed. But splitting hairs on this minor detail and missing the big point.

We’ve already discussed the BOS, their parties, and small gifts they received. The topic under discussion now is the totally inappropriate behavior of Spataro when MS made a polite and valid request to amend the meeting minutes.

As far as frustrated goes – I’ve seen your posts on all the sites you frequent in all your various anonymous incarnations.

Playing nice here while you continue with your exaggerated and baseless posts on other sites is disingenuous to say the least.

Yes it was a mistake Mr. Solomini confused a prior meeting or comment…..geeee does anyone now see why the minutes need to reflect the details.

If no record is ammended Spataro could have accepted many other things…..

Just record the damn comments.

GIFTS WERE ACCEPTED. CALL THEM SAME OR WHAT THEY ARE. BUT RECORD THEM.

ALSO RECORD THAT TOWN COUNCIL only made reference to the communications, and made no legal statement on the Pow Wows or gifts….. I wonder why….

If the board think they should move on the nso beit, but lets see what the 2-23-09 minute include.

I’m sure Mr. Solomini will be watchin that as well.

From the Cheap Seats that is?????

Spataro, Mimi and Brunell are wrong.

I’ve read the stories. I’ve watched the videos. These can be serious issues, but unless someone purposefully brings them to the attention of the District Attorney’s office, they will remain UNINVESTIGATED!

I suggest that someone write a brief letter of concern to the DA, specifically, to one Mary Lee, Assistant District Attorney.

I’ll provide the address:

Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office
Mary Lee, Assistant District Attorney
32 Belmont Street
P.O. Box 1665
Brockton, MA 02301

Until that letter is written, no one knows but us.

The issue at this meeting is the proper reflection in the official minutes of the previous meetings’ discussion. No matter what the issue the minutes should contain an accurate reflection of the discussion. Asking for such is absolutely within reason, and the disdain with which Mr. Solomini was treated is rude and unacceptable.

That being said, if the BOS does not want the minutes to include the admission of the board members accepting gifts then why did they accept the said gifts in the first place? Why did they publicly acknowledge these gifts only when pressed? Where, by the way, have they documented said gifts or any other such gifts to date?

I think it would be wise to remember that the BOS cornered the town into voting on an agreement with a Tribe that is now being investigated by the FBI. The ongoing investigation and guilty plea by Marshall, (and don’t forget the allegations from the former Chair of the board) have left a stink surrounding this whole matter. They brought this on themselves.

As for Mr. Spataro’s ‘cheap seats’ comment I, as a resident of Middleboro, have just as much right to be at that meeting as he does!

The blowhard ‘take out papers’ comment is completely lame when, as he is fully aware, the deadline to do so was a week prior.

I certainly hope the public is watching and remembers all of this in the coming election. Some members of the BOS lack the moral compass and fortitude for this job. It is time for some accountability and new blood in the BOS

Psycho-shrimp never play nice. But, they are tasty when caught, fried in oil and served with a nice white wine.

BB readers.

Feelings are running high.

Please keep the posts even handed and free of accusation.

We have a BOS that many of us are unhappy with. They are nonetheless our neighbors and fellow townfolk who have spent many hours in service of Middleboro.

Spataro’s disdain and action deserve to be exposed and discussed. The BOS’s actions in the casino process were problematic. There is much to be unhappy about. But this is the time for us to show our caliber by dissenting in a manner that is constructive and above reproach.

I agree,

Smile, and lets show Mr. Spataro the door on his way out.

I also agree with the comment above. If a Middleboro formal response or amendment is not made, this has to be sent to the DA.

Mr. Spataro went out of his way to get return receipt for returning his gifts, so where is our receipt in the form of accurate minutes, which record the real issue.

Those minutes were weak, but only on the issue that was heavily discussed. Was this by design?

Write the DA, these guys are not serving the residents. They are covering for each other.

We ARE unhappy with the BOS.
Maybe THEY need to remember that WE are THEIR neighbors and fellow townfolk. They need to remember the folks in the “cheap seats” are the ones who put them in their seats. They are there to serve the folks in the cheap seats. If they’re not going to do that, the folks in the cheap seats can take them out of their seats. They should remember, selectman is not a life long job. Sooner or later they too will have to return to the “cheap seats”.

An old adage says, be careful who you step on going up the ladder because those same people may not be so friendly on you’re way back down.

Wow, I don’t even know where to begin.

Questioning their integrity over a mug and T-shirt?

My dear BOS, the mug and T-shirt are simply SYMBOLIC for how easily you were bought and quickly you sold this town out.

Can’t the BOS see that?

Mike is simply calling that fact to your attention!

Mike Solomini should be commended….

When you are an elected official in any city or town, expect to be criticized once in a while. I think they(BOS) have no idea that they (BOS) stirred a viper den with this casino thing, and now people are watching and reacting.MIKE HAD EVERY RIGHT TO ASK QUESTIONS AND HAVE THEM ANSWERED. See you all on election day.

Mr. Spataro’s comment refering to the fact that Selectman is an unpaid position is correct, and in his case, we are getting our money’s worth.

The whole board needs to GO!

I can’t wait till April.

The question asked made sense given the discussion that had transpired the week earlier. It was asked in a polite reasonable way!

The BOS allowed it to blow-up. Steve was rude and hostile. Thsi was one of many sad displays by this man. I look forward to Election Day!

Sad display by the whole group of Selectmen. This conversation will continue until Election Day!

I sat in my chair at home amazed! The “cheap seats” comment was over the top!

HEY, HEY, HO, HO Steve Spataro has got to GO!

CHEAP SEATS???? Between property taxes, excise taxes, trash Fees(not a tax LOL), the G&E and any other fee they have us paying, I would say those seats are VERY EXPENSIVE.

I will be voting against "Mr. Take Out Papers" come Election Day!

BB- Can you give us a best of Steve blog for election day? You must have some great ones for review.

View from the cheap seats? Questions from a person of a certain caliber?

Those comments were uncalled for. What elected offical has the right to disgregard the concerns of citizens they represent, simply by virtue of the fact that they felt thier integrity was being questioned? This was not a personal attack.

It is every citizens responsibility to monitor and question thier leaders. It is nice to see a few brave souls standing up for what is right and ethical. We should have been doing this all along.

Our board is in a “bad place”. They live in the land of entitlement. Because they haven’t been questioned before, they feel above reproach.

Thier actions are not a reflection on them personally. Thier reactions are.

Shame on each and everyone of us if we let him get away with comments like that. He needs to be voted out of office in a hurry.

Middleboro has seen some sad days of the past couple of years. Maybe just maybe this pushes a few folks over the edge and causes them to think about the person they elect to be on the BOS. I agree with the statements made above, I will be voting for someone else.

I watched the meeting last night and saw no apology from Steve for his outburst and attack on the citizen’s of Middleboro.

The ball is in our court to do the right thing and replace him on Election Day!

I was watching this past Selectmen’s meeting.
When they were discussing a deadline for accepting applications for the town charter committee, something struck me. As Marsha Brunelle looked around quizzically and all the board members questioned each other about the date of the last Friday in March, I really noticed their ineptitude. Considering the BOS are constantly setting agendas, meeting times, and schedules, doesn’t even one of them think it might be a good idea to bring a calendar to the meeting?

Out of the four, Pat Rogers at least seems to have his act together but the other three have to go.

I feel bad for Mrs. Duphily in those meetings, she’s such a dear. Or is that deer? As in deer caught in the headlights!

Spataro, he just seems a day late and a dollar short. Although if the casino ever was to be built and we needed someone to find out the weight of the trucks working on the project, HE’S OUR MAN!

Marsha Brunelle, where to start, where to start. Mrs. Back to the Future. If someone suggested bringing a calendar to the BOS meeting, I’m sure Marsha could instantly come up with a date where she did that in the past.

Everybody else can do whatever they want, but come election day, I’m going to start replacing some selectmen.

Smoking Owl,

As always, you hit one of the noteworthy comments.

My husband had to leave the room because he began to get somewhat … how to say it? Peeved?

No calendar?

When they were filling the time before the hearing, they took correspondence out of order. Mrs. Duphily’s response seemed to indicate that she had not read the correspondence and was unprepared.

This isn’t to pick on the Dear or Deer, but she now seems lost since Carcieri v Salazar.

I was disappointed in Pat Rogers’ summary of the Regional Task Force meeting – not the casino RTF, but the Brockton Power Plant. More facts and less trivia like the scarf thing might have been appreciated. At least he went and someone on the BOS is showing some interest.

Noted by its absence was a public apology for last week’s conduct.

lighten up people.

simple solution. add to the minutes the gifts recieved the value and move on. no one will question someones integrity over a t-shirt that was returned.

does Middleboro have the people in place to protect the towns interests regarding this issue. the state powers will run over these people if the town doesn't support them. it will destroy middleboro. know that. go to CT and RI and looke at the mess of a town they have there. let new bedford be the calf they the rest of the state ticks feed off of.