Why didn't Mayor Sarno Shut it down?

Fresco's restaurant on East Columbus Ave was the scene of an early morning shooting in the Downtown area. Apparently, this restaurant has been functioning as a night club despite not having an entertainment license. Apparently, the restaurant had petition for an entertainment license but Mayor Sarno denied the permit based on past police records complaints. There is a Liquor License Commission hearing on the matter on May 15.

I agree with the Mayor that the City can not allow "a magnet that is attracting violence " and that the "wrath of the city " will come upon any business operating illegally. All of this sounds good and sounds tough on crime. But I have one question. If the Mayor denied a past request from the restaurants for an entertainment license based on past police complaints and there is not a permit to operate as a restaurant, Why didn't the Mayor shut down Fresco's operations?

I was recently in Downtown, the darkness of the place really bothered me. It gave me the feeling that I had to be careful. We have heard many people recently talking about downtown being safe and suggesting that the unsafe label portrayed upon downtown is a perception issue. Well incidents like this makes their case pretty hard to digest.

Are you ready to gamble with your child's safety?

In a recent article by the republican reporter Mike Plaisance reports that AWAKE has on its pay roll a sex offender. Mr. Desi O. Jackson is listed as a level three sex offender with the State. This means that he is classified in a level with high probabilities to re-offend. Mr. Jackson was convicted of statutory rape, drug possession and assault and battery. AWAKE has been praised by local politicians, community activist and local police for their efforts in curbing youth violence in the city. Awake has recently held several press conferences focusing on youth violence and reportedly does extensive outreach in an effort to deter youth violence. Awake according to the paper, has also been recipient of $358,000 in public funding. State Representative Cheryl Coakely -Rivera was instrumental in securing funding for AWAKE.

AWAKE recently participated in a Putnam Vocational High School event where the sex offender was allowed in the school by principal Kevin L. McCaskill.

Apparently, Awake has such a good reputation that Putnam Principal Kevin L. McCaskill, who is also a member of AWAKE board of directors, has made it public that even thought he knew that AWAKE had a sex offender on its payroll, he felt comfortable allowing the sex offender into the building and suggested that he would allow the sex offender back in the building in the future.

Apparently, AWAKE also has some trouble brewing with the Attorney General for failure to properly disclose their status as a non-profit organization, failure to provide articles of organization, names of directors and information about potential conflicts of interest

I have a big problem with this situation.

First of all, I expect that Principal Kevin L. McCaskill as administrator for the school follow the policies set forth by the school department. Not to follow the policies, in my opinion undermines the principal's authority. How is Mr. McCaskill going to address personnel issues, if he himself does not follow the rules?

As for AWAKE, I am deeply concern that the good work that has been done could be damage by this fiery controversy. AWAKE has not been exactly forth coming about their issues and their troubles with the Attorney General only adds to the shroud of skepticism that has descended upon them.

As for Mr. Desi O. Jackson. Only he knows if he has truly resign to violence, drugs and sexual assault. I can tell you that as a parent, I am not prepare to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Allowing Mr. Jackson or any other sex offender on to school property will be gambling with the students safety. Are you prepare to take that gamble? I am not. My child's safety is too precious to gamble with.

3 School chiefs ??

In a recent Masslive article, State Senator Stephen Buniconti, D-Springfield proposed the hiring of three School Superintendents instead of one. The Springfield Control Board, dissatisfied with the progress of the current Superintendent authorized a national search to replace him. Apparently, Sen. Buniconti wants the Financial Control Board to hire three superintendents to have a specific geographical area and rotate chairmanship.

I do appreciate when people bring ideas to the table. But to be quite honest with you, I am very surprise that Sen. Buniconti even thought of this. First of all, School Committee member, Kenneth Shea, is absolutely correct with his statement that " you need consistency of policy and consistency of direction" Having three superintendents will do exactly the opposite, each one will be pulling for his own ideas and sense of direction.

I believe that we need a school Superintendent that is committed to the city for the long run. We need an individual that understands the challenges and strenghts of an urban school district.

I do not believe the size of the district is so big that it is unmanageable.

Sen. Buniconti's district is quite large and has quite several thousand people in it. Following Sen. Buniconti's logic, we could argue that we need two senators for his district. I am sure that Senator Buniconti will aggressively and promptly disagree.

What ever happened to Abstinence?

In a recent Republican article, Latinas in WMass had an increase in teen births. According to the Mass Alliance on Teen Pregnancy, the Latina teen pregnancy rate rose to 65% in 2006, up from 48% in 1996. Dr. Sarah P. Perez-McAdoo, co-founder of the Youth Empowerment network, advocated for more direct state intervention to deal with youth reproductive health. Specifically, Dr. Perez-McAdoo called for community support and State intervention for sex education and access to contraception for sexually active teens.

Indeed, it pains me to see that the Latinas had the highest birth rates in the State. These teens will now face a difficult future and will likely become a burden to the tax payers. Of course, that we as a society have to help them move forward, but I am not sure that providing them with contraceptives will be the answer. This business of providing contraceptive has, at its roots, the flaw assumption that abstinence is impossible and that it is antiquated. This article reminded me a sex education class that I observed in a local non-profit organization. After the speakers finished talking about the different types of contraceptives and admitting that they are not 100% guarantee to avoid a pregnancy, a member of the class asked about abstinence. The speaker's response? "Abstinence does not work. It is too difficult."

Education starts at home. We do not need the government telling our children that it is okay to have sex. That is the message that free contraceptives will send to the children. If a person does not understand why he or she is having sexual relations, they should not be engaging in them.

As a tax payer, I do not like the idea of my tax money going towards condoms and any type of contraceptives so that they can have sex on my hard earned money.

The Company you keep, says who you are.

Angelo Puppolo and Barney Frank (pictured above)

It appears that Puppolo, apparently panicking from the potential to have a solid challenger, decided to accept fundraiser help from openly gay Congressman Barney Frank.

Among some of the controversial legislation that Barney frank has introduced is a recent bill to legalize marijuana.

Barney frank will be joining Puppolo to a series of campaign events over the weekend, including a meet and greet and a breakfast to "honor" Puppolo.

Puppolo has a lot of explaining to do as to why he switched his vote on the marriage referendum question, after actively campaigning in favor of it during his first election to the State Representative seat. This reversing by Puppolo on the marriage referendum, in my opinion, begs this question. On what other issues will Puppolo be willing to reverse himself on?

East Longmeadow Selectman Race Intense

Cutler Admonishing Driscoll

The upcoming election for Selectman in East Longmeadow promises to be a show down.

Local resident Ron Cutler is challenging incumbent Jack Villamaino, a former aide to Former Senator Brian Lees, who stepped down from the Senate after stabbing the people on the marriage petition. Villamaino has earned high praises from local town liberals; an endorsement that in my opinion brings into question Villamainos leadership and principles. Apparently, there has been a real effort in East Longmeadow to damage Cutler's good name and reputation, spreading lies and half truths. Cutler has made a campaign theme the need for transparent government and sound fiscal policies, issues that seem to have touch a nerve with current Selectman Driscoll. The picture above shows Cutler admonishing Driscoll for his muddy and dirty campaign tactics.

To have the courage to admonish a public official in public shows Cutler's strong character and leadership. I encourage the East Longmeadow residents to vote for government transparency and sound fiscal policy, not to do so, will put the Town of East Longmeadow into a questionable path.

On a lighter moment

It seems that Hillary Clinton has been in a very good mood, even having some of her own jokes aimed at Barrack Obama. Hillary challenged Obama to a Bowling contest. If this were to come true, it will be a sight to see. I can already see it. The argument over the dimension of the bowling ball to be use, the dimension of the pins, what kind of shoes to use, who goes first.
Hillary might even try to count the pins that she did not knock over. Okay, enough at my attempt to be funny. A co-worker send me this funny joke.

Enjoy it.

The Pope and Hillary Rodham Clinton are on the same stage in front of a huge crowd. 'Her Majesty' and His Holiness, however, have seen it all before, so to make it a little more interesting, the senator says to the Pope, "Did you know that with just one little wave of my hand, I can make every Democrat in the crowd go wild?" He doubts it, so she shows him. Sure enough, the wave elicits rapture and cheering from every democrat in the crowd. Gradually, the cheering subsides
The Pope, not wanting to be out done by such a level of arrogance, considers what he could do. "That was impressive. But did you know that with just one little wave of MY hand I can make EVERY person in the crowd go crazy with joy? This joy will not be a momentary display like that of your subjects, but will go deep into their hearts, and they will forever speak of this day and rejoice."
The senator seriously doubts this, and says so. "One little wave of your hand and all people will rejoice forever? Show me."
So the Pope slapped her.