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Local & US Politics: Corkboard

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Rob - Mon, May 16, 2022, 7:25 P
Re: Mike Henery For Town Meeting
site is acting up for me and can't find your post. Just wanted to say it would be nice to know which precinct you are eligible to represent.
 
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stash - Wed, Oct 13, 2021, 5:37 P
Selectmen
Got a question? How come all the other town committees rotate chairmen every year yet the selectmen don't.? You want to be one but don't want the chair. If you don't think you're qualified to do it , what do you want to be a selectman for? Just asking.
 
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homeowner - Sun, Oct 24, 2021 10:00 P
The people in Montague would rather make up their own rules as they go along to suit their racist agendas.
MikeNaughton - Thu, Oct 14, 2021 7:27 P
stash - I don't think it's true that "all the other town committees rotate chairmen every year". For years (decades?), Ernie Brown was the chair of the ZBA; that stopped when he finally retired. When ....
stash - Wed, Sep 22, 2021, 5:13 P
9/21 Elction?
I looked this morning and the outcome was on the town site. Just looked and not there now. What happened? Recount ?
 
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MikeNaughton - Thu, Sep 23, 2021 8:02 P
Stash - I just looked -- the "unofficial" results are right there on the town's home page. In today's Montague Reporter, Joanna Mae Boody is quoted as saying she is not going to ask for a recount (if ....
stash - Wed, Sep 22, 2021 5:16 P
Election, BIG fingers
newbie - Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 10:52 A
Food Stamps
Wow. People that WORKED all their lives and PAID into Medicare got a whopping 1 1/2 % raise. Give away Joe is going to increase food stamps by 25 %. What is wrong with this picture. Got to love the Democrats. Even folks down here in Biden ville are disgusted. Oh well, hopefully only 3 1/2 more years. ED
 
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newbie - Thu, Sep 16, 2021 11:09 A
MN. Why can't you figure out what PEOPLE that worked and PAID into SS. That is the SS 1 1/2 % increase in the BENIFIT that THEY paid into for years. Easy enough for you to understand now?????? 1 1 ....
MikeNaughton - Sun, Sep 12, 2021 7:42 P
Just for the record, no clarification yet from the OP on who, exactly, is getting "a whopping 1 1/2 % raise", or what, exactly, is being raised (their costs? their benefits? ??) Also, no admission th ....
MikeNaughton - Mon, Jun 14, 2021, 6:20 P
Precinct Voters
I have been a Town Meeting member for over twenty years, and I am up for re-election this year. I thought I had done what was necessary for my name to appear on the ballot, but I guess there was a slip-up somewhere because my name is not there.

You can vote for seven people, and there are six names on the list. Please consider writing me in: Michael Naughton, 11 S Lyman St, Millers Falls. I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue to have a voice in the affairs of the town, and to represent the interests of Precinct 2 and the entire town to the best of my ability.

Thank you very much for your support.
 
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stash - Sat, Jun 26, 2021 12:05 P
How did you do????????
stash - Tue, Jun 15, 2021 9:12 A
Sure. After we voted. Good luck Mr. N
stash - Mon, Mar 15, 2021, 9:23 P
Airport
A few years back they needed a big fancy John Deere to mow with. Now they need a BULLDOZER to do it, what's wrong with the jd???
 
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stash - Mon, Mar 15, 2021 11:32 P
They are using it now to mow and brush hog. all of a sudden it doesn't work? Next they'll need a garage.
Clark - Mon, Mar 15, 2021 9:44 P
It sounds like maybe it would be less expensive to contract the job out. Just a thought.
stash - Wed, Mar 3, 2021, 3:44 P
Info
Hi. Does any one know how many Town residents make use of the airport? Why are NON residents even on the commission? I just hope it doesn't come back for more money? Odds are it will with our towns track record. .......Stay well
 
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MikeNaughton - Wed, Mar 3, 2021 7:52 P
Hi Stash - People have asked over the years how many Montague residents use the airport -- most recently at the last Special Town Meeting (I think -- it was there or at one of the information sessions ....
MikeNaughton - Sun, Feb 21, 2021, 11:32 A
Remote Town Meeting
Just wondering how other town meeting members feel after the two "practice" meetings we had to learn the technology for a remote town meeting. I'm feeling fairly confident that I'll be okay, but there seemed to be a range of abilities, largely based on differences in equipment and internet connections (I was using a Windows 10 laptop with Comcast internet). And a related question: should the goal be to get through the meeting if at all possible, or to make sure that as many members can participate as possible, even if that means postponing the meeting if too many people have problems?
 
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patrick - Sun, Feb 21, 2021 12:11 P
I thought we voted to hold the meeting on a warm beach? ?? Seriously, I thought it went pretty well and I think we’ll be fine.
mik - Sun, Feb 21, 2021 12:09 P
If people don’t have the connectivity or technology, you can always go to Town Hall (call, first) and use one of the Chrome laptops they have.
stash - Wed, Jan 13, 2021, 1:27 P
Dog And Pony Show
Why the heck don't they just VOTE ???? I think it is stupid that they are all saying the same thing. Only thing I heard that made sense was the gent that mentioned nothing being done about the rioting,looting and arson that went on earlier in 2020. Just do the damn vote and quit the B.S. IMHO.... Stash
 
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mik - Fri, Jan 22, 2021 11:37 A
These are angry people who desire authoritarian rule that favors their lifestyle. Also, many QAnon followers who thought the president was literally going to show up at the inauguration with the capit ....
MikeNaughton - Mon, Oct 19, 2020, 7:44 P
Sample Ballot
I just saw there are a couple of ballot questions that only apply to Natalie Blais' State Rep district (which includes Montague):
https://www.recorder...otQuestions-36757545
 
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Rob - Fri, Oct 16, 2020, 9:44 P
Sample Ballot
thanks then I only really need to decide on question 1. Meant to ask a local repair place for their opinion.
 
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MikeNaughton - Fri, Oct 16, 2020, 8:35 P
Sample Ballot
I'm pretty sure there aren't any local elections (they happen in the spring), nor are there any other ballot questions for Montague.
 
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Rob - Fri, Oct 16, 2020, 6:09 P
Sample Ballot
I don't see a sample ballot on the town's website. The one I googled was for Franklin County but does not include any local elections. Are there any local elections or is it just state and federal?
 
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stash - Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 6:39 P
Meeting
Why no selectman's meeting???? Mctv says 8/31 meeting. Oh well .
 
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stash - Tue, Sep 1, 2020, 11:12 P
Polling Place Precinct
Also,Deb was at the selectman's meeting a week or so about the move.
 
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MikeNaughton - Tue, Sep 1, 2020, 1:23 P
Polling Place Precinct
We got a postcard in the mail, and there was an article in the Greenfield Recorder about two weeks ago, and also one in The Montague Reporter's last issue. We voted by mail this time, too; we'll see what the future brings.
 
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stash - Mon, Aug 31, 2020, 11:15 P
Polling Place Precinct
One stupid move. Imagine when there are classes. No $$ saved on staff. Hard enough as it was for the handicapped. So glad we did mail in. Looks like our only choice in the future. Maybe go 100% mail in? IMHO , Stash
 
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Rob - Mon, Aug 31, 2020, 8:51 P
Polling Place Precinct
Haven't seen any message from this site in a while. Going through the recycling bin tonight before taking to the curb and found out the polling place for precinct 2 moved. That would have been a major pain to find out in the morning
 
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stash - Mon, Aug 24, 2020, 7:17 P
Typical
Here we go again . 81 grand down the toilet. But this time it is OUR folks that dropped the ball. Pretty damn sickening. Seems every project goes down the same dirt road. Looks like it ain't over yet. Is the fat lady ever going to sing?? Again NO DAMN records. Think I'll say I have no record of my tax bill. Sorry you'll just have to eat it.
 
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MikeNaughton - Mon, Aug 24, 2020, 3:50 P
Typical
Stash, you may be right, but people screwing up years ago sounds as plausible as people screwing up today (meaning they both sound plausible). And if you check a map, but the map doesn't show stuff that it should be showing, how are you to know?
 
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stash - Mon, Aug 24, 2020, 10:17 A
Typical
All kidding aside, Do you really think they would admit they screwed up? They were supposed to redo the road by Deb B's place. TWO years ago. Still waiting for the new town barn OOOOOPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSSS. Stay well.
 
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MikeNaughton - Sun, Aug 23, 2020, 8:42 P
Typical
Stash - did you see the 8/17 selectboard meeting? There was an explanation of how the Spinner Park situation came to be. From what they said, the town and the engineers did what they were supposed to do -- at least this time around. Can't speak for maps that don't show what they're supposed to show. . . .
 
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newbie - Sun, Aug 16, 2020, 11:43 A
Gotr Love
Yup, our congress is SO concerned about us they took thier vacations. Time to give them all a permanent vacation. Ed
 
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stash - Tue, Aug 4, 2020, 12:32 P
Typical
Yup. Just like the repaving of the road by yhe Highland Cemetery. Was supposed to be done last year by one our fabulous contractors. Has there EVER been a job done right in this town??????????? Town exempt from DIG Safe????????? I bet there is a MAJOR screw up with the new town barn. Million under so lets spend it. |We bailed out the sewer dept. and they got the money owed by the mill. Where is MY money back?? Nope extra bucks BLOW IT.
 
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MikeNaughton - Mon, Aug 3, 2020, 8:35 P
Typical
Stash - I watched the meeting, and I see what you mean. I haven't followed the details of that project -- do you know who did the design work? Seems like that would have been an important element to include in the bid specs. . . .
 
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MikeNaughton - Fri, Jul 31, 2020, 8:20 P
Typical
Thanks, Stash - I will check it out.
 
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stash - Wed, Jul 29, 2020, 5:14 P
Typical
The spinner park debacle. Monday nite selectboard mtng.
 
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MikeNaughton - Tue, Jul 28, 2020, 11:48 P
Typical
Stash, sorry to sound ignorant, but what are you talking about?
 
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stash - Mon, Jul 27, 2020, 10:51 P
Typical
Should be Does as first word. Big fingers small keyboard.........
 
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stash - Mon, Jul 27, 2020, 10:45 P
Typical
Goes our town EVER NOT get a project that doesn't end up costing more. How does one start a project NOT knowing about massive power lines under it? Don't they know about digsafe? Should fire whoever did this. What a waste of MY tax money.
 
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MikeNaughton - Fri, Jul 10, 2020, 7:38 P
1676
mikeybsr, I agree with much of what you say. Certainly that history should never be forgotten -- even if it's history that we might wish had never happened. Whatever our wishes, it _did_ happen, and that should be acknowledged. Don't get me started on the Turners Falls Indians. Whatever the merits of the underlying issue (I leaned towards the "change" side, but with reservations because I knew how disruptive it would be; changes like that are sometimes better done gradually), the way it played out in the press and public meetings and the school system and social meetings was horrible. I think that any good that might have come from making the change was cancelled out by all the bad feelings generated by the process. But, as I said, don't get me started.

That said, I kinda like the Thunder logo -- looks very menacing, in a good way. And speaking of Christopher Columbus, I've been reading about the Vikings, who came to Canada (and maybe further south) hundreds of years earlier. We didn't learn about them growing up in Connecticut. . . .
 
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mikeybsr - Fri, Jul 10, 2020, 12:03 P
1676
Very interesting Mike N! The history seems a little complicated. Sometimes I wonder "why"! Growing up I went to school at TFHS. Home of the Turners Falls Indians! Being alumni from TFHS we always, or at least I though Turners Falls Indians was honoring what happened at the falls within the town many years ago! Times have changed. I get that!
Many years ago I had traveled Navajo Nation through the southwest! Very depressing! My point though is history "good" or "bad" is and should never be forgotten.
The Racism Card" seems to be played too much and the media polarizes this by brainwashing people daily!
Back to Turners Falls. Keep in mind the high school, Turners Falls Indians! Takes pride within the town and is FAR from being racist!
Thanks to Christopher Columbus for naming American Natives indigenous people. I guess he set sail to the West Indies, thought he was there. Maybe met some people who were unable to speak the language he new and came up with the name "indian"!
 
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MikeNaughton - Thu, Jul 9, 2020, 8:03 P
1676
"William Turner . . . did what he was instructed to do!"

For another view, see
https://www.google.c...TTZPrBBl_OgDJRXBv4gU

"Captain William Turner, commander of the Hadley garrison, decided to take action despite the instructions from his superiors."

This is a complicated history (as many are), and I daresay most of us (myself included) are only familiar with a small part of it. Maybe best to resolve to learn more before forming firm opinions. . . .
 
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MikeNaughton - Thu, Jul 9, 2020, 7:53 P
1676
"the Deerfield massacre didn't matter"

Bit of an oversimplification there, Stash. You might want to talk with our Millers Falls neighbor David Brule to get a fuller understanding of what happened. . ..
 
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stash - Thu, Jul 9, 2020, 7:39 P
1676
I guess the Deerfield massacre didn't matter cause the white folk didn't win. Kind a like current times.
 
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mikeybsr - Wed, Jul 8, 2020, 8:13 P
1676
Yes folks 1676! 324 years ago! A man by the name of William Turner was sprung out of jail to carry out a mission assigned to him to carry out a mission for immunity! He was jailed in the eastern part of the state for his religious beliefs! (Didnt know that was something to be locked up for).
Here we are many years later offended by a town named after a man who did what he was instructed to do! Yes! During the King Phillip conflict Native Americans were fighting for their land and their beliefs! It's unfortunate but people, people in general were slaughtered both the colonists and Native Americans. Supporting a name change because of history which happened over 300 years ago is foolish!
 
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MikeNaughton - Tue, Jun 23, 2020, 1:09 P
Great
Yes, very impressive. Now let's hope that he's able to put in the time that will be necessary . . . .
 
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stash - Mon, Jun 22, 2020, 11:56 P
Great
Mike kept his seat. One heck of a write in. Congrats.............. Stash
 
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Rob - Sun, Jun 14, 2020, 11:28 A
Police Budget
But even though companies are paying the town for a generic police officer the town still has to budget to pay the police officer. Income and spending are different line items and have to be noted even if it evens out.
 
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Rob - Sun, Jun 14, 2020, 11:26 A
Police Budget
I also thought it was a state law that companies had to hire police and not use civilians for traffic control
 
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newbie - Sun, Jun 14, 2020, 11:13 A
Police Budget
I believe the police on job sites are paid by the company, not the town. Should not be an impact on the budget. Ed
 
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MikeNaughton - Sat, Jun 13, 2020, 5:59 P
Police Budget
I hope this is the start of a longer conversation about the role of the police, both here in Montague and around the state and the country.
 
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Rob - Sat, Jun 13, 2020, 5:20 P
Police Budget
today's town meeting voted not to increase the police budget from last year. The police chief had requested an increase in spending but the town meeting members wanted to send a message about all the police reports around the country and I guess some reporting about disparities in arrests in Montague. At the meeting I did ask the chief why he wanted an increase and his response was "contractual obligations which included raises". I expect the chief will come back at the next special town meeting with more concrete information to present to the town meeting when he asks for more money. Somebody mentioned that police shouldn't be wasting their training directing traffic but I thought it was a state law in Mass that construction areas had to use police officers?
 
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MikeL - Fri, Jul 19, 2019, 2:30 P
Oh, The Irony...
Send Melania Back!!!
 
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MikeNaughton - Thu, May 23, 2019, 8:11 P
Info
No results yet on town web site. Just a guess, but they may be waiting until they know the winners in all the races. There were more open seats than candidates for a number of town meeting races, and it can sometimes take a while to go through the write-ins to figure out who won. (If anyone -- one year in Precinct 2 there was a tie, and the precinct town meeting members had to meet at town hall for a special election to choose between the candidates.)
 
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newbie - Tue, May 21, 2019, 10:05 A
Info
Any results on your election ? Didn't notice any info in the Greenfield Paper. Thanks . ED
 
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MikeNaughton - Sun, May 19, 2019, 9:28 P
Tree Warden Contest Monday Election
Hi everyone,

Maybe I missed it, but I haven't seen anything about the contest for tree warden in Monday's election. Does anyone know who the challenger is and why they are running? Thanks in advance. .. .
Mike Naughton
 
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MikeNaughton - Wed, Apr 24, 2019, 8:36 P
Old Dude
In general, I agree, though point #1 may need some fine-tuning: I think there are kids who get SS benefits because their parent died, for example -- they never contributed, but the parent did, so maybe some kind of allowance needs to be made.

As for #2, I'm in complete agreement. People who talk about SS having a problem don't mention this, so people should keep bringing it up.

I would add a third: if there realy IS a problem, remove the cap on SS and Medicare wthholdings. Right now, they start with the first $1 you make (I was having to deduct money from $10 checks to Millers Falls firefighters back in the 1990s, if you can believe that), but they stop at around $128,000. If you make more than that, they don't take another penny for either SS or Medicare. Why not? I'm not asking the rich to pay more (that's another discussion), but is there a problem with their paying the same as poor people (and not less)?
 
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newbie - Tue, Apr 23, 2019, 5:44 P
Old Dude
Was yapping with the Old Dude and he suggested a solution for the SS and Medicare shortage. If you did NOT contribute you do NOT get. Also the Feds tapped into the plan a while back. Now they are crying. PUT IT BACK. Problem solved.... Ed and Old Dude
 
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newbie - Mon, Apr 1, 2019, 6:38 P
Dems
Looks like the Dems don't want Biden. Just like poor Bernie vs. Hilareck. Big joke down here in Trump ville. ED
 
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