Well honeybunch, we’re into the latter days of April and it seems like for the foist time in many moons, we’re actually having a spring! Rather than jest going from cold and damp to sunny and humid, things seem to be going the way it is in storybooks. The weather is getting warmer, the flowers and trees are doing their bit, and it’s lookin’ a lot better outside.
Remember last year when we went from the 40s to the 70s in one big swoop? Well, it doesn’t seem it’ll be like that this year. Although, effen yew were to traverse around the berg, you’d notice that to git around you need a guide. The municipality is going through a repaving frenzy in many parts o’ town. You’d know it cuz no matter which way the gassamobuggy is pernted, it seems to hit a detour. Milling is going on, paving is going on and lanes are shut. It’s a mess, but a necessary one. Some of the biggest potholes in history are being taken care of….we think!
Tennyrate, not only is that going on, the local phone company is going through rewiring of telephone poles. Cobina was out and about several days last week, and no matter where she went there were cherry-pickers all over the place and guys changing telephone cables. ‘Twas quite something.
Meanwhile, here about town there is a murmur about this being an election year and all, and it seems the Demmies are doing what they do best, fight amongst each other. Whilst we were celebrating Easter, it seems that Ed O’Brien made the announcement that I told yew about a few weeks back: he’s going for another chance to sit on the thoid floor of the Actors Colony.
Surrounded – though socially distant, of course – by family and supporters, the two-term former mayor announced he was gonna take another bit of the apple and see what happens. That means that the three-way race that was expected is gonna happen – again. Remember two years ago, herronner was challenged by O’Brien and Debbie Collins. Both were trounced when the final tallies were in. It’ll be interesting to see what happens this year.
But, the most interesting turn of events is the lineup this go-round. Y’see, even Sammy Bluejay was scratchin’ his crop tryin’ to figger this one out. John Lewis, a longtime Demmie and former executive assistant to O’Brien, has announced his intention to seek the nomination over Rossi. That seems to beg the query, who is supporting whom?
O’Brien was – the operative word being “was” – supported by what is termed the Morrissey faction of the party when he was in his heyday. The bloom seems to be off that rose, according to Sammy. Nobody, in fack, knows where the former chairman of the party stands on this one, or Lewis for that matter.
What is interesting the local yokels is that O’Brien and Lewis will be fishing outta the same pond when it comes to supporters. The party is still trifurcated amongst the Borer, Morrissey and Rossi factions. With one faction, at least on paper, being split by two candidates, the trick is gonna be to draw from other voters.
It’s gonna be an interesting time. Things will git clearer as we move toward July and the party caucuses, but until then, there’s gonna be a lotta reading the tea leaves to see what if anything can be gleaned.
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Nelly Nuthatch, meanwhile, sez that some of the observations about the berg are homed in on the GOP. There is talk that it, too, might have multiple candidates interested in the party’s nod. Earlier in the year the name of Michele Gregorio was bandied about as interested in making another attempt at City Hall, but the story in the local papyrus nixed that report. She’s not interested.
Then there is talk that Barry Lee Cohen has been approached as a possible candidate – something he is neither denying or admitting. That became very obvious in said story. Cohen is the councilman in the Tenth Districk, and has made somewhat of a splash amongst the political establishment; if for nothing else, the man sez what he means, not matter what the fallout. That ain’t something done much around here.
Then there is talk about a possible dark horse candidate considering a run under the Republican banner. That was confirmed in the papyrus’ story as well. We have heard that someone is lookin’ into the possibility and asking friends and family, but we still think that decision might be a few weeks off.
Wouldn’t that be something? A three-way primary in both the minority and majority party. It’s a political junkies dream. We shall see how it all shakes out before too long, methinks.
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Our esteemed editor happened to see a letter to our noodge-at-large Eleanore Turkington of Gripe Vin fame, regarding the potholes and pavement on Beach Street. Whilst we understand the difficulties on the roadway, don’t expeck the city to do much about it for the time being. Remember, the roadway is to be raised about seven feet in order to proteck pipes and other infrastructure in that area. Effen yew’ve been around, yew’ve probably noticed that the beach erosion in front of the former Chick’s Restaurant is about as bad as it was about eight years ago.
Until the funding is secured and the work begins, the city ain’t gonna spend dollars on repaving the area when their gonna hafta rip it up and/or bury it when construction begins. That’s jest Cobina’s take on it.
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Didja see the Memorial Day Parade is back on schedule! That means we really are starting to git back to normal. The city is lookin’ fer units to take part in the march up Campbell Avenue, and it’ll be the foist time in two years. Last year’s march, like most else, was canceled due to the COVID panic.
Meanwhile, there is talk that the pesky mask mandate might be lifted anytime soon – probably in the next month. What a relief. Masks have become more a symbolic thing than anything of substance, and it’s been that way for some time. Can’t wait until this is over.
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And with that idea, the Wag was in t’other day, and it looks like we might have the fireworks this year on July 3 and…wait for it….the Savin Rock Festival in late July. Fireworks were, like the parade, canceled cuz of the panic. The Festival, however, has been a victim of the city’s lack of funds for about the last four years.
With the new, improved outlook for the city’s financial prospecks, one would think that would be one of the events put back on the calendar toot sweet. Nothing official has come through, but there was talk earlier in the year of it being revived.
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Word is that the City Council has begun its look-see into the proposed budget. One item that has some concerned – and we haven’t hoid how MARB views it, but we’ll hear I yam sure, the fed’ral and state kopecks used on the Education Side of the package.
Whilst the city didn’t put any money into the school system, ostensibly, COVID money from both the state and Uncle Sam was. I don’t wanna be a Gloomy Gus, but isn’t that using one-shot money to plug holes? That was something herronner said she wasn’t doing.
I’m sure there’s a rational explanation – or at least a plausibly deniable one – but it’s something that not only Cobina has wondered about. There are others out there asking the same questions. Maybe we’ll git an answer.
With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,