Howdy do, honey bunch. There’s a lot to talk about this week, whot with the primary held this past Tuesday and other setch stuff. This past week saw some interesting developments, and developments that might cost our beloved taxpayers some serious kopecks.
As yew know, we go to press and whilst we will have a story on the primary, Cobina’s letter to yew each week must be done early. As we headed into the final hours of the primary campaign, there was one thing that was missing: allegations of absentee ballot problems. Over the past few years, yew can almost set yore watch to the fack that somebody is going to come up with something that has to do with absentee ballots. This year, nary a word.
Could it be that our politicos are getting scruples and follying the letter of the law on these things? I know, I find it hard to believe, too. Usually there are all kinds of things going on or allegedly going on and there are arguments back and forth betwixt the candidates. So, that might happen after it’s all done. My money is still on the possibility that something is gonna come out. Just call it a hunch.
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Sammy Bluejay came in and reported that the consensus even amongst the endorsed candidates is that there might be a mixed-bag result when the dust settles after Tuesday’s vote. We’ll know by the time yew git this letter. According to what Sammy sez, he’s talked to one or two people from both campaigns and in their more telling moments, there was general agreement that a few districk seats might be up for grabs.
That means that Nancy Rossi’s people could end up on the endorsed slate and maybe even on her A Better Choice line effen she decides to go that route. That’s the next big question, depending on the results. Effen some o’ her candidates git the nod, they might be on two lines.
Some are still wondering whether she is gonna go through as a thoid-party nominee since she started ABC. Those in in the know are figgering that it’ll be a three-way race, and that could throw the whole thing into a tailspin. With three candidates, yew never know how things are gonna work out.
We know one person who is hoping for setch an outcome, and that is Davey Riccio, the Republican candidate. Whilst the Dems have been duking it out over the last several weeks, he’s been calmly walking door-to-door introducing himself and schmoozing with the voters.
A three-way race definitely is a win for Riccio and his line effen it comes about. I said to yew a week or so ago, the entire thing looks like a repeat of 1981 in some ways. We shall see effen it continues to unfold that way.
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Meanwhile, the way came in and told yores truly that some of the candidates have been very up-front about the fact that there are angry voters out there. Some are angry about the taxes going up in the foist year of the term, some are upset that eminent domain has been used to advance the Haven, and some are just unhappy with the way things are going in the city.
Effen that anger translated to votes Tuesday or will translate to votes come November, it could make things a bit more than interesting in these parts. We shall see…
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Speaking of the Haven, not a whole lot has happened around there. Windows in the various properties have been boarded up for weeks, but last time I hoid, there was nothing being done about beginning to clear the area. A fence was put up a couple weeks ago around one block, but nothing else. Meanwhile, the businesses that remain over there are still on a month-to-month operation. The ax hasn’t fallen jest yet.
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As expected, the Bored of Ed decided to go with the recommendation of the arbitrator that wasn’t supposed to arbitrate and fired Vic Hogfeldt. Now, yew know how Cobina feels about this case. This has been going on for about two-plus years, and a teacher that had perty good evaluations from staff and administrators up to that pernt all of a sudden became “incompetent.” Maybe he is, but how did he fool soooo many people for soooo long?
Nope, this smells to high heaven, and it follys the pattern that was set a long time ago. Effen yew are trying to git rid of someone, don’t jest put up a case against ‘em, try to destroy them by harming their good name. It is the modus operandi of the school system and has been for years. And we have two situations where that is becoming obvious.
In Vic’s case, they not only broke the law by not giving him the forum he requested – a full hearing before the board – they pushed the arbitration and he didn’t show up. So, there weren’t two sides given. When they moved the hearing up last week to make sure they voted to fire him, they wouldn’t even let him speak before the panel, thus ensuring that nothing they didn’t wanna hear got uttered. So, we’re printing his statement.
This is all going to Superior Court and it will determine effen the high-handed tactics of the powers that be are OK, or should cost the system a few bucks. Effen that happens, there should be some smart resignations coming down the pike. Failing that some firings.
Meanwhile, even those who didn’t support Hogfeldt are struck by the unfairness of the entire proceeding and realized – rather late, as usual – that the same thing could happen to them. And now two staff members who are teaching but got caught up in the Save Our Shops campaign a few years ago, are now being put through the bureaucratic wringer.
The entire episode has sent a chill through McDonough Plaza we are told, and we have no reason to doubt it. Everyone remembers the character assassination that was done on Garry Grant a few years ago – and that ended up in a settlement after all the “collusion” that was alleged came up empty from several enforcement agencies. But the damage was done, like the guy asked, “Who’s going to give me my reputation back?”
The school system is outta control and the Bored better stop listening to high-priced barristers and start listening to the people in the system. Like I said, effen this costs the taxpayers one cent, the next sound heard would be the professional heads of those in charge.
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Whilst out in the gassamobuggy last week, Cobina noticed that there is a screen surrounding the former Captains Galley. It seems some prep work is being done over there. Word is that a request for demolition has been approved and a new edifice is supposed to be built. It is gonna be a little farther back on the property than it currently is situated and that has a few of the neighbors concerned.
The fack is they hafta do something with that building and soon. Mother Nature has begun to take over the place and in a short while what is now standing could be a pile of rubble without benefit of wrecking ball.
As far as the other properties further down the street, they are still up for sale and going to seed with little hope of anyone nibbling at buying the property.
With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,