After two months of March, spring finally arrived in these parts, hon. We’re having some hot days and some not-so-hot days, but you know how things are around here. We’ll be in a heat wave before you can unscrew the suntan lotion bottle. The kiddies are in the final days of their school term, chomping at the bit for vacation, only to be topped by the faculty and staff that are chomping more intently.
Tennyrate, here in the Asylum by the Sea are going along perty much as expected at this time o’ year. The Memorial Day Parade was had, and it brought out the thousands it normally does, and we had a fine day for it. Grand Marshal Mark Levine cut a fine figger walkin’ up the Avenue, and things were both solemn and joyous in their rightful places.
The Mystick Maidens of the Marsh were, once again, barred from the day’s events, but we had a good time anyway, tucked away in the new park off the main drag and the Cove River.
Whilst we’re talking about this time o’ year, Sammy Bluejay came in and was wondering what was gonna happen when the reconstruction o’ Beach Street begins – it was supposed to be around now, wasn’t it? With the beach season now underway, that area in front o’ Morse Park is perty heavily used as a bathing area, especially with the available parking. Effen the construction begins in the next little while, won’t that put a bigger strain on the rest o’ the beaches should people not be able to git there. And I don’t even wanna think about the July fireworks – whenever they are gonna be – if they are gonna be.
This past week the new condos were getting connected to various pipes and facilities and two buildings are now having interior work done. It amazes me how fast things can be put up when one has a mind to it!
Soooo, Sammy and I were wonderin’ jest when things were gonna start over there as far as road construction. It’s gonna be a very long process and means traffic is gonna be hampered quite a bit. Effen I git any info, I’ll let yew know.
~~~
It would seem the saga that has stirred up this berg like few others is finally in its wane. Last week, Mike DiMazza got sentenced to 27 months as a guest of the fed’ral government for his part in a multi-million kopeck swindle. He was the final one to get sentenced, with one trial still pending methinks, but I may be wrong. Yew need a schematic to figger out the entire mess.
Foist, I’ve been sick over this. At our age, hon, it’s hard to see someone so young, and with so much promise make setch stupid decisions. Not only does he haf to forfeit his liberty for two years, he has to find way to pay back lotsa money — $40,000 a year until it’s paid – with a record. Some people are able to bounce back, but most aren’t.
On top of the bad press and embarrassment to the city, don’t think this little caper had nothing to do with the decision, last month, by Herronner not to run for a fourth term. This case has hung around the administration’s neck like the Ancient Mariner’s albatross.
It exposed the bad practices in the Actors Colony, and to a certain extent tainted the entire enterprise as run by noncomps. Whilst Herronner won a contested election in the first months of the scandal, it was a victory most people wouldn’t wish on their own worst enemy. Between the MARB and the problems that came up in City Hall otherwise, it’s been quite a term.
Put simply, there are many who think this case brought down the administration, and the effecks of it could very well open the door to a sea change politically. We will see.
~~~
Nelly Nuthatch, meanwhile, came in and wanted to discuss the GOP situation. There was some talk, prompted by Barry Cohen, that there be a moratorium on nawsty politics in the run up to the primary. As yew know there are three announced candidates in the minority party: Cohen, Steven Mullins and Paige Weinstein.
The pledge Barry had drafted wasn’t grabbed with both hands by the other candidates. The doesn’t mean they will play dirty, jest means they didn’t wanna take part. Y’see, hon, there is a lotta dislike going on in the GOP, which, for a party that hasn’t seen power since George H.W. Bush was President, is kind o’ sad – and silly. But personalities are gonna enter into this foray, we can jest see it.
Whatever happens in the primary, the history of the GOP is usually a “take your ball and go home” story after the votes are counted. There’s a lotta thought that maybe, effen it plays its cards right, the Republicans might make a run at and win the thoid floor. That effen they can git their act together. I’m from Missouri on this one, sweets. The leadership and “unity” in the city’s GOP has been wanting for years.
Meanwhile, over in the Demmie side, now that Mayor Rossi has called it a career, people are starting to read the tea leaves as to where the game pieces will land (how’s that for mixing metaphors?). We know that the city’s Demmies are perty much divided in three parts – just like all Gaul. Which way the factions will fall, and who is backing whom is always a game unto itself.
Some are saying that Dorinda Borer might enter the race, which will change the entire scenario on a dime. The Wag believes she will enter the race, but Iva Lootey ain’t so sure. When yew’ve achieved the success she has in Hartford, why come back here to this mess?
Iva mentioned that he thinks the Demmie scorecard ain’t filled yet. He seems to think somebody else is gonna be added to the ranks. Hmmm, wonder who?
~~~
I’m sorry to see it go, Felicia. After 116 years, that stately building on Washington and Brown is gonna feel the wrecker’s ball so they can start on a new school. Call it old age, but I ain’t buyin’ the palaver about not being able to retrofit the building. That’s more a narrative.
Instead, we’re gonna git right angles and ugly construction with no style. Functional, yes. Pleasing, never. And….the kids still won’t be able to read. Like I said before, these things are whited sepulchers: pretty on the outside and rank on the inside. Yeah, I’m not happy about it effen yew can’t read betwixt the lines.
~~~
Madame Olga was in tow the other day, and filled me in on the banner controversy. Evidently, someone had the idea – one we did at the papyrus a decade ago – to sell banners and put ‘em along Capt. Kangaroo Boulevard. But some businesses are verboten cuz, well it’s 2023. Somebody is offended or put out, or just not happy.
The upshot is that some businesses are seen as not the “right type” to be put on a banner, but nowhere is that stated. Enter the City Council. The council will put in writing some type of guidelines for setch projects. Not a bad idea. But, really, is there something we can do in this berg without gettin’ into a fracas about something, or is that too much to hope for?
I swear honey chile, when the history of this era is writ, they are gonna wonder effen there was lead in the water. Maybe that pandemic shutdown accomplished one thing: allowing to fester the nutty ideas of a slew of people. As granny used to say, “There are more people outta the asylum than in.” Here in the Asylum by the Sea, we have more than our share.
~~~
With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,