The recent BRAC (base re-alignment and closure) decision to close Otis Air base was met with an unusual political alignment as well as the expected pork related weeping and moaning. The unusual aspect was the alliance between Senator Ted Kennedy and Governor Mitt Romney in a July 5th Op-Ed in the Globe opposing the closing. The expected action was that Attorney General Thomas Reilly ever on the look out for an opportunity to file a foolish law suit would do just that to prevent the action. He has as much chance to win this one as he did the last man standing effort with Microsoft.
It is interesting that a state that is loaded with politicians that are anti military will suddenly fly the flag and insist how important we are to the needs of the Pentagon when some money is at stake. This is no more obvious than Lincoln, Bedford and Lexington when it comes to Hanscom Field. It is wonderful if Electronic Systems Command is stationed there and spending billions of dollars just as long as you don’t land to many planes there or consider it for commercial use. Those towns have too much historical value for that. To many planes flying in and out would upset their serenity and damage the historical sites. Let everybody fly out of an over burdened Logan. Apparently Boston has less historical value than the suburban communities.
Let’s get back to Otis for a second and see if the opposition to its closure makes any sense. The Senator and Governor make arguments about the value of the fighter base and its response time as well as its indispensability for air to sea rescue. What they really mean is they are concerned what economic impact would be felt if the base jobs and spending were eliminated.
What benefit would there be if it was closed? One clear cut advantage would be to take a highly polluting operation off of one of the most environmentally sensitive areas on the cape. According to this sitehttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/mmr.htm the base is located over a sole source aquifer that provides drinking water for 200,000 year-round and 500,000 seasonal residents of Cape Cod. The aquifer, referred to as the Sagamore Lens, is a valuable water supply resource.
The total impact of the closure in terms of jobs is estimated to be a loss of 827. This is certainly a considerable impact however let’s contemplate for a moment the following facts. The base itself is immediately south of the Cape Cod Canal in Barnstable County and includes parts of the towns of Bourne, Mashpee, and Sandwich and abuts Barnstable. The total area of the base is roughly 22,000 acres.
I would presume that at some time after closure the state could come into possession of this vast tract of land and given the property values in that region of Massachusetts, the development, environmental and economic potential for the site far outweighs the benefit of having a few fighter planes down there. The jobs, taxes and real estate values created by the development of this property would add significantly to the surrounding communities.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Burlington Cable Access Television
As we look back over the 18 years since the creation of BCAT we can see that many of the things that were envisioned as possible as part of a vibrant local public access programming organization have been realized. With each passing year we have seen more and more innovative and creative programming produced by local residents and coming from all three segments of BCAT's mission statement.
Public, educational and governmental programming have all increased in both the size of the viewing audience as well as the pool of residents who participate in the creation, production and on camera activities.
The result of this success is that BCAT is becoming more and more an integral part of the fabric of the community. Politics, religion, education, public safety, business, sports, and local and national affairs are all regular fare on the BCAT viewing schedule.
As much as has been done we must remember that community programming is still in its infancy and there is much more which can and will be accomplished.
In governmental programming we are seeing more and more of the actual inner workings of the boards and town management however still not all of the activities of town government are public. Wherever possible BCAT and boards and committees should continue coordinate to allow for viewing of public proceedings. The televising of the Ways and Means committeee should be the next priority.
With the decline in the amount of print media coverage we have experienced over the years it is vital to the interests of the town that not only do we have more local news coverage but that we also encourage critical analysis and divergent opinion of what that news and information means to the community. BCAT is the singular best opportunity within the town to encourage greater voter awareness on issues of the day. By encouraging public discourse, the greater awareness and ensuing interest in issues is the best tool that the community can utilize to combat general apathy in the political process. In addition greater knowledge of the entire governmental process offers the hope of increasing the number of residents interested in joining the political process and perhaps becoming Burlington's leaders of tomorrow.
Public programming has also come a long way yet still has room for enormous growth. BCAT's mission statement clearly delineates areas that can be exploited more fully. Individual expression, cultural exchange, and art appreciation are areas that offer opportunities to further enrich our community. Additionally, Burlington's long and proud history has only begun to be explored in this medium. In the coming years it is expected that the people, places and events which have contributed to making us the community we are will be chronicled and will bring life to those things in a way that only multimedia can fully exploit.
Our educational channel also offers great potential. In the corporate world there has been a dramatic increase in education by melding the use of the television and the internet to deliver high quality interactive training directly to the employees desk on a daily basis. So to can the general public gain this type of education through the type of system which BCAT controls. Today's ever changing world requires us all to be adaptive to change and be quick on the uptake to new learning. The need of the resident is great, the system is in place for delivery and soon we will be seeing greater content available for delivery to the adult education market.
BCAT has potentially a large role to play in public safety in a number of areas. The police department and BCAT already collaborate through the town's fiber optic net for such things as snow emergencies and other announcements. With the advent of statewide and national programs such as amber alert that collaboration may increase. Additionally with the advance of interactive TV and the aging of our population we may see the system potentially evolve into an even more enhanced 911.
In order to fully achieve those goals, which BCAT envisions, and those, which have not yet even been imagined, we require one most important thing. Continued support from town leaders, is a necessity, acceptance from town residents is a must but most importantly for community programming to deliver on its potential it must maintain a stable platform of technology and the necessary expertise to maintain that technology at its highest level of productivity.
In order to accomplish that, BCAT must have a stable and reliable revenue stream. To date that revenue stream has been reliable and uninterrupted. I would hope that the town's leadership would insist that the existing commitment to that stability remains intact in any new agreement between the cable TV providers and the community.
Public, educational and governmental programming have all increased in both the size of the viewing audience as well as the pool of residents who participate in the creation, production and on camera activities.
The result of this success is that BCAT is becoming more and more an integral part of the fabric of the community. Politics, religion, education, public safety, business, sports, and local and national affairs are all regular fare on the BCAT viewing schedule.
As much as has been done we must remember that community programming is still in its infancy and there is much more which can and will be accomplished.
In governmental programming we are seeing more and more of the actual inner workings of the boards and town management however still not all of the activities of town government are public. Wherever possible BCAT and boards and committees should continue coordinate to allow for viewing of public proceedings. The televising of the Ways and Means committeee should be the next priority.
With the decline in the amount of print media coverage we have experienced over the years it is vital to the interests of the town that not only do we have more local news coverage but that we also encourage critical analysis and divergent opinion of what that news and information means to the community. BCAT is the singular best opportunity within the town to encourage greater voter awareness on issues of the day. By encouraging public discourse, the greater awareness and ensuing interest in issues is the best tool that the community can utilize to combat general apathy in the political process. In addition greater knowledge of the entire governmental process offers the hope of increasing the number of residents interested in joining the political process and perhaps becoming Burlington's leaders of tomorrow.
Public programming has also come a long way yet still has room for enormous growth. BCAT's mission statement clearly delineates areas that can be exploited more fully. Individual expression, cultural exchange, and art appreciation are areas that offer opportunities to further enrich our community. Additionally, Burlington's long and proud history has only begun to be explored in this medium. In the coming years it is expected that the people, places and events which have contributed to making us the community we are will be chronicled and will bring life to those things in a way that only multimedia can fully exploit.
Our educational channel also offers great potential. In the corporate world there has been a dramatic increase in education by melding the use of the television and the internet to deliver high quality interactive training directly to the employees desk on a daily basis. So to can the general public gain this type of education through the type of system which BCAT controls. Today's ever changing world requires us all to be adaptive to change and be quick on the uptake to new learning. The need of the resident is great, the system is in place for delivery and soon we will be seeing greater content available for delivery to the adult education market.
BCAT has potentially a large role to play in public safety in a number of areas. The police department and BCAT already collaborate through the town's fiber optic net for such things as snow emergencies and other announcements. With the advent of statewide and national programs such as amber alert that collaboration may increase. Additionally with the advance of interactive TV and the aging of our population we may see the system potentially evolve into an even more enhanced 911.
In order to fully achieve those goals, which BCAT envisions, and those, which have not yet even been imagined, we require one most important thing. Continued support from town leaders, is a necessity, acceptance from town residents is a must but most importantly for community programming to deliver on its potential it must maintain a stable platform of technology and the necessary expertise to maintain that technology at its highest level of productivity.
In order to accomplish that, BCAT must have a stable and reliable revenue stream. To date that revenue stream has been reliable and uninterrupted. I would hope that the town's leadership would insist that the existing commitment to that stability remains intact in any new agreement between the cable TV providers and the community.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Effective opposition
The Democratic Party is at a crossroads and the decisions the party makes in the near future may indeed determine whether or not they act as effective opposition with a chance to return to credible power or they continue in a downward slide toward irrelevancy and eventual replacement by a more middle of the road “moderate” party.
The first best thing they can all do is shut up. Nancy Pelosi demanding a response from the President regarding Pat Robertson’s idiotic remarks, Barbara Boxer concerned about Supreme Court nominee Robert’s sense of humor and Teddy complaining about windmills in Nantucket Sound is not stuff that mid term election wins are made of.
Cindy Sheehan, the president’s bike riding, Karl Rove leak’s, slavery reparations and cynical slogans like Bush lied troops died and other foolish name calling isn’t going to do it either.
Forget the slogans and sound bites and chirping and harping and get down to the fundamentals of decent thinking skills. The Iraq War, high energy prices, social security and high health care costs are what are on the mind of the American electorate and the Democratic Party has not advanced any of these issues at the national level with a clear and distinct course of action.
Instead of spinning everything through party centric small special interest group thinking, the Democrats need to critically examine the major outstanding issues and make tangible recommendations where they differ from President Bush and where they agree with him they need to close ranks behind him. If Howard Dean is going to lead the party out of the woods, a less strident and more coherent battle plan is necessary.
All of the Democratic chatter can not come from an angle of how this will position me as a candidate for president. The country is tiring of media and party created front page news. The new media on the net and in the blogs is where the action is and where the voice of the people is being heard.
We all want the troops to come home but under what conditions? The Democrats as a party could outline what constitutes an outcome that is equal to the sacrifice our people have made there and would constitute success in their minds. As an example, the Democrats could outline how much oil production, electricity production, schools opened, hospitals rebuilt, elections held, how many troops and police trained would constitute enough progress so as to reduce our commitment.
From the strategic standpoint the party could explain why or why not a military base presence is or is not necessary in Iraq long term. How our presence effects relations with the surrounding hot spots of Syria Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
The big media could help in this area by actually asking those types of questions. The lead story every night seems to be Cindy Sheehan or a ticker adding up the total number of American troops killed or some idiotic comparison between Viet Nam and Iraq. In the mean time over 16,000 people will be murdered in this country this year, some elements of the elderly population will be choosing between freezing and starving over this winter, and Greenspan is pushing us into recession.
If the Democrats can’t be effective opposition then get the Hell out of the way and give someone else a chance.
The first best thing they can all do is shut up. Nancy Pelosi demanding a response from the President regarding Pat Robertson’s idiotic remarks, Barbara Boxer concerned about Supreme Court nominee Robert’s sense of humor and Teddy complaining about windmills in Nantucket Sound is not stuff that mid term election wins are made of.
Cindy Sheehan, the president’s bike riding, Karl Rove leak’s, slavery reparations and cynical slogans like Bush lied troops died and other foolish name calling isn’t going to do it either.
Forget the slogans and sound bites and chirping and harping and get down to the fundamentals of decent thinking skills. The Iraq War, high energy prices, social security and high health care costs are what are on the mind of the American electorate and the Democratic Party has not advanced any of these issues at the national level with a clear and distinct course of action.
Instead of spinning everything through party centric small special interest group thinking, the Democrats need to critically examine the major outstanding issues and make tangible recommendations where they differ from President Bush and where they agree with him they need to close ranks behind him. If Howard Dean is going to lead the party out of the woods, a less strident and more coherent battle plan is necessary.
All of the Democratic chatter can not come from an angle of how this will position me as a candidate for president. The country is tiring of media and party created front page news. The new media on the net and in the blogs is where the action is and where the voice of the people is being heard.
We all want the troops to come home but under what conditions? The Democrats as a party could outline what constitutes an outcome that is equal to the sacrifice our people have made there and would constitute success in their minds. As an example, the Democrats could outline how much oil production, electricity production, schools opened, hospitals rebuilt, elections held, how many troops and police trained would constitute enough progress so as to reduce our commitment.
From the strategic standpoint the party could explain why or why not a military base presence is or is not necessary in Iraq long term. How our presence effects relations with the surrounding hot spots of Syria Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
The big media could help in this area by actually asking those types of questions. The lead story every night seems to be Cindy Sheehan or a ticker adding up the total number of American troops killed or some idiotic comparison between Viet Nam and Iraq. In the mean time over 16,000 people will be murdered in this country this year, some elements of the elderly population will be choosing between freezing and starving over this winter, and Greenspan is pushing us into recession.
If the Democrats can’t be effective opposition then get the Hell out of the way and give someone else a chance.
Monday, August 22, 2005
The Mary Cummings Trust Property
The following is a brief history of the Mary Cummings property (commonly known as the Boston property) and a proposed collective strategy involving Burlington, Woburn and the Cummings descendants moving forward.
The following are facts that are not in dispute;
In a will dated 11/13/1925 Mary Cummings of Woburn stated the following in article four, “to the City of Boston, Massachusetts, I give and devise all the land together with the buildings in the City of Woburn and the Town of Burlington.” This land totals approximately 218 acres of which approximately 40 acres is in Woburn and the remaining acreage is in Burlington.
The will further stipulates the following; “ the property to be held in trust to hold and keep the same forever open as a public pleasure ground, and to maintain and care for the same in a suitable manner in accordance with that purpose”. Mrs. Cummings also made provisions for an income stream to accomplish the upkeep and development of the property as a pleasure ground in the following ways:
Item 2 of the will provided that stock that Mrs. Cummings owned would be held in two trusts for the benefit of nephew Henry T. Cowles and his children. If Henry died prior to his children reaching age 21, the income of the trust would go to his children till that age and then the principal in the trusts would be turned over to Boston for the benefit of the Mary Cummings trust property.
Item 3 of the will stipulates that stock be given in trust for the benefit of her niece, Eunice C. Cowles. The income from the trust was to be given semi annually and at the death of her niece the remaining stock would be transferred to Boston for the benefit of the Cummings Trust property
In item four Mrs. Cummings stipulated that if Boston accepted the Burlington and Woburn land in trust then “I also give and devise to it the land and buildings thereon owned by me and numbered 53 North Market Street.”
In the event that Boston failed to accept the provisions of the will Mrs. Cummings included the following specific language in the will, “In case, however, said City of Boston shall decline or fail to accept said real estate in Woburn and Burlington for the purposes as aforesaid, I give and devise the same, together with all the other real and personal property herein given to said City of Boston for the accomplishment of said purposes, to the Playground and Recreation Association of America, in trust for the same purposes and conditions as are here in prescribed concerning the taking of the same by the said City of Boston.”
There are several items of note here. Mrs. Cummings intentions relative to the property is clear and unambiguous. This specific property was to be kept forever as a public pleasure ground and she made fall back provisions to convey the property to an entity that would dedicate itself to doing that. Mrs. Cummings did not burden the taxpayer of Boston in order to maintain or improve the property since she left assets and an income stream to accomplish the task.
The city of Boston has failed in its fiduciary responsibilities as it relates to the bequest held in trust. This is evident by the most recent suggestion by Mr. Paul J. Minihane, Chairman of the Boston Finance Commission that “funds are presently needed to maintain the soon to be completed Rose Kennedy Greenway” and selling the Cummings property would be “and excellent use of the Cummings Trust income”. According to the Boston Globe, this is the third such effort by the Finance Commission to float the idea of liquidating the property.
An assumption can be made that since members of the family have expressed an interest in having a park by the name of Mary Cummings on the land, and that Mrs. Cummings herself stipulated that this specific piece of property remain open forever then it would be apparent that the sale of the property should be out of the question.
Further assumptions can be made regarding Boston’s disinterest or unwillingness to meet the responsibilities of the trust bequest by examining the City’s performance since the 1930’s. Over that period of time virtually nothing has been done on the property in terms of capital improvements or even basic maintenance. During the past thirty years there has not even been a superficial attempt by the city to meet the minimum terms of the bequest. In fact, with the exception of Burlington’s efforts to negotiate an agreement to improve the property for recreation use, the only discussions Boston has had is about efforts to break the trust and sell the property.
In addition to its lack of attention to the tenets of the trust, there does not seem to be a readily available accounting of what happened to the assets left by Mrs. Cummings to achieve the trust’s goals.
Conclusions
Mrs. Cummings left clear instructions as to the disposition of this land. The descendants of the family have a right to the proper Cummings legacy. That legacy would not be the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
The land has enormous recreational and pleasure ground value to the residents of the communities as well as the residents of the commonwealth and is irreplaceable in the area as parkland.
Boston has no intention of meeting its obligations under the trust and has used assets intended for the trust for its own purposes (allegedly) since there is no available accounting of the funds.
The secondary potential trustee, The Playground and Recreation Association of America still exists as the National Recreation Association. Its history and evolution can be viewed at WWW.nrpa.org. It would seem an appropriate organization for the purpose of the will and in retrospect points out the wisdom of Mrs. Cummings fall back position.
Changing a trustee for negligence or non performance is under the purview of the attorney general’s office.
Recommendation
It is time to fulfill Mrs. Cumming wishes. A change of trustees should be pursued by petition to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office. The NRPA.org should take action to replace the City of Boston in this role. If this is not possible then a partnership between Woburn and Burlington should be established in order to assume control of the trust as co-trustees along with Cummings family descendants and fulfill its intended purpose.
There is no room for compromise. Boston is not entitled to any financial interest in this property and any attempt by the city to profit in any way from 75 years of deplorable performance in the exercising of their fiduciary duty should be resisted strenuously.
The following are facts that are not in dispute;
In a will dated 11/13/1925 Mary Cummings of Woburn stated the following in article four, “to the City of Boston, Massachusetts, I give and devise all the land together with the buildings in the City of Woburn and the Town of Burlington.” This land totals approximately 218 acres of which approximately 40 acres is in Woburn and the remaining acreage is in Burlington.
The will further stipulates the following; “ the property to be held in trust to hold and keep the same forever open as a public pleasure ground, and to maintain and care for the same in a suitable manner in accordance with that purpose”. Mrs. Cummings also made provisions for an income stream to accomplish the upkeep and development of the property as a pleasure ground in the following ways:
Item 2 of the will provided that stock that Mrs. Cummings owned would be held in two trusts for the benefit of nephew Henry T. Cowles and his children. If Henry died prior to his children reaching age 21, the income of the trust would go to his children till that age and then the principal in the trusts would be turned over to Boston for the benefit of the Mary Cummings trust property.
Item 3 of the will stipulates that stock be given in trust for the benefit of her niece, Eunice C. Cowles. The income from the trust was to be given semi annually and at the death of her niece the remaining stock would be transferred to Boston for the benefit of the Cummings Trust property
In item four Mrs. Cummings stipulated that if Boston accepted the Burlington and Woburn land in trust then “I also give and devise to it the land and buildings thereon owned by me and numbered 53 North Market Street.”
In the event that Boston failed to accept the provisions of the will Mrs. Cummings included the following specific language in the will, “In case, however, said City of Boston shall decline or fail to accept said real estate in Woburn and Burlington for the purposes as aforesaid, I give and devise the same, together with all the other real and personal property herein given to said City of Boston for the accomplishment of said purposes, to the Playground and Recreation Association of America, in trust for the same purposes and conditions as are here in prescribed concerning the taking of the same by the said City of Boston.”
There are several items of note here. Mrs. Cummings intentions relative to the property is clear and unambiguous. This specific property was to be kept forever as a public pleasure ground and she made fall back provisions to convey the property to an entity that would dedicate itself to doing that. Mrs. Cummings did not burden the taxpayer of Boston in order to maintain or improve the property since she left assets and an income stream to accomplish the task.
The city of Boston has failed in its fiduciary responsibilities as it relates to the bequest held in trust. This is evident by the most recent suggestion by Mr. Paul J. Minihane, Chairman of the Boston Finance Commission that “funds are presently needed to maintain the soon to be completed Rose Kennedy Greenway” and selling the Cummings property would be “and excellent use of the Cummings Trust income”. According to the Boston Globe, this is the third such effort by the Finance Commission to float the idea of liquidating the property.
An assumption can be made that since members of the family have expressed an interest in having a park by the name of Mary Cummings on the land, and that Mrs. Cummings herself stipulated that this specific piece of property remain open forever then it would be apparent that the sale of the property should be out of the question.
Further assumptions can be made regarding Boston’s disinterest or unwillingness to meet the responsibilities of the trust bequest by examining the City’s performance since the 1930’s. Over that period of time virtually nothing has been done on the property in terms of capital improvements or even basic maintenance. During the past thirty years there has not even been a superficial attempt by the city to meet the minimum terms of the bequest. In fact, with the exception of Burlington’s efforts to negotiate an agreement to improve the property for recreation use, the only discussions Boston has had is about efforts to break the trust and sell the property.
In addition to its lack of attention to the tenets of the trust, there does not seem to be a readily available accounting of what happened to the assets left by Mrs. Cummings to achieve the trust’s goals.
Conclusions
Mrs. Cummings left clear instructions as to the disposition of this land. The descendants of the family have a right to the proper Cummings legacy. That legacy would not be the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
The land has enormous recreational and pleasure ground value to the residents of the communities as well as the residents of the commonwealth and is irreplaceable in the area as parkland.
Boston has no intention of meeting its obligations under the trust and has used assets intended for the trust for its own purposes (allegedly) since there is no available accounting of the funds.
The secondary potential trustee, The Playground and Recreation Association of America still exists as the National Recreation Association. Its history and evolution can be viewed at WWW.nrpa.org. It would seem an appropriate organization for the purpose of the will and in retrospect points out the wisdom of Mrs. Cummings fall back position.
Changing a trustee for negligence or non performance is under the purview of the attorney general’s office.
Recommendation
It is time to fulfill Mrs. Cumming wishes. A change of trustees should be pursued by petition to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office. The NRPA.org should take action to replace the City of Boston in this role. If this is not possible then a partnership between Woburn and Burlington should be established in order to assume control of the trust as co-trustees along with Cummings family descendants and fulfill its intended purpose.
There is no room for compromise. Boston is not entitled to any financial interest in this property and any attempt by the city to profit in any way from 75 years of deplorable performance in the exercising of their fiduciary duty should be resisted strenuously.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
The condition of the Burlington residential real estate market.
Residential values were mailed out this week to Burlington property owners and we took this opportunity to inquire as to the condition of the market with a number of influential players in Burlington
We began with an interview with Russell Washburn, Burlington Town Assessor
He characterized the Burlington residential market as healthy now and in the foreseeable future. In response to the question of a housing value bubble, Washburn replied that “he has been saying that for three years but sees only a stabilizing of prices near term as opposed to a large deflation of Burlington’s residential prices.”
In the condo market he anticipates continued rising prices primarily because of increasing demand and lack of supply.
The average home value has risen to 406,990 after this year’s revaluation. Washburn does expect some abatement requests to follow the revaluation in Burlington however he points to last year when he received only 20 applications as an indication that Burlington has been fairly accurate in matching values to market conditions.
You may examine the values assigned to any properties in your area by going to Burlington.org and clicking on the assessor's office icon.
Mr. Washburn also added that he is beginning to see a turn around in the commercial market with some of Burlington’s vacant space being absorbed
In addition to our discussion with Mr. Washburn, I conducted phone interviews with 4 of the top real estate sales producers in Burlington, according to the multiple listing property information networks.
The four participants were;
Beverly Vidoli of Vidoli Associates Inc.
June Tabaldi of Century 21 Northshore
Michael Austin Prudential Suburban
Joanna Schlansky of Exit Premier
What was remarkable about the interviews was that despite the fact that it was four different individuals with four different firms and varying years of experience in the Burlington market, each of the four brokers questioned had remarkably similar opinions on the condition of the Burlington Market.
All four participants agreed generally on the following observations.
1. The market in Burlington has slowed and prices are soft, however it is more of a stabilization of the market than a deflation or bursting of a bubble. There is still a steady stream of lookers.
2. The total inventory on the market now is roughly 90 units which is significantly higher than the average number which generally is in the 40 unit range at any one time.
3. The average number of days a house is on the market is now in the 60 to 120 day range although September is likely to decrease those numbers.
4. General uncertainty in the market has been created by rising energy and utility prices. This has had a tendency to make stretch buyers reconsider whether or not they want to buy at this time.
5. Mortgage rates are still a positive force in the market. Although the Fed has continued to raise the short term rates, mortgage rates are more a function of long term bond prices and those rates have stayed relatively stable. There is a large supply of mortgage brokers and some innovative mortage products available for marginal or first time buyers.
6. Burlington remains a destination of choice because of its proximity to Boston, a low tax rate and town services and schools that are attractive comparable to the region. One broker mentioned however that uncertainty in the area of school infrastructure was an item some sellers had mentioned as a reason for leaving Burlington.
7. The condo market remains hot because of long time Burlington residents becoming empty nesters and seeking to downsize but remain in the community. Lack of supply has been expressed by senior citizens as a concern here as well as a lack of variety in the size of the condos being offered.
8. The market remains extremely competitive from the broker’s perspective because as many as 50 new brokers a month are being licensed in the region. This adds some unrealistic raising of expectations by sellers who have many conflicting value opinions to pick from as well as it indicates that a market has topped out when many would be producers are late to the party.
9. One underlying reason for continued strength in the market is the tear down. With lot prices in the 350k range any home below the average 406k price is likely to continue to be near that value because of the potential to be redeveloped into a new home. When the first tear down appears in an older neighborhood it has the effect of establishing bottom line values in that neighborhood.
Michael Austin had a particularly keen observation regarding the impact of net technology in the market place. “Buyers are coming to the market loaded with information about the region, knowing comparable sale prices and length of time properties are on the market. The key for the seller is to have a reasonable price and a desire to sell versus testing the waters”.
We began with an interview with Russell Washburn, Burlington Town Assessor
He characterized the Burlington residential market as healthy now and in the foreseeable future. In response to the question of a housing value bubble, Washburn replied that “he has been saying that for three years but sees only a stabilizing of prices near term as opposed to a large deflation of Burlington’s residential prices.”
In the condo market he anticipates continued rising prices primarily because of increasing demand and lack of supply.
The average home value has risen to 406,990 after this year’s revaluation. Washburn does expect some abatement requests to follow the revaluation in Burlington however he points to last year when he received only 20 applications as an indication that Burlington has been fairly accurate in matching values to market conditions.
You may examine the values assigned to any properties in your area by going to Burlington.org and clicking on the assessor's office icon.
Mr. Washburn also added that he is beginning to see a turn around in the commercial market with some of Burlington’s vacant space being absorbed
In addition to our discussion with Mr. Washburn, I conducted phone interviews with 4 of the top real estate sales producers in Burlington, according to the multiple listing property information networks.
The four participants were;
Beverly Vidoli of Vidoli Associates Inc.
June Tabaldi of Century 21 Northshore
Michael Austin Prudential Suburban
Joanna Schlansky of Exit Premier
What was remarkable about the interviews was that despite the fact that it was four different individuals with four different firms and varying years of experience in the Burlington market, each of the four brokers questioned had remarkably similar opinions on the condition of the Burlington Market.
All four participants agreed generally on the following observations.
1. The market in Burlington has slowed and prices are soft, however it is more of a stabilization of the market than a deflation or bursting of a bubble. There is still a steady stream of lookers.
2. The total inventory on the market now is roughly 90 units which is significantly higher than the average number which generally is in the 40 unit range at any one time.
3. The average number of days a house is on the market is now in the 60 to 120 day range although September is likely to decrease those numbers.
4. General uncertainty in the market has been created by rising energy and utility prices. This has had a tendency to make stretch buyers reconsider whether or not they want to buy at this time.
5. Mortgage rates are still a positive force in the market. Although the Fed has continued to raise the short term rates, mortgage rates are more a function of long term bond prices and those rates have stayed relatively stable. There is a large supply of mortgage brokers and some innovative mortage products available for marginal or first time buyers.
6. Burlington remains a destination of choice because of its proximity to Boston, a low tax rate and town services and schools that are attractive comparable to the region. One broker mentioned however that uncertainty in the area of school infrastructure was an item some sellers had mentioned as a reason for leaving Burlington.
7. The condo market remains hot because of long time Burlington residents becoming empty nesters and seeking to downsize but remain in the community. Lack of supply has been expressed by senior citizens as a concern here as well as a lack of variety in the size of the condos being offered.
8. The market remains extremely competitive from the broker’s perspective because as many as 50 new brokers a month are being licensed in the region. This adds some unrealistic raising of expectations by sellers who have many conflicting value opinions to pick from as well as it indicates that a market has topped out when many would be producers are late to the party.
9. One underlying reason for continued strength in the market is the tear down. With lot prices in the 350k range any home below the average 406k price is likely to continue to be near that value because of the potential to be redeveloped into a new home. When the first tear down appears in an older neighborhood it has the effect of establishing bottom line values in that neighborhood.
Michael Austin had a particularly keen observation regarding the impact of net technology in the market place. “Buyers are coming to the market loaded with information about the region, knowing comparable sale prices and length of time properties are on the market. The key for the seller is to have a reasonable price and a desire to sell versus testing the waters”.
The Boston Property
The topic of the Boston Property surfaced this week in an article written by Thomas Palmer in the business section of the Boston Globe. The article explores a letter written by the Boston Finance Commission Chairman Paul J Minihane suggesting that the City could sell the Mary Cummings property held in trust by Boston that is located in Burlington and Woburn and use the proceeds to develop the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston. The Commission estimates the value of the property to Boston at 30 Million dollars.
It is estimated by the Chairman of the Greenway Conservacancy board that 50 million dollars is needed as an endowment to develop and maintain the properties that were left open by the destruction of the elevated central artery.
This recommendation has come up twice in the past ten years and according to Mayor Menino’s quote if selling the land was that easy, the City would have done it long ago. According to Boston’s corporation counsel Merita Hopkins, there are several big obstacles to overcome in order for the city to sell the property.
Those obstacles could include an approval by the Attorney General as well as a two thirds vote of the state legislature. Other obstacles would certainly be potential opposition in both communities as well as zoning restrictions on the parcel. Right now the property is zoned RO or residential single family and any change to that would require a complete review by both community’s boards and a two thirds vote of the zoning authorities. In Burlington’s case that would be town meeting.
The land in question is 218 acres of which 40 acres are in Woburn and the remainder in Burlington. The property was donated by Mary Cummings in the late 1920’s to be forever held as a public pleasure ground. Boston was named as Trustee because of an ongoing dispute that Mrs. Cummings was having with Woburn and Burlington over local taxation
Over the past 20 years Boston has made little effort to use the property in any way relative to the terms of the trust. As we have reported to you over the past year, the Burlington recreation department had been near to closing an agreement with Boston to utilize some of the property in a way that was compatible with the purpose of the trust. Those discussions and agreement signing was postponed at the eleventh hour.
Burlington’s state representative Charles Murphy is no stranger to the issue has he had contacted the attorney general when he first got elected to the house and requested that he be informed of any efforts to change any component of the trust.
Burlington Town Administrator Robert Mercier was quoted as saying that Burlington would consider development on the property if it makes sense. Mr. Mercier did not specify what type of development might be considered. To date the Board of Selectmen has not articulated any policy that would include any type of commercial development on the site.
Stay tuned on this one. Any effort to break this trust might result in all Hell breaking out!
It is estimated by the Chairman of the Greenway Conservacancy board that 50 million dollars is needed as an endowment to develop and maintain the properties that were left open by the destruction of the elevated central artery.
This recommendation has come up twice in the past ten years and according to Mayor Menino’s quote if selling the land was that easy, the City would have done it long ago. According to Boston’s corporation counsel Merita Hopkins, there are several big obstacles to overcome in order for the city to sell the property.
Those obstacles could include an approval by the Attorney General as well as a two thirds vote of the state legislature. Other obstacles would certainly be potential opposition in both communities as well as zoning restrictions on the parcel. Right now the property is zoned RO or residential single family and any change to that would require a complete review by both community’s boards and a two thirds vote of the zoning authorities. In Burlington’s case that would be town meeting.
The land in question is 218 acres of which 40 acres are in Woburn and the remainder in Burlington. The property was donated by Mary Cummings in the late 1920’s to be forever held as a public pleasure ground. Boston was named as Trustee because of an ongoing dispute that Mrs. Cummings was having with Woburn and Burlington over local taxation
Over the past 20 years Boston has made little effort to use the property in any way relative to the terms of the trust. As we have reported to you over the past year, the Burlington recreation department had been near to closing an agreement with Boston to utilize some of the property in a way that was compatible with the purpose of the trust. Those discussions and agreement signing was postponed at the eleventh hour.
Burlington’s state representative Charles Murphy is no stranger to the issue has he had contacted the attorney general when he first got elected to the house and requested that he be informed of any efforts to change any component of the trust.
Burlington Town Administrator Robert Mercier was quoted as saying that Burlington would consider development on the property if it makes sense. Mr. Mercier did not specify what type of development might be considered. To date the Board of Selectmen has not articulated any policy that would include any type of commercial development on the site.
Stay tuned on this one. Any effort to break this trust might result in all Hell breaking out!
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Boycott oil
According to Webster; A boycott is a concerted refusal to have dealings with (as a person, store, or organization) usually to express disapproval or to force acceptance of certain conditions.
The mere use of the word can strike fear in the hearts of men and women in commerce. It is an effective tool where men and women of small influence can band together and create a storm of disapproval. It is becoming increasingly clear that this is the type of effort that is needed to confront the current speculative fever affecting oil.
A boycott could take many routes. It could start with each of us taking individual responsibility. Driving slower, car pooling, turning out lights, turning down the heat and air conditioning a bit, all could save just a few ounces of oil. Multiply that by millions and we might have something working on this problem.
We read every day about greater demand from China and India. If it isn’t a hurricane shutting down rigs in the Gulf then it is a refinery fire somewhere or a production bottle neck somewhere else. It is none of these things that are driving up the price of crude to these levels. It is pure speculation and greed.
This can be graphically illustrated by examining the September and October price charts for crude oil on the New York Mercantile exchange. Ordinary volume in these contracts is somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 to 5 thousand per day. Since this past June those numbers have jumped nearly ten fold. Has demand increased ten fold? What could warrant this type of activity? Perhaps some additional supply caution is being exhibited by oil driven businesses however the rest must be as a result of pure speculation.
Bringing oil pricing back to a reasonable level is of paramount importance to our nation as well as the rest of the world. From an economic perspective there is no good result from exorbitant oil prices. The use of oil is pervasive in all aspects of our manufacturing, transportation, and service economies. If high oil prices don’t contribute greatly to inflation through pricing pressures on goods and services then it is surely to lead to an economic slowdown by severely restricting discretionary business and consumer spending. The worst scenario is that it might do both.
From a strategic standpoint, the potential for oil as a geo political weapon against us must be reduced. The policies of the United States must be made oil proof. We simply cannot allow any of our foreign policy goals or ideals to be influenced one iota by who is or is not in the oil production business.
This is a watershed issue for the country. It is time that the national media recognized the importance of this issue and elevate it to a level beyond petty partisan bickering. The political parties, the branches of the bureaucracy and the residents of the country are all responsible for this problem and the solutions to it. It is time we all got on the same page and addressed it in the same way.
The mere use of the word can strike fear in the hearts of men and women in commerce. It is an effective tool where men and women of small influence can band together and create a storm of disapproval. It is becoming increasingly clear that this is the type of effort that is needed to confront the current speculative fever affecting oil.
A boycott could take many routes. It could start with each of us taking individual responsibility. Driving slower, car pooling, turning out lights, turning down the heat and air conditioning a bit, all could save just a few ounces of oil. Multiply that by millions and we might have something working on this problem.
We read every day about greater demand from China and India. If it isn’t a hurricane shutting down rigs in the Gulf then it is a refinery fire somewhere or a production bottle neck somewhere else. It is none of these things that are driving up the price of crude to these levels. It is pure speculation and greed.
This can be graphically illustrated by examining the September and October price charts for crude oil on the New York Mercantile exchange. Ordinary volume in these contracts is somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 to 5 thousand per day. Since this past June those numbers have jumped nearly ten fold. Has demand increased ten fold? What could warrant this type of activity? Perhaps some additional supply caution is being exhibited by oil driven businesses however the rest must be as a result of pure speculation.
Bringing oil pricing back to a reasonable level is of paramount importance to our nation as well as the rest of the world. From an economic perspective there is no good result from exorbitant oil prices. The use of oil is pervasive in all aspects of our manufacturing, transportation, and service economies. If high oil prices don’t contribute greatly to inflation through pricing pressures on goods and services then it is surely to lead to an economic slowdown by severely restricting discretionary business and consumer spending. The worst scenario is that it might do both.
From a strategic standpoint, the potential for oil as a geo political weapon against us must be reduced. The policies of the United States must be made oil proof. We simply cannot allow any of our foreign policy goals or ideals to be influenced one iota by who is or is not in the oil production business.
This is a watershed issue for the country. It is time that the national media recognized the importance of this issue and elevate it to a level beyond petty partisan bickering. The political parties, the branches of the bureaucracy and the residents of the country are all responsible for this problem and the solutions to it. It is time we all got on the same page and addressed it in the same way.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Slow down Mr. Chairman
This week, the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee met and raised the Fed Funds rate another 25 basis points to 3.5%. This is the tenth consecutive increase since June of 2004 when the rate was at a 50 year low. The Fed Funds rate is the interest rate at which banks lend to each other overnight and as the U.S. short-term benchmark, it is enormously important because it influences market interest rates throughout the world.
Bond market mavens all over the world watch this decision with baited breath not only to gauge the actions of the Fed but also to analyze in excruciating detail the FOMC statement that accompanies the action by the committee. Even though the FOMC has raised the rate ten times over the past 14 months the most recent statement would seem to indicate that they are not finished.
“The Committee believes that, even after this action, the stance of monetary policy remains accommodative and, coupled with robust underlying growth in productivity, is providing ongoing support to economic activity. Aggregate spending, despite high energy prices, appears to have strengthened since late winter, and labor market conditions continue to improve gradually. Core inflation has been relatively low in recent months and longer-term inflation expectations remain well contained, but pressures on inflation have stayed elevated”
The operative words in the statement are accommodative and pressures. Chairman Greenspan and company apparently believes that inflation continues to be more of a problem than a potential economic slowdown.There is a growing chorus as well as some evidence that disagrees with the FOMC action and is raising concerns that they may tighten too aggressively and send the economy into recession. In a recent Wall Street Journal online poll 54% of the economist included expressed this concern.
The thin spread between the five year yield at 4.13% and the old thirty year bond at 4.47% would make it appear as though the bond market is much less concerned about inflationary pressures than Greenspan and the Open Market Committee. Which is more likely to be the result of enormous increases in energy prices, higher inflation or an economic slowdown?
Even though energy prices add pricing pressure to almost all products, the slow down could be brought on by the diversion of discretionary spending money from consumer product consumption to the consumer’s gas tank and home heating oil burner.History has shown that inversion of the yield curve has preceded the last five U.S. recessions. The yield curve inverts when Fed driven short-term rates exceed longer market driven rates. The yield curve may forecast the turning points of the business cycle. If long-term rates continue at these levels and the Fed insists on continued hikes an inversion of the curve is almost a certainty.
A most recent example of this is in the year 2000 when the Fed continued to raise rates to the point of inversion as a defense against inflation brought on by the supposed “wealth effect.” Failing to anticipate the impending recession they then had to scramble with numerous rate reductions to little to late as a defense against the recession.
Chairman Greenspan is soon to retire; it would be a shame if his lasting legacy were that he pushed the country into recession on his way out the door.
Bond market mavens all over the world watch this decision with baited breath not only to gauge the actions of the Fed but also to analyze in excruciating detail the FOMC statement that accompanies the action by the committee. Even though the FOMC has raised the rate ten times over the past 14 months the most recent statement would seem to indicate that they are not finished.
“The Committee believes that, even after this action, the stance of monetary policy remains accommodative and, coupled with robust underlying growth in productivity, is providing ongoing support to economic activity. Aggregate spending, despite high energy prices, appears to have strengthened since late winter, and labor market conditions continue to improve gradually. Core inflation has been relatively low in recent months and longer-term inflation expectations remain well contained, but pressures on inflation have stayed elevated”
The operative words in the statement are accommodative and pressures. Chairman Greenspan and company apparently believes that inflation continues to be more of a problem than a potential economic slowdown.There is a growing chorus as well as some evidence that disagrees with the FOMC action and is raising concerns that they may tighten too aggressively and send the economy into recession. In a recent Wall Street Journal online poll 54% of the economist included expressed this concern.
The thin spread between the five year yield at 4.13% and the old thirty year bond at 4.47% would make it appear as though the bond market is much less concerned about inflationary pressures than Greenspan and the Open Market Committee. Which is more likely to be the result of enormous increases in energy prices, higher inflation or an economic slowdown?
Even though energy prices add pricing pressure to almost all products, the slow down could be brought on by the diversion of discretionary spending money from consumer product consumption to the consumer’s gas tank and home heating oil burner.History has shown that inversion of the yield curve has preceded the last five U.S. recessions. The yield curve inverts when Fed driven short-term rates exceed longer market driven rates. The yield curve may forecast the turning points of the business cycle. If long-term rates continue at these levels and the Fed insists on continued hikes an inversion of the curve is almost a certainty.
A most recent example of this is in the year 2000 when the Fed continued to raise rates to the point of inversion as a defense against inflation brought on by the supposed “wealth effect.” Failing to anticipate the impending recession they then had to scramble with numerous rate reductions to little to late as a defense against the recession.
Chairman Greenspan is soon to retire; it would be a shame if his lasting legacy were that he pushed the country into recession on his way out the door.
Monday, August 08, 2005
We are the revolutionaries
The older I get, the greater appreciation I have for the marvel that this country is. I can remember a re-occurring theme taught me through out my early schools years, our origins resulting in a "melting pot" of a country.
Our population consists of people from all walks of life, all shapes and colors emigrating from anywhere to participate in the American Dream.
We are not a melting pot, we are a pot boiling at high temperature at all times. Not one aspect of our lives is left untouched by this tumult. Politics, economics, technology, industry, medicine, science, and literature are all constantly subject to revolutionary change.
In the last 100 years we have seen much in the way of change across the globe. Many a revolution has taken place that promised a new way of life, demolition of the status quo and a Utopian existence for the victorious. The victorious get to write their version of history but eventually reality breaks through. The Bolsheviks, Chairman Mao, the Viet Cong, Castro and the Iranians to name a few have all promised the masses a higher standard of living and less exploitation by the ruling class. In reality they have resulted in chaos and oppression and backsliding and a new ruling class more violent and malevolent than their predecessors.
Now that the earth has taken on a more village like atmosphere in some quarters we Americans are viewed as the entrenched leadership, oppressing the masses and seeking global domination for the kings and queens of capitalism. Some accuse us of raping and pillaging the earth, attacking and destroying people of color, enslaving the people to our culture and our religion and exploiting their labor and resources. We needn't look to France or other critics, when we can read it for ourselves right here in our country.
This point of view frequently expressed by some of our own major media and political opposition, which by the way is the most vigorous of any nation in the world. How many of the afore-mentioned revolutionary regimes allowed for the leader to be called a bumbling idiot, or on vacation to long, or being in top physical shape but allowing for the nations children to be fat? One can only imagine what happened to the opposition party chairman in China (if there was one) who said "I hate Chairman Mao, he's a loser, he never worked a day in his life".
We have our own Krugman's who hold up some European examples of models surpassing our own. Compare those unemployment rates, GDP growth and productivity and scientific accomplishments and then choose which
system you would prefer to live under. Can you name the last ten life changing blockbuster drugs developed in France? Perhaps you know the inventor of the French or German Ipod or internet? Was it a Frenchmen who revolutionized the Tour De France?
It is not hubris or arrogance but a simple statement of fact. American capitalistic democracy is the global revolution and it is coming faster than global warming or rapture. World security and the well being of individual global inhabitants depend on it.
There will be the inevitable back-lash. The Neanderthal movements headed up by the likes of Bin Laden will always be on the fringes of global society. There will still be flat worlders or the devout of some cult or another preaching world destruction but in the end they will go the way of the Dodo.
The American Revolution isn't over in fact it may only be beginning.
Our population consists of people from all walks of life, all shapes and colors emigrating from anywhere to participate in the American Dream.
We are not a melting pot, we are a pot boiling at high temperature at all times. Not one aspect of our lives is left untouched by this tumult. Politics, economics, technology, industry, medicine, science, and literature are all constantly subject to revolutionary change.
In the last 100 years we have seen much in the way of change across the globe. Many a revolution has taken place that promised a new way of life, demolition of the status quo and a Utopian existence for the victorious. The victorious get to write their version of history but eventually reality breaks through. The Bolsheviks, Chairman Mao, the Viet Cong, Castro and the Iranians to name a few have all promised the masses a higher standard of living and less exploitation by the ruling class. In reality they have resulted in chaos and oppression and backsliding and a new ruling class more violent and malevolent than their predecessors.
Now that the earth has taken on a more village like atmosphere in some quarters we Americans are viewed as the entrenched leadership, oppressing the masses and seeking global domination for the kings and queens of capitalism. Some accuse us of raping and pillaging the earth, attacking and destroying people of color, enslaving the people to our culture and our religion and exploiting their labor and resources. We needn't look to France or other critics, when we can read it for ourselves right here in our country.
This point of view frequently expressed by some of our own major media and political opposition, which by the way is the most vigorous of any nation in the world. How many of the afore-mentioned revolutionary regimes allowed for the leader to be called a bumbling idiot, or on vacation to long, or being in top physical shape but allowing for the nations children to be fat? One can only imagine what happened to the opposition party chairman in China (if there was one) who said "I hate Chairman Mao, he's a loser, he never worked a day in his life".
We have our own Krugman's who hold up some European examples of models surpassing our own. Compare those unemployment rates, GDP growth and productivity and scientific accomplishments and then choose which
system you would prefer to live under. Can you name the last ten life changing blockbuster drugs developed in France? Perhaps you know the inventor of the French or German Ipod or internet? Was it a Frenchmen who revolutionized the Tour De France?
It is not hubris or arrogance but a simple statement of fact. American capitalistic democracy is the global revolution and it is coming faster than global warming or rapture. World security and the well being of individual global inhabitants depend on it.
There will be the inevitable back-lash. The Neanderthal movements headed up by the likes of Bin Laden will always be on the fringes of global society. There will still be flat worlders or the devout of some cult or another preaching world destruction but in the end they will go the way of the Dodo.
The American Revolution isn't over in fact it may only be beginning.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Sox ready for the stretch drive
Sometimes the deal you don’t make is better than the one you do. That about sums up the general feeling of Red Sox Nation regarding the passing of this Sunday’s trading deadline. Despite all the speculation and weeping and moaning and gnashing of teeth over Manny Ramirez, the Sox basically stood still. The one minor move was a bit of an insurance policy in the outfield in the acquisition of Jose Cruz Jr. With Trot Nixon on the injured list, the gold glove outfielder along with the return of Gabe Kapler from Japan shores up the outfield.
It is the beginning of August and there is still plenty of time to be on and off the band wagon, plenty of time to despair if they fall into a little losing streak but for the most part the club is beginning to hit on all cylinders. Last year at this time is about when the team went on a post all star game tear winning 42 and 18. That still wasn’t enough to catch the Yankees for the divisional title but this is a different year. One difference is the Sox are in first place and it is the Yankees who are giving chase.
It is also in many respects a different Sox team. Despite the loss of Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe the Sox still have the strongest front line pitching in the division and that is without having Curt Schilling for most of the year in the starting rotation and losing their primary closer Keith Foulke for the past month.
Unlike years gone by when the club had to make a trading deadline move out of desperation, General Manager Theo was able to basically stand pat in the pitching category because of some of the home grown talent. Jon Papelbon filled in as a starter this week and looks like a certifiable stud. More than one fan whispered the unthinkable, “the kid looks a little like a young Clemens”. He is big and poised and the first two batters he faced went down against a nasty fastball. Manny Delcarmen, Boston’s own contribution to the Sox has proven so far to be a serviceable addition to the pen even though his time in the bigs is short.
Wells, Wakefield, Arroyo and Clement have all been steady with very few missed starts. Wade Miller had recently come up with some arm problems but that has yet to be proven a longer term problem. Wells and Clement who were penned in as the primary replacements for Lowe and Martinez have proven to be up to the task. Wells seems to get better and better with each appearance. We know this guy has the stuff that Octobers are made of.
The infield has been shored up with the earlier additions of both Alex Cora and Tony Graffanino when Mark Bellhorn went down. Both can play second and Cora can spell Edgar at shortstop when necessary. Bill Mueller continues his steady play and Kevin Youkilis is down on the farm should more help be needed. John Olerude’s recent contributions to the club is likely only the beginning as he got a chance to get in the starting line up and get a few key at bats. This guy is a consummate professional with one of the sweetest swings in baseball. His swing is only surpassed by his smooth operation around first base.
The hall mark of this club is the bats surrounding the twin center pieces of Ramirez and Ortiz. It has been two games since the Manny drama and he has only contributed a game winning hit one night and then four of the six runs produced in a win two days later. With 98 games played Manny is leading the league with home runs and has 97 runs batted in. Johnny Damon is having a career year and leading off for a team that will likely finish leading the majors in run production. Jason Varitek is one the most important players on the club even if he didn’t get a hit all year but never the less he has also contributed a near career year in batting average and home runs. Mueller and Renteria are both extremely tough outs When you face this line up there is precious little room for a mistake
Right now this club looks like the reigning World Series Champions. With Schilling almost all the way back and Foulke soon to be ready and the addition of the September call ups the Sox look well positioned to make a strong run to repeat. Man, how good is this?
It is the beginning of August and there is still plenty of time to be on and off the band wagon, plenty of time to despair if they fall into a little losing streak but for the most part the club is beginning to hit on all cylinders. Last year at this time is about when the team went on a post all star game tear winning 42 and 18. That still wasn’t enough to catch the Yankees for the divisional title but this is a different year. One difference is the Sox are in first place and it is the Yankees who are giving chase.
It is also in many respects a different Sox team. Despite the loss of Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe the Sox still have the strongest front line pitching in the division and that is without having Curt Schilling for most of the year in the starting rotation and losing their primary closer Keith Foulke for the past month.
Unlike years gone by when the club had to make a trading deadline move out of desperation, General Manager Theo was able to basically stand pat in the pitching category because of some of the home grown talent. Jon Papelbon filled in as a starter this week and looks like a certifiable stud. More than one fan whispered the unthinkable, “the kid looks a little like a young Clemens”. He is big and poised and the first two batters he faced went down against a nasty fastball. Manny Delcarmen, Boston’s own contribution to the Sox has proven so far to be a serviceable addition to the pen even though his time in the bigs is short.
Wells, Wakefield, Arroyo and Clement have all been steady with very few missed starts. Wade Miller had recently come up with some arm problems but that has yet to be proven a longer term problem. Wells and Clement who were penned in as the primary replacements for Lowe and Martinez have proven to be up to the task. Wells seems to get better and better with each appearance. We know this guy has the stuff that Octobers are made of.
The infield has been shored up with the earlier additions of both Alex Cora and Tony Graffanino when Mark Bellhorn went down. Both can play second and Cora can spell Edgar at shortstop when necessary. Bill Mueller continues his steady play and Kevin Youkilis is down on the farm should more help be needed. John Olerude’s recent contributions to the club is likely only the beginning as he got a chance to get in the starting line up and get a few key at bats. This guy is a consummate professional with one of the sweetest swings in baseball. His swing is only surpassed by his smooth operation around first base.
The hall mark of this club is the bats surrounding the twin center pieces of Ramirez and Ortiz. It has been two games since the Manny drama and he has only contributed a game winning hit one night and then four of the six runs produced in a win two days later. With 98 games played Manny is leading the league with home runs and has 97 runs batted in. Johnny Damon is having a career year and leading off for a team that will likely finish leading the majors in run production. Jason Varitek is one the most important players on the club even if he didn’t get a hit all year but never the less he has also contributed a near career year in batting average and home runs. Mueller and Renteria are both extremely tough outs When you face this line up there is precious little room for a mistake
Right now this club looks like the reigning World Series Champions. With Schilling almost all the way back and Foulke soon to be ready and the addition of the September call ups the Sox look well positioned to make a strong run to repeat. Man, how good is this?
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