Who Knows Where the Time Goes was written by Sandy Denny 25 or so years ago. She was most prominently known as the lead singer for the British group Fairport Convention. It is a wonderful song and has been covered by some of the most accomplished female voices. Judy Collins, Mary Black, Eva Cassidy, Nina Simone and Susan Cowsill are a few that have sung haunting and beautiful renditions.
Her title would be a nice theme for a year gone by retrospective but I guess a better one for me would be "what the Hell happened to 2007?" Is it just my imagination or is a week or a month a shorter period of time as we get older? I feel like I was just getting up from the Thanksgiving table when it was time to sit down for Christmas dinner.
Before looking forward it might be worthwhile to look back on some of my prognostications from last year. A couple I hit on the nose and a couple I missed by a mile. The misses are as follows;
Oil has not fallen in price and in fact has continued to climb. Cuba did not fall primarily because I anticipated Fidel would be dead by now but the stubborn old codger is still hanging in there. John Kerry did not campaign for the presidency every day of 2007. His early gaffes took him out much earlier than I expected.
Sayyed Muqtada al-Sadr was not assassinated. Unfortunately, Benazir Bhutto was. Ford Motor Company did not make a big comeback but they seemed to have stemmed the bleeding for the moment.
Neither the Patriots nor the Chargers won the NFL title and Scooter Libby was not exonerated but rather commuted instead. However, the San Antonio Spurs did win the NBA title.
On the plus side of the ledger I had a few wins. I resolved to lose ten pounds, but as I predicted I didn't. Saddam was hanged and nobody really cared. There was more weeping and moaning and gnashing of teeth over Darfur but nothing was done.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid accomplished virtually nothing on major legislative issues facing the country. The new Democratic majority was helpless in the face of a lame duck president.
The New York Times did announce that the Iraqi war was un-winnable and called for complete withdrawal. The Times stock price continued to fall ending the year down over 61% from its price five years ago. In a complete turn about and an apparent acknowledgement of its continued leftist bias, the Times recently added noted neo con William Kristol to its op-ed roster, it won't help the declining Times franchise. Look for more job cuts and asset sales in the near future.
In more of a wishful thinking prediction I chose the Sox to win the World Series and as our ancestors rolled over in their graves the boys did win.
On the economic front I had predicted very dire consequences in the housing market but did not expect the degree in which it affected Wall Street. Chuck Prince of Citigroup, Stan O'Neal of Merrill Lynch and other notables were victims of the sub prime crisis. Victims if you consider tens of millions in severance pay as being victimized.
So what is in store for 2008?
1. I am afraid that a recession is in the future for the year. The Fed just seems to be continually behind the curve. Long treasury yields are low and may go lower, why isn't the Fed cutting faster?
2. Oil prices will fall this year! I guess my theme here is that if you predict it enough times it will come to pass. An economic slowdown may produce such a result but so to may consumer changes which are happening rapidly.
3. Troop reductions will begin in Iraq. General Patreus seems to have a handle on the situation and is producing results in terms of domestic tranquility. More importantly, the Iraqis themselves seem to be rejecting the idea of blowing themselves up.
4. The Patriots, the Red Sox (again) and the Celtics will all win championships.I know it sounds ridiculous but I have admitted to being an insufferable homer. So with Patriots undefeated at 16 and 0 and the Celtics having the best record in the NBA and the Red Sox perhaps signing Johan Santana, it may not be so far fetched.
5. Mitt Romney and John McCain or John McCain and Mitt Romney narrowly defeat Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson for the respective tickets. This prediction might change if there is a brokered convention and the Democrats come up with a qualified candidate that can win. I doubt Al Gore would come back but he would seem to be the best alternative.
6. Legalized gambling will not be approved in Massachusetts. The decriminalizing of marijuana will occur after it passes on the ballot question and the elimination of the income tax will be narrowly defeated.
7. Global warming will lose some of its cachet in Hollywood.
8. Gold prices will fall from the current levels however quite slowly as will the dollar's descent begin to level off and stabilize.
9. Pakistan will have elections and there will be attacks on militants in the tribal lands. Osama Bin Laden and Amyn Al Swhahiri will be caught or killed.
10. Whitey Bulger will not be caught.
Happy New Year!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Clinton inevitablility?
I have been watching the Democratic presidential race with increasing interest over the last few months. Since the early stages of the campaign I have thought that the possibility of the Democrats regaining the white house and increasing their numbers in the house and senate would be in danger if the presumptive nominee, Hillary Clinton actually won the nomination.
I am convinced now more than ever that the Democratic nominee should be anybody but Hillary. The facts are simple, Mrs. Clinton is not qualified in anyway to be the POTUS. She does not have any verifiable experience in military, economic or foreign affairs. Her national service as a senator is more of a detriment to her than it is a benefit. Senators don't win the presidency.
Democrats all over the country seem to be waking up to the possible damage to the party that a Clinton nomination would bring. Her once insurmountable poll leads are shrinking fast and she can't seem to stem the tide. The clear indication of her weakness is that a candidate (Obama) with even less credentials than she has is now threatening to surpass her in the New Hampshire primary.
There is one and only one Democratic candidate that will rally Republicans all over this country. They will forget their differences on all major issues and they will unite to prevent the return of the Clinton's to the white house. A Clinton candidacy will prevent a triumphant return of the Democrats to power.
Mrs. Clinton's negative poll numbers are higher than any candidate since the numbers have been recorded. You don't need poll numbers to measure the visceral negative reaction in non party regular circles to her candidacy. Even here in Massachusetts, the bluest of blue states, ask some of your friends who are on the periphery of the political arena and see what reactions you get. In my circle, the most apolitical of friends are suddenly political activists when I bring up the subject of a possible President Hillary Clinton.
It would be a difficult run on her own but Mrs. Clinton is saddled with a substantial liability. Bill just can't seem to shut up. Many people are willing to forget her humiliation at his hands but not if it continues on a daily basis on the campaign trail. His most recent gaffe regarding his denial of his support of the Iraqi War is just one example of the many more that are likely to come.
If he continues to be a major contributor, then certain Clintonian missteps will finally make prominent appearances in the mainstream press in connection with Mrs. Clinton's candidacy. The cannon fodder available to Republicans can be viewed here http://prorev.com/legacy.htm What is interesting is that this list has been compiled by the Progressive Review, a left wing alternative publication, certainly not part of the "vast right wing conspiracy."
One obvious question for Mrs. Clinton would be regarding her involvement in the Rich and other pardons. If her day to day contributions to the Bill Clinton presidency were significant then she certainly must have been involved in the pardons.
The Democratic euphoria already is showing signs of strain. The Pelosi and Reid leadership in the house and senate has provided Democrats with a legislative year of no consequence. The Iraq situation continues to improve which embarrasses the surrender wing of the party. The once irreparably wounded lame duck president continues to thwart the Democrats at every turn. The last thing we need is a devastating loss in this presidential season. A losing presidential candidate has very short coat tails.
I am convinced now more than ever that the Democratic nominee should be anybody but Hillary. The facts are simple, Mrs. Clinton is not qualified in anyway to be the POTUS. She does not have any verifiable experience in military, economic or foreign affairs. Her national service as a senator is more of a detriment to her than it is a benefit. Senators don't win the presidency.
Democrats all over the country seem to be waking up to the possible damage to the party that a Clinton nomination would bring. Her once insurmountable poll leads are shrinking fast and she can't seem to stem the tide. The clear indication of her weakness is that a candidate (Obama) with even less credentials than she has is now threatening to surpass her in the New Hampshire primary.
There is one and only one Democratic candidate that will rally Republicans all over this country. They will forget their differences on all major issues and they will unite to prevent the return of the Clinton's to the white house. A Clinton candidacy will prevent a triumphant return of the Democrats to power.
Mrs. Clinton's negative poll numbers are higher than any candidate since the numbers have been recorded. You don't need poll numbers to measure the visceral negative reaction in non party regular circles to her candidacy. Even here in Massachusetts, the bluest of blue states, ask some of your friends who are on the periphery of the political arena and see what reactions you get. In my circle, the most apolitical of friends are suddenly political activists when I bring up the subject of a possible President Hillary Clinton.
It would be a difficult run on her own but Mrs. Clinton is saddled with a substantial liability. Bill just can't seem to shut up. Many people are willing to forget her humiliation at his hands but not if it continues on a daily basis on the campaign trail. His most recent gaffe regarding his denial of his support of the Iraqi War is just one example of the many more that are likely to come.
If he continues to be a major contributor, then certain Clintonian missteps will finally make prominent appearances in the mainstream press in connection with Mrs. Clinton's candidacy. The cannon fodder available to Republicans can be viewed here http://prorev.com/legacy.htm What is interesting is that this list has been compiled by the Progressive Review, a left wing alternative publication, certainly not part of the "vast right wing conspiracy."
One obvious question for Mrs. Clinton would be regarding her involvement in the Rich and other pardons. If her day to day contributions to the Bill Clinton presidency were significant then she certainly must have been involved in the pardons.
The Democratic euphoria already is showing signs of strain. The Pelosi and Reid leadership in the house and senate has provided Democrats with a legislative year of no consequence. The Iraq situation continues to improve which embarrasses the surrender wing of the party. The once irreparably wounded lame duck president continues to thwart the Democrats at every turn. The last thing we need is a devastating loss in this presidential season. A losing presidential candidate has very short coat tails.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Land Locked Land
Every now and then an indignant statement is made about how much the landlocked land cost the town and how foolish the town was in taking the property.
Since I was the primary proponent of the taking I would respond now the same way I have over the past 20 years by saying that the taking made sense then and it still makes sense now and given the same set of circumstances I believe the town and its voters would do the same thing today.
Let’s compare the land locked issue to two more popular items which I contend cost the town much more money than the land locked land and in comparison, the land is not an expense but rather an investment.
The Lahey Clinic expansion is far more costly to the town now and going forward than the landlocked land will ever be. By granting an expansion without getting a permanent and enforceable in lieu of tax agreement, the town committed financial incompetence. Not only did the town lose an opportunity for increased annual payments but they also failed to get any infrastructure improvements such as contributions to the forced sewer main, reconstruction of Mall Road or new water improvements (stand pipe). Additionally, the town received no contributions for these three items from Nordblom, Guitterez, Seven Springs or the Commons. Cost of these items will be between 10 and 20 million dollars.
The land swap is another example of questionable financial return. We gave away 14 acres of prime industrial space on Wheeler Road and in return we acquired a few residential parcels and a prime piece of property next to the Center School that we then virtually gave away for 300k to a developer. What we were left with is a termite ridden building falling apart before our very eyes with an estimated refurbishing cost of over 3 million dollars. The town is now paralyzed over what to do with the building.
Was the landlocked land a better deal? Well yes, primarily because we still own it and its current value is in excess of 50 million dollars. Its location is incomparable in the commonwealth, being situated at the junction of Route 95 and Route 3. What good is its value if we can‘t use it you ask? The answer of course is that it can be used when and if the town and state decides what it could be used for. The golf course proposal was defeated but there are other considerations.
Two potential uses right now that are at both ends of the spectrum are as follows.
1. Wind farm. A utility easement already exists into the property which makes access quite easy. It would be relatively simple process to strike a deal with NStar to place windmills on the property. The front part of the property which is at the junction of 95 and route 3 would be a perfect spot.
2. The other end of the spectrum could include a full build out for a casino and all the appurtenant structures necessary to support it. Would access by the state be granted for such a use? The casino scenario is unfolding at the state house right now. If you have been watching this issue then you know that location wise Burlington could offer the best and most accessible location in the state. If Middleboro could strike an enormous deal why couldn't Burlington?
Is that a likely possibility? I hope not.
Of course another potential use is to do nothing. Over the period of time since its acquisition the town has received and spent some where in the order of 1.3 billion dollars. The cost of the land is a very tiny fraction of those moneys.My basic point is that the taking of the landlocked land was a strategic priority at the time. The land was producing virtually no tax revenue (35k) and the land had long been a target of speculators and swindlers.
Even now, after all these years some of the pro tanto payments remain unclaimed because the owners of some of the 34 parcels were never known or found. The property had been the target of swindlers who would frequently come to the tax office to try to pay back taxes on certain parcels that had murky titles. They hoped by paying the taxes they could lay some foundation of claim of ownership of the properties.
Time will certainly tell the whole story regarding the wisdom of the land locked taking. What we do know for sure right now is this, the title is unified now under one owner and that owner is the Town of Burlington. The property itself is a pristine parcel which represents almost 5% of the town’s total land mass. At the very least it is a legacy that will be left to future inhabitants of Burlington.
Since I was the primary proponent of the taking I would respond now the same way I have over the past 20 years by saying that the taking made sense then and it still makes sense now and given the same set of circumstances I believe the town and its voters would do the same thing today.
Let’s compare the land locked issue to two more popular items which I contend cost the town much more money than the land locked land and in comparison, the land is not an expense but rather an investment.
The Lahey Clinic expansion is far more costly to the town now and going forward than the landlocked land will ever be. By granting an expansion without getting a permanent and enforceable in lieu of tax agreement, the town committed financial incompetence. Not only did the town lose an opportunity for increased annual payments but they also failed to get any infrastructure improvements such as contributions to the forced sewer main, reconstruction of Mall Road or new water improvements (stand pipe). Additionally, the town received no contributions for these three items from Nordblom, Guitterez, Seven Springs or the Commons. Cost of these items will be between 10 and 20 million dollars.
The land swap is another example of questionable financial return. We gave away 14 acres of prime industrial space on Wheeler Road and in return we acquired a few residential parcels and a prime piece of property next to the Center School that we then virtually gave away for 300k to a developer. What we were left with is a termite ridden building falling apart before our very eyes with an estimated refurbishing cost of over 3 million dollars. The town is now paralyzed over what to do with the building.
Was the landlocked land a better deal? Well yes, primarily because we still own it and its current value is in excess of 50 million dollars. Its location is incomparable in the commonwealth, being situated at the junction of Route 95 and Route 3. What good is its value if we can‘t use it you ask? The answer of course is that it can be used when and if the town and state decides what it could be used for. The golf course proposal was defeated but there are other considerations.
Two potential uses right now that are at both ends of the spectrum are as follows.
1. Wind farm. A utility easement already exists into the property which makes access quite easy. It would be relatively simple process to strike a deal with NStar to place windmills on the property. The front part of the property which is at the junction of 95 and route 3 would be a perfect spot.
2. The other end of the spectrum could include a full build out for a casino and all the appurtenant structures necessary to support it. Would access by the state be granted for such a use? The casino scenario is unfolding at the state house right now. If you have been watching this issue then you know that location wise Burlington could offer the best and most accessible location in the state. If Middleboro could strike an enormous deal why couldn't Burlington?
Is that a likely possibility? I hope not.
Of course another potential use is to do nothing. Over the period of time since its acquisition the town has received and spent some where in the order of 1.3 billion dollars. The cost of the land is a very tiny fraction of those moneys.My basic point is that the taking of the landlocked land was a strategic priority at the time. The land was producing virtually no tax revenue (35k) and the land had long been a target of speculators and swindlers.
Even now, after all these years some of the pro tanto payments remain unclaimed because the owners of some of the 34 parcels were never known or found. The property had been the target of swindlers who would frequently come to the tax office to try to pay back taxes on certain parcels that had murky titles. They hoped by paying the taxes they could lay some foundation of claim of ownership of the properties.
Time will certainly tell the whole story regarding the wisdom of the land locked taking. What we do know for sure right now is this, the title is unified now under one owner and that owner is the Town of Burlington. The property itself is a pristine parcel which represents almost 5% of the town’s total land mass. At the very least it is a legacy that will be left to future inhabitants of Burlington.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Anatomy of a Scheme or is it a Swindle?
Now that we know for sure that it was the City of Boston who confiscated the Friends of Mary Cummings Park signs it automatically begs the question as to why? What harm could two signs bought and paid for by a bunch of do gooders do to the big city of Boston? Why does honoring Mrs. Cummings and by actually showing people where this beautiful park land is cause a problem?
Apparently the answers from the perpetrators are quite laughable. When posed the question one guy in Boston reportedly said "because its our land" and another said "we already posted signs, no trespassing!" Neither seems to be an appropriate response when you consider Boston was charged in Mrs. Cummings will "to hold and keep the same forever open as a public pleasure ground."
The real reasons for all of this can be found in a quite revealing 1996 strategy letter from Attorney Robert H. Hale of the Boston Law firm of Palmer and Dodge to Edward J. Collins Collector/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the City of Boston. http://cummingspark.org/documents/20060725-mcp-bostontrustoffice-scannedfiles/1996-10-25-hale-letter.pdf Hale reportedly is still representing the city on this issue.
There are a number of items of interest in this letter beginning with the revelation that the City had the parcel appraised in 1988 by Meredith and Grew. That appraisal reported the value of the property at its highest and best use in excess of 25 million dollars. There is nothing like 25 million dollars or a pair of Sox tickets to get a politician's attention.
The resistance by the city to any use of the land for its intended purpose as a park can be explained in one paragraph. Mr Hale writes as follows;
"If we are successful in showing that Mrs. Cummings had a general charitable intent to benefit Boston, the probate court should allow a modification of the specific purpose of the trust under the doctrine of cy pres, but only if the original purpose has now become impossible, impracticable, or illegal. Thus, we must also demonstrate that the land is not suitable for a park because of its current condition and because of its distance from Boston. Note that the difficulty of maintaining a park outside the City limits may not be sufficient justification for selling the land without further evidence that the property has fallen into disrepair or is otherwise inappropriate for use as a public park. The absence of sufficient assets to support the park under the Cummings will or otherwise is also relevant. Based on our conversations to date, I understand that in fact the land is not suitable for park purposes and that we should be able to document that to the court."
That explains a number of things that have gone on since this memo was written. The City continues to loot the trust fund with foolish expenses so as to delete the assets Mrs. Cummings left for its upkeep. This also explains the no trespassing signs and the failure to spend any of that trust money on the park.
There are a couple of things that should be obvious to the court regarding Mrs. Cummings intent in the will. She knew the distance from Boston to the property when she left the property in trust. Apparently people in Boston think that distance has increased since 1929. The other thing is of course the item in the will that stipulates that if Boston couldn't fulfill its obligations then the land should be taken away from them.
One very ominous aspect of this letter is item two in paragraph two. "Assuming (2) we receive the anticipated level of cooperation from the Attorney Generals office, it should be possible to gain probate court approval for the application of the doctrine of cy pres and the sale or other disposition of the property."
This is a huge concern because it means that someone has been lying at the AG's office. The town of Burlington and its state representative have had standing requests to be informed of any discussions about the property with the AG. How can Boston anticipate this cooperation unless they have requested it?
This is ominous because if you are a political gadfly in Massachusetts you know that the attorney generals office is always a launching pad for a run at the corner office. There is nothing more dangerous for the people of the Commonwealth than a politically ambitious prosecutor searching for the next big case that will improve their political standing. With 25 million dollars potentially involved, along with the undying loyalty of the Boston delegation, can you see the attorney general siding with some old dead lady's will?
Because of some very hard and diligent work by Pat O'Reilly and Cath Moore of the Friends of Mary Cummings Park, there is a lot more to learn about Boston's effort to steal this woman's legacy. Thanks to them, this theft if successful will have to occur at a well lit place such as the supreme court.
You can read more here http://cummingspark.org/thepark/documents.php
Apparently the answers from the perpetrators are quite laughable. When posed the question one guy in Boston reportedly said "because its our land" and another said "we already posted signs, no trespassing!" Neither seems to be an appropriate response when you consider Boston was charged in Mrs. Cummings will "to hold and keep the same forever open as a public pleasure ground."
The real reasons for all of this can be found in a quite revealing 1996 strategy letter from Attorney Robert H. Hale of the Boston Law firm of Palmer and Dodge to Edward J. Collins Collector/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the City of Boston. http://cummingspark.org/documents/20060725-mcp-bostontrustoffice-scannedfiles/1996-10-25-hale-letter.pdf Hale reportedly is still representing the city on this issue.
There are a number of items of interest in this letter beginning with the revelation that the City had the parcel appraised in 1988 by Meredith and Grew. That appraisal reported the value of the property at its highest and best use in excess of 25 million dollars. There is nothing like 25 million dollars or a pair of Sox tickets to get a politician's attention.
The resistance by the city to any use of the land for its intended purpose as a park can be explained in one paragraph. Mr Hale writes as follows;
"If we are successful in showing that Mrs. Cummings had a general charitable intent to benefit Boston, the probate court should allow a modification of the specific purpose of the trust under the doctrine of cy pres, but only if the original purpose has now become impossible, impracticable, or illegal. Thus, we must also demonstrate that the land is not suitable for a park because of its current condition and because of its distance from Boston. Note that the difficulty of maintaining a park outside the City limits may not be sufficient justification for selling the land without further evidence that the property has fallen into disrepair or is otherwise inappropriate for use as a public park. The absence of sufficient assets to support the park under the Cummings will or otherwise is also relevant. Based on our conversations to date, I understand that in fact the land is not suitable for park purposes and that we should be able to document that to the court."
That explains a number of things that have gone on since this memo was written. The City continues to loot the trust fund with foolish expenses so as to delete the assets Mrs. Cummings left for its upkeep. This also explains the no trespassing signs and the failure to spend any of that trust money on the park.
There are a couple of things that should be obvious to the court regarding Mrs. Cummings intent in the will. She knew the distance from Boston to the property when she left the property in trust. Apparently people in Boston think that distance has increased since 1929. The other thing is of course the item in the will that stipulates that if Boston couldn't fulfill its obligations then the land should be taken away from them.
One very ominous aspect of this letter is item two in paragraph two. "Assuming (2) we receive the anticipated level of cooperation from the Attorney Generals office, it should be possible to gain probate court approval for the application of the doctrine of cy pres and the sale or other disposition of the property."
This is a huge concern because it means that someone has been lying at the AG's office. The town of Burlington and its state representative have had standing requests to be informed of any discussions about the property with the AG. How can Boston anticipate this cooperation unless they have requested it?
This is ominous because if you are a political gadfly in Massachusetts you know that the attorney generals office is always a launching pad for a run at the corner office. There is nothing more dangerous for the people of the Commonwealth than a politically ambitious prosecutor searching for the next big case that will improve their political standing. With 25 million dollars potentially involved, along with the undying loyalty of the Boston delegation, can you see the attorney general siding with some old dead lady's will?
Because of some very hard and diligent work by Pat O'Reilly and Cath Moore of the Friends of Mary Cummings Park, there is a lot more to learn about Boston's effort to steal this woman's legacy. Thanks to them, this theft if successful will have to occur at a well lit place such as the supreme court.
You can read more here http://cummingspark.org/thepark/documents.php
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Friends of Mary Cummings Park
This past week two hand carved wooden signs situated on each end of Mary Cummings Park were stolen. It is hard to imagine that this is a simple act of vandalism since the signs were not individual targets but were joint actions stolen within hours of each other. Sign and posts were uprooted an nothing but holes left.
This act may be the proverbial straw that has broken the camel's back in terms of legal action regarding the park. It is not the sum of $3500 dollars for the costs of the signs that is the catalyst. It is the fact that a dedicated group of volunteers has taken the time, effort and expense to do the one overt act of recognition of this woman's magnificent philanthropic act that the City of Boston has been unwilling or unable to do for the past 50 years. That simple act of recognition is now sullied and spat upon by someone whose agenda does not match that of the donor.
No, Boston has not met the terms of the bequest that Mrs. Cummings made. They have been to busy looting the trust money as well as thinking of ways to sell or exploit the property in a way that would result in maximizing the yield into Boston's coffers.
Burlington as a town and a collection of weak kneed politicians over the years has enabled Boston's malfeasance by refusing to confront the issue. The excuse has always been not to anger the big city. Even now, Burlington officials are "waiting to hear" from Boston regarding their plans for the property.
We already know what their plans are by virtue of a prepared Cy Pres filing from 20 years ago that details how the property would be sold and the profits distributed. The activities of these nefarious characters can be viewed here.
http://cummingspark.org/documents/Cummings_Estate-AG_scans_03_08_2006/
This situation is not a complicated one. The 218 plus acres was left with specific instructions for Boston to carry out. The city was to act in trust for the beneficiaries who are the people of Boston who Mrs. Cummings envisioned as being in the entire region.
Boston has performed none of the provisions of the trust over 70 years and has amply demonstrated that they should be removed as trustees of the property. A little over two years ago I appeared before the Burlington Board of Selectmen in executive session accompanied by then Mayor of Woburn John Curran and with Warren Cummings, a direct descendant of the family.
At that meeting we proposed a simple strategy designed take a legal action by the City of Woburn, the Cummings family and the Town of Burlington that would request the Attorney General and the courts to replace Boston as the trustees of the park with Burlington, Woburn and the Cummings family replacing it. Finally, a responsible action would be taken.
What was the result? I don't know because we were not even given the courtesy of a thank you note. Weeks of preparation and an hour long presentation with a neighboring chief executive were met with blank faces.
Well it doesn't matter now because a small group of dedicated individuals who actually give a damn about the bequest of a great woman are going to do something on their own.
This act may be the proverbial straw that has broken the camel's back in terms of legal action regarding the park. It is not the sum of $3500 dollars for the costs of the signs that is the catalyst. It is the fact that a dedicated group of volunteers has taken the time, effort and expense to do the one overt act of recognition of this woman's magnificent philanthropic act that the City of Boston has been unwilling or unable to do for the past 50 years. That simple act of recognition is now sullied and spat upon by someone whose agenda does not match that of the donor.
No, Boston has not met the terms of the bequest that Mrs. Cummings made. They have been to busy looting the trust money as well as thinking of ways to sell or exploit the property in a way that would result in maximizing the yield into Boston's coffers.
Burlington as a town and a collection of weak kneed politicians over the years has enabled Boston's malfeasance by refusing to confront the issue. The excuse has always been not to anger the big city. Even now, Burlington officials are "waiting to hear" from Boston regarding their plans for the property.
We already know what their plans are by virtue of a prepared Cy Pres filing from 20 years ago that details how the property would be sold and the profits distributed. The activities of these nefarious characters can be viewed here.
http://cummingspark.org/documents/Cummings_Estate-AG_scans_03_08_2006/
This situation is not a complicated one. The 218 plus acres was left with specific instructions for Boston to carry out. The city was to act in trust for the beneficiaries who are the people of Boston who Mrs. Cummings envisioned as being in the entire region.
Boston has performed none of the provisions of the trust over 70 years and has amply demonstrated that they should be removed as trustees of the property. A little over two years ago I appeared before the Burlington Board of Selectmen in executive session accompanied by then Mayor of Woburn John Curran and with Warren Cummings, a direct descendant of the family.
At that meeting we proposed a simple strategy designed take a legal action by the City of Woburn, the Cummings family and the Town of Burlington that would request the Attorney General and the courts to replace Boston as the trustees of the park with Burlington, Woburn and the Cummings family replacing it. Finally, a responsible action would be taken.
What was the result? I don't know because we were not even given the courtesy of a thank you note. Weeks of preparation and an hour long presentation with a neighboring chief executive were met with blank faces.
Well it doesn't matter now because a small group of dedicated individuals who actually give a damn about the bequest of a great woman are going to do something on their own.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
The Celtics
The Celtics are off to a 13 and 2 start that is beyond what most of the green faithful could possibly have imagined or in our wildest dreams hoped for. The trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are a joy to watch every night. Celtic style basketball has been revived here in Beantown with a team that is unselfish with the ball and is playing the most suffocating defense in the league.
Even though it is early in the season, kudos have to go out to Danny Ainge for having the nerve to pull of the deals that landed Garnett and Allen in Boston. Over Garnett's career we saw him infrequently in Boston and a fan of the game watching Garnett play night in and night out gives you a much better appreciation of the grace and power of his game than reading a box score could ever do.
As important as his physical skills are, his on court attitude contributes even more. Garnett leads by example by being in ultra playing shape, by taking no plays off and by demanding that his team take the same approach.
As currently constituted and with any injury luck it is apparent that this team will be making the playoffs and going deep into them. The one suspect in the whole plan remains coach Doc Rivers. Doc has proven time and time again that he is not a particularly good end of game strategist and now it appears that he is not going to be much of a season long strategist as it concerns harboring his resources.
Garnett, Pierce, and Allen are all in their early thirties. Your thirties are a wonderful decade for the average person in life but for a basketball player it is the beginning of the end. In order for the Celtics to get the most out of this season and the seasons to come with this trio then a plan must be put in place now to accomplish a couple of things.
The big three must play a reasonable amount of minutes on a nightly basis. Already Doc has Pierce and Garnett at 39 minutes a game and the oldest of the three, Ray Allen is logging over forty. Winning a game by thirty or winning the divison by 20 games will mean nothing if when we get to the finals our go to guys are exhausted. The NBA season is a long and demanding one that culminates in a grueling playoff format in which teams REALLY play hard.
Not only will the health of the big three be a continuing issue but so to will the contribution of the bench. Since getting a high seed in the playoffs is a forgone conclusion, Rivers should be setting a regular rotation that will result in his bench getting fully integrated into the offense and defense by providing meaningful minutes against other teams first units.
After 15 games we can see that this team has a legitimate chance to bring us another NBA championship. Let's coach the whole season with that goal in mind.
Even though it is early in the season, kudos have to go out to Danny Ainge for having the nerve to pull of the deals that landed Garnett and Allen in Boston. Over Garnett's career we saw him infrequently in Boston and a fan of the game watching Garnett play night in and night out gives you a much better appreciation of the grace and power of his game than reading a box score could ever do.
As important as his physical skills are, his on court attitude contributes even more. Garnett leads by example by being in ultra playing shape, by taking no plays off and by demanding that his team take the same approach.
As currently constituted and with any injury luck it is apparent that this team will be making the playoffs and going deep into them. The one suspect in the whole plan remains coach Doc Rivers. Doc has proven time and time again that he is not a particularly good end of game strategist and now it appears that he is not going to be much of a season long strategist as it concerns harboring his resources.
Garnett, Pierce, and Allen are all in their early thirties. Your thirties are a wonderful decade for the average person in life but for a basketball player it is the beginning of the end. In order for the Celtics to get the most out of this season and the seasons to come with this trio then a plan must be put in place now to accomplish a couple of things.
The big three must play a reasonable amount of minutes on a nightly basis. Already Doc has Pierce and Garnett at 39 minutes a game and the oldest of the three, Ray Allen is logging over forty. Winning a game by thirty or winning the divison by 20 games will mean nothing if when we get to the finals our go to guys are exhausted. The NBA season is a long and demanding one that culminates in a grueling playoff format in which teams REALLY play hard.
Not only will the health of the big three be a continuing issue but so to will the contribution of the bench. Since getting a high seed in the playoffs is a forgone conclusion, Rivers should be setting a regular rotation that will result in his bench getting fully integrated into the offense and defense by providing meaningful minutes against other teams first units.
After 15 games we can see that this team has a legitimate chance to bring us another NBA championship. Let's coach the whole season with that goal in mind.
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