Remembering 2014
Rest in Peace, Pauly. Rest in Peace.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Templeton tax bills will go out on time
Templeton tax bills will go out on time
Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer
TEMPLETON - For the first time in two years, Templeton’s tax bills will be sent out on time, as Deputy Assessor Luanne Royer said the town had its tax rate formerly set by the state Department of Revenue last week.
The new rate — $16.64 per $1,000 of property value — represents a 40 cent increase and will add about $60 to the average tax bill, Ms. Royer said.
Compared to last fiscal year, when the town was still working through its financial crisis and struggling to get the tax rate certified in May, Ms. Royer said it was a big burden off the financial team’s shoulders to have the bulk of its work completed on time.
“It’s a relief,” she said. “It will be nice to have the tax bills on time.”
One of the financial management team’s major goals this fiscal year was getting the tax rate set on time, not an easy feat in an office working through turnover issues and limited staff — a part-time town administrator and accountant.
Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer
TEMPLETON - For the first time in two years, Templeton’s tax bills will be sent out on time, as Deputy Assessor Luanne Royer said the town had its tax rate formerly set by the state Department of Revenue last week.
The new rate — $16.64 per $1,000 of property value — represents a 40 cent increase and will add about $60 to the average tax bill, Ms. Royer said.
Compared to last fiscal year, when the town was still working through its financial crisis and struggling to get the tax rate certified in May, Ms. Royer said it was a big burden off the financial team’s shoulders to have the bulk of its work completed on time.
“It’s a relief,” she said. “It will be nice to have the tax bills on time.”
One of the financial management team’s major goals this fiscal year was getting the tax rate set on time, not an easy feat in an office working through turnover issues and limited staff — a part-time town administrator and accountant.
Competence hearing for Worcester man accused of killing development center client
Competence hearing for Worcester man accused of killing development center client
By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gmurray@telegram.com
WORCESTER — A hearing is scheduled Feb. 25 to determine whether a Worcester man charged with manslaughter and arson is mentally competent to stand trial.
Anthony Remillard, 23, is awaiting trial in Worcester Superior Court on a charge of manslaughter in the 2013 death of Dennis R. Perry, a 64-year-old developmentally disabled Athol man, at the Templeton Developmental Center.
Mr. Remillard stands accused of assaulting Mr. Perry on Sept. 16, 2013, by pushing him into a boiler at the center's Valley Barn. Mr. Perry suffered a severe head injury, according to authorities, and died a few days later at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.
In addition to the manslaughter indictment, Mr. Remillard is charged with assault and battery on a disabled person over 60 and assault and battery on a public employee.
 | ||
| Anthony E. Remillard at his arraignment in September. (T&G File Photo/PAUL KAPTEYN) |
gmurray@telegram.com
WORCESTER — A hearing is scheduled Feb. 25 to determine whether a Worcester man charged with manslaughter and arson is mentally competent to stand trial.
Anthony Remillard, 23, is awaiting trial in Worcester Superior Court on a charge of manslaughter in the 2013 death of Dennis R. Perry, a 64-year-old developmentally disabled Athol man, at the Templeton Developmental Center.
Mr. Remillard stands accused of assaulting Mr. Perry on Sept. 16, 2013, by pushing him into a boiler at the center's Valley Barn. Mr. Perry suffered a severe head injury, according to authorities, and died a few days later at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.
In addition to the manslaughter indictment, Mr. Remillard is charged with assault and battery on a disabled person over 60 and assault and battery on a public employee.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Historical Look at Tax Rates
Historical
Look at Tax Rates
TAX
RATE TOTAL ASSESSED
PROPERTY*
FY
15…$16.64 $552,836,894
FY
14…$16.24 $540,623,505
FY
13…$14.12 $542,840,725
FY 12…$14.60 $581,356,554
FY 11…$12.55 $601,165,838
FY 10…$11.75 $616,456,474
FY 09…$10.20 $695,654,470
FY 08…$ 9.20 $746,124,192
FY 07…$ 8.54 $719,608,512
FY 06…$ 9.44 $597,583,673
FY 05…$ 9.91 $516,137,102
FY 04…$11.65 $446,029,338
FY
03…$13.68 $332,893,273
FY
02…$13.56 $323,055,018
Total
Assessed Property :
Total
Real Property + Total Personal Property
The
tax rate is affected by new houses/development built, overrides and capital debt exclusions
passed. Templeton has had a single tax rate for a very long time.
Many
of the years with lower tax rates were subsidized by Free Cash and stabilization money –
one time money to supplement ongoing operating costs. A truly BAD idea.
A Promise Kept
A Promise Kept
Today a meeting was held to accept a check in the amount of $300,000 for the Senior Center project.
 |
| COA Board, Sr. Center Building members, COA Directors Bethany Loveless and Dianna Morrison |
A promise was made that $300,000 would be coming from the State for the Senior Center project. It was difficult to ensure this money would come to Templeton with the state budget shortfall.
Thank you Senator Brewer! Promise kept!
 |
| Brian Eno ( Rep Andrews Legislative Aide) + Senator Brewer |
Silver lining in Templeton??
Could this be good news in the long view??
On a blog post, on Friday, December 19, 2014, concerning Templeton Tax rate being set at $16.64, apparently about .40 cents above what was expected. The reason stated was an anticipated reimbursement from MSBA did not make it to the town in time.
I think this is a good thing, as it will allow this money to sit and perhaps be used for something good, such as a capital stabilization account. This would be a good question for the Capital Planning Committee, Advisory Board and BOS. There will be a follow up blog entry on this subject, budget, later this week. Election time is right around the corner and budget season is in motion ( hopefully) and I have high hopes this year is the beginning of good ideas, good planning and of high numbers of taxpayer participation. Please watch this blog for further financial information and explanation of terms and DOR processes.
As an FYI, I was told by people in the know at town hall on Monday that that check has arrived at town hall so lets hope it is used wisely. Remember, it is your money so do not be afraid to call and ask about it or attend a selectmen meeting and ask there.
Jeff Bennett
Monday, December 29, 2014
Meetings the week of December 29, 2014
Meetings the week of December 29, 2014
Tuesday 12/30/14
Capital Planning Boynton PL 6:30 pm
Wednesday 12/31/14
Sr. Center Scout Hall 5:00 pm
Trash Disposal
Trash Disposal
After the holidays many people have a substantial amount of trash. In Templeton, the Board of Health regulates the companies that can remove trash from town. If you have a problem with a delay in trash removal, please call the Board of Health at 978-894-2770 between the hours of 7:00 am - 3:00 pm. When holidays occur trash removal is delayed by a day...not two weeks.
Experts rally in defense of budget referee
Experts rally in defense of budget referee
 |
| Getty Images |
Republicans will be making a mistake if they dump Doug Elmendorf from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), say many budget experts on the left and right.
Elmendorf is widely expected to get the heave from Republicans, who want to appoint someone more simpatico with their views at the non-partisan office, which serves as a referee in budget fights by estimating the cost of legislation crafted by Congress.
Conservative groups are urging the GOP to dump Elmendorf, and a report by Bloomberg on Tuesday said he will not be reappointed after his term ends Jan. 3.
“We think it’s a no-brainer that a Republican-controlled Congress would select a new CBO director and somebody who would be in a position to be able to reform the institution,” Heritage Action communications director Dan Holler said.
In November, Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist wrote to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to outline the rationale for forcing out Elmendorf.
Republicans’ main issue with Elmendorf’s tenure is the agency’s rare use of “dynamic scoring” in its analyses of legislation.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Local leaders vocal at first hearing on school finance law
Local leaders vocal at first hearing on school finance law
November 24, 2014
The state’s basic school spending standard significantly understates the real cost of educating students, especially in how it accounts for special education, school employee health insurance, and technology.
This was the message from legislators and municipal officials from across the North Shore during a Nov. 17 public hearing in Danvers held by the special state commission established to study school finance law.
Municipal and school officials from the area also told members of the Foundation Budget Review Commission that unfunded mandates and the way that charter schools are funded are hurting local school programs.
Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday told commission members that her city was struggling to provide adequate support for schools and had been forced to cut teachers and school staff and programs. The way the state funds charter schools, she said, was hurting her local schools and effectively reduces the state Chapter 70 school aid contribution to the city’s $33 million school budget to less than $2 million.
Amesbury Mayor Ken Gray told commission members that Chapter 70 aid was a shrinking share of school spending in his city and that unfunded mandates are a problem. Amesbury, he said, has also been forced to cut local school programs.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
New state bill says when it rains, headlights go on too
New state bill says when it rains, headlights go on too
By Donna Boynton TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
donna.boynton@telegram.com
WORCESTER — If your windshield wipers are on, your headlights should be on.
At least according to a bill that passed the state House of Representatives last week which will simplify the existing law pertaining to headlight use.
Under current state law, Chapter 85, section 15, headlights are to be turned on from a half-hour before sunset until a half-hour after sunrise. The bill, H4567, clarifies the current law and would require lights to be used during inclement weather and at times of poor visibility.
Under to the bill, headlights and taillights are to be turned on when there is "insufficient light due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions" and "visibility is reduced such that persons or vehicles on the roadway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet, or the vehicle's windshield wipers are needed."
 | ||||
| A proposed change to Massachusetts regulations would require headlights and taillights be turned on when there is "insufficient light due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions" and "visibility is reduced." (T&G FILE PHOTO/RICK CINCLAIR) |
donna.boynton@telegram.com
WORCESTER — If your windshield wipers are on, your headlights should be on.
At least according to a bill that passed the state House of Representatives last week which will simplify the existing law pertaining to headlight use.
Under current state law, Chapter 85, section 15, headlights are to be turned on from a half-hour before sunset until a half-hour after sunrise. The bill, H4567, clarifies the current law and would require lights to be used during inclement weather and at times of poor visibility.
Under to the bill, headlights and taillights are to be turned on when there is "insufficient light due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions" and "visibility is reduced such that persons or vehicles on the roadway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet, or the vehicle's windshield wipers are needed."
A measure of justice at long last
A measure of justice at long last
By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
george.barnes@telegram.com
I can't think of a better Christmas gift the district attorney's office could have given the family of Kathy Daneault than closure of her killing.
It was a Christmas present 31 years overdue.
Kathy died on Nov. 17, 1983, murdered, we are now told, by Edward M. Mayrand Jr., a drifter who lived at the time in Gardner. Police announced on Dec. 23 he was the murderer, a serial killer who also killed at least four other women. I can only imagine how Kathy's family felt when they were contacted by the district attorney's office and were told police could say with certainty Mayrand took the life of the happy-go-lucky 25-year-old.
I know how I felt. Kathy Daneault's death has weighed heavily on me for much of my news career. When her body was found in the woods between Timpany Plaza and the S. Bent Brothers Co. furniture factory on Mill Street, I was only a few months into my full-time career as a reporter. It wasn't the first homicide I covered, but it was one that would haunt me for years. Covering other tragedies I would be reminded of Kathy. I would think of the smiling picture of her we ran that day in the Gardner News, and would wonder if her killer would ever be brought to justice.
By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
george.barnes@telegram.com
I can't think of a better Christmas gift the district attorney's office could have given the family of Kathy Daneault than closure of her killing.
It was a Christmas present 31 years overdue.
Kathy died on Nov. 17, 1983, murdered, we are now told, by Edward M. Mayrand Jr., a drifter who lived at the time in Gardner. Police announced on Dec. 23 he was the murderer, a serial killer who also killed at least four other women. I can only imagine how Kathy's family felt when they were contacted by the district attorney's office and were told police could say with certainty Mayrand took the life of the happy-go-lucky 25-year-old.
I know how I felt. Kathy Daneault's death has weighed heavily on me for much of my news career. When her body was found in the woods between Timpany Plaza and the S. Bent Brothers Co. furniture factory on Mill Street, I was only a few months into my full-time career as a reporter. It wasn't the first homicide I covered, but it was one that would haunt me for years. Covering other tragedies I would be reminded of Kathy. I would think of the smiling picture of her we ran that day in the Gardner News, and would wonder if her killer would ever be brought to justice.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Local impact unclear on pipeline changes
Local impact unclear on pipeline changes
By Ken Cleveland BANNER CORRESPONDENT
With the recent announcement that Kinder Morgan/Tennessee Gas Pipeline will pursue the "New Hampshire alternative" for its pipeline expansion project, many properties in Massachusetts may be safe from disruption, but it is unclear if the proposed local pipeline project will be affected.
The new, main route will carry expanded natural gas supplies into New England and, ultimately, the Dracut terminus, without going through many of the state properties initially slated for a route.
"As currently contemplated, exclusive of laterals, the route would be adjacent to or co-located with existing rights-of-way for approximately 90 percent of the mileage," according to a Kinder Morgan release, leaving open the possibility that laterals such as the North Worcester line would still be built.
The company is in the process of filing more documents with the federal regulatory agency that governs gas pipelines.
Although Tennessee Gas Pipeline sought to use undeveloped lands to simplify development, the company discovered the state's residents are highly protective of their rural and conservation property.
It is unclear, however, if the new route might eliminate a planned North Worcester lateral line through Bolton, Berlin and Boylston to feed supply lines in Worcester or if it would affect plans by Sterling's light and gas company to run a pipeline down the I-190 corridor to feed its planned distribution and possibly tie into an NStar line that was run into Sterling.
By Ken Cleveland BANNER CORRESPONDENT
With the recent announcement that Kinder Morgan/Tennessee Gas Pipeline will pursue the "New Hampshire alternative" for its pipeline expansion project, many properties in Massachusetts may be safe from disruption, but it is unclear if the proposed local pipeline project will be affected.
The new, main route will carry expanded natural gas supplies into New England and, ultimately, the Dracut terminus, without going through many of the state properties initially slated for a route.
"As currently contemplated, exclusive of laterals, the route would be adjacent to or co-located with existing rights-of-way for approximately 90 percent of the mileage," according to a Kinder Morgan release, leaving open the possibility that laterals such as the North Worcester line would still be built.
The company is in the process of filing more documents with the federal regulatory agency that governs gas pipelines.
Although Tennessee Gas Pipeline sought to use undeveloped lands to simplify development, the company discovered the state's residents are highly protective of their rural and conservation property.
It is unclear, however, if the new route might eliminate a planned North Worcester lateral line through Bolton, Berlin and Boylston to feed supply lines in Worcester or if it would affect plans by Sterling's light and gas company to run a pipeline down the I-190 corridor to feed its planned distribution and possibly tie into an NStar line that was run into Sterling.
Poison is Treatment: The Campaign to Fluoridate America
Poison is Treatment: The Campaign to Fluoridate America
Global
Research, May 17, 2013
Global
Research 23 June 2012
Region: USA
Theme: Science and Medicine
The wide scale US acceptance of fluoride-related compounds in drinking water and a wide variety of consumer products over the past half century is a textbook case of social engineering orchestrated by Sigmund Freud’s nephew and the “father of public relations” Edward L. Bernays. The episode is instructive, for it suggests the tremendous capacity of powerful interests to reshape the social environment, thereby prompting individuals to unwarily think and act in ways that are often harmful to themselves and their loved ones. The example is especially pertinent today as Western governments withhold data and utilize propaganda techniques to suppress knowledge of new technologies and life-threatening disasters such as the still-unfolding nuclear breakdown in Fukushima.
Today
the battle over water fluoridation remains obscured in caricature and
falsification often perpetuated by the mainstream press itself. The potential
for popular myth to eclipse historical fact is greatly accelerated when the
political and informational pillars of civilization actively support such
distortions. For example, a recent New
York Times editorial points to “that cold war paranoia about fluoridation
in drinking water [sic].” Citing the
Center for Disease Control’s claim that fluoridation is one of the top
accomplishments in public health over the past century, the Times evokes fluoride’s difficult
struggle with purportedly uninformed segments of the public. “Critics no longer
contend that fluoridation is a Communist plot. Instead, they express concerns
about the costs involved, improper government control over a personal decision,
and potential health dangers.”[1]
The
refrain is familiar throughout a corporate-controlled media that
unquestioningly amplifies the pronouncements of government agencies concerning
fluoride’s alleged safety and value for dental health. Having been seemingly
vetted and upheld by the newspaper of record and its counterparts, such
sweeping declarations are seldom interrogated further by readers, much less the
broader public.
In
fact, sodium fluoride is a dangerous poison and has been a primary active
ingredient in a wide variety of insecticides and fungicides.[2] The substance
bioaccumulates in mammals, has been linked to dulled intellect in children [3]
and is a cause of increased bone fractures and osteosarcoma. Further, recent
studies indicate that fluoride’s role in preventing cavities through ingestion
[4] or even topically [5] is close to non-existent.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Charges will stand against former Barre tax collector
Charges will stand against former Barre tax collector
By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gmurray@telegram.com
WORCESTER — A judge has denied a motion to dismiss one of the charges against a former Barre tax collector accused of stealing more than $300,000 in public funds.
Marcia Langelier, 62, of 732 Wheelwright Road, Barre is awaiting trial in Worcester Superior Court on indictments charging her with larceny by a single scheme, embezzlement by a municipal or county officer and making false entries in corporate books.
Prosecutors allege that Ms. Langelier stole in excess of $300,000 from the town between Jan. 1, 2005, and July 31, 2011, while serving as Barre's elected tax collector.
She has pleaded not guilty.
By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gmurray@telegram.com
WORCESTER — A judge has denied a motion to dismiss one of the charges against a former Barre tax collector accused of stealing more than $300,000 in public funds.
Marcia Langelier, 62, of 732 Wheelwright Road, Barre is awaiting trial in Worcester Superior Court on indictments charging her with larceny by a single scheme, embezzlement by a municipal or county officer and making false entries in corporate books.
Prosecutors allege that Ms. Langelier stole in excess of $300,000 from the town between Jan. 1, 2005, and July 31, 2011, while serving as Barre's elected tax collector.
She has pleaded not guilty.
Monday, December 22, 2014
Winchendon voters to decide Prop. 2½ override today (Saturday)
Winchendon voters to decide Prop. 2½ override today
By Paula J. Owen TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
WINCHENDON — Voters will decide on a proposed $700,000 Proposition 2½
tax cap override in a special election today that will help reduce a
$3.472 million deficit if approved.
The polls are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave.
If the $700,000 override passes, it would increase taxes $1.16
per $1,000 property valuation annually, equating to $232 a year increase
on a $200,000 home.
At a special town meeting Nov. 24 called to deal with the deficit, voters shot down the proposed override.
However, Town Manager James M. Kreidler Jr. said he was told by
the Department of Revenue that town meeting approval was not needed. A
spokesman for the DOR confirmed that only approval at a special election
was required.
At the special town meeting, voters approved $175,000 in cuts to
town services to help fill the deficit. School Superintendent Salah E.
Khelfaoui said the School Committee had also cut $350,000 from the
school budget for this fiscal year.
Cuts to the town's operating budget include nearly $44,000 to
the police department, $28,000 to the fire department and $75,000 to the
Department of Public Works.
Meetings the week of December 22, 2014
Meetings
the week of December 22, 2014
Tuesday,
12/23/14
Planning Scout Hall 6:30 pm
The Town Hall will be closing at noon on Wednesday, December 24, 2015, for Christmas Eve and will be closed through the week and reopening on Monday, December 29, 2015.
We would like wish everyone a Merry Christmas and very happy and healthy holiday season.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Thyroid Health Article
Back in the day, we added a specific nutrient to the most frequently eaten food in the country: bread.
That nutrient helped to offset a number of conditions that arose due to its deficiency, namely goiter, depressed immune function, mental retardation, and even headaches.
Good, right?
So why on earth was it taken out and replaced with a different chemical that actually depletes this critical nutrient?
And for goodness sakes, why did we then take it a step further and add a second chemical to the most frequently consumed beverage-water-that also depletes this vital nutrient.
As a result, we now have a rampant, chronic deficiency of this nutrient running through the country... a deficiency that has been linked to so many of today's diseases, namely the very things it was supposed to protect us against-thyroid health, breast cancer, and brain health.
And the name of this miraculous nutrient? Iodine.
Friday, December 19, 2014
MassMEC signs up 100 businesses
MassMEC signs up 100 businesses
Manufacturing Energy Collaborative, or MassMEC, a buying group of
manufacturers that reduces energy costs by purchasing energy supply in
bulk, has signed more than 100 businesses to participate in the
collaborative to save on the rising cost of electricity and natural gas
this winter.
The cost of electricity for National Grid providers has jumped
37 percent from last winter while N-Star prices will increase 29
percent, motivating many manufacturers to find alternative options.
MassMEC members across the state range from metal manufacturers,
restaurants and breweries, to hospitals and real estate properties. In
Worcester County, the list of participating manufacturers include:
Worcester New Horizon in Worcester; Thermoplastics Inc in Worcester;
RCAP Solutions in Worcester; Worcester New Horizon Inc; TE Connectivity,
Worcester;
Hubbardston House Apartments in Hubbardston; Hostetter Homes
Osterville Test-Site Services in Milford; Test Site Services Inc. in
Milford; G&W Foundry in Millbury.
Precision Tape and Label Inc. in Uxbridge; Foam Concepts Inc. in Uxbridge; Rockdale Housing Apartments in Northbridge.
Rocheleau Tool & Die Co. Inc. in Fitchburg; RH White
Construction Services, Auburn; Northeast Real Estate Solutions in
Harvard; and Orange Innovation Center, Orange.
MassMEC, which was first announced by Gov. Deval Patrick in
April, enables manufacturing companies and businesses to lower energy
costs by negotiating volume rates from electricity and natural gas
suppliers.
It also provides no-cost renewable energy reviews and consultations.
Tax Rate
Tax Rate
The Tax rate is set at $16.64
This is a 40 cent increase over FY 14
The MSBA money was not received in time.
GOT IT RIGHT!
Wednesday, December 17, 2014, an article by Peter Cohan was posted here; "Can municipal electric utilities cut our electricity bills?" Within this article was an acronym, MAMEC, which according to a web site stands for Massachusetts Alliance for Municipal Electric Choice, not to be confused with MMWEC or Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company.
MAMEC is a group of municipalities and organizations supporting legislation to allow new municipal electric utilities to be created beyond the current 41 already in existence. A bill, H2927 (the muni bill) has been in the statehouse for some time, according the their website. You can google this and check it out!
MMWEC is Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company and according to a website, established in 1969 through a public energy partnership. In 1976, MMWEC became a nonprofit public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that is empowered to issue tax exempt revenue bonds to finance ownership interests in energy facilities. 21 municipal light departments are members of MMWEC (Templeton is a member).
You can also google this and check it out, I would encourage all to do this as it does affect you. I also would be of the opinion that Mr. Cohan had the correct name in his article and I hope this tid bit has cleared up any confusion.
Jeff Bennett
Fluoride in Dental Products
Fluoride in Dental Products
"If
you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or
contact a poison control center immediately."
Toothpastes
Over
95% of the toothpaste sold in the U.S. now contains fluoride, with many grocery
stores carrying few if any non-fluoridated brands. The use of fluoride
toothpaste, particularly during early childhood, presents health risks. This is
why the FDA requires a poison warning on every tube of fluoride toothpaste now
sold in the US.
Risks
from ingesting fluoride toothpaste include permanent tooth discoloration
(dental fluorosis), stomach ailments, acute toxicity, skin rashes (perioral
dermatitis), and impairment in glucose metabolism. All of these risks have been
unnecessarily increased by the marketing practices of toothpaste manufacturers,
who use cartoon packaging and candy-flavors to target
*adult-strength* fluoride toothpaste to young *children.* The dental
community’s failure to educate the public about the dangers of swallowing too
much fluoride toothpaste has further exacerbated the problem.
A Major Source of Children’s Daily Fluoride Intake
Fluoride
toothpastes sold in the U.S. generally contain between 1,100 and 1,450 parts
per million (ppm) fluoride (the equivalent of over 1 mg of fluoride for each
gram of paste). Although the fine print on the back of the toothpaste tube
instructs users not to swallow and to use only a “pea-sized” amount,
advertisements continue to depict heaping swirls of paste on the brush, (Basch
2013), and manufacturers continue to market fluoride toothpastes in bubble-gum,
fruit, and candy-like flavors (Basch 2014). Using child-appealing flavors is
particularly dangerous because young children have poorly developed
swallowing reflexes, and invariably swallow large amounts of the paste they add
to the brush.
Not
surprisingly, numerous studies have found that many children ingest a
significant amount of fluoride each day from toothpaste alone. According to the Journal of
Public Health Dentistry: “Virtually all authors have noted that some
children could ingest more fluoride from [toothpaste] alone than is recommended
as a total daily fluoride ingestion.” (Levy 1999).
Thursday, December 18, 2014
How Some Really Smart NYS Fracktivists Beat Cuomo and Won the Fracking War
How Some Really Smart NYS Fracktivists Beat Cuomo and Won the Fracking War
by lipris
Something amazing happened in Albany today, something very few people thought possible just a few months ago. New York State will indefinitely extend it's moratorium and essentially ban fracking. We aren't kicking the can down the road for more studies. We're basically banning the process outright. That's a huge victory for many thousands of anti-fracking "fracktivists" who have been fighting hard and smart, against really long odds, for years now.
Here's how they did it.
by lipris
 | |
| attribution: None Specified |
Here's how they did it.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
School Committee meeting of December 17, 2014
A well attended meeting with 4 observers including a reporter from the gardner news. pitiful in my opinion. School committee member Ms. Matson asked some good questions on some subjects.
The district is apparently in the process of writing a strategic plan and will be coming forward with a budget presentation to include a graph showing fixed costs and variable costs. The district is also in the process of creating or website within a website for the staff to handle such things as principle updates, teacher information, curriculum etc.
On transportation, NRHS will be partnering with Ashburnham-Westminster, Winchendon and Gardner with Gardner being the lead. This is suppose to save money. Perhaps the district should explain this to the BOS and how it could apply to regional dispatch!
Apparently the yellow dump truck parked at the school, which originated from the Templeton Light department is now broke and according to superintendent Miller, it would cost too much to fix so it will be go out as surplus with a new truck to be purchased thru the state bid list. The figure put out was $58.473.00. It was stated by the superintendent that the funds would come from the money for the bio mass (wood chip) boiler. The superintendent and Hank Mason both stated this had been discussed at the beginning of the project before any grants had been obtained. One of the uses for this truck will be to keep the area of wood chip delivery clear of snow and ice. Not sure if this is a use authorized under the grants or not.
The chip boiler is now scheduled to be on site in mid January 2015. There was mention that the district will have dialogue concerning the budget with the BOS in mid January 2015.
It was announced that a sound system for the gym will come to fruition with a donation from a company and the rest of the money to come from the district's revolving account.
Since it appears the money for a new truck will come from one time funds, I would have to guess that the money for maintenance will come from the maintenance account for building and grounds, and I am assuming maintenance will be done. So now there is either less money for building maintenance or there is an increase in that fund? The above is just a few reasons why more people, as in taxpayers should take time to attend these meetings. This meeting was recorded so hopefully it will be available for viewing soon.
Jeff Bennett
Auditors tell Wachusett Regional School District to move money from credit unions to banks
Auditors tell Wachusett Regional School District to move money from credit unions to banks
By Sandy Meindersma CORRESPONDENT
HOLDEN — Julie Kelley, chairman of the Audit Committee of the Wachusett Regional School Committee, reported that the district needs to move its money from the credit unions it uses to FDIC-insured banks.
Ms. Kelley reported that along with several other audit findings from Lynch, Malloy and Marini, which audited the district's financial statements for fiscal 2014. The fiscal year ended June 30.
According to the October 2014 treasurer's report, the district had $18.1 million cash in hand, with $2 million on deposit with Leominster Credit Union.
Ms. Kelley said that no one on the audit committee was aware of the IRS regulation that prohibited the school district from using a non-FDIC-insured institution, and said that the audit team from Lynch, Malloy and Marini indicated that Wachusett was not the only school district in violation of the IRS regulation.
By Sandy Meindersma CORRESPONDENT
HOLDEN — Julie Kelley, chairman of the Audit Committee of the Wachusett Regional School Committee, reported that the district needs to move its money from the credit unions it uses to FDIC-insured banks.
Ms. Kelley reported that along with several other audit findings from Lynch, Malloy and Marini, which audited the district's financial statements for fiscal 2014. The fiscal year ended June 30.
According to the October 2014 treasurer's report, the district had $18.1 million cash in hand, with $2 million on deposit with Leominster Credit Union.
Ms. Kelley said that no one on the audit committee was aware of the IRS regulation that prohibited the school district from using a non-FDIC-insured institution, and said that the audit team from Lynch, Malloy and Marini indicated that Wachusett was not the only school district in violation of the IRS regulation.
Can municipal electric utilities cut our electricity bills?
Can municipal electric utilities cut our electricity bills?
By Peter S. Cohan WALL & MAIN
This week, I learned that many towns in the state — including the nine Worcester County towns of Ashburnham, Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Shrewsbury, Sterling, Templeton and West Boylston — have their own municipal utilities, from which residents buy their electricity.
If you are fortunate enough to live in these places, you are probably shaking your head at those of us who are customers of the investor-owned utilities in Massachusetts.
That's because the Massachusetts utility industry violates a basic precept of economics: The bigger you are, the greater your bargaining power with suppliers.
Thus, if you are a customer of a big utility, you should pay the utility less, because that utility exercises its negotiating leverage to demand a volume discount on power and pass the savings along to its customers.
But according to a Lexington-based expert on the Massachusetts utility industry, the opposite is true.
The expert, Patrick Mehr, is a native of France who is "a former manager of a marketing unit of the French National Coal Board in Paris [who] graduated from the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole des Mines de Paris," according to the New York Times.
In a December 15 interview, he told me that he has been studying the utilities industry for 30 years and was a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group. Mr. Mehr operates Plunkett Lake Press, that bills itself as publisher of "eBooks of literary non-fiction, including biographies, memoirs, essays and accounts of historical events."
He also runs the website of the Massachusetts Alliance for Municipal Electric Choice (http://massmunichoice.org/). MAMEC "is the alliance of municipalities and organizations supporting legislation to allow new municipal electric utilities in Massachusetts (the "Muni-Choice Bill" H2927) – beyond 41 municipal electric utilities that already exist – so that cities and towns have a choice for electricity distribution."
By Peter S. Cohan WALL & MAIN
This week, I learned that many towns in the state — including the nine Worcester County towns of Ashburnham, Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Shrewsbury, Sterling, Templeton and West Boylston — have their own municipal utilities, from which residents buy their electricity.
If you are fortunate enough to live in these places, you are probably shaking your head at those of us who are customers of the investor-owned utilities in Massachusetts.
That's because the Massachusetts utility industry violates a basic precept of economics: The bigger you are, the greater your bargaining power with suppliers.
Thus, if you are a customer of a big utility, you should pay the utility less, because that utility exercises its negotiating leverage to demand a volume discount on power and pass the savings along to its customers.
But according to a Lexington-based expert on the Massachusetts utility industry, the opposite is true.
The expert, Patrick Mehr, is a native of France who is "a former manager of a marketing unit of the French National Coal Board in Paris [who] graduated from the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole des Mines de Paris," according to the New York Times.
In a December 15 interview, he told me that he has been studying the utilities industry for 30 years and was a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group. Mr. Mehr operates Plunkett Lake Press, that bills itself as publisher of "eBooks of literary non-fiction, including biographies, memoirs, essays and accounts of historical events."
He also runs the website of the Massachusetts Alliance for Municipal Electric Choice (http://massmunichoice.org/). MAMEC "is the alliance of municipalities and organizations supporting legislation to allow new municipal electric utilities in Massachusetts (the "Muni-Choice Bill" H2927) – beyond 41 municipal electric utilities that already exist – so that cities and towns have a choice for electricity distribution."
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
School Committee Meeting
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
KIVA @ 6:30 PM
On the agenda; bids for dump truck and surplus truck bids
Update on wood chip boiler project
On a side note, the property at 411 Baldwinville Road is 23 acres and is assessed @ $407,800.00 and the property tax for FY14 = $6,600.00. It is important to note that the assessed value is different from an appraised value. According to The Gardner News, the asking price is $750,000.00. I believe that works out to $32,608.69 per acre.
Senator Warren and Citicorp
Senator Warren and Citicorp
Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke on the floor of the Senate on Dec. 12, 2014 about the provision that Citigroup added to the omnibus budget package.
Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke on the floor of the Senate on Dec. 12, 2014 about the provision that Citigroup added to the omnibus budget package.
BOS Update 12/15/14
BOS Update 12/15/14
Last night's BOS meeting went well. It was a short agenda. Town Administrator, Bob Markel gave his Town Administrator report:
Monday, December 15, 2014
Meetings the week of December 15, 2014
Meetings
the week of December 15, 2014
Monday 12/15/14
BOS KIVA 6:30 pm
Conservation 4 Elm St 7:00 pm
Tuesday 12/16/14
Veterans American Legion 6:30 pm
Thursday 12/18/14
CPC Boynton PL 6:00 pm
Sr.
Center Scout Hall 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Biomass boiler coming to a school near you??
If you watch the gansett news or D. Brooks face book page, you will see reference to some news from the superintendent of schools and reference to the wood chip boiler which apparently will be ready and running in February. What I do not see is any mention of any contract for the purchase of wood chips. A signed contract with a hard price per ton for the wood chips would go a long way in letting people know how much the district (taxpayers) will pay for chips. Hopefully it will be the $28.00 per ton that was advertised at the beginning of this project. With a signed contract, the district could make the presentation of the cost of the chips and a better estimation of the cost to heat the school using chips.
Jeff Bennett
Another tax for Templeton??
Reading selectmen Brooks' facebook page, I noticed a picture of a red fire hydrant with the caption pay it forward, help the fire fighters by cleaning the hydrants near you of snow. I could be wrong but I think the residents of Templeton (taxpayers) already pay taxes for town services. These include a highway department, and since this department just bought a new loader which equates to three loaders being parked at the highway barn these days. It is my opinion that there is enough time for the highway department, cemetery & parks or the water department to do this job. Taxpayers pay taxes for services and I believe if selectmen Brooks took the time to look, she would find who has the responsibility to do this job. My opinion is people should not be asked to do a job they already pay to have done through their taxes! This pay it forward picture may make for a warm fuzzy feeling and a good rah rah cheerleading scenario, it is in the end, asking people to pay twice for a service and it is simply wrong! I think it more appropriate for selectmen Brooks to bring this subject to the attention of the select board and figure out who is responsible for the cleaning of the hydrants and instruct them to do their job rather than play on taxpayers emotions. If any resident wants to clear out a hydrant on their own, fine, that is cool, but since multiple departments already have backhoes and loaders, they should be used to do the job that taxpayers pay them to do.
Jeff Bennett
The politics of natural gas... W T & G Letter the the editor
The politics of natural gas
Massachusetts has two deep-water liquid natural gas (LNG) import facilities connected to shore by pipeline. A billion dollar investment, six years old, no longer used. They are capable of, but have not yet exported LNG.
With the strong rise in U.S. domestic production, there is now a major trend to develop LNG export facilities in the U.S., in many cases reversing the flow of existing import facilities. Numerous companies have filed with the federal government for export licenses; said government is projecting that we will become a net exporter of LNG by 2016.
The new line, at 36 inches, would triple the amount of natural gas to the region. Why would a company spend $5 billion on tripling the gas supply if it weren't intending to export it?
Who NEEDS natural gas? Europe — starved by Russia, which has recently cancelled major gas pipeline expansion. And Lithuania has just opened an import terminal for LNG to relieve its 100 percent dependence on Russia. Most European nations use more gas than they produce.
Electric rates are reported to be going up 37 percent, so the promise of savings due to lower prices caused by more gas sounds more like a shell game than a payback. If the gas companies can get a higher rate in Europe, why would they lower the rates here?
So, however the inevitable is financed or routed; the export of LNG from Massachusetts to Europe will occur, it's political.
CHRISTOPHER GAGNON
Ashburnham ***************************************
Massachusetts has two deep-water liquid natural gas (LNG) import facilities connected to shore by pipeline. A billion dollar investment, six years old, no longer used. They are capable of, but have not yet exported LNG.
With the strong rise in U.S. domestic production, there is now a major trend to develop LNG export facilities in the U.S., in many cases reversing the flow of existing import facilities. Numerous companies have filed with the federal government for export licenses; said government is projecting that we will become a net exporter of LNG by 2016.
The new line, at 36 inches, would triple the amount of natural gas to the region. Why would a company spend $5 billion on tripling the gas supply if it weren't intending to export it?
Who NEEDS natural gas? Europe — starved by Russia, which has recently cancelled major gas pipeline expansion. And Lithuania has just opened an import terminal for LNG to relieve its 100 percent dependence on Russia. Most European nations use more gas than they produce.
Electric rates are reported to be going up 37 percent, so the promise of savings due to lower prices caused by more gas sounds more like a shell game than a payback. If the gas companies can get a higher rate in Europe, why would they lower the rates here?
So, however the inevitable is financed or routed; the export of LNG from Massachusetts to Europe will occur, it's political.
CHRISTOPHER GAGNON
Ashburnham ***************************************
Friday, December 12, 2014
Quabbin school district may join legal action if funds cut
Quabbin school district may join legal action if funds cut
By James F. Russell CORRESPONDENT
BARRE — Quabbin Regional School district officials are concerned that regional transportation cuts Gov. Deval Patrick wants to make will result in a $300,000 deficit in their busing account — and the superintendent said legal action is one option.
At Thursday's Quabbin Regional School Committee meeting, Superintendent Maureen M. Marshall said that if those cuts take effect, a lawsuit is an option being considered by regional schools.
She told the committee that the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools is organizing the potential legal action and that Quabbin would have to pitch in $500 as its share — should the suit go forward.
Board Chairman Mark Brophy called the regional school transportation cuts the governor is considering "frustrating" and "outrageous."
Ms. Marshall said that the Patrick administration does not understand what this means to regional school districts.
She said state law requires any cuts to regional transportation to be matched by cuts to Chapter 70 school aid — and that no reductions to the Chapter 70 program are under consideration.
Barre, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Braintree and Oakham comprise the Quabbin school district.
By James F. Russell CORRESPONDENT
BARRE — Quabbin Regional School district officials are concerned that regional transportation cuts Gov. Deval Patrick wants to make will result in a $300,000 deficit in their busing account — and the superintendent said legal action is one option.
At Thursday's Quabbin Regional School Committee meeting, Superintendent Maureen M. Marshall said that if those cuts take effect, a lawsuit is an option being considered by regional schools.
She told the committee that the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools is organizing the potential legal action and that Quabbin would have to pitch in $500 as its share — should the suit go forward.
Board Chairman Mark Brophy called the regional school transportation cuts the governor is considering "frustrating" and "outrageous."
Ms. Marshall said that the Patrick administration does not understand what this means to regional school districts.
She said state law requires any cuts to regional transportation to be matched by cuts to Chapter 70 school aid — and that no reductions to the Chapter 70 program are under consideration.
Barre, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Braintree and Oakham comprise the Quabbin school district.
Proposed charter school stirs crowd at hearing in Fitchburg
Proposed charter school stirs crowd at hearing in Fitchburg
By Paula J. Owen TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
FITCHBURG — People wishing to get another shot at influencing the state's decision on a proposed elementary-level charter school in Fitchburg filled the auditorium at the Fitchburg Public Library Thursday night for a hearing on the matter.
It was déjà vu as those in attendance rehashed many of the same arguments they offered during hearings held previously on the proposed Academy for the Whole Child charter school by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Many in favor of the proposal said families need to have a choice and touted the proposed small class sizes. Many of those against said Fitchburg public schools have made many strides, and taking funding away to support another school would be counterproductive to that progress.
The school's creators hoped to open the regional school in Fitchburg that would serve 360 students in kindergarten through Grade 4 in August.
However, shortly after they were invited by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to submit a final application, Whole Child founders were told they would not be able to proceed because the towns making up the regional school district collectively did not fall into the bottom 10 percent of school districts in the state as required by a 2010 provision in the charter school law.
The state said inviting the Whole School founders to apply was an oversight.
 |
| James Morton, left, and David Roach, both on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, listen to members of the public speak at a public hearing at the Fitchburg Public Library Thursday. (T&G STAFF/Rick Cinclair) |
FITCHBURG — People wishing to get another shot at influencing the state's decision on a proposed elementary-level charter school in Fitchburg filled the auditorium at the Fitchburg Public Library Thursday night for a hearing on the matter.
It was déjà vu as those in attendance rehashed many of the same arguments they offered during hearings held previously on the proposed Academy for the Whole Child charter school by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Many in favor of the proposal said families need to have a choice and touted the proposed small class sizes. Many of those against said Fitchburg public schools have made many strides, and taking funding away to support another school would be counterproductive to that progress.
The school's creators hoped to open the regional school in Fitchburg that would serve 360 students in kindergarten through Grade 4 in August.
However, shortly after they were invited by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to submit a final application, Whole Child founders were told they would not be able to proceed because the towns making up the regional school district collectively did not fall into the bottom 10 percent of school districts in the state as required by a 2010 provision in the charter school law.
The state said inviting the Whole School founders to apply was an oversight.
Dental Lobby Pour Half-million Dollars into Fluoridation PR Campaign
Dental Lobby Pour Half-million Dollars into Fluoridation PR Campaign
By Carol Kopf, Media Director for Fluoride Action Network
The American Dental Association (ADA) announced on December 8, 2014, that they will pour $500,000 into a PR campaign to fool the American public into believing that fluoridation is good for them when science and government statistics prove otherwise. However, we have something they can never buy – the truth - which is why we are winning the fluoridation wars.
In a left-handed compliment to all of us, the ADA says “anti-fluoridation groups are very media savvy.”
Like corporations that market health-robbing sugary drinks and cereal to children, the ADA plans to sell fluoridation to the American public with “marketing and advertising via Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms and optimizing search engines to help ensure that ADA information is prominent in Internet searches.”
This tactic isn’t new. In a 1951 State Dental Directors’ meeting, sound-bites, excuses and whitewashes were suggested to initiate fluoridation. “Voices of opposition have been suppressed since early days of fluoridation,” according to Chemical & Engineering News, 1988).
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the ADA’s monetary involvement with the U.S. Congress in 2014 included:
Contributions to candidates: $1,187,100
Contributions to Leadership PACs: $363,500
Contributions to parties: $120,250
Contributions to 527 committees: $505,418
Contributions to outside spending groups: $317,000
By Carol Kopf, Media Director for Fluoride Action Network
The American Dental Association (ADA) announced on December 8, 2014, that they will pour $500,000 into a PR campaign to fool the American public into believing that fluoridation is good for them when science and government statistics prove otherwise. However, we have something they can never buy – the truth - which is why we are winning the fluoridation wars.
In a left-handed compliment to all of us, the ADA says “anti-fluoridation groups are very media savvy.”
Like corporations that market health-robbing sugary drinks and cereal to children, the ADA plans to sell fluoridation to the American public with “marketing and advertising via Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms and optimizing search engines to help ensure that ADA information is prominent in Internet searches.”
This tactic isn’t new. In a 1951 State Dental Directors’ meeting, sound-bites, excuses and whitewashes were suggested to initiate fluoridation. “Voices of opposition have been suppressed since early days of fluoridation,” according to Chemical & Engineering News, 1988).
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the ADA’s monetary involvement with the U.S. Congress in 2014 included:
Contributions to candidates: $1,187,100
Contributions to Leadership PACs: $363,500
Contributions to parties: $120,250
Contributions to 527 committees: $505,418
Contributions to outside spending groups: $317,000
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Why Michael J Fox Will Never Find A Cure
Why Michael J Fox Will Never Find A Cure
Written by C. Thomas Corriher
http://healthwyze.org/index.php/component/content/article/391-why-michael-j-fox-will-never-find-a-cure.html
Certain celebrities have been associated with specific diseases. For instance, Patrick Swayze will be associated with pancreatic cancer indefinitely. Michael J. Fox represents Parkinson's disease, and the Marlborough Man ironically represents lung cancer. For those who do not remember, the Marlborough Men were the smoking cowboys who attempted to make filtered cigarettes seem more masculine. The commercials were a huge success, until all of the actors began dying from lung cancer. The demise of the Marlboro Men was publicized heavily by the mainstream media, because it has long been open season against tobacco products, since it became illegal for tobacco companies to fund news shows.
The cause of Michael Fox's Parkinson's disease is always side-stepped by the media, similar to the dishonest tobacco precedent. Readers may notice there has never been a peep about the cause; and moreover, the talk has been singularly about finding the supposedly elusive cure. The cause of Fox's disease is not yet politically correct to attack. It would get most reporters fired.
Throughout the 1980's, Michael did commercials for Pepsico, and he promoted Diet Pepsi cola exclusively in the latter years of his contract. It is believed that he became an ardent consumer of Diet Pepsi throughout this period (even off-set). Then, in 1991, Michael was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease. It would be seven years before he told the public about his diagnosis, so the link has been missed by most people.
In 2000, Michael founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which was supposed to help discover the cause and cure for Parkinson's disease. Various groups have sent information to the foundation about the link between aspartame (found in diet colas) and Parkinson's disease, but they have been ignored. The group instead donated $175,000,000 to researchers of Parkinson's disease, while wholly ignoring the existing information about aspartame, just as most researchers have. The foundation is yet another organization which apparently believes that funneling even more money into the petrochemical cartel will help to find an elusive cure, for something that would require an admission of guilt to cure, and the loss of a billion dollar diet drinks industry.
Written by C. Thomas Corriher
http://healthwyze.org/index.php/component/content/article/391-why-michael-j-fox-will-never-find-a-cure.html
Certain celebrities have been associated with specific diseases. For instance, Patrick Swayze will be associated with pancreatic cancer indefinitely. Michael J. Fox represents Parkinson's disease, and the Marlborough Man ironically represents lung cancer. For those who do not remember, the Marlborough Men were the smoking cowboys who attempted to make filtered cigarettes seem more masculine. The commercials were a huge success, until all of the actors began dying from lung cancer. The demise of the Marlboro Men was publicized heavily by the mainstream media, because it has long been open season against tobacco products, since it became illegal for tobacco companies to fund news shows.
The cause of Michael Fox's Parkinson's disease is always side-stepped by the media, similar to the dishonest tobacco precedent. Readers may notice there has never been a peep about the cause; and moreover, the talk has been singularly about finding the supposedly elusive cure. The cause of Fox's disease is not yet politically correct to attack. It would get most reporters fired.
Throughout the 1980's, Michael did commercials for Pepsico, and he promoted Diet Pepsi cola exclusively in the latter years of his contract. It is believed that he became an ardent consumer of Diet Pepsi throughout this period (even off-set). Then, in 1991, Michael was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease. It would be seven years before he told the public about his diagnosis, so the link has been missed by most people.
In 2000, Michael founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which was supposed to help discover the cause and cure for Parkinson's disease. Various groups have sent information to the foundation about the link between aspartame (found in diet colas) and Parkinson's disease, but they have been ignored. The group instead donated $175,000,000 to researchers of Parkinson's disease, while wholly ignoring the existing information about aspartame, just as most researchers have. The foundation is yet another organization which apparently believes that funneling even more money into the petrochemical cartel will help to find an elusive cure, for something that would require an admission of guilt to cure, and the loss of a billion dollar diet drinks industry.
Government's descent into Hunger Games injustice and tyranny nearly complete
Government's descent into Hunger Games injustice and tyranny nearly complete
Thursday, December 11, 2014
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
(NaturalNews) If you haven't already seen Hunger Games, Catching Fire I urge you to watch it now. The movie, available for free on Amazon's PRIME service, depicts a totalitarian centralized government ruling over disarmed, oppressed subjects with outrageous cruelty and injustice.
The movie is a warning to what might happen to us all very soon if we don't stop the march of tyranny in America. You need to watch the film because America is headed straight for a similar outcome, and this fact was especially driven home today by one of the most outrageous new laws to ever be passed in any state. By a wide margin of support, Illinois just voted to criminalize citizens filming police in public spaces.
"The amendment has stripped away safeguards to free speech rights from the original legislation and instituted a blanket ban on recording officials in public," writes Steve Watson at InfoWars.com. [1] "It was passed by both the Illinois House and the Senate, with huge majorities, within two days of its introduction."
"Only a government that lives like cockroaches in the darkness would pass a law criminalizing the act of turning on the light," writes the Free Thought Project [2], which goes on to point out how the mainstream media is completely silent on this story. (The media censors all stories it doesn't want you to know about, including the CDC whistleblower story, Fukushima radiation in the USA and the worsening Ebola pandemic.)
You can view the actual text of this Illinois Senate bill amendment at this link (PDF), and there's a valuable write-up of the law published at the Illinois Policy website.
It's legal if the cops do it; it's a felony if you do it
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
(NaturalNews) If you haven't already seen Hunger Games, Catching Fire I urge you to watch it now. The movie, available for free on Amazon's PRIME service, depicts a totalitarian centralized government ruling over disarmed, oppressed subjects with outrageous cruelty and injustice.
The movie is a warning to what might happen to us all very soon if we don't stop the march of tyranny in America. You need to watch the film because America is headed straight for a similar outcome, and this fact was especially driven home today by one of the most outrageous new laws to ever be passed in any state. By a wide margin of support, Illinois just voted to criminalize citizens filming police in public spaces.
"The amendment has stripped away safeguards to free speech rights from the original legislation and instituted a blanket ban on recording officials in public," writes Steve Watson at InfoWars.com. [1] "It was passed by both the Illinois House and the Senate, with huge majorities, within two days of its introduction."
"Only a government that lives like cockroaches in the darkness would pass a law criminalizing the act of turning on the light," writes the Free Thought Project [2], which goes on to point out how the mainstream media is completely silent on this story. (The media censors all stories it doesn't want you to know about, including the CDC whistleblower story, Fukushima radiation in the USA and the worsening Ebola pandemic.)
You can view the actual text of this Illinois Senate bill amendment at this link (PDF), and there's a valuable write-up of the law published at the Illinois Policy website.
It's legal if the cops do it; it's a felony if you do it