Speaking as the Assistant Chief of the Mid Cambridge Society to fool all the people all the time not just some of the people all the time, Roy Bercaw asks why pay an English artist $10,000 to teach music in North Cambridge. What ever happened to Cambridge First Buy Local? Does Cambridge need an Hypocrisy Commission? He again suggests that the hot wind generated each week by the City Council be captured and used to melt the snow and ice on city sidewalks.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
DEC 17 2007 Roy Bercaw Speaks to City Council
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Dec 10 2007 Roy Bercaw Speaks to City Council
Speaking as the Chief of the Mid Cambridge Emergency Committee for a Home Rule Petition to legalize recreational drug sales by City employees within the city limits using energy efficient vehicles, Roy Bercaw suggests for Policy Order # 6 that the City Manager capture the hot wind energy generated by the City Council each week and use it to clear the sidewalks of ice and snow. For City Manager report # 4 Bercaw warns that invasion of the Giant Rats is coming to Cambridge. He reminds the City Council that New York City Dept of Parks is using rakes, not leaf blowers to clean Central Park. Regarding the City Wide Neighborhood Crime Task Force Final Report he again notes that persons with disabilities were excluded from participating in the study, and objects that the Task Force states that disability is a cause of crime contrary to reason.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Harvard University Noise Violations 3
Cambridge MA has an ordinance which prohibits pick ups and deliveries between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM. Nonetheless there are many violations. The rear of Harvard University's Fogg Museum has a loading dock for the many fund raising events held at the Museum.On Saturday evenings after the events some of the contractors pick up their furniture and supplies and left over foods which they can use at other events the next day. If they had to wait until legal hours they might not be able to use the same furniture two days in a row. It is a business need. Harvard cooperates with their contractors. But they make noise which affects my quiet enjoyment of my residence. That is the purpose of the noise ordinance. Currently the City solons debate an amended noise ordinance to prohibit use of leaf blowers during some periods of the year and times of day. They think that the ordinance will be enforced just because it is law. That is what politicians do, they write laws.
Labels:
Cambridge MA,
Fogg Museum,
Harvard University,
Noise Ordinance
Tour Buses Idling for 90 Minutes at Harvard University
Harvard University attracts many tour buses. Some students complained that they were idling near their dorm windows along Mass Avenue near Harvard Square. City officials noted this and wondered about enforcing the state law against idling vehicles for more than 5 minutes. Some of the bus drivers looked for other less prominent places to wait for their passengers. Some of them found the block on Broadway between Quincy Street and Prescott Street across from my windows. It is a No Stopping Zone. Seldom are laws affecting Harvard enforced in Cambridge. Who would dare to give a summons to a University with $35 billion?
I noticed the bus idling at about 4:15 PM on Friday December 7, 2007. I went to the Senior Center to pick up the agenda for the City Council meeting on Monday December 10, 2007. When I returned at 5:45 PM the bus was still there still idling in a No Stopping Zone. I called to the police dispatcher explaining that it was 90 minutes since I noticed the bus idling. He said he would send someone. That does not mean that he would. They always say that. I suspect that there are some dispatchers who answer telephones and others who dispatch the patrol cars. Each of them has discretion what to do with the calls. At about 6:00 PM 105 minutes after I noticed the bus idling it was gone. This bus had a telephone number on it with an area code for Ohio. I'll bet he did not know about the idling law.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
December 3, 2007 Roy Bercaw Speaks to City Council
Speaking as the Chief of the Emergency Mid Cambridge Boy Scout Protection League and to Improve the Image of the Cambridge Election Commission, Roy Bercaw asks why the City Council is unable to ban leaf blowers. He reads from a report in the December 2, 2007 New York Post which reveals that the New York City Parks Department is using rakes instead of leaf blowers in Central Park which is about as large as half of Cambridge. He describes a cartoon by Ted Rall on support for the Troops. Finally he asks why the city needs a 24 hour social worker. If the state and US Courts can take care of all the problems in the country from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or more like 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM why should there be any need for a night social worker? People should not have problems at night he suggests.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
CELEBRITY SCOFFLAWS
From the online and TV gossip show, TMZ, these clips show Melanie Griffith, Julia Roberts and Britney Spears parked in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
UTAH POLICE QUICK-DRAW TASER
14 Seconds into a traffic stop a Utah police officer knocked down a man shooting him with a TASER. He refused to sign a summons (required in Utah) for speeding because the officer refused to say how fast he was allegedly going. The man was walking away from the officer with his back turned.
Under the arguments that TASER corporation and proponents of TASER use, if the officer did not have a TASER he would have used his deadly force to shoot the man with his pistol.
Utah police issued a summons to a 70 year-old woman who did not keep her lawn pretty and green. In Utah recipients must sign a summons when issued. She refused and the police arrested her.
This footage is from FOX25 News, commentary by V.B. Channel 25 Boston, MA.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
JAMES BULGER, 2nd MOST WANTED
FOX-TV's America's Most Wanted did a new feature on the FBI's 2nd Most Wanted fugitive. James Bulger former head of the Eastern Massachusetts Organized Crime family where he infiltrated the Boston office of the FBI is featured on this clip.
CALIFORNIA YOUTH GANG INITIATION
Just like organized crime families and college fraternities which have their initiation ceremonies, youth gangs too require some emotional commitment to joining their organization. One difference is that crime families and fraternities did not video tape the proceedings.The FBI was able to make audio tapes in some cases. This was broadcast on Maximum Exposure a CBS-TV reality show.
Labels:
Initiation Ceremony,
Youth Gangs,
Youth Violence
JOB WITH A VIEW -- LVPD
Some jobs have risks and some have benefits. Others have both. In these clips you can see some of the benefits to being a police officer in Las Vegas. Does Mayor Oscar Goodman have fringe benefits as well? The complete traffic stop was broadcast on the FOX-TV Show COPS.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
NOV 19 2007 ROY BERCAW SPEAKS TO CITY COUNCIL
Speaking as the Chairman of the Mid Cambridge Emergency Committee to place a Wind Turbine in the City Council Chambers in order to capture the hot wind energy generated by the City Council each week, Roy Bercaw discusses the Final Report of the Neighborhood CrimeTask Force dated November 19, 2007. He asks if the aphorism "You get what you pay for," applies to this report of 50 volunteers which cost the city no money. He notes they describe themselves as "well intentioned." Bercaw notes that George Bernard Shaw said, "The Road to Hell is paved with Good Intentions."
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
October 22, 2007 Roy Bercaw Speaks to Cambridge City Council
Speaking as "The Assistant Ombudsman of the Mid Cambridge Media Criticism League to Give The Journalism Committee of the Cambridge City Council Extraordinary Powers Over the Press. Repeal the First Amendment," Roy Bercaw decries the Affirmative Action Report of Fowler Finn, Superintendent of Schools for excluding persons with disabilities. Bercaw suggests a review board for the Police Review Board which has become a part of the Police department. He notes that Cambridge is a World Class City where visitors leave food for the rodents so that the city does not need to use any bait. He also suggests a No Fly Zone over Cambridge to ensure no noise from planes disrupting the quiet enjoyment of residents.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Harvard University Noise Violations 2
Harvard University contractors continue to violate Cambridge, MA city noise ordinances. They pick up and deliver goods to the Fogg Museum late at night contrary to city laws. The City Manager and the police dispatchers refuse to enforce these laws when the perpetrator is Harvard. City officials worship Harvard's $35 billion endowment and believe the University and their contractors are entitled to disregard inconvenient laws, which are meant only for poor vulnerable defenseless citizens. The few citizens who pay attention to what the city government does are aware that the City Manager usurps policy making powers contrary to state enabling laws. The reason is that the City Councilors have no spines. I offerred to purchase spines for them and they refused my offer. Howie Carr, Boston Herald columnist and WRKO radio talk show host describes Boston City Councilors as "Sheep in sheep's clothing." It may well apply to the Cambridge City Council.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
November 5 2007 Roy Bercaw Speaks to City Council
Speaking as the Chief Political Consultant Mogul of the Mid Cambridge Emergency Committee to Re-elect only Incumbents. "Keep Troublemakers Off the Council. Trust Known Deceivers," Roy Bercaw asks why City Boards and Commissions should only be scrutinized regarding race, class and gender (Policy Order # 1)? He states that persons with disabilities are once again excluded from a city program as they are every week contrary to the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution. He adds that Policy Order # 7 was presented to the Council two years ago. The Ordinance Committee sent it back to the proponents due to excluding persons with non physical disabilities. This proposed ordinance change was submitted by the Human Rights Commission and the Handicapped Commission which are supposed to address discrimination. But they discriminate contrary to law as is typical of most alleged civil rights organizations in in Massachusetts.
October 29 2007 Roy Bercaw Speaks to Cambridge, MA City Council
Speaking as the Mid Cambridge Chapter of the Emergency Committee to Protect White Males from Abuses of Power by Black Racist Harvard University Police and from Racist Harvard Lawyers Pretending to be Civil Rights Attorneys, Bercaw asserts "I am not from Burma. I'm an American citizen." He asks, "Does the Council still wonder why there so much violence?" He asks why there is so much concern (Policy Order # 12) about a temporary occupancy permit. He suggests that the Council learn how to speak the Newspeak language where words mean whatever and often the opposite. In support of Committee Report # 1, Bercaw suggests that lawyers be provided to patients of the OB-GYN clinic on Windsor Street in case of negligence. He also urges that patients be provided foot massages as they travel to the clinic in their taxpayer funded taxis. He wonders why after all these years the Council needs a workshop on Parliamentary Procedure (Policy Order # 4). He says learning the rules will just cause the councilors to be be upset when they violate the rules and other laws. Regarding policy Orders # 5 and # 22, Bercaw suggests banning pedestrians and removing sidewalks to make room for bicycles and parking.
October 15, 2007 Roy Bercaw Speaks to Cambridge MA City Council
Speaking as the Mid Cambridge Deputy Inspector General for the US Department of Levitation ("We bring up issues that others ignore"), Roy Bercaw asks if this is the special Open Mic night at the Cantab, which is what the Mayor says he thinks some citizens think it is. Bercaw congratulates (Resolution 27) MA state Senator Elect Anthony Galluccio. Bercaw asks (City Manager Item 13) why former Sen. Barrios who has $500,000 in campaign funds remaining after he resigned in the middle of his term does not compensate the City for the extra expense of $50,714 caused by his abrupt departure to take a position as a lobbyist for the human services industry. Regarding Policy Order # 31 Bercaw raises the issue of how the Council expects to create (Policy Order # 31) a "cohesive" community of people "working together" after 20 years of policies which drive people apart. He explains that the Mid Cambridge Neighborhood Association prevents its members from communicating with each other unless the President and the Coordinating Committee approve.
HARVARD NOISE VIOLATIONS
Cambridge City Noise Ordinance prohibits deliveries after 9:00 PM. Harvard University ignores the city laws and accepts deliveries at all hours long after 9:00 PM. In this brief video clip, you can see trucks at the rear of the Fogg Museum picking up goods and furniture from events at the Fogg on Thursday November 7, 2007 at about 10:30 PM and on Sunday November 11, 2007 at 12:30 AM. The same loading dock is used beginning at 7:00 AM for trash pickups. The trucks warning beepers and banging as they load their goods makes very loud noises after hours. This is a regular occurrence every week.
My repeated complaints to the City officials and to the police dispatchers brought no relief. Often the dispatchers refer the calls to Harvard University police who do not have jurisdiction over City ordinances. It may be intentional by the dispatchers who know that Harvard police cannot do anything. This prevents any enforcement of the noise ordinance. In effect the dispatchers are negating city policy.
But that does not explain why the City Manager does not act to assert his power of enforcement. He is the chief law enforcement officer in the city under state statute. He decides what laws and ordinances he wants the police to enforce and which ones he wants ignored. The City Council makes policy. They permit the Manager to usurp their power by not asserting their authority over the Manager. Thus they make themselves appear to be meaningless officials and spineless by allowing this widespread lack of enforcement of their ordinances. And they wonder why so few people vote.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Cambridge MA Elections 2007 PAC
Cambridge MA Parents Advisory Council School Committee candidate panel October 10, 2007, CRLS, main cafeteria.
This is the full forum with "uhs," "ohs," and spilled champagne cocktails edited out. It runs about 50 minutes. This is exclusive video. No other video camera was present and working besides mine.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Deputy Sheriff with Prosthetic Leg Catches Fleeing Suspect
This brief clip from the FOX-TV Show COPS shows a Deputy Sheriff with a prosthetic leg chasing down a suspect. It is highly unlikely the Cambridge MA Police Department or many other police departments which have offensive attitudes toward persons with disabilities would hire this man. This officer has a physical disability, which does not prevent him from acting as a police officer. This Deputy deserves much praise and admiration for his determination and for his successes.
If he was accused of a mental disability he would never be considered for the job. Police are the most abusive toward persons with non physical disabilities. They often attribute mental illness to persons who challenge their unlawful policies regarding persons with disabilities. They are unaware that the law protects persons so accused. But the police and the taxpayer funded lawyers who are paid to protect such persons do not do so.
Cambridge, MA the holier than thou community of the world, is having an election for nine city councilors and six school committee members. As of October 3, 2007, there were three candidate forums (question and answer sessions). Three more are planned. There was one forum for the school committee candidates. Not one school committee candidate asked a question about the rights of persons with disabilities. One city council candidate mentioned the issue. YouTube censored this video clip allegedly due to complaints from the COPS tv show.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Woman Attacked by Police Using TASER Weapon
Heidi Gill was attacked by a Warren OH Police officer using a TASER. She explains that she is still suffering physical pain from that attack. Video clips show what the officer did.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Dr Heinz Fischer Austrian President Visits Harvard University
On Thursday September 27, 2007, Dr. Heinz Fischer, President of Austria visited Harvard University. The Cambridge City Police provided a motorcycle escort as his motorcade neared Harvard. A state Police car followed four secret service vehicles to 20 Quincy Street where the Harvard University Faculty Club and the Barker Center is.
Five Cambridge motorcycle officers and one Cambridge patrol car were on the scene. At about 7:00 PM the four secret service cars were blocking one lane of Quincy Street. MBTA buses and Harvard shuttle buses squeezed slowly through the one open lane.
This is Cambridge taxpayer funds at work protecting Harvard University's guests. When I called to verify that it was Dr. Heinz Fischer who was visiting, the Cambridge police dispatcher referred me to Harvard University Police, though no Harvard police were on the scene. When I called to the Cambridge police Shift Commander the desk sergeant told me that he was doing an investigation. She transferred me to the voice mail ( which was full) of the traffic department. The Harvard police dispatcher said, "I guess so." When he asked my name he grunted as if he knew me. I did not have to ask him, "Do you know who I am?"
Cambridge MA City of Equals?
The seats in the gallery of the City Council chambers in Cambridge MA City Hall are changing. They were all red theater seats which left red dye on light colored shirts and jackets. Now the City is replacing them with cheap plastic folding chairs from the library. Compare this with the plush leather chairs for the City Councilors.
At each meeting the City Council provides taxpayer funded catered meals for the Councilors their children friends and guests. Without an invitation no members of the public which pays for these catered meals are permitted to join in these feasts. Cambridge is the City of Equals. Some people are more equal than others. Cambridge MA imitates art, George Orwell's "Animal Farm.
Gang of Black Students Beat up 13 Year-Old White Boy
In this clip from NBC news a 13 year-old, the only white student in an otherwise all black school is beaten by a gang of black teens. His mother reports he is regularly beaten and verbally attacked racially. Where is Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. I thought they opposed racial violence. It appears that some racially motivated violence is OK with them. Does that make them racists?
YouTube censored this video clip after more than 60,000 views and more than 700 text comments. The intense animosity from whites toward blacks, from blacks toward whites, from Mexicans toward Americans and from Arabs toward Americans is instructive. All too many politicians refuse to recognize this hatred among the citizens. It will only get worse until the false beliefs are addressed and people are informed of facts not irrational beliefs.
Here's another version.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
September 24 2007 Roy Bercaw at Cambridge City Council
Speaking as the High Priest of the Mid Cambridge Chapter of the Holier Than Thou League of Cambridge, Roy Bercaw asks why the City Council needs any more rules. The council does not know the rules now. They know only one rule, how to suspend the rules. They need no more.
He questions why the City Council holds its Oct. 1st meeting at a Harvard building. He points out that Harvard University police abuse their power as the Cambridge police do for political and personal reasons. Only Harvard has a list of undesirable persons who are barred from their property. The Open Meetings Law requires that any person who wants to attend a public meeting of a governmental body must be allowed to attend. By having the meeting on Harvard propety the City Council prevents some people from attending.
Bercaw proposes giving all drivers tranquilizers for traffic calming. It is cheaper he says than redoing the streets.
Cambridge MA Elections 2007 Wiggins
Candidate Gail Lemily Wiggins speaks at a Cambridge School Committee panel sponsored by the East Cambridge Planning Team, East End House and the Cambridge Chronicle on September 20, 2007 at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center on Second Street in Cambridge. This panel is broadcast on CCTV.
Cambridge MA Elections 2007 McGovern
Candidate Marc McGovern speaks at a Cambridge School Committee panel sponsored by the East Cambridge Planning Team, East End House and the Cambridge Chronicle on September 20, 2007 at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center on Second Street in Cambridge. This panel is broadcast on CCTV.
Labels:
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Elections 2007,
Marc McGovern,
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Cambridge MA Elections 2007 Tauber
Candidate Nancy Tauber speaks at a Cambridge School Committee panel sponsored by the East Cambridge Planning Team, East End House and the Cambridge Chronicle on September 20, 2007 at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center on Second Street in Cambridge. This panel is broadcast on CCTV.
Labels:
Cambridge MA,
Elections 2007,
School Committee,
Stefan Malner
Cambridge MA Elections 2007 Malner
Candidate Stefan Malner speaks at a Cambridge School Committee panel sponsored by the East Cambridge Planning Team, East End House and the Cambridge Chronicle on September 20, 2007 at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center on Second Street in Cambridge. This panel is broadcast on CCTV.
Labels:
Cambridge MA,
Elections 2007,
School Committee,
Stefan Malner
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
September 17 2007 Roy Bercaw at Cambridge MA City Council
Speaking as the Chief Yolk Inspector for the Mid Cambridge Society of Egg Laying Hens and their paramours in Eastern Massachusetts, Concerned Citizen Roy Bercaw urges the City Council to bring Susan Anspach, Uma Thurman, Salma Hayek and Madeline Stowe to Cambridge to beautify the intersection of Broadway and Hampshire Street.
He laments the failure of the City Council, the City Manager, the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools to include persons with disabilities in the city's affirmative action hiring goals as required by city policy, state and US laws. He notes that there are four lawyers on the city council and at least six with graduate degrees. They cannot use the stupid defense saying "I did not know."
Bercaw calls the Council clueless, careless, shameless and lawless. He reveals deceptive responses by the City Manager and the CEO of the Cambridge Health Alliance to questions from the City Council.
North Cambridge MA Community Crime Meeting
On Friday September 14, 2007 Cambridge MA Police Commissioner Robert Haas and his officers met with members of the North Cambridge neighborhood to discuss recent violent crimes.
After shootings, N. Cambridge residents want answers
By Matt Dunning/Cambridge Chronicle Staff
GateHouse News Service
Tue Sep 18, 2007, 01:46 PM EDT
Cambridge -
Residents in North Cambridge said too many of their questions have gone unanswered since an outburst of gun violence in their neighborhood.
Friday night, it was a handful of ranking Cambridge Police officers trying to answer some of those questions.
“This is unbelievable,” Clifton Street resident Doloris Webb said. “I can’t leave my door open at all, even during the day. I have seven grandchildren, I’m afraid to let them walk through Russell Field. I don’t think they’re safe.”
Last Friday, about 40 North Cambridge residents turned out at the Peabody Elementary School for an informational meeting with city police.
“It’s frustrating,” Lt. Jack Sheehan said. “At a meeting like this, it’s very difficult to tell people that crime is down, because people don’t want to hear that. They’re concerned about what’s happening outside their window. If it’s happening in their neighborhood, they don’t care that crime is down.”
[. . .]
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Cambridge MA Elections 2007 Ward
Larry Ward first-time candidate for Cambridge MA City Council appears at the Progressive Democrats Candidate forum on September 5, 2007 at the City Wide Senior Center.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Larry Ward speaks at the Candiate forum on September 26, 2007 at the Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge. This forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, East Cambridge Planning Team, East End House and the Cambridge Chronicle.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Larry Ward appeared on CCTV's "Inside City Hall," hosted by Ben Eisler on Tuesday October 2, 2007.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Larry Ward speaks at the candidate panel on October 3, 2007 at Cambridge College. This forum was moderated by Steve Miller, founder of Livable Streets Alliance, and sponsored by Green Decade Cambridge, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Alewife Reservation, Green Streets Initiative, Harvest Co-op, Harvard Green Campus Initiative, Mass. Sierra Club, Mystic River Watershed Association, Clean water Action and ZipCar.
Labels:
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Cambridge MA Elections 2007 E Sullivan
Edward Sullivan first-time candidate for Cambridge MA City Council appears at the Progressive Democrats Candidate forum on September 5, 2007 at the City Wide Senior Center.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Edward Sullivan speaks at the Candiate forum on September 26, 2007 at the Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge. This forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, East Cambridge Planning Team, East End House and the Cambridge Chronicle.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Edward Sullivan speaks at the candidate panel on October 3, 2007 at Cambridge College. This forum was moderated by Steve Miller, founder of Livable Streets Alliance, and sponsored by Green Decade Cambridge, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Alewife Reservation, Green Streets Initiative, Harvest Co-op, Harvard Green Campus Initiative, Mass. Sierra Club, Mystic River Watershed Association, Clean water Action and ZipCar.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Edward Sullivan appeared on CCTV's "Inside City Hall," hosted by Ben Eisler on Tuesday October 9, 2007.
Labels:
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City Council,
Edward Sullivan,
Elections 2007,
MA
Cambridge MA Elections 2007 Seidel
Sam Seidel candidate for Cambridge MA City Council appears at the Progressive Democrats Candidate forum on September 5, 2007 at the City Wide Senior Center.
Sam Seidel Candidate for Cambridge MA City Council appeared on Cambridge Community Television as guest of Ben Eisler on Tuesday September 18, 2007.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Sam Seidel speaks at the Candidate forum on September 26, 2007 at the Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge. This forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, East Cambridge Planning Team, East End House and the Cambridge Chronicle.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Sam Seidel speaks at the candidate panel on October 3, 2007 at Cambridge College. This forum was moderated by Steve Miller, founder of Livable Streets Alliance, and sponsored by Green Decade Cambridge, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Alewife Reservation, Green Streets Initiative, Harvest Co-op, Harvard Green Campus Initiative, Mass. Sierra Club, Mystic River Watershed Association, Clean water Action and ZipCar.
Labels:
Cambridge,
City Council,
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MA,
Sam Seidel
Cambridge MA Elections 2007 Moore
Kevin Moore first-time candidate for Cambridge MA City Council appears at the Progressive Democrats Candidate forum on September 5, 2007 at the City Wide Senior Center.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Kevin Moore speaks at the Candiate forum on September 26, 2007 at the Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge. This forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, East Cambridge Planning Team, East End House and the Cambridge Chronicle.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Kevin Moore appeared on CCTV's "Inside City Hall," hosted by Ben Eisler on Tuesday October 2, 2007.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Kevin Moore speaks at the candidate panel on October 3, 2007 at Cambridge College. This forum was moderated by Steve Miller, founder of Livable Streets Alliance, and sponsored by Green Decade Cambridge, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Alewife Reservation, Green Streets Initiative, Harvest Co-op, Harvard Green Campus Initiative, Mass. Sierra Club, Mystic River Watershed Association, Clean water Action and ZipCar.
Labels:
Cambridge MA,
City Council,
Elections 2007,
Kevin Moore
Cambridge MA Elections 2007 Janik
Jonathan Janik first-time candidate for Cambridge MA City Council appears at the Progressive Democrats Candidate forum on September 5, 2007 at the City Wide Senior Center.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Jonathan Janik speaks at the Candiate forum on September 26, 2007 at the Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge. This forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, East Cambridge Planning Team, East End House and the Cambridge Chronicle.
Labels:
Cambridge MA,
City Council,
Elections 2007,
Jonathan Janik
Thursday, September 13, 2007
September 10 2007 Roy Bercaw at Cambridge MA City Council
Speaking as the Chief Physician's Assistant for the Mid Cambridge Chapter of the American Association of Politicians who Support Assisted Suicide of the United States, Concerned Citizen Roy Bercaw, suggests that telling the Cambridge City government to obey the law is like telling an alcoholic to stop drinking. He urges the Council to beautify the intersection of Lincoln Way and Windsor Street by hiring Jennifer Anniston and Lindsay Lohan to stand there and sign autographs. He asks for equal treatment of Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton to get streets named for them as for the millionaire movie stars Damon and Affleck.
In a serous tone he observes that the request to the City Manager to evaluate the City's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is silly in view of the many previous requests which he effectively ignored. He exposes the unlawful failure of the Superintendent of Schools to include persons with disabilities in his affirmative action hiring report. He laments the focus on persons of color at the expense of persons with disabilities.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Cambridge MA Elections 2007 Moree
Gregg Moree first time candidate for City Council appeared on Cambridge Community Televsion on Sunday September 9, 2007. These are his comments with the questions edited.
Gregg Moree appears at the Progressive Democrats Candidate forum on September 5, 2007 at the City Wide Senior Center.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Gregg Moree speaks at the Candiate forum on September 26, 2007 at the Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge. This forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, East Cambridge Planning Team, East End House and the Cambridge Chronicle.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Gregg Moree appeared on CCTV's Canmbridge Environment hosted by Robert LaTremouille on Sunday September 30, 2007. This is Part 1 0f 2.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Gregg Moree appeared on CCTV's Canmbridge Environment hosted by Robert LaTremouille on Sunday September 30, 2007. This is Part 2 of 2.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Gregg Moree speaks at the candidate panel on October 3, 2007 at Cambridge College. This forum was moderated by Steve Miller, founder of Livable Streets Alliance, and sponsored by Green Decade Cambridge, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Alewife Reservation, Green Streets Initiative, Harvest Co-op, Harvard Green Campus Initiative, Mass. Sierra Club, Mystic River Watershed Association, Clean water Action and ZipCar.
Cambridge MA Elections 2007 Podgers
Kathy Podgers first time candidate for City Council appeared on the Cambridge Community Television Show "Inside City Hall," hosted by Ben Eisler on Tuesday September 11, 2007. Here are her comments with the questions edited.
Kathryn Podgers appears at the Progressive Democrats Candidate forum on September 5, 2007 at the City Wide Senior Center.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Kathy Podgers speaks at the Candiate forum on September 26, 2007 at the Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge. This forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, East Cambridge Planning Team, East End House and the Cambridge Chronicle.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Kathy Podgers speaks at the candidate panel on October 3, 2007 at Cambridge College. This forum was moderated by Steve Miller, founder of Livable Streets Alliance, and sponsored by Green Decade Cambridge, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Alewife Reservation, Green Streets Initiative, Harvest Co-op, Harvard Green Campus Initiative, Mass. Sierra Club, Mystic River Watershed Association, Clean water Action and ZipCar.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
MA State Senate Panel (5 of 5) Sep 6 2007
In this clip Former MA Attorney General Scott Harshbarger asks the candidiates how they would address Harvard University's massive real estate expansion in the Allston section of Boston so that the neighborhood remains viable. The candiates give their closing statements.
Larry the Water Guy makes a second bottled water delivery.The Premier Observer of Cambridge Politics makes a cameo appearance.
MA State Senate Panel (4 of 5) Sep 6 2007
In this clip former MA Attorney General Scott Harshbarger asks the candidates how to provide accountability in public education, and their thoughts on the MCAS test.
Mort Zuckerman and John McLaughlin make cameo appearances.
MA State Senate Panel (3 of 5) Sep 6 2007
In this clip the candidates ask each other questions. Anthony Galluccio asks what the other candidates would do to get to know young people in the district. Paul Nowicki asks if the others will be a full time senator if elected, and not hold another job.
Paris Hilton and John McLaughlin make cameo apprearances.
MA State Senate Panel (2 of 5) Sep 6 2007
In this clip the four candidates ask each other questions. Tim Flaherty asks if there are any personal incidents that would cause regrets over being endorsed. Jeff Ross asks if the other candidates support casino gambling and if they are being supported by any casino proponents.
Friday, September 7, 2007
MA State Senate Panel (1 of 5) Sep 6 2007
On September 6, 2007 the Cambridge MA City Democratic Committee sponsored a candidate panel for the Essex Middlesex Suffolk state senate special election. The moderator was Scott Harshbarger, former MA Attorney General and former Chairman of Common Cause.
Four candidates participated: Anthony Galluccio, Cambridge City Councilor, former Mayor; Tim Flaherty, Private Attorney; Paul Nowicki, Chelsea, MA City Council President; and Jeff Ross, Private Attorney. This 8 minute clip shows their opening statements and a brief bear hug.
Harshbarger and Flaherty said that the panel was "For you" (the voter), "not them" (the candidiates). Nonetheless there were two bottled water deliveries by Larry the water guy and none for the voters. 12 front row seats were reserved for VIPs, who never appeared. Other public officials who attended were introduced by Harshbarger, Nowicki and Flaherty. No ordinary citizen voters were mentioned. The Premier Observer of Cambridge politics makes a cameo appearance.
This is part one of five clips. See also the two clips from the August 16, 2007 Progressive Democrats panel.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Cambridge MA Role Models 4
At about midnight on August 31, 2007 two Harvard Real Estate Facilities Maintenance trucks were parked in a bus stop at the intersection of Broadway and Quincy Street. This is not atypical. Harvard's employees and their contractors ignore laws and ordinances because of their great wealth and prestige. What are they teaching their students? New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is a Harvard lawyer.
State Senate Republicans allege that "top Spitzer aides [used] the State Police to gather information designed to damage or destroy" State Senator Joe Bruno. (Fredric U. Dicker, "Joe set to sic probers on gov," New York Post, September 3, 2007, page 8) If the broken window theory of policing applies to humans, and politicians and Harvard employees claim to be human perhaps there are more serious crimes being committed by these wrongdoers.
Cambridge MA Guarantease?
In Harvard's Host City, Cambridge MA businesses occasionally spell it like it sounds.
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Cambridge MA,
Harvard's Host City
Monday, September 3, 2007
Cambridge MA Role Models 3
Cambridge fights global warming? Cambridge MA is the incubator for limousine liberals, who promote global warming as the highest priority of government and American civilians. Cambridge is the host city to Harvard University and to MIT. In this brief video clip on September 2, 2007 (temperature was about 72 degrees F) the front of Cambridge Hospital's new building is shown with floor to ceiling glass walls. Cambridge taxpayers give $6 million this year to the Hospital for operating costs. There are no curtains and no shades for these window walls. In the heat of summer when the hospital's air conditioning cools the inside, heat enters from the outside through these windows. In the cold of winter the heated hospital provides heat to the outside through these same windows. The energy used to heat and to cool the hospital is wasted due to negligence of the planners and administrators who fail to use basic materials to save energy.
The total construction costs for the latest expansion in the 1990s was $41.3 million. The architect was Payette Associates Inc., 285 Summer Street, Boston, MA. The interior designer was Warner + Associates, Inc., 192 South Street, Boston, MA.
The administration of Cambridge Health Alliance which owns the Cambridge Hospital includes many former public officials and Cambridge City officials. They are almost uniformly liberal Democrats. Cambridge Hospital is a Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital. Are they teaching civilians how to waste energy and how to be hypocrites in the name of healing people?
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Harvard University Helps the Homeless?
Harvard University has an endowment worth $34.9 billion. They earned 23 percent on their investments last year. They earn more than $20 million per day in interest.
Harvard endowment has 7-year best, hits $34.9b
By Steven Syre,
Boston Globe Staff
August 22, 2007
Harvard University's endowment grew to $34.9 billion thanks to investment
returns of 23 percent in the fiscal year ended June 30, its best performance in
seven years, the university said yesterday.
[...]
Its emerging markets portfolio, the best single performer, surged 44 percent.
[...]
Steven Syre can be reached at syre@globe.com.
Harvard's real estate division is building an empire in the Boston Cambridge area. How is this different from Saddam Hussein? Instead of his picture on the buildings they put their motto, "VE-RI-TAS."
Less than one block from the main Harvard campus a group of people with no homes sleep in storefronts in Harvard Square Cambridge MA.
Questions include what is being taught at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government? What is being taught at this prestigious University?
Saturday, August 25, 2007
CAMBRIDGE MA PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS PANEL Part 2 of 2
This is the second of two video clips of a candidate panel sponsored by the Cambridge Progressive Democrats on August 16, 2007. Three of the four candidates for special state senate
election appeared; private attorney Tim Flaherty, former Cambridge Mayor and City Councilor Anthony Galluccio; and private attorney Jeff Ross. The moderator asking questions is Lesley Phillips. Also making an appearance is City Council wannabe, and the "Premier Observer of
Cambridge Politics."
Labels:
Cambridge MA,
Progressive Democrats,
State Senate
Monday, August 20, 2007
Boston MA City Hall Plaza, Feathered Biped Visitors
A short viewing of the buildings at Boston MA City Hall Plaza. Close ups of resident and visiting feathered bipeds.
Boston MA Harbor Recreational Boats, Sites
A brief view of recreational boating and nearby sites of Boston MA Harbor.
Cambridge MA Progressive Democrats Panel Aug 16 2007 Part 1 of 2
On Thursday Aug. 16, 2007 the Progressive Democrats of Cambridge held a candidate panel at the Masonic Hall. Three candidates for the special State Senate election for Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex appeared. The primary election is September 11, 2007. This is a 4 minute clip of some of the questions and comments by the candidates.
Labels:
Anthony Galluccio,
Cambridge MA,
Jeff Ross,
State Senate,
Tim Flaherty
Friday, August 17, 2007
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Tells of Police Abuses
Kathryn "Kathy" Podgers tells of her experiences being harassed by Cambridge Police. She is a candidate for 2007 City Council. She appeared on the August 12, 2007 cable access TV show, "Cambridge Environment," hosted by Robert Latremouille. The show is broadcast each Sunday at 6:30 PM on CCTV.
Cambridge MA City Council Candidate Discusses Denial of Civil Rights
Kathryn "Kathy" Podgers speaks about denial of basic civil rights by the City of Cambridge for persons with disabilities. She discussed the abuses by Cambridge police on the August 12, 2007 Cambridge Cable Access TV Show, "Cambridge Environment" hosted by Robert LaTremouille. The show is broadcast on Sundays at 6:30 PM on CCTV.
Porter Square Hazard 2
Shortly after the Porter Square Neighborhood Association meeting ended on Thursday Aug.16, 2007 I saw this car pull out from the driveway behind the Passage to India restaurant at about 9:40 PM. The sign that is not easily seen was ignored. The driver made a dangerous left turn onto Mass Avenue northbound while traffic on Mass Avenue was proceeding legally.
Cambridge Role Models 2
This Cambridge Police patrol car was parked in a bus stop at about 1630 Mass Avenue near Linnaean Street, while the officer-driver was having dinner at Boca Raton at 1628 Mass Avenue at about 7:40 PM on Thursday Aug. 16, 2007.
Labels:
Abuse of Power,
Cambridge MA,
Illegal Parking,
POLICE,
Role Models
Monday, August 13, 2007
Cambridge MA Police Harass Council Candidate
Kathryn "Kathy" Podgers is a 2007 candidate for Cambridge City Council. She is a passionate advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities and for the environment. She refuses to accept the denial of rights which others enjoy, and demands accountability for the violations by the city government of city, state and US laws which protect persons with disabilities. On Saturday August 4, 2007, while inspecting the police log of incidents at the Cambridge Police station a police dog attacked Podger's service dog. The police did nothing to stop the attack. They made no record of it.
On a previous occasion the Police Commissioner, the City Attorney and a City Councilor threatened her with arrest as she attended a City Council meeting. There are other events which she describes briefly here. Few people recognize police harassing a person who wants to run for office as a problem. This is a serious offense about which few people in Cambridge want to know. This clip is from the August 12, 2007 Cambridge Cable Access (CCTV) TV show "Cambridge Environment" hosted by Robert LaTremouille on Sunday evenings at 6:30 PM.
MIT Truck Route
MIT assisting in maintaining the quality of life on Cambridge MA streets has opened a Truck Route on their main campus. Here you see part of it and an actual MIT truck riding along the truck route.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Harvard Square Idling Buses, Cambridge MA
On Mass Avenue near Harvard Yard at Linden Street in Cambridge, MA, tour buses park so their passengers can see the sights in Harvard Square and at Harvard University. On occasion the buses keep their motors running. Since many of them are from other states and some from Canada many drivers are unaware of the state law which limits idling of vehicles to five minutes. Here one of the three buses was idling.
Labels:
Cambridge MA,
Harvard University,
Idling Vehicles
Harvard Real Estate Fire Hazard
This clip shows a Harvard Real Estate contractor parked in the rear of 85-95 Prescott Street, Cambridge. The area is clearly marked as a Fire Zone with "No Parking" signs displayed. This is not the only instance of creating a fire hazard but it is the latest one I observed.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
July 30, 2007 Roy Bercaw speaks to City Council
Speaking as the Chief Referee of the Mid-Cambridge Symposium for the La Leche League of Massachusetts. Bercaw questions the priority of focusing on the treatment of egg-laying hens over persons with disabilities. He questions the focus on negative images of women of color in the media, when there is no concern for the negative stereotyping of persons with disabilities. Bercaw laments the absence of prostate services at the Windsor Street clinic about which women throw a tantrum because OB-GYN services are being moved. He questions why there are no equal rights for egg-laying hens under Roe V Wade, why roosters are permitted to sexually harass the egg-laying hens.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Michael Sullivan, Cambridge, MA City Councilor, Court Clerk
Cambridge City Councilor Michael Sullivan announced that he will not run for re-election to the City Council this year. He will keep his position as Middlesex Court Clerk. He thanked the public for their outpouring of love and support for the loss of his uncle Edward Sullivan also a prominent former City Councilor, Mayor and Court Clerk.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Cambridge MA Role Models
Cambridge Police car parked in No Parking zone and next to a fire hydrant at 875 Mass Avenue at Lee Street.
Cambridge City Attorney one of 180 Cambridge, MA employees who earn more than $100,000/year looks at the lens.
Cambridge MA City Attorney parked illegally on Bishop Allen Drive at Inman Street.
Cambridge Mayor Ken Reeves taking a nap during candidate panel discussion.
Cambridge police car parked at stop sign on Dana Street at Mass Avenue.
Cambridge DPW truck parks blocking a driveway at City Hall.
Cambridge City Attorney parks at another expired meter on Inman Street.
Cambridge City van parks on Bigelow Street on the corner with Mass Avenue in a No Parking zone.
One of many public officials with Blue Police plates parked illegally at Inman Street and Bishop Allen Drive.
Cambridge City Attorney parks on Inman Street near City Hall blocking a driveway.
This Cambridge police van is parked in a bus stop on Broadway near Fayette Street.
A Taxi joins the Cambridge patrol car in the bus stop at Dana Street and Mass Avenue.
This Cambridge Patrol Car is parked in a bus stop at Mass and Dana Street.
This Harvard University Police car is parked illegally on Mass Avenue, a main thoroughfare in Cambridge, MA. It is across the street from the newest Harvard Police headquarters near Ellery Street between Harvard Square and Central Square. The HUPD has a garage and a off-street rear parking lot which they do not use. This is a regular practice of the HUPD. The City ignores this abuse of police power.
The politicians lament that young people do not cooperate with the police to solve violent crime. Could it be that young people see police violate laws and take their cue from the police role models?
The "Broken Window" theory of policing is that stopping minor offenses usually leads to solving more serious crime. The same perps who commit minor offenses are usually doing serious crime as well. If this theory applies to humans then it must apply also to police who claim to be human.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Free Cribs in Harvard Square, Cambridge MA
The lobby of the Harvard COOP in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA, managed by Barnes and Nobles is an open air slumber yard after closing time. Only three patrons were present this summer night.
Labels:
Barnes and Nobles,
Cambridge MA,
Harvard COOP,
Harvard Square
Cambridge MA Honors Edward Sullivan
Former Mayor, City Councilor and Middlesex Court Clerk Edward Sullivan was honored by the City of Cambridge on Friday July 27, 2007. His body lied in state in the City Council Chambers named for his family. His friends and admirers line up to for the viewing. His brother Walter was also a Mayor and City Councilor. His nephew Michael is a City Councilor and succeeded him as Court Clerk.
Cambridge MA Honors Diddle
The Cambridge City Council honors citizens for many reasons. In this case they name a Square (intersection) for Isadore "Diddle" Doctoroff.
Labels:
Cambridge MA,
Isadore "Diddle" Doctoroff,
Tributes
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Iranian Photographic Exhibit at Harvard University
This photo exhibit of Iranian propaganda was on display at Harvard University's new Center for Government and International Affairs during July 2007.
Curious Cambridge MA Sign
When leaving the parking lot of this 7-11 in Cambridge MA (host city of Harvard University and MIT) the sign gives confusing directions.
Labels:
7-11,
Cambridge,
Harvard University,
MA,
MIT,
Traffic Signs
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Cambridge MA Cuts Down 7-9 Trees
Cambridge MA Arborist will hold hearings to permit the destruction of 7-9 trees on Cambridge Street near the War Memorial scheduled for reconstruction. Signs are on all of the trees coming down.
Cambridge Research Park
A massive construction project is underway near Kendall Square by Lyme Properties. They are building new housing, new office space for research and development and a theater. This is what it looks like on July 13, 2007.
Labels:
Cambridge,
Cambridge MA,
Lyme Properties,
Research Park
Three Buses Idling Near MIT
Cambridge MA City Councilors often urge the City Manager to enforce state laws on 5-minute idling limit for all vehicles. This is part to enhance their image as environmentally concerned officials.
But it is easier said than done. It is not a high priority item for police especially during busy periods. Police dispatchers promise to send a patrol car and no car ever arrives. On occasion Cambridge civilian police dispatchers divert calls to the special campus police. But they seldom enforce these quality of life laws. They are only empowered to make arrests on university property in any case.
The three buses in this clip were idling near MIT. When I began filming two of them drove away. The driver of a third confronted me asking why I was taping "for five minutes." I explained that I like buses.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Friends of the Charles River White Geese, Cambridge, MA
Marilyn Wellons narrates this 17-minute video made in 2001, showing the Charles River White Geese at the Goose Meadow near the Boston University Bridge, Cambridge MA.
Sidewalk Hazards at Harvard University
UPDATE:(On Wednesday August 1, 2007 that portion of sidewalk was under construction creating a curb cut and ramp. A second ramp is already installed further down Oxford Street near the second current crosswalk.) On Tuesday July 10, 2007 at about 9:00 PM a woman using a wheelchair rolled down the ramp at Harvard's Science Center on Oxford Street. A shuttle bus idled nearby. The student using a wheelchair did not board the shuttle.
She bounced down the curb, at the permanent crosswalk at that location. The sidewalk on the other side of Oxford Street is broken with large gaps. It is a hazard for all pedestrians.
This shows that Harvard has no concern for persons with disabilities. It is a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act, The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Mass General Laws Chapter 151 B, and Cambridge City Ordinance.
Appearing spontaneously is a private Harvard security vehicle which drives onto and across the broken sidewalk. Perhaps this is why the sidewalk is broken. But it does not explain why it remains broken.
Money is not an issue for the City of Cambridge nor for Harvard University. Neither hurt for funds. It shows the contempt for law and for persons with disabilities. The broken sidewalk shows contempt for all pedestrians including Harvard's own students.
The city remains unconcerned unless someone files a complaint as the City Manager and the City Council demand. The sidewalk remains non compliant with city, state and US laws. No taxpayer funded city and state employees nor the Disability Coordinator for Harvard show concern about this overt violation of the right to travel for persons with disabilities.
The City Council reminds their flatterers that there are few complaints about what they do. They declare that the silence they hear tells them that they are doing a great job. But when a few people raise the issue of institutionalized violations denying basic rights to persons with disabilities they do not hear.
Elected officials remain clueless that when a person does speak out about abuses, politicians and appointed public officials abuse police powers, having police associates harass and threaten the person who dares to speak out. That is the silence that the self serving councilors hear.
The City Council of Cambridge, MA the City Manager and Harvard University show their contempt for laws and for persons with disabilities.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Cambridge MA City Solicitor Parks Illegally
These photos were taken in June 2004. I had no blog at the time and the local newspapers refused to publish them. Cambridge MA City Solicitor, Donald Drisdell sits in his illegally parked car at the corner of Bishop Allen Drive and Inman Street near City Hall. He earns more than $125,000 per year and parks illegally regularly. City Parking and Traffic enforcement officers explain that even if they gave his vehicle a ticket it would be "knocked down." Drisdell along with a few other City officials have blue Massachusetts police license plates on his car as can be seen in other photos. In these photos he is parked too near the corner, the crosswalk, and too near a Stop Sign; but also other violations as can be seen from the four signs in addition to the Stop Sign where he is parked. On other occasions he parked at meters along Inman Street for several hours contrary to city ordinance. This is typical of the way that city officials show their contempt for law and abuse their power. If the "Broken Window" theory of policing applies to humans, this would suggest that there are greater concerns about the way that the City Solicitor does business.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
New York City Police Use Sound Weapons
This clip from a feature produced by Alex Jones, Austin, Texas videographer, shows military sound weapons mounted on NYPD trucks. This was filmed during the Republican National Convention in NYC August, 2004. In this instance they were used for crowd control.
A variety of interest groups use similar weapons testing them on unpopular persons in this country. Psychologists, police and FBI informants, organized crime families all use these devices to harass their targets. In some areas for profit corporations run illegal businesses with police protection harassing persons for personal, political and economic purposes.
Cambridge MA Firemen Respond to Smoky Restaurant
Cambridge MA Fire Department responded to a smoky restaurant on Saturday July 7, 2007 at about 6:30 PM. Patrons of Koreana Restaurant at Broadway and Prospect Street were allowed back in to finish their dinners at about 7:00 PM.
A restaurant employee reported that there was smoke from the basement coming into the dining room. About 8 fire vehicles and three Cambridge patrol cars were on the scene. Prospect Street was closed for a while between Harvard Street and Broadway. # 83 and # 91 buses detoured around that block.
Springfield Street at Inman Square, on the # 91 busline, was closed due to a street festival beginning at about 7:00 PM Saturday.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
MBTA Red Line Service Disruption July 3, 2007
A Red Line MBTA train was out of service at the Harvard Square station Tuesday afternoon July 3, 2007 during early rush hour. Shuttle buses were carrying riders to their stops. But many of them were over crowded and could not take on passengers at Porter Square just before 5:00 PM. In addition it appears that the MBTA is supporting the Cambridge City Council's anti obesity program, unlike the Mid Cambridge Neighborhood Association which holds ice cream socials.
There were no MBTA employees or signs at the entrance to the Porter Square station. Riders were taking the escalator down one platform to learn that there was no service. The up escalator was not working. Riders had to climb 60 stairs to get to the shuttle buses.
Labels:
Cambridge (MA) City Council,
Cambridge MA,
Mass Transit,
MBTA,
Red Line
Porter Square Traffic Hazard
A hidden driveway permits dangerous entrances into the traffic patterns of Porter Square. Leaving the driveway when traffic is stopped on Mass Avenue in both directions vehicles exiting the parking lot behind the Passage to India Restaurant can cross Mass Avenue into pedestrian traffic with walk lights lit. The sign which says, "Right Arrow, only" is hidden to cars until they are almost upon the sign as can be seen in this brief video.
Regular users of the parking lot have been seen ignoring that sign creating a hazard for pedestrians.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
June 25, 2007 Roy Bercaw Speaks to City Council
Roy Bercaw speaking as the Vice President for Governmental and Community Affairs of the Mid Cambridge Chapter of the Spending Other People's Money Society, corrects the Scrivener's error in a resolution of condolences for the 9 Firefighters in South Carolina who died fighting a fire. The Council resolution which said it was North Carolina was not corrected at the meeting even after I noted it to the Council during public comment.
I revealed that the City of Cambridge has an official No Snitchin' policy. The city declared itself a sanctuary city and prohibits police from snitchin' on illegal immigrants. Nonetheless the City Council laments that young people refuse to cooperate with police in fighting crime.
I questioned allowing persons with disabilities who display a disability tag on their vehicles to park overtime at meters. I asked, "What happened to the equal protection clause?" What is more troubling is that the City excludes persons with disabilities from participating in city functions discussing discrimination, but they allow them to drive cars in the city? No wonder there are so many dangerous drivers.
June Full Moon with Flamingo Cambridge MA
On June 30, 2007 a full moon was visible over Cambridge MA. Perhaps as a result a neon flamingo was visible in the window of an apartment overlooking Cambridge Common. There is no evidence that it is related to the infamous Flamingo Hotel built by Ben "Bugsy" Seigel in Las Vegas.
Crimson Cleaners Closing
After 40 years at 1609 Mass Avenue, near Everett Street Crimson Cleaners is closing. The sign in their window says that Harvard University the landlord refuses to renew their lease.
Simmons Hall MIT
Simmons Hall looks like a concrete sponge. The new dorm at MIT in Cambridge MA has undefined spaces which students are encouraged to shape for their desired uses.
[MIT Press release]
Architects honor Simmons Hall
Sarah H. Wright, News Office
March 16, 2005
Simmons Hall has received the 2004 Harleston Parker Medal. Administered by the Boston Society of Architects, the Parker has been awarded since 1923 to the "most beautiful piece of architecture building, monument or structure" in the Boston area.
New York-based architect Stephen Holl designed Simmons, the striking 10-story MIT residence hall on Vassar Street that opened in September 2002. Holl's building is home to 350 undergraduates, faculty housemasters, visiting scholars and graduate assistants, and includes a computer cluster, a fitness center, music practice room, game room and street-level dining room with open-air seating.
[...]
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on March 16, 2005
Charles River Tourboat
A tourboat cruises down the Charles River passing MIT in Cambridge MA. The Boston Skyline can be seen as the boat approaches the Harvard Bridge, also called the Mass Avenue Bridge.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Cambridge MA Prepares for Moving 3 Harvard Houses
Cambridge MA Prepares for Moving 3 Harvard Houses
Beginning on Friday June 22, 2007 at 6:00 PM (until 5:00 AM Monday June 25, 2007) Cambridge, MA closed a 6-block section of Mass Avenue to facilitate Harvard University's move of three houses from one part of their campus two blocks to another part of their campus. This footage shows the effects of the preparations for the move.
On Thursday June 21 at about 11:00 PM an electronic warning sign appeared in Porter Square facing traffic coming from the section that was closed the next day. At about 5:00 PM Friday, one hour before the section of Mass Avenue was closed, three MBTA vehicles blocked one lane of northbound traffic on Mass Avenue at Porter Square.
At about 5:40 PM on Friday two more MBTA trucks blocked another lane of northbound traffic at Mass Avenue and Wendell Street. At 6:00 PM you can see the absence of traffic on Mass Avenue in front of the Epworth Church.
One resident commented to a TV station that it was like the blizzard of 1978 when the streets had no traffic and people could walk freely without fear.
Labels:
Cambridge MA,
Harvard University,
MBTA,
Moving Houses,
Traffic
Harvard University's Fountain
On the overpass in front of Harvard University's Science Center there is a spray fountain, which is active during summer months. Children, dogs and adults all play in the fountain. Many people just sit and watch. Here there are no people to be seen. It is a quiet time on campus after commencement and before summer school begins.
Labels:
Cambridge MA,
Harvard University,
Science Center
Mid Cambridge 2007 Ice Cream Social
Mid Cambridge Neighborhood Association 15th Annual Ice Cream Social, June 20, 2007. On Wednesday June 20, 2007 the Mid Cambridge Neighborhood Association held its 15th annual Ice Cream Social, promoting obesity in Cambridge. Doane Perry the current President gave a Good Neighbor Award to Penelope Kleespies. The Coordinating Committee posed for a group portrait. A joyous time was had by all including those who became more obese than they were before the party.
Red Sox Hat
Red Sox Hat
Someone abandoned his or her Red Sox Hat along the walk near Littauer Hall on the Harvard Campus. It looked as if it wanted to be taken home.
Labels:
Cambridge MA,
Harvard University,
Littauer Hall,
Red Sox Hat
June 18, 2007 Cambridge MA City Council Revisited.
Here is a brief revisit to the Cambridge MA City Council Meeting on June 18, 2007. The comments of the Councilors were edited for humor. Cambridge's Premier Observer of Politics was on hand scrutinizing what the council did. Guest appearances by Mort Zuckerman and John McLaughlin are fantasy.
MBTA Employee Hurt at Lechmere Station
At about 8:00 PM on Saturday June 23, 2007, an MBTA employee was given emergency care by Cambridge Fire Department EMTs at the Lechmere Green Line Station. He was talen away by private ambulance.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Cambridge MA, A World Class City?
Two of the several sidewalk bars and restaurants on Mass Avenue in Cambridge MA. The Mayor said he wants to make Cambridge a World Class City. Huh? Permitting bars to clutter more than half of the sidewalk encourages visitors who want to walk and see the city, how? There seems to be a disconnect between what the Councilors see and what is in this formerly industrial working class city that is now an upper class academic enclave. It is like children who have eyes bigger than their stomaches. They want to make it so, and think that by saying it and wishing it, it will make Cambridge a world class city.
Ted Kaczynski's Freshman Dorm at Harvard University
This building which is now houses Harvard University's Expository Writing program was a dorm when Ted Kaczynski was a student at Harvard. He lived in this building as a freshman when the university used him for medical research experiments.
Sunset on Memorial Drive Cambridge MA June 2007
Approaching the Boston University Bridge westbound on Memorial Drive, Cambridge MA at dusk, June 2007.
Sacramento Street Community Garden, Cambridge MA
Here's a brief tour of the community garden on Sacremento Street in Cambridge, MA in mid June 2007.
Promoting Obesity in Cambridge MA
Mid Cambridge Neighborhood Association advertises its Ice Cream Social. This conflicts with the Cambridge city policy of fighting obesity. This neighborhood association exhibits civil disobedience to a policy meant to save taxpayer funds from unnecessary repairs to roads and sidewalks from obese people walking and riding on them.
Cambridge City Council Resolution 32
On June 18, 2007, Cambridge City Councilor Henrietta Davis sponsored Resolution # 32 "Welcoming Mr. Sun Shousan and the delegation from the People's Republic of China's General Administration of Press and Publication to Cambridge." Five members of the public spoke against this resolution reporting to the City Council some serious abuses of human rights killing prisoners, selling their organs to medical professionals in the US, placing persons into psychiatric hospitals for their expression in China. One of the speaker's mother is being held at present.
After Councilor Craig Kelley expressed concerns about this resolution, Davis withdrew it. She said she was unaware of any "controversy." China's human rights abuses are known to persons who read newspapers. It is curious that a city official who admires the biotech industry is clueless about such prominent human rights abuses.
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