Moultrie, and a trip over to the Hunley will be included. I got Barb to agree to the Civil War part by informing her that the plantation used in "North and South" is on the way there, and being a worshipper of Patrick Swayze, she fell into my trap. On the ride home, a one-day stopover in Gettysburg is on the agenda.
I can't go so close and not stop by, can I? We have a room at the Sea Mist Resort in Myrtle Beach. 3 Beds, kitchen, bath, 2 TV's, and balcony, continental breakfast, weight room, pools and an indoor lazy river for $47.
00 a night. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/20/2005 01:51:00 PM 14 comments Personally, I know Barb and I are cutting back this year. Finishing up my degree, a tour of colleges in the Mid-Atlantic-Southern states for Seth November 26 - December 2 and my employment being downsized are going to make it a little less extravagant, but gifts aren't really the reason we celebrate, is it?
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/20/2005 09:16:00 AM 8 comments Alan Chartock's column in the Eagle this week chastises the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for mixing politics and public broadcasting. Chartock, have you ever listened to your own liberal megaphone, WAMC? # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/20/2005 09:11:00 AM 5 comments I expected to see all my holiday favorites here ,but some of this stuff is really unappetizing, if you ask me.
My all-time favorite, Apple Pie with Ice Cream, is right up front, though. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/20/2005 08:19:00 AM 1 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/19/2005 01:52:00 PM 1 comments When's the last time you got a 21% pay hike? # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/19/2005 11:19:00 AM 4 comments John's Saturday column in today's Transcript is full of more interesting websites for internet-bored minds.
By the way, John, I'm hooked on the Big Ben Banjo Band now, thanks...
.. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/19/2005 11:16:00 AM 6 comments These are some things that I think about as I reside here in North Adams, and usually forget to write down.
1) Do the people who hang out in front of Dunkin' Donuts ever go home? Joe's Court some sort of paper-attracting magnet? 3) Do the Whoopie Pies at Molly's contain some sort of addicting sweetener?
5) Speaking of Wal-Mart, is all that stuff really "Sam's Choice?" 6) Did 1st Hartford ever consider leaving the K-mart building as a pigeon conservatory? 7) How many more newspapers can we fit in the Transcript building?
8) Is the stuff oozing out of the vents at Jack's Hot Dogs toxic? 9) Shouldn't the "Family Dollar" be called "Your Tax Dollars?" 10) Do guests at the Porches ever say "Good Morning" to the people headed to the Soup Kitchen?
11) How many of you have looked for that damn bird that chirps in perfect 1-second increments at the corner of Main and Marshall Streets? Just stuff that boggles me..
..There's more to come.
.. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/19/2005 11:00:00 AM 7 comments News media types, newspapers in particular, are looking to toughen the states 47 year old Open Meeting Law .
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/18/2005 03:37:00 PM 5 comments A report of a swastika on the Freel Library on the MCLA campus is being investigated by the college. Apparently, no one knows for sure if there was one. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/18/2005 12:42:00 PM 2 comments Councilor-Elect Chris Tremblay was the big spender in the recent City Council race here in North Adams.
He spent a total of $2,017.19 up to the October 19th reporting period. Another campaign report is due in January to cover the rest of the campaign.
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/18/2005 12:37:00 PM 11 comments I'm sure I'll catch flak for publishing this story, but City Councilor-Elect Chris Tremblay was ordered by the Northern Berkshire District Court Assistant Clerk Magistrate Dennis D'Archangelo to remove the sign at his "Berkshire's Best" business on Union Street. The hearing was continued until December 15th. There was no discussion about the removal of fines accrued since the episode began last summer, according to Planning Board Chairman Mike Leary.
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/18/2005 12:33:00 PM 26 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/18/2005 09:29:00 AM 0 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/17/2005 06:29:00 AM 1 comments nude dancing at the Mountainview Restaurant was continued until December 7th last evening at Clarksburg Town Hall. While I myself am opposed to such a club, the residents of Clarksburg are beginning to act a little unprofessional in their opposition ie: swearing in a public meeting, mocking the owners of the restaurant, and shouting down someone when they try to speak. Must get it from their owner.
Here's the Transcripts version of the events. Are they returning to the reincarnation of Tallulah Falls? Who will guess this reference?
? # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/17/2005 06:24:00 AM 3 comments The House defeated a plan put forward by Gov. Mitt Romney to restore the death penalty in Massachusetts, in cases of terrorism, serial killing or murdering police officers or other public servants.
They were worried innocent people might still be executed. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/16/2005 06:44:00 AM 2 comments The owner of the Mountainview restaurant has told his side of the nude dancing story to the Berkshire Eagle . Finally, someone else reiterates what I said 3 years ago about the Board.
And you chastised me for "not having the Boards' support" during the election. Here is Mr. Milazzo's letter, in its entirety, from The Transcript .
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/16/2005 06:26:00 AM 12 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/15/2005 09:55:00 PM 8 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/15/2005 07:29:00 PM 26 comments meeting from the Transcript. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/15/2005 11:42:00 AM 3 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/15/2005 11:41:00 AM 1 comments nameless seem to think that the City Council is violating Open Meeting Law with their sub-committee meetings, I am giving you the link to the actual Open Meeting Law here in Massachusetts. Read through it, and let me know what you find that proves any violations.
For lack of a better name, let's call the blog "The New and Unimproved NorthAdamsFree.com" # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/15/2005 08:11:00 AM 7 comments Transcript editorial does a good job of making the point that when the news reporter becomes the news, it is time to move on. Ruining a perfectly good editorial by showing your liberal slant only serves to make your point less believable.
Why couldn't you say "Al Franken," or "Randi Rhodes" or "Janeane Garofalo" instead of Rush Limbaugh? They are as inflammatory, as argumentative as Limbaugh, only they appear on "Air America", the liberal network with one tenth the listening audience. (In a side note, I found it amusing that when you use "Spellcheck" on Janeane Garofalo, Janeane becomes "canine", and Garofalo becomes "gruffly".
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/14/2005 12:55:00 PM 10 comments It makes for interesting reading. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/14/2005 12:54:00 PM 4 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/14/2005 06:28:00 AM 9 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/13/2005 02:13:00 PM 2 comments Have you ever watched "7th Heaven" ? I cannot believe it lasted 10 seasons.
Watching an episode would give anyone diabetes. This show is sappier than Vermont in March. Too bad about "Arrested Development.
" # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/12/2005 09:48:00 AM 1 comments Taking lessons from this guy might have won me that darn election. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/12/2005 09:30:00 AM 3 comments The only thing missing from this story on an unreputable stove dealer is the name of the business. We need to warn people of unscrupulous businesses.
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/12/2005 09:28:00 AM 5 comments John Mitchell (Last Visible Blog) begins a three-part series on the Bible. Part 2 on Monday, I assume. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/12/2005 09:26:00 AM 0 comments The History of Veterans Day November 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.
S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day -- the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislature that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.
'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans. In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S.
Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill insured three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day.
Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971.
Finally on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on November 11.
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/11/2005 09:05:00 PM 1 comments Vox Communications has let News Director Ted Bassani go. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/11/2005 12:57:00 PM 5 comments This is proof that (some) candidates in North Adams start their political careers too late, and in the wrong office. If the shoe fits, wear it.
.. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/11/2005 09:19:00 AM 3 comments Here's the proof that I am going to be good for something.
A Renewable Energy Source for the (m)asses...
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/11/2005 09:10:00 AM 2 comments A rather tense City Council meeting in North Adams last night, as Ted Basanni, Mike Deep, and former Council candidate Eric Buddington all spoke (or attemted to speak) during the open forum part of the meeting. Buried at the bottom, is the concern that there were problems with the voting machines Tuesday. Here's the Transcript's story.
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/10/2005 06:26:00 AM 12 comments A story out of the MCLA Beacon today. A student fell 8 feet while adjusting posters, cracked her head open, Public Safety called, alcohol and marijuana found, but all she can do is complain about every step the college has made during the incident. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/10/2005 06:22:00 AM 7 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/09/2005 03:53:00 PM 22 comments Vanilla Coke and Diet Vanilla Coke by the end of the year.
Rumor has it that Coke with Lemon (Ever taste Pledge?) is on the way out, also. They are replacing it with Black Cherry and Black Cherry Vanilla, in both regular and Diet brands.
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/09/2005 01:38:00 PM 13 comments defended their combined $30 BILLION dollar profits in the last quarter. You remember that, right? When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita pushed our gas prices over $3.
25 a gallon? # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/09/2005 01:32:00 PM 3 comments concerns of not making record profi..
..er.
..oil shortages, yeah, that's it, oil shortages this winter.
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/09/2005 01:31:00 PM 1 comments Here it is, the story you've all been waiting for. I fought the good fight, but it just wasn't enough. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/09/2005 06:04:00 AM 1 comments The unofficial tally in the Mayoral race, by ward.
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/09/2005 06:02:00 AM 0 comments Here's the unofficial tally by ward. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/09/2005 06:01:00 AM 0 comments Back on October 10th, we cracked 1,000 visitors, and 3,000 hits after 5 and a half months. In the last month month, we did 1,000 visitors, and over 2,400 hits.
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/09/2005 06:00:00 AM 0 comments I gave it my best shot, but fell 138 votes short. Snoop, Southview, CJTRem, and anyone else who feels the need, go ahead and yuk it up at my expense. 10th place, 981 votes.
...
There were some problems with the voting machines, but you have to trust the counters...
.Did Bill Donovans' 651 votes hurt my chances, maybe..
but the people have spoken...
.. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/08/2005 08:29:00 PM 20 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/08/2005 08:28:00 PM 1 comments A great story by The Transcripts' Ben Fleming on Saturdays' 23-8 Blue Devil win over Hoosac.
Too bad the Eagle decided not to run a story yesterday, and regulated the story to an interior page today. What's up with that, Eagle? # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/07/2005 12:52:00 PM 1 comments Happy Birthday to Billy Graham, who was born November 7th, 1918.
Graham, or well wishes to Christopher Knight (Peter Brady). # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/07/2005 06:57:00 AM 1 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/05/2005 11:28:00 AM 14 comments Way to go Blue Devils!!
It's the anual Blue Devils vs Hurricane Classic today in Cheshire. The Blue Devils have a chance to win 2 in a row since the '74-'75 season. Good luck to the Blue Devils, especially Seniors Seth Etman, Steve Bopp, Ryan Brule, Logan O'Neill, Matt Moulton, and Ahren Tatro.
# posted by Andy Etman @ 11/05/2005 08:22:00 AM 2 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/05/2005 08:13:00 AM 3 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/05/2005 08:07:00 AM 1 comments Since the 4 local media outlets (Transcript, Eagle, WNAW, iberkshires.com) all refused to print this Press Release, I'm posting it here. In a statement released today, candidate for North Adams City Council Andrew Etman blasted fellow candidate Christopher Tremblay for his support of revising the city’s tax classification code, and shifting the burden to the residential homeowners.
“North Adams has had a split tax classification since 1981, which has enabled the city to have an average tax bill that is among the lowest 4% in the state” said Etman. “North Adams is an affordable community for families to purchase homes in, and if Mr. Tremblay had his way, the average tax bill would increase by $200 to $300 dollars.
” At the Candidates Forum on October 26th, Mr. Tremblay advocated changing the city’s tax classification code and shifting the obligation to the residential rate to make things “fairer.” “Unlike the new “ideas” and “proposals” coming from the other candidates, tax classification is a responsibility that the City Council actually has control over and votes on,” said Etman.
“ To shift the burden to the residential homeowners is just not right. Tremblay said he wouldn't mind paying more residential tax in favor of a lowered commercial rate. Of course he wouldn't.
A lowered commercial rate would save him money. His plan will not cost him one dime more in overall taxes!" Tremblay has repeatedly denied that he has a “special interest” he supports.
Shifting the tax load to the families of North Adams exposes the fact he has a special interest- taking care of his commercial customers.” North Adams is an affordable city to live in,” said Etman. Tremblay has turned his back on that fact, and the people of North Adams.
When I am elected to the City Council November 8th, I will continue to support a classification code that benefits our residential homeowners.” # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/05/2005 07:16:00 AM 5 comments Tremblay ,paints a rosey picture of life in Tremblay World. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/05/2005 07:14:00 AM 0 comments Transcript City Council endorsements mirror the Eagles' from Thursday, with the exception of replacing Rob Boucher with Kelly Lee.
I say again, a person should not be elected just because the belong to a certain group, ie: the "arts" community. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/05/2005 07:10:00 AM 0 comments # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/05/2005 07:07:00 AM 4 comments Transcript on the Mayor, with some input from his challenger, Walter "I'm Back" Smith. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/05/2005 07:06:00 AM 0 comments Today's Transcript bio is of Mayor John Barrett III.
Following up will be the bio of Walte...
um...
never mind. # posted by Andy Etman @ 11/04/2005 01:04:00 PM 4 comments We are going to need a clarification here. Which Tremblay is which?
This one will save the city, while this one will destroy it. Moultrie, and a trip over to the Hunley will be included.
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