2008 Year End Wrap Up, Part 2
Continuing a prior post on the best and worst of 2008, let’s move on to a few more topics.
Most Under-Reported Story
The problems in the Worcester Public School system. According to the Worcester Regional Research Bureau’s report, Benchmarking Public Education in Worcester 2008, student enrollment dropped 8.2% from 2003 to 2007 while the budget grew 11.41%. In what world does that make any kind of sense? The city has to get control of spiraling retirement costs (up 29.13% from 03 to 07) and health insurance costs (up 72.57% over the same time period). For instance, why in the world aren’t our teachers provided with a health insurance option like the much more affordable Group Insurance Commission, which is available to state employees? From what I’m told, the teacher’s union is dead set against this as they use health insurance as a way of hiding pay raises and other teacher benefits.
Best Political Drama
Without a doubt, the corruption on Beacon Hill. House Speaker Sal DiMasi’s accountant indicted, former State Senator Dianne Wilkerson arrested for taking bribes, Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner arrested for taking bribes...need I say more?!? Oh, I almost forgot State Senator Jim Marzilli and his arrest on multiple counts of assault, disorderly conduct, and something in the lewd behavior category!
Worst News for Worcester
The supposed development of CitySquare. Developer Young Park is dragging his feet, the City Council looks like a bunch of boobs in their negotiations with his firm, and the dual tax structure is killing downtown.
Btw, extra boos to City Councilor Michael Germain who had the gall to chide the business community for “not engaging the council on the tax-rate issue until the night of the tax classification hearing.” (Telegram, Nov 26, 2008). I’ve been a Worcester resident for over 20 years and ever since I moved to town, businesses have been complaining about the dual tax structure that was put in place in 1984. In what sand dune has Mr. Germain been sticking his head?
Best Use of Local Taxpayer Money
Give it back to the taxpayers! Speaking of which, what happened to the property tax relief Governor Patrick promised throughout his campaign? That’s all he talked about for months on end. Even when the budget looked good, he cried “poor man” and turned his backs on the taxpayers. Is anyone surprised?
And here’s a fun roundup of Worcester Online 2008 by Jeff at Wormtown Taxi.