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Welcome to the DracutInfo forum.
This is a moderated forum used to discuss issues and topics that relate to the Town of Dracut.
Remember: A forum contains personal opinions and ideas not necessarily facts and truth.�
Some information may need to be taken with a grain of salt while some may need the whole shaker!� ;-)

Dracut Information Resource

Loved your post, Dennis . . . -- Math Girl, 21:29:19 10/29/01 Mon
Dennis--

I've always enjoyed your writing, but your most recent piece in "Copious Notes" was very articulate and trenchant. Big kudos.

Math Girl

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Replies:
- Re: Loved your post, Dennis . . . -- admirer of this forum, 09:38:46 10/30/01 Tue
- Re: Loved your post, Dennis . . . -- SSS, 17:37:23 10/30/01 Tue
  - Re: Loved your post, Dennis . . . -- Math Girl, 18:03:45 10/30/01 Tue
    - Re: Loved your post, Dennis . . . -- Maggie, 08:20:24 10/31/01 Wed
DSN a mouthpiece -- Ron Eksrom, 10:37:49 10/29/01 Mon
Naturally, you are judging and not perceiving what you read in the paper. Warren Shaw has been writing columns in our paper for two months now. Can you identify a column that has been shamelessly self-promoting, self-serving or presetning some hidden agenda? I have had numerous compliments about the type of information Warren has shared in his columns. Naturally, you have a problem with Warren Shaw, otherwise why would you make such a comment.

Your statement presents a presuppostion about Mr. Shaw and this paper. Is it true? Of course not, but your statement focuses on the misconception that it MUST be true, so therefore it is.

Some of our columnists will be there to provide information, give views both humorous & political and yet others to present facts to the community so they can keep informed on issues that matter most. If you want to close your mind, make assumptions and judge things based on your preconceived notions, then so be it. For the rest of us, we'll go on trying to make a difference.

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Replies:
- Re: DSN a mouthpiece -- DSN a mouthful, 21:25:15 10/29/01 Mon
  - Re: DSN a mouthpiece -- Naturally, 20:27:13 10/30/01 Tue
    - Re: DSN a mouthpiece -- nighthawk, 13:06:57 10/31/01 Wed
- Re: What does "DSN" stand for? -- Call me stupid, 09:50:34 10/30/01 Tue
  - Re: What does "DSN" stand for? -- Math Girl, 10:02:57 10/30/01 Tue
- Re: DSN a mouthpiece -- Michael H., 18:40:51 10/30/01 Tue
New Town Hall -- Sharon Dupont, 18:30:14 10/28/01 Sun
Lets get the show on the road......
New Town Hall.....On the Que Pasa show I had mentioned that I would volunteer my time to help paint the town hall for its 300th birthday and I asked for help from the selectmen and others who would volunteer.
On the following Selectmens meeting Mr. Peindack (sp) announced that they had hired a contractor to paint the townhall. Is this showing fiscal responsibility?
So we are now looking to buy a town hall and then we have hired someone to paint the town hall-Did Mr. Peindack forget he said this on air? First of all everyone knows that buying property right now is a bad choice. Everything is high and prices will come down in a few years. I think we can wait 1-2 yrs.
"The Boys" do not fool the residents of Dracut......
Grinder pumps has a chance of winning.
A Special town meeting to be held same night Grinder pump article up? Meeting starts at 7:30 PM - Special meeting starts at 8:00 PM. Town Hall a hot item and Manager knows it will last for hours....Now the Residents on Forest Park Rd. are elderly and some handicapped....so lets keep them waiting and waiting and waiting like we did at the last Selectmens meeting when they asked us to return. (oops light bulb in selectmens heads..."Gee maybe most will go home.")

My suggestion - lets open the Special town meeting and recess and then finish the articles. After all, the articles were first and from what I am told they should go very smoothly. We will then continue with the Special town meeting.......
What do you say Mr. Williams, Mr. Oullette, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Ditillio, and Mr. O'Loughlin?
Oh, and P.S. For all of you that are on our side I want to thank you. I appreciate it. But another tidbit. Once our article is read and voted on - "From the time it is voted on we must stay for 1 hour after the vote." Someone within that hour can bring the article up for reconsideration. Again I am learning - I am learning well the game of Dracut politics.
Mr. Shaw, thank you so much for telling me on your radio show to do my homework. Am I getting an A+?

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Replies:
- Re: New Town Hall -- Sharon Dupont, 18:56:56 10/28/01 Sun
- Re: New Town Hall -- Kelly, 00:14:21 10/29/01 Mon
  - PS.. -- Kelly, 00:16:18 10/29/01 Mon
    - Re: PS.. -- shawn, 06:47:58 10/29/01 Mon
      - Re: PS.. -- Kelly, 10:05:36 10/29/01 Mon
Commentator or fence straddler, it all depends which way the wind is blowing -- Queen Rhubarb, 21:01:54 10/26/01 Fri
I couldn't help but notice in the latest issue of the Dispatch News where they're referring to something as a commentary which really reads more like a regular story. In the article labeled [New Town Hall/Grinder Pumps At Town Meeting] by Selectman Warren Shaw, it gives no recommendations, one way or the other, on how people should consider voting on these two items. You'd think the guy who wrote this story was so politically correct as if not to offend anybody or maybe he's looking for some votes in the next election. Either way you look at it, Mr. Shaw would probably make a good beat reporter but should lose the heading of [Commentary] unless he's willing to take a stand on something.

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Replies:
A New All-time Low for Boston Sports Fans -- Horizontal Harry, 08:17:40 10/22/01 Mon
I heard on one of the radio stations I listen to in the morning that they were urging Red Sox fans to root for the Yankees in this year's baseball play-offs. The rationale of this radio crew was to hope that the people of New York would be a little happier over the Yankees winning yet another World Series, and take their minds off the World Trade Center incident, if only for a short while.

Granted, as horrific as this incident was to people in Dracut, it was probably much, much worse for those who were in the immediate vicinity of Ground Zero this past Sept. 11th. However, I think that's a poor argument for me, a devout Boston sports fan, to root for the Yankees even for one baseball season.

Earlier this year, another radio station purchased a highway billboard in Denver, commending former Bruin Ray Borque for his team's success and urging him to help win the Stanley Cup for his many Boston fans. Borque did help his team to the Stanley Cup championship, but it wasn't for the people of Boston, but rather the people of Colorado.

These people can go on and say we should root for Doug Flutie (a native of Natick and B.C. alumni) if his team is ever in the NFL play-offs, whether Flutie is wearing a Patriot's jersey or not. Ditto, Tom Glavine (Billerica native), who's Atlanta Braves have made the baseball play-offs every year since '91.

The problem I'm having here is our allegiance should be to the Boston sports teams, no matter how bad they might be or no matter how much they've broken our hearts over the years.

Granted, Borque, Glavine and Flutie are all gentlemen and are truly class acts on and off the field. I would much rather see guys like these win a championship than someone like Dennis Rodman or Mike Tyson.

And in all probability the Yankees, who are undoubtedly the most successful professional sports franchises in history, will most likely win yet another World Series this year. As of this posting, the Yankees have a 3-1 lead (one win shy of the American League pennant) over the Seattle Mariners, and then they'll get to play the Arizona Diamondbacks (a four year old franchise that just won the National League pennant over Glavine and the Atlanta Braves) in the World Series.

It's rough to be a die-hard Boston sports fan. Not since the Celtics had some players named Bird, Parrish and McHale, has Boston won a world championship in any major team sport---and that was almost 20 years ago. And cliches like, "Wait till next year" or "At least we gave 'em a good run for their money", seem to get old real quick.

Probably a good analogy here would be praising your neighbors kids for doing so well in school and then, subsequently, so well in life; while your own kids are just floundering by trying to make ends meet while you, as their parent, aren't offering them any encouragement whatsoever.

Do I watch professional sports games other than with Boston teams? Of course. I may root for the underdog (perhaps it's in my blood as a Boston sports fan), but I usually don't get overly excited over the success or failure of teams based in these other areas because of my allegiance to Boston.

Go Patriots!

Go Celtics!

Go Bruins!

Wait till next year, Red Sox!

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Replies:
- Re: A New All-time Low for Boston Sports Fans -- Michael H., 18:06:59 10/22/01 Mon
- Re: A New All-time Low for Boston Sports Fans -- Sharon, 07:28:19 10/23/01 Tue
  - Re: A New All-time Low for Boston Sports Fans -- Kelly, 10:18:35 10/23/01 Tue
    - Re: A New All-time Low for Boston Sports Fans -- Sharon Dupont, 14:17:20 10/23/01 Tue
      - Only difference is.. -- Kelly, 14:56:02 10/23/01 Tue
- Re: A New All-time Low for Boston Sports Fans -- Kelly, 09:47:54 10/23/01 Tue
- Re: A New All-time Low for Boston Sports Fans -- c. mara, 20:46:08 10/26/01 Fri
Nason's -- Curious George, 18:24:17 10/19/01 Fri
Is anyone else upset at the fact that Nason's got a "slap on the wrist" for the illegal gambling going on in their establishment, or is it just me? I am not sure about the law in full, but I was under the impression that licenses had to be upheld truthfully, disclosing "accurately" all that was included in an establishment. Code break one. They mentioned 2 machines, but had 4.
Second, is not gambling in Massachusetts, except for race tracks and the lottery illegal? Code break 2.
Third, can you imagine the cost to the taxpayers on this "sting" operation that was commenced by our Police dept., only to have Nason's only punishment being the surrender of all machines? Ethics code break 1.

Either Nason's knows someone in town, or someone "special" frequented that establishment to lead me to the conclusion that Nason's was given special circumstances for breaking the law in many ways. Their license should have been pulled, and very hefty fines enforced.

They might not have gambling machines in their back rooms anymore, but you can bet your sweet BIPPIE that they will find other ways to compensate for their loss in wages. And, it won't be upping the price of a sub!

Did the Dracut Shopping News report this incorrectly, and am I missing something, or do I smell some bad political decisions here.

And, who was the selectman that raised his eyebrows (direct quote) but still did not pull the license.

Curious. Extremely curious.

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Replies:
- For Amusement Only! -- Naturally, 05:58:40 10/20/01 Sat
  - Re: For Amusement Only! -- Dennis Shaughnessey, 11:09:34 10/20/01 Sat
  - Re: For Amusement Only! -- Kelly, 13:32:20 10/20/01 Sat
- Re: Nason's -- Michael H., 09:07:23 10/21/01 Sun
  - Re: Nason's -- V.B, 20:01:26 10/21/01 Sun
    - Re: Nason's -- Kelly, 22:43:59 10/21/01 Sun
    - Re: Nason's -- Michael H., 18:08:58 10/22/01 Mon
      - Okay, Mike... -- Kelly, 07:22:34 10/23/01 Tue
        
        Re: Okay, Mike... -- Honest Engine, 15:12:07 10/23/01 Tue
        
        Re: Okay, Mike... -- Kelly, 22:57:33 10/23/01 Tue
        
        Re: Okay, Mike... -- Michael H., 18:51:36 10/23/01 Tue
- Re: Nason's -- Math Girl, 08:15:41 10/25/01 Thu
  - You and I think so alike! -- Kelly, 11:11:04 10/25/01 Thu
    - Re: You and I think so alike! -- confused by this, 06:28:14 10/31/01 Wed
      - Re: You and I think so alike! -- full-brain activity, 19:04:42 10/31/01 Wed
        
        Re: You and I think so alike! -- MTV NEWS, 19:48:07 10/31/01 Wed
        
        other board troublemaker -- CNN, 19:57:16 10/31/01 Wed
Nickel Hill Update -- Ed Valis, 14:03:16 10/18/01 Thu
Here is an update on Nickel Hill from the Lowell Sun!

Ed :=)

Power may be back on at Dracut's Nickel Hill site
By KATHLEEN DEELY
Sun Staff

Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - DRACUT -- By this time next week, power may be restored at the defunct Nickel Hill Energy project.

An electricity generating company eyeing the East Dracut power plant met with Town Manager Dennis Piendak yesterday and will make a decision within a week on whether to go forward.

Piendak described the two-hour talk with the international company, which is remaining anonymous for now, as positive, hinting that it is a serious buyer.

Piendak would not say where the company is located, but if the company builds a plant in Dracut, it would be its first Massachusetts venture, he said.

"I feel very positive coming out of meeting that the Nickel Hill project is going forward," said Piendak, who warned that the company and Nickel Hill have not reached a full agreement.

In May, Constellation Power, Nickel Hill's parent company, called off development of the 750-megawatt plant, stating that the New England market is too risky for multimillion-dollar ventures.

The natural-gas-fired facility, slated to be constructed on 25 acres on the Brox Industry quarry, was to usher in a $70 million in-lieu-of-taxes payment over 20 years. Nickel Hill was also expected to generate another $11 million in local spending during construction.

Nickel Hill has met opposition from neighbors, who fear it will introduce possible health hazards. Proponents maintain that the $400 million project would help fuel the town's economy.

"It's without question an important development and one that the board will be anxiously awaiting further information on," Selectman Warren Shaw said.

If a new company takes over, selectmen will have to vote to transfer the permits from Constellation Power, Shaw said.

"Truth is, we do not know at this point who this company is or what their intentions are," he said. "I'm not reacting positively or negatively because it's an ongoing situation."

If the state and local permits are transferred, the interested company will be obligated to all terms of the $70 million payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, said Shaw.

A Supreme Court decision on the plant's Energy Facilities Siting Board permit is still pending. If the court rules in favor of Merrimack Valley Residents for the Environment's appeal, the company will need to reapply for the permit.

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Replies:
- Re: With terrorist attacks still looming, is a Power Plant a security nightmare? -- Gone2Far, 23:11:40 10/20/01 Sat
  - Re: With terrorist attacks still looming, is a Power Plant a security nightmare? -- Curious George, 00:42:41 10/21/01 Sun
  - Re: With terrorist attacks still looming, is a Power Plant a security nightmare? -- Michael H., 09:37:46 10/21/01 Sun
    - Re: I stand corrected. Thanks Curious George & Michael H. -- Gone2Far, 10:49:58 10/21/01 Sun
      - Re: I stand corrected. Thanks Curious George & Michael H. -- CG, 12:47:30 10/21/01 Sun
- Re: Nickel Hill Update -- Michael H., 09:26:46 10/21/01 Sun
- Re: Nickel Hill Update -- Ed Valis, 09:47:07 10/22/01 Mon
  - Re: Nickel Hill Update -- Michael H., 17:46:28 10/22/01 Mon
    - Re: Nickel Hill Update -- Ed Valis, 08:44:35 10/23/01 Tue
      - Re: Nickel Hill Update -- Glowing, 05:14:48 10/24/01 Wed
      - Re: Nickel Hill Update -- Michael H., 09:00:47 10/28/01 Sun
This Says It All -- Ron Whaley, 11:45:32 10/17/01 Wed
This says it all!

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma School officials remove "God Bless America" signs
from schools in fear that someone might be offended.

Channel 12 News in Long Island, New York, orders flags removed from the
newsroom and red, white, and blue ribbons removed from the lapels of
reporters. Why? Management did not want to appear biased and felt that our
nations flag might give the appearance that "they lean one way or another".

Berkeley, California bans U.S. Flags from being displayed on city fire
trucks because they didn't want to offend anyone in the community.

In an "act of tolerance" the head of the public library at Florida Gulf
Coast
University ordered all "Proud to be an American" signs removed so as to not
offend international students.

I, for one, am quite disturbed by these actions of so-called American
citizens; and I am tired of this nation worrying about whether or not we are
offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on
September 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of
Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled in New
York
and Washington D.C. when the"politically correct" crowd began complaining
about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is
seeking a better life by coming to America. In fact, our country's
population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants;
however, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our
country, and apparently some native Americans, need to understand.

First of all, it is not our responsibility to continually try not to offend
you in any way. This idea of America being a multi-cultural community has
served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As
Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language, and
our own lifestyle. This culture, called the "American Way" has been
developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of
men and women who have sought freedom. Our forefathers fought, bled, and
died at places such as Bunker Hill, Antietam, San Juan, Iwo Jima, Normandy,
Korea, Vietnam, We speak English, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese,
Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of
our
society - learn our language!
"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some off-the-wall,
Christian, Right Wing, political slogan- it is our national motto. It is
engraved in stone in the House of Representatives in our Capitol and it is
printed on our currency. We adopted this motto because Christian men and
women, on Christian principles, founded this nation; and this is clearly
documented throughout our history. If it is appropriate for our motto to be
inscribed in the halls of our highest level of Government, then it is
certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.

God is in our pledge, our National Anthem, nearly every patriotic song, and
in our founding documents. We honor His birth, death, and resurrection as
holidays, and we turn to Him in prayer in times of crisis. If God offends
you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home,
because God is part of our culture and we are proud to have Him.

We are proud of our heritage and those who have so honorably defended our
freedoms. We celebrate Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and
Flag Day. We have parades, picnics, and barbecues where we proudly wave our
flag. As an American, I have the right to wave my flag, sing my national
anthem, quote my national motto, and cite my pledge whenever and wherever I
choose. If the Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam,
then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet.

The American culture is our way of life, our heritage, and we are proud of
it. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we
really don't care how you did things where you came from. We are Americans,
like it or not, this is our country, our land, and our lifestyle.

Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion
about our government, culture, or society, and we will allow you every
opportunity to do so. But once you are done complaining, whining, and
griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life,
I
highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom, the
right to leave.
If you agree, pass this onto other Americans!!
It is time to take a stand!!!

Merle Scoggins

Ron Whaley
USN/Disabled
Summerville, Georgia

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Replies:
- Re: This Says It All -- Kelly, 18:49:47 10/17/01 Wed
- Re: This Says It All -- Math Girl, 06:44:16 10/18/01 Thu
  - Re: This Says It All -- nighthawk, 12:53:40 10/31/01 Wed
    - Re: This Says It All -- PidgeonFlight, 19:02:17 10/31/01 Wed
I Smell A Throw Down....! -- Michael H., 17:37:41 10/16/01 Tue
Colleen Garry or DJ Deeb?

Opinions please. (This is a forum.)

[ Post a Reply to this Message ][ Edit | View ]

Replies:
- Re: I Smell A Throw Down....! -- Kelly, 18:15:11 10/16/01 Tue
  - Re: I Smell A Throw Down....! -- Kathleen, 21:55:00 10/17/01 Wed
    - First of all.. -- Kelly, 22:20:46 10/17/01 Wed
    - She's Back.................. -- DUH, 22:28:38 10/17/01 Wed
      - Re: She's Back.................. -- Kelly, 22:38:02 10/17/01 Wed
- Re: I Smell A Throw Down....! -- Naturally, 20:36:23 10/17/01 Wed
  - Re: I Smell A Throw Down....! -- Kelly, 22:25:36 10/17/01 Wed
    - Re: I Smell A Throw Down....! -- Donna, 16:23:28 10/18/01 Thu
      - Re: I Smell A Throw Down....! (NT) -- DUH, 16:41:54 10/18/01 Thu
      - Re: I Smell A Throw Down....! (NT) -- DUH, 16:41:55 10/18/01 Thu
      - Re: I Smell A Throw Down....! -- Michael H., 18:08:44 10/18/01 Thu
      - Re: I Smell A Throw Down....! -- M.B, 20:36:35 10/18/01 Thu
  - Re: I Smell A Throw Down....! -- Michael H., 17:48:08 10/18/01 Thu
- Re: Can Deeb win if he runs as either an Independent or a Republican? -- Diplomatic Immunity, 16:10:13 10/18/01 Thu
  - Re: Can Deeb win if he runs as either an Independent or a Republican? -- Registered Republican, 18:11:46 10/18/01 Thu
- I'd Rather see mud wrestling than mud throwing! (NT) -- DUH, 18:44:13 10/18/01 Thu
- I'd Rather see mud wrestling than mud throwing -- DUH, 18:58:52 10/18/01 Thu
Parks -- LB, 20:16:22 10/15/01 Mon
First I must agree that the New Vet park is a really nice addition to Dracut and when finished will be a great asset to the town. However as a father of a two year old son I have started to try and hit some of the local. However I have found that there seems to be one lacking in the Collinsville section of Dracut were I live. Now I have not yet looked down every steet or under every rock so if I am missing a playground on this side of town I would appreciate the location, it would be nice to take a short drive or walk as opposed to going across town. If there is not one I was wondering if there were any plans for one? I did find a small park down the road from Dunkins on Mammoth RD just pass the gas station on the right, not sure if it has a name, but it had a baseball field and looks like it would be a great spot for a couple of slides, climbing things and some other stuff for small kids.
Thanks,
LB

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Replies:
- Re: Parks -- Kelly, 10:22:15 10/18/01 Thu
- Re: Parks -- Maggie, 07:10:02 10/23/01 Tue
Porta-potties at Vet Park -- Diplomatic Immunity, 23:24:13 10/14/01 Sun
First of all, I'd like to commend all those who worked very hard to make Veterans Memorial Park what it is today. The swing sets, along with the other fun stuff, from the old Stay & Play playground look great down there. The monument area, in my opinion, is the highlight of the whole town.

But I have one major issue here, which Carrick Field, Monahan Park and Hovey Square all seem to have the same problem as Vet Park---there's no bathroom facilities at any of these places. I know they do have them at the soccer fields behind the High School track, but no where else that they play ball games in Dracut.

Are these things feasible or what? It's really an inconvenience, whether you're an adult or a child to have to hop in your car and drive to the nearest fast food joint or where-ever just to use their bathroom.

I'm sure I'm not the only person who's ever raised this issue. Is there any plans to have these facilities available at our local ballfields for those of us who, "really have to go"?

[ Post a Reply to this Message ][ Edit | View ]

Replies:
- Re: Porta-potties at Vet Park -- Kelly, 10:19:24 10/15/01 Mon
- Re: Porta-potties at Vet Park -- Penelope, 08:11:36 10/17/01 Wed
- Re: Ask and Ye Shall Receive -- Diplomatic Immunity, 18:19:58 10/28/01 Sun
  - Re: Ask and Ye Shall Receive -- Math Girl, 21:08:15 10/29/01 Mon
Another salvo in the Dracut Jihad! -- Naturally, 08:45:23 10/14/01 Sun
I�ve often scoffed at celebrities who moan and groan about their lack of privacy. They work all their lives to become famous and once they do, they suddenly develop a contemptuous holier-than-thou attitude about the public nature of their lives. To me, it�s kind of like an auto mechanic complaining about getting grease on his hands or a carpenter who hates sawdust. My way of looking at it is, �Hey � what did you expect?�

The same question can be asked of some of the thin-skinned politicians in town. Webster�s defines the word political as: Competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership. This would seem to indicate that by its very nature, politics is controversial and those that participate in the process should expect some of that to land at their feet. This forum is a venue for political discussion among other things. Therefore, we can expect that this forum will spawn controversy and competing ideas.

So, if that�s the case, why are we seeing all these histrionics from two of our Selectmen? While discussing the omnipresent grinder pump issue, someone wrote that if Dennis Williams couldn�t dazzle them with brilliance he would baffle them with BS. Now anyone whose ever had a 10 minute discussion with Dennis understands that he has no problem dazzling them with brilliance. This is a man who is not an empty vessel. So I was taken aback when he melted down and accused his critic of slander and vowed not to post on this forum again. C�mon Dennis! Slander? I don�t think that will hold up in court. More to the point, you gratified this guy but having a hissy fit and you�re guilty of taking yourself too seriously.

Now to Mr. Shaw. Holding court on his talk show yesterday morning, I found out that people who post on this forum who are perhaps critical of the political process or a politician and who post anonymously are, in Mr Shaw�s own words, a terrorists! Geez! I have no beard and I don�t get my clothes from Bed & Bath. No Hyphens in my name. I have an opinion. I am a terrorist. Warren, I�ve told you a million times not to exaggerate!

Given these events and others like it where it has been asserted that the politicians in town have no respect for this forum, I can only conclude the following. When the politicians can control the discourse they are very content to engage in it. But where they can�t they refuse to participate. Mr Shaw has a radio show and a local access TV show. He has plenty of opportunity to get his views across and he takes advantage of them as he should. This is really the only venue for the electorate to engage the discourse and yes, some who do so aren�t the brightest bulbs in the circuit. But that would fall into the category of the mechanics greasy hands. It comes with the territory.

Like Harry Truman said, �If a man can�t stand the heat, he ought to stay out of the kitchen!�

No I�m going back to my cave with the other terrorists!

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Replies:
- Re: Another salvo in the Dracut Jihad! -- warren, 09:05:13 10/14/01 Sun
  - Re: Another salvo in the Dracut Jihad! -- Jerry, 21:49:09 10/14/01 Sun
    - You forgot to remind everyone: -- Kelly, 10:08:17 10/15/01 Mon
- Re: Another salvo in the Dracut Jihad! -- Michael H., 10:53:51 10/14/01 Sun
  - Re: Another salvo in the Dracut Jihad! -- mike's boy, 11:39:20 10/14/01 Sun
- Don"t Blame Me! -- DUH!, 13:57:06 10/14/01 Sun
- Re: Another salvo in the Dracut Jihad! -- Kelly, 15:12:37 10/14/01 Sun
  - Re: Nothing like good trigger words to get a reaction from your audience -- Gone2Far, 23:44:47 10/20/01 Sat
Dracut TV -- Donna M. McCarthy, 18:07:13 10/12/01 Fri
Why does Dracut TV advertise show or programs that they do not run??? I have set my VCR on more than one occasion only to tape the message board. Maybe the Cable Advisory Committee should do something about the service in this town.

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Replies:
- Re: Dracut TV -- Ron Kolek, 18:46:27 10/12/01 Fri
  - Probably a dumb question, but.. -- Kelly, 17:42:51 10/13/01 Sat
    - No questions are Dumb -- Ron Kolek, 19:39:36 10/13/01 Sat
      - Thank you, Ron! -- Kelly, 01:46:58 10/14/01 Sun
  - Re: Dracut TV -- Donna M. McCarthy, 09:00:57 10/20/01 Sat
- Re: Dracut TV -- Hackman, 13:49:11 10/26/01 Fri
  - Re: Dracut TV -- Mike Frizzi, 17:55:12 10/26/01 Fri
    - Re: Dracut TV -- Donna M. McCarthy, 10:15:48 10/27/01 Sat
      - Re: Dracut TV -- yawn, 11:25:38 10/27/01 Sat
      - Re: Dracut TV -- Mike, 19:47:58 10/27/01 Sat
        
        Re: Dracut TV -- Mike Frizzi, 14:59:25 10/28/01 Sun
        Re: Dracut TV -- Mike, 16:57:14 10/29/01 Mon
        
        Re: Dracut TV -- Mike Frizzi, 19:51:40 10/29/01 Mon
Scavenger Hunt (Crusade) -- Jerry, 01:37:17 10/09/01 Tue

Well, since we're on a scavenger hunt (crusade) for offensive signs I thought I'd throw this one into the mix and get your opinion . . . (this is in response to Nuclear Beefcake's post a few messages down. I decided to break this out into a new message since that thread was getting pretty long.)

The location: Lakeview Ave. in the vicinity of Old Rd.

The Sign: "Bin Laden Sucks!"

   First off, let me say that coming from a family of sign painters - anything spray painted on a piece of scrap and hammered crooked into the ground is offensive, no matter what it reads! . .   but that is beside the point.
   Now don't get me wrong I agree with the message, Bin Laden does suck!. What rubbed me the wrong way when reading this sign is the tone of the message. Before the September 11th tragedy any decent Red Sox fan would have at least one t-shirt, bumper sticker, or spray painted sign in the front yard that read "Yankees Suck!" If you follow the Sox at all it's a phrase you can't escape. It doesn't matter if the Sox were playing the Yankees or not; during every home game the chant would go through the crowd and the vendors outside Fenway were putting generations of their descendants through college by the sale of their "Yankees Suck" merchandise!
   When I read this sign I felt what I think others feel when they see the American Flag draped across the hood of a car. Although I appreciate the patriotism they are displaying I wonder if they really understand the magnitude of the situation.   Americans have died and more will be making the same sacrifice in the name of freedom. When people put up a sign, wear a t-shirt, or wave a flag I hope they realize why they are doing it and that this isn't the latest craze or cool catch phrase we can wear on our "t-shirt of the month" before the next fad comes along.

Jerry

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Replies:
- Re: Scavenger Hunt (Crusade) (emails) -- Kelly, 08:11:44 10/09/01 Tue
  - Re: Ain't the First Amendment great? -- Horizontal Harry, 21:34:25 10/09/01 Tue
  - Re: Scavenger Hunt (Crusade) (emails) -- Math Girl, 18:12:06 10/15/01 Mon
    - Isn't it the truth, though.. -- Kelly, 06:55:58 10/17/01 Wed
      - Re: Isn't it the truth, though.. -- Math Girl, 06:35:44 10/18/01 Thu
- Re: Scavenger Hunt (Crusade) -- Fuji, 13:06:56 10/23/01 Tue
Parties on Primrose Hill -- Caroline B., 10:26:36 10/02/01 Tue
(This is a long post, but I think it's worth a read)

Did you all see this article in the Sunday Sun?

DRACUT POLICE SEEK FOUR FOLLOWING CONTFRONTATION By Dana Willhoit, Sun Staff
---------------
DRACUT -- A group of teenagers fled a keg party in the woods Friday night after four people from Lowell showed up with a 9-mm Beretta pistol and baseball bats, Dracut police said.

Dracut police started receiving phone calls from some of the panicked teenagers, who were at a party in the Primrose Hill area, at around 11:20 p.m. The teens called police on their cellular phones, according to Dracut Officer Mike Williams.

"When we arrived, the kids were going everywhere because they were just afraid," Williams said. At least 40 teenagers were running out of the woods, Williams said. Many of them are Dracut residents who had attended a football game earlier in the night between Dracut High and Lowell High, won by Lowell.

Four men, possibly teenagers, showed up at the party with baseball bats and a gun, witnesses told police. They were yelling, and they stuck a gun several inches from one boy's head, police were told. Then they started beating up one of the boys with a baseball bat. Police found scattered beer cans and kegs, but they did not find the assault victim, who was gone from the scene when they arrived.

One of the teens, whose father is a police officer, identified the type of weapon to police, Williams said. Another person recognized the four people who had showed up. They are all from Lowell, according to Williams. Police are searching for the suspects. No motive for the assault is yet known.
---------------------------

Besides the obvious, this is of great concern to me, as a resident of the neighborhood surrounding this area. Allow me share some personal experiences:

For as long as we've lived in Dracut (17 years), there have been parties at this "fire pit" on Primrose Hill. The Dracut Police are well aware of this spot, according to two officers I've spoken to. These parties usually mean a handful of teens, a campfire and drinking; but generally the party-goers are quiet, and have never been a problem. Until recently.

Over the past month or so, the parties have become increasing loud, rowdy and heavily attended. On the Friday after the horrible events of Sept. 11th, a violent throng of 40+ partiers were screaming and chanting "U-S-A!" and "F--- the Arabs!" This was extremely disturbing to us, and we were fearful of what might happen next�vandalized houses and cars? We called the police at 10:30 p.m., and 11:30 p.m. and both times the dispatcher said they would take care of it. The party was still going at 12:30, and nothing was done to stop it.

Last Friday night, as stated in The Sun article, another huge party was taking place on Primrose Hill, and this time they were shouting obscenities at the loudest possible volume. "F--- you!" was heard loudly resounding though the woods and the neighborhood. Again, I called the police at around 10:15, and again, they said they would take care of it. An hour later, the party continued as loud as ever.

The Sun article and these events disturb me for several reasons:

- It seems that these parties are allowed to continue despite complaints from neighbors (perhaps because one of the party-goers is the child of a police officer?).
- The fire pit is so well-known that it attracts teenagers from other towns.
- There is no mention in the article that the fire pit on Primrose Hill is private property, and that perhaps the land owner should be held accountable.
- The party-crashers from Lowell are the only ones characterized as breaking any laws. Hmmm. The "victims" in this story were trespassing, disturbing the peace, drinking under-age, burning illegally, etc.,etc. I wonder who bought the kegs?

My hope is that this incident is a wake-up call for the Dracut Police, the participating teenagers, the teenagers' parents, AND the other residents of this neighborhood (Primrose Hill Lane, Hillcrest Ave, Oxford Road, Nottingham Road, and Patricia Lane). If you live in this area, please call the police as soon as the party starts getting out of hand (or even sooner). The more calls they get, the sooner they'll do something about it. None of us want to live with the fear of what might happen next. We have enough of that to deal with these days.

Thank you for listening.

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Replies:
- Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- shawn, 14:05:17 10/02/01 Tue
- Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- Michael H., 08:28:51 10/03/01 Wed
  - Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- DNME, 14:00:05 10/03/01 Wed
    - Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- MJC, 14:42:51 10/03/01 Wed
  - Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- DUH, 16:16:32 10/03/01 Wed
- Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- Kelly, 08:24:13 10/04/01 Thu
  - Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- Caroline B, 12:27:12 10/04/01 Thu
    - Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- DUH, 19:21:14 10/04/01 Thu
      - Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- caty, 17:05:08 10/07/01 Sun
  - Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- Naturally, 20:19:31 10/04/01 Thu
    - I am not "shocked" -- Kelly, 12:18:12 10/05/01 Fri
      - Re: I am not "shocked" -- Ron Kolek, 23:20:33 10/07/01 Sun
        
        you need to be honest with your children.. -- Kelly, 01:37:34 10/08/01 Mon
        
        Re: you need to be honest with your children.. -- frb, 09:51:12 10/08/01 Mon
        Re: you need to be honest with your children.. -- frb, 09:53:12 10/08/01 Mon
        Re: you need to be honest with your children.. -- DUH, 13:29:30 10/08/01 Mon
        
        Math's Girl's Ode to Discipline! :) -- Math Girl, 18:43:47 10/18/01 Thu
    - Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- c.mara, 21:26:27 10/26/01 Fri
- Re: Parties on Primrose Hill -- Susan, 08:56:30 10/10/01 Wed
Noise -- Resident, 22:47:33 09/27/01 Thu
I have lived in Dracut now for 5 years and have notice in the last year that a local sports bar's Weekend music has gotten much louder. It is not even the music as much as it is the sound of the bass that vibrates though the neighborhood. I am not one to raise a stink however I would think that there would be somehow to approach this situation.

Any Suggestions ???

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Replies:
- Re: Noise -- could help, 05:08:48 09/28/01 Fri
- Re: Noise -- ML Starkey, 09:10:05 09/28/01 Fri
- Re: Noise -- Resident, 10:43:37 09/28/01 Fri
  - Re: Noise -- RONNIE BREAULT, 14:27:01 10/03/01 Wed
- Re: Noise -- Dennis Williams, 13:46:35 09/28/01 Fri
  - Re: Noise -- Mike Maguire, 12:15:11 10/02/01 Tue
    - Re: Noise -- Michael H., 08:34:17 10/03/01 Wed
      - Re: Noise -- DUH, 07:50:08 10/07/01 Sun
  - Re: Noise -- Dan, 08:37:45 10/23/01 Tue
Explaining this tragedy to our children . . . -- Math Girl, 15:43:57 09/18/01 Tue
A good friend of mine, who has a five-year-old son, forwarded the following excerpt from her morning reading. (Cursory) details about the author are given below. I know that many of you have children and I didn't know if the writings of Mr. Suggs proved at all helpful in explaining this seemingly inexplicably, horrible attack to little people. I hope you find it well-written and useful.

I worry about things that I post on the board. I worry if they are too reactionary that I will stir negative emotion that is already churning. And I worry that if what I post is too light, that I will offend the sensibilities of a town which is reeling from shock and loss that hits very close to home. If any of the things I have found in the news and have posting seem inappropriate, PLEASE let me know. I just can't seem to find the right words--either mine or anyone elses--that seems to convey the right message.

Kind regards and best wishes,

Math Girl
-----------------------------------------------------------

The gentleman who wrote this, Rob Suggs, is a children's author and
illustrator. He works a lot with the children at Children's Halthcare of
Atlanta. He is able to "lighten their load" through his art and
storytelling therapy ... he's a wonderful guy.

The children obviously are asking questions about the dire circumstances we
are in, as well as the adults. This is what he has written to further
explain the situation to the children he is working with in the
hospitals...adapted from a classic story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".

The Binch
By: Rob Suggs
Date: September 13, 2001

Every U down in Uville liked U.S. a lot,
But the Binch, who lived Far East of Uville, did not.
The Binch hated U.S! the whole U.S. way!
Now don't ask me why, for nobody can say,
It could be his turban was screwed on too tight.
Or the sun from the desert had beaten too bright
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

But, Whatever the reason, his heart or his turban,
He stood facing Uville, the part that was urban.
"They're doing their business," he snarled from his perch.
"They're raising their families! They're going to church!
They're leading the world, and their empire is thriving,
I MUST keep the S's and U's from surviving!"

Tomorrow, he knew, all the U's and the S's,
Would put on their pants and their shirts and their dresses,
They'd go to their offices, playgrounds and schools,
And abide by their U and S values and rules,

And then they'd do something he liked least of all,
Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small,
Would stand all united, each U and each S,
And they'd sing Uville's anthem, "God bless us! God bless!"
All around their Twin Towers of Uville, they'd stand,
and their voices would drown every sound in the land.

"I must stop that singing," Binch said with a smirk,
And he had an idea--an idea that might work!
The Binch stole some U airplanes in U morning hours,
And crashed them right into the Uville Twin Towers.
"They'll wake to disaster!" he snickered, so sour,
"And how can they sing when they can't find a tower?"

The Binch cocked his ear as they woke from their sleeping,
All set to enjoy their U-wailing and weeping,
Instead he heard something that started quite low,
And it built up quite slow, but it started to grow--
And the Binch heard the most unpredictable thing...
And he couldn't believe it--they started to sing!

He stared down at U-ville, not trusting his eyes,
What he saw was a shocking, disgusting surprise!
Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any towers at all!
He HADN'T stopped U-Ville from singing! It sung!
For down deep in the hearts of the old and the young,
Those Twin Towers were standing, called Hope and called Pride,
And you can't smash the towers we hold deep inside.

So we circle the sites where our heroes did fall,
With a hand in each hand of the tall and the small,
And we mourn for our losses while knowing we'll cope,
For we still have inside that U-Pride and U-Hope.

For America means a bit more than tall towers,
It means more than wealth or political powers,
It's more than our enemies ever could guess,
So may God bless America! Bless us! God bless!A story worth sharing....

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Replies:
- Re: Explaining this tragedy to our children . . . -- Susan, 07:16:11 09/20/01 Thu
  - Re: Explaining this tragedy to our children . . . -- the real heros, 19:48:14 10/15/01 Mon
    - Re: Explaining this tragedy to our children . . . -- Math Girl, 19:00:01 10/18/01 Thu
      - Re: Explaining this tragedy to our children . . . -- special "ED", 14:31:15 10/21/01 Sun
        
        Love the name! -- Math Girl, 14:22:01 10/25/01 Thu
        
        "ed" has a foul mouth -- Jennifer B., 08:19:26 10/26/01 Fri

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