I hope it had nothing to do with my complimenting her ...
Of course, I knew that something/someone that was actually a responsible entity in Newbury would be removed. Read about Judy Tymon's ouster as Newbury Town Planner here, in the DN story.
This meeting sounds a lot like the ones of the old Municipal Council, in Amesbury.
I have to say, ever since I heard Vincent Russo refer to a Plum Island resident as a "cracker" in a public meeting, I have not been disposed to .... ummmm ... like him. It was one of those PI workgroup meetings, and he was saying that this man had said he wasn't going to pay the betterment for the water/sewer service.
Russo waved his hand dismissively, made the "cracker" comment, and added that "we'll just take his house."
It was the first PI workgroup meeting I had covered for the Current, and Russo had looked around to see if there was a reporter there before making his telling comment. Well, he did not know me (and he still doesn't, because I avoid him like the plague). But Mayor John Moak did, and he looked over at me after Russo made the comment. The look on the mayor's face was priceless.
No, I did not put the comment in the piece that I wrote. But I remember it like it was just yesterday. Not a good analogy, actually, since I can't remember what I did yesterday ... anyhow, it soured me on Russo.
15 comments:
I knew absolutely nothing about this situation until I read this morning's DN. But, having lead many projects, I can promise the Town that losing one of the principal movers at this stage of the project will set it back many moons.
I refer everyone to the water/sewer project, which lost its manager before the project was complete. There are people out here who are STILL not hooked into the system, which went way over budget, roads had to be paved before it was complete (along with other rushed parts of the project that fell into cracks) - and from my perspective is a pain in the ass.
The W&S project went way over budget while the manager was still on the job.
Perhaps the gentleman that Mr Russo referenced is a cracker - we have a few of them on the island.
But it is widely acknowledged that the project fell apart after he left.
You think it's OK for an elected official to call a constituent a "cracker" and dismiss him completely by saying "we'll just take his house" in a public meeting (after looking around to make sure there were no reporters, that he knew of, present). I gotcha.
Widely acknowledged by whom ??? From my perspective it certainly didn't get any worse after his contract was not renewed - nearly all of the cost overruns came on his watch.....
Hmmm, I don't remember suggesting it was OK, but without knowing which definition of "cracker" was used, it certainly wouldn't "sour me" completely on one's character. How about if he simply called him a blowhard or a braggard or a vaunter ???
I know many people of Dr Russo's generation who sometimes use politically incorrect terms out of life-long habit without intending them to be pejorative. I've worked for several Jewish people who won't buy German cars, are they "bad" people ?
Considering your recent post on labelling and judging, I'm surprised at how quick you are to do the same.
Oh, come on, Bubba. He LOOKED AROUND to see who was in Council Chambers before he said it, he even looked behind him. He was smirking. He meant it as a pejorative.
"Oh, you sent me town business during the Celtics game, so I didn't read it." boo fucking hoo
How old is Russo? He looks to be about my age.
And if someone sees ME calling someone a name based on the fact that they weren't doing what I wanted them to, they can feel free to judge me on THAT, as opposed to judging me on my racial makeup.
My post was about judging on character, not appearance. My opinion is, Russo has a not-so-nice character, based on the words he used and his demeanor. Not only using the word "cracker" (actually, it was "old cracker"), but by his dismissive tone and his body language.
And don't bring Jews and Germans into this, it's not even close to being the same thing.
And furthermore, now that I think about it, why did he just dismiss ME as someone to worry about saying that in front of? I quite obviously had a notepad, in which I was scribbling ...
I see, so now Dr Russo was smirking ? Are you implying he's a wisecracker ? ha !!
As for his age, he graduated from medical school 44 years ago - so late 60's/early 70's - I had no idea you were that old....
Back to your "widely acknowledged by whom???" Everyone I've ever interviewed about the project ... the Public Utilities subcommittee ... city councillors ... neighbors ... a couple of guys hanging out at Dick's ...
Age is not an excuse for being inappropriate anyway. Even if he WAS joking/wisecracking/suffering from dementia (I'm projecting your next excuse for his behavior), it was inappropriate for an elected official to say that.
I think everyone would acknowledge that it was managed poorly from day one - all of the major cost overruns took place while Gustafson was managing the project. Anyone who attended the public kick-off meeting in Oct 2004 could see that the folks in charge were clueless - it just got worse from there.
One could also see that there were some irrational malcontents among the homeowners.
I'm not sure I understand why it matters when the mismanagement started unless you want to blame that on Moak/Russo as well.
No one would ever suggest Dr Russo is suffering from dementia. You seem to have a habit of disliking people with whom you have ideological differences.
I was kidding about the dementia and you know that.
A habit? Do you think you know me? And even if I did have that habit, what's it to you?
I just don't like bigots, and bigotry is not an ideology I endorse. So I don't like him, but you seem to have a vested interest in me liking him, to the point where you're insulting me now? What's that all about?
So now he's a bigot ?? I think you should look up the definition and origin of the word "cracker".....
I've never met nor spoken with Dr Russo and I don't think he and I would agree on much.
It's your blog, so obviously you can do what you want. I appreciate your letting others comment - but in my opinion, it loses its value when you focus on personalities rather than issues. My intent was to challenge rather than insult.
A cardinal has decided to nest in my beach roses and feels the need to periodically mark his territory with song. The island is an amazing place at times.
Point taken. I do appreciate your comments!
P.S. Bubba -
You don't have a spare female cardinal hanging around, do you? My poor male lost his mate and all he does is call for a new one all day. Plus, I miss the babies.
Post a Comment