Disqus - Latest Comments for sybil32

Re: My View: State Rep. Brad Hill

Sybil — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:46:54 -0000

Today it was more like ******* mountain.

Re: Letter to the editor: 'Cheating' while crossing the A. Piatt Andrew

Sybil — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:34:31 -0000

You got that right cowgirl.

Re: Four 'shovel-ready' projects totaling $4.2M put forward

Sybil — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:13:48 -0000

attila...I agree about the permanent tax cuts vs a one time check. But who do you think the tax cuts should go to? I think the lower and middle class as long as they are paying taxes. I don't want capital gains tax cuts...they haven't trickled down in the past and too many people have made those gains on our backs.

Re: Supporters say charter school could offer city some savings

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:11:10 -0000

I am curious...do any kids get a "buy" into the charter school (such as teachers' kids or kids of founding parents?) or is it strictly lottery for 100 % of the spots the first year? (After that I would assume that siblings of enrolled students get a "buy" -- which makes some sense). So there will be far fewer openings to non-siblings after the first couple of years? Anyone know?

Re: Supporters say charter school could offer city some savings

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:37:20 -0000

Hi attila.

(That's it..nothing else. So sue me.)

Re: Supporters say charter school could offer city some savings

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:35:43 -0000

Hi Chris. Consider this scenario. You say your kids won't go to the current Gloucester schools but would consider the charter school. You also say you can't afford private school. So what if they don't get the lottery number for either the charter or a school choice town? Then you have 2 choices left ...(1) Move, (2) Homeschool. Many people can't do either of those things and would instead opt to send their kids to the (now further weakened) Gloucester Public Schools. It happens every day Chris. It gets real around middle school time. Food for thought.

Re: Superintendent proposes labor, maintenance cuts

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:04:43 -0000

Well...as long as we are admitting that votes are bought and sold....if the government (state or federal) got half the cash value of all the votes sold to legislators, there might not be a deficit.

Re: Letter to the editor: Councilor's antics over the top

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:14:01 -0000

Ms. Romeo is very genuine, which is rare in politics. She simply needs to express her views more succinctly and perhaps more calmly. But then again...if she did that maybe she wouldn't seem so genuine anymore...hmmmm...

Re: Superintendent proposes labor, maintenance cuts

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:39:18 -0000

Thank you for the amplification Fred. I am going to save that one.

Re: Superintendent proposes labor, maintenance cuts

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:21:53 -0000

Hi Fred, Can you further explain your position that unions of public employees are unconstitutional? I have a negative view of unions in general (I think we have laws that cover safety, child labor, minimum wage,etc and unions mainly serve to get their members better-than-typical benefits.), but I wonder which part of the constitution the unionizing specifically of public employees would break?

Re: Police/fire

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:59:33 -0000

It is very sad. I wonder why no one is able to help him. I guess with some things the help has to come from within. But I have to wonder...if he wasn't homeless maybe he wouldn't be getting into all this trouble.

Re: Supporters say charter school could offer city some savings

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:57:04 -0000

correction...the meeting on Wednesday (the TIF meeting)

Re: Supporters say charter school could offer city some savings

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:55:12 -0000

LOL. Yes. I have fun with GetYourHand now and again. She likes to give hair advice...maybe she can do mine someday. The mayor had a very nice haircut when I watched the meeting on TV Thursday (she spoke at the beginning).

Re: Supporters say charter school could offer city some savings

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:29:09 -0000

Another big factor to consider (it may be in there but I don't have time to look at all this now) is what percent of the student population had special needs. Last time I looked Gloucester was in the 1 in 3 range, which is higher than many districts. I am not sure what those numbers are now but they need to be considered in comparing expenditure per student versus outcome across districts.

Re: Superintendent proposes labor, maintenance cuts

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:59:05 -0000

I agree about the unions. I would also note that Prop 2 1/2 wasn't implemented fully until 1982. Perhaps having the latitude to raise property taxes in accordance with inflation, etc made it easier to fund schools properly during the years when I was there. I don't know how much of a factor that is in this. I like Prop 2 1/2 though because it forces departments to prove their need.

Re: Letter to the editor: Councilor's antics over the top

Sybil — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:23:06 -0000

I watched the TIF meeting on TV the other night from 7 until 11:30. I haven't attended a city council meeting so it was interesting to observe. The two councilors who were the most impressive to me (in terms of their preparation for the meeting and manner of conduct) were Jason Grow and Phil Devlin. I also thought Bruce Tobey did a great job running the meeting. I was waiting for the hook to come out for Romeo.

Re: Letter: Mayor, city can't be 'held hostage' by Fort

Sybil — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:00:49 -0000

OMG nfs...the Rockaway house hotel. I sure do remember.

Re: Council OKs TIF for Crossing

Sybil — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:59:31 -0000

Ron just popped up today...I hadn't seen him since they required registration for immediate posting. It was (perhaps strangely enough) good to see him back.

Re: Letter: Mayor, city can't be 'held hostage' by Fort

Sybil — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:03:56 -0000

I am going to Ladies Night very shortly...I made a list of things I need and am looking forward to walking around.

Re: Witnesses accuse trio of ransacking cars

Sybil — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:36:47 -0000

Scary avatar Antighetto.

Re: Editorial: City's, GPD action on O'Hanley case crucial for confidence

Sybil — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:19:39 -0000

Sounds like holidays are pretty rambunctious in the Hill house...

Re: Letter to the editor: What about tax losses from markets forced out by DeMoulas?

Sybil — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:05:50 -0000

LOL NotHappy...now leave those cute little salamanders out of this! I don't know anything about grocery unions, but we have certainly seen in the public sector that unions aren't always a good thing.

Re: Gloucester District Court

Sybil — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:57:28 -0000

Reminds me of a BIlly Joel song...

Re: Cartoonist hosts Main St. book signing

Sybil — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:30:22 -0000

It is this Thursday...hopefully more press this week.

Re: Letter to the editor: What about tax losses from markets forced out by DeMoulas?

Sybil — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:26:39 -0000

Though you replied to my comment, I think you must have meant your reply for the letter writer. I have no concerns about the supermarkets, as expressed in my comment. They will have to compete here just as they do in Danvers...with better prices.