MHH101
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On the article Will Casa Corona Finally Get a Full Liquor License?
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On the article Marblehead Selectmen Oppose Cuts to Bus Route 441
MHH101
6:30 pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2013
ReplyNo problem.
The town is currently being serviced by 4 separate MBTA bus lines.
This last year I have taken one, or the other, and found the buses nearly empty within the town's boundaries.
That said, it would be better to cancel one of the other routes and not 441, as the 441 route is via Paradise Rd with access to Vinnin Square shopping, medical facilities etc..
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On the article Mass. Tax Plans: Too Much, Too Soon? Or Too Little, Too Slow?
MHH101
10:16 am on Monday, April 8, 2013
ReplyIn 1952, when the authority was created, the tolls were to be eliminated once the original bonds for the turnpike were paid off. That happened in 1983, but the tolls continued, helping pay for salaries, maintenance, and operation of the turnpike.
On October 18,2006, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority board moved yesterday to abolish all tolls on the turnpike west of Route 128, beginning on June 30, 2007.
At the time, gubernatorial nominee, Deval L. Patrick the Democratic, said the proposal deserved "serious consideration".
Eliminating the tolls, which would not require legislative approval, would cost the authority $114 million in annual revenue.
To end the western tolls and transfer that portion of the turnpike to MassHighway, the state would have had to repay the authority's $199 million of debt by using the authorities $112 million in cash reserves, saving $40 million per year by laying off about half of the Turnpike Authority's 400 toll collectors and from the income from the the service plazas it owns along the turnpike.
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On the article Mass. Tax Plans: Too Much, Too Soon? Or Too Little, Too Slow?
MHH101
9:42 am on Saturday, April 6, 2013
ReplyToo Much!!!
Back in 1991, the gas tax was raised 10 cents to provide needed funding for road and bridge projects.
We got swat.
The tolls to pay to build the MA Turnpike were supposed to be eliminated when the that project was paid for.
The turnpike was paid for 30 years ago and not only do we still have the tolls, they have increased.
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On the article Massachusetts Would See More Than $91.6 Million in Cuts Under Sequester: White House
MHH101
10:38 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
ReplyYou need to cut all but the most crucial expenses. Your odds of job loss, reduced benefits is real. Assume a 30% chance you will lose your job and be on unemployment.
If you own a new car, sell it. Used car prices are at all-time highs, so you may make some money for the troubled time ahead. If you need a car, buy a junker and hope it runs long enough. Take public transportation, that is your best option, unless budget cuts cause the elimination of bus and train service.
Sell your home. With the real estate recovery, home inventory has dropped and house prices are up. If you have any home equity, use whatever profit you make as another buffer as the economy implodes.
Go back to college. The federal government continues to offer student loans at tremendously low interest rates, including room and board. The government expects that you will not pay the loan back, so your obligation is only on paper.
Ask your employer to cut your salary and lower your benefits. When the time for layoffs comes, you will look attractive next to all of your overpaid coworkers. You also can ask to work longer hours without an increase in compensation.
Commit a crime. If it is severe enough, and you refuse a bail arrangement, you can live in prison right away. A solid felony will keep you in prison for at least 10 years, enough time to weather an economic storm. The risk is that budget cuts may mean many prisons will be closed and felons released prematurely.
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On the article School Technology Upgrades May Cost More than $1 Million
MHH101
10:39 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
ReplyOnce again, lackk of vision and mismanagement (e.g. failure to properly budget for capital improvements and maintenance) will undoubtedly look for one more tax payer bailout.
Not only does this reward incompetence, but promotes more of the same down the road.
Cutting some of the fluff out of the monies taxpayers already send their way, the needed $1M can be borrowed and paid over time.
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On the article How Should the Town Pay for the $2.1M Repairs to Abbot Hall?
MHH101
4:54 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013
ReplyThank you Mr. Buba.........for proposing an excellent and sound solution.
Next up will be an override for the Gerry school (e.g. currently rated by the Commonwealth as one one of the worst schools in need of significant repairs).
Oh my, we passed an override and built a new High school, because the old school was beyond repair and increased the classroom space by 20% (e.g. altough the recent census found that the town's population fell 5%).
Then magically, another override appeared, to renovate the former building we were told was NFG, into a Middle school (e.g. was near being named "Marblehead Academy").
Ten another override, to renovate the former Middle school into an Elementary school....followed by yet another to build a new Glover school (e.g. in the midst of one of the town's most busy/dangerous traffic intersections).
Meanwhile, a Charter school opens (e.g. despite a falling population).
Marblehead was a once, well run town (e.g. meaning fiscal responsibly and lower taxes than neighboring towns such as Swampscott, Salem etc., that access .a higher tax rate to businesses that make money based on location/services provided.
Don't forget...it's about PIT, being what your property is worth (and the IT means interest and taxes).
Our Select Persons' or Committees don't understand (e.g. reelection) , the least we can do is look to the touristsas many of other 'smart' cash strapped towns have done).
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On the article Marblehead Selectmen to Talk Sweeney's Retreat Liquor License
MHH101
8:53 am on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
ReplyAs Sean points out, the number of the town's liquor licenses available is based it's population.
What I do not understand is why licenses are being used by establishments that is not open to the general public (yacht clubs, country clubs etc.)?
Recently, Patch published a list of who has Marblehead licenses (see below)
Package Stores:
Beach Bluff Liquors
Haley's Wine and Spirits
Shubie's Wine and Spirits
Village Liquors
Grocery Stores:
Crosby's Market
Restraunts:
The Barnacle
Caffe Italia
Fen Yang House
5 Corners Kitchen
The Hurricane
Hungry Betty's
The Jack-Tar American Tavern
Imperial Mandarin
Maddie's Sail Loft
The Landing
The Rip Tide
Three Cod Tavern
Yannalfo's
Restruants (wine and malt):
Soall Bistro
Le Bistro Cafe and Grill
Joey D's
Thai Market
Wine and malt with cordials innholder's license:
The Harbor Light Inn
All-alcoholic club licenses
Boston Yacht Club
Corinthian Yacht Club
Tedesco Country Club
The Gerry 5
The Headers' Club
Champlain Lyman Rollins Post 2005 VFW -
On the article Marblehead Selectmen to Talk Sweeney's Retreat Liquor License
MHH101
8:12 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
ReplyWhy have valuable, limited public licenses been treated as 'an asset and/or owned by the current licensee' and then 'sold' when they close a business and not made available to an existing business on the waiting list?
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On the article Rate Marblehead's Plowing During the Blizzard of 2013
MHH101
3:27 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
ReplyNot nearly as good as the plowing done, during large snow falls, in prior years.
Sidewalks not cleared because they were using the mini sidewalk plow to do streets (including my mine).
MHH101
10:21 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Marblehead was once a well run town.....not so much anymore.
Now if John Buba would get off his 'comments perch' and run for an actual town office, it could be again.
IMHO, he would have made a great 'town manager', instead of the hand-me- down we got.
Loved his analysis pertaining of how the 2 upcoming over-rides are necessary and could be done and covered otherwise.
Hey, if Marblehead feels it needs to raise taxes, I would rather see it shared by the residents and tourists, like in Swampscott, use the ability to increase the meals tax a bit (e.g. paying the extra penny for just a cup of coffee at Starbucks in Vinnin Square does not stop me).