by Bob Parks — published on October 31st, 2008
A fair write-up, for once…
A Democratic incumbent and a Republican frustrated by what he describes as arrogance on Beacon Hill will face off Tuesday for a House seat that represents Orange and Athol.
State Rep. Christopher J. Donelan, D-Orange, and Athol resident Robert E. Parks are seeking election to the 2nd Franklin District, which also covers Erving, Gill, Greenfield and Warwick.
Mr. Donelan, a former police and probation officer who previously served on the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School Committee, has held the position since 2003.
A columnist and executive director of New Media Alliance Television, Mr. Parks, 50, said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi’s pledge to block the implementation of Question 1, were it to pass, is a perfect example of the “arrogance of power” among legislators.
Now, it’s up to the voters.
by Bob Parks — published on October 30th, 2008
Caught stuffing cash in her bra, Massachusetts State Senator Dianne Wilkerson may try and save her own ass by taking down others.
Hit with howitzer-powered allegations of corruption and greed, state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson is at the center of a maze of malfeasance and an ever-widening public corruption investigation - and former feds agree she could be the rat who leads prosecutors to an even bigger cheese.
With Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Senate President Therese Murray, City Council President Maureen Feeney and others touched by the tentacles of an 18-month probe into Wilkerson’s alleged abuse of power, it’s “a very distinct possibility” U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan may try and flip her to name alleged co-conspirators with a plea deal as bait.
Obviously public officials accepting bribes is against the law, but offering them is against the law as well. It’s sad to think that Wilkerson could be just the tip of the iceberg, but seeing how lawmakers also rule their districts by fear and intimidation, paying to get them off your back could be illegal, but understandable.
by Bob Parks — published on October 29th, 2008
This is what happens when politicians believe the rules imposed on us, don’t apply to them.
BOSTON (WBZ) ― State Senator Dianne Wilkerson was arrested early Tuesday by the FBI on public corruption charges.
U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan said Wilkerson took $23,500 in bribes between June 2007 and October 2008. He said there were eight payments made during that period in connection with the use of her office.
She was arraigned in federal court Tuesday afternoon and was released on $50,000 bail.
Yes, that’s Senator Wilkerson stuffing money in her bra in a Beacon Hill eatery.
In Massachusetts, a female state representative was threatened by another colleague if she didn’t vote the party line, a state senator was arrested for groping women, and now this, all within the past year.
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by Bob Parks — published on October 27th, 2008
This is just one reason why people are skeptical of unions and their desire and ability and to squeeze more money from strapped taxpayers.
Residents in Framingham are talking about a new cost to the town courtesy of the local police union, which says officers need to be paid more because they use computers.
“The police department asked us to fund laptops for the cruisers and now that we provided them they’re suing us because we’re making them use them?” asked Rebecca Connolly, a Town Meeting member.
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by Bob Parks — published on October 26th, 2008
While perusing the web this morning, I came across an article on my candidacy for Massachusetts State Representative. I’ll not assume there is an underlying bias, but there are a couple of issues that need be cleared up.
As my phone conversations have been numerous over the last few months and I don’t remember the specifics of some of them, there are some things I am quite clear on.
Running for his first elected office, Parks has proudly cited his color. “I’m the only black Republican running for statewide office this year,” he said this week.
I have cited my color in one context and one context only.
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by Bob Parks — published on October 25th, 2008
Live, televised debate between incumbent Christopher Donelan (D) and challenger Bob Parks (R) for the Massachusetts 2nd Franklin State Representative seat. October 23, 2008 at the Orange Armory, Orange, MA.
by Bob Parks — published on October 24th, 2008
As many of you know, I debated Democrat incumbent Christopher Donelan last night for the Massachusetts 2nd Franklin District house seat. Now while being biased, I think I did okay as did others who approached me afterward and emailed later…
Bob ~ You landed powerful punches in tonight’s debate, and, overall, captured imaginations in the electorate, I think. And, afterward, you were the one to whom audience members flocked. Seems you just won yourself a number of the incumbent’s votes!
However, some of the local media didn’t see it that way.
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by Bob Parks — published on October 3rd, 2008
Like the clarion call on Capitol Hill for leadership regarding the mortgage bank bail-out crisis, there seems to be a lack of leadership here in Massachusetts regarding those who back the ballot question to eliminate the personal state income tax.
According to Boston’s NBC affiliate, “Even Beacon Hill Republicans have been muted in their response, saying they’re sympathetic with the frustrations of taxpayers, but have stopped short of backing the question.”
Why is that? Why are our elected officials reluctant to be seen in the same room with people who pay taxes that are routinely wasted, and/or used against us by elected officials? Maybe we should find politicians who listen to us instead of the current crop who talk nice to us every other November and blow us off during the two years in between.
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