by Bob Parks — published on November 5th, 2008
I have tried not to be your average politician. Being such would mean offering my congratulations to the incumbent. While I now do so out of common courtesy and political protocol, it would be disingenuous to appear satisfied with the result.
I am not, but the people have spoken and I respect their decision.
It’s apparent the majority in our district believe the current economic of the 2nd Franklin District is one they can live with.
I wish to sincerely thank the many people who supported our campaign.
Bob
by Bob Parks — published on November 1st, 2008
As my father always told me, “The truth always comes out”…
NOTHING DONE
Editor, Daily News
I’m David Meehan and I’m an Eagleville/Horton Road flood victim. I just recently watched the debate with Chris Donelan and Bob Parks. It was great, but on one issue. The flooding.
Donelan made a point to where help was trying to get done with us, but all that did was just have these organizations just introduce themselves to us and that’s all. May I correct you, Mr. Donelan, what was done to engineer the flooding nothing? Absolutely nothing. The town just made this whole situation out to be a joke to keep our mouths shut and out of your hair.
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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 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 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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by Bob Parks — published on August 29th, 2008
On Friday August 29th, I was a guest on the Reese Hopkins radio program on WRKO 680AM, Boston.
Here’s what went down.
Segment 1 - 8:50
Segment 2 - 18:46
Segment 3 - 11:42
Segment 4 - 7:30
by Bob Parks — published on August 28th, 2008
That’s a rhetorical when it comes to Massachusetts. The only thing citizens and businesses are good for, at least when it comes to the state legislature, is the hard-earned money they can take from us under penalty of law.
Laws that the legislature can always find a way to get around.
Speaking of Beacon Hill, how do they figure in the way that cities and towns have had to resort to double taxation? Perhaps it can be found in the magic bullet that the policy wonks under the golden dome came up with in 1971 and implemented in 1975. It was an innovation called The Lottery.
Remember that? It was an idea by which all revenue above the operating costs of the agency would be “returned to the cities and towns.”
Unfortunately, the Legislature put a cap on that money in 2003 to deal with their “deficiency budget.” Since then, $450 Million has been diverted in to the Stabilization or “Rainy Day” Fund — doubling its size to $1.5 Billion.
This was called fiscal responsibility by our legislators, who knew —or should have known — that the cities and towns figure that money in when configuring their budgets.
Based on their actions of blowing off lawfully obtained signatures for initiatives they could be bothered with allowing to make a ballot, why would anyone think the Massachusetts state legislature would respect us or our money?
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