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Wednesday, January 29, 2014
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5 comments:
Anonymous
said...
A very nice are article about the 2013 Westport man of the year
I’LL HAVE ANOTHER…… by whalingcitywatch http://whalingcitywatch.com/2012/08/01/ill-have-another-21/
“I’ll have another….” is a phrase that was probably heard at John Mitchell’s swanky $100 per person fundraiser at the Waterfront Grille back on June 5. Hey, I’ve been known to have an adult beverage or two. However, it is totally another matter when people get behind the wheel of an automobile. That’s exactly what happened to two pillars of the community who attended the Mitchell function.
The Fall River Herald News reports that Sylvia C. Africano, a member of the Westport School Committee, was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failure to operate within marked lanes and failing to stop for a police officer. Ms. Africano was allegedly so snookered that she had passed the Westport exit 12 miles east of where she was stopped, IN SWANSEA! Her husband, in the passenger’s seat, was also allegedly too drunk to drive.
Who is Mr. Africano? Well, he’s none other than Craig Dutra, Westport selectman and President of the Community Federation of Southeastern Massachusetts. The good people of Westport have been amazingly silent throughout this scandal. I’m hoping they are just waiting for Ms. Africano, an attorney, to have her day in court.
The board of the Community Foundation has also been too quiet. Do they condone this type of behavior from their CEO? They have been aided in their cover-up by the blab sheet on Elm Street. The blab sheet has kept this story on their back pages and only recently reported that Dutra is a Westport selectman. They never mentioned his day job. More quality journalism from the South Coast’s leading bird-cage liner.
Then there’s Mayor John Mitchell, a former federal prosecutor. Yeah, he’s really tough on crime. How can we take him seriously when he hosts fundraisers that allegedly encourage people to become intoxicated? This should have been front page news, but the blab sheet on Elm Street is still too busy kissing Mitchell’s backside.
That’s why we’re here. Whaling City Watch exists to keep the alleged journalists, politicians, and anointed elite in our community honest. If we don’t do it, who will?
THE REST OF THE STORY… by whalingcitywatch http://whalingcitywatch.com/2012/11/10/the-rest-of-the-story/
You can add February 12, 2013 to your calendar. That’s when Carolina, often known as Sylvia, Africano will have her day in court.
By now you know the story. All the way back on June 5, Carolina and her husband, Craig Dutra, left Jon Michell’s fundraiser at the Waterfront Grille. Later that evening, Westport’s power couple was apprehended by Swansea Police. Ms. Africano had driven TWELVE miles past the I-195 exit for their home. Attorney Africano, a member of the Westport School Committee, reportedly agreed to field sobriety tests, but refused to take a Breathalyzer test. The Fall River Herald News published an account of what allegedly transpired during that test:
“I asked Ms. Africano if she could recite the alphabet from A to Z without singing it,” (Swansea Patrolman Donald) DiBiasio wrote. “Ms. Africano started the test but I stopped her several times instructing her each time how the test should be performed. Ms. Africano completed this test but when she got to R she stated, ‘r n s t u v w x y z,’ and then sang, ‘Now I know my abc’s, next time won’t you sing with me.’”
What about Craig Dutra? Well, the Swansea Police report states that Mr. Dutra was also under the influence of alcohol. Dutra, a Westport selectman and President of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, had to be taken to the station to arrange for a ride.
The Fall River Herald News has done a great job covering this story. Their standards of journalism are evidently higher than the blab sheet on Elm Street. Even in an article published earlier this week, the blab sheet continues to omit certain details:
Africano and Dutra most likely became intoxicated at the Mitchell fundraiser. Dutra’s involvement in the incident. Why is the blab sheet attempting to cover-up this scandal? Could the old money interests of the Community Foundation be threatening the blab sheet with a loss of advertising revenue? That paper is already on life support. On most days, the ads are rather sparse. Even one of its star reporters, Charis Anderson, moonlights as a swimming instructor. A couple of the guys at Whaling City Watch would love to take a swim with that cutie! In any event, the blab sheet’s omission of key facts shatters any credibility they had left.
We’re also willing to bet that Carolina, despite some pretty compelling evidence, escapes with no punishment or a tap on the wrist. When you are well off and politically connected, the justice system sometimes gives you a pass. As Lenny Bruce once said, ” In the Halls of Justice the only justice is in the halls.”
Whaling City Watch will continue to monitor developments in this interesting case. In the meantime, we believe the citizens of Westport should expect more from their public officials. Our nation just saw the resignation of former General David Petraeus for an extramarital affair that did not threaten anyone’s lives. The allegations against Africano and Dutra are far worse as their conduct endangered the well-being of their fellow motorists. They should be forced to resign.
Letter: Union should support successful charter program December 18, 2011
The New Bedford teachers union ("Your View: Charter schools "lose" too many students," Dec. 14) trots out tired and unfounded arguments in its criticism of New Bedford's Global Learning Charter Public School.
I wonder why the union takes so much time and energy to fight a successful school rather than work collaboratively with hard-working educators who want to improve education for all New Bedford children? Global Learning has a strong record of academic achievement and ranks among the top performing schools in the district.
It's true the teachers who teach there are not members of the union. But the school is a public school, open to all children from all backgrounds. Its enrollment is determined by lottery so every family has an equal chance to enroll their children. The children who learn there are public school children and they live in the community. Their parents pay taxes to support public education and they have made a choice they feel is in the best interest of their children. Why is the union trying to make educational decisions for all New Bedford parents?
The time to fight the existence of charter public schools has passed. Cities like Boston are embracing the innovations charters have adopted and are working collaboratively with us to improve educational outcomes for all children.
Last year, the Legislature approved legislation allowing charters to double the number of students we can educate in low-performing school districts like New Bedford. The MCPSA has launched an initiative focused on expanding charters in Gateway Cities like New Bedford. We look forward to working with parents and community leaders in the city to offer more educational options for New Bedford families.
Marc Kenen Executive Director Massachusetts Charter Public School Association
High in demand, recession proof, bi-partisan" Charter schools the new investment business?
Invest in Public Charter Schools?
video.cnbc.com
Public charter schools have become very popular as parents seek more choice in educating their children. But are charter schools a wise addition to your investment portfolio? David Brian, Entertainment Properties Trust
5 comments:
A very nice are article about the 2013 Westport man of the year
I’LL HAVE ANOTHER……
by whalingcitywatch
http://whalingcitywatch.com/2012/08/01/ill-have-another-21/
“I’ll have another….” is a phrase that was probably heard at John Mitchell’s swanky $100 per person fundraiser at the Waterfront Grille back on June 5. Hey, I’ve been known to have an adult beverage or two. However, it is totally another matter when people get behind the wheel of an automobile. That’s exactly what happened to two pillars of the community who attended the Mitchell function.
The Fall River Herald News reports that Sylvia C. Africano, a member of the Westport School Committee, was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failure to operate within marked lanes and failing to stop for a police officer. Ms. Africano was allegedly so snookered that she had passed the Westport exit 12 miles east of where she was stopped, IN SWANSEA! Her husband, in the passenger’s seat, was also allegedly too drunk to drive.
Who is Mr. Africano? Well, he’s none other than Craig Dutra, Westport selectman and President of the Community Federation of Southeastern Massachusetts. The good people of Westport have been amazingly silent throughout this scandal. I’m hoping they are just waiting for Ms. Africano, an attorney, to have her day in court.
The board of the Community Foundation has also been too quiet. Do they condone this type of behavior from their CEO? They have been aided in their cover-up by the blab sheet on Elm Street. The blab sheet has kept this story on their back pages and only recently reported that Dutra is a Westport selectman. They never mentioned his day job. More quality journalism from the South Coast’s leading bird-cage liner.
Then there’s Mayor John Mitchell, a former federal prosecutor. Yeah, he’s really tough on crime. How can we take him seriously when he hosts fundraisers that allegedly encourage people to become intoxicated? This should have been front page news, but the blab sheet on Elm Street is still too busy kissing Mitchell’s backside.
That’s why we’re here. Whaling City Watch exists to keep the alleged journalists, politicians, and anointed elite in our community honest. If we don’t do it, who will?
THE REST OF THE STORY…
by whalingcitywatch
http://whalingcitywatch.com/2012/11/10/the-rest-of-the-story/
You can add February 12, 2013 to your calendar. That’s when Carolina, often known as Sylvia, Africano will have her day in court.
By now you know the story. All the way back on June 5, Carolina and her husband, Craig Dutra, left Jon Michell’s fundraiser at the Waterfront Grille. Later that evening, Westport’s power couple was apprehended by Swansea Police. Ms. Africano had driven TWELVE miles past the I-195 exit for their home. Attorney Africano, a member of the Westport School Committee, reportedly agreed to field sobriety tests, but refused to take a Breathalyzer test. The Fall River Herald News published an account of what allegedly transpired during that test:
“I asked Ms. Africano if she could recite the alphabet from A to Z without singing it,” (Swansea Patrolman Donald) DiBiasio wrote. “Ms. Africano started the test but I stopped her several times instructing her each time how the test should be performed. Ms. Africano completed this test but when she got to R she stated, ‘r n s t u v w x y z,’ and then sang, ‘Now I know my abc’s, next time won’t you sing with me.’”
What about Craig Dutra? Well, the Swansea Police report states that Mr. Dutra was also under the influence of alcohol. Dutra, a Westport selectman and President of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, had to be taken to the station to arrange for a ride.
The Fall River Herald News has done a great job covering this story. Their standards of journalism are evidently higher than the blab sheet on Elm Street. Even in an article published earlier this week, the blab sheet continues to omit certain details:
Africano and Dutra most likely became intoxicated at the Mitchell fundraiser.
Dutra’s involvement in the incident.
Why is the blab sheet attempting to cover-up this scandal? Could the old money interests of the Community Foundation be threatening the blab sheet with a loss of advertising revenue? That paper is already on life support. On most days, the ads are rather sparse. Even one of its star reporters, Charis Anderson, moonlights as a swimming instructor. A couple of the guys at Whaling City Watch would love to take a swim with that cutie! In any event, the blab sheet’s omission of key facts shatters any credibility they had left.
We’re also willing to bet that Carolina, despite some pretty compelling evidence, escapes with no punishment or a tap on the wrist. When you are well off and politically connected, the justice system sometimes gives you a pass. As Lenny Bruce once said, ” In the Halls of Justice the only justice is in the halls.”
Whaling City Watch will continue to monitor developments in this interesting case. In the meantime, we believe the citizens of Westport should expect more from their public officials. Our nation just saw the resignation of former General David Petraeus for an extramarital affair that did not threaten anyone’s lives. The allegations against Africano and Dutra are far worse as their conduct endangered the well-being of their fellow motorists. They should be forced to resign.
Letter: Union should support successful charter program
December 18, 2011
The New Bedford teachers union ("Your View: Charter schools "lose" too many students," Dec. 14) trots out tired and unfounded arguments in its criticism of New Bedford's Global Learning Charter Public School.
I wonder why the union takes so much time and energy to fight a successful school rather than work collaboratively with hard-working educators who want to improve education for all New Bedford children? Global Learning has a strong record of academic achievement and ranks among the top performing schools in the district.
It's true the teachers who teach there are not members of the union. But the school is a public school, open to all children from all backgrounds. Its enrollment is determined by lottery so every family has an equal chance to enroll their children. The children who learn there are public school children and they live in the community. Their parents pay taxes to support public education and they have made a choice they feel is in the best interest of their children. Why is the union trying to make educational decisions for all New Bedford parents?
The time to fight the existence of charter public schools has passed. Cities like Boston are embracing the innovations charters have adopted and are working collaboratively with us to improve educational outcomes for all children.
Last year, the Legislature approved legislation allowing charters to double the number of students we can educate in low-performing school districts like New Bedford. The MCPSA has launched an initiative focused on expanding charters in Gateway Cities like New Bedford. We look forward to working with parents and community leaders in the city to offer more educational options for New Bedford families.
Marc Kenen
Executive Director
Massachusetts Charter Public School Association
High in demand, recession proof, bi-partisan" Charter schools the new investment business?
Invest in Public Charter Schools?
video.cnbc.com
Public charter schools have become very popular as parents seek more choice in educating their children. But are charter schools a wise addition to your investment portfolio? David Brian, Entertainment Properties Trust
Ellen Shaw
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