Recession-proof?

Posted by Jeremy Shulkin

The Daily Beast has ranked Worcester #9 on its list of 20 “recession-proof” cities, based on increases in employment numbers, personal income and GDP between 2007 and 2009.

Hey, that’s some nice, good news. But part of me thinks if a Daily Beast staffer were to walk around downtown sharing this, they’d get an earful back.

We need to encourage growth

Posted by Brittany Durgin

The majority of Worcester Mag online users voted that the city should NOT continue charging businesses with a higher tax rate than homeowners, that we should be encouraging growth instead of punishing them for it. Full poll statistics below:

Should Worcester businesses have higher taxes than homeowners?

Absolutely!		36%
No, we need to encourage growth, not punish it		45%
No, businesses and homeowners should be taxed equally		14%
I’m indifferent to the matter		5%

Visit Worcester Mag online to tell us which September festival you’re most looking forward to.

Haller endorses Mahoney for d-13

Posted by Jeremy Shulkin

Based on a couple of black and white 8.5″ x 11″ pieces of paper appearing in mailboxes, district 4 city councilor Barbara Haller has endorsed district 13 state representative hopeful John Mahoney. Saying he “is all things Worcester,” she credits his previous try for the seat two years ago:

John Mahoney showed me what he stands for two years ago. JOHN MAHONEY was the only person to come forward after we learned — shortly before the 2008 State elections — that the present representative was accused of serious ethical violations of his duty. John knew he was likely to lose the 2008 last-minute write-in campaign, but he also knew someone had to stand up for honesty and real public service.

And, just so everyone’s clear about these sort of things, the flyer adds:

JOHN MAHONEY likes people, babies, and animals. JOHN MAHONEY also likes hard work, public service, and attention to detail.

Can’t find on newsstands

Posted by Brittany Durgin

Another update from the online desk.

You have to hear this – Woo Town Sounds currently features Neptune’s Car, a duo local to Worcester. Their folk/alternative country music is something that will make you stop, and really listen. Then, you’ll probably find yourself on their website looking for upcoming shows. FYI: They’ll be at stART on the Street next month. Find out more about Neptune’s Car and hear their music here.

Kaz Gamble debuts directing career in Worcester – Local film maker and music producer Kaz Gamble has released a music video for the song “I’m Nice” by Brendon Boyd. The video is being called Kaz’s debut as a director, and wisely or not, he shot the entire video here in Worcester. See Bell Pond, the Auditorium, and CSX trains make their appearance in the video, here.

The work behind the SAORI exhibit – SAORI banners can be seen hanging from the red bridge in Elm Park through Sunday. Watch a video of the work volunteers did to install the exhibit here, and look through a photo gallery of images from the morning the banners were hung here.

Our hott picks – From now on two Worcester Mag staffers will tell you what we think are hott events happening in the area. Find what Editor Doreen Manning and Online Editor Brittany Durgin think are events not to be missed here.

Basketball and baseball – Photo galleries accompany two stories, one on the Pay it Forward basketball league, and the other featuring the Worcester Tornadoes baseball team.

Until next time, enjoy and share your thoughts using the commenting tool.

A better way to curb graffiti?

Posted by Jeremy Shulkin

Today’s Telegram has a story about Ron Brown, the city’s employed graffiti remover.

When he finds a tag on a wall, a sign or even a guardrail, he pulls over, cites the location, takes out the necessary materials and removes the blemish. Even for a minuscule tag on the back of a stop sign at Harlem Street and Perry Avenue, Mr. Brown pulled to the side of the road, got out of the truck and scrubbed it off.

Morale doesn’t seem to be too high, however.

He said he sometimes feels like it’s a losing battle. Whenever they tag, he paints, and so the cycle goes. He may go through four, five or six colors of paint a day, but it never seems to match the original.

Maybe it’s time to revisit an old strategy.

Register to vote today

Posted by Jeremy Shulkin

Tomorrow is the actual last day to register to vote in the Sept. 14 primaries, but if you’re like me and think to yourself “I’ll do it tomorrow,” then you won’t do it. So do it today.

Get yourself down to city hall (or, if not in Worcester, your town hall) and talk to the Clerk or elections division.

Massachusetts has what’s called a “modified closed primary,” which means if you’ve registered or are about to register as a Democrat then you can only vote on the Democratic primary ticket. Same goes for registered/soon-to-be registered Republicans. If you’re registered/about to register as unenrolled, then you get to choose which ballot you want to submit that day (without changing your independent affiliation), so you have no excuses.

Who you can vote for (locally) after the jump:

A Lord comes to Worcester

Posted by Jeremy Shulkin

The Mayor’s neighborhood walk today through Green Island will feature a not-so-usual suspect: Lord Richard Faulkner. Faulkner is from Worcester, England, and is a member of the UK’s upper house of Parliament. Worcester, MA and Worcester, England, as you might have already guessed/known, are sister cities.

We’re posting this a little after the 4:00 start time (sorry!), but if you really want to see the Mayor today, you can still catch him at Pernet Family Health Services (237 Millbury St.) between 5:30 and 7:00 to share a concern or idea.

District 13 state rep. field shrinks

Posted by Jeremy Shulkin

Independent candidate Bruce Card announced that he’s leaving the race for state representative due to “family commitments.” Robert Spellane, that seat’s current legislator, is not seeking re-election.

At a press conference today, he added that he’s endorsing Paul Franco, the race’s lone Republican. Card said Franco’s attention to fiscal responsibility, intentions of “restoring integrity to Beacon Hill” and “goals of reviving the economy” mirrored his own platforms.

Updated 2:37, 8/23:

Card has sent out his own press release with a very under-used metaphor; Paul Franco’s policies as a stabbing trident:

This trident of reform on the business and industry of the state will have positive implications across a wide spectrum. This trident will stab at the heart of our down economy by streamlining the regulatory structure, lowering fees for doing business and lowering business taxes. This will stop the exodus of businesses from the state; and allow business to grow there by [sic] putting more people to work.