Marzelli on Bumpkin
Bill Marzelli, Middleboro local, pro-casino activist, and regular co-host/guest on Adam Bond’s Coffee Shop Talk radio show, had some comments about my blog regarding the no trespassing signs around the casino bingo property on Precinct Street. Specifically, he is commenting on it due to the Brockton Enterprise article that mentioned the post. The comments came on the August 14th installment of Coffee Shop Talk.
Mr. Marzelli went to some sarcastically exaggerated pains to explain to us simpletons that the Twin River address on the signs probably meant that the land was owned by Kerzner – as if myself and the Enterprise didn’t or couldn’t fathom it. The thing is, we both mention ownership in our individual articles, and in fact the whole point of my blog post was a call for Kerzner to turn over ownership of the land to the Mashpee Wampanoag. This tells me that he didn’t even read my post despite the fact that he spent a couple of minutes talking about it. He also explained to us slack-jaws that the quantity of signs was probably due to Massachusetts posting laws. I think most people who read my original post would understand the joke behind the mention of the sign quantities and my bike riding in the area. Given that I couldn’t find any mention of Massachusetts sign posting regulations, I’m willing to bet that it is a local ordinance. The pathetic state of the Middleboro web site would explain why it couldn’t be found.
The discussion of the signs was followed by rather snide mention of the proposed CasinoFacts.org fund raiser in Lakeville, a suggestion that someone planted endangered turtles on the casino site, Selectman Nancy Yeatts, and the Casino Task Force. As an aside, I hadn’t heard that there were red-bellied cooters on the site. Near the site – yes. On the site – no.
To be explored further in a separate blog post: Does debate in Middleboro always have to be nasty when people are on different sides of an issue? Is the toxic atmosphere in Middleboro normal for small towns, or unique to Middleboro. I don’t know the answer. If one of the local pro-casino types had made a similar call for the land to be given to the tribe would it have elicited the same rather ridiculing commentary? I think not. If Middleboro/Casino Friend(s) had a fund raiser planned, would it be ridiculed or promoted? If the editor of the local paper is on the opposite side of an issue – is she unprofessional and unethical or simply on the opposite side of an issue?
Here is the audio. Click the mustache to play and make your own judgement.
During board meetings, the Selectmen refer to WRPD or zoning regulations or town by-laws or subdivision regulations. Where are they? You raised a good point about the need to post that kind of information on the web site.
If you look at other towns, you can find their information. Why not Middleboro? How come it’s not done? Is this rocket science?
I think Marzelli really thinks he told us something we don’t already know. I thought Twin River Rd.,Lincoln RI was Walmart headquarters, silly me. As far as a Red Bellied Coooter being placed on the property, not a chance. Turtles have very small brains and one track minds, maybe, just maybe, there is a food source or something attracting them to the site, the land is a natural habitat for alot of species of plants and animals. That man lost me with “the chocolate in one hand nothing in the other” bit.
No wonder Tom Thumb chose Middleboro as his home. It has such a carnival atmosphere.
To anonymous 7:25
Why can’t Bond have topic’s on how to improve relations in Midd. or improve the town’s image,(instead of keep making it worse), or different ideas on how to solve OTHER town issue? (there are plenty of them). Why can’t the Middleboro Gazette pick up this same type of reporting? Come on, front page news is about a yard sale?? What a waste of paper not to mention .50.
To be fair to Adam – after a regrettable series on why bloggers are bad, Adam seems to be making a real effort to address other issues. He has had shows about Rockland Industries, he’s spearheaded a citizens green entegy committee, there was a show about Cape Wind. He’s still cheerleading his cause – but so am I.
And as for the Gazette – I have to disagree. I think it does a pretty good job. I think many of us were very unhappy with the casino coverage from both the Gazette and the Enterprise. In the hard light of morning, I don’t think it was that bad. I have to admit that I’ve dealt personally with Jane and Alice a number of times and have found them to be reasonable people.
I’ve decided to chop most of the comments. Suffice to say there are a lot of people unhappy with the way things are going and have gone.
I’ve responded to Bill’s comments about my blog and don’t want to dredge up any more animosity than necessary and fuel the fire of Middleboro discontent.
Just for you:
Comment for you Bellicose Bumpkin,
Good for you, it can go to far!! (even I can get “caught up” and I said I never would!),
Smart move, we need more level headed thinking like yours. Good work.