ie. Mr. Christenson 'chose' not initiate the people's voice. NOW he is choosing to use it as a political card to slide into the mayor's seat. It's too late for that. Open your eyes to the politics that are now in play to coerce you into "4 more years of the same old Howard regime."

uesday, October 4, 2011
This is not a female/male issue first of all. The council did not listen to the people before they instituted this Blue Bag tax. The council turned against the people despite the protest of the people. The council, which Mr. Christenson was a part of at the time could have overturned the Blue Bag tax but he "chose" not to initiate this initiative, instead he followed his predecessor, like the other councillors, he caved in to the Mayor and stood against "the people" by choice. It takes guts to stand up and do the right thing for the people who elect you.

Michael: What I worry about on #1 is someone like Frank Aranella loading up the ballot questions with ridiculous items and people would vote them in just because they were there or they don't understand the question. No, I wasn't happy with the outcome of the PAYT ballot question. We didn't do our job and get the right number of people out to vote and the council didn't do their job and listen to the people. None of the four amigos worked with us. Kinnon did a drop of his ward the week before using kids from the charter school.

As far as Gary and his votes against the Mayor, his was never a deciding vote. He sure didn't vote against this last budget. The female candidate voted against the budget both years in office.

Hey Toni, I have plans to address this either sometime today or tomorrow - especially with the election coming up, I've decided I want to be a bit iron-fisted about it. More information to come!

Hey, I couldn't agree more. I'd like Patch to be a place where folks can actually discuss the election without having to referee ridiculous accusations, etc.

Chris: Just curious...it states that Gary submitted this info on the ballot question yet there is a picture of a Craig Spadafora sign. What's up with that?

I wouldn't read too much into the stock election photos I use, Annie - just trying to mix them up so people don't think I am favoring one candidate over another and the site doesn't look stale, that's all.

Chris: Thanks for the answer. Any word back from Gary on his stand on the SAFER grant?

I'm on it! We had a surprise visit from the Lt. Governor this morning so my day isn't going totally as planned, but I haven't forgotten about you. Once I post another article, he's next on my agenda :)

Chris: I just uploaded (in my opinion, of course!) a more appropriate picture for a ballot question story. What do you think?

Actually, I may take that one down, since it's referring to an old Election date which may confuse readers (this year's election is Tuesday, Nov. 8)

Michael: You asked about Deb's budget vote. Her first budget they both voted against it. You may mean this past budget. I was in the meeting and the vote in the back was to bring it to the floor for the full council to vote on. Deb agreed with that. She had questioned the Mayor and was not pleased with the result. Gary had the same option as Deb to vote against the budget and chose to accept it. Maybe he thought Deb was going to vote for it and he wanted to mirror her vote. Now he is mad he didn't stand up to the Mayor on this budget. His choice.
You want to talk about behavior off camera? Gary and Neil verbally attacked Deb during a non-MATV council meeting to the point where Bob Miller told me if they ever attacked him like that he would ask them to step outside so he could punch them in the face! Were you at that meeting?
As far as taking signs down, the same could be said of your group. We have the video. I also put a sign in a store window and after a couple of days noticed it was gone. The store owner said Gary supporters intimidated him into taking it down. I would think once you saw a sign, you would respect that and move along.
Nothing was "staged" at the council meeting last night. The outburst was brought on by the councilors speaking about the soccer ruining parks and another councilor mentioned Roosevelt park which is near and dear to the Concerned Citizens after a hard won fight against back room deals.
Don't make me LOL about contacting my councilor.

Looks like Gary took it on the chin tonight in the debate. Deb did a great job.

Haha! "The outburst was brought on by......."....what nonsense!!!! No excuses!! The outburst was brought on by a total lack of self control at a televised public meeting, by a staunch member of the Fallon group(ies). That, in a nut shell (pun intended) is what you get with Fallon.

Staunch, well respected, and having the integrity to stand up for kids who have no one to advocate on their behalf.
Fallon has lots of people with the same integrity and guts. That's my wife and I'm very proud of her.

Having strong beliefs is admirable, but standing up for things you believe in does not require a tantrum or tirade. Screaming out and stomping around is embarassingly immature behavior for any adult, especially for a teacher, who should know that her actions are always an example for her students. Integrity? I think not. Looks and sounds more like an explosive outburst which should have been reflected upon before the knee jerk reaction. Fallon attracts (and takes advantage of) this type of volatile supporter, and you are correct that she has lots with that same...what you call "integrity" and "guts"...which is in reality impulsive, explosive tantrums in response to opposition in any form.

....I should also add that neither this crew of explosive Fallon supporters nor their clear inability to confront opposing viewpoints or opinions in a respectful and thoughtful way, bode well for Malden if Fallon actually becomes our next mayor. What a great disservice it would be for all.

It would be nice if deleted comments would state a reason (such as "this comment has been deleted for foul language" or "deleted by editor following a user complaint". It looks like a thread above was deleted and I'm not sure why. On the other hand it's okay for people to use inflammatory language and incite arguments. Hmm.

Julie: As a resident of Malden, you should be upset and angry at the condition this city has been allowed to fall into. It is the complacent and "go along to get along" group who have run the city into a ditch. Allow the numbers of police and ff's to shrink while the city population continues to explode. Make it easier for drug treatment centers and sober houses to open than a legitimate business. Docile and mute is what the admin has been all about. Clearly you don't agree with me Julie and I am fine with that. I make no apology for standing up and yes, fighting for a better Malden than we have endured these past 8-10 years.
Why don't you or your candidate spend a day in the shoes of a 5th grade teacher at the Salemwood then tell me you wouldn't fight for those children who have so little. Oh, that's right, we don't think the same so your response would be "let them eat turf"!

A multitude of Malden teachers support Christenson for mayor! These teachers don't need to spend a day in the shoes of Ms. Sullivan, as they have their own students, MANY of whom are just as needy as hers. They, too, advocate for their students on a daily basis, without standing on soapboxes and shouting at people, or interrupting others in midsentence, as is Ms. Sullivan's habit. She chooses to address issues with agressive, obnoxious behavior, stomping around like a 2 year old, because she's disappointed. Her yelling and stomping doesn't make her more committed or caring than any of her colleagues. It just shows she's very poorly behaved in the face of adversity. Repeating clearly: Not admirable behavior, especially for a teacher, who should be setting the example of RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION with others.

Julie M
You seem to have crafted an opinion about my wife who you don't know. My wife is a person of character and integrity. She never put herself above any other teacher in Malden. Kathy is a well respected, kind, and loyal individual. Anytime you would like to sit down with me to discuss the character of my wife please let me know.
My wife would actually encourage her students to stand up for what is right. She is very much loved and respected by her students because she respects them and engages them in honest discussions. She listens and responds to them unlike the other councillors who ignored the efforts put forth to end the illegal contract the MVRCS entered into with the city.

Robert: Julie M is quite opinionated about people she does not know. Her M.O. is to attack people without having any involvement in local politics until this campaign. Instead of checking out what all sides are to an issue and then making a "thoughtful, respectful" decision she just attacks. We all know what a wonderful woman your wife is and how she has dedicated her life's work to the neediest of children. What Julie hasn't asked her teacher friends is if they would actually work at Salemwood. The other schools are considered "country clubs" compared to the Salemwood. Many children would be lost without the caring teacher and comforter Kathy is.

What Julie fails to realize is that her candidate has been the face of the admin for all these years. Did she know he was appointed by the Mayor years ago to sit on the school committee? From there he launched his lifelong goal of being the Mayor, whatever it took. How closely do you have to put the dots for people to realize there will be no change in his administration? Who wants more sober houses and drug treatment centers? The only way to shut down a drug treatment center in this city is to indict the owner for fraud. How sad is that? I do not believe what we have been fed: you can't shut them down. I doubt it. Elect Deb Fallon and get our city back from those who have allowed it to swirl around the drain. You bet we are angry! Time for change, real change! Not just a name change. DEB FALLON FOR MAYOR!!!

Well said, Michael! As far as Gary and his staff...they are all passionate about moving Malden forward by electing Gary as our next mayor...without behaving like Loose Cannons! As proven by himself and his staff, this is what we will have with Gary: respect and inclusion. As proven by Fallon and her staff, we would continue to get grandstanding for very specific causes, rather than inclusion, and more than a few Loose Cannons screaming and behaving badly wherever and whenever, in the name of their very specific "passions".

Julie M

Yes, very specific passion called "children". No shame there. Anytime you would like to sit down and have a conversation about the person behind those passions the offer is still open.

To be clear, there was actually a warning (euphamism for threat) issued on boston.com a couple of months back by an active Fallon supporter, a self proclaimed active team member, that read: "YOU'D BETTER RUN FAR ON NOVEMBER 8 WHEN COUNCILOR AT LARGE FALLON BECOMES MAYOR FALLON!"

Is this the group we want running our city? Without any hesitation, I say NO WAY, NO HOW. I don't have respect for this mentality, and I would hope that Malden would stand up and say the same with their votes.

Robert, I was not referring only to your wife. But since you brought up children, they are an admirable passion! Children happen to be one of my passions as well! Passion does not equate to explosive behavior. Don't look for any kudos of honor for explosive behavior, even in the name of a worthy passion.

With all due respect, please understand that I am not interested in having a conversation about or with the "doer of the deed". She behaved in this way publicly, at a public meeting, and more than once, so she has given me, and anyone else watching the meeting, the right to react to what we saw. Please do not try to take away my right to comment on this public behavior, on a public forum.

It is widely known, because she has made it so, that your wife is very active on Fallon for Mayor team, and that's where it becomes an even greater concern for all of Malden, because she speaks (tantrums) on behalf of Fallon and her specific CAUSES, plural.

I am not interested in, or intimidated by your invitation to personally meet with her. The fact is, I've seen and heard enough publicly to know that I don't want to connect personally!

Julie

As I thought, full of opinions but no backbone to sit down and to have a discussion. Actions speak louder than words. I would take my wife's actions to stand up for children over your empty words any day of the week. Do you have a last name or are you going to remain anonymous so you can continue to sling words? Which one of the individuals you support have step up for the children at this school? NOT ONE OF THEM!

Julie

One last comment for you. "Well behaved women RARELY make history." Have you heard that quote?

So am I to understand then the Gary community would NOT be representing those who are so passionate about the children that they sometimes lose it at a meeting because the citizens are not allowed a voice at such meetings? We are forced to only communicate off camera and offline individually to each of those representing our issues? Deb is fighting for the right to have a 2 minute citizen openmike opportunity. Yes, I realize this has been on the books for a long while but no one has made it happen-yet. Can we count on Gary to vote FOR that? Obviously the population is extremely frustrated with the inaction of the council over the past 8-10 years in keeping our city safe, clean and liveable. Why all of a sudden we are to believe Gary can get the job done if he has been the "silent partner" to this Mayor and council? Can he actually get a backbone and stand up for the people he has ignored all these years? Seems he was in the group that told us there was nothing that could be done with the sober houses and drug treatment centers that have been allowed to flourish here. You never did answer me on that question about your group being ok with fewer police and ff's and more sober houses and treatment centers.

Julii or Julie

So if you are so sincere, why not have the backbone to face the issues with a last name? Your words are empty. Maybe you should talk to your teacher friends and have them tell you how much my wife gives back to her school community and colleagues namelessly and without her name attached it. She has the guts to do what you don't do or won't do. In my book that makes a hero.

Hmmm...I don't know, Robert. Maybe you should check with Incorruptibility or Myrtle turtle on that, speaking of LAST names.

Hey Julii -Julie I just read this on Boston.com from MVParent. It's Very Scary. The Mystic Valley parent propoponent wants to shoot all the students and teachers trapped in the public schools so they can be saved by the charter school. READ THIS FOLKS:

MVParent wrote:
Old Public Schools are like the old Iron Curtain..... the only difference is the state wall called a cap. Its breaking down but the soldiers are on the wall shooting the trapped.

Hey robert....unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that you are as nuts as the rest of your gang. Goodbye, robert.

Spineless Julie. We aren't spineless.

You HAVE NO FACTS only spineless opinions. Offer is still open to sit down and COMMUNICATE.

What a tempting offer! Sitting down to "COMMUNICATE" with volatile and bullyish "communicators". I should bring a bodyguard as we have differing opinions, and that's clearly not allowed. What great examples for the objects of your passion.....the children!

Julie: How infantile are you? Must you continue to berate people and make these false innuendos? Gary knows Kathy and I'm not sure he would approve of your dissing someone who so obviously does the hard work of protecting the neediest of our children. Sure we all would like to see Roosevelt park in the condition it should be in since they built the school. Part of the package was to rehab that park when they built the school. How many years has it been known to the council and admin this park was in a flood plain? This didn't just happen overnight. The admin and our councilors have turned a blind eye and ignored all these public buildings which have fallen into such disrepair the cost to fix them is only getting higher - remember McFadden Manor? How many dept. heads drive SUV's? How much money is paid out to recycled cronies to be on the "consultant" payroll none of us have any knowledge of? Gary's idea of bringing business into Malden is food trucks! Really? How about aiming a lot higher? You obviously have made up your mind so vote for 4 more years of the same. How bad is this city that a school teacher has to lose her cool at a council meeting because this council is more interested in backroom deals with a charter school than finding the money and fixing the park without any deals?

Michael are you for real?? Comparing mass murderers and sexual predators to a opinion stated in council chambers. If this were the case our fore fathers would have all been in jail and we would be under the English crown. I am also glad you have the clarvoince to know what nestor was thinking at that time since he never said turfing around the goal posts. The park at Salemwood is not a dedicated soccer park its used for girls softball and little league. No goal post installed. Where is this turf going to go????? This is why I like this forum you cant shoot your mouth off and hide under a made up name.

Michael Thats right I fought for that right so everyone can have an opinion. I have had friends of mine die to preserve this right. Thats why my full name is out there unlike Jullie/julli who shoots her mouth off and hides behind the cloak of invisability. To me that is a coward. If you have an opinion, state it and let it be known. To this I give you credit. Now you are putting words in my mouth that I want to take away peoples right to freedom of speech, you are trending on very thin ice.

That wasn't the first threat coming from the source, and from the track record, it likely won't be the last. This is exactly my point. In my viewpoint this is gang like behavior, in the name of Fallon for mayor. Rampaging on the message boards and out in public are forms of violence. If you don't agree with their tactics or viewpoints, then you get insulted or bullied. (hasn't your wife informed you of the anti-bullying policy??) I'm not impressed with this brand of "passion", and I don't believe it is constructive to our community.
Mr. Sullivan, you have called me spineless and threatened me with face to face meetings with someone who has proven to me by her behavior that I want no personal contact. That's threatening. I have every right to express myself respectfully without being insulted just because you do not agree with me. I do not believe that your professed service to our country gave you the right to disrespect me or my rights, or anyone else's. The members of my own family who have served, as well as colleagues and friends who have served, do not behave in the bullyish way you do, so it's not a service person's attitude, it's your own.

Julie You can keep running your mouth, in fact it is getting quite old. Stay hidden so you can say what you want and dont have to back it up. Thats fine thats your choice, so be it a cowardly one. Where did you the right to tell me that I am bullying, Boy is that a stretch. First off the conversation was with Michael, In fact we talk quite a bit in person some thing you should try. I find him very likable although our views differ, thats what makes America great. You keep saying I threatened you when in fact it was a invite to a meeting. This just shows your twisted views. Mike has talked to me face to face several times, ask him if i ever threatened him. Julli the more you keep running your mouth the more everyone is tuning out. Just so you know my name is attached to this post. If i was hiding behind a fake name I could say what ever I wanted. Do use all a favor and come out of the closet and state you name.

Hey, guys? I was going to let this run it's course, but it's been several days and now the tone is getting kind of uncomfortable and insulting. I don't want people to feel threatened or just have this all devolve into name-calling. Why don't we call it a day and regroup for the next thread?

That was my intention a few comments back, until I saw my name creeping up insultingly in further posts by Mr. Sullivan. I believe this is called "egging someone on", isn't it? I don't appreciate the threatening tone to some comments in his posts, as was noted, in fact, by Michael in one of his own posts. As far as I understand, Chris, I have every right to have expressed my opinion of a televised outburst at a council meeting by a city employee of another department, and to express my feeling that outbursts like this one only serve to defeat the purpose of gaining open mike at council meetings. In return, I have been barraged with insults of spinelessness. My name is Julie, and I prefer to leave it at that. That is my perogative, as I understand, as well. Maybe if there were fewer openly explosive people on these boards, I might feel more comfortable using my last name. As in typical bullying situations, the bullier feels entitled to continue his bullying, and the bullied is threatened. Wondering why the editor didn't step in sooner, in fact.

Julie How high is your soap box? No one threatened you, and no one egged you on. I am just making the statement that a real person would stand behind their name and not post with out being known. Thats a coward, and a fact. If you were threatened in any way Chris would of flagged the post. I am also glad you can speak for michael, hes a big boy and can handle him self, as I stated before and I'll do it again. Michael and I speak to each other often and I would appreciate you leaving him out of your comments to me. I feel Chris is on the right path with pulling this post thread its going no where.

Julie, you certainly do have the right to make such a remark, and, alternatively, people who disagree with you also have the right to post and criticize your reasoning. If you felt I should've intervened sooner - due to feeling threatened, harassed, whatever - you could always reach me directly at Chris.Caesar@patch.com and I'd hear you out. Otherwise, I tend toward having a hands-off approach to regulating comments, at least until they reach a certain threshold of nastiness. As the tone got a little dicey and personal, I thought it best to stop. I hope you understand.

Robert, I appreciate you using your real name, but the personal attacks should probably be kept to a minimum, in the future. I understand this is kind of personal for you, but, people can have reasonable disagreements about this situation, and I think we ought to respect that.

For everyone: I'll just leave this here, as it serves to temper my feelings and put things in perspective during heated message board arguments of my own: http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/duty_calls.png

And, as always, thanks for commenting. I know you guys care a lot, and that this comes from passion, but I just want to make sure we don't overdo it. Thanks, everyone.

Thanks, Chris. If I had seen your cartoon before posting this last time, I might have refrained from doing so, with a chuckle. Thanks for the comic relief! I'll try to keep it in mind for future reference!

Sorry guys, I'm going to delete both of those last minute swipes. If you can't play nice, I will turn this Patch around soooo fast...

Thanks chris, It was due along time ago. I think you should revist the true name policy. That would fix alot of problems. Thanks again. You know who.

I appreciate it, guys. I am definitely trying to formulate the most judicious balance between having robust discussions and not having it devolve into name-calling. We should have more information about this tomorrow morning (I believe).

I believe that not devolving into name-calling would fix an even greater problem.

Here's a new discussion on which, as a new resident of Malden, I'd appreciate some impassioned feedback: http://malden.patch.com/articles/poll-who-has-the-best-pizza-in-malden