As one of those dinosaurs who still prefers to read my news off the inky page, rather than the computer screen, I run the risk of missing some great stuff that’s only available on that world wide web all the kids are talking about—or, at least, finding it long after the fact.
That’s how I almost missed Tom Devine’s excellent report of last month’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new state data center that’s to be built at the site of the old Tech High building.
Among the great shots Devine captured with his ever-ready digital camera that day: a pinched-looking Gov. Deval Patrick; jovial-looking former Mayors Charlie Ryan and Billy Sullivan, standing side by side; activist (and, Devine calls her, his fellow “troublemaker”)’ Sheila McElwaine in a very hip pair of eyeglasses. And one shot that makes me wish Devine’s many talents included lip-reading: Mayor Domenic Sarno, U.S. Rep. Richie Neal and state Rep. Angelo Puppolo huddled in what looks like an intriguing conversation.
Devine notes that state Rep. Tommy Petrolati—who lost a heated battle over where the data center would go—skipped the ceremony. In addition, he writes with his typical spunk, “Former Mayor Michael Albano never attends these types of affairs, perhaps out of fear of being tarred, feathered and thrown into the Connecticut River by angry Springfield residents. Old rogues who did appear included library thief Henry Thomas and the shady ex-rep Saco Catjakis.”
Devine also writes of Neal’s role, during his tenure as Springfield’s mayor, in the sad fate of Tech High (citing an old Advocate article by my colleague Stephanie Kraft).
“However if there was any political blame for Tech’s tragic demise, no one was casting any guilt at this gala affair,” Devine writes. “In fact ironically the person most praised was Congressman Neal, who was showered with praise by every speaker. At the end of all the blather the whole motley crew gathered with golden shovels to fling a little dirt to usher in Tech’s new era, but perhaps flinging a little horse manure would have been more appropriate.”
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Oops – I almost missed, too, this great piece by Springfield Intruder Bill Dusty on School Committee Antonette Pepe’s fight to get to the bottom of some embarrassing, error-riddled exams given out to city students—and the typically shabby treatment Pepe received for her efforts.
Don’t miss the buried-too-low scoop by Dusty, about a letter School Committee members reportedly received from Superintendent Alan Ingram this spring calling on them to pledge their “fidelity” to fellow members—or risk being asked to resign their seat. Apparently, rabblerousers and whistleblowers like Pepe can’t expect to enjoy that same level of fidelity from their colleagues—she’s usually left blowing in the wind when she takes on the powers that be.
