WORCESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT RELEASES PUBLIC RECORDS TO THE WORCESTER TELEGRAM AFTER LONG BATTLE
December 8, 2008
FYI-I am enclosing a news article from the Worcester Telegram about their tedious efforts to obtain Public records relative to allegations of Police Overtime Abuse and an Internal Affairs Issue. My concerns in my comment are the administration and implementation Public Records Laws. The Media and citizenry should not be victims because of the failure by the office of Attorney General and Secretary of State to enforce and prosecute Public records laws in a rapid and comprehensive manner. The barriers and hurdles the media and citizens face to obtain Public Records must be improved by stronger administration and enforcement.
FROM: John Gatti Jr,
Reader Comments
Transparency and Openness in Government must be practiced at all times.
Inefficiency, waste, and management in Government expenditures cannot be tolerated. However,if the goal of the media is sensational tabloid journalism, that also cannot be tolerated and civil rights of public employees must be honored.
What this public records request brings out is what some have been stating for years relative to Massachusetts Public Records Laws.
These laws are not being enforced and implemented. The past two Attorney Generals Harshbarger, Reilly, and now Coakley do not even handily enforce or routinely dismiss this law. Former Secretary of State Connolly and now successor Galvin cannot obtain even handed prosecution from the Office of Attorney General when a judged violation occurs. Public Records Supervisor Alan Cote decision making process is impotent at best.
This case clearly shows government failure to make judgements on public records disclosure on a definitive basis one way or another. Massachusetts desperately needs a Freedom of Information Commission to make rapid judgements on what are Public Records and what are not.
Most troubling to those of us that deal daily with public access is the time,effort,and expense the Telegram has gone through on this issue to obtain a resolution. This brings the pertinent point that how many other denials of access the Telegram, all media, and citizens who lack the financial means to pursue access then face a stone wall, tire and stop.
Another serious flaw and locally is the political discrimination manner that District Attorneys selectively administer Open Meeting Laws. Our local District Attorney Attorney Joseph D.Early Jr is a prime example violator.
Calls for strong reform and implementation for Public Records,Open Meeting, Whistleblower, and Shield laws continuely are dismissed by Government leaders. The Media and Citizens must have a strong outcry to save our Press Freedoms and Free Speech.
-John Gatti Jr
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Dec 8, 2008
T&G to receive officer’s records
File on cop more than 1,500 pages
By Scott J. Croteau TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
scroteau@telegram.com
WORCESTER— The internal affairs records of Police Officer Mark A. Rojas will be turned over to the Telegram & Gazette by tomorrow, City Manager Michael V. O’Brien said yesterday.
Last week, Police Chief Gary J. Gemme said the records were not going to be released on Wednesday — the day he said they were going to be turned over — because a lawyer for the patrolmen’s union asked to review the 1,508-page file.
The chief agreed to postpone the release until at least Thursday, but Mr. O’Brien said yesterday the records will be available tomorrow.
“The chief informed me today (Sunday) that the T&G’s FOIA request for Officer Rojas’s employment file will have all internal reviews complete by Tuesday, December 9, 2008 and will have this set for pick up by the close of business on the ninth,” Mr. O’Brien said. “I trust this will bring closure to this matter.”
Mr. O’Brien said the chief contacted the patrolmen’s union and those officials are aware of the timetable.
The T&G initially requested copies of citizen complaints against Officer Rojas in April. The Police Department was paid $1,500 for the records Aug. 28.
Police spokesman Sgt. Kerry F. Hazelhurst said a lawyer for the New England Police Benevolent Association Local 911 wouldn’t be able to review the redacted file until Thursday.
“I stated from the outset that this particular request is rife with extraordinary circumstances. As you know, there is an external investigation under way regarding overtime abuse allegations, tying up internal resources to properly support this effort,” Mr. O’Brien said. “This FOIA request also required more due diligence than is typical, for it an extensive employment file over 1,500 pages containing active criminal investigations, witnesses, whistleblowers and other sensitive law enforcement information that cannot be released.”
The Police Department released a sample of the records recently. One page was completed blacked out and another had several redactions.
Massachusetts Republican Senate Leader Richard Tisei who did little or nothing when Republican Governors led the State now wants Ethics Reform under a Democratic Governor!
December 6,2008
I congratulate Senator Tisei, Minority Leader of the Republicans in the Massachusetts State Senate for coming almost too late to the issue of ethics reform? Senator Tisei said nothing and did nothing when Republican Governors Weld, Cellucci, Swift, and Romney were in charge and doing their wasteful unaccountable deeds of tax dollars thatlacked oversight on the Big Dig, Human Sevices, Consultants, Vendors, and Providers. He was there and watched the Governors of his party making the Big Dig costs go from #2.3 Billion to $23 billion that was riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse. Now there is no Republicans no longer control and he wants to become a taxpayer watchdog?
This Task Force was appointed at this time especially in light of the current Beacon Hill Scandals does appear as damage control. Their failure will be apparent with cursory recommendations that will come forward amount to only window dressing.
Look at the some names on this so called task force Charles Baker Jr., Scott Harshbarger, and Representative James Fagan! All had a part in the Big Dig fiasco that went from$2.3 Billion to $23 Billion that was riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse. This project was the largest construction cost construction project in history.
Does more need to be said about their watch and responsibilities? The Governor appointed this group and his person was named chair! Done deal, can this bring real reform? more political posturing and not real reforms?
The time has come for an independent government reform organization that should be installed and more independent than the WARD Commission that was formed during the Government Center Scandal. Maybe this time around the recommendations will be folllowed. Stop fooling the citizenry.
Time for a Governor and Legislature of both parties to disinfect their act and become true statesman.
December 6,2008
I congratulate Senator Tisei, Minority Leader of the Republicans in the Massachusetts State Senate for coming almost too late to the issue of ethics reform? Senator Tisei said nothing and did nothing when Republican Governors Weld, Cellucci, Swift, and Romney were in charge and doing their wasteful unaccountable deeds of tax dollars thatlacked oversight on the Big Dig, Human Sevices, Consultants, Vendors, and Providers. He was there and watched the Governors of his party making the Big Dig costs go from #2.3 Billion to $23 billion that was riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse. Now there is no Republicans no longer control and he wants to become a taxpayer watchdog?
This Task Force was appointed at this time especially in light of the current Beacon Hill Scandals does appear as damage control. Their failure will be apparent with cursory recommendations that will come forward amount to only window dressing.
Look at the some names on this so called task force Charles Baker Jr., Scott Harshbarger, and Representative James Fagan! All had a part in the Big Dig fiasco that went from$2.3 Billion to $23 Billion that was riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse. This project was the largest construction cost construction project in history.
Does more need to be said about their watch and responsibilities? The Governor appointed this group and his person was named chair! Done deal, can this bring real reform? more political posturing and not real reforms?
The time has come for an independent government reform organization that should be installed and more independent than the WARD Commission that was formed during the Government Center Scandal. Maybe this time around the recommendations will be folllowed. Stop fooling the citizenry.
Time for a Governor and Legislature of both parties to disinfect their act and become true statesman.
Award Wining Reporter Gabrielle Gurley asserts her support for a Gas Tax in Commonwealth Magazine
November 25,2008
(John Gatti Jr response on Commonwealth Magazine Blog Site)
I am most disappointed in your support of a Gas Tax Increase without stating the facts and history of how previous ones were spent. Representative David Linsky should at least look at the issue in total and present all the facts and history of where the gas tax increases went before demanding any gas tax or allowing any toll increases.
Your editor Bruce Mohl once ran The Globe Statehouse Bureau with integrity and fairness. I welcome him verifying any comments I am about to make because he was there during the Big Dig infancy and previous gas tax increase.
The former chair of the House Transportation Committee Representative Steven J. Karol stated in a contentious debate on the House Floor in May 1990 that no Turnpike funds would be used to pay for the Big Dig. This took place to approve legislation many were involved that already passed the Senate which would have provided oversight and accountability of the Big Dig project. The Special Interests defeated the measure.
When the last gas tax increase was approved in 1991, we were told that was adequate to fix the deteriorating roads and bridges that upon review did not. Look at was done and not fixed. Look at Federal Funds pouring into Massachusetts that could have been used to repair Massachusetts Interstate and Primary Roads and Bridges and were not.
The sad revelation revealed this week that Parsons Brinkerhoff part of the Big Dig engineering, design, and private oversight of the construction team that ran the Big Dig project from the original $2.3 billion to $23 Billion+ that is now to be awarded the lead design manager for the $370 million Massport project. You should ask the readers if this is right for the inefficiency, waste, mismanagement, fraud, and abuse of the Big Dig. under their watch? This is a moral and financial outrage. The Big Dig is the world’s largest construction project and is a monument for private sector greed and ravage of taxpayers by state and national government. Gas Taxes, Turnpike and Tunnel Tolls expansions should be taken off the table and not even be considered upfront.
Gas Taxes, Turnpike and Tunnel Tolls expansions should be taken off the table and not even be considered upfront.
The time has come for Massachusetts to establish a new WARD Type Commission such as established during the Boston Government Scandal that forced the legislature to implement many government contracting reforms that seem to have eroded in recent years.
Government and the media should inform the Citizens and Taxpayers where previous gas tax increases that were previously promised to fix and repair all the dysfunctional roads and bridges. The guilty and enablers who got Massachusetts into this mess must be exposed and held accountable first. The failure to prosecute in criminal and Civil Courts the truly guilty is deplorable and an insult to all Massachusetts citizens.
To do any increases to the taxpayer without insuring again independent proper government oversight and accountability that is truly independent and staffed to stand up to bad construction practices and the many special interests of contractors, bankers, bonding companies, insurers, consultants, out of touch labor bosses, and campaign contributions that will take Massachusetts citizens for a ride again is wrong and will lead to a further disaster to Taxpayers.
I respect your journalism and writing. However, I would request in the future you present all sides if you wear your reporter’s hat.
I have previously written a column that is posted on my Blog in which I name those I consider the guilty, enablers, and heroes of the Big Dig as well as leading us into the current gas tax increase that did not fix our continuing falling apart Massachusetts roads and bridges.
http://oversightwatchmassachusetts.blogspot.com/
Posted by: John Gatti Jr | November 25, 2008 at 10:34 PM
November 25,2008
(John Gatti Jr response on Commonwealth Magazine Blog Site)
I am most disappointed in your support of a Gas Tax Increase without stating the facts and history of how previous ones were spent. Representative David Linsky should at least look at the issue in total and present all the facts and history of where the gas tax increases went before demanding any gas tax or allowing any toll increases.
Your editor Bruce Mohl once ran The Globe Statehouse Bureau with integrity and fairness. I welcome him verifying any comments I am about to make because he was there during the Big Dig infancy and previous gas tax increase.
The former chair of the House Transportation Committee Representative Steven J. Karol stated in a contentious debate on the House Floor in May 1990 that no Turnpike funds would be used to pay for the Big Dig. This took place to approve legislation many were involved that already passed the Senate which would have provided oversight and accountability of the Big Dig project. The Special Interests defeated the measure.
When the last gas tax increase was approved in 1991, we were told that was adequate to fix the deteriorating roads and bridges that upon review did not. Look at was done and not fixed. Look at Federal Funds pouring into Massachusetts that could have been used to repair Massachusetts Interstate and Primary Roads and Bridges and were not.
The sad revelation revealed this week that Parsons Brinkerhoff part of the Big Dig engineering, design, and private oversight of the construction team that ran the Big Dig project from the original $2.3 billion to $23 Billion+ that is now to be awarded the lead design manager for the $370 million Massport project. You should ask the readers if this is right for the inefficiency, waste, mismanagement, fraud, and abuse of the Big Dig. under their watch? This is a moral and financial outrage. The Big Dig is the world’s largest construction project and is a monument for private sector greed and ravage of taxpayers by state and national government. Gas Taxes, Turnpike and Tunnel Tolls expansions should be taken off the table and not even be considered upfront.
Gas Taxes, Turnpike and Tunnel Tolls expansions should be taken off the table and not even be considered upfront.
The time has come for Massachusetts to establish a new WARD Type Commission such as established during the Boston Government Scandal that forced the legislature to implement many government contracting reforms that seem to have eroded in recent years.
Government and the media should inform the Citizens and Taxpayers where previous gas tax increases that were previously promised to fix and repair all the dysfunctional roads and bridges. The guilty and enablers who got Massachusetts into this mess must be exposed and held accountable first. The failure to prosecute in criminal and Civil Courts the truly guilty is deplorable and an insult to all Massachusetts citizens.
To do any increases to the taxpayer without insuring again independent proper government oversight and accountability that is truly independent and staffed to stand up to bad construction practices and the many special interests of contractors, bankers, bonding companies, insurers, consultants, out of touch labor bosses, and campaign contributions that will take Massachusetts citizens for a ride again is wrong and will lead to a further disaster to Taxpayers.
I respect your journalism and writing. However, I would request in the future you present all sides if you wear your reporter’s hat.
I have previously written a column that is posted on my Blog in which I name those I consider the guilty, enablers, and heroes of the Big Dig as well as leading us into the current gas tax increase that did not fix our continuing falling apart Massachusetts roads and bridges.
http://oversightwatchmassachusetts.blogspot.com/
Posted by: John Gatti Jr | November 25, 2008 at 10:34 PM
BIG DIG. GUILTY, ENABLERS AND HEROES
(Please note this is a previously written column that is being posted because a lead partner in design and oversight of the Big Dig has been given a $370 million contract by Massport which I consider and outrage for their performance on the Big Dig!)
November 25, 2008
1977, began the history of the so called Massachusetts Ward Commission chaired and named after a former president of Amherst College who led a citizen panel outraged at the public construction contract scandal that occurred with the building of the infamous Boston Government Center. Their report two years later caused the halls of the Massachusetts Statehouse to loudly shake and so called reforms took place in Massachusetts state government including the advent of the office of Inspector General.
Those construction reforms seem to have failed and been forgotten and a reverse in integrity and ethics has once again surfaced in Massachusetts with school construction, highway, consultant, and vendor repeated scandals being revealed almost weekly. And finally the scandals of Boston’s Central Artery almost $20 billion dollar failure no longer is being able to be covered up by both State and Federal Managers and elected legislators from both parties. US Attorneys, Attorney Generals, Inspector Generals and their colleagues all now are acting piecemeal toothless and ineffective despite warnings for decades by whistleblowers, some journalists, citizens, and a minor cadre of courageous officials. The time has come for a new Ward Commission to clean up the current mess.
State and Federal Taxpayers once again must be exasperated and disgusted at the latest Boston’s Central Artery Project-Big Dig tragedy that is pushing the media. When enough is is enough? No more cover-ups are needed. Time for the truth to least not repeat all the mistakes of the past even now when so much state and federal dollars has been wasted, shoddy construction, and a death that should have been avoided. Billions of Dollars have been wasted in Boston.
Outrageous for Massachusetts Senators Kennedy and Kerry who are now calling for better highway tunnel inspections and so called “Value Engineering”! In addition, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is hinting at doing a cash settlement of $1billion to forgive Bechtel Corporation and potentially others to remove criminal liability! The recent settlement by the Boston US Attorney to settle for $50 million and relieve civil and criminal liability for faulty loads of Big Dig Concrete at this late date of the almost completed 20 year project is another further despicable outrage.
This incompetent damage control cover-up after the fact by those who should have been the watchdogs is a further nadir of disgrace of public trust oversight again fostered on State and National Taxpayers.
Senators Kennedy and Kerry advocating for enhanced tunnel inspections and for “Value Engineering” is a moral and ethical outrage. Value engineering calls for an additional set of engineers and others to be called in evaluating as to quality, cost, and need for major construction projects.
When there were outcries for Big Dig Oversight by those good intentioned citizen and government advocates documented precisely in 1994 and years before by the Massacusetts Inspector general, the Massachusetts House Post Audit and Oversight Committee for Value Engineering and accountability both Senator Kennedy and Kerry were unheard and were part of the enablers that did nothing.
Additionally, I cannot recall at anytime either Kennedy or Kerry leading any charge for accountability or oversight of the project when citizen and government advocates were pleading for assistance for expenditure and construction sanity on the project. Senator Kerry even made the impression that all was well and monies were there joining the Big Dig Bechtel Public relations Specialists to mute outcries for accountability.
The bottom line is Democratic Governor Michael Dukakis and his Secretary of Transportation Fred Salvucci and then highway commissioner Jane Garvey were the forefathers and birth mother laying the foundation for the Big Dig scheme that brought the “no bid, cost plus and little oversight of “ Bechtel with the many other contractors and consultants. Their legacy was continued and enhanced to an art form by the succeeding Republican Governors of Massachusetts, Weld, Cellucci, Swift, and Romney along with their minions of Peter Nessen, Jim Kerasiotis, James Carlin, and Charlie Baker.
The Massachusetts Legislature at almost every inch of the way has shown a lack of oversight and accountability fostered and responsible by the former long term Chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation Robert Havern and Steven Karol. State Senator Mark Pacheco who heads the Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee is now making pronunciations on the Big Dig! His so called landmark contract legislation of accountability and oversight called the Pacheco Bill of a decade and a half ago specifically exempts engineering and design from proper fiscal analysis that allowed the Big Dig calamity. Pacheco’s exemption paved the way with impunity for the failures of Bechtel and others to ply their runaway costs.
Boston CBS 4 reporter Jon Keller stated recently on a station’s talk show when asked why all the failures of the original $2.3 Billion contract now reaching $18-$20 Billion project was not reported by the media. Keller the former Boston Globe Editorial writer and columnist stated that both Editorial Boards of the Boston Newspapers (Globe and Boston Herald) were in the “tank”. He even outed a former Globe colleague David Warsh as a long time enabler. There are so many other names of journalists and media types that participated or turned a blind eye.
Next, we had the revolving door of Massachusetts State Attorney Generals L. Scxott Harshbarger and Tom Reilly. Massachusetts also had Democrat and Republican US Attorneys of Wayne Budd, Donald Stern, and Michael Sullivan who served Democratic and Republican Presidents as well as Congresses adding to the record of little or no pleas for oversight. Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone formerly top criminal prosecutor for the state Attorney General who went on to work for the US Attorney has a record of toothless probes on the Big Dig during his tenures.
The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Offices of Inspector General along with the politically appointed non career managers of the Massachusetts State Highway Department and toll road Turnpike Authority required little or no accountability of Federal, State tax dollars, and Toll Fees. Their inactions insured shoddy workmanship and cost escalations despite outcries from construction workers and government engineers. This resulted in diversion of needed State and Federal Tax dollars from other Massachusetts roads and bridges resulting in their serious current disrepair status.
I suggest those seeking the truth on the Big Dig look at the State House Post Audit and Oversight Committee and past reports on the Big Dig under former chairs Cerasoli, Kennedy, and especially the era of William Nagle and staff director Thomas Hammond to determine the facts against what Kennedy, Kerry and others after decades are trying to do to appear as crusaders. That legislative committee of integrity was the sole sanctuary to bring financial sanity and oversight to the project despite the Big Dig juggernaut of attacks. Their efforts were stopped when Representative James Fagan became chair and the departure of then crusading Staff Director Thomas Hammond.
Additionally, talk to the real heroes of good government that sounded the alarms who were dismissed, demeaned, intimidated, or called “gadflys” by the Big Dig propaganda machine. They include reporters Peter Howe, Tim Sandler,Wendell Woodman, John Coughlin, Charles Sennott, Joe bergantino Ron Gallobin, Jon Wells, David Kassel, John Vanscoyoc, John Strahinch, and Joe Bergantino to name a few to the list. Also, note people such as legislators, the late Fran Doris, Marie Parente, Bill Constantino, Tom Norton, William Keating, and Richard Moore, Warren Tolman, and Vincent Mannering. Even Speaker Dimasi when a rank and file legislator and Emmanuel Serra were also dismissed. Special mention should go to the late Jerry Williams, Fred Langone, Chris Ianella, Joe Baresi, Steve Cotton, Joe Dinucci as well as Howie Carr, Larry Overlan, K. Dunn Gifford, Auditor DeNucci, and Scott Amey of the Washington based whistleblower group Project on Government Oversight for all their time and efforts that went unheeded by Kennedy-Kerry and others.
The Kerry and Kennedy new attempts at revisionism and attempting to act like whistleblowers in seeking Highway Tunnel Inspections and so called “ Value engineering” is short of nothing too late. Both senators at this stage of their careers have the distinction of promoting with no oversight the largest and most costly flawed government construction project ever undertaken in the United States. Their continued repetitive actions of coverup is ensuring Boston’s Big Dig to be the largest international construction monument for waste, fraud, and abuse. Massachusetts new Governor Deval Patrick should not let all the enablers and the Big Dig guilty get Pardons and Freedoms for so called minor “Chump Change” that will allow again State and Federal Taxpayers and the infinity Toll Road Toll Payers to continue and be victimized.
Massachuestts needs a new WARD Commission to get needed reforms and be the model for the federal government to follow.
John Gatti Jr. is the architect of the Massachusetts Public Employee Whistleblower Law and one of the first to call for Oversight on Boston’s Central Artery Project. He writes and reports on Business, Labor, andGovernment Waste, Fraud, and Abuse.
(Please note this is a previously written column that is being posted because a lead partner in design and oversight of the Big Dig has been given a $370 million contract by Massport which I consider and outrage for their performance on the Big Dig!)
November 25, 2008
1977, began the history of the so called Massachusetts Ward Commission chaired and named after a former president of Amherst College who led a citizen panel outraged at the public construction contract scandal that occurred with the building of the infamous Boston Government Center. Their report two years later caused the halls of the Massachusetts Statehouse to loudly shake and so called reforms took place in Massachusetts state government including the advent of the office of Inspector General.
Those construction reforms seem to have failed and been forgotten and a reverse in integrity and ethics has once again surfaced in Massachusetts with school construction, highway, consultant, and vendor repeated scandals being revealed almost weekly. And finally the scandals of Boston’s Central Artery almost $20 billion dollar failure no longer is being able to be covered up by both State and Federal Managers and elected legislators from both parties. US Attorneys, Attorney Generals, Inspector Generals and their colleagues all now are acting piecemeal toothless and ineffective despite warnings for decades by whistleblowers, some journalists, citizens, and a minor cadre of courageous officials. The time has come for a new Ward Commission to clean up the current mess.
State and Federal Taxpayers once again must be exasperated and disgusted at the latest Boston’s Central Artery Project-Big Dig tragedy that is pushing the media. When enough is is enough? No more cover-ups are needed. Time for the truth to least not repeat all the mistakes of the past even now when so much state and federal dollars has been wasted, shoddy construction, and a death that should have been avoided. Billions of Dollars have been wasted in Boston.
Outrageous for Massachusetts Senators Kennedy and Kerry who are now calling for better highway tunnel inspections and so called “Value Engineering”! In addition, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is hinting at doing a cash settlement of $1billion to forgive Bechtel Corporation and potentially others to remove criminal liability! The recent settlement by the Boston US Attorney to settle for $50 million and relieve civil and criminal liability for faulty loads of Big Dig Concrete at this late date of the almost completed 20 year project is another further despicable outrage.
This incompetent damage control cover-up after the fact by those who should have been the watchdogs is a further nadir of disgrace of public trust oversight again fostered on State and National Taxpayers.
Senators Kennedy and Kerry advocating for enhanced tunnel inspections and for “Value Engineering” is a moral and ethical outrage. Value engineering calls for an additional set of engineers and others to be called in evaluating as to quality, cost, and need for major construction projects.
When there were outcries for Big Dig Oversight by those good intentioned citizen and government advocates documented precisely in 1994 and years before by the Massacusetts Inspector general, the Massachusetts House Post Audit and Oversight Committee for Value Engineering and accountability both Senator Kennedy and Kerry were unheard and were part of the enablers that did nothing.
Additionally, I cannot recall at anytime either Kennedy or Kerry leading any charge for accountability or oversight of the project when citizen and government advocates were pleading for assistance for expenditure and construction sanity on the project. Senator Kerry even made the impression that all was well and monies were there joining the Big Dig Bechtel Public relations Specialists to mute outcries for accountability.
The bottom line is Democratic Governor Michael Dukakis and his Secretary of Transportation Fred Salvucci and then highway commissioner Jane Garvey were the forefathers and birth mother laying the foundation for the Big Dig scheme that brought the “no bid, cost plus and little oversight of “ Bechtel with the many other contractors and consultants. Their legacy was continued and enhanced to an art form by the succeeding Republican Governors of Massachusetts, Weld, Cellucci, Swift, and Romney along with their minions of Peter Nessen, Jim Kerasiotis, James Carlin, and Charlie Baker.
The Massachusetts Legislature at almost every inch of the way has shown a lack of oversight and accountability fostered and responsible by the former long term Chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation Robert Havern and Steven Karol. State Senator Mark Pacheco who heads the Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee is now making pronunciations on the Big Dig! His so called landmark contract legislation of accountability and oversight called the Pacheco Bill of a decade and a half ago specifically exempts engineering and design from proper fiscal analysis that allowed the Big Dig calamity. Pacheco’s exemption paved the way with impunity for the failures of Bechtel and others to ply their runaway costs.
Boston CBS 4 reporter Jon Keller stated recently on a station’s talk show when asked why all the failures of the original $2.3 Billion contract now reaching $18-$20 Billion project was not reported by the media. Keller the former Boston Globe Editorial writer and columnist stated that both Editorial Boards of the Boston Newspapers (Globe and Boston Herald) were in the “tank”. He even outed a former Globe colleague David Warsh as a long time enabler. There are so many other names of journalists and media types that participated or turned a blind eye.
Next, we had the revolving door of Massachusetts State Attorney Generals L. Scxott Harshbarger and Tom Reilly. Massachusetts also had Democrat and Republican US Attorneys of Wayne Budd, Donald Stern, and Michael Sullivan who served Democratic and Republican Presidents as well as Congresses adding to the record of little or no pleas for oversight. Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone formerly top criminal prosecutor for the state Attorney General who went on to work for the US Attorney has a record of toothless probes on the Big Dig during his tenures.
The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Offices of Inspector General along with the politically appointed non career managers of the Massachusetts State Highway Department and toll road Turnpike Authority required little or no accountability of Federal, State tax dollars, and Toll Fees. Their inactions insured shoddy workmanship and cost escalations despite outcries from construction workers and government engineers. This resulted in diversion of needed State and Federal Tax dollars from other Massachusetts roads and bridges resulting in their serious current disrepair status.
I suggest those seeking the truth on the Big Dig look at the State House Post Audit and Oversight Committee and past reports on the Big Dig under former chairs Cerasoli, Kennedy, and especially the era of William Nagle and staff director Thomas Hammond to determine the facts against what Kennedy, Kerry and others after decades are trying to do to appear as crusaders. That legislative committee of integrity was the sole sanctuary to bring financial sanity and oversight to the project despite the Big Dig juggernaut of attacks. Their efforts were stopped when Representative James Fagan became chair and the departure of then crusading Staff Director Thomas Hammond.
Additionally, talk to the real heroes of good government that sounded the alarms who were dismissed, demeaned, intimidated, or called “gadflys” by the Big Dig propaganda machine. They include reporters Peter Howe, Tim Sandler,Wendell Woodman, John Coughlin, Charles Sennott, Joe bergantino Ron Gallobin, Jon Wells, David Kassel, John Vanscoyoc, John Strahinch, and Joe Bergantino to name a few to the list. Also, note people such as legislators, the late Fran Doris, Marie Parente, Bill Constantino, Tom Norton, William Keating, and Richard Moore, Warren Tolman, and Vincent Mannering. Even Speaker Dimasi when a rank and file legislator and Emmanuel Serra were also dismissed. Special mention should go to the late Jerry Williams, Fred Langone, Chris Ianella, Joe Baresi, Steve Cotton, Joe Dinucci as well as Howie Carr, Larry Overlan, K. Dunn Gifford, Auditor DeNucci, and Scott Amey of the Washington based whistleblower group Project on Government Oversight for all their time and efforts that went unheeded by Kennedy-Kerry and others.
The Kerry and Kennedy new attempts at revisionism and attempting to act like whistleblowers in seeking Highway Tunnel Inspections and so called “ Value engineering” is short of nothing too late. Both senators at this stage of their careers have the distinction of promoting with no oversight the largest and most costly flawed government construction project ever undertaken in the United States. Their continued repetitive actions of coverup is ensuring Boston’s Big Dig to be the largest international construction monument for waste, fraud, and abuse. Massachusetts new Governor Deval Patrick should not let all the enablers and the Big Dig guilty get Pardons and Freedoms for so called minor “Chump Change” that will allow again State and Federal Taxpayers and the infinity Toll Road Toll Payers to continue and be victimized.
Massachuestts needs a new WARD Commission to get needed reforms and be the model for the federal government to follow.
John Gatti Jr. is the architect of the Massachusetts Public Employee Whistleblower Law and one of the first to call for Oversight on Boston’s Central Artery Project. He writes and reports on Business, Labor, andGovernment Waste, Fraud, and Abuse.
Boston Globe Editorial About Unkindest Healthcare Cuts Misses the Mark....The Power Of The Pen Is Off target
November 21, 2008
The Boston Globe has an editorial today about the unkindest cuts and the suffering in healthcare. Due respect to what this editorial states, the power of the pen continues to be off target. Nothing will be done in healthcare until such time the sellers and providers are held accountable: hospitals, insurers, drug companies, and government.
Consumers, citizens in need, and businesses cannot be expected to be continually victimized on behalf of healthcare industry greed and constant costly corrupt practices.
Hospital deregulation in the early 1990 era was to foster healthcare competition and did not. You saw, see, and will see the survival of the deep pockets and not the most efficient in the hospital and healthcare delivery care system.
Partners Healthcare and its monopolistic practices is exterminating community hospitals and centers and the catering allowance of boutique healthcare for the very well off from everywhere continues to the detriment of all.
The constant high price advertising and million dollar plus salaries for former failed government geniuses such as Republican Charles Baker from the financially bailed out Harvard Pilgrim healthcare and now Democrat James Roosevelt at Tufts healthcare occupying a most well heeled financial CEO perch is the high point of greed that the auto company honchos should emulate. Their continued frazzle dazzle made state government to go from a provider of human services to a buyer of unmonitored health services.
For profit, non profit, and not for profit Massachusetts healthcare from top to bottom needs an in depth greed analysis. The current Massachusetts system of healthcare for the not and under insured scammed, launched, and implemented from PR lobbyist guy Jack Connors, The Vault, and Chamber of Commerce deserves a self audit for care, concern, and compassion.
Waste, fraud, and Abuse in healthcare premiums, drugs, and tax dollars being squandered in healthcare and non quality services must be addressed.
Time to listen and address healthcare from the bottom up from consumers, medical support staff, nurses, doctors and not top down from the sell serving medical CEO golden bonus crowd of managers, dysfunctional legislature, and infiltrated so called business groups that the healthcare industries paying dues victimizes non healthcare businesses battling to maintain the healthcare for themselves and employees.
The time has come for a legislature to do something in healthcare that is a right for every resident of this state by listening to the citizenry and telling the healthcare industry enough is enough.
MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK MUST NOT BECOME TRAPPED WITH CYNICAL ATTACKS FROM UNSTATED PERPETRATORS THAT DETRACKS FROM LEADERSHIP DESPERATELY NEEDED
November 20, 2008
Democrat Governor Deval Patrick speaking at Suffolk University launched an attack upon his detractors unnamed. The guessing game ranges who the guilty maybe? They must be some from his own party, maybe a Governor Wannabe, the media, or the remnants of an almost extinct Massachusetts Republican Party.
Governor Patrick you are entering the third year of your four year tenure. You had so much vision and promise during your campaign and when first elected. However, you are acting like so many Governors before you be they Republican or Democrat, self service and not public service.
You can still be identified as a statesman instead as another politician. Your state is in crisis with so many sinking needing lifelines for food, medical care, shelter, education. The state’s middle class is under siege with job insecurity, failure to be able to pay for mortgages or rent. The business and industrial climate is sinking. You must reach the hearts and hopes of all citizens and not display public personal sarcasm. That is beneath you and your office.
It is time for your utmost leadership to challenge and work against any and all cynicism real or imagined that you insist is there. You must rise above the naysayer and be one for the vision of greatness for the Massachusetts present and future. Give the needed Hope, Concern, Compassion, and Sunshine needed in these times of failure and hopelessness in so many areas.
Government must be there before, during, and after when crisis or despair occurs. Mechanisms and rapid response solutions whether they affect humanity, family, or business crises must be ingrained and ready when needed.
Start with issuing a compact declaring direct confrontation to end all inefficiencies, waste, and mismanagement of government expenditures with all vendors, contractors, consultants and providers of taxpayer dollars be they for profit, non profit, or not for profit. Strong Waste and Fraud prevention apparatuses must be built into all state, local, and authority agencies. You must declare and attain a goal of a government that works, free of spoils, and patronage to restore merit, pride, and performance for employees performing their duties.
Issue a transparent budget complete with line items, subsidiary accounts, object codes and position scheduling with precise goals and objectives to be obtained for each tax dollar spent that will include detailed monthly reports to be publicly stated by you and not others.
Curb the appetite of the elected of massive fundraising and special interest campaign contributions. Lobbying on issues before government must be educational from the well heeled and equaled from those advocates and citizens less endowed.
I welcome you to be the first Governor of Massachusetts to be remembered as a statesman and not another politician for the 21st century.
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