The Point, and Better News

I generally don't talk about the Point neighborhood much. There are a few reasons for this. First, it's not really part of my regular path of travel. I just don't get there much for anything. Second, it's an easy target. Finally, I think that a lot of the criticism leveled at the Point is racially motivated, and I don't like that.

All of that said, after this past weekend, it's time for me to take the Point residents to task. They behaved terribly this weekend. Yes, all of them. I'll explain why I include all of them in a little bit. First, some background.

This fourth of July weekend Point residents treated their own neighborhood the way the US treated Fallujah back in 2004. On both Sunday and Monday nights, residents (and probably their visitors, too) were rioting in the streets. From the sound of it, they assaulted officers, and vandalized city property as well, breaking the windshield of a police cruiser. With hundreds of rioters, an undermanned Salem Police Department was able to manage four arrests. There probably should have been one hundred.

A Salemweb poster (icybeem) took the following pictures on the 5th. The trashing of the neighborhood speaks for itself.

I said I blame all point residents for this mess. Simply, if you aren't standing there, pointing, helping the police root out the bad seeds, you're enabling the trashing of your home. If people had any pride in their neighborhood they wouldn't allow this stuff to happen, yet every time something bad happens in the point, nobody sees anything. A stabbing? Nobody saw anything. Drugs? Nobody saw anything. A riot in the street where police were assaulted and taxpayer property destroyed? Nobody saw anything.

More importantly, nobody did anything. After the rioting and trashing of Vancouver following the Bruins Stanley Cup victory last month, do you know what happened? Good Vancouverites were out on the streets at 7AM cleaning up the city. See them in action here. Where were the real Pointers? I guess they were on the streets at 3AM, throwing bottles at the police.

No amount of LOLA marketing dollars can overcome residents who just don't give a shit.

Sad, really.

________________

I promised some better news, so here it is. Councilor John Ronan has seemingly been campaigning for re-election for months, often during City Council meetings. Thankfully, he now has a reason to campaign, as ward five resident Josh Turiel has pulled nomination papers to run against Mr. Ronan. He intends to turn in well above the required number of signatures tomorrow.

It should be a good race. I hope Josh does well, as councilor Ronan's obstructionist schtick (I'm sorry, you can't yell and scream about saving money and protecting the taxpayers while willfully blowing more savings than you found in the entire budget process by not signing a lease because you know it will piss the mayor off. Same goes for Pinto, Prevey, and Sosnowski.) is starting to wear thin. We don't need our own "party of no."

I only know Josh through Twitter. I wrote about him once here. He has a campaign website here. You can follow him on Twitter here. He said to me, "I don't want to be Mayor Driscoll's yes-man, but I'm also not going to be the "no-to-everything" man. The Council needs reason." Sounds about right to me, and the mayor already has her yes-man. His name is Furey.

With Charlie Walsh dropping out of the Ward 6 race we really need some more candidates. I believe that only wards 1, 3, and 5 currently have contested races. Is nobody going to challenge Sosnowski? He thinks that a silent silver box is more important than the Bridge and Winter rollercoaster in his ward. Has councilor O'Keefe been promised his seat until death? What about Ryan and Prevey? Come on people! Make them earn it!

Updates! Blaney Street and Segway

NEW UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM

I usually try to step away from the keyboard on the weekend, but on my two trips downtown today I came across some important tidbits of information that I wanted to share.

Blaney Street Pier Update: On my first trip, I visited the Common, Cafe Valverde (my favorite downtown coffee), and the Living Green and Renewable Energy fair at Old Town Hall. One of the vendors at the fair was the Salem Ferry. I spoke with the representative from the Ferry, and asked him when the service would start. He informed me that the ferry would start Friday on schedule. I immediately asked him where from. Without missing a beat he responded with "Central Wharf, down behind Capts."

He also informed me that while the city had promised all along that Blaney Street would be ready on time, he's now been told that it will be at least two or three more weeks. Judging by the pictures I've shared, and what I saw from outside the fence last night, I'd bet on three. Maybe more. He wasn't happy at the late notice that they were given that the pier won't actually be ready.

I tweeted this news earlier today, and the mayor responded. "@KlassySalem The contractor is doing his best to meet the schedule, but we r working on a "Plan B" in the likely event the site is not ready"

Let me repeat that, "the likely event the site is not ready"

I've asked the mayor and her aide several times recently about this, and they've both been steadfast that the work would be majorly completed by the start of the ferry season. This was true as recently as two days ago. It's good to see that there has been a plan B, because it was obvious to all but the most idealistic optimist that May 27th wasn't happening. Some previous Salem mayors wouldn't have had a plan B, and we'd really be a mess. Now, commuters used to the easy parking at Blaney St. will be inconvenienced, but many of those who walk to the ferry, and tourists from Boston, will actually have an easier walk for the short term. Of course, there could have been a little more transparency about the likelihood that a short term switch in location would be necessary.

As of 5PM this Saturday, no work was done on Blaney Street today. This makes me question the contract and whether or not there were any non-performance/late delivery penalties. I'm guessing there must not have been. I don't claim to be an expert on government RFPs. It's possible that they frequently aren't used, but it would have been wise with the absolute deadline on this project to have found a way to include one.

I'm glad the improvements to Blaney St. are being made. The dust kicked up in the summer from the dirt parking lot was terrible. It also was frequently used for boozing, drugging, selling, and sexing. Any dog owner in the area has at least one story of unbelievable things they've seen or found. My favorite was the couple having sex inside the open air trolley info booth. There was also the Blaney Street version of the Montauk monster.


Salem SegGliders update: My second trip downtown today was primarily for a haircut, followed by a burrito. Between the two, I stopped into the former West Coast Video location that we discussed as the new home of Salem SegGliders. I spoke with the office manager there, and asked her about the Segways. They don't actually have any yet, but she said they are coming in next week. More interesting to me, and not previously discussed anywhere else I've seen, was what they actually do have on site both for sale and for rent. This business is renting and selling rechargeable electric bicycles that have a top speed of 30-35 miles per hour. A full charge lasts 3 hours. They can be purchased for $1695 -$1895, or rented for an hour, a half-day or a full-day unguided. Some even fold in half. Does anyone else see the possibility of pedestrian and tourist injuries here? Currently these are the ONLY products that this business is offering. All I can say is, make sure you're looking both ways before crossing the street, even if it's a one way. You never know where one of these silent assassins might come from. Bets on how long before one of them has an accident on a sidewalk? If Segways (top speed 12.5 MPH) need special permitting, shouldn't these?

UPDATE: I went back and checked out the manufacturer and model number of the bike. You can see it below.

EZ Pedaler T300

I looked up this model, and it appears that the person I spoke with may have been exaggerating the top speed. According to the web site, this bike has a maximum speed of 20 MPH. I read a review of the bike which suggested that on downhills, or while using the motor and pedaling it was possible to exceed that speed, and the 20 MPH speed listed was specific to the electric motor alone. Apparently in most of the US, an electric bike need not be registered or insured if the speed limit doesn't exceed 20 MPH. So I'm sure the stated speed limit on these is a coincidence, right? Either way, these still sound like a much more dangerous proposition than a Segway.

Derby Lofters Whining Again

In yet another display of why city council shouldn't be in charge of things like outdoor dining permits, the downtown parking plan has been tabled for now, due to the whining coming from around 20 residents of Derby Lofts. As we've discussed here, and here, and here, some Derby Lofters have an inflated sense of self-importance. They are at it again. Because 20-ish of them (in a city of more than 40,000) have complained that they don't like some of the rules, the council is kowtowing to 0.05% of the citizens. Good job guys! It's that kind of kowtowing that led to the forming of urban renewal districts, and Redevelopment Authorities, to take some decisions away from elected officials who are always willing to kowtow to the screaming minority.

The beginning of the Salem News piece is funny. It reads, "Strong and unified opposition voiced last night by residents of Derby Lofts condominiums delayed the City Council's expected action on major changes to the city's management of downtown parking." Strong and unified opposition? There are 54 units in the building. Many are occupied by more than one person. Let's go with the assumption that the building houses 75 people. Well then less than a third showed up. So, not even a majority of Lofters showed up, while the council is acting like a majority of citizens have an issue here.

I'm not saying the parking plan released was perfect. I critiqued it here. But it's important to note that Derby Lofters have a long history of complaining about their parking passes. See here and here. It's also important to consider that the purchase of these passes was very clearly explained during the sales process of Derby Lofts. I know, as I was house hunting at the time, and went through the pitch. Thank God I didn't buy there. Julianna Tache did a very thorough job of explaining that the parking pass purchase was mandatory due to the lack of onsite parking. Stealing from my previous parking critique, it's interesting that I have the two issues that this 0.05% of Salem residents is complaining about listed as the first two in "the good" of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

1. Enforcement hours until 8 PM. OK, so really this is a money grab, but it's a money grab that I like. Let's use the lots at Lafayette and New Derby as an example. It's 5:30 at night, and you're on your way to a friend's house. You want to pop into Pamplemousse to grab a bottle of wine, or you're feeling klassier and want to run into the Beehive for a whoopie cushion. These lots are your closest, best bet for a parking spot for ten minutes. There's only one problem. It's now 5:30. Nearly every spot in these two lots has been gobbled up by a Derby Lofter, and won't be made available again until they leave for work at 7:45 in the morning. Yes, even though they have passes to the garage down the street, they choose to park here because it's free after 5 and it's about 300 feet closer. What should happen here is that one of these lots, maybe the one that exits onto Lafayette only, should be short term, maybe half 30 minute and half hour spaces. Heck, charge a buck an hour for them. People who need to get in and out to patronize a business will pay it to have the space. Alas, we'll get to the actual plan in "the bad" Enforcement till 8 PM will help keep spots open for people patronizing businesses, and push residents to the permit garages, where they make the most sense.
2. Really inexpensive parking in the South Harbor Garage. Great news for people willing to walk from there to Pickering Wharf, and great for patrons of Murphy's and Beer Works.

If you want downtown to thrive, and be an evening destination, patrons have to be able to access downtown businesses, in the evening. When residents fill the public lots, that doesn't happen. I'm loathe to drive downtown at night, or on Sunday, unless I'm going for hours, because I know that the public lots have become Loft parking. Many a time I've passed up downtown shops for those on Highland Ave because I knew I'd have to walk blocks and blocks for my 2-minute purchase.

The council is giving in to the very people who make extended hours and Sunday enforcement necessary. They come home at 5PM, don't go to the garage they have permits for (note that the reason for the reduced rates is that it is underutilized, in contrast to their argument that there are no spaces), and park in the lots that are there for patrons of nearby businesses. I'd enforce the meters till at least 8PM, and maybe later on the weekends.

In a somewhat related note, I wrote previously that "Derby Lofts Lawsuit" was a popular search term that lands people on this site. While researching this post, I may have found what that search term is about. Apparently in addition to complaining about the rest of parking in "their" garage, they also complain about each other, in court. For a half million bucks, you can live with a drug addict whose mommy bought him a condo. Congrats! He may be worse for property values than Shirley.

On the other hand, apparently there was another lawsuit against Derby Lofts and several unit owners themselves, as well as their mortgage companies, filed by James J. Welch & Co for failure to pay over 6 milliion dollars in construction costs. That suit was filed in 2005 and a settlement was agreed to on 4/3/2006. The civil docket number was ESCV2005-02123. So maybe that's what people are looking for.

Speed up for Allie?

A recent thread on Facebook reminded me that a few times a month something happens that makes me say "don't forget to write the Allie post."

A quick Google search will give you lots of background info on the tragic case of Allie Castner, a 15-year-old girl mowed down in a crosswalk by a former Salem High School sports star, who got off completely, possibly because of his family's ties to the Essex County DA.

Since this occurred, her family put out some bumper stickers that say "Slow Down for Allie" over a butterfly image. You can view or order one here. The proceeds benefit the Allie Castner Scholarship Fund.

Since these stickers have come out, I've noticed an interesting phenomenon. If you are in the Marblehead/Salem area, and see someone driving a massive SUV in a manner that would suggest that they have a death wish, and no regard for the lives of pedestrians or other drivers, it's a virtual certainty that they have one of these stickers on the back of their massive SUV. I don't know why, but these people drive like utter asshats. Maybe they think that the sticker provides them with protection? It doesn't! Yet still, they speed, tailgate, especially love to run red lights and ignore stop signs, turn illegally, U-turn illegally, fail to yield to pedestrians and other drivers with the right of way, and generally just suck at driving.

Take your own advice, people! Slow the hell down and pay attention!

Klassy copper thieves

Salem News reporter Stacie N. Galang brought this story to our attention on Twitter this morning.

Seems these two mental midgets thought it would be a good idea to try to steal the copper downspouts off of a house while the homeowner was inside. Even better, one of the perps, when caught, said he was doing it to pay his court fees in another case. Guess what bozo, they just went up!

These criminals currently live together in Beverly. Hopefully they'll get to be roomies in a much smaller space later.

It could be worse, we could be in Chinatown ...

I have no words for this, other than, who tapes this, and yells "yes, yes, yes" throughout?

Also, how does the guy punching the car not break his hand? Or his head when he gets hit with the bat?

Edit:

Here's another one. What is it about Chinatown?

Tyler Lagatta keeps it klassy

Serial juvenile delinquent Tyler Lagatta of English Street is the king of nighttime klassy in Salem. This 19 year old piece of garbage has made a habit out of breaking into cars, and worse for him, getting caught in the act. Read about him here, and here. His parents must be so proud.

If this is the same guy, he's clearly not a mental midget at all. Nothing is more fun than wading in filthy flood water.

Unfortunately, our local judges are nearly as klassy, and surely this one punk crime spree will continue.

Klass komes from Marblehead!

Our most recent klassy award winner is Taylor Jackson, of Marblehead, or Delmar, NY, or she doesn't really seem to know where she's from. This 22-year-old prize of a young "lady" decided to enjoy the Salem nightlife Thursday night by getting smashed at O'Neill's, followed by a joyride up Lafayette right into a tree by Loring Ave. This genius then decided to drive her car, spewing fluids, about a mile closer to Marblehead until it died. Then, she hid in the bushes, and called her daddy to come save her.

Unfortunately for Taylor, the Salem police found her first. When they did, Taylor insulted the Salem police, lied, told her father to shut up when he showed up to save her, and displayed an air of superiority that she VERY clearly hasn't earned and doesn't deserve.

Read all about it from the Salem News here.

Salem State should expel this piece of human excrement as an example to their students of their responsibility to be good citizens in the community, as well as good students. Taylor, and her parents, should be ashamed. Unfortunately, it's clear from her actions that she's incapable of feeling shame.

Pereira update!

Remember young Timmay Pereira? He's back in the news as he has now plead guilty to several charges for the accident.

Read about it here.

My favorite part of the article is where his lawyer calls him a stand up individual who has led an exemplary life. Pay no attention to the charges that he bashed someone with a bat.

I'll give some kudos to the mother of Timmy's cousin. She asked the judge to sentence Tim to at least a year in jail. However, I'll remind her that her son obviously chose to get in the car with this hooligan.

Pereiras, still keeping it klassy.

Rebels without brains

The inaugural Keep it Klassy, Salem! award goes to the Pereira family of Salem and Peabody.

For those unaware, back in March, klassy then-18-year-old Tim Pereira drag raced his klassy Mustang from the Salem Willows (more on the Willows in a future post) toward downtown Salem, drove over 80 miles an hour in a 30 mph zone, lost control, spun, and crossed the double yellow line to collide head on with a minivan driving towards the Willows. Tim and his cousin were injured, his cousin seriously. Both people in the van were also injured, through no fault of their own.

To read more about the accident:
http://www.salemnews.com/archivesearch/local_story_072220515.html

After the fact, Tim was charged with several crimes, including racing, speeding, driving to endanger and failing to stay within marked lanes.

http://www.salemnews.com/archivesearch/local_story_083095605.html

Keeping it klassy, Tim's Myspace page featured numerous pictures of his klassy car, as well as video of him behaving like an idiot on an ATV. His lawyer must have finally told him to shut it down, because the page has been cleaned up some.

After his arraignment (of course he plead not guilty), daddy bailed his ass out of jail. At the time of all this, young Timmay was already on probation for brutally assaulting another teen with a baseball bat. Daddy should have let him rot. Clearly the entire family is full of klass acts. It was later determined that the new charges constitute a violation of his probation from the prior assault incident.

Brandon Pereira, Tim's cousin and front seat passenger, was ejected from the vehicle as he wasn't wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. He was hospitalized and kept in an induced coma for quite a while, and may still be in a rehabilitation hospital. The latest is that his father has now filed a lawsuit against the driver of the other vehicle, claiming that SHE "carelessly and negligent (sic) failed to avoid the collision with the other vehicle head on." Forgetting the klassy grammar that this sentence sports, let's just review the facts.

From the Salem News: "Investigators from the Salem and state police concluded that Timothy Pereira was going 81 mph on Fort Avenue, a road with a 30 mph speed limit, when he lost control, veering across the center lines and into the path of a Honda Odyssey minivan."

Yet she's negligent? More klassiness, Pereiras. The driver of the van not only had one Pereira smash her body, but another attempt to smash her reputation in court. The lawsuit is so klassy that it made national headlines. It also finalized my decision for what the first post on this site needed to be.

Congrats to the klassy Periera clan!