When will Peter Noyes learn?!

Seeming eco-terrorist Peter Noyes seems to be at it again. Click on the Peter Noyes label on the bottom of this post to see his other shenanigans involving things like dumping raw sewage in Salem Harbor.

This time, Noyes has been caught in the act of driving a commercial truck with crane through the Atlantic Ocean next to endangered lobster breeding grounds. There is a natural causeway to Gerry's island that is walkable/driveable at low tide, but he drove the large truck through the water, as you can see in the video on this Marblehead Patch story. I guess low tide wasn't convenient for this pillar of conservation, who just wants to do right by the island.

Once on the island, he decided to also import some goats, who he has set to destroying the shrubbery on the island, and remove the poison ivy. If they poop in the water? Par for the Noyes course. If they wander off? Hey, that's OK too. Someone else will clean up the mess.

According to the Patch piece, when Conservation Commission officials investigated, they also found oil leakage from the truck (though none would have leaked in the water, right?), dumping, and earth movement, all of which would be illegal in this wetlands protected area, never mind the fact that he hasn't been granted any permits for any of this. Noyes was issued a cease and desist order, which as is his pattern, he allegedly ignored as well.

From the Patch article regarding a site visit by the Con-comm and the Department of Environmental Protection:

They observed “oil leakage from the truck on the coastal bank, rocks repositioned on the coastal bank to accommodate the entry of the truck up a steep incline, removal of vegetation to allow passage of the truck, erection of tents, parking of the truck, grazing of goats, dumping of rotting floats,” the memo said.

The Marblehead Reporter has weighed in on this as well. Included in their piece was a not-surprising tidbit that was missing from the Patch story. Apparently the intended use for the island has changed, or more likely, more fully come to light. Noyes now says that he has rented the island, and that his intention is to turn it into a seasonal campground/park. The catch? The only way to access said park/campground/picnic area would be by paying him for a boatride, at $12-$15 to get there. Let me remind you that a round trip ferry ticket from Salem to Boston is $19 (if it ever starts ...). Also, let me remind you that Noyes initial application had nothing to do with ferrying people on and off of the island. How does he think they'll get off the boat and onto the island, and back? He hasn't asked for permission to build a dock. He hasn't even copped to this intended use to the island. Remember? He just wanted to shore up the seawall. Maybe he'd store some boats, but he's just a good Samaritan.

For this new violation of the Wetlands Protection Act, violating the conservation commission stop work order, and working without a permit, it's time for Noyes to finally pay. There's talk that he may be violating probation from prior transgressions, and the DEP may come down hard, so maybe he finally will. His chances of getting cons comm approval just got smaller.

Peter Noyes at it again?

It sounds like there is dishonesty afoot across the harbor in Marblehead, and of course, Rockmore (serial poop, sewage, oil/fuel dumper)owner Peter Noyes is in the middle of it. Shocking, I know.

Mr. Noyes' corporation's misdeeds can be reviewed here and here (poop/sewage dumping) or here for oil/fuel fouling. I wrote about him previously here, and went into several of those issues, as well as his age-based and ethnicity-based discrimination, and his failure to follow court orders. (Let me add that it warms the area where my heart should be that that particular post has been viewed by at least hundreds of people who have landed on it because they've searched Google for Mr. Noyes by name. It still happens daily at least.)

So you get what I mean, when I say that it's shocking that he's at the center of of dishonesty. There's a bit of a history.

Mr. Noyes is proposing to rebuild a seawall on an island that he doesn't own, supposedly out of the goodness of his heart. At least, that was the original story that he told back in early April. That, and maybe he'll randomly store a couple of boats out there, but nothing to see here, just going to restore a little sea wall. Note the last two paragraphs in that article.

The Conservation Commission, hearing of this "public service" being offered by Peter Noyes, decided to take a trip out to the island for a site visit. "Shockingly," they found that the scope of the work being contemplated on the island was much more than they were led to believe. Peter Noyes, not being entirely truthful? I know that I'm shocked by this. Apparently the intention is to clearcut the island, build new seawalls, and build a permanent driveway up onto the island. Sounds expensive. I'm sure it's worth it to store the twelve boats that Noyes claims may end up there. Worth it. Right?

When the owner of a company that allegedly illegally flouted environmental regulations for over a decade by pumping human waste into our coastal waters comes before a Conservation Commission asking for permission to do something, but I promise I'll do it in the most low impact way possible, should you take his word for it? Hell no! Peter Noyes was quoted here as saying “Will common sense ever prevail in any of this?” Let's hope so! The Conservation Commission in Marblehead needs to consider his history, and his willfull ignoring of the court's order in his discrimination case, and say "no, we don't trust you. Sorry." Is that prejudicial? Sure. Earned? You bet!

Why is this on a Salem blog? We share a coastline with Marblehead, and what happens on that coastline affects our coastline. Or haven't you heard all of the Marblehead/Lori Ehrlich caterwauling about our power plant?

Crime Watch

Javon Farmer-McFadden, congrats on ruining your life at the ripe young age of 19. Seems like what you probably deserve. Savage.

Mr. Farmer-McFadden, of Beverly, while attending a party on Ocean Avenue in Salem, thought it would be a good idea to violate a restraining order and smash his ex-girlfriend in the head with a brick multiple times, apparently because she refused to take care of his urges. He also tried to break her neck. He was already facing domestic violence charges having to do with this same victim. (I won't talk about whether or not it was wise for her to agree to go outside with him.)

There's a special place in hell for men who abuse women. While in prison, they usually learn about their own special place. Enjoy!

The other unsurprising thing here is that Mr F-M had no problem getting physical with this woman, but when neighbor Nathaniel McDonald yelled at him and approached, he turned tail and ran. Little piece of human excrement.

Unfortunately, the address on Ocean Avenue hasn't been published, so we can't give a special shout out to the resident who invited this trash into our city.

Salem News gets it right ... almost

I've found plenty to disagree with in the Salem News, but today they got one close to right. Go read today's editorial, Council's not-so-fab four making Salem look foolish. Also make sure to catch the comment by Mike Blatty.

I agree with most of this editorial. However, I think that Mr. Blatty is also correct. I don't buy that councilors voted the way they did "primarily to make mischief." I believe that Sosnowski, for sure, has Salem's best interests at heart. I just think he's wrong frequently about what is in Salem's best interest. For now, I feel the same way about Ronan. I have no reason not to, and give him the benefit of the doubt.

As for Prevey and Pinto, I'm less sure of their motives. Let's look at each of them individually.

Prevey's actions regarding the purchasing agent are certainly suspect. The role of council is to confirm the appointment of the mayor, making sure that they are qualified. That's it. They aren't supposed to be vetting non-appointed candidates, interviewing candidates, or picking one of their own. Deciding whether or not the mayor's choice is qualified can be done by reviewing the qualification of the candidate for confirmation alone. The mayor has the right to choose the person the mayor is most comfortable with, as long as they are qualified for the job. Additionally, if Councilor Prevey truly wanted to see the other applications, he could have visited the city's Human Resources office to do so. I can only conclude that what he really wanted to do was make a ruckus, and a name, with a power-play where his power was really limited. I very much wonder if Prevey fancies himself as future mayor, and uses things like this to get his name out there, and position himself as the anti-Driscoll candidate. I hope I'm wrong.

I've documented much of Pinto's strangeness in the last week. Voting present, with no explanation, on the purchasing position was strike 1. His simply strange quest to make it easier for himself to obtain a taxpayer funded job was strike 2. His creating a dysfunctional relationship between the mayor and city council, and wasting taxpayer money with this annex issue, after stating that he was running for council because he was sick of his annual tax increase, is strike 3. His motive? I don't really know. He pretty much always refuses to explain why he's thinking what he's thinking.

One other issue I take with the News editorial is that if, as alleged, some of these councilors negotiated with another landlord, off to the side, they would not be merely unethical actions, as the News states, but would actually go beyond that and border on the illegal. The RFP process is in place in government to avoid exactly the impression of favoritism or back room dealing, as could be the case there.

I'm just deathly afraid that a faction on this council is dead-set on making our downtown just like Peabody's. Plenty of parking, because nobody wants to be there.

Interesting footnote: Op-ed editor Nelson Benton tweeted the following: "Fallout from Driscoll snub: Furey wants to rescind rule that let single member (Pinto) stop mayor from addressing council."

Here, here!

I noticed watching this meeting that several of the councilors seemed really appalled and disgusted with Pinto's actions. Why couldn't he just let her speak for a few minutes, and then ignore her and vote the way he was going to? How about a little decorum and respect?

_____

Here's a completely unrelated "fun" fact. The Pilgrim Power Plant in Plymouth is set up identically to the first reactor that failed at Fukushima Daiichi. Same GE reactor, same cooling and containment system that failed. It was built in 1974, and is older than me.

Councilor Puta ... err Pinto

UPDATE: Salem Patch has a video montage of some of the high (low?) points from last night's debacle. I think editor Aubry Bracco shot this video herself.

____________

I've seen it all now.

I was watching the Salem City Council meeting last night (usually like watching paint dry) when the subject of the lease agreement for the City Hall Annex came up again. The mayor wanted to sign a five year lease on 120 Washington Street, that would save the city $42,000 a year, or $210,000 over the five year term. Council rejected the lease, then passed it, modifying a clause that the landlord didn't agree to modify. This was a third attempt at passing a variation of the lease agreement.

The mayor came to the council meeting last night, hoping to address their concerns and explain the importance of the savings, as well as the upgrades to the offices included in the lease. For the mayor to speak at the council meeting requires a suspension of the rules to allow a non-councilor to speak. The suspension can't be granted if one councilor objects. That is exactly what klasshole councilor Pinto did. It was one of the most disgraceful, disrespectful things I've ever seen. Several of the other councilors pointed out that as the mayor, she should be allowed to speak. Dean of the council, councilor O'Keefe (hey, I disagree with him too, sometimes) stated that he'd served under four different mayors and that he had never seen anyone refuse the mayor an audience. The mayor herself pointed out that she'd never refused to speak to any of the council. Councilors Pelletier (he stepped out ill before the vote on the lease) Lovely and Furey all urged him to retract his objection. Pinto's act was, in a word, shameful. City council appears to be going further and further off the reservation, and Pinto is playing a major part in that.

During his intial run for a council seat, Pinto told Wicked Local, "What gave me the incentive to run was that I felt betrayed, because taxes have doubled in the last seven years, and yet we’re still $3.5 million dollars in debt." Well councilor, let me tell you, I certainly feel betrayed. But by you. My property taxes have gone up over $100 a year every year you've been in office. What have you done about it? Yesterday you helped flush the entire property tax bills of 10 plus Salem households down the toilet on extra rent we didn't have to pay. As they like to say in Wisconsin right now, "SHAME!" I hope you at least wiped your ass with it first.

Pinto wasn't done. Later in the meeting, he demanded a hearing with the director of the board of health for an "update" on the hiring of a permanent Health Agent. This is a position that the council has no role in filling, and doesn't even come to the council for confirmation, unlike the purchasing agent who Pinto refused to confirm after months of bickering, voting present with no explanation. Several councilors correctly made the point that they had no business in this, and that it seemed like a fishing expedition. Pinto claimed he had received a few phone calls asking questions about it. Remember, there are 40,000 people in Salem. If a few people report to him that he should resign, will he do it? I intend to email him a link to this entry, and let me be clear, you should resign!

What is Pinto about? It seems that he's about himself. Later in the meeting he again brought up his foolhardy motion that council change an ordinance that bars them from being employed by the city for one year after leaving office. There are great reasons for such a law. For example, councilor Pinto could say to one of the department heads, "hey, I'll fund a raise for you, and give your department more money, if you hire me to work there." A councilor could quite literally end up receiving the very funds that they approved a month ago. It's a bad idea, but he's fighting for it tooth and nail, talking about how councilors shouldn't have to miss out on opportunities. He refuses to state whether he has a vested interest in getting this waived, but it's hard to believe he's sitting around thinking about it for no reason. This idea should have died in November, but he's bringing it up again. One must certainly question his insistence here.

Steven Pinto, you are an embarrassment to us all. Congrats on the most disgusting display in the history of the Salem City Council.

Tierney is simply tone deaf. Oh, and a liar.

Congressman Tierney met with the Salem News yesterday. It's very clear that he is both tone deaf and a liar. One only need to read the interview to see that he's dead set on continuing to claim that this isn't a big deal, and a non-issue. I'm sorry sir, but your involvement with felons is not a non-issue. Your claim that you received no financial benefit, when your mother-in-law was largely supported by those funds, and she donated $4800 to your campaign, which she clearly couldn't have afforded on her social security alone, is a big deal, and not a non-issue. Committing criminal acts while not receiving financial benefit wouldn't make your wife a non-criminal. It only makes her a stupid one.

As for your claims that you and Patrice didn't know, couldn't have known, what Robert Eremian was up to in Antigua. I say, lies, damn lies. First, your wife's guilty plea to aiding and abetting was based on her admission that she was "WILLFULLY BLIND." Blind by choice, blind in that anyone who didn't force themselves to be blind couldn't help but realize that something was wrong. It's basically saying, "I refuse to admit that I knew that this didn't pass the smell test, but clearly I did."

Second, the paper of record, the New York Times, published a story in 1998 featuring dear brother in Antigua, overseeing his sports betting business.

From the article:

But in the cozy back room of a modern house that once served as the Chinese Embassy, past the lazy dogs in the yard and the bicycles in the driveway, Bob Eremian was entertaining Americans in a different way.

It was two hours before the start of Sunday's Super Bowl game in San Diego, and Eremian, in short pants and bare feet, was sitting in front of three computer screens, overseeing a sports betting operation that would take over 10,000 bets on the game before the day was over.

"They're calling from all over the U.S. today," he said, as the 25 telephone operators seated in front of him quickly logged bets into their computers. "That's what people want to do," Eremian said. "Bet on sports."

The congressman claims that he and Patrice were unaware of this business in Antigua? He wants us to believe that this feature wasn't passed around the family? I've never been in the New York Times, but I'm pretty sure if they featured my life I'd pass it on to everyone I know. Congressman Tierney, nobody believes you.

Klassy Congressman Tierney and family

Breaking News!

Patrice Tierney, the wife of U.S. Congressman and Salem resident John F. Tierney, has agreed to plead guilty to federal tax charges stemming from her assisting her brother conceal his multi-million dollar illegal international gambling operation. She of course claims she didn't know what was going on. Lots of people just randomly deposit 7 million dollars in the bank, right? We all just come up with that in a new job, making commission.

Somewhere challenger Bill Hudak is smiling. His new slogan should be, "Wouldn't you rather have a nut than a crook?" The choice Salem voters face is the definition of klassy. This voter will take the nut over the yes man with criminals all around him. Tierney has proven over and over that the best interests of his constituents always come second to the demands of his party. Now it looks like he may be even worse.

UPDATE:

Garrett Quinn sums this scandal up well.

UPDATE 2: Adding to the klass here, Congressman Tierney voted no on a bill that would have outlawed internet gambling in the U.S. Passage of such a bill would have clearly impacted the family business. This adds another circumstantial implication of impropriety. Notable is the fact that this was a rare instance where Tierney broke with Nancy Pelosi, as she, and many other Democrats voted yes on this bill, which passed the house with bipartisan support.

In light of what we now know, this vote looks very sketchy.


Read more:
Boston.com story
Salem News has the AP story.

Rockmore Company and owner Peter Noyes

The early leader in the clubhouse for klassiest, assiest, dickhead of the year is Peter Noyes and the Rockmore Company. This super klassy individual decided that it would be a much better idea to fill Salem Harbor with HUMAN SHIT than to dispose of it properly by having it pumped out of his floating restaurant, The Rockmore, and his ferry boat, the Hannah Glover. Instead, he decided to pump the sewage from those vessels directly into the ocean, for 16 years, in violation of maritime law. Even klassier, Mr. Noyes, who lives in one of the most expensive houses on the North Shore, out at the end of Marblehead Neck, decided to intimidate the Salem News into removing the article that they wrote about an impending plea agreement, and admission of guilt. I emailed the publisher and editors the following:

To whom it may (or may not) concern:

I'm very disappointed in the Salem News today. The Rockmore Company admitting that they've polluted by dumping raw, untreated, human waste into Massachusetts coastal waters, and being accused of doing so right in Salem Harbor, is major news.

I can't believe that the story about these accusations and admission was removed from the Salem News website today. When a prominent Marbleheader is accused of wrongdoing, that is at least as newsworthy as when a miscreant like The Wind is accused of a crime, even if the Marbleheader has better lawyers. It's probably more so.

I'm very sad to learn that the Salem News is lacking in journalistic ethics and caves to threats.

What happened to "the public has a right to know?" You'd think it would apply when a company is pumping raw poop into the water within sight of my house.



The Salem News is run by pussies, and they are afraid of him, but I'm not.
Not surprisingly, the cowards didn't respond. Glad I no longer give them any money.

Well, this blog will not be intimidated. You can see the original text of the Salem News article here.

So, let's take a closer look at Peter Noyes and Rockmore. The Rockmore restaurant, which never opened this summer (hmmm ... maybe busy with lawyers) is accessed by boat only, and offers a free shuttle boat from Salem, opposite Finz.

The sign should read "No charge for the poop either!"

Rockmore/Noyes also owns the Hannah Glover, which can be booked for weddings, and is also used to transport children out to the YMCA's day camp at Children's Island. As a Y member I was disturbed to hear this, and had the following e-mail exchange with the YMCA:

Dear Mr. Mayer,

As a member of the YMCA of the North Shore I urge you to stop using the Hannah Glover for transporting children to camp. You have an excellent teaching opportunity here for the children who attend the camp. Please show them that our community doesn't support those, such as Peter Noyes and the Rockmore Company, who pollute the environment and disrespect the community.

Sincerely,
Me

I received the following response from the COO of the North Shore YMCA:

Thanks for your input. As you could imagine,we were shocked and frankly disgusted by the actions of the owner of the Hannah Glover. We were equally upset with the fact that after 30 years of a business relationship, Mr. Noyes did not tell us about this on-going investigation.

Currently we are in year 4 of a 5 year contract with The Rockmore Company and are investigating all of our options going forward. At this point we are not sure what we legally can do. But rest assured, a lesson will be taught and learned here.

Chris Lovasco

COO

YMCA of the North Shore

So, at least the YMCA is keeping it classy, instead of klassy.

The Hannah Glover, where you could hold your wedding, just watch out for crap flooding the deck.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Peter Noyes. Anyone can make a mistake though, right? Well, this wasn't one mistake, and it wasn't Noyes' first run in with the law. Ask people in the boating community and they'll tell you that this has been ongoing, well-known behavior, that has lasted for years.

Apparently Peter Noyes truly does believe that he's above the law. Previously, he was found guilty of both age and anti-Russian discrimination in 2007, against a former accountant he employed. The details of the case are so blatant they almost can't be believed. For the details, click here and select Vladimir Glezer vs. Rockmore Company & Peter Noyes.

Below are 5 quotes from the hearing decision awarding Mr. Glezer with over $100,000 in damages payable by Noyes.


"Noyes had a discussion with him about replacing him as Rockmore’s bookkeeper. According to Complainant, in that discussion, Noyes referred to Complainant’s age, telling Complainant that his CPA had advised him that there were “a lot of young people around” who could replace Complainant."

"Noyes began the conversation by telling Complainant that Noyes’ wife had fears about Noyes meeting Complainant because Complainant is Russian and Russians could be violent. This insult made Complainant angry and upset and he told Noyce that it was a stupid comment. He stated that it was not the only time there had been a reference to Russians being violent or in gangs during the course of his employment."

"Noyes told Complainant that he was through hiring older people and that Noyes’ wife was physically afraid of Complainant. They discussed money again and Noyes asked Complainant to sign a release promising not to sue Noyes."

"Noyes’ lawyer, who according to Complainant, has since been disbarred from the practice of law, phoned Complainant and told Complainant their conversation was being taped and if he made a move, Noyes would “hit him with all his might.” He also told Complainant that Noyes was the boss and could do whatever he wanted. In that conversation he referred to Complainant as a “fucking Russian.”"


So you tell me. Either Noyes has no regard whatsoever for the law, or he's just plain stupid. Which is it?

So what should happen to Noyes? He paid a slap on the wrist, which based on the fact that his oceanfront home is assessed at 4.2 million dollars, won't really hurt him. I imagine that the property must be his pride and joy.

Peter Noyes home, 421 Ocean Ave, Marblehead, MA 01945

(Editor's note: This post has been sitting, unfinished, unpublished for a while, but Noyes is back in the news, reminding me to finish it, because apparently he never paid the fine. Again, he thinks he's above the law.)

Noyes feels perfectly justified in spreading his shit all around the North Shore, maybe people should return the favor. Have a dog? I know a great new place to walk it. I'm sure Peter Noyes won't have any problem with you not picking up after him if Sparky leaves his deposit on Noyes lawn. Happen to be on the Neck, and really have to poop? I know which household wouldn't have any justification complaining if you decided to drop trou and leave a deposit on the lawn. He made the harbor a public port-o-potty, why shouldn't his lawn be the same?

rockmore.com is registered to Noyes at that address as well. If you look at the domain name ownership, Noyes address, email and phone are all listed. Why don't you call him up and let him know how you feel about his disgusting acts against us all? I must stress that I'm not suggesting that you harass him, or send him anything illegal. Do NOT poop in a box and mail it to him, that's probably against the law, and I can't, in good conscience, suggest that you do such a thing. His e-mail address is listed as well. Let him know what you think. Sign him up to receive porn email from here to eternity, but only if you determine that it's legal. I make no warranty, because I don't know.

phone number is present. You may want to call him up and let him know what you think. Make sure you don't harass him though. That might be illegal. His e-mail address is listed as well. Let him know what you think. Sign him up to receive porn email from hear to eternity, but only if you determine that it's legal. I make no warranty, because I don't know.

Reese Bernard, keeping it klassy over and over.

Reese Bernard, of Danvers, likes to keep it klassy in Salem. Unfortunately, he comes here, instead of staying at home. Read about his latest endeavor in klassiness here.

Read about this mental midget's previous klassy run-ins with the law here.

When do you throw away the key on garbage like this one-boy crime wave?