The following was submitted in response to the comments on the recent story: Congdon School teacher details rodent infestation, severe mold and bats at school:

“After reading online stories and comments implying that the James B. Congdon Elementary School just needs a good cleaning, I felt a responsibility to address some of the misconceptions that are out there.

The reasons we need a new building for the students at Congdon (and at John B. DeValles) are not related to the building being unkempt. The issue is that the building is too old to accommodate the educational and social-emotional needs of students living in the 21st century.

A look inside Congdon further proves my point.

For example, the principal is unable to add more technology in the classrooms because the electrical system in the building is unable to support it. There is no access to student bathrooms or water fountains anywhere except the basement. The cafeteria is also in the basement of the building.
Four classrooms on the third floor have no windows and two offices on the third floor have no heat in the winter. The third floor is used as a library, a gymnasium, and an auditorium. The specialist teachers’ desks are on the stage in the auditorium/gymnasium/library because there aren’t enough classrooms for all teachers. There isn’t adequate office space; the main office and nurse’s office is a shared space.

There are two English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in one classroom. The special education teachers are doubled up in one classroom, and the reading specialist shares a space with an ESL teacher. There is limited space for speech therapy, occupational therapy, or counseling in the building. The classrooms don’t have drop ceilings, causing noise to travel and it to be noisy in the building at times.

The current principal at Congdon took the position almost five years ago. Since her first day, she has worked tirelessly to clean out the building and address and remedy any and all health and safety concerns.

The recent problem with rodents came about immediately following a pipe repair in the basement, which created easier access for rodents to enter the building. An exterminator is in the building weekly to address the problem, which is making trapped rodents more visible. The current custodial staff work very hard to maintain the cleanliness of the building and address any and all concerns.

Many visitors have come to Congdon this year after it was designated a school of recognition by the state. The Mayor, members of the school committee, the Commissioner of Education, delegates from many other districts, State Senators, newspaper, radio, and television reporters, Leadership Southcoast members, and New Bedford firefighters have all toured Congdon this year. Many of the visitors commented on how clean the building is despite its’ age and that they would love for their own children to attend Congdon.

Despite the limitations the staff and teachers face at Congdon, they do what is necessary to make the best of the facility and give the students what they need to be successful. Needless to say, I was disappointed with the city council’s vote not to send a statement of interest to the state to begin the process of building a new school.

I spend more time at Congdon than my home, by choice. Congdon is not my child’s neighborhood school, but I love Congdon so much I requested special permission for her to attend Congdon. It is an amazing place to work and have my child attend. I would never put my child or myself in a school that was dirty, unhealthy and/or unsafe. The teachers and staff work hard every day to provide the students with a great educational experience. Trust me, I know first-hand.”

Justine Santos – Assistant Principal at Congdon

We Americans love our automobiles and hitting the road. New England is one of the densest regions in the nation with people commuting in massive numbers. We love to drive the biggest car possible – usually empty of passengers, and we’ll take the car to go as far as the corner store 2 blocks away. We just have a love affair with our vehicles.

In a day and age in a society where one is proud of their bias and we wear that bias on our sleeves proudly, we’ll take something, spin it and give it whatever meaning we like. The “truth” is what we feel it is and what is convenient and will benefit us.

This is pretty much every other driver on the road in 2019.

Every event in the news becomes a “How I perceive what happened is the truth and everyone else is wrong.” and the more religious-like fervor you have the better! It makes it truer! On social media, you can nail the truth home with caps locks, insults and ad hominem attacks and then it’s really, really, true!

It is the proverbial glass of water filled halfway and people arguing about whether it is half-full or half-empty and both oblivious of that bias.

Case in point is our traffic light system where people perceive the colored light system as something to spin and color with your bias. The current system as it stands:

• Red: “You still have a second or two to make it through the light. Go ahead and risk your own life and that of others. It’ll be worth it because waiting at a light for a minute is boring! I’d really like to win a Darwin Award.”
• Yellow: “Speed up. I have a Nike deal to sign and I ain’t got time ‘fo dis.”
• Green: “Oh, when did the light turn green? I didn’t notice because I am texting or scrolling through social media. How dare the person behind me give me a courtesy beep to let me know. I am going to flip them the bird.”

Huffington Post photo.

Some factoids for those that actually care:

Statistics show that “texting while driving makes you 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash. Nearly 47 percent of smartphone users admit to texting while driving.”

“Among 18-29-year-old smartphone users, 63 percent said they have texted at a red light. More than 20 percent of distracted drivers age 15 to 19 involved in fatal crashes were distracted by cell phones, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.”

I propose a revolutionary new idea. A reformation of the current system and one that replaces the old system. It is a progressive idea beyond its time:

• Red: “Stop.”
• Yellow: “Slow down.”
• Green: “Go.”

Willful ignorance comes with real-world consequences.

With this new system in place, we can cut down on road rage, accidents leading to injury or death and by using it cut down on traffic congestion by contributing to its flow.

Massachusetts is known for its progressives, but I wonder if this idea is even too progressive for residents and one too far ahead of its time.

Many Americans have a disdain and suspicion for automated cars, but no matter how many errors a computer can make it will be far superior to the ones that we humans make consistently and regularly. People are not going abide by the traffic system or even stop drinking and driving or texting and driving. By utilizing automated cars we do away with road rage and incidents, virtually eliminate accidents from distraction, and solve our traffic congestion issue since the traffic light system will be redundant – all cars can be timed so as to making stopping unnecessary.

Until that time comes, we’ll just have to hope that the people at an intersection aren’t in so much of a rush – real or pretend – that they decide to re-interpret the color of the light and that they aren’t so distracted by their “smart” phones that they even realize there is one.

Here’s to hoping you don’t run into someone passionate about winning a Darwin Award.

Since the start of the Stop & Shop strike, I have not gone grocery shopping at any of the Stop & Shop locations. It was my grocery store of choice before the strike, but I always give the workers of any strike the benefit of the doubt until they prove me wrong.

While the majority of striking workers seem to be behaving, there are some that have resorted to shaming anyone who crosses their picket line – shouting and in some cases taking video/photos to shame them. The highest profile video so far is Boston Bruins great Ray Bourque:

Ray went to Twitter shortly after and apologized:

Being a union hockey player for 22 years I respect Unions and the work that they do. I have a medical condition that I was preparing for this morning and mistakenly crossed the picket line at Stop & Shop. On my way out I apologized immediately.

— Ray Bourque (@RayBourque77) April 15, 2019

Being a union hockey player for 22 years I respect Unions and the work that they do. I have a medical condition that I was preparing for this morning and mistakenly crossed the picket line at Stop & Shop. On my way out I apologized immediately.

— Ray Bourque (@RayBourque77) April 15, 2019

If you watch the video, Ray was carrying a single bag. Was he picking up a prescription or just over the counter medication? It’s fair to assume Ray could have went somewhere else, but I doubt his purchase of a few items is going to keep Stop & Shop open.

More importantly, Turtleboy Sports showed examples of Stop & Shop employees in Danvers publically shamed people and small businesses who stopped by their Stop & Shop store. This is where the Stop & Shop employees are starting to lose my support.

If you drive by a Stop & Shop at their peak hours, the parking lots are mostly empty except for the striking workers. I’d say the impact is significant on Stop & Shop’s bottom line. I’d estimate more than 99% of people have stopped going to Stop & Shop. Do the workers really need to harrass the less than 1% that still go there?

In no way, will that revenue keep Stop & Shop from the bargining table. Do workers really need to shame and destroy a small business owner because he picked up a prescription? Went to his bank to deposit money? You do not know why they are going into the store. While it may be easy for millionaires like Ray Bourque to switch a prescription, it may not be as easy for others.

Your fight for benefits is important, but not so important as to call for others to harrass and boycott – trying to hurt or put a small business out of business. Getting people laid off in the name of supporting workers makes zero sense. If striking workers continue to harass people, I will head back to Stop & Shop and use the self-check out line. It will be my protest. I’m supporting you and will continue to support you in your time of need, but that support has limits. Continue to fight for your benefits, but don’t harass the folks who stop by. Explain to them why you are striking and you’ll likely win them over. Continue to harass them and you’ll lose their support – and mine.

“Dear Facebook Juries,

How quick we are to judge. How quick to convict, condemn and crucify. In fact, how quick we are to jump on any bandwagon. What is this insatiable need to stick our two cents in before we even have any facts?

This urge is nothing new but recently two opposite stories hit FB around the same time and the reactions are just more than I can bear.

The first I read was of the officer accused of rape and sexual abuse of a minor. The various posts and reposts have prompted all manner of proposals of what should be done with this man from locking him up to castration to a bullet to the head. The man is accused and has not had his day in court. The way I understand the judicial system we have a thing called innocent until proven guilty. Many would have you believe it’s guilty until proven innocent.

Over the years I’ve noticed this trend continues with people accused of these type crimes or murders or drug charges. It almost doesn’t matter the accusation. As long as the headline is spun a certain way most of you are ready to bury the accused under the jail. And in a lot of cases, the headline is all it takes. Many of you don’t even read the article before you leave your self-righteous comment.

The second report I read was of an uncle and nephew who were released from prison after serving 42 years for a murder the prosecutor’s office now says they did not commit. “How much money should these two be compensated?” the post asks. The replies were just as fervent as in the first post but this time on the side of the wrongfully accused. “There’s no amount that can make up for what these men had taken from them!” you all cried. “Whoever prosecuted them should go to jail!”

I wonder, were Facebook around when these men were being tried for the murder what the posts and comments would have looked like. What are the chances you’d all be calling for these men’s heads on a platter? I bet many back then were and they were wrong.

“Judge not lest ye be judged.” for all you so-called righteous Christians.

My point? If it’s not already clear: let these things play out in the court system. Give these people their day in court. Sometimes things aren’t the way they seem. Sometimes they are.

But consider if the person accused was someone you loved, wouldn’t you think they at least deserved a fair trial before they’re convicted?” – Rob

In response to our ‘Apathy is the main problem with New Bedford, not crime’ article posted to our Facebook page, Lois Wiseman posted her thoughts on how New Bedford is different than her new hometown in Canada.

I no longer live in New Bedford. I married and moved to Canada. Over the past few years, I’ve tried to figure out how life, and people are different here. I think you hit the nail on the head.

Hope you read this without judging me. I miss my hometown, but life is good here, too.

– Lois Wiseman

“Let me give you guys a crash course on the monument that’s preventing the opening of Whisk and Jane’s shop at 161 Pope’s Island.

Prince Henry the Navigator, has the dubious distinction of being a founder of the Atlantic slave trade. He sponsored Nuno Tristao’s exploration of the African coast, and Antao Goncalves’s hunting expedition there in 1441.

The two men captured several Africans and brought them back to Portugal. One of the captured men, a chief, negotiated his own return to Africa, promising in exchange to provide the Portuguese with more Africans.” – Justin Kennedy

“Diagonally across from Ellen Hathaway school on the Union Street side is a vacant lot that parents have used to park to pick up their kids at least since my grandsons have been going to the school (5 years). I am not sure when it happened, but this morning I noticed signs put up by the city that say “City Property – No Parking” across the entrance to the lot.

I would love to know the reasoning behind putting up these signs. There is parking on only one side of the street, and most of those spaces are taken up by teachers (who have no parking lot), and residents. Parents making pickups have to park a block and a half away if they can’t use the ‘VACANT’ lot.

The lot is only used twice a day: to drop kids off in the morning and to pick them up in the afternoon. If anything; the city should level and pave it so that the parking and traffic congestion in the area is eased. If the city doesn’t want people in there at other times, put a chain across it when school is not in session.

Also, a paved parking lot would help a lot when there is a parking ban in the area; having it could eliminate the need for local residents to park in Hathaway School’s lot on school grounds.

Ian Abreu, can you get to the bottom of this, please?” Douglas Miller.

“I was wondering about out of state license plates. My street has at least 5-10 out of state plates (some as far away as Pennsylvania) and they have parked on my street for 2-5+ years, with some having expired tags/stickers.

I got a ticket when I forgot to get my inspection sticker and in that same week, I received my excise taxes, which those out of state plates obviously did not.

Who do you call to make them accountable when it comes to switching over their out of state plates to Massachusetts plates and paying excise taxes like we have to?

It’s not cheap to live in Massachusetts let alone own a car. Any help in who or where to contact would be appreciated. Thank you have a good day.” – Anonymous

In an email dated Feb 13, 2019, Worley Beds Factory Outlet owner Martha Worley voiced her opposition to New Bedford City Council President Linda Morad.

“I would like to express in the strongest terms my opposition to the efforts being made to accommodate a recreational cannabis business at 161 Popes Island by granting them a zoning waiver. My business is located at 197 Popes Island and I have been here since 1993. Not only is Marine Park located directly across the street, but as I am sure you are aware, Noah’s Playground is also there. It seems unfathomable to me that that the council would even entertain a waiver for the very first establishment that is requesting a license to operate under an ordinance that was unanimously passed by this body. The absence of any opposition by the existing business community on the island is due to the fact that we have been unaware of when the subject will come before the council and therefore, left out of the process. May I humbly request notification when this will come before you in the future so that I and my business neighbors can be heard on this? I support and want retail and commercial businesses to thrive in New Bedford, but having a cannabis business across the street from a park and a big, very popular playground is shortsighted and just a bad idea.”

Respectfully,
Martha Worley

To get caught up on the proposed retail marijuana business that hopes to open at the former strip club on Pope’s Island, go here.

The full email exchange between Martha Worley and Linda Morand can be seen here (use the arrows to read both pages):

02.28.2019__COMMUNICATION_-_ZONING_WAIVER_OPPOSITION__161_POPE_S_ISLAND

A grandmother shared how grateful she was for workers and strangers at the Stop & Shop on Dartmouth Street in New Bedford for helping her autistic granddaughter who lost her special doll:

“Yesterday my autistic granddaughter lost her special doll named Sandy. I would like to give a shout out to all those at Stop & Shop that went above and beyond to be sure my granddaughter Amariannah would get a new Sandy doll. My heart goes out to you all and I want to thank each and every one of you for your love and support.

Thank you to Stop and Shop on Dartmouth Street in New Bedford, specifically Franky Foscaldi in the meat/seafood department and Alexandria Rose and Alisa Marie.

Keisha Rodriguez as well for offering to buy a new doll. Hayden Lynn, Christopher Mel, Donna Monteiro, Kristi McCmanus, and Aaron Alfres. Special thanks to Jecka Braga’s Daughter offering her own doll to my granddaughter. Also a huge thanks for all the support and sharing to make sure my granddaughter was ok – Derek Fernandes Alves, Jessica Tiffany Russo, Annie McCarthy, Darlene Rego, Patti Anne, Michele Shannon, Cindy Ann Thompson, Carmen Carmen, Kelli Macomber, Teresa McCormack, Donna Mello, Phillips Valver, Cody Cameron Labreque, Kim Newton, and Terri Aguiar.

These are the kind of people that make New Bedford great. Thanks again so much for all your love and support for caring about another child that you didn’t know personally. We just picked up sandy. Thank you all so much.” – Jennifer L Staples‎