A Judiciary Communications Breakdown? Who's on first?

New Bedford (5.00 / 1)

I had forgotten that the Housing court was tucked away in a cheesy, run down strip mall across the street from one of the most violent projects.

At least the Shawmut Diner, owned & operated by the chairman of the New Bedford GOP, is a saving grace nearby.

So, the problem is merging NB Housing Court into NB District Court?  Okay, sounds like a viable solution to me.

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by: BNCordeiro @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 03:24:34 AM UTC

The man with the plan is in the State House now. (5.00 / 2)

Ten years ago, DAn Winslow came up with a great plan to create 10 equidistant 'justice centers', both streamlining and improving justice functions.  Naturally, with all the hack jobs involved, the plan was ignored.

Well, now, there IS no money and perhaps the ideas deserve a second look.

Rep. Winslow should be consulted.

Yr. Obedient Servant, Peter Porcupine, Republican

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by: Peter Porcupine @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 03:27:17 AM UTC

The Courts did lobby, but there is no "economic impact" equivalent of the Congressional Budget Office (0.00 / 0)

Not in Massachusetts.  As to the viability of 10 "equidistant" justice centers, like with redistricting, it is not so easy to get folks to agree, and public transportation in, say, North Adams is an issue.  quite a few of those who must go to Juvenile Court do not have their own cars, to put it mildly.

Deborah Sirotkin Butler
Make Open Meeting Laws apply to the Massachusetts House, Senate, and Executive - Sunlight and air are the best disinfectant

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by: AmberPaw @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 12:37:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Elections and Consequences (0.00 / 0)

Amber,

An economic impact analysis, similar to what the CBO does once they receive written budgets and other financial bills, was something that one of the candidates spoke about last fall during the statewide elections.

However, the Democratic machine led ably by John Walsh (yes, that is a compliment as he is very good at his job and in his role), saw fit to pull out all the stops to elect Ms. Bump of principal vs. primary fame, as Auditor rather than Mary Z., an actual CPA who campaigned on, among other things, having the Auditor's office "score" bills much like the CBO.

I have not heard of Ms. Bump implementing anything like this, but I may have missed it.  I have been surprised by her performance so far.  Not up to the level I believe Mary would have been working, but better than I anticipated.  Maybe she will take this up for the next budget cycle or the supplementals.

Again, elections have consequences and they are now being felt in the courtsystem where changes are being made with what appears to be very little analysis.  I actually believe that some consolidation is warranted, but careful study and implementation is required first and we do not seem to have much care or consideration here.

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by: ConsEph @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 14:46:08 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I have been surprised by her performance [Suzanne Bump] so far. Not up to the level I believe Mary would have been working, but better than I anticipated. (5.00 / 2)

What?!?!?! Doh please pffffff pfffff please!

I hate Suzanne Bump!  I hate her!  She isn't fit to hold Mary Connaughton's calculator! Pfffffffff

"Paula Jones was and is trailer-trash" -SomervilleTom

http://bluemassgroup.com/2012/...

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by: Republican Ram Rod Radio @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 20:31:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yeah! (0.00 / 0)

What has Bump done beside fire a bunch of Joe D holdovers?

"Never, never, never give up" - Winston Churchill

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by: David Whelan @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 20:51:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

She FIRED the Joe D holdovers (0.00 / 0)

Didn't make them cabinet secretaries like Deval.

Yr. Obedient Servant, Peter Porcupine, Republican

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by: Peter Porcupine @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 05:13:20 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Didnt I say that? (0.00 / 0)

"Never, never, never give up" - Winston Churchill

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by: David Whelan @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 09:48:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

If the governor stops appointing judges and clerks... (0.00 / 0)

... how will he reward his financial contributors?  There are a lot of unqualified democratic activist attorneys who have not yet received their appointments.  How many more must give up their reward for backing the governor?  How many more?        

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by: Bravehaht @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 22:08:05 PM UTC

Bravehaht - they can go work for CPCS - remember all those new hires, look below (0.00 / 0)

CPCS ordered to double its staff

Deborah Sirotkin Butler
Make Open Meeting Laws apply to the Massachusetts House, Senate, and Executive - Sunlight and air are the best disinfectant

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by: AmberPaw @ Fri Jul 15, 2011 at 16:15:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Those spots are taken by other Patrick supporters (0.00 / 0)

The recent law school graduates who spent last year campaigning for Deval will work for CPCS, I'm sure.

The governor can't ask his big-time supporters to settle for entry-level positions, however.  They feel they've earned the big bucks. I can't picture Deval saying to fat cat suppporter, "Sorry, the courthouse is closed but you should apply to work at the BMC handling possession and OUI cases for $30k a year." Some of those Democratic activist lawyers have been biding their time since 1990, waiting for their judgships.  They can't let a little thing like the court being closed keep them from their birthright.      

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by: Bravehaht @ Sat Jul 16, 2011 at 23:30:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Justice (5.00 / 1)

Justice is closing down the Pittsfield district court so rep Speranzo is out of a job.

Full Disclosure


http://www.redmassgroup.com/pr...

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by: Rob "EaBo Clipper" Eno @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 22:31:16 PM UTC