I removed the confusing "captcha" challenge phrase so commenting on this blog should be easier now. Comments are filtered by a spam-checking service so you do not see the half-dozen or so a day posts with links to porn sites...

In addition to endeavoring to be respectful in your conversations, please consider these suggestions for posting:  read more »

This Boston Globe editorial suggests an interesting alternative solution to the liquor license issue: Increase the individual store liquor license limit from 3 to some larger number like 10. Then, Roche Bros. would have nothing to complain about; the BOS would give them a license and everyone would be happy. Except this issue is not about alcohol or even procedural due process but more fundamentally about respect.

The Daily News Transcript basically says "butt out Scaccia." But that was before he spoke with them and told them why he is blocking the license.

Over at Universal Hub, Adam criticizes Scaccia but the commentors are not really familiar with the whole context of this and don't "get" why it is part of a bigger principle.

I added my personal opinion to the discussion at myDedham where Brian compares our Rep. Paul McMurtry to Jimmy Stewart's character in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. My opinion is ambivalent: I opposed the article at town meeting because I felt it was unfairly drafted and sold based on scare tactics with callous disregard for Roche Brothers and anyone else in town who should be able to sell wine. Easy for me; I don't own a store, but I support the process and would live with the results so this doesn't bite us again in the future when I'm on the other side of an issue.

There is a Wegmans Blog...without much commentary so far--check it out! Don't tell them I sent you.

The Boston Herald takes a quick potshot at government--big surprise--and lays the blame on Scaccia.

Finally, the topic is being discussed at Chowhound ("for those who love to eat"), mainly by consumers eager to shop at Wegmans.

I spoke with Rep. Paul McMurtry on the phone today and confirmed his intention tomorrow to again be recognized and question the presence of a quorum, effectively preventing any further House business from proceeding. The process continues until McMurtry or Scaccia "blinks" or the weight of unfinished business that is piling up forces some kind of resolution. Until the legislature reconvenes--there is no way to vote this impasse away. It is possible that could happen if legislators were called back for a special session to deal with budget and other issues, but otherwise, unlikely until January. If the measure is abandoned, The BOS could resubmit the petition later or redo the whole thing next year.

The concern of course is that such a lengthy delay might "scare away" Wegmans. Although we have no official information as to their position, it is clear that is the driving concern of those involved. Paul doesn't see this as a personal contest between him and Scaccia, but an issue of doing what the town of Westwood asked through town meeting and what is in the best interests of the district he represents.

Meetings and discussions continue on Beacon Hill. Clearly this impasse is causing problems for other Representatives who cannot get anything done. I asked Paul if there was anything the rest of us could do and while there are certainly constructive ideas out there for the future, right now the most effective thing is probably communicating your position to the key players at the statehouse:

McMurtry, Paul
Rep.PaulMcMurtry@Hou.State.MA.US
617-722-2460
Scaccia, Angelo M.
Rep.AngeloScaccia@Hou.State.MA.US
617-722-2692
Speaker of the House, Salvatore F. DiMasi
Rep.SalvatoreDiMasi@Hou.State.MA.US
617-722-2500

I'm glad to see some discussion on this site and wish we could find more ways to strengthen the "real" community through this interactive component. Here is an interesting article about a neighborhood of Tucson, AZ where the online editor is requiring people to identify themselves. As the comments indicate some people disagree with that approach and I think it can "chill" discussion even if it cuts down on the personal attacks and name calling that can happen anonymously. But it is also good to see a site that is helping the community.

I sent a few emails out to "official" people asking them to weigh on on the Wegmans/Roche issue, but I can understand that it's unlikely they will jump in here. The private discussions have been going on for weeks and what happens here can sometimes seem more like venting than constructive discussion. But I think we are missing out on an opportunity if we keep talking only among people who "matter." Who thought Scaccia mattered. Now he does. Closing down and controlling the process only causes problems to come out somewhere else. And the disgrunted simply speculate and imagine the worst while our leaders try to figure out how to get things done in spite of the people instead of with the people.

The Fox News crew was greeted by a few residents in the early dawn hours, but alas, no one joined me for the bike ride to Boston on Bike Friday.

I did however pick up a couple of riders in Dedham who then met up with
a group of a dozen or so in West Roxbury.

By the time we reached City Hall, we had probably 20 or more riders in our group, accompanied by several Boston police officers on bikes. At City Hall Plaza, we found well over 100 cyclists coming in from all parts of the Boston metro area. A free cup of coffee, a bagel and on to work by around 8:30.

This article in the Transcript from yestereday indicates how the Wegman's Liquor License has now been stalled on Beacon Hill. (Thanks, myDedham.org for the heads up!) State Rep. Paul McMurtry is working to move the issue forward after Rep. Angelo Scaccia, D-Readville indicated he would not support it. Because the legislature is out of session, approval of the home rule petition approved at Westwood's Town Meeting requires unanimous consent of the Legislature.

Is this a political game to subvert the will of the (400 or so) voters at Town Meeting or the only recourse left in a fundamentally-flawed and unfair process? I was opposed to the Town Meeting article, but I would rather have a small majority of Westwood residents decide this at an open public meeting than have it resolved through political games.