Suicides in the Bristol County Jail  The all too frequent suicides that occur in the Bristol County jails cause incredible heartache and expense to decedents’ families, the staff and ultimately to the taxpayers. When a suicide was preventable it is the staff that suffers the blame and emotional effects, rather than the Sheriff who sets… [Read More]

Hodgson Needs to Pay More Attention to Inmates I worked in the human services profession for over 20 years, the last 11 years at an award winning and respected Psych Hospital.  I know a few things.  Upon arrival, when a client came in, they would be given a physical (even if they previously had one… [Read More]

By Beth David, Editor Brrr…it’s dismal out there.  Let’s hope it warms up for the weekend. We have some fun stuff coming up (see page 3).  The annual Kids Fest is at the office of tourism. That sounds like lots of fun.  And Sunday, the fire department is holding its annual open house. That’s always… [Read More]

Time For Hodgson To Retire Thomas Hodgson started his career in law enforcement. His site says he is “tough on crime.” Being “tough on crime” is the responsibility of the professionals in our local police departments, not the Bristol County Sheriff.  The Sheriff’s job should be focused on the inmates’ incarceration. The prison should develop programs… [Read More]

Straus Supports Fish Council Vote Against Leasing On 9/27 the Federal New England Fishery Management Council voted 15 to 1 to reject what I and the rest of my local House colleagues felt would have been a detrimental business ownership change affecting the New Bedford scallop industry.  Over 80% of the commentators, including myself, had… [Read More]

Paul Schmid Has Served Community Well We support Paul Schmid for reelec­tion as our State Representative for the 8th Bristol District.  Paul has served this community well. He has been effective in achieving funding for major projects such as the new schools in Westport and Fall River, repaving Route 88, cleaning up South Watuppa Pond,… [Read More]

By Beth David, Editor Summer is seriously trying to leave us. Ugh. But I tried to get some summer in Ptown this weekend. It was a bit chilly, but, wow, that’s a fun town. It just has good energy. See page 6 for how we both got ourselves dumped in the water at Marconi Beach,… [Read More]

Aging Does Not Cause Bigotry I am offended by Gary Lavalette’s using the presence of “a couple of older folks” as an excuse for removing the gay pride rainbow.  Aging may cause problems with hearing, vision, and memory. For example, an older person may not be able to remember whether he turned a sign around. But… [Read More]

Pride Sign is For Always, Not Just June The Office of Tourism’s rainbow Pride sign was turned around backwards after a town committee [Historical Commission] met in the Visitor’s Center in the Academy Building. The Historical Commission’s chair­person Wayne Oliveira comments that “it should not be on display in a government office,” and is inappropri­ate if… [Read More]

Firefighters Union Responds to TA’s Remarks The union would like to respond to the statements that Ms. Ellison made at the Select Board meeting on 9/19/22 (see 9/22/22 issue). The only accurate statement that was made was “when you call 911 for an ambulance, an ambulance will go, fires will be put out”.  She is… [Read More]