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Worcester City Hall from Franklin St. (Public Domain)
After a couple of "slow" weeks in Worcester County it sure does seem as if things have turned around a bit this week. The major story is, of course, the Worcester Police Department refusing to give the Worcester Telegram & Gazette public safety information. That's enough to get it its own article later today. There was also a City Council meeting as well as a Mayoral debate this week; both were pretty fun-filled. Let's get started. It's Worcester County this week!
October 20, 2009 – City Council Meeting – Things kicked off with Councilor Ruston pushing City Manager O’Brien on the City Square Project. O'Brien had mentioned previously that he's confident the City Square Project is going to happen. Rushton wondered how O'Brien could say that when it has just been pushed back further and further with no specific date as to when it would get done. O’Brien said that give a specific date but said yes, the City Square Project will happen and be completed. Rushton is lucky his head didn't explode here.
Later, Councilor Palmieri inquired about the new restaurant/lounge going in to Union Station. This would be take number three for a Union Station restaurant in the last five years for anyone keeping score at home. It will apparently be a 5900 sq. ft. eatery and will take six to eight months to complete. The owner began paying rent October 1. Let's hope this owner can make a go of the restaurant; especially now that all the construction is finally completed in the area.
Later on, Worcester Police Chief Gemme stood to speak about the improvement of gun fire violence. It was surprising that he spoke at all, considering there members of the media in the same room; and considering the feud with Worcester Telegram & Gazette started earlier this week. Gemme said that motor vehicle theft has increased, as well as domestic violence and knife use; but drug activity is down. He said he's pleased with that, says the department needs to stay focused to keep it down.
Councilors Petty and Clancy made a point to repeat several times variations of we have a “well educated” Police Department, an obvious slam against the Worcester T&G for their stories regarding the WPD, the Quinn Bill and diploma mills. Councilor Ruston appeared to have enough of the mutual admiration society and asked Chief Gemme about the WPD's stance on communication.
Gemme responded by saying he knows the public must be informed with the safety, and what is going on with the Police Department. He cites several incidents when the Worcester PD has made arrests, and stopped anticipated crime without anything printed by the local print media.
He went on, “I need to defend the Worcester Police Department and there’s no denying I criticized recently the Telegram & Gazette.” Gemme said that he will continue to communicate with all media outlets in the city to keep the Telegram & Gazette in check; which just sounded bizarre. He said they want to work with the T&G, but there are issues that need to be addressed. “There are certain elements within the T&G,” and mentioned “unbalanced reporting” and “attacking members of the Worcester Police Department”. He says he’s more than willing to sit down with the City Manager and the Telegram & Gazette to talk about their differences.
After that, Councilor Ruston wanted clarification that the PD will give information to every media outlet, including the T&G. Gemme responded by saying “if there is unfair reporting, he has the right to criticize the T&G. Um, no kidding. Chief Gemme can say whatever he wants to whomever he wants about the T&G. He can't deny the press information because he didn't like what they said.
Councilor Rosen came to the WPD's defense by saying “it’s wrong to belittle anyone’s degree like the Telegram & Gazette did with the article about the PD officer’s degrees from Quinsigamond and Anna Maria”. I don't think anyone is debating that. Gemme concluded with this, “If we don’t have an educated Police Department, we’re going to have issues with the community.”
Those are the “highlights”, anyway. This T&G vs. WPD thing needs to be resolved quickly, or else the WPD could be in for a public relations nightmare.
Click Here for Worcester Cam from the T&G Building
For more info: Boston Globe
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