April 12, 2013 - Southbridge Evening News

18 SPENCER NEW LEADER • Friday, April 12, 2013
Rewarding bad budget behavior at ballot would be ‘binding blunder’
Lincoln Electric, a
global manufacturer
of welding
equipment, is the
most notorious case study
at Harvard Business
School and throughout the
world of B-schools
because their business
model is a century-old success
story.
John Lincoln invested $200 in
1895 and proceeded to take full
advantage of the land of opportunity
secured for him, 30 years earlier,
by an Illinois rail-splitter with
the same surname. The company
has since established a stellar reputation
by treating its employees
as their most valuable asset. In
return, Lincoln Electric is rewarded
with a loyal workforce that can
adjust, adapt and flex when
volatile markets expand and contract.
Continuous employment is
guaranteed at Lincoln Electric provided
well-defined performance
standards are upheld.
Abe Lincoln would be proud.
“Stand with anybody that stands
right and part with him when he
goes wrong,” he preached.
A standard workweek is typically
40 hours, but in 2008 when the
market tanked, workers were
dropped to 30 hours. Slashing its
workforce by 33 percent was not an
YOUR
TURN
JENNIFER
GAUCHER
SPENCER
option. Lincoln employees
are a team; no one was
going to lose their job so
long as everyone pitched
in. In 1982, when business
dropped 50 percent and
unemployment was rampant
at 10.8 percent, 51
employees transitioned
from assembly line manufacturing
to sales. The
company was able to survive such
economic challenges because the
workforce was compromising and
grateful for employment.
When business is thriving at
Lincoln Electric scheduled overtime
is mandatory under the terms
of guaranteed employment.
During 1991, orders suddenly
increased causing severe production
bottlenecks. More than 400
workers responded by giving up
weekends, holidays and vacation
time to train new recruits. The
committed determination of
Lincoln leadership to raise the fortunes
of its employees is interdependent
upon the employees desire
to raise the profits of the company.
“The spirit of ‘we’re all in this
together’ is reinforced by the fact
that when sacrifices are required,
the pain is widely and equitably
shared,” said Frank Koller in 2010
(Spark, Lessons from Lincoln
Electric, p. 63).
Such is not the case in monolithic
government funded education
establishments; they are not
dependent upon performance for
economic survival. When the infamous
budget shortfall rears its
ugly head taxpayers become the
default mechanism for overspending
regardless of negative data.
And taxpayers must always
beware! When teachers’ union contracts
are up for renewal, be prepared
to subsidize extravagant pay
packages, benefit packages and
perquisites without documented
positive performance data to support
their exorbitant demands.
Overindulgence has become the
groupthink norm while accountability
standards have gone missing.
Spencer East Brookfield
Regional School District has
recently experienced some management
chaos resulting in financial
distress. The fiscal year 2013
school budget has saddled taxpayers
with a $2 million borrowed
note and the fiscal year 2014 school
budget is preparing to penalize
taxpayers again for mismanagement/overspending
via a $2 million,
Proposition 2 1/2 override.
Education is the business of educating
students and dollars are
needed to operate but infinite
budget overruns are extreme misfeasance.
Abe Lincoln once said, “If the
people turn their backs on the fire,
they’ll get scorched in the rear and
they’ll have to sit on the blister.”
A budget analysis of SEBRSD
clearly indicates a 10-percent
decrease in total student enrollment
over a 12-year period and a
282-percent increase in tuition
paid out to other schools over a 10-
year period; 133 students left the
SEBRSD and only 81 entered in FY
2013. If David Prouty High School
is a level one school, according to
MCAS scores, why are students
leaving the district? Knox Trail is
a level three school; students are
performing in the lowest 20 percent
compared to other schools.
The rest of the schools are level
two; students in various groups
and subgroups need improvement
relative to other schools.
Enrollment is down, students
are fleeing and MCAS scores are
mediocre! These are not performance
standards to be rewarded.
They are factual budget drivers
indicating why the school budget
is over-inflated. Other obvious
drivers of the bloated budget are
teachers/principals salaries with
a 12-year percentage increase of 23
percent and administration
salaries with a 12-year percentage
increase of 82 percent.
Insurance/retirement/other is,
hands down, the most egregious
driver and a flaming red flag. The
137 percent increase over a 12-year
period is expanding out of control
and has to be reined in. Almost 70
percent of the school budget is
consumed by these three drivers,
leaving only 30 percent to operate
the rest of the entire school
department.
“Investing in teachers is investing
in education,” is an economic
fallacy used repetitively for political
and policy support. Such an age
old mantra has tremendous staying
power but the unintended consequences
are unmistakable in the
factual data. Investing in teachers
does not guarantee achievement in
education. Raising fortunes of
teachers should be interdependent
upon teachers’ desire to raise performance
standards. SEBRSD can
start by increasing enrollment,
increasing tuition paid in, and
increasing MCAS performance
scores.
Taxpayers are already sharing
$26,872,770 of pain. Rewarding bad
budget behavior at the ballot box
would be a binding blunder and a
burdensome breach.
“It often requires more courage
to dare to do right than to fear to do
wrong,” warned Abe Lincoln.
People touched by cancer
invited to Sacred Gathering
WARE — The community is
invited to attend an interfaith
service of prayer, music, and
reflection for those touched by
cancer to be held on Sunday,
April 21 at 2 p.m. at All Saints
Church, 17 North St., Ware.
The service is sponsored by
the Baystate Regional Cancer
Satellite Program at Baystate
Mary Lane Hospital and All
Saints Church.
“This event is for all who have
been touched by cancer, including
survivors, caregivers,
friends and family, and will offer
a special time of reflection,
prayer, support and fellowship
for all,” said Lori Tuttle, RN,
OCN, program manager of the
Baystate Regional Cancer
Program Oncology Satellite at
Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.
“A community of faith is an
important partner in life and a
powerful ally in times of crisis,
change, joy, sorrow, or illness,”
said Sister Angela Deady of All
Saints Parish. “Coming together
as a faith-filled community can
help to diminish feelings of isolation
and loneliness and provide
those in need with hope,
comfort and strength.”
Tuttle noted that local clergy,
oncology staff, cancer survivors
and local musicians, led by
organist and performer Barry
Mongeon, will participate in the
ecumenical service. Lisa
Beaudry, director of patient care
services at Baystate Mary Lane
Hospital, the Rev. Marianne
MacCullagh, interfaith chaplain
from Spiritual Services at
Baystate Medical Center, and Dr.
Donald Higby, retired hematologist/oncologist
and current deacon
of St. Mary’s Church in
Longmeadow, will also be guest
speakers at this special event.
Following the service, refreshments
will be served in the
parish hall, where there will be
an opportunity to meet with clergy,
the staff of Baystate Mary
Lane Hospital, friends and
neighbors.
For more information regarding
this service, please call the
Baystate Regional Cancer
Program at Baystate Mary Lane
Hospital at (413) 967-2241.
Shaughnessy to speak at Old Sturbridge Village April 25
STURBRIDGE — Award-winning Boston
Globe sportswriter Dan Shaughnessy, coauthor
of the new book “Francona: The Red
Sox Years,” will speak at Old Sturbridge
Village on Thursday, April 25, as part of the
continuing OSV Overseers’ Distinguished
Speaker Series.
Shaughnessy will meet the public at 6
p.m. and give a presentation at 7 p.m. The
book he co-wrote with former Boston Red
Sox manager Terry “Tito” Francona has
been on the New York Times bestseller list
for eight weeks.
The evening with Shaughnessy includes
baseball-themed snacks, and a cash bar will
be available. Tickets purchased in advance
are $20 per person ($18 for OSV members);
tickets at the door on April 25 are $25 per
person ($23 for OSV members). All proceeds
benefit the living history museum.
Copies of the book may be pre-purchased
from the Old Sturbridge Village bookstore
to be signed for $28 ($25.20 for OSV members).
The event is sponsored by SpencerBank. For
details and to register, visit www.osv.org or call (508)
347-0210.
The book covers Francona’s successful and tumultuous
years as manager of Red Sox, from the team’s
2004 World Series victory, the first in 86 years, to its second
world championship in 2007 and the
team’s infamous collapse in September
2011, which marked Francona’s last year
with the team. The book gives readers a
look behind-the-scenes and includes
Francona’s anecdotes about famous Red
Sox personalities — Pedro Martinez,
Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra,
Johnny Damon, Curt Schilling and general
manager Theo Epstein.
Shaughnessy has written many books
about the Red Sox, including “The Legend
of the Curse of the Bambino,” which
chronicled the team’s troubles after trading
the legendary Babe Ruth to the New
York Yankees. Among his other titles are
Courtesy/Stan Grossfield photo
“Reversing the Curse” and “At Fenway:
Dan Shaughnessy, coauthor
of “Francona: The graduating from the College of the Holy
Dispatches from Red Sox Nation.” After
Red Sox Years,” will visit Cross in Worcester, Shaughnessy began
Old Sturbridge Village sports writing career at the Baltimore Sun
April 25.
covering the Baltimore Orioles, and moved
to the Boston Globe in 1981.
“It’s especially fitting to welcome Dan Shaughnessy
to the Village during the first month of yet another
hopeful Red Sox season,” said Joan McGrath, an OSV
overseer who organized the event. “We can’t wait to
hear his anecdotes about familiar players and his predictions
for the upcoming season.”
EAST BROOKFIELD POLICE
DEPARTMENT
March 26
12:36 a.m.: Burglary, breaking and entering,
Gilbert St. Report taken.
March 27
4:50 p.m.: Identity theft, Connie Mack Drive.
Report taken.
March 28
3:12 p.m.: Burglary, breaking and entering,
Lashaway Drive. Report taken.
March 29
6:34 a.m.: Motor vehicle accident, Post Road.
Services rendered.
9:28 a.m.: Safety hazard, E Main Street.
Services rendered
March 30
2:37 p.m.: Vandalism, W Main St. Report
taken.
6:40 p.m.: Larceny/theft/shoplifting, E Main
Street. Report taken.
NORTH BROOKFIELD
POLICE DEPARTMENT
March 26
12:36 a.m.: Burglary, breaking and entering,
Gilbert St. Report taken.
7:15 a.m.: Disturbance, Stoddard Rd.
Transported to U-Mass.
10:26 a.m.: Chimney fire, Walnut St.
Extinguished.
11:00 a.m.: Motor vehicle accident, Route148.
Transported to U-Mass.
2:06 p.m.: Fire, Ayers St. Extinguished.
3:47 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident, Gilbert St.
Transported to Harrington Hospital.
March 27
12:43 p.m.: 911/hang-up call, New School Dr.
Spoken to.
10:30 p.m.: Harassment, School St. Report
taken.
March 28
11:24 p.m.: Disturbance, Mt. Guyot St.
Services rendered.
March 29
11:54 a.m.: Fire Alarm, Grove St. Services
rendered.
March 30
12:15 a.m.: Motor vehicle accident, Ward St.
Transported to Mary Lane Hospital.
LEICESTER POLICE
DEPARTMENT
March 28
10:02 p.m.: Noise complaint, Main St. Spoken
to.
March 29
10:56 p.m.: Fire, unauthorized burning,
Pleasant St. Investigated.
March 30
2:28 a.m.: Motor vehicle stop, Henshaw and
South Main St’s. Arrest made.
2:01 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident, no personal
injury, Main St. Report taken.
March 31
8:41 p.m.: Malicious mischief, Rochdale Park,
Stafford St. Dispersed group.
April 1
11:22 a.m.: Harassing phone calls, North Ct.
Spoken to.
12:09 p.m.: Abandoned 911, River St. Spoken
to.
April 2
10:53 a.m.: Vandalism, Uncle Jays Twisted
Fork, Stafford St. Report taken.
2:16 p.m.: Disabled motor vehicle, Main
Street. Services rendered.
5:24 p.m.: Fire alarm, residential, Main St.
Investigated.
April 3
1:07 a.m.: Motor vehicle accident, no personal
injury, Dunkin Donuts – Main St. Report
taken.
10:01 a.m.: Larceny, Staffordshire apartments,
Stafford St. Report taken.
12:10 p.m.: Threats, Huntoon Memorial
Highway. Report taken.
7:50 p.m.: Disturbance gathering, Green St.
Peace restored.
9:18 p.m.: Vandalism, Auburn St. Report
taken.
SPENCER POLICE
DEPARTMENT
POLICE REPORTS
March 27
9:40 a.m.: Domestic, drunkenness, Maple St.
Need husband removed.
10:55 a.m.: Vandalism, destruction/damage
property, Chestnut St. and Granvilles. Rail
was damaged.
11:35 a.m.: Disturbance, Main St and
Kenwood Diner. Drunk male passed out at
table.
1:33 p.m.: Animal control, Pine Acres,
Spencer. Dead deer on the ice.
3:15 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident, property
damage, Old East Charlton and Robin Rd’s.
No personal injury, fluids leaking.
4:52 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident, property
damage, Main St and Village Pizza. Minor
accident, request officer.
6:20 p.m.: Request for police, West Main St.
Re: Issue with child’s mother.
6:56 p.m.: Spills-chemicals/fuels, West Main
St. Highway Superintendent advises oil
spill in lot.
March 28
6:40 a.m.: Request for police, South Spencer
Rd. Truck attempting to go under bridge.
7:19 a.m.: Domestic abuse, Smithville Rd.
Request police to residence.
12:23 p.m.: Gas odor, Greenville and Cherry
St’s. Spencer Fire Department advises
National Grid will be in area.
6:44 p.m.: Juvenile matter, Maple St. Youths
in lot, hanging out/skateboarding.
7:37 p.m.: Request for police, Church St.
Request escort while removing items from
apartment.
7:38 p.m.: Harassing phone calls, West Main
St. Receiving calls from Brother.
March 29
9:01 a.m.: Juvenile matter, Main St. Items
seized.
12:26 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident, property
damage, Main and Grove/Linden St’s. 2
vehicles, no personal injury.
1:14 p.m.: Juvenile matter, McDonald St.
Concerned RE: Activity.
3:52 p.m.: Safe keeping property, Donnelly
Rd, RE: Items located in parking Lot.
8:58 p.m.: Larceny – Adams St. Friend’s IPod
stolen.
March 30
3:18 a.m.: Domestic,Chestnut St. Male
/Female fighting on porch.
7:22 a.m.: Larceny, Crest View Dr. IPod is
missing.
1:29 p.m.: Police, West Main St. BOLO from
LPD.
2:56 p.m.: Police, West Main St. BOLO from
Sturbridge PD.
4:50 p.m.: Disturbance, neighbors, Main St.
Music is too loud.
March 31
2:43 a.m.: Request for police, Valley St.
Someone breaking into a vehicle.
9:01 a.m.: Harassing phone calls, Condon Dr.
Party receiving annoying texts.
10:52 a.m.: Burglary, residence, Marble Rd.
Window on deck broken.
10:31 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident, property
damage, North Spencer Rd.
April 1
12:56 p.m.: Domestic/abuse/neglect, Borkum
Rd. Problem with girl friend.
1:34 p.m.: Police,, Lake St. Problem with
ARRESTS
LEICESTER ARRESTS
March 30
Carleen Amorette Berthiaume, 24, 44
Quaboag St., Brookfield. Marked lanes violation,
negligent operation or motor vehicle,
operating under influence of liquor,
2nd offense.
April 2
Todd J. Walles, 42, 22 Meadow Lane,
Worcester, MA. Larceny over $250.
Trespassing, trespassing with motor vehicle.
Thomas C. Walles, 44, 22 Meadow Lane,
Worcester, MA. Larceny over $250, trespassing
trespassing with motor vehicle.
SPENCER POLICE ARRESTS
March 30
Abbey E. Holmes, 21, 24 Chestnut St.,
Spencer. Disturbing the peace.
March 31
James Martin Hale III, 26, 55 Pleasant St.
Webster, MA. Receiving stolen property
$250 L, disorderly person, disturbing the
peace, resisting arrest.
April 2
Arthur C. Theurer, 33, 6 North St. Spencer.
Domestic assault and battery.
neighbor.
3:30 p.m.: Request for police, North
Brookfield Rd. Request escort.
8:57 p.m.: Juvenile matter, West Main St.
Issues with 17 year old.
10:40 p.m.: Disturbance, neighbors, Church
St. Upstairs, stomping.
April 2
2:44 p.m.: Larceny, Main St. Medication taken
from motor vehicle.
3:32 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident, Main St.
Property damage.
4:00 p.m.: Fraud-credit card/auto teller, West
Main Street. Scammed.
4:35 p.m.: Request for police, Park St. Over
turned paddleboat middle of lake.
4:46 p.m.: Domestic abuse, Marble Rd. Send
cruiser, have domestic.
9:22 p.m.: Domestic assault, North St. Just
punched in face by male.
9:58 p.m.: Request for police, Pope St. Request
assistance in getting children.