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Book selections are “atrocious” I am still shocked by all the information that Michelle Furtado so bravely made public regarding the Middle School book list. I am a mother of three adult children, grandmother and retired teacher. I am sorry to say that when my children were young I never read their book lists. I, like many other parents, trusted the teachers to choose quality literature for our children. Never in my life would I have ever expected books like the ones the Middle School in Fairhaven chose to list. I warn all parents to be very vigilant now, about book lists and literature that is used in the schools. There are so many wonderful Press Release The Fairhaven Veterans Day Parade Committee announces that the 7th annual veterans day parade will take place on Sunday November 11th, 2012. All veterans from near and far, as well as all active military per - son nel, are cordially invited to march proudly behind your respective branch flag. The dedicated veterans who work to promote this parade would like people to come and show support for those who will be marching on that day. In attendance, there will be several color guards, a National Guard detachment, a possible "fly over" by a United States Coast Guard helicopter, both the Fairhaven High School and the Apponequet Regional High School bands,and the Fairhaven Militia, to name only a few who will be marching Once a week go Greek! Page 18 We deliver! We accept competitors’ coupons **On Mondays ONLY $ 699* Letters from our readers : : *Plus tax and delivery. With this coupon, one coupon per order. Not to be combined with other offers. Exp. 11/9/12 books for students of all ages to read. Some listed by the Middle School are atrocious, unbelievable and shocking. Kids will come into contact with such things as they get older. Schools need to offer quality, respectful literature. This sends the message that schools should be respected and teachers, principals and school committee members trusted. I believe that we must fight for our children. These books must not be encouraged to be read by these young students. Their brains are not fully developed and the influences of such material may lead to poor decisions. I do not believe in banning books. I realize the effects this would have. However parents need to be warned by school officials that there are Veterans Day parade coming up Monday Night Football** Large Cheese pizza $ 17 99* 2 small 1-topping Bread Stick 6 wings We now have gluten-free crust Yia Yia’s Pizza C afe 381 Sconticut N eck R d. (corner of Seaview ) 508-990-1919 proudly that day. Also, new this year, there will be a small replica of the Vietnam Moving Wall float to commemorate the time that the moving wall was at Cushman Park this past July. For those who will be marching in this parade, please meet behind Oxford School in North Fairhaven in Livesey Park by 915 AM. The parade will start at 10 AM and will proceed down Main St. to the Fairhaven High School where there will be a short dedication. The key note speaker this year will be former National Guardsman and former Fairhaven police officer, Ralph Tate. For those Veterans who cannot march the parade route for any reason, transportation will be provided so they may participate in this parade as well. We are also asking Be sure to tell our advertisers you saw their ads in the Neighb News! No Job Too Small Free Estimates Fully Insured 24-Hour Emergency Service some materials on the book lists not necessarily recommended for all students unless the parent reads them first. We have warnings on many things in this country. Even CD’s have warnings for parents or individuals who are thinking of purchasing them. Why can’t we do the same things with books on the book lists. It saddens me that we have to even think such things. Moral values are fading away in our culture. Not everyone, but many people think anything goes. Well, guess what? There are some of us who do not believe that. Thank you Michelle and the others who brought these things to our attention. Betty Savery homeowners and spectators along the parade route to put out the American flag to show support and appreciation for the veterans and active military who will be marching by. For further information, please Gerry Payette at 508-237-4282 Fairhaven Curbside Leaf Collection Nov. 6 - Nov. 30 Regular Leaf Rubbish Day Collection Monday Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Friday NO PLASTIC BAGS Leaves must be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. Grass, brush and vines not accepted. Limit of 25 per stop. Contact the Board of Public Works office at 508-979-4031 for further information. Nick’s Services Nicholas J. Costa Electrician MA Lic. 10986B 508-993-0344 “Keeping Your Hometown Energized” Complete Electrical Services Thursday, November 1, 2012 Fairhaven Neighborhood News
FinCom meets with Selectboard, schools, BPW By Jean Perry Neighb News Correspondent Department heads were treated to a lengthy lecture from Fairhaven Finance Committee Chairperson John Roderiques during the 10/25 FinCom meeting, originally scheduled to discuss the Department of Revenue audit results. Mr. Roderiques said the results should have been released by the date of the meeting, but the Town had still not received them. Instead of reviewing DOR recom - mendations, Mr. Roderiques took the opportunity to confront a packed room full of town officials, including Fire Chief Tim Francis, School Superintendent Dr. Robert Baldwin, and BPW Superintendent Vincent Furtado, among others, about the budget process and how some depart ment heads and board chairs have submitted their budgets in past years. “If you’re not working on the budget process by now, you’re behind the eight ball,” said Mr. Roderiques. He encouraged them to start doing expenditures for new items that “seem to trickle in” year in and year out. He added that the Town’s piecemealed budgeting practice is a problem that needs to be solved. Annually, Mr. Roderques said he hears,“‘I forgot to put that in the budget,’” after departments submit their budgets, and then return to make alterations. “It’s getting tiresome…the excuse isn’t gonna fly anymore,” he said, adding, “The time to review your budget isn’t after you submit the budget to us.” According to Mr. Roderiques, every year someone returns requesting to revise the salary line item, which Mr. Roderiques said is a problem because people should be aware of what they get paid. “The DOR guy told me point blank, ‘Why do you accept revised budgets for stuff like that?’” Mr. Roderiques stated. Department heads will be receiving a budget letter in the near future which, according to Mr. Roderiques, he personally puts into each and every person’s mailbox at Town Hall every year. “Year in and year out…inevitably, I hear from someone, ‘What letter?’” said Mr. Roderiques. “So, either somebody’s stealing mail from you, or you’re not reading them.” Mr. Roderiques told all those in the room that they should prepare to meet with FinCom to discuss their 2014 fiscal year budgets between February and the first few weeks of March. He said last year someone made an appointment to meet with FinCom on the last Thursday in March, which Mr. Roderiques is hoping to avoid this year. I don’t think we’re being unreason - able,” he said, and asked for input from anyone who had any sugges - tions, but no one had anything to say. “I’ll leave the room if you want to talk about me,” he said as a few people started to chuckle. After several more minutes of listening to Mr. Roderiques critique the “disjointed” process, Director of Planning and Economic Development It’s getting tiresome… The time to review your budget isn’t after you submit the budget to us [John Roderiques] Director Bill Roth asked why he still had to go around Town Hall looking for a typewriter to fill out the budget form. “I don’t understand why half the stuff in this town gets done the way it gets done,” Mr. Roderiques said. He advocated acquiring a cohesive software program shared by all departments. Tourism Director Chris Richard told Mr. Roderiques that he was not a “computer savvy whippersnapper,” and said he does not have much knowledge in computers, adding that the system he has in his office lacks basic programs such as Microsoft Excel®. Pointing out that there was no centralized IT department, Mr. Roderiques offered no suggestion to Mr. Richard except, “After the meeting…I can go out to my car and give you an abacus.” According to Mr. Roderiques, at one time he believed the Town had purchased a comprehensive munici - pal software package, but then conceded that was evidently not the case. “We’re setting the tone, not to be vicious…or overbearing…but to try to make the budgeting process easier for everybody,” said Mr. Roderiques before dismissing the department heads from the meeting. “Some people think coming in here is worse than going to see the dentist…for some of you it is,” he said. As people stood to leave the meeting, Mr. Roderiques said, “I hope you didn’t consider this a waste of time…If so, you’ll remember not to come next year.” In a related matter, Mr. Roderiques addressed a new policy Town employees must follow when submitting reserve fund transfer requests. He told them that all requests must first be submitted to the appointed authority or depart - ment head before submitting it to FinCom. He also stated that the reserve fund was not there to supplement the budget; rather it should only be used for requests that are “extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances.” “Not something you forgot about or something new,” said Mr. Roderiques. “It has to be more than just something you want.” He said that he has received some requests for “every little thing” and an alternate source of money, such as gift accounts, should be con sidered before submitting requests. After the department heads cleared the room, Executive Secretary to the Selectboard Jeffrey Osuch stayed behind to present the committee with the tentative warrant for the 12/4 Special Town Meeting. Mr. Roderiques went over each of the 13 articles and commented briefly on several of them. The two significant articles con - cerned the anaerobic digester, and the $17 million Voc-Tech renovation funding approved by the Voc-Tech school committee. The BPW has requested an additional $196,000 to complete the digester project. “This, I am told, is the end of it. Again,” said Mr. Roderiques. “It’s a FINCOM: cont’d next page Fairhaven Neighborhood News Thursday, November 1, 2012 Page 19
Page 1 and 2: Fairhaven Neighborhood News A publi
Page 3 and 4: Fairhaven Police Press Release The
Page 5 and 6: “Do It Right The First Time” Co
Page 7 and 8: Caregiver Night Out On Nov. 7, Coas
Page 9 and 10: 355 Huttleston Ave. Route 6, Fairha
Page 11 and 12: General Contractor Licensed General
Page 13 and 14: Fairhaven as seen real success with
Page 15 and 16: Having Elective Surgery? Before you
Page 17: Hurricane Sandy hits, but doesn’t
Page 21 and 22: NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR CLASSIFIEDS FI
Page 23 and 24: HEATING OIL & DIESEL $3.52 Gal Pric
Page 25 and 26: More storm photos Photos this page
Page 27 and 28: An invitation to all veterans and t

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