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SENATOR JOYCE IS WRONG ABOUT
JRC
DID YOU
KNOW…
MAC can’t
get over the impression that Senator Brian Joyce is wrong
about the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC). MAC generally
supports Sen. Joyce and votes for him whenever possible; but on
the issue of the controversial Judge Rotenberg Center on
Turnpike Street, MAC totally disagrees with him.
Senator
Joyce is an attorney and politician, not a professional in the
field of abnormal human behavior. He has been quick to criticize
the successful behavior modification treatment methods being
utilized by the JRC, but he hasn’t suggested or offered any
alternative treatment that has not been proven to be just as
effective.
In a
fact-finding tour, MAC inspected the JRC as well as one of the
off-site supervised residence facilities used to house some of
the JRC patients; and as a result, MAC has concluded that the
controversial mini-shock behavior modification method used by
the JRC is a valuable and generally effective method of treating
those patients who possess uncontrollable urges to physically
harm themselves as well as those who demonstrate a high degree
of antisocial behavior.
While the
controversial electrical treatment methods used by the JRC upset
critics, some of the most ardent and vocal defenders of the JRC
are families and friends of patients who have seen all the more
conventional treatments fail. They turned to the JRC for help as
a last resort; and in due course, they became very pleased with
the obvious progress the patients have shown due to the JRC’s
treatment.
Over the
years, there have been many unsuccessful attempts to shut down
the JRC or at least stop the mini-shock treatment that has been
so effective. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts tried to do it
in the courts, and Canton town officials also tried to withhold
permits to open the JRC. There also have been a number of
unsuccessful attempts to close or prevent the supervised
residents’ homes used to house qualified patients, even though
there have been virtually no problems with them.
Senator
Joyce recently filed legislation opposing the JRC for the second
time in the past few years; and for the second time, he was
unsuccessful when he couldn’t get legislative approval for his
anti-JRC bills. Now the senator says he isn’t through trying to
close the JRC, and he apparently thinks he can make hay with his
efforts. MAC and other enlightened JRC supporters hope his
failures continue.
Conservation
Commission member and former Planning Board member Bob
MacDonald has been returned to the Planning Board by the
remaining Planning Board members, meeting jointly with the Board
of Selectmen, by a 7-0-2 vote. The selectmen were unanimous,
while planners George Jenkins and Jeremy Comeau
opted to abstain rather than vote. MacDonald replaces Jill
Hayes, who abruptly resigned, and he will serve until the next
town election in April.
Some
local “farmers” recently had their crop of marijuana
plants, growing equipment, and tools confiscated by federal,
state and local authorities who are also looking for the
farmers, whoever they are. The 280 illegal pot plants, valued at
over $280,000 and totaling over 140 pounds, were being grown
along the Neponset River in Canton and Norwood and were spotted
during a drug-seeking helicopter fly over. The investigation and
search will continue.
A big thank
you goes out to the Copeland Family Foundation for their
generous contribution of $5,000 to the town’s animal shelter.
We’re sure the animals will appreciate it.
For those
who are in search of a new home, perhaps they should try winning
one. Canton Park Condominiums on Pine Street is currently
offering a fabulous two-bedroom condominium as a grand prize in
a creative summertime giveaway called “The Condo Contest.”
To enter, contestants must submit a “witty and original” essay
or video response to one of three questions, along with a $50
entry fee, no later than September 30. Additional information on
questions, rules and prizes are available at the contest
website, www.thecondocontest.com.
In a
week-long celebration, the Ford Motor Company will
celebrate the 100th birthday
of its Model T “Tin Lizzie” auto, which was the nation’s
first low-priced car. The first Model T was assembled in Detroit
on October 1, 1908; and during a 19-year span, Ford built and
sold 19 million cars with the Model T engine. The car is
credited with starting a massive social change in America,
moving city dwellers out from the city and creating the first
ring of suburbs.
Massachusetts and Alaska are the only states that prohibit
alcohol on the grounds of golf courses. Not surprisingly,
compliance with the ban has not been strictly enforced, which is
another reason for the legislature to give final approval to a
bill giving cities and towns the authority to license the sale
of beer and wine on golf courses. It would be a new source of
revenue for golf clubs, which could then keep their fees low,
and it would add additional needed tax revenue to the cities and
towns.
The
person who you’re with most in life is yourself; and if you
don’t like yourself, you’re always with somebody you don’t like.
That this is all for now folks; see you next week.
Joe DeFelice can be reached at
manaboutcanton@aol.com
August 7, 2008
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