Springfield: Sports fans or couch potatoes?
By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
It's been a busy, busy week and there's a lot of stuff flowing over the desk and through my head.
Years ago I was told that Springfield is a hockey town, but yet the news last week was our own Springfield Falcons had lost money for the second straight year. Coupled with that announcement was the decision to move the Holyoke Giants baseball team to Lynn.
Now, I'm not a sports guy. The closest I ever came to being interested in sports was in the seven years I spent working at the Basketball Hall of Fame when it was on the campus of Springfield College.
I remember working the Hall of Fame NBA games when Western Massachusetts basketball fans would have an opportunity to see NBA players in action without having to drive to Boston. Amazingly, the old Civic Center was never sold out for this event.
So allow me to ask the sports-minded: Is this area simply not interested in sports? Or are sports fans not interested in local sports? Are people deciding to stay at home and buy sports packages on their satellite or cable system?
What do you think? Drop me a line at news@thereminder.com.
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Have you signed up for health insurance? I received a release from Health Connector Executive Director Jon Kingsdale and it reads in part: "Because there are a number of different plans offered by numerous insurers, the individual deadlines for coverage effective by December 31 will vary. We have encouraged people to sign up for health insurance by November 15, as a safe date for enrolling and being sure to avoid the tax penalty. However, healthcare reform is not about penalties. It's about insuring people, and we have always said we would be flexible as we undertake an endeavor that no other state has attempted. Everyone should be reminded that the tax penalties for 2008 will be significantly higher as much as one-half the cost of the least expensive plan someone can purchase. Those penalties will accrue every month you remain uninsured starting January 1. So even if you don't make the 2007 deadline, enroll as early as possible in order to avoid steeper penalties beginning January 1."
I think some people who are faced with premiums they can't afford will be willing to wait another year and take the penalty this year on their tax.
I encounter quite a number of people without health insurance, but I wonder if the Massachusetts experiment is the answer. Donning my liberal hat once again, I've got to ask the question: Why do other nations have a national health care plan and we don't? Is it really about ideology dreaded socialism! or is it about profit?
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When you walk into Chicopee City Hall, there is a display of the portraits of every one of the Chicopee mayors. Someone in City Hall adds each picture once the mayor's term is finished.
When I feel like a wise guy I ask when someone is going to put up Richard Goyette's photo, as it's noticeably not there. I seldom get an answer.
Depending upon who is talking, many people I've encountered have stories of abuse of power and position involving the chief executive's office in Chicopee from the last 40 years or so. They tend to fall within the realm of partisan gossip.
All of these stories tend to pale with Goyette's legacy, though, because Goyette's actions became the subject of federal investigations.
Frankly, I think they should put Goyette's photo up with the collection. He was legitimately elected and he deserves being there. His photo would also serve as a reminder what happens when someone such as a mayor abuses his or her power.
This column represents the opinions of its author. Send your comments online to Reminderpublications.com or to 280 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, Mass. 01028.
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