Category Archives: Frogs

The Frogs at Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall in Newburyport, MA.

Newburyport, Political Consultants, etc

First of all I apologized to George Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall, the political consultant to the Newburyport Political Blog, for my wanting to even think about having anything tasteless regarding him and Georgiana Tadpole on the Newburyport Political Blog.

George has accepted my apology.

George did think, however, that there are an awful lot of photographs of FROGS and not a one photograph of the editor of the Newburyport Political Blog.

I told him I didn’t like having my picture taken at all. That’s why there is no picture anywhere (except of that nice photograph taken by the Boston Globe on the “Press” page) on the World Wide Web of yours truly.

George, tenacious frog that he is, put his little webby foot down, and said, “Well tough, it’s about time.”

So here is a picture of the hard-working editor of the Newburyport Political Blog, namely moi, with George Cushing the political consultant to the Newburyport Political Blog.

mary-and-george7.jpg
The editor of the Newburyport Political Blog
with George Cushing, political consultant

Hey, what can I say, it’s February, it’s cold, and it wouldn’t matter what vast and important things could be happening in Newburyport, MA, even stuff about “flagpoles.” (See previous post.) Sometimes it’s just fun to be silly. Having a picture taken with a stuffed frog might be something one could get away with on a blog, but it would most probably be hopelessly vetoed in “mainstream” media outlets.

Oh, well.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Response to Tawdry Exploitation

Well, you guessed it. George Cushing, of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall, the political consultant to the Newburyport Political Blog and his lady- frog- friend, “love interest,” Georgiana Tadpole are really pissed at moi.

george4.jpg

george2.jpg
George Cushing incensed
with the editor of the Newburyport Political Blog

George felt that I took away his “frog dignity” by posting that photograph of him being “love-struck.”

george.heart.jpg
George Cushing
being “love-struck”

How will anyone take him seriously now?

Got me George.

And, my last post about exploiting their “relationship.” Well, you can imagine the fireworks at the Newburyport Political Blog about that one, can’t you?

Well all those “love tid-bits” that may accumulate, may just be too tempting for the editor of the Newburyport Political Blog not to “chat” about, or maybe even, yes, “splash” around the World Wide Web after all. No apologies from this editor, thank you very much.

So “G & G” (George and Georgiana) will just have to decide if they want to stick around the Newburyport Political Blog or go back to their various bogs, ponds, pools or whatever (in the middle of winter no less.)

An awful lot of “hubbub” here at the Newburyport Political Blog.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Tawdry Exploitation

Readers of the Newburyport Political Blog have asked me why I have introduced Georgiana Tadpole and that picture of a love-struck George Cushing.

The question to this editor of the Newburyport Political Blog, “Is their love life really anybody’s business?”

Well, to be frank, sex sells.

Don’t worry, the editor, namely moi, will keep it clean. No “sleazy” photographs of George and Georgiana, a la Paris Hilton (I mean, how many “hits” do her sites get? A lot. It’s tempting. But, no, I won’t go there.) And, hey, they’re frogs, so they are already naked. Right? So not to worry on that one.

“Romance” sells. What can I say, crass commercialism can seep into anything at anytime. Tough luck folks. This is America.

And “gossip” sells. Good grief. Got to give folks something to “gossip” about. Can’t gossip about the “environment.” What fun is there in that?

People can gossip away about George and Georgiana’s “relationship.” I don’t care. And if the “cute couple” doesn’t like it they can leave the Newburyport Political Blog. THEY are the ones who got “love-struck” for goodness sakes. And they expect me NOT to exploit that? Please.

Plus having this tawdry thing going on with FROGS, no less, makes me, the editor of the Newburyport Political Blog, seem rare and important. So there.

So for the readers of the Newburyport Political Blog who are offended by my tawdry exploitations of the frogs that are hormonally hopping around here, well tough luck. Either stop reading the Newburyport Political Blog or just skip those posts, for goodness sakes.

(And if you have no idea what in the world I could possibly be talking about, please read “About George.” The link is on the “Home” page at the side of the Newburyport Political Blog.)

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Winter Carnival

George is a wuss.

George Cushing, from Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall, the political consultant to the Newburyport Political Blog is a wuss.

George Cushing will not go to the Winter Carnival, this Saturday January 27, 2006, sponsored by the Newburyport Park’s Commission, which will be held yes, you guessed it, at FROG POND at the Bartlet Mall (on High Street from 10AM to 4:30PM.)

And why George, are you being a wuss?

george6.jpg
George Cushing being a wuss

Because it’s cold?? The whole point is that it is cold, for goodness sakes. Frog Pond is frozen over so that people can skate.

(I’ve even tried wrapping George Cushing in a scarf, so he won’t be cold. But, no, that won’t do. He doesn’t like any of the scarfs. None of the colors work for him or they’re too scratchy??)

You want to stay here because it’s nice and toasty warm?? But George, this is your beloved Frog Pond. Right?

All your friends and relatives at Frog Pond are estivating?? Oh, good grief, George, what is “estivating?”

Estivating is what I would call hibernating? All your friends and relatives will be hanging around below at the mud at Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall, so that you won’t have any frogs to frog-on with?

Ok, I give up. You can “estivate” at the Newburyport Political Blog and stay snuggy warm. Happy?

However, just because George Cushing has decided to “estivate” and not go to his beloved Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall, doesn’t mean that everyone else can’t have a great time at the Winter Canrnival.

The Winter Carnival
Sponsored by the Newburyport Parks Commission
The Bartlet Mall
High Street (near CVS)
10:30AM to 4:30PM
Lots of fun, skating, hay rides, sledding and snowboarding (if there is snow,) games, races and free hot chocolate (courtesy of the White Hen Pantry) to keep everyone toasty warm.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Engineer Looking Over Wheelwright Property

Georgiana Tadpole, George Cushing’s new “love interest,” spotted a snippet in the Newburyport Daily News, January 22, 2007 on page A3.

(George Cushing is the Political Consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog. If you would like to know more about George Cushing please see “About George” at the right hand side of the blog’s “Home” page. A very handsome picture of George, if I do say so myself. And George Cushing is quite pleased about it as well.)

georgiana.2.sm.jpg
Georgiana Tadpole
George Cushing’s “love interest”

The Newburyport Planning Board (a subcommittee, Jim McCarthy, Bonnie Sontag and Dan Bowie) and Newburyport’s Planning Director, Nancy Colbert met Friday January 19, 2007 with an independent engineer (Phil Christiansen) to go over the plans for the back of the Wheelwright property subdivision proposed by developer Todd Fremont-Smith.

This is in part because of the concerns voiced by residents of Newburyport, MA. And the independent engineer is “to raise concerns about particular aspects of the development.” (See it pays to show up and speak out. How about that.)

” “Christiansen will look into the board’s concerns to help it decide whether to approve the development.

“This is a tough site,” he (Christiansen) said.”

In fact Mr. Christiansen has been asked to make a whole list of concerns, no less, for the Newburyport Planning Board to consider.

I do like that. Good for Georgiana for spotting that one.

(Georgiana is hoping that the engineer can ward off this hideous proposal.)

Georgiana also pointed out another project. (It has been mentioned before on the Newburyport Political Blog, but what the heck, it’s definitely worth mentioning again.)

Georgiana is particularly concerned about this project because it would abut the March’s Hill park, where in the spring, in particular, she likes to “splash” around with I guess other frogs??

The lot at 39 High Street is being divided. This is the house with the tennis court up near the Newbury line. A new house will be built (all legal and everything) in the new split-off lot.

Poor old High Street. The old Grand Dame is taking quite a beating. Not to mention all that beautiful open space all around her gorgeous, gorgeous self.

Sigh.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Plight of the Political Consultant

Forget about all this planning stuff, this wailing and gnashing of teeth about the proposed subdivision at the back of the Wheelwright Property by Todd Fremont-Smith.

Let’s talk about something really important–George’s love life.

You see, George Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall, the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog has fallen, yup, you guessed it, in love.

george.heart.jpg
A love-struck George Cushing

As you can see from the above picture of George Cushing with, yes, that’s right, a heart around his neck, George Cushing is love-struck.

This is all I need. A bunch of love-struck, hormonal frogs around the Newburyport Political Blog. Good grief.

Anyway, the “Twins” G. C. Cushing and C. G. Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall are gleeful.

2.twins.jpg
The “Twins” being gleeful

Well, first of all they think it’s “neat-o’ ” that George Cushing has a “girl- frog- friend.” However, I think the Twins have an ulterior motive here. I think they are hoping George Cushing is so love struck that he will be useless as a political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog. And then they, the “Twins,” will go from “aspiring” consultants to actual political consultants.

Oh, the drama.

No such luck kids. I’m not that stupid.

So here’s George’s new love, Georgiana Tadpole.

georgiana.1.jpg
George’s new “love,”
Georgiana Tadpole

(Kind of fuzzy for a frog. Looks an awful lot like George’s cousin, Georgette Cushing. Remember her?? Oh dear.)

Georgiana claims to be from the “Vernal Pool” at the back of the Wheelwright house. (This has not been verified.) That’s how they claim they met, over this whole Todd Fremont-Smith fiasco. (Who knows if that’s actually true.)

Georgiana asserts that her “swanky” address is about to be compromised by this nifty subdivision of Mr. Fremont-Smith’s. (Can’t argue with her there.) Apparently Georgiana is an “activist frog.” Who knew that such a thing as “activist frogs” even existed. Not moi.

Georgiana Tadpole (Tadpole??) also feels that her address is “swankier” than George Cushing’s address, i.e. Frog Pond. (Very bad way to start a relationship if you ask me. But I’m trying to stay out of this one.)

We’ll have to see where this whole George being love-struck thing goes (if, in fact, it goes anywhere at all.)

A flipped-out, love-struck frog. Lots of “stuff” happening here at the Newburyport Political Blog.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

The Newburyport Bartlet Mall

I remember when the renovation to the Newburyport Bartlet Mall started. To say there was some opposition would be an understatement.

Over the years the original design of the Bartlet Mall had been lost and an arbitrary and unplanned planting plan had gradually taken place. The plantings may have been randomly placed, but the whole thing was “comforting” to many of the populace of Newburyport, MA.

The Master Plan for the Bartlet Mall had been worked on for a very long time, by a whole lot of people, and was finally finished in 1998. Restoration to the Bartlet Mall took place in 2001, 2003 and 2005.

Bartlet-Mall-Chandler.jpg
Sally Chandler © 2004
Image courtesy of Historic Gardens of Newburyport

The Newburyport Barlet Mall
Another Amazing Newburyport Preservation Success Story!

The promenade along High Street, lined with Elms, extends from the George Washington statue at the eastern end to the Kelly School playground on the western side. Special Allee Elms were used in an effort to recreate the historical overarching canopy that originally existed long the promenade.

An historic photograph of how the Bartlet Mall originally looked can be found on the first page of the High Street website.

Benches were installed, as well as period lighting, new granite stairways among many, many other things.

All of this was funded with a public-private partnership. Half of the funding came from state grants and over a quarter of the funding came from private local charitable foundations.

In addition, a new volunteer Bartlet Mall Commission has been established to oversee the park. There is now a paid part-time caretaker, as well as a small endowment to provide small permanent annual funds.

No small accomplishment.

And of course, George Cushing, the political consultant to the Newburyport Political Blog, is delighted that I am finally blogging about his beloved Bartlet Mall, in particular because within it is, yes, Frog Pond, which also has a sculptured cast iron fountain aerating the water and which occupies the center of the pond and park.

A very proud frog.

And much to my delight, I have discovered that there are postcards of Newburyport that are in the public domain. And low and behold there is a postcard of Frog Pond at the Newburyport Bartlet Mall.

Frog-Pond-Postcard.jpg
Frog Pond, Bartlet Mall
From a c. 1905 postcard
Image is in the public domain

Many thanks to Geordie Vining of the Newburyport Planning and Development Office who has helped me with the copy of this post (I hope I’ve gotten most of it right!)

Geordie Vining, in my opinion, is one of the unsung heroes of Newburyport, Massachusetts. All the myriad of things that Geordie Vining has done for Newburyport, MA is quite amazing.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, George’s Talking Points

George Cushing, of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall, the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog, is trying to get my attention again.

What is it this time George?

horiz.george.4.jpg
George Cushing
trying to get my attention again.

George feels that it is questionable whether the “progressives” can get their “act together” so he would like to make some talking points on what he believes municipal policy could be.

Ok, I’ll bite George, but remember you are a FROG.

What in the world do you have in mind?

1) (We’re doing numbers here George? How very organized.) An aggressive planning agenda that addresses zoning changes to protect Newburyport’s neighborhood character and historic assets.

(Good start. But remember George’s last name is “Cushing” and he comes from a pretty swanky address, i.e. Frog Pond on Newburyport’s historic High Street.)

2) George likes these “Buy Local” folks. He would like two see two economic overlays, one for downtown and one for Waterfront West, sighting tons of ordinances that have been drafted across the country. He’d like to see Waterfront West have a square foot limitation for retail space. Apparently there is a correlation, according to the National Trust for Preservation, between retail space and historic preservation. Who knew? Smart Frog.

3) The Industrial Park, rezoned to include office space. George and Mayor John Moak like that one.

4) The capping of the Crow Lane Landfill completed. He thinks Mayor John Moak is doing all that any mayor could do.

5) The Senior Center, would like to see the Cushing Park (same name as George you notice) plan on the November ballot. (George thinks that if a Senior Center is built that there would be room for frogs??)

6) The Central Waterfront, would like to see the people’s wishes observed and have half park and half parking.

(Ok George, what about parking? From an aerial view, the train station has tons of unused parking? George, that’s from 5,000 feet, you really think anyone is going to go for that one? Hasn’t exactly been a popular solution all these years. And you want the City of Newburyport to include a Frog Pond? I don’t think so George, frogs are a zero constituency, no one is going ask the tax payers to pay for a Frog Pond. Come on.)

7) Schools. (Yes, I agree George, what a mess. Money, where are you going to get the money?) George would like the State and the Feds to get their act together and pony up some major bucks, because the tax burden on the average resident is already too high.

8) High Street (Oh, George, is this for me?) The Bike Lanes either finished or removed and the rest of the High Street Master Plan, which was passed by the Newburyport City Council, begin to be enacted — brick sidewalks, textured crosswalks, trees etc. (I like this.) (Apparently this was not for me. Had more to do with his feelings about Frog Pond. George wants the rest of High Street to be as nice as the restoration to the Bartlet Mall.)

9) And a discussion about the ineffectiveness of a 2 year mayoral term. Either a 4 year mayoral term or a city manager form of government. (My, “la de da,” aren’t we really out there on that one?)

Well, I’m impressed. That’s not a bad start considering he’s a FROG, except for the insistence that the tax payers pay for another frog pond and that frogs would get to hang around in a Senior Center. Good grief.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, November 2007 Elections Already?

George Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall, the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog is trying to get my attention.

horiz.george.2.jpg
George Cushing
trying to get my attention

Ok George what is it? (Some people have assistants or secretaries etc. etc. trying to get their attention, but no, I have a frog trying to get my attention. I realize that this is MY choice, however, at times I do wonder about my choice.)

George is concerned about the next election.

The next election George? It’s January for goodness sakes, get a grip.

George Cushing is concerned about setting city policy.

Now, George, in January?? (And city policy set by a FROG?)

George Cushing is concerned that the “progressives” in the city would not be able to form a cohesive and mutually respectful group, and thereby not attract an attractive and proactive candidate.

Oh.

George Cushing is sighting an editorial in one of the local publications by a leading progressive “voice” (whom he likes very much by the way, because George thinks, and where he gets this I don’t know, that he likes frogs… I’m rolling my eyes, here) blasting other very involved and thoughtful, hardworking progressives. And George is claiming that this is just one of many, many, many examples of progressives not coming together and working towards a common goal.

George Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall thinks that unless this happens a mayor in the front office with a progressive agenda is an impossibility.

What can I say. Maybe George Cushing may be correct. Who knew frogs could possibly be that insightful or thoughtful. Good grief.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, An Appraisal of a Blogging Year

Well, I’ve been blogging the Newburyport Political Blog for a whole year. Who knew? Not moi.

I had no idea what would happen when I started the Newburyport Political Blog January 1, 2006. I figured I might last a couple of weeks, possibly six. 12 whole months. My.

And what have I learned in the last 12 months of blogging the Newburyport Political Blog?

1) As a blogger I am considered a publisher (along with people who write Letters to the Editor, fliers, email lists, petitions) and as a publisher I can be sued. Really lousy surprise.

2) Most people threaten to sue bloggers to shut them up. This is called a “SLAPP” suit. Frowned upon big time by the courts in Massachusetts.

3) I’ve actually been threatened a number of times. Another really big lousy surprise. I thought I was fairly mild mannered and reasonably reasonable, although, of course, sometimes opinionated.

4) During the last 12 months I’ve gotten my share of “unpleasant” phone calls and emails.

5) It has been my observation that the wealthier the human being, the more “unpleasant” the correspondence tends to be.

6) It appears that mostly the upset correspondie is sent a post out of context of the Newburyport Political Blog. It seems that most upset correspondies don’t actually read the Newburyport Political Blog. So why have they been upset? Who knows.

All of the above pisses me off.

But now for the stuff that doesn’t piss me off.

1) People, lots of people, thousands of people actually read the Newburyport Political Blog. Big surprise. Really, really big surprise. Thank you readership of the Newburyport Political Blog.

2) I’ve met and gotten to know a whole lot of wonderful people that I never would have gotten to know before.

3) I’ve gotten to know people in the “media,” including Ulrika Gerth, the editor of the Newburyport Current, who when I thought about quitting blogging because of an “unfortunate” situation, was immensely supportive, to the point of actually writing a story about the whole thing.

4) An amazing amount of people were also supportive during that time and have been enormously supportive and fun over the last 12 months. And for this I thank you and am most deeply grateful.

5) George Cushing, of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall was given to me by Madame Swartz, and subsequently became a political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog. First frog ever, that I know of, to ascend to such a blogging apex.

george.pillow.1.jpg
George Cushing, Political Consultant
to the Newburyport Political Blog

6) Subsequently the “Twins,” C. G. Cushing and G. C. Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall also want to get into the act and are aspiring consultants to the Newburyport Political Blog. Who knew that so many frogs would want to blog?

twins.jpg
The Twins, Aspiring Consultants
to the Newburyport Political Blog

7) And as a blogger I’ve learned more than I ever dreamed of about civics in Newburyport, MA. And my hat is off to all our elected officials, Newburyport board members and Newburyport committee members, whether I agree with them or not. Running Newburyport, MA is one tough nut. And the more that I learn, the more I understand how difficult their job to be. So thank you all for “stepping up to the plate.”

And with that, Happy New Year! We will see what 2007 brings for the Newburyport Political Blog. These last 12 months have been quite a ride.

Cheers,
Mary Eaton
Editor of the Newburyport Political Blog

Newburyport, Holiday Greetings

George Cushing, of the Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall, the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog, is feeling in a holiday mood.

holiday.george.jpg
George Cushing
feeling in a holiday mood

This surprised me somewhat, because George Cushing of the Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall has never struck me as a festive amphibian. Wouldn’t you agree? Those beady little eyes of his, never seemed to indicate to me that he would in anyway be any kind of “party animal.”

Go figure.

The twins, on the other hand, G. C. Cushing and C. G. Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall, the aspiring consultants to the Newburyport Political Blog, well, I can definitely see how they would be full of holiday glee.

holiday.twins.jpg
The Twins
Aspiring political consultants
to the Newburyport Political Blog

They look so chirpy, they probably still believe Santa Claus exists, for goodness sakes. But if they think just because they are aspiring consultants to the Newburyport Political Blog, good old Santa is going to lavish them with frog presents, they had just better forget all about that one. Good grief.

On a more serious note, George Cushing, and moi, were delighted by the missive from Newburyport School Superintendent, Kevin Lyons, reported in today’s Newburyport Daily News, December 19, 2006.

Wanting funding for better education for our children. How refreshing. So much better than wanting funding for a Tah Majal building scheme for Newburyport’s elementary school needs. (But more on that later.)

Anyway, George and the twins and of course me, wish all Happy Holidays.

So, Cheers!

Mary Eaton
The Editor of the Newburyport Political Blog

(Editor’s note: The Editor of the Newburyport Political Blog, namely me, would like to thank Madame Schwartz for bringing George Cushing and the Twins of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall into my life, and of course yours.)

Newburyport’s Water Supply

E-coli? In OUR water supply? Excuse me.

Goats? How many goats around a crucial drinking water source? Say what.. 450 goats and “1,000 animals in virtually a few months.” (Newburyport Current, Friday, November 24, 2006.)

My.

Definitely a no-brainer. 1,000 animals would probably cause trouble to the water supply for the City of Newburyport, that happens to be on this particular piece of property. Yikes.

The “twins” the aspiring consultants to the Newburyport Political Blog want in the worst way to comment on this one. (Shall we let them?)

The twins, C. G. Cushing and G. C. Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall, believe that anyone having had the pleasure of kicking a kickball from the Kelly School playground into the Bartlett Mall could tell anyone that it is a “gross” experience retrieving such a ball. Yuck.

The twins, who really know zip about ecology (you gotta remember that these are 2 twerpy little frogs) feel that it is obvious, that if you have a lot of frogs in or a lot of animals around a water source, it’s going to be “gross.”

twins.jpg
The Twins: C. G. Cushing and G. C. Cushing
Aspiring Consultants to the Newburyport Political Blog

George Cushing, of Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall, the true consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog, is rolling his beady little eyes and is somewhat perturbed with moi for even thinking, much less giving the “twins” any sort of input, even if it is inane comments about “gross” water supplies.

george.eye.jpg
George Cushing being perturbed with moi

Luckily Paul Colby, Newburyport’s Water Operations Superintendent, Mayor John Moak and John Morris, Newburyport’s Public Health Director were on the case ASAP. And according to the Newburyport Current, December 1, 2006, things are much improved (I think) (and the e-coli never made it to the public water taps.)

Whew.

This is the drinking water for all the 1,300 new folks from Plum Island that are going to be joining us in drinking what those of us originating from New York City (namely me) call the “mayor’s water” (as opposed to bottled water.)

And when I watched the last Newburyport City Council meeting from the comfort of my comfy chair, the hard working Brendan O’Regan, the Director of Public Services, seemed to indicate that the water treatment supply thing, being very old and with a possible add onto, will cost the tax payers mucho money. Prepare ye for another very necessary possible override.

Better figure the whole water supply, water treatment thing into the City’s ongoing, endless fiscal woes. A big “Yikes” on that one.

The more I blog, the more complicated this whole “how in the world are we ever going to pay for everything” gets. Hence my moving from the “left” and sniggling towards the political “center.”

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Aspiring Consultants for the Newburyport Political Blog

The frogs at Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall are in revolt. They think that since they are such a large voting block (they may be out of touch with reality here, as far as I know frogs can’t vote) that they now want more input and representation on the Newburyport Political Blog.

What chutzpa!

George Cushing, the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog, picked by moi, says he thinks that I’m being too closed minded and taking myself way too seriously. In fact, he accused me of being a control freak and not listening to important insights from huge “voting blocks” like the frogs from Frog Pond. (Can you believe it?)

The two frogs that would like to join the “team” (good grief) are C. G. Cushing and G. C Cushing– Caleb Gemstonian Cushing and Gemstonian Caleb Cushing.

Here is their picture.

twins.jpg
C. G. Cushing and G. C. Cushing
Aspiring consultants to the Newburyport Political Blog

They are twins. Can you guess? (What are their qualifications? Do they have legal degrees — that would be nice. I hope they don’t expect to be paid or want health insurance. Do frogs get health insurance?)

Frankly they appear to be a little young, if not very, very young. Plus they look goofy and sweet, bleh. I’m not sure “goofy and sweet” makes for insightful political insights. I mean, look at George Cushing, there’s nothing sweet about George that I’ve ever found out about.

George (the political consultant to the Newburyport Political Blog) says that he is more than willing to take them under his webbed feet and fingers and “mentor” them. He says that “looks can be deceiving,” and that just because I think C. G. and G. C. Cushing look twerpy, doesn’t mean that in fact they do not have keen political insight.

Good grief. Whose running the Newburyport Political Blog here anyway? The frogs from Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall or moi! Is this a “frog takeover?” Is it now going to be a “frog blog?”

mentor.jpg
George offering to mentor
C. G. Cushing and G. C. Cushing
by taking them under his webbed fingers and feet

As you can see from the above picture, George looks wily and wise in comparison to his two twerpy cousins.

However, just to show that I’m not an editor ogre, they can hang around and be “mentored” by George Cushing. And, ok, if they actually do have something intelligent to contribute, I’ll listen. Who knows, maybe now we’ll have twerpy frogs chiming in on the Newburyport Political Blog. Wouldn’t that be something?

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, George Says Kudos to the Mayor

Such a dreary, wet New England day… sigh.

George (the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog) decided to take a cushy flop and contemplate the state of the city or whatever frogs contemplate when they sit on a bunch of pillows– good grief, pretty cushy for George Cushing.

george.pillow.1.jpg
George Cushing being cushy

Apparently George Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall has decided to turn his contemplation to Nancy Colbert our new (I think as of tonight when I hope, I think it’s this meeting, the Newburyport City Council gives this young lady the thumbs up) Newburyport Planning Director.

You see George knew Nancy way back when (when she was Newburyport Planning Director, before) because he was dwelling at Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall when the Bartlett Mall was beginning renovation to its historic High Street state.

And like many a project, embarkment often comes with some sort of complaining at some point (George, is trying to figure out if there is a exception to this… he’s contemplating.) And, it is George’s opinion that Ms Colbert handled the touchy parties quite deftly. So he likes her. Plus she contributed to making his home nice, so, of course, he likes her a lot.

george.pillow.2.jpg
George getting serious now
even though he’s still on a pillow

George and the frogs at Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall have been very supportive of Newburyport’s Planning Office and they do hope that that could continue to be the case.

It seems to George that Ms Colbert may well be a soothing balm on often cantankerous procedures. And his (and mine of course) great hope is that parties involved will calm down enough to find some sort of common ground and the City could begin to move forward with foresight and intelligence.

A very good choice by Mayor John Moak. Kudos to the Mayor– job/pick for job well done.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Preservation and Blogging Peril

You know what else I’m pissed about. I’m pissed that so many people are upset that I used a certain verb on the Newburyport Political Blog.

That verb can also mean, “plunder,” “despoliation” as in “the — of the countryside.” Which was how I meant it by the way.

Ok, I’ll admit it was a little over the top, but that’s as over the top as I’ve ever gotten on the Newburyport Political Blog, for crying out loud.

And it does feel like that is exactly what could happen to the back of the Wheelwright property, so there.

The subdivision in question would be right next to the Oak Hill Cemetery, a dignified and sacred place. According to the Newburyport Daily News, a 34-acre burial ground for many of Newburyport’s beloved ancestors, including the Wheelwright family and I believe 175 sea captains and 29 mayors. Not Shabby.

In the Newburyport Current, Friday, October 27, 2006, Nathan Felde is right when he says, “Barbecues and burials don’t go together.”

Mr. Felde is correct again; the area is the “soul” of Newburyport, MA.

Ester Macomber, who is a dear, dear lady, as well as being very well respected in this New England seaside community, in the same article calls the plan “ridiculous.”

Mrs Macomber has protected her huge piece of land on the back of the Ridge so that it can never be built on. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is and setting a great example for her neighbors on High Street. Bless this wonderful woman.

And if the developer, Todd Fremont-Smith (that’s in the Newburyport Current too) thinks that only the neighbors are upset, he might not have things quite in perspective yet. From what I’m getting, almost the entire town is outraged.

Will this finally be the wakeup call that the residents of Newburyport, MA need? We can no longer take our historic heritage for granted.

If Mr. Fremont-Smith and company are “aware of the legitimate preservation issues and are trying very much to be respectful,” (the Newburyport Current again) then one of his options could be that he could sell that piece of property to the folks who are apparently going to do right by the Wheelwright House and gardens, put a deed restriction on it and make sure it goes to the Essex County Green Belt.

He won’t make any money that way, but at least he’d be able to live in town or even New England without people wanting to picket in front of his home.

You see this is where I get into trouble. (George Cushing the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog is scrunching his nose and looking at me with those beady little eyes of his. He does not want me to put myself in peril.)

george.17.jpg
George pleading with me not to put myself in peril

I’m blogging about money. Lots and lots of money is at stake here. And people don’t like people saying they shouldn’t make lots and lots of money on a particular piece of property.

But this is no ordinary piece of property; this literally verges on sacred ground. It’s been written about extensively now in the Newburyport Current and the Newburyport Daily News, so I hope I’m safe on the “being sued thing” here. George is not so sure.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

George

One of the other reason’s I’m pissed about all these complications I’ve discovered (like being sued) if I keep on blogging on the Newburyport Political Blog is that George could no longer make an appearance on the World Wide Web.

I love George. We are talking about George Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall, in Newburyport, MA, who has graciously offered to be the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog, for goodness sakes.

And George has a big fan club. And when he gets upset about something all the frogs in Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall get upset too. So upset sometimes that they even make guest appearances in an effort to comfort and abet (as in support) whoever they seem to feel needs comforting and abetting.

You know any other political blog that has a frog for a political consultant? I don’t.

george8.jpg
George mulling over multiple dilemmas

George is mulling over how I could keep on blogging. He’s thinking of “safe” stuff that maybe I couldn’t be sued over. Like the mayor’s current plan for Newburyport’s Central Waterfront.

The map of the latest version of the new Waterfront possible plan has already made an appearance in both the Newburyport Current and the Newburyport Daily News (you’d think I’d be covered on the “being sued stuff” on this one.)

George and I both looked at the latest version of the new Waterfront possible plan, and said to ourselves, “Say what? The green part is where?”

And one of the things he and I are both confused about is a delightful gentleman, an ardent preservationist, seems to be plugging for this less than green wonder of a proposition.

(One of the things I’ve learned is that people don’t like to see their names in anything that could possibly be inferred as a “bad light.” That’s one of the ways I get these nasty phone calls. So, that’s one of the reasons I’m not saying who this well loved, ardent preservationist is, in this post at least. You’re just going to have to read the Newburyport Current’s past issues, they are on line.)

This very well respected preservationist has been described to me as “going over to the dark side” (George is wondering if “going over to the dark side” is suable. I hope not, I think it’s just someone’s opinion. I hope.)

“Going over to the dark side” (this is someone else’s phrase, not my phrase, I’m just repeating it here) is a little over the top, but it does indicate how impassioned (is that an understatement or what?) people are over this darn waterfront thing. People are equating the Newburyport Central Waterfront saga to “Star Wars!”

George (who is green) recommends that the mayor put in lots more green (i.e. park) in this particular parking plan. That might mean there could be some sort of resolution in my lifetime (how utterly optimistic of moi) to this ongoing, going on way more than a quarter of a century, emotionally charged, stunningly baffling Waterfront opus.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Mayor Moak and the Infill Ordinance

George Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall (yes, there is a Frog Pond) the new political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog is a tad discouraged. “Oy vey.”

george4.jpg
George Cushing, a tad discouraged. “Oy Vey.”

In one of her last columns before she left for a higher rung on the journalistic ladder, Stephanie Chelf wrote an article for the Newburyport Daily News, Thursday, October 5, 2006 on a zoning amendment that would protect our historic heritage and our local neighborhood character.

The zoning amendment that would address Newburyport’s out of control infill issue.

So why is George Cushing discouraged? It is because of this quote by Mayor John Moak:

“Mayor John Moak said he wants to make sure the ordinance doesn’t lead to a design review by the zoning board.

‘I’m not ready to endorse it,” Moak said. “There is a lot to it to absorb.’”

Actually, there’s not a lot to absorb, it’s real easy. There is no mention anywhere of any design review (and why that would be a bad thing beats me, and it beats George Cushing the new political consultant as well, good grief.)

The Zoning Amendment or the “Infill Ordinance” talks about “size, scale, massing, volume and location of the proposed structure,” making sure those aspects would be in keeping with the local neighborhood character.

What George Cushing is just so darn frustrated about is that Mayor John Moak still doesn’t seem to get it. Protecting our historic heritage and local neighborhood character is the key to long-term and short-term economic growth.

Destroying our historic heritage and neighborhood character is a sure fire way to have Newburyport’s economic value go down the tubes real fast.

This zoning amendment is not a “cure-all,” as Newburyport City Councilor Tom Jones points out in the same article, but it sure is a real good piece of the puzzle. And why in the world Mayor John Moak isn’t getting that baffles, bewilders, perplexes and mystifies the editor of the Newburyport Political Blog.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

A Good-Bye Party for Newburyport’s City Planner

George Cushing (the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog) of Frog Pond at Newburyport’s Bartlett Mall, is quite distressed at the impending departure of Julie LaBranche, Newburyport’s City Planner.

George Cushing is not alone. Apparently many of the frogs at Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall feel the same way. And George Cushing’s cousin Georgette Cushing of Frog Pond is so distressed that she has decided to accompany Julie on her journeys.

Georgette Cushing is a warmer, gentler version of George Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall.

georgette.jpg
George Cushing saying good-bye to his cousin
Georgette Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall
who is joining Julie LaBranche as she journeys on

From Geordie Vining of the Newburyport Planning Office:

Please come to a Good-bye Party for City Planner Julie LaBranche

Please join us for an informal get-together on 8-30-06 to extend our appreciation to Julie LaBranche for all her good work for the City, and to wish her well in her new pursuits.

Wednesday, August 30th
Moseley Woods park
(at Spofford and Merrimac Streets)
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

If you can come, please bring an hors d’oeuvre and/or beverage to the pavilion to share.

(Anyone is invited — please spread the word. Please RSVP to me (Geordie Vining) if you think you can come so that we have some sense of the number of people. Thanks.)

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, MA, City Planner Resigns

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! I just checked the Undertoad Blog and Julie LaBranche, Newburyport’s City Planner is resigning on or around September 6, 2006. Go check out the Undertoad Blog.

Mr. Ryan puts the blame on (from what I understand) Mr. Moak’s good friend, our building inspector Gary Calderwood. Yikes! (And I’m not given to explanation points.)

For the City of Newburyport this is a disaster. Julie Labranche was/is terrific, and to lose Julie without Newburyport having a Planning Director is terrible.

Oy, Vey.

George Cushing (of Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall), the political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog is mighty, mighty upset.

george4.jpg
“Oy Vey”
George Cushing expressing his displeasure

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, An Old Story No Longer Relevant

Well, I’ve finally calmed down about the story in the Newburyport Daily News that almost two years after the fact, the City of Newburyport is forced to make public the e-mails of FORMER Mayor Clancy. And that this was initiated by the Newburyport Daily News.

Yuck.

The lady in question is no longer mayor. As far as I can tell, amazingly enough, the emails did not interfere with her performance in the Corner Office. The City two years ago rallied around her in a wonderful way (cheering her as she walked in the Yankee Homecoming Parade, surrounded by the Newburyport City Council) while other media outlets used the story to get publicity.

Frankly, the emails may now be considered public, but as far as I’m concerned, they are nobody’s business.

I can’t imagine why the Newburyport Daily News would resurrect this story except, to be cynical, to sell newspapers.

And I may disagree with Mayor John Moak on many political issues, but I just cannot imagine that this is something our present administration would want to deal with in any way.

And George Cushing, the new political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog, is really quite puzzled as to why such an old story, which is no longer relevant, would be resurrected by the Newburyport Daily News.

george14.jpg
George Cushing
Pleading with the Newburyport Daily News
to “just forget about it.”

Mary Eaton
Newburyport