WHATEVER HAPPENED to the notion that the selectmen were supposed to name a committee to look into the possible purchase of The Vineyard Christian Fellowship as a senior center. That idea seems to have just slipped away. We will say this once again to our senior population, these guys are not going to give you anything. If you don't stand up and demand it, it ain't gonna happen. Everybody has gotten a piece of something over the last two decades…except Kingston's seniors. The squeaky wheel gets the oil…we're not hearing anything.

BRIDGE REPAIRS: Yes, we heard all the explanations of what is supposed to happen and when, but we'll believe it when we see it. That bottleneck at Bickford's is still a mess and could cause a tragedy one day. And tell us why any police officer would be placed inside the work area? That makes no sense at all. It's an accident waiting to happen. And, to that one duty officer, stop hopping on the bulldozer shovel to catch a ride, we don't want to cause more strain on the police budget when you get injured and we add a replacement on top of your salary.

BLEEP, BLEEP: We're hearing complaints that one of our elected Town Hall officials uses vulgarity on a regular basis at the Town Hall. The person has been given the word that it will not be tolerated. A spouse of one of the office staff says there will be personal injury issues if it continues. Funny thing about vulgarity, it's usually a sure sign of frustration, ignorance and the inability to master the English language.

AUDIT COMMITTEE: We can remember when Jerry Powell was on that Committee, minutes got filed within days of their meetings. Oh, and another thing…they met. Powell quit the committee back in April of last year about eight months ago. He quit right after Ted Alexiades was named to the Committee on a Selectmen's slam dunk. Since that time there have been no meetings thus no minutes. Now, if Ted, Mary Fiore and Robert Ward have nothing to look at and discuss, then how could there be a need for the existence of a committee? According to the clerk's Office, no meetings have been posted since mid-April, and no minutes submitted. Powell quit when he couldn't get any support to conduct an internal audit of the Pottle Street Ballfield Committee. I guess that didn't go over to well with Alexiades who also heads up that little band.

KINGSTON KINGDOM: Remember that? A good sized group of well intentioned volunteers raised money and bought an very expensive playground system for the elementary school. The group even did the complex assembly by themselves. One can assume that the structure created hours of fun for our youth, until almost three years ago. The "Kingdom" had to go when the new school construction began. It was dismantled and sat on the ground from that point on. The pressure treated wood components were not covered over or protected from the elements in any way. So there it sat, going to waste. Two weeks ago Elementary School Committee member Paul Barry appeared before the selectmen asking that the pieces be moved. It was regarded as a safety issue situated on the school grounds as it was. The Selectmen listened politely, said they would look into it and Barry left. Shortly thereafter Jack Hurley, who, along with his wife Sue Ann were actively involved in the project, arrived at the meeting having heard the discussion on TV at home. He lambasted Barry and the School Committee for their callousness and expressed hope that the "Kingdom" could be re-built down at the Pottle Street fields complex. He said with a new effort, the unit could be restored back to its original condition. We conferred with a wood expert who suggested that pressure treated wood exposed to the elements (snow, rain, heat and cold) over an extended period, would lose structural integrity. Hurley said his wife was home crying. We wonder however, why did it sit so long in an unprotected manner? It has since been moved over to Pottle Street and sits helter skelter behind the outfield fence of the existing ballfield. The school committee's position was not to cast aspersions on anyone, but to remove a potential safety issue. Why can't we all just get along?

THE GRINCH's soft drink must be Coke – at least that's what the folks at the First Parish Church may be thinking. For years, they had a Coke vending machine in the Beal House to raise money and slack the thirst of visitors. All that changed a few days before Christmas when a Coca-Cola truck showed up and hauled it away – along with whatever cash and product still inside. The Coke people were miffed that the church didn't buy vending stock from the local supplier. Outraged church people got on the phone and made a few calls and the good folks from Pepsi came through in a big way. They donated a virtually new Pepsi machine to take the place of the hi-jacked Coca-Cola vending machine. Pepsi wins the test of good taste and community relations in this round.

PAPER TRAIL: Papers are not only available for people wishing to run for elected office, but the process is officially underway now that six hopefuls have picked up signature sheets as of press time. Incumbent Olly DeMacedo and School Committee member Brian Caseau have pulled for selectmen (3 years), John Creed for regional school committee (1 year), Mark Guidoboni for regional school committee (3 years), newcomer Christopher Mamakos for elementary school committee (3 years) and Dan Sapir for health board (3 years). This is good early activity and one can only hope things pick up. Oh, one new name being discusses for a possible selectman run is Terry Standley who currently sits on the recreation commission. We called her and she did not deny the rumor. We're still waiting to see about, Mark Beaton, Paul Barry and Marjorie Cadenhead, all of whom have shown some level of interest for selectman. Contrary to what some folks think, Brian Donahoe is running for re-election to the sewer commission. "We still have major expansion issues ahead which I regard as important" he told the Ringside Observers.

BUDGET BALANCE: We wonder if there is any money left in the elementary school refurbishing budget? We hear rumors that there could be at least $500,000 still in the kitty. We asked around but couldn't get a straight answer so we filed a request with the town administrator for a balance sheet. We understand that there are an awful lot of areas where that money could create some much needed improvements. We intend to do some follow-up on this issue for next month.

OWN LOSS: We were saddened to learn of the loss of Bob Barbieri, who, for many years, owned and operated the Kingston Aluminum Foundry on Pembroke Street. Bob was a long-time assessor back in the 70's and was a powerful political influence within the community for many years. Bob was a leader within the K of C during its formulative years. He had been retired and was in a period of failing health. We always found Bob to be an interesting man and his passing is deserving of a thought and a prayer.

READER ADVISORY: We spotted this note posted to the Observer's Community Forums (Silver Lake Sex Scandal) -- "Did you know that the elementary school librarian was told this week her position has been cut as of sept. 2003? The computer teacher who works at both KES and KIS position has been cut to part time? That any teacher retiring will not be replaced? There are more cuts to come this is only the beginning unless something is done!" We'll check out this tip and report back next month.

AG'S CALL: The planning board articles allowing developers of planned residential development properties for seniors (PRDS) to not have to built community centers on site have been put on hold. It seems there was insufficient notice, and no explanation of what the proposal served to do. The AG said it would be acceptable unless anyone filed complaints. Two were filed. Mark Beaton filed one as a citizen, and the editor of this newspaper filed one. Not it's wait and see. Our guess…it will be bounced.

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