Wakefield Daily Item Mock Newspaper -- Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Finally, folks, here is a mock paper that is NOT from nine months ago! Hooray! In a flash of inspiration, decided to create a new spring version even though I'm not back there right now.

All stories fictional.

WAKEFIELD DAILY ITEM

Tuesday, April 6, 2010 copyright IV VI, MMX

NATIONAL GUARD BAND IS CAMPED IN WAKEFIELD; SELECTMEN PROMISE TO LEND ENCAMPMENT FACILITIES TO GUARD AS LONG AS NEEDED

-WAKEFIELD

-The Board of Selectmen called a special summons Friday evening to discuss the encampment of National Guard troops encamped in the Breakheart Reservation as they try to provide flood relief throughout Massachusetts.

A narrow 21-19 vote declared that the town would to continue to lend a 5-acre tract of land on the reservation to the troops for as long as it may be needed.

Almost all of the naysayers said that they supported the Guard and had no problem with them being encamped in Wakefield, but suggested that they find an alternate encampment site other than the Reservation.

Two of the 19 naysayers said they appreciated the Guard but claimed Wakefield "did not have the fiscal resources" to allow their encampment. Both were Republican.

The budget crisis was the main dividing issue between those who opposed the measure and those who approved it. Many said that allowing the troops to locate elsewhere within the town would relieve much strain on the Breakheart Reservation, which has been having trouble keeping facilities and its budget afloat, especially in the Reservation's Wakefield portion.

Many claimed that the Breakheart Reservation "is not a military base" [quoted by Clem Andersen] and that housing military or National Guard troops "was never identified or approved as a viable use of the Reservation's facilities." [quoted by Tom Menzinotti]

The issue was shared, not split, by parties, and, to the surprise of everyone, John Altorizotti and Kevin Meeklinger, two Democratic Selectmen who are close colleagues and have had the same vote on every measure proposed since they joined in 2004, were split, with Altorizotti approving the encampment and Meeklinger opposing it.

Of the 21 yeasayers, 11 were Republicans and 10 Democrats; of the 19 naysayers, 10 were Democrats and 9 Republicans.

Selectman Bradley Ravell (D) said, "This is a tough issue, but on the back burner it does have the added benefit of uniting some of these Selectmen. Usually we Democrats vote one thing, and the Republicans the exact opposite, but some interparty rivals are actually rallying in agreement for their decisions on this measure. It really is interesting and I think it is helping to melt some of the icy tensions between both parties on the Board, especially with the tough times of these floods."

The vote was a preliminary, and a second vote will be held tonight to make a final decision.

The issue with the National Guard was one of two issues that summoned Friday evening's unscheduled debriefing.

-STEVEN ISISHMAN

Second Issue Debated At Debriefing Is Flood Damage; MGLD Targets Selectmen

-WAKEFIELD

-The second of two issues mulled over at last night's session was flood damage, which has taken its toll on the town. Lake Quannapowitt has extended two feet on its south shore, covering most of the playground equipment right on the shore in a puddle of muddy water.

"It's issues like these and so many others that made us feel the necessity to discuss the floods," a concerned yet optimistic Ivan Pittman (D) said Thursday.

Alexander Axelrod of the MGLD spoke before the board and reported that Wakefield was slacking off in its efforts to dredge, clean, and drain the flood waters compared to neighboring towns. Axelrod reported that Wakefield had an average of 0.75 inches of water resting on each of its streets, with the main thoroughfares exhibiting only slightly less. This compares to towns with better drainage programs, such as Melrose, Reading, and Stoneham, faring better with the flooding. Melrose had 0.60 inches of water per every street; Reading 0.50 inches; and Stoneham a mere 0.23 inches.

"Obviously we were caught off guard and these storms are taking their toll on everybody," said Axelrod, "but that still does not excuse us from the rather sloppy, ineffectual job we have been doing of upkeeping the drainage and flood protection systems."

Axelrod got right to the heart of the matter and targeted the Board of Selectmen itself. "One of the primary reasons for this is because we the MGLD were unable to scrape together the monetary potato chips that fell under the sofa, if you will, to fund the upkeep. Consequentially, because the Board of Selectmen has refused to fund we the MGLD, we in effect are unable to fund the upkeep."

Selectmen initiated a $23,500 bond to be funded to the MGLD to help temporarily establish upkeep, but most Selectmen seemed to show no interest whatsoever at one proposal to initiate a $700,000 bond for upkeep to the MGLD for the rest of 2010 and possibly into 2011.

"This is a temporary matter," stated one GOP Selectman, "and at such time such proposals are irrelevant. Once the flooding has subsided, continuing the upkeep when unnecessary will simply be draining us of important funds."

The Selectmen are to vote tonight.

-STEVEN LaFONTAINE

DAILY BRIEFING FROM THE ITEM WIRE ROOM

Wakefield Daily Item wire services are to be thanked, as always, for their efficient service in delivering these reports.

Relief for New England as high pressure sets in?

A high pressure system will slowly make its way into the Northeast beginning this morning, bringing warmer temperatures and sunshine to flood-ravaged parts of RI, CT, and MA. "Cleanup is finally something that looks achieveable," said a MA State Representative, "something we can finally start." Pop-up showers are a possibility for parts of ME, but other than this, no rain has been reported in New England forecasts for today or tomorrow.

-New England Reporters' Wire Line

Malden wants to talk to Cambridge, Woburn after icy political corruption

Malden wants to talk, they say, to Cambridge and Woburn after icy relations separated the towns last week. Cambridge councilperson Ross Thenn and Woburn councilperson Adler Armonian were accused of perjury during a Middlesex County Consensus Thurs., Mar. 25, after denying claims that they issued $2,000,000 school bond funds to the city of Malden on Tues., Mar. 16 after rejecting issuing said bonds to their own towns on Mon., Mar. 8. "These people don't have any connections to Malden," said Peter Roxbury of the Woburn council, "and the fact that they turn their backs on their own towns... it's heinous!" Malden officials now want to apologize to Cambridge and Woburn officials for accepting the money without proper city grants. Thenn and Armonian may receive fines of $7,000; Liam Rosecek, who accepted the funds for Malden without requesting a grant, may receive a $2,500 fine. "This deal was very, very back-door," said Roxbury. "We need to know what the motive was to get some kind of closure on this." The three leaders of each town plan to convene in Saugus Apr. 7.

-Wires of Middlesex County

Amonson no longer in Massachusetts

Mark Amonson, the former Galvin Middle School teacher fired for misuse of position and vulgarity in such, is no longer a Massachusetts resident, the state says. Government records show Amonson is renting a four-room apartment in downtown San Diego as of February 28. "Amonson had family in San Diego," said his lawyer Moltosekevich, "it only makes sense that, in these tough times for him, he would go there."

-Wires of Middlesex County

Rains help, not harm, when it comes to raging Main St. fire Friday

-WAKEFIELD

-The fire department is thanking the massive recent rains as they finally found themselves a good use in helping to douse a huge fire that broke out in a home at 573 Main St. on Friday. The home, owned by Pat and Alen Kwajnjadr, both 58, caught flames Friday night around 10:30 p.m. when a curtain was draped over a heating system too long, restricting ventilation, and, after some time, starting the blaze. "It was carelessness on our part," said Alen Kwanjnjadr, who rung 911 immediately when he heard a crackling noise coming from the master bedroom and saw the blaze.

"This fire was extremely fluid, that meaning that it moved everywhere and anywhere it could; it just swarmed this household in a matter of minutes," said Fire Department Worker Gregorio Santonainni.

The fire reached the attic of the home and began billowing out a chimney, but once the blaze reached the outside of the home it was no match for the pelting rain, which was coming down in sheets at the time.

"I was cursing all this rain earlier, but now I thank it; it helped save our home," remarked Alen Kwanjnjadr.

Fire officers instructed the Kwanjnjadrs to open all the windows of their home, and then fire hoses rid the inside of the inferno while the downpour finished the job on the outside.

The damage to the Kwanjnjadrs home surmounted at a lung-stopping $16,000, but the couple, ever in high spirits, believe it is salvageable. "We've owned this home for 31 years and we plan to for another 31," said Alen's wife Pat. The Kwanjnjadrs were reportedly staying with family in Melrose while county and town officials come to assess the damage. A realtor showed up at the site of the charred abode Saturday to instruct the couple if the home was worth trying to salvage.

"She said yes," said Pat Kwanjnjadr, "but even had she said no, we would have tried anyway."

-RYAN BORGNE


Police sniff out eight individuals in Type A searches across town

-WAKEFIELD
-Police were successful in a Type A bust over Saturday and Sunday, said Dep. Will Halveles. Anonymous tips led to the arrest of six individuals; the other two were found by police themselves.

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A man was arrested for disrespect for the badge and aggravated assault on an officer at 3:34 p.m. Saturday. A call summoned officers to Quannapowitt Parkway, where the man had been stopped by police on a routine traffic stop, as his tail light was out. The man refused to give his license and registration. When additional officers arrived, he did, and everything checked out, but the conflict continued. When an officer handed the man back his license and registration, he kicked the officer in the shin. He then ran out of the car and into the woods. Along the way, he tossed an oil can that just barely missed the head of one officer. The man, after about one minute, came out of the woods to see if the officers were gone, then, finding them not to be, threw another oil can at them. He did not run this time, but rather stood in the same exact position as officers approached him and arrested the man, John Kinnem, 46, of 142 Peter Lane, Woburn, on the aforementioned charges. Kinnem continued to be uncooperative, repeatedly kicking the passenger side door of a police car while being driven to the police station. He once kicked the door so hard that it came open and he tried to flee, but was foiled in these plans as well.


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Two 10-year-old boys were detained, then sent home, and one adult arrested, at the scene of a fight on the Common at 2:41 a.m. Saturday. The adult, Ken Kenewick, 51, of 111 Laramie Drive, Saugus, was not related to either of the two boys but apparently had started the fight by throwing a baseball at the head of one of the two boys and then pointing to the other boy, as to say, "he threw it at you." Kenewick then encouraged the boys to go at each other. Kenewick was arrested for coercion of juveniles, simple assault, and failure to cooperate with a police officer. The two boys were placed in handcuffs and detained, but then released after about five minutes. Both were given low-level citations for curfew violation. The homes of both youths were called to ensure they had returned home; both had by 3:27 a.m. This was the eighth fistfight involving young youths so far this year; this was the 52nd time citations had been given to youths for curfew violation. (Curfew in April ends at 9:30 p.m. Mon.-Thu.; 10:00 p.m. Sun; and 11:15 p.m. Fri. and Sat.)


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Also on Friday night:

• At 5:22 p.m., youths creating a disturbance on Root Road were sent on their way.
• At 5:58 p.m., a report of an unattended sewer manhole was logged out of Albion St.
• At 6:31 p.m., a man on Minot St. reportedly left a pizza box full of pizza unattended in the middle of the road, where a car ran over the pummeled pie.
• At 7:55 p.m., a youth reportedly egged a house on Main St. near Most Blessed Sacrament Church.
• At 8:19 p.m., a youth creating a disturbance on Redfield Road was gone when an officer arrived.
• At 10:13 p.m., youths playing basketball in the middle of the street on Tamworth Hill Avenue were moved to a different location.
• At 11:35 p.m., Mary A. Lyn, 44, of 41 Astor Road, Boston, and Ken Morgan, 39, of 66 Harrison Court, Wakefield, collided at the Junction, slowing traffic for approximately 20 minutes.
• At 11:37 p.m., a lone youth was cited on the Common for curfew violation.
• At 11:58 p.m., Ken Waveland, 21, of 667 Peterman Blvd., Gloucester, and Joshua Millington, 20, of 103 Main St., Wakefield, exchanged information after colliding at the intersection of Main and Albion.

Also Saturday:

• At 1:33 a.m., police broke up a fight on the Common between two intoxicated men. The men fled the scene immediately, and police decided not to press any charges.
• At 3:45 a.m., a New England Seismic Foundation Richter Scale on Main St. indicated a 1.3 magnitude intraplate rumbling centered under Greenwood.
• At 6:27 a.m., a false alarms call came out of the Lord Wakefield Hotel when burning toast set off a smoke detector.
• At 8:44 a.m., an intoxicated man was found in operation of a car when he was stopped for speeding on Main St. Jules Gregorian, 29, of 116 Valiant Honor Road, Stoneham, was arrested for speeding and DUI. It'll be awhile before he gets his valiant honor.
• At 11:22 a.m., youths egging and toilet-papering a house on Walton Street were sent on their way. Police helped clean up the mess.
• At 12:16 p.m., a Minot St. resident reported his car radio had been ripped out of its socket and stolen.
• At 1:44 p.m., a Main St. resident reported somebody had stolen his neighbor's yellow 2002 Chevrolet Corvette.
• At 3:36 p.m., a Water St. resident reported a swarm of seventy birds had defecated on his car windshield almost simultaneously.
• At 5:01 p.m., a man blasting songs on a boom box on Pitman Avenue was asked to move inside.
  
• At 5:43 p.m., police arrested Kevin Philmont, 45, of 415 Gapham Avenue, Haverhill, on petty theft charges after he was caught smashing a car window and stealing three sweatshirts, a GPS system, a video camera, and a laptop computer. The owner of the vehicle had these items returned to him and he was warned to guard the items more safely.
• At 6:25 p.m., a call came from Redfield Road about youths smashing headlights of cars with bottles.
• At 8:21 p.m., police stopped a man on marked lanes, and, finding him to be unlicensed, arrested the man, Pete Olivon, 27, of 21 Alanwouoden Drive, Peterbrogh, N.H., on failure to have on his person a valid driver's license.
• At 8:45 p.m., police arrested Ken Kwaight, 19, of 52 Main Avenue, Teterborough, on simple assault and animal cruelty after police witnessed him throwing a basketball at a man's head and hurling a milk jug at a dog.
• At 10:10 p.m., a fight between youths on the Lower Common was broken up. Of three youths, two gave name and address. One of the youths had returned home by 10:34 p.m.; the other was not confirmed home until 12:51 a.m.
• At 11:12 p.m., a complement setting off firecrackers on the Lower Common was dispersed.
• At 11:51 p.m., power went out for about twenty minutes on Quannapowitt Parkway after a squirrel chewed through wires.

Also Sunday:

• At 2:31 a.m., a party of ten youths on the Common was broken up. Seven were cited for curfew violation; the other three fled the scene before citations could be issued. Three gave name and address; all were home by 3:00 a.m.
• At 3:01 a.m., a faulty carbon monoxide alarm went off accidentally in a home on Sesame Street. No one was harmed.
• At 6:53 a.m., a Main St. resident woke up to find his house egged and toilet-papered.
• At 7:01 a.m., Wakefield felt a 1.1 magnitude intraplate rumble according to the NESF.
• At 7:03 a.m., Wakefield felt a 1.2 magnitude intraplate cracking according to the NESF.
• At 7:11 a.m., a Main St. resident reported a vase and a boom box stolen from his home.
• At 8:44 a.m., the local Shaw's Market reported someone had stolen $22 from a cash register when an employee left the register unattended.
  
• At 9:55 a.m., police broke up youths on the verge of a major confrontation on the Upper Common.
• At 11:33 a.m., police dispersed youths banging on the playground equipment at the Yueull School.
• At 12:12 p.m., a screaming man was deported from a barbershop to Eustis Ave. Extension, where screaming continued. The man was deported to Eustis Ave., where screaming continued. The man was deported to Mill Road, where screaming continued. The man was deported to Hill Road, where screaming continued. The man was deported to Water St., where screaming continued. The man was deported to Tamworth Hill Ave., where screaming continued. The man was deported to Vale View Road, where screaming continued. The man was deported to Axelrod Road, where screaming continued. The man was deported to Main St., where screaming continued briefly, then stopped.
• At 12:34 p.m., a yelling man was deported to Vale View Road.
• At 1:55 p.m., a heavy set man was calmed after throwing an extreme and inconsolable diatribe on Mill Road.
• At 5:12 p.m., a Howard St. resident reported his back license plate stolen.
• At 8:44 p.m., police arrested Barbara Keftingwood, 25, of 288 Alan Road, Sharon, on DUI.
• At 11:06 p.m., a man reported his car was repeatedly egged by youths when he slowed at a yield sign on New Salem St. The youths were gone when police arrived.

Also on Monday:

• Monday was a quiet day for the P.D., with only four calls.
• At 12:33 a.m., police arrested Will Wood, 44, of 12 Main St., Melrose, on DUI after being stopped at the Junction.
• At 6:22 p.m., a man kicked a police officer in the shin and threw his badge down to the ground. He fleed police before he could be identified or arrested.
• At 6:57 p.m., Ofcr. Bob Keln launched an investigation about reports of credit card theft from two neighboring houses on Lowell St.
• At 10:49 p.m., police broke up a party of youths on the Common. Of five youths, four were cited for curfew violation; the other fled.