Sun columnist
Mariano: Do-nothing Congress should focus on results, not ideological purity | “Perhaps we should start another political party that focuses on ‘results’.
Ray Mariano
If you can’t point to a solid record of accomplishments, working with other members of Congress, then get the heck out! Who needs you?” Ray Mariano goes to the extreme to find middle ground on Capitol Hill.
Sun columnist
Chris Sinacola
Sina-cism: Do ballot questions matter much? | “Since the initiative process was created in 1918, voters have considered 179 ballot questions. Some years offered none, while there were nine questions three times. But how many were truly landmark initiatives, marking a real shift in the direction of public policy?” Well, it wouldn’t be much fun if we told you here. Chris Sinacola has his answer clearly marked and ready for the ballot box.
Sun commentary
Bill Randell
Randell: Worcester, we have a spending problem | “ ‘Our cities do not have a spending problem, but rather a revenue problem,’ reads the Mayor’s Tax Policy Committee Report. ‘In short we are no longer cutting the fat out of government, but we are cutting to the bone.’ There is nothing to cut in the city of Worcester? How about divesting in nonessential businesses that cost us millions of dollars per year.” Oh, and businessman and former PILOT task force member Bill Randell has a few other ideas, too.
Sun Spots with Hitch [Vol. 116]: A Joe Petty fireside chat | Worcester is under siege. Not by violence or economic disparity, necessarily, or even pigeons or college students, but by rhetoric and hyperbole. And now, maybe more than ever, fear is spreading. Our estimable mayor, hizzoner Mr. Petty, has been around long enough to see days like these ebb and flow — but even he’s not sitting idly by this time. He wants Worcester folks to know, he’s there for you, which is admirable. Also: downtown gentrification? Still on! Here’s Hitch.
President-elect Donald Trump
Editorial: Rooting for Romney and Brown | Two men with Massachusetts on their résumés are up for important Cabinet posts. The possible selections of Mitt Romney for Secretary of State and Scott Brown for Secretary of Veterans Affairs would, of course, lift the state’s political profile in the coming administration. More important, the two would bring backgrounds and temperament helpful for President-elect Donald Trump’s inner circle.
Courtesy Sen. Micheal O. Moore's office
State Sen. Mike Moore is part of an influential panel that met recently with the U.S. Attorney General.
On Beacon Hill: Mr. Moore, state senator, goes to Washington | “It’s a very impressive group that’s been assembled to actually look at the full range of information-sharing that’s necessary in the law enforcement community and it’s not strictly geared towards police, FBI,” Millbury Sen. Michael Moore said. “It’s got the courts, it’s got the sheriffs, a whole litany of different groups you might not associate with this. It’s a good collaborative of entities and national groups.” Moore isn’t the only Bay State Democrat finding a position of influence in post-Trump politics.
Sun Serial
Courtesy Giselle Rivera-Flores
Giselle, with her daughters, Brooklyn, left, and Evian, push their new Woopreneur swag.
A Mother’s Journey [Part 33]: The original ‘Woopreneur’ | “Each day is filled with small amounts of success. But being an entrepreneur is about improving, and leaving your fear of risk (and failure) behind. It’s about finding more value in the work than the immediate results. Taking on all these new projects may not be for everyone. While many have said I could build The Learning Hub faster by narrowing my focus, I don’t believe success is a race.” Find out how Giselle Rivera-Flores keeps moving the finishing line, one endeavor at a time.
Photo courtesy mass.historicbuildingsct.com
Mechanics Hall
Worcester Weekly: Rachel Platten at Mechanics Hall + more to do, Dec. 4-10 | Did anyone ask Mayor Petty about this? We’re trying to get everyone calmed down amid all the post-election tension, and WXLO’s gonna bring in some rich girl from Newton whose most popular song is about fighting? That doesn’t seem like a great holiday message. Of course, besides helping Hillary lose, the song’s really pretty uplifting — and surely an appropriate anthem for the annual holiday concert. Find out what other cool stuff is going on this week.
Courtesy Kimberly Sullivan
Suzi Capone, left, is Kimberly Sullivan’s business partner on LocalPorch.
Inbox [Dec. 4]: LocalPorch debuts, Anna Maria launches new program, Worcester Public Library trades food for fines, Central Mass. manufacturing training serves 750, donations sparkle for Salvation Army | Interesting and worthwhile things happen every day in our community. Alas, we can’t cover them all. That’s where Inbox comes in, to offer readers an easily digestible compilation of interesting and noteworthy items you and your neighbors keep telling us about. Have a release or a photo you or your group would like to share? Let us know by emailing it to info@worcester.ma. Be sure to include a link to the full release on your site or Facebook page so we can include it and send Sun members your way.