Good News, Bad News

OK, we're back. A couple of quick things.

The bad news first: Gov. Deval Patrick knocked out the $150,000 in state funding for Crocker Field as part of his budget vetoes. That's all I know at this point, working on trying to find out a bit more on the prospects for an override of the veto. Check the Fitchburg Pride website later on for more.

The good news: Treasurer Tim Cahill was in town this morning promoting economic stimulus, and announced a $5 million loan program that will put that money in local banks to be turned around for local businesses starting or expanding. Not really sure when economic development became part of the Treasurer's Office duties (unless the treasurer wants to be governor someday), but every little bit helps.

In This Week's Fitchburg Pride

It's been a while since we teased El Prido. With the fall in full gallop and the paper keeping pace, I thought it would be a good time to get back on the self-promotional train.

First, in the spirit of super-self promotion, I'll be on "Politically Speaking" tonight, 7 p.m. on the FATV. I have no idea what the conversation will be exactly, but here's what I'd expect at the very least: Mayor's race, finances, the great Fitchburg Pride, and a thorough mocking of Romano's craplicious fantasy football team. Should be great fun.

Now, on the Pride:

--Hey, did you hear the Crocker Field concert is this weekend? More importantly, the concerts are here to stay, with organizers already planning next year's shows. Good stuff.

--U.S. Rep. John Olver celebrates citizenship with some of our newest Americans.

--For the college set, FSC has purchased some fancy new virtual reality bicycles.

--The third part in our mayoral candidate oped series. It's a must-read, as the others have been.

Also, we expect to unveil online with this week's paper a new "Election 2007" section on the website. It will include an archive of stories about the mayor's race that has appeared in the Pride, along with links to candidate websites, FATV's treasure chest of fun election material, and other stuff. Enjoy.

One last thing: Without getting too specific on this, and if you don't get the context, that's OK, and if you do, way to go: Public documents like -- oh, let's say -- letters from the mayor to the city council -- fall under the freedom of information act, not the public meeting law. We're making this short and quick, but in any instance, a government agency can ask someone requesting a document to file a written request, and then that agency has 10 days to fulfill the request. More than often than not, a written request isn't necessary for simple information. Sometimes, to be a pain in the ass, or to make life difficult if it doesn't want to cough up the info, the agency will ask for a written request just to be jerks. It's all part of the game. But a verbal request does not demand any response from the agency. So, if you might have, you know, read something that makes it sound like a city agency was violating the open meeting law, it's the wrong law for starters, and nothing was done illegally. Just so you know.

Call the Young'uns, Here Comes Ayla Brown

Few SF readers might care too much, but "American Idol" contestant Ayla Brown is coming to town Sept. 9 for the first Crocker Field Summer Sunset Concert Series event. It just so happens to be sponsored by .... the Fitchburg Pride. Yahoo. Yipee. Bellevue Cadillac, who rip it up, is also on the card, along with a few special secret guests. For a bit more, hit the Fitchburg Pride website, and of course, read Friday's paper.

This is a cool thing for Crocker Field and the city -- proceeds go to the field restoration fund. We're also pretty pumped at the Pride to be a significant sponsor of the event. So, tell your 12-year-old nieces and granddaughters to catch this Friday's Pride, chock full of Ayla Brown.