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Articles by Bob Murphy
Murphy: Won't eliminate problem
I read with interest the recent Times Argus article relative to the safety issues at the intersection of Miller Road and Route 63. I have lived less than a mile from that intersection, so I am well aware of the dangers of that intersection and will often pursue other routes during high traffic periods.
Murphy: Call to boycott Amazon
I am calling on all Vermonters to boycott Amazon. My principal reasons are twofold. Jeff Bezos, owner/CEO of Amazon, has built a corporate business empire that is impressive, I agree. He has managed to amass a fortune by getting folks all over this country to conclude there is no better place to find almost anything imaginable. However rich it has made him, though, it has had the effect of hollowing out local businesses all over the country, including here in Barre.
AG approves phasing out gas blowers
With the last weeks of August upon the Vineyard, the constant drone of leaf blowers during fall clean ups may not be as loud this year. After contentious town meetings across the Island last spring surrounding a proposed phase-out of gas-blowers, the state Attorney General has recently signed off on bylaw changes for Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and West Tisbury.
Money earmarked for bike path repairs, Steamship improvements
State Sen. Julian Cyr announced on Friday morning that nearly $3 million in funding has been earmarked for the Steamship Authority and Martha’s Vineyard Commission. If added to the final Fair Share supplemental budget, funding would go locally to bike path repairs in the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest and dock work for the Steamship. The funding stems from the $1.33 billion Fair Share supplemental budget passed by the state senate on Friday.
Leaf blower ban passes three town meetings
Voters in Oak Bluffs, Edgartown and West Tisbury all passed a phased-in ban of gas-powered leaf blowers at their respective town meetings on Tuesday night, starting what could eventually become an Island-wide ban. The deciding vote was closest in Oak Bluffs, where the tally came out 98 in favor and 79 against. West Tisbury was overwhelmingly supportive of the measure so much so that no hand vote was required. Edgartown voted 197 in favor and 42 against.
Hundreds say ‘Hands Off!’ at Vineyard rally - The Martha's Vineyard Times
Hundreds of Islanders packed Five Corners on Saturday afternoon to protest the Trump administration, a gathering that was part of nationwide Hands Off! protests. The rallies are fueled by backlash against Trump’s policies and funding cuts and against centibillionaire Elon Musk’s role in the federal government.
Premier Jacinta Allan: We need to bring peace to our streets
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she was 'absolutely horrified' to hear of an antisemetic attack on a childcare in Sydney. On yesterdays' National Cabinet meeting about tackling antisemetic attacks, the Premier said they would 'work closer with policing agencies' to track incidents and people involved. She also told Sharnelle and Bob that Melbourne's weekly pro-Palestine protests should end now that a ceasefire has been reached.
Shoey's to celebrate: Joe McGuire punts in US football championships - ABC listen
With 30 million viewers watching, Melbourne punter Joe McGuire was called up to save the day in the US college football national championships. The Ohio State player and son of Eddie McGuire told Sharnelle and Bob that the role of a punter is nerve racking. "I got some of the Americans doing some shoey's [to celebrate], it was terrible!"
Alan Green's 'enormous' influence on Torquay's surf culture
Quicksilver founder and Torquay local Alan Green has died aged 77. Green was known for designing boardshorts, putting Victoria's surfing town on the map. Friend and former editor of Tracks surfing magazine Gary Dunne said it's 'difficult to quantify his influence' in Torquay. "I came down to Bells for the competition — and asked him if he was up for an interview.
Dock Dance causes problems for Chappy Ferry owner
The president and co-owner of the Chappy Ferry, Peter Wells, is pushing for better enforcement from Edgartown and asking for the installation of temporary public bathrooms near Memorial Wharf after reporting some debauchery on Tuesday nights. The town wharf welcomes a crowd of night-revelers every Tuesday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm for Dock Dance, mini live music concerts overlooking Edgartown Harbor.
Edgartown’s bond rating reaffirmed by S&P
The town of Edgartown has maintained its AAA bond rating, the highest possible score through Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings system. The high bond rating indicates that the town of Edgartown’s capacity to meet its financial commitments is strong. “This rating reflects the diligent work and strategic planning of our financial team.
Short-term rental ruling won’t be appealed
In a case that could have implications for the short-term rental market on the Vineyard, Nantucket will likely have to revise its zoning rules to accommodate short-term rentals after a recent decision by local officials. The Nantucket select board announced that the town will not be appealing a March land court decision that has created uncertainty over one of the Island’s largest economic engines.
No surprises: Biden sweeps Vineyard primary
Islanders cast their ballots on Tuesday for the presidential election and Democratic incumbent President Joe Biden received by and far the most votes. Super Tuesday saw voters in 15 states cast their ballots for their preferred presidential candidate for the upcoming election in November, including Massachusetts. Biden received 74 votes in Aquinnah, 238 votes in Chilmark, 504 votes in Edgartown, 565 votes in Oak Bluffs, 538 votes in Tisbury, and 427 votes in West Tisbury.
Bill aims to expose ‘dark money’ at town meetings
Two local state representatives filed a bill to counter the influence of what they are calling “dark money” in town meetings. State Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro) and State Rep. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth) announced in a press release they filed legislation to “establish transparency and accountability” for any money spent to influence voters at town meetings.
Another Derby in the books
The 78th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish came to a close this weekend, rounding out with its traditional awards ceremony. Anglers of all ages gathered at the Farm Neck Golf Course in Oak Bluffs Sunday afternoon in celebration of another successful competition. This year’s derby had over 3,000 participants who weighed-in roughly 2,000 fish amounting to around 18,000 pounds; 171 triple crowns were registered, around half of which were by shore anglers.
Edgartown issued highest possible credit rating - The Martha's Vineyard Times
Following a credit analysis and review, Edgartown has been assigned the highest possible rating — AAA — by financial company Standard & Poor’s (S&P), according to a release issued Tuesday by town administrator James Hagerty.
A historic victory brings drug price relief to Colorado seniors
By BOB MURPHY Here in Colorado and across the country, millions of seniors will get relief from a new law that will help reduce out-of-control drug prices. For the first time in decades, Big Pharma’s relentless grip on their wallets, medicine cabinets and peace of mind will begin to be pried loose.
Inflation Reduction Act brings seniors Rx savings
When Congress added a prescription drug benefit to Medicare nearly two decades ago, the bill explicitly prohibited the program from negotiating with pharmaceutical companies for the prices of the life-sustaining drugs that millions of enrollees take every day.
Murphy: Take guns away
In the “Great Gun Debate” going on in this country as a result of multiple recent mass shootings (a debate, by the way, where the subject of guns is seldom broached), it has been said by many opponents to gun restrictions that they are not interested in “punishing” law-abiding gun owners for the irresponsible actions of a few, and assert that the real problem is mental health issues. They also point out that, after the terrorist attack on Sept.
Murphy: State gun control
Since the recent mass shooting events, I hear a lot of suggestions to improve public safety, almost all of them reactive. Why on earth can’t we get proactive and take measures that make it unnecessary to turn our schools, hospitals, grocery stores and more into fortresses? OK, so the federal government is being held hostage by folks with warped ideas of what the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution really means.
Op-ed: Social assistance in Ontario is broken and cruel
After decades of cuts, doubling social assistance would end legislated poverty Deep cuts to social assistance were one of the signature acts of Mike Harris’s 1990s Conservative government. In his 1996 budget, he cut support for the poorest Ontarians by 22 per cent. Many were outraged. But quietly over the past 26 years, things have grown worse. Today, people on social assistance are barely surviving in Ontario – especially as rent skyrockets.
Bob Murphy and Fred Schrumpf: Restorative discipline is working in Spokane Schools
By Bob Murphy and Fred Schrumpf In the past two weeks, three articles in The Spokesman-Review reported the Spokane Police Department challenged Spokane Public Schools over a perceived lack of reporting school assaults and threats and asked the FBI to investigate. Police departments can’t ignore such serious allegations, but why the need to call in the FBI before asking the district leadership team to meet? Some historical context is important.
Protestors want State House reopened
A State Police major tells protesters they are trespassing and asks them to leave the State House, after the small group occupied a portion of corridor inside the Ashburton Park entrance on Wednesday. — Sam Doran/SHNS Nearly two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Massachusetts State House remains closed to the public. On the same day that Gov.
Management of Alley’s General Store changing hands
Alley's General Store is being licensed to the Levandowskis to operate. - File photo An historic West Tisbury store — a frequent stop the Obama family’s presidential vacations on Island — is undergoing a change in management. In a press release issued Thursday, Vineyard Trust, which owns Alley’s General Store along with 19 other historic landmarks on the Island, announced a partnership with the owners of LeRoux — Michael and April Levandowski.
GUEST COLUMN: Congress must act to protect Americans in long-term care facilities
COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire through the nation’s nursing homes. Already, more than 56,000 residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities — including 708 in Colorado — have died from COVID-19. They account for more than 44% of U.S. coronavirus deaths, even though less than 1% of Americans live in nursing homes. This is a national disgrace. While Gov.
Town Hall with MRP Realty Founding Principal Bob Murphy
Reopening — or, the prospect of reopening — is just around the corner in Washington D.C. As parts of Maryland and Virginia have eased into opening select businesses, all eyes are on D.C.'s Reopening Committees to seek guidance as to how, and when, the city can ease into a new normal after June 8.
Bob Murphy: AARP Colorado disappointed in CDPHE guidance
By Bob Murphy | Guest Columnist As an organization representing nearly 700,000 Coloradans age 50-plus, AARP Colorado was disappointed by the age discrimination embedded within the April 5 Crisis Care Guidelines released by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
FHFA Updated Policies on Covid-19
Irimar Waters March 23, 2020 The pandemic that we face today will impact every aspect of our lives for the foreseeable future. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has directed new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Policies for appraisers to follow regarding Covid-19 (coronavirus). In light of the economic and social impact, these policies have been put in place temporarily to ease the strain of the Housing and mortgage industry.
OPINION | Tourism has power to unlock growth
By Bob Murphy / Executive Director, Economic Forum Of Albuquerque Monday, January 6th, 2020 at 12:02am .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... When businesses make decisions about where to start, relocate or expand, quality of life of destinations top the list.
New Mexico Tourism is a powerful key to unlocking robust economic growth
OPINION Bob Murphy, Executive Director, Economic Forum of Albuquerque Published 11:28 a.m. MT Dec. 31, 2019 When businesses make decisions about where to start, relocate or expand, quality of life of destinations top the list. For New Mexico to continue to be competitive, we must promote our many attributes and be a welcoming place for businesses and their employees. Most business owners or leaders seeking a new venue will have their first contact as a visitor.
New Mexico Tourism is a powerful key to unlocking robust economic growth
OPINION Bob Murphy, Executive Director, Economic Forum of Albuquerque Published 11:28 a.m. MT Dec. 31, 2019 When businesses make decisions about where to start, relocate or expand, quality of life of destinations top the list. For New Mexico to continue to be competitive, we must promote our many attributes and be a welcoming place for businesses and their employees. Most business owners or leaders seeking a new venue will have their first contact as a visitor.
New Mexico Tourism is a powerful key to unlocking robust economic growth
OPINION Bob Murphy, Executive Director, Economic Forum of Albuquerque Published 11:28 a.m. MT Dec. 31, 2019 When businesses make decisions about where to start, relocate or expand, quality of life of destinations top the list. For New Mexico to continue to be competitive, we must promote our many attributes and be a welcoming place for businesses and their employees. Most business owners or leaders seeking a new venue will have their first contact as a visitor.
Guest Commentary: The U.S. House, DeGette and Perlmutter, are fighting Big Pharma’s prices
The price of a new invention usually falls as more people adopt it, but prescription drug prices somehow defy gravity. Coloradans, like all Americans, pay among the highest drug prices in the world, and prices keep climbing. We can’t change the laws of physics, but we can and must change federal law to bring needed relief. For prescription drugs on the market, you might expect any price increase to be around the rate of inflation.
Recent Zoo Accidents Highlight the Importance of Risk Management for Animal Parks
In a robust and frank conversation, the insurance legend provides unique insights into global trade, his past battles and what the future holds for the industry and his company. In 1960, Maurice “Hank” Greenberg was hired as a vice president of C.V. Starr & Co. At age 35, he had already accomplished a great deal. He served his country as part of the Allied Forces that stormed the beaches at Normandy and liberated the Nazi death camps. He fought again during the Korean War, earning a Bronze Star.
Letter: Does president love America as much as himself?
He berates and insults our neighbors and friends in the world and lauds and brags on the world's dictators and repressive regimes. He hires and fires staff on a whim when his ego is ruffled. His only thought is of himself and how every happenstance affects him. He is morally corrupt, an egomaniac, and a bad person. I'm glad he is talking to North Korea and I hope a verifiable peace comes from it, but I would also like peace with our allies.
Letter: Thanks to one person, our country is still feared but no longer respected
Bob Murphy I was watching CBS's morning program where they were discussing Trump's use of family in key positions, some of which require high security vetting. The commentators were saying how this put tension in the mix with the other staffers, and how he has always run his businesses this way.The problem is that this is not his business, it's ours.He has proven too often that he is lousy at hiring employees.
Moment to savour for mad Saints fan
“For Jules Callahan to make a hundred and walk halfway down the pitch and give Nick Riewoldt a hug after his maiden century was unbelievable.” Birregurra cricketer Julian Callahan brought up his first triple-figure milestone in fairytale fashion on Saturday. The St Kilda-mad football supporter embraced with none other than former Saints skipper and legend of the AFL club Nick Riewoldt, who was his batting partner, during Saturday’s Division Two contest against Warrion.
Letter: Are we doing God's work?
Bob Murphy I write primarily to those of us who claim Jesus Christ as our personal savior. I was reminded on a recent morning by a delayed telecast of a sermon delivered by my pastor of the true job of Christians in this and all ages. That job is to be used by the Holy Spirit to build the church of Jesus Christ in truth and love. I wonder if we as a group are fulfilling that calling. Or are we each going our own way in telling the truth?Are we treating each other as we would be treated?
Letter: The morals of an alley cat
Bob Murphy The headlines have been ablaze lately with sex scandals perpetrated by men of renown — men who used their stature to put those women, and at least in one case a man, under them in tenuous positions of fear of job loss, retribution, etc. The morals of an alley cat come to mind.The case of Judge Roy Moore really vexes me. Without guessing whether or not he’s really guilty, what concerns me are the reasons that he is still supported so adamantly for one of Alabama's U.S. seats.
Letter: Madness in America
Bob Murphy I worry about America. I’m concerned that it has long been a lunatic asylum with the patients running the hospital.The head dingbat is the president followed by a Congress full of hypocrites and backbiters, a governor and state Legislature that need an arbitrator to order lunch, and local governments in debt up to their eyebrows.
Letter: 'Clown prince' of politics
Bob Murphy I once wrote that Donald Trump is the “clown prince” of politics. He has done nothing since to change my opinion and has instead done everything to enhance my belief.His tweets, his off-hand comments, his disregard for common decency all bespeak of a spoiled child who lashes out when he doesn’t get his way. He is a liar, he is self-centered, he is rude and obnoxious.
Letter: Stupid or just crazy?
Bob Murphy We sell booze at gas stations. Is pot next?Tobacco is still legal. We kill babies without a conscience. We keep electing Chicago to run our morally and financially bankrupt state. We elected Gomer Pile’s evil twin for president and he appoints friends and relatives like him to aid and abet. We keep electing an inept, me-first federal government. Etc., etc., etc.We keep doing the same ol', same ol' over and over again and expect a different outcome each time.
Letter: Trump in it for Trump
Bob Murphy Donald Trump has never served in the military, doesn’t pay taxes, has never served in any government position, has been investigated several times for questionable business practices and, as far as I can tell, has never performed any public service that didn’t involve his making money.Which of these attributes testifies to his love of America and its people? Or is it just his ability to say “make America great again”?Bob MurphyMossville
Letter: Trump no bigger a liar than the others
Donald Trump is a fraud. He lies and cheats and beats his chest like a 13-year-old, and still people not only believe him but trust him. The only thing he is more full of than himself is bull. I just don't understand. I first thought they were naïve, then ignorant or even stupid.
Letter: The scariest candidate of them all
I'm afraid! Can it really be that so many Americans are buying in to what Donald Trump is selling? Hatred and vitriol spew from his lips every time he speaks, he shouts about America's woes at the top of his voice but offers no plans or solutions, and he claims Christianity but shows no inclination to walk in Christ's path.
Letter: Trump, others lack the high moral character nation needs
Donald Trump, the "clown prince" of politics, is as phony as a three dollar bill. He lied, cheated and stole his way to enormous wealth and he is attempting to win the presidency the same way. He has the political morals of an alley cat and if elected, he will have no real support in Congress.
Letter: On immigration, 'be as gentle as a lamb, sly as a fox'
Legal immigration is the lifeblood of America but we have the stupid idea that that means we should allow anyone and everyone unfettered access to our teeming shores. Sure, I'm concerned about terrorist infiltration but more concerned about how to assimilate people who don't have a need to help America.
Rebuilding the WTC: The Greatest Tribute Possible
“To the glory of mankind, there was, for the first and only time in history, a country of money — and I have no higher, more reverent tribute to pay to America, for this means: a country of reason, justice, freedom, production, achievement.
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