There is no end to the enjoyment of the top tier snarkery in this article. Frankly, this deserves an award (and I mean that with all sincerity). Bravo sir.
What John Edward Keough said. A superb bit of writing that lays bare the true motivations of Holden's actions in defiance of state law. Elitist, racist, disingenuous, and, ultimately, illuminated by your writing, transparent! Well done Bill!
Excellent reporting, Shaner. Regarding the $35M judgement, you capture the City Manager's typical response to everything in the 100.7 interview. "What we're trying to do......". But what are
you doing? I've yet to understand who's responsible for this colossal fuckup. Because the colossal fuckup continues to this moment. And the next. I'm not "trying to ask". I'm asking.
I think the merch all looks awesome (love the cat), but I have barely any connection to Worcester* so I'd be self-conscious wearing WORCESTER SUCKS and afraid a local would see me and have pointed questions 😅
*to explain, started following you because of Eureka street, subscribed for lots of reasons – perspective on Worcester's municipal "functions" giving me insight on the ones where I live and work, jealousy/vicariously living like I had a shit-stirrer like you aimed at where I live and work, desire to be less embarrassingly ignorant about such a big city in my state, pining for the alt-weeklies I knew in pdx, horrorscopes, etc.
On the shortage of Worcester active police, the policescorecard.org data shows up to 2022. Since then we’re down from 468 to 400 active officers while our population is up from 185,000 to 213,000. So the shortage is real, and with 50-60 officers eligible to retire this November the understaffing is headed to get worse.
Here’s what I wrote to our legislators:
Dear Members of the Joint Committee on Public Service and Members of the Worcester Delegation:
I am a Worcester resident writing to support H.3929, Worcester’s home rule petition to raise the maximum age for original appointment as a police officer through age 39.
Worcester should have the flexibility to widen its recruitment pool and respond to local conditions and urgent hiring needs.
Currently we have 400 active officers, which at our population of 213,000 gives us a ratio of just 18.7 police per 10,000 residents, well below the state-wide average of 24.2. With another 50-60 eligible to retire in November, our police staffing is at crisis levels.
Because the lead time from recruitment to full deployment can be measured in years, not months, this petition needs to move with urgency. Now, really. Worcester cannot afford to lose another hiring cycle while waiting for a local option that would simply widen the pool of qualified candidates.
Worcester’s petition was referred to the Joint Committee on Public Service in March, 2025.
I respectfully urge your support for and immediate action on this petition.
There is no end to the enjoyment of the top tier snarkery in this article. Frankly, this deserves an award (and I mean that with all sincerity). Bravo sir.
Thank you SIR
What John Edward Keough said. A superb bit of writing that lays bare the true motivations of Holden's actions in defiance of state law. Elitist, racist, disingenuous, and, ultimately, illuminated by your writing, transparent! Well done Bill!
Thanks Craig!
I caught the Morrowind reference so fast.
Oh my god thank you I made peace with the assumption no one was gonna get it hahah morag tong easily the sickest faction in the game
Excellent reporting, Shaner. Regarding the $35M judgement, you capture the City Manager's typical response to everything in the 100.7 interview. "What we're trying to do......". But what are
you doing? I've yet to understand who's responsible for this colossal fuckup. Because the colossal fuckup continues to this moment. And the next. I'm not "trying to ask". I'm asking.
Good piece! 👏
I think the merch all looks awesome (love the cat), but I have barely any connection to Worcester* so I'd be self-conscious wearing WORCESTER SUCKS and afraid a local would see me and have pointed questions 😅
*to explain, started following you because of Eureka street, subscribed for lots of reasons – perspective on Worcester's municipal "functions" giving me insight on the ones where I live and work, jealousy/vicariously living like I had a shit-stirrer like you aimed at where I live and work, desire to be less embarrassingly ignorant about such a big city in my state, pining for the alt-weeklies I knew in pdx, horrorscopes, etc.
Appreciate the Holden commentary!
On the shortage of Worcester active police, the policescorecard.org data shows up to 2022. Since then we’re down from 468 to 400 active officers while our population is up from 185,000 to 213,000. So the shortage is real, and with 50-60 officers eligible to retire this November the understaffing is headed to get worse.
Here’s what I wrote to our legislators:
Dear Members of the Joint Committee on Public Service and Members of the Worcester Delegation:
I am a Worcester resident writing to support H.3929, Worcester’s home rule petition to raise the maximum age for original appointment as a police officer through age 39.
Worcester should have the flexibility to widen its recruitment pool and respond to local conditions and urgent hiring needs.
Currently we have 400 active officers, which at our population of 213,000 gives us a ratio of just 18.7 police per 10,000 residents, well below the state-wide average of 24.2. With another 50-60 eligible to retire in November, our police staffing is at crisis levels.
Because the lead time from recruitment to full deployment can be measured in years, not months, this petition needs to move with urgency. Now, really. Worcester cannot afford to lose another hiring cycle while waiting for a local option that would simply widen the pool of qualified candidates.
Worcester’s petition was referred to the Joint Committee on Public Service in March, 2025.
I respectfully urge your support for and immediate action on this petition.
Thank you for all you're doing.
-- Name and address
Send to: Robyn.Kennedy@masenate.gov, James.O'Day@mahouse.gov, Michael.Moore@masenate.gov, Michael.Brady@masenate.gov, Dan.Ryan@mahouse.gov, carole.meehanoyama@masenate.gov