On the Rock's Politica

As promised our in-depth look at why the MA conflict of interest law is important to you.  Why you should take an interest in conflict of interest.

Massachusetts Conflict of Interest Training and Summaries:

https://www.mass.gov/complete-conflict-of-interest-law-training-and-summaries

Separation of Powers in a democratic system is key.  The concept shares a parallel in organizaitonal design: checks and balances create an equitable system better governed through the rule of law. In Episode #7 we focus on the bi-cameral municipal system of our fair city, the smallest in Massachusetts and the risks currently presented to our municipal balance by the selection of a new city clerk. 

What our City Charter Looks like: https://www.smgravesassociates.com/?p=1328&preview=true

Information of Proposition 2 1/2:https://www.mass.gov/service-details/proposition-2-12-and-tax-rate-process

Separation of Powers in a democratic system is key.  The concept shares a parallel in organizaitonal design: checks and balances create an equitable system better governed through the rule of law. In Episode #7 we focus on the bi-cameral municipal system of our fair city, the smallest in Massachusetts and the risks currently presented to our municipal balance by the selection of a new city clerk. 

What our City Charter Looks like: https://www.smgravesassociates.com/?p=1328&preview=true

Information of Proposition 2 1/2:https://www.mass.gov/service-details/proposition-2-12-and-tax-rate-process

Episode #6 is a split bill.  We introduce the premise of Massachusetts conflict of interest laws, preparing for a more in-depth local look in an upcoming episode.  For the econd half of our podcast we welcomed our first guest to speak about   regional issues in our pandemic world for public education.

Episode #5 explores what we've become, where we are, and how we stop missing out on all the cool stuff from an economic development and planning standpoint. 

Engage: next city council meeting:

https://www.gardner-ma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=14,22,26

Mentioned in podcast: National Center for Economic Gardening:

https://www.nationalcentereg.org

Chris Gibbons' Free PDF on Economic Gardening:

https://economicgardening.org/economic-gardening-book/

Well, it's over with..... or is it? In Episode #4 'Things Ain't What They Used to Be?' we explore the results of election 2020 and offer some historical and editorial reference where we can in Scotts on the Rocks fashion.  

With the 2020 Election looming on November 3, we focus Episode #3 on the State Senate election, on funding schemes you all should know, and just why the hell did the U.S. Supreme Court vote for voter suppression on Monday for?

This week we focus on the near flood of ‘rats escaping the sinking ship’ that is mainstream republicans (Sen. Sasse, NH party leader Horn, etc) finally calling Trump out on his ineptitude and the danger it poses to the country. Speaking of Rats, what's with the un-campiagn of State Rep incumbant Jon Zlotnik and the trickery of current Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson.  We also touch upon this week's State Senate debate. 

In our inaugural episode Scott J. Graves and Scott M. Graves tackle the phenomenon of the unenrolled (independent) voter from a local/state then national perspective. Think it's not important? nationally a full third of voters are unenrolled in a major political party, 62.3% of voters in Massachusetts are unenrolled. We explore how we got here from the 1950's to now, why this phenomenon is or may not be that important and we brush up on the details behind our most recent special mayoral election. We also offer a book recommendation, These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lapore, published by Norton. Also for our viewers https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleenr/enridx.htm Great article: https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/its-not-my-party-but-ill-vote-if-i-want-to/