For 10 years a hippie-era Caucasian woman reigned over the lives of Worcester’s District 4 minorities. Oblivious to their issues. The voters finally spoke. Right after Haller’s demise the T&G heaped praise on Sari Riveria, lauding the voter's choice - finally a minority representing the voters in District 4; a district whose demographics comprise 14,000 Hispanics, Blacks, and Asians.
So what was an old hippie era white woman doing representing them? Hey, stranger things have happened here in Wusta.
It would be interesting to see Haller's autobiography listing those achievements she thinks worthy of her political legacy. A look at her website reveals nothing about her 10 years in public office - as if she never existed. But that's not untypical for a Worcester city councilor’s political career.
In order to grasp the irrelevance of Barbara Haller's political career, recently she sought a volunteer position on the Worcester Public Library Board, to her surprise a majority of the city council voted against her appointment. Ouch!
So what exactly did Barbara Haller do to piss off the Worcester City Council? Considering pettiness is the order of the day at city hall, it was pure and simple payback for years of petty intrigues and manipulations. Politics can be a childish game in the hands of small minded persons who would use their elected office to abuse instead of serve the people.
The average constituent see’s a Worcester city councilor’s job as one of trust, to do the people's biding. That is until they encounter Barbara Haller, the former bar owner and customer service manager at NatGrid. Yes, that NatGrid, the bane of local utility customers. And municipalities.
She learned well. Among the constituents Councilor Barbara Haller said one thing, but did another. Always giving them the impression she was actively working their issues, when in fact she was working against them. The locals ain’t that stupid - pissed em off big time.
Admittedly it's a tough job being a city councilor (hey it's tough being a local too) and the trials and tribulations of the job overwhelm the less astute.
Nowadays Barbara Haller pawns herself off as a local pundit, on the pulse of the city, opining on all things Worcester. Fact is, she knows no more about local issues than the average yokel who reads the T&G. Or she just lies. Lots of that goin round.
To be continued...
Oh, welcome to Wusta!
