Is that really news? For Wusta yes, considering mayor Joe Petty rarely shows his face in public except to pick up his check.
Why Chandler St.? Well, lots of minorities there, they’re always good for a headline, shows Worcester as a diverse community. Statistically yes, in reality it ain’t.
One thing became apparent reading the column, something was missing. The T&G didn’t mention a salient point: No mention of Mr. Chandler St. himself. No picture, no nothing. Nothing about Paulie “I built this city on R&B” Collyer. Local yokel, emphasis on yokel and Worcester’s self-proclaimed economic engine. Um… looks like Nick K’s in for a good stalking and harassing phone calls.
Another relevant point to Petty’s romp. A week ago the T&G profiled a couple of local foreign-born “entrepreneurs” who interestingly decided to start their own ethnic based business associations. Question: Why not join one of the dozen established associations? Answer: they’re currently not accepting applications. Or so they say. Smell anything?
Makes one wonder, is there a good ole boys club in Worcester? A bunch of old white guys, and old white women (Beth Proko of Worcester Citizens for Business comes to mind) who alone want to hoard the business opportunities and divvy-up the spoils. And argue about who gets into their club. And who don’t.
Worcester, the most diverse city on the planet can’t get a bunch of foreigners to sign on to its diversity program. Sumptin's wrong. Really wrong.
Since former Lt. Gov. Tim Murray’s back in town as the new head of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce he's been busy trying to boost membership in the WCC, targeting foreign and LBGT biz-folks. But they ain’t buying it. They know the WCC has done nothing for its members except pay fat salaries to a bunch of lazy bureaucrats. Tim is pulling in $250k. His predecessor, $150k.
So why are biz-folks down on the WCC? Well, ask Bill Randell, president of Advantage Benefits and Slumlord LLC and member of the infamous Chandler Business Association - he’s not a member of the chamber of commerce. So Bill, what's the issue? Bill: Costs money. Good answer. the reality is, the WCC doesn't want his sort - slumlords - in their club. Those folks laugh at him behind his back.
For those of you don't know Bill Randell, he's one of Worcester's whiny biz-folk who cries about everything.
To be continued...
