Hi! I was wondering if anybody out there in PulseLine Land can tell me how many times a person can be tried for the same offense. I just read in The Westfield News this Rintala thing is with a locked jury or something and Amanda Knox first guilty then innocent now guilty again. I thought there was double jeopardy. I though once you got found innocent or guilty that was it. Once the appeals were over that was it. Maybe somebody who knows more about this can help me out. Thanks a lot. Just a thought. Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Gagne addresses this question in the press conference following the declaration of a mistrial in the Rintala case. You can see what he says at about 5:51 minutes in the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ti5XIv3zT0#t=364
Hello I’m a property owner tax payer. I lived here in Westfield for over 40 years.and managed to pay the property tax. Now that I’m retired and on a fixed income I find it harder as the years pass by to keep up. and I see no end in sight to keep up with the never ending mind set of the Mayor and City Finance Committee as shown in Monday’s article Called, Funding requests review slated. Mr Mayor, I’m sorry if I take offense when I see that they need funds totaling $371.000 from the ( Free money account ) . Free Money Account. The use of this account is used with every project this city of Westfield kicks off, for years. I really think you people truly think its Free money . Its money extorted from the tax payers, That is what it is and you try to justify the Free Money Account. Buy starting a $7 Million dollar project and a 1.4 million project. wonderful Oh I understand you need to do it to get State and Fed Funding .I need to ask, after all is done, who’s paying, to heat ,staff, furnish,and maintain these buildings. Oh let guess must be all the property owner paying with hard earned Not so free Money both of these projects are really nothing but a slap in the face of the Tax paying people, Why don’t you call the, FREE MONEY ACCOUNT what it truly is EXTORTED MONEY ACCOUNT and Mr Mayor if this is the way of thinking. in the City Hall ( FREE MONEY) You need to step down NOTHING IS FREE Please Make it Stop Joe Homeowner
Hey, what’s going on with the PulseLine? I haven’t heard anyone bitching about the “monstrous clock”, “bums” under the bridge, all the criminals on Meadow Street, how they screwed up the downtown green, “good ol’ boy” politicians – where are all the whiners? Hibernating? Come on! Winter’s only got a couple months left. Let’s hear some complaining! Signed, A Complainer griping about the lack of whining this winter.
This is in response to the PulseLine of Feb. 3, and the resident of East Silver Street who was disappointed with the lack of apparent compassion and generosity of her neighbors in response to her request for charitable support to a cause obviously near and dear to her heart. You are to be commended for your own obvious altruism and lack of fear in what can often be a daunting task – asking others for money. Your own passion is obvious, even in spite of the lack of support you may have received, as it was clear from your posting your were determined and committed to the cause driven by your own compassion for, and belief and support of your friend. Such skills contribute to being a successful fundraiser. I hope you will accept a few thoughts, as someone who has been fundraising professionally for more than 20 years. Contrary to what you might have discovered in your own neighborhood, fundraising is best done on a local level. Your thoughts about asking those closest to the situation were indeed on target. That said, fundraising is both an art and a science. From an artistic point of view, one must have an ability to tell a story – paint a picture. Drawing on personal experience to build your case for support can often times be a powerful motivating factor. But it is not always the only motivating factor. Today, everyone seems to be asking for money so your cause competes with the multitude of requests many of us receive both at home and work; by phone, mail, and even electronic communication and social media. A few other important factors when it comes to philanthropy. Different people give for different reasons – so what motivates one person will not necessarily motivate someone else. Some folks give because it is expected, some because a friend/coworker/neighbor asks, some because of altruism, some because there is a perk or benefit involved, others because they feel pressure, still others because their friends are doing so. The number one reason people give, however, is because they are asked. That said, it doesn’t mean they’re always going to give.When it comes to the science of fundraising: There is a fairly easy formula one can apply. A+B+C = D. Or, (A)wareness + (B)elief + (C)apacity = Donor. Just because your neighbors may have been aware of the situation (vis-a-vis your knocking on their door) does not necessarily mean they shared your belief, or possessed your capacity. Philanthropy is a very personal thing oddly enough and there are many factors driving a potential donor’s decision to contribute. Back to art: As I mentioned previously the number one reason people give is because they are asked. Equally as important in the art of fundraising are the WHO & WHEN. WHO is asking, and WHEN are they (the donor) being asked. A good fundraiser knows NO doesn’t always mean NO. For instance, someone who says, “No, I can’t possibly make a donation of $10 right now,” would signal to me that I might be able to ask them next week, next month, or at another time. Or, “No, I can’t possibly contribute $100,” would lead to a follow up of, “Is there an amount that is more personally meaningful to you right now?”Please don’t give up on your neighbors. There is a plenty of compassion going around in the world and there are people who will listen to your story, and who will support your cause. Fundraising is never about asking people for money, but rather about building a relationship with people, and knowing sometimes you have to ask them again, and again, and again. The philosopher Lao Tzu once wrote, “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” You appear to possess all three. May you be blessed for all you do.
