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	<title>Somerville Voices &#187; Investigative Reports</title>
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	<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org</link>
	<description>An independent, open forum for reports and opinions about life in our city.</description>
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		<title>Curtatone Administration Not as Transparent and Open as Promised</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/28/government-reform/curtatone-administration-not-as-transparent-and-open-as-promised/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/28/government-reform/curtatone-administration-not-as-transparent-and-open-as-promised/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:26:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>@BarryRafkind</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[311 Requests]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investigative Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Records / FOIA Requests]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=9814</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the following examples indicate, the Curtatone administration routinely ignores, delays, or over-charges for data sought under the state&#8217;s public records law, in contrast to what the Mayor calls an &#8220;open, transparent and efficient government&#8221;.
Here are just two examples of the many instances in which Mayor Curtatone professes to deliver on that promise:
On his list [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/28/government-reform/curtatone-administration-not-as-transparent-and-open-as-promised/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Follow-up to Parking Ticket Trends Story</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/27/investigative-reports/follow-up-to-parking-ticket-trends-story/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/27/investigative-reports/follow-up-to-parking-ticket-trends-story/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2011 03:20:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>@BarryRafkind</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Investigative Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Traffic & Parking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=9817</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Inspired by SJ reporter Andy Metzger&#8217;s skeptical review of my investigative article Trends in Parking Ticket Appeals: Uncovered , I followed up about two months ago with the as-yet-unresolved email below to Traffic &#38; Parking Director Matt Dias.
If and when I get an answer, I&#8217;ll post it here on SV.
-Barry
&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;- Forwarded message &#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-
From: Barry Rafkind
Date: [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/27/investigative-reports/follow-up-to-parking-ticket-trends-story/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>ISD Report Conspicuously Fails to Mention that Dept Head was Unqualified for Job</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/01/27/government-reform/isd-report-conspicuously-fails-to-mention-that-dept-head-was-unqualified-for-job/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/01/27/government-reform/isd-report-conspicuously-fails-to-mention-that-dept-head-was-unqualified-for-job/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jan 2011 04:58:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>@BarryRafkind</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investigative Reports]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=8574</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The recently released departmental review of the City&#8217;s Inspectional Services Division lists many problems and suggested solutions, but strangely neglects to mention that the department head, George Landers, was unqualified to hold that position.
According to Andy Metzger&#8217;s Dec 9th article in the SJ [Report knocks Somerville inspectors], Mayor Curtatone created the department soon after taking [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/01/27/government-reform/isd-report-conspicuously-fails-to-mention-that-dept-head-was-unqualified-for-job/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Towing Company Profiting from Public Land Use?</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/01/21/consumer-money-saving/towing-company-profiting-from-public-land-use/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/01/21/consumer-money-saving/towing-company-profiting-from-public-land-use/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2011 23:19:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>leilani</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[311 Requests]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beat Reporter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Consumer Money Saving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment and Open Space]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investigative Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Teele Square]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Traffic & Parking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ward 7]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parking towing pat's snow emergency extortion profiteering]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=8521</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Happy snow emergency!  Do you know where your towing dollars go?  ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/01/21/consumer-money-saving/towing-company-profiting-from-public-land-use/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>40</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Help Uncover Trends in Parking Ticket Appeals</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/01/01/government-reform/help-uncover-trends-in-parking-ticket-appeals/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/01/01/government-reform/help-uncover-trends-in-parking-ticket-appeals/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Jan 2011 00:41:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>@BarryRafkind</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investigative Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Records / FOIA Requests]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Traffic & Parking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=8300</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When Watertown, MA resident Mark Pickering received a parking citation during a visit to a friend in nearby Somerville, he figured a simple letter to the Office of the Parking Clerk would result in a scheduled hearing or a ticket dismissal. Instead, he received an anonymous note of rejection with an extra $5 fine.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/01/01/government-reform/help-uncover-trends-in-parking-ticket-appeals/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Help discover the relationship between ICE and Somerville police</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/11/21/immigration/help-discover-the-relationship-between-ice-and-somerville-police/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/11/21/immigration/help-discover-the-relationship-between-ice-and-somerville-police/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Nov 2010 17:50:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>@BarryRafkind</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Immigration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investigative Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Health & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Records / FOIA Requests]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=7794</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mayor Curtatone says the SPD won't "assume the role of federal authorities in terms of immigration enforcement", but this would mark a departure from how local police have been operating.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/11/21/immigration/help-discover-the-relationship-between-ice-and-somerville-police/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>4/23/10 MA Open Meeting Law Changes- Public Comments Due</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/04/19/politics/ma-open-meeting-law-changes-public-comments-due-42310/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/04/19/politics/ma-open-meeting-law-changes-public-comments-due-42310/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:16:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>eila</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beat Reporter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civic Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil and Human Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investigative Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press Release]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Special]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=5394</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The AGO, through its Division of Open Government is requesting public comment on proposed alternatives to the notice posting requirement in the Open Meeting Law.  Comment should be submitted by April 23, 2010.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/04/19/politics/ma-open-meeting-law-changes-public-comments-due-42310/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>FW Russell Trash Contract Reveals Options for Aldermen</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/04/07/workers-rights/fw-russell-trash-contract-reveals-options-for-aldermen/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/04/07/workers-rights/fw-russell-trash-contract-reveals-options-for-aldermen/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:27:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>@BarryRafkind</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Investigative Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Records / FOIA Requests]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Workers' Rights]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=5199</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Through a public records request, I recently obtained scanned copies of the City&#8217;s trash contracts with the FW Russell company. The fine print challenges the claim made at the March 2nd BOA Legislative Matters Committee meeting by former City Solicitor, John Gannon, that only the Mayor has the power to break a contract.
(Just to be [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/04/07/workers-rights/fw-russell-trash-contract-reveals-options-for-aldermen/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Progress on the Parking Tickets Story</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/02/25/city-finances/progress-on-the-parking-tickets-story/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/02/25/city-finances/progress-on-the-parking-tickets-story/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:17:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>@BarryRafkind</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Finances]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investigative Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Traffic & Parking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=4775</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New England Center for Investigative Reporting at Boston University has taken an interest in our (Somerville Voices) proposed investigation of parking fines and has offered to analyze the ticket data for the amount of $500.
With this analysis, we&#8217;ll know how much revenue the city is getting from the 48-hour limit on parking in one [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2010/02/25/city-finances/progress-on-the-parking-tickets-story/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Despite unresolved allegations against FW Russell, City renews waste disposal contract</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2009/11/27/workers-rights/despite-unresolved-allegations-against-fw-russell-city-renews-waste-disposal-contract/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2009/11/27/workers-rights/despite-unresolved-allegations-against-fw-russell-city-renews-waste-disposal-contract/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:15:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>@BarryRafkind</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Investigative Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Workers' Rights]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=3813</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week, the Board of Aldermen extended the City&#8217;s contract with FW Russell for another year plus 5 more under a new contract despite concerns stemming from a 2-year-old investigation by AG Coakley&#8217;s office into the waste disposal company&#8217;s labor practices. The company was selected for offering the lowest price among 4 bids procured by [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2009/11/27/workers-rights/despite-unresolved-allegations-against-fw-russell-city-renews-waste-disposal-contract/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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