You Can’t Have Everything

On June 1, 2019, just after 8 PM, the curtain rises on the first performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest” for the 142^nd season of the Footlight Club in Jamaica Plain, MA. Of the two actors initially seen on stage, I am one. That night, and for all subsequent performances, I played two characters. It was, also, my first review. My active trajectory to that night began in the summer of 2015.

It’s amazing how quickly a decade can vanish.

However, my journey began somewhat earlier. As long as I can remember, I’ve been a creative person.

I have been a movie buff for decades. I attended plays and operettas with my father’s parents and saw a performance of Man of La Mancha where the part of the priest in Don Quixote’s death scene was played by a man with a voice so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. My eyes have been opened to musical theater, with initial resistance on my part, by my now-wife. When I was a high school senior, I began to truly appreciate Shakespeare.

In more recent years, I’ve come to see that art is meant to reflect us back to us. It is the ultimate mirror.

Before all of that, I had been, as I now understand it, living in my head. As a primarily solitary boy, I created stories using the model railroad set given to me by my stepfather. My first ‘acting’ role was as the Grinch in the church youth group’s rather abridged production of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” I recall being anxious to perform, feeling ill, pacing the center aisle of the sanctuary, and getting so bad at one point, they had my mother come in and talk to me. As was, and still is, often the case, I was scared of failure and not being ‘perfect’. More often than not, it turned out fine. The congregation wasn’t expecting Olivier.

Some time later, as a Cub Scout, a few of us from my den were chosen to take part in a commercial for the local mass transit company, TriMet. It was my first time on camera…sort of. Of the three kids in the back of a car, I was placed in the middle. Y’all remember bench seats? I’ve never seen the finished product, if it even exists. This was way before I understood how things worked on a set. I recall at one point between takes that the boy to my left had gotten out of the car, leaving the door open. I slid over to check out what was going on, only to be told in what, at the time, seemed in a rather brusque way, that I needed to get back to where I was. I was, as experience has taught me, background.

At the time, there was a program that was, essentially, a cartoon show in Portland, OR, called Ramblin’ Rod. Rod had a cardigan sweater with buttons on it because of a tradition that still eludes me, of one of the kids giving him a button. There were so many buttons on that sweater that it started making noise when he walked. The other tradition was the ‘smile contest’, where the moving camera would pan left to right and back again, from the top of the bleachers to the bottom. On the day I was one of the kids, I didn’t win.

Do not pity me. As Steven Wright said: You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?

One thing I learned about myself is the social anxiety I still experience. Yes, I had friends, but I was, at heart, a loner. Adolescence was especially difficult. Aside from the usual, I learned there were ‘theater people’, a group that would take decades to understand. I’ve gotten coaching from someone who calls actors ‘professional human beings’. The duality of being me means that I’ve always had my emotions close to the surface, while simultaneously keeping them hidden, never feeling that I fit in; always feeling that I’m not ‘good enough’. That way of thinking has made it difficult for me to not only engage socially, but to network.

When I was in the cast of “Earnest,” our director encouraged us to get together after rehearsal to socialize. This was helpful to me because it created relationships that translated to the stage, so the relationships between characters were more honest and nuanced.

This brought me to the discovery that I feel most at home on stage. Acting has been a form of therapy for me, aside from traditional therapy.  The more discoveries I make about myself, the better an actor I become.

The two most important things I’ve recognized are that acting lessons are also life lessons, and always being present is the best way to live.

Editor’s Note – Kevin Brunton is an actor who lives in Malden, Massachusetts. He starred in the international award-winning short comedy Soup or Pie, which was filmed entirely in Worcester in 2023. He is at work on several projects at the time of publishing.

See the Neighborhood Meetings This Week in Worcester

WORCESTER – The Worcester Police Department is encouraging residents to attend their neighborhood watch meetings to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in their neighborhoods and to share any concerns or questions they may have. Representatives from the city also regularly attend these neighborhood meetings.

There are over 50 Neighborhood Watch Groups in Worcester. Meetings are held regularly — often once a month in various locations in the city.

Contact the Worcester Police Department’s Neighborhood Response Team at (508) 799-8664 for more information.

Here are the neighborhood meetings this week in Worcester.

Monday, June 30

• Green Hill Neighborhood Meeting, Saint Bernard’s Church, 236 Lincoln St. – 6:30 PM

 Wednesday, July 2

• Seabury Heights Apartments Neighborhood Meeting, Seabury Heights Apartments, 240 Belmont St. – 4 PM

Thursday, July 3

• Lincoln Village Neighborhood Meeting, Victoria Building, 116 Country Club Blvd. – 4 PM
• Webster Square Neighborhood Meeting, Our Lady of Angels, 1222 Main St. – 7 PM

Museum exhibits, markets, and other events going on in Worcester this summer

Summer is the season for good weather and good times. Lively Worcester offers plenty of activities for those looking for entertainment and culturally rich experiences. Here’s what’s on in Worcester, summer 2025.

Online activities – All summer

For those not willing or unable to make the trip to a fixed location, online activities offer flexible entertainment options available from anywhere. 

Options include on-demand TV and movies, live concerts, video games and more. There are tournaments and competitions to take part in, ranging from art and writing competitions to esports tournaments.

Social online casinos are a good option for those wanting to join a slots tournament without going all in, and Brits can choose between all sweepstakes casinos available in USA, allowing you to win real prizes without traditional gambling.

There are also more organised events to partake in online. Sites such as Eventbrite and Meetup offer online classes, workshops, seminars, and more.

Museum exhibits – All summer

Museums such as the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum will be offering multiple exciting exhibitions throughout the summer with low entry fees for both adults and children.

One exhibit for children open until the 4th of July is the Under the Sea Exhibit. This exhibit features underwater animals and plants, and also includes an activity space where children can actively partake and draw their own sea creatures. Entry is only £1, and it’s open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

An exhibit 80s and 90s kids will enjoy is the I Grew Up 90s exhibit, also at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and opening on the 5th of July. The entry fee is £2.50. Here, visitors will find everything nostalgic related to the 90s, from Furbies to the Spice Girls.

Art and craft market – Second Saturday of every month, all summer

On the 12th of July, the Worcester High Street Arts & Craft Market will attract hundreds of visitors to Worcester High Street. There will be a variety of hand-crafted art and beautiful items for sale. Here you’ll find unique soaps, teddy bears, pottery, jewellery, and more. Entry is free, and the market is perfect for families. This recurring market is a good option for those looking to find a gift for a loved one, or just having a good time and exploring local artists. 

The market is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Fine Food Market – First Saturday of every month, all summer

On Worcester High Street, the first Saturday of every month, everyone is free to explore the Fine Food Market with no admission fee. Here you’ll find not just fancy treats and sweets, but also beautiful jewellery and more. The market is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and is suitable for all ages.

The Worcester Festival – 9th to 25th August

The Worcester Festival, taking place from the 9th to 25th August, offers fun experiences suitable for the whole family. Although not a lot of information has yet been released about the upcoming event, it’s going to feature activities such as face painting, parades, and more.

Nothing To See Here, Move Along

On the city council agenda tonight, there was only one item, the evaluation of the City Manager. I arrived early to attend the Public Safety Meeting, and stayed in between. The meeting was sparsely attended on the public side yet full for the city administration side. The gallery had the communications team, and the department heads were in the bullpen next to the media section.

As the night went on, and councilor after councilor gave their feedback, a common theme emerged: the city’s bond rating. Now, before you roll your eyes, I want you to think about that for a minute. Do you even know what a bond rating is? In particular, do you understand what it means in terms of city governance? I am not asking to insult you, or to create a chance for me to explain it to you. I am asking because it is something far in the weeds of governance.

In the Esther Howland chamber, it was a common refrain. It made me really think about the dichotomy in Worcester. Even when people from the community give real, detailed and specific feedback to the administration, they are not concerned with that, as much as the bond rating. you, and your individual voice, does not matter as much as the fact that we have three ratings, from three independent agencies: Moody’s Investor Services has us as Aa3, Fitch Ratings has us as AA and Poor’s Global Ratings has us as AA-. All of these ratings are considered stable, making Worcester low risk for investors. When we sell municipal bonds, companies tend to snatch them up.

What do we do with that money? Well, we financed Polar Park with it. We also financed South High, Doherty High and the upcoming Burncoat High projects with bond issuance. I am simplifying this for the sake of space, but generally we borrowed money for capital expenditures against future potential tax revenues, and we have been good about paying those back in the past, so we have the city equivalent of a good credit score. This was mentioned over, and over, and over again.

Ok, so why is that important? It shows you exactly what the majority of the city councilors value, and trash pickup. Apparently we have a dirty city, and the councilors want the manager to fix that. Bonds and trash.

In the document the city manager submitted with his own self-assessment he opened with the following:

“As we reflect upon the last 12 months and the obstacles, challenges, and unpredictability brought on by national issues, I am pleased to report that the City of Worcester’s position and progress have held steady.”

Held steady. Our position. Our bond rating.

In the document, the city manager does not reflect on his actions in relation to national issues, but he does place blame on them. Interestingly enough, there are no negative sections in the full document. In my mind, I thought, isn’t that strange? During the meeting several city councilors said that the city manager took the hit and took responsibility for things like the press release when the DOJ report came out.

Interesting. I was at those meetings, and I did hear the city manager take responsibility. Yet, the city has spent almost every moment since then refuting the report exactly like Brian Kelly did on December 9th. The city manager took responsibility for the rollout of the press release, but he has never walked it back.

“I am pleased to report that the City of Worcester’s position and progress have held steady.”

Held steady. Our position. Our bond rating. What the administration values.

Many of the councilors mentioned the amount of complaints they receive about trash, potholes, and upcoming construction. Constituents call them, and that’s what is on their mind.

Across the street from my house is a parking lot where around  25 people sleep along a tree line, though the total changes daily. They have carts, backpacks, and items. They are not in an encampment, they just sleep on the ground.

When I first moved there in 2019, there were about 10 people. It has since grown to the group there now. The Quality of Life Team (who got a ton of praise at this meeting), has been there several times to talk with this group. They come, give services, and the groups moves away for a night or two before returning. There is no residential housing near this tree line, so no one seems to care that they sleep there. This group has lived in the city for years. They are Worcester residents. A few times I have spoken with them, checked in, and not one brought up trash, potholes or construction. Nor have they ever discussed bond ratings.

When you live in poverty, you do not think about government, unless forced to deal with it. In general, you go from place to place, and from event to event, just trying to survive. Often, your district councilor is not on your radar. These voices, if they are heard, are asking for food or shelter. From the heat, the rain, or the snow. They are not worried about bond ratings.

“I am pleased to report that the City of Worcester’s position and progress have held steady.”

As the bond ratings have held, the population of unhoused has grown. As the bond ratings have held, the cost of rent has increased to the most in the history of the city. As the bond ratings have held, the population has changed. It has grown, for sure, but that growth includes long-time residents leaving and being replaced by higher income people. Progress.

Increase the tax base. Attract higher income people. Attract large companies. Have a good bond rating.

The reason the city manager cannot see what people are saying about the rent, the inequalities, the structural issues, the lack of concern is because his government does not value those things like he values the bond rating.

In the document, he praises three local exciting things:

“Worcester’s popularity has also risen through its display of academic excellence, athletic performance, and artistic creativity on the international stage:

• • Worcester native Stephen Nedoroscik earned two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics and became a viral sensation as the “Pommel Horse Guy;”
  • UMass Chan Medical School Professor Victor Ambros won a 2024 Nobel Prize for his co-discovery of micro-RNA – the second professor there to claim that achievement
  • Grammy-nominated artist Clairo filmed a music video during a Beyond Wrestling match at the White Eagle – just one of the many exciting things filmed in the city over the last year.

With that momentum at our back, I am proud to present a summary of our FY25 accomplishments to be used in the City Council’s evaluation of the City Manager.”

In a year where he says our position and progress have held steady, he couldn’t find one person who actually lives in Worcester to point out? He takes credit for the bronze medals from the pommel horse guy? (who lives in Florida). The Nobel Guy? (who lives in New Hampshire and has another house in Worcester County). Clairo? Who saw the White Eagle wrestlers (now moved to Electric Haze) on Tiktok and wanted to shoot her video here?

Not one of these things has anything to do with the city manager. Why didn’t he talk about the things he talks about in the Buzz? What about the all-women’s shelter? Some of the high schoolers? What about the people who live here?

They, frankly, don’t come to mind. Increase the tax base. Attract higher income people. Attract large companies. Have a good bond rating.

Last year we saw the cable advisory committee resign after the city manager rejected their report (I was the chairman of that committee). The city continues to negotiate with Charter-Spectrum, who was found to have stolen millions from city seniors and disabled residents by not giving them the discount they agreed to in the contract.

Multiple meetings were filled with protests.

The city began denying citizen petitions on a regular basis.

The city administration now must approve any ordinance the city council votes in.

The DOJ report rocked the city to its core, and the city and police union officials have called all of the victims and the more than 100 officers who spoke to the DOJ liars.

Eureka Street.

Meanwhile, Madison Properties walked away from part of the Polar Park deal, and made another deal in the city with Holy Cross, with zero consequences.

Several of the bigger buildings, and at least one connected to former City Manager O’Brien were implicated in the RealPage price fixing scandal still winding through the courts.

The city has paid out millions this year already in legal fees and settlements for police misconduct issues.

“I am pleased to report that the City of Worcester’s position and progress have held steady.”

He isn’t wrong. He just lives in a different world than we do. I am sorry to report that we, the people of Worcester who are not rich, who are aware of the harm in our communities, are on our own.

Nothing to see here, move along.

The Responsible Gambling Organizations of Massachusetts

Massachusetts has always trodden a careful path when it comes to gambling. It has some of the best organizations in the country to prevent issues and help those with problem gambling behaviors. The text below can help you understand why they are vital.

It is believed around 60% of residents in Massachusetts gamble in some form. This can range from sports betting to lottery and casinos. Of these gamblers, just over 25% are estimated to have gambling problems or are showing early signs of developing them. Yet the industry brings in a large amount of tax revenue, all of which helps Worcester and the wider state. To keep this balance, there are several responsible gambling organizations in Massachusetts.

Understanding Responsible Gambling and Its Importance

In Massachusetts, there are plenty of ways in which you can gamble. These include casinos, sports betting, wagering on horse racing, and taking part in the lottery. For most residents in Worcester and beyond, this is a form of entertainment. It can add an extra level of excitement to a sporting event, and may even be followed by the added bonus of a win. For most people, this is harmless fun. But for others, the lure of possible financial gain, and the thrill associated with the risk, becomes too much. It is at these points responsible gambling organizations are essential.

Gambling issues can have an impact on the individual, their wider family unit and social circle, and the community of Worcester. Responsible gambling is defined as the practice of gambling in a way that reduces the negative effects. It involves promoting healthy usage of platforms and recognizing and managing risks.

These schemes have become even more important in the age of real money online casinos. People can now play slot and table games from their devices, adding a level of convenience to gambling pursuits. Luckily, the top casinos in the US are committed to responsible gambling. As well as large game selections and bonuses, they also have plenty of resources and advice about problem gambling, even helping to spot the signs before it becomes an issue.

Promoting Responsible Gambling in Worcester: Resources and Best Practices

The Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPGS) is usually the first stop for anyone wanting impartial advice and education on problem gambling. Run by the Department of Public Health, it can be visited in person, or you can find lots of advice on the website. This includes information on prevention, help for individuals who believe they may have problems, and resources for treatment providers.

Help comes in three different ways. There is a phone line for residents in the state. It will connect those with issues to treatment centers and trained specialists. It is also open 24 hours a day. This is backed up by a quarterly newsletter, ideal for those who work in the industry. Thirdly, they provide a ‘Let’s Get Real About Gambling’ toolkit packed with information and advice.

There is also a Gamblers Anonymous based in the state. This is a group of people who meet to support each other and discuss their issues, primarily people in various phases of recovery. They have a website where you can find a local meeting and it also contains a host of resources set up to aid individuals, friends, and families of those in recovery.

Tips for Safe and Informed Online Gaming

There are a wide range of ways you can stay safe when gambling. These can prevent you from even having to seek help and advice, nipping any problem behavior in the bud.

Firstly, gambling must always be viewed as a form of entertainment. You should never gamble when tired, stressed, anxious, or upset. If you do, it can become a way to block out your emotions and is a surefire way to fall into the trap of problem gambling. Likewise, you should never gamble when under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This can cloud your judgment.

The next step should be to set limits for yourself. Take a set amount of money to gamble with which should never change, only gambling with what you can afford to lose. If you come away with a win, then that is a bonus, but don’t expect it. The biggest mistake is to try and chase your losses, attempting to win back money that has gone. This very rarely succeeds. As well as financial limits, set yourself a timetable for how long you are going to play or gamble, be it a few hours in casinos or a set number of games when sports betting.

Finally, make sure you know how games work before playing. While this does not guarantee a win either, it can help manage your money and bankroll. For example, many casino slot games come with a return-to-player rating. This tells you the probability of getting money back, and how much will be returned to you if you play over a given period of time. Knowing which titles have a higher RTP can be a bonus as they are more generous to players.

Mass. Lawmakers Schedule June 23 Hearing on Online Casino Bills

The Massachusetts legislature will examine online casino legalization during a committee hearing scheduled for Monday, June 23, as lawmakers weigh whether to follow Connecticut and Rhode Island in allowing regulated internet gambling.

The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure will review House Bill 332 and Senate Bill 235, both seeking to create a regulatory framework for online casinos through new gaming legislation.

With Massachusetts residents already accessing online gambling platforms, including the growing number using Telegram messaging apps for convenient, instant casino gaming with fast withdrawals and seamless mobile play, supporters argue the state is missing out on significant tax revenue that could benefit local communities like Worcester.

The proposed bills would establish ten gaming licenses divided between existing casino operators and new market entrants. Massachusetts’ three current casinos, including MGM Springfield, would be eligible for dedicated licenses, while additional operators could compete for the remaining opportunities.

Licensing fees would total $5 million for five-year terms, with matching renewal costs. The state would collect 20 percent of gross gaming revenue, creating a new funding stream that could support Worcester and other communities through municipal aid programs. 

Current estimates suggest online casino revenue could generate between $50-100 million annually in state taxes, based on neighboring states’ performance data.

Worcester will gain out of any revenue-sharing agreements, since such gaming bills in the past have contained local community contribution and infrastructure investment measures. The bills require extensive responsible gaming measures, such as training requirements of employees and statewide exclusion programs.

Safety measures would include identity verification systems, cybersecurity protocols, and restrictions on marketing to minors. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission would maintain regulatory oversight and could negotiate agreements with other jurisdictions for interstate gaming cooperation. The commission already oversees mobile sports betting with a 20% tax rate, demonstrating the state’s experience regulating online gaming platforms and distributing revenue through established local aid programs.

The casinos and organized labor are against the legislation, fearing that it may affect physical casinos. The rapid growth observed in the industry has also been criticised by the leadership of the Gaming Commission who have spoken of consumer protection rather than expansion of the market.

Massachusetts has historically moved slowly on gambling issues. Retail casinos took nearly three years to approve, sports betting required four additional years, and online lottery faced repeated delays since 2016 before finally gaining approval last year with a 2026 launch target.

If approved, Massachusetts would be among the seven other states to be part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement that enables local people to play in online poker matches with individuals in other states. New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, West Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania are already in the agreement.

Given the state’s deliberate approach to gambling legislation, industry observers don’t expect online casinos to launch in 2025, even if the bills advance. The Monday hearing represents the first formal step in what could be a multi-year process.

The Queen’s Cups Closes on June 29 after 13 years in Business

WORCESTER – The Queen’s Cups, at 56 Water St., announced through its social media channels that after 13 years in business, it will close its doors on Sunday, June 29.

Renne King, the founder of the specialty bakery, describes a particularly difficult last three years for the business, that led to her taking on “crushing debt.” She said she kept pushing forward for her team, which she described as family.

King also cited family reasons as part of the decision, saying she, “realized my kids and my husband deserve more than what’s left of me at the end of the day. This wasn’t their dream—it was mine.” The full message can be found below.

The Queen’s Cups features a menu that changes daily with a mix of cupcakes, cakes, cookies, fluffer nutters, macaroons, cheesecakes and other baked goods. The bakery opens 10 AM to 6 PM through Friday, 9 AM to 7 PM on Saturday, and 10 AM to 5 PM on its final day of business, Sunday.

 

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Worcester City Council Declines “Important City Business” before Summer Break

When protestors descend on Worcester City Hall and interrupt a city council meeting, the majority wing of city council issues written statements or provides comments that frequently include part of, if not all of, a three-part formula:

1. Declare the protest an interruption of important business of the people of Worcester;
2. Pay some lip service to the right to protest as long as it doesn’t inconvenience them;
3. Blame political opponents and out-of-town agitators.

Multiple councilors issued statements since an anti-ICE protest marched into Worcester City Hall, up the stairs to the third floor, and into the Ester Howland Chamber, where the city council was holding its meeting on Tuesday, June 10.

This piece will look at these statements and compare them to the reality of just how much time this council has thrown away this year, including in the next council meeting on Tuesday, June 24, with just one item on the agenda.

The Statements

After the interruption of the June 10 City Council meeting, several officials issued statements.

City Manager Eric Batista issued the following statement:

My statement on the June 10 City Council Meeting and the municipality’s use of City Hall policy: https://t.co/wwbfAn58Kj pic.twitter.com/o5XI5SaeVz

— CM-Batista (@CM_Batista) June 11, 2025

I was there. No one cleared protestors. They left. The Worcester Police officers on the scene did a great job of remaining hands off and communicated well with protestors when necessary. From inside the chamber, I only saw one officer approach someone in a way that appeared to be telling them they needed to modify their behavior, though the interaction didn’t appear tense or confrontational. After a short conversation, I didn’t see that person approached by officers again.

I didn’t see the arrest outside the building, but was told by an officer at the scene that the department took someone in mental health distress into custody that was unrelated to the protest. The officer could have been inside the building at the time of the arrest as well, and could have been mistaken. My request for the police incident report is pending.

I have heard some discussion about a confrontation where someone got shoved elsewhere in the building, but details are sparse.

Councilor Moe Bergman

Councilor Morris Bergman made the following social media post just after 9 PM on June 10, the night of the protest:

I don’t have much of a problem with this. Like the protestors, he’s allowed to be frustrated.

The lack of respectful dialog isn’t unique to protestors.

During the council meeting on Dec. 17, 2024, two police union leaders stepped to the microphone in the city council chambers and declared women who allege sexual assault against certain Worcester Police officers are liars. Some of those women were in the room when they said it while around 200 officers cheered them on from the balcony.

That’s not exactly an invitation to have a respectful dialog.

Also, the organizers and many of those protesting inside city hall on June 10 were Worcester residents.

Councilor Kate Toomey

Let’s get to some statements that apply the formula.

Councilor Toomey posted this statement at 9:37 PM on the night of the protest inside city hall. Had councilors waited the protestors out, they could have been back to business before Councilor Toomey made this post.

Councillor Toomey shared posts of Councilor Thu Nguyen. You can see the full post to search for this call to violence. It doesn’t exist.

Councilor Donna Colorio

Councilor Colorio released a statement on social media around 12:30 PM on June 11, striking a similar tone:

“Once again, last night the City Council meeting was shut down by a mob of rioters. The riot was organized & orchestrated by City Councilors who don’t understand their roles. When you are elected to the City Council you represent everyone not just the 1% that show up for council meetings. It’s unfortunate that a few bad apples ruin it for everyone.”

Hearing Councilor Colorio’s voice during a city council meeting is an event nearly as rare as hearing Clarence Thomas’ voice at the U.S. Supreme Court. The difference is that Thomas frequently writes opinions and dissents, whereas the city rarely hears from Colorio. Saying things seems to be part of the job of a city councilor.

The recycled “mob of rioters” phrase would have been more appropriately used to describe the scene at city council last Dec. 17.with police union officials calling sexual assault survivors liars. No councilor has called that meeting a riot.

Councillor Colorio is referring to last October, when the Worcester City Council discriminated against petitioners for their viewpoint, violating their constitutional rights. Those petitioners quickly turned to protestors, shutting down the meeting. Apparently, they should have thanked the council for having zero constitutional literacy and taken the loss, because their betters told them to.

After the ACLU issued a statement calling the council’s action in shutting these petitioners down out for what it obviously was, unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination violating the first amendment, the council heard the petition in January. The six-member majority of the city council refused to allow an up or down vote on the petition and “placed it on file,” meaning it would take no further action.

All over a petition that asked them to declare that starving kids to death anywhere is bad and that the federal government should follow federal law.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson posted a video just after 9 AM on June 11. The video showed protestors saying curse words (oh, the horror) with the following caption:

Worcester Opens Cooling Centers with Extreme Heat Expected

WORCESTER – The City of Worcester announced it will open cooling centers  in the city with extreme heat expected on Monday, June 23, and Tuesday, June 24.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an extreme heat warning across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and northern Connecticut that remains in effect until Tuesday, June 24, at 8 PM. The NWS warns of dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 109 degrees.

The cooling centers open on Monday, June 23:

• Worcester Public Library (Main Branch), 3 Salem Sq. –  9 AM to 5:30 PM
• Worcester Senior Center. 12 Providence St. – 9 AM to 4:30 PM

The cooling centers open on Monday, June 23:

• Worcester Public Library (Main Branch), 3 Salem Sq. –  9 AM to 5:30 PM
• Worcester Senior Center. 12 Providence St. – 9 AM to 4:30 PM
• Worcester 311 Customer Service Center, 799 Main St. – 11 AM to 7 PM

Two spray parks opened for the season on Friday, June 20, and remain open this week.

• East Park, 180 Shrewsbury St.
• Greenwood Park, 14 Forsberg St.

City beaches, pools, and the University Park spray park open on Friday, June 27.

WATCH: City Councilors Discuss being Targeted by Threats and Harassment

WORCESTER – The Worcester City Council took up an item on the safety of public officials in Worcester on Tuesday, June 17, leading to an extended discussion by some councilors, including accounts of threats and harassment they’ve experienced.

The discussion took place days after a man allegedly killed Minnesota State House of Representatives Democratic Party leader Melissa Hortman, who formerly served as Speaker of the House, and her husband, Mark. Authorities in Minnesota say the same man also shot and wounded Democrat State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The man allegedly compiled a list of 45 state and federal officials of the Democratic Party from Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio as targets.

The order appeared as item 12M on the council’s agenda on Tuesday, which originated from City Councilor At-Large Khrystian King. The council forwarded the item to the Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations, which returned the item to the full council on Tuesday.

The item read:

“Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing how safety concerns are brought forth to all city employees, including City Council and School Committee
members, if a threat is made against them.”

Councilors discussed receiving various harassing messages received through social media, email, and text messages, including death threats. District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj discussed receiving a bomb threat against her home.

Councilor King released a video on social media the day after the meeting showing a man confronting King, Haxhiaj, and Massachusetts State Senator Robyn Kennedy at a Memorial Day event last month.

See councilors discussion on the issue on Tuesday, below. Time stamps for each councilor’s comments are:

0:00 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj
7:04 Councilor Moe Bergman
8:02 Councilor Khrystian King
14:56 Councilor Kate Toomey
18:12 Councilor Luis Ojeda
23:26 Councilor George Russell
27:53 Mayor Joe Petty