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Worcester Sucks and I Love It is a newsletter that critiques Worcester's local politics, social issues, and public policies, with a focus on community activism, police accountability, and the impacts of decisions made by local governance and education boards. It emphasizes the power of local elections and civic engagement.

Local Politics Social Issues Public Policy Community Activism Police Accountability Education Civic Engagement

The hottest Substack posts of Worcester Sucks and I Love It

And their main takeaways

John Monfredo's "teen-age accuser" takes her power back

845 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sexual Abuse
  1. Heather Prunier bravely shared her story of childhood abuse, standing up to her abuser and reclaiming her power.
  2. The legal system often fails to support survivors of sexual assault, making it difficult to obtain justice.
  3. Speaking out can bring personal healing and empowerment and shed light on systemic issues in society.

Invasion of the Groyper Callers

216 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
📰 News Policy Culture Crime
  1. Consider investing in real journalism by supporting local news outlets.
  2. Density in cities is crucial for vibrant communities; parking requirements may hinder growth.
  3. Exploring solutions like safe injection sites can be impactful in addressing public health concerns.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Escape from Worcester

176 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Humor
  1. Consider a stay-cation in your hometown and explore the local attractions.
  2. Try a new extreme environment like Death Valley National Park for a change of scenery.
  3. Experience different locations through VR without leaving your home.

We use our garbage police to police homeless people

58 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Homelessness City Council Quality of Life Housing Crisis
  1. The Quality of Life Team, also known as the Garbage Police, is used to police homeless people, showing a concerning and widely misunderstood approach by the city council.
  2. The Garbage Police focus on removing homeless encampments, treating homeless individuals as a blight rather than addressing the actual root causes of homelessness.
  3. There is a lack of political will to address homelessness and public housing conditions, with significant implications for larger societal issues around housing and equity.

It's The Bugs all the way down

275 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Law enforcement Local government Media
  1. The movie Starship Troopers proves to be a subtle critique of society's hunger for violence, reflecting real-life America.
  2. The honor bestowed upon a police officer for killing a civilian raises questions about police responses and heroism.
  3. The failure of the Worcester City Council to address issues with the Ballpark Commission exposes potential conflicts of interest and lack of genuine concern for community benefits.

The Grass is Always Snowier

78 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Advice Events Community
  1. Consider helping your neighbor with snow removal, but don't feel obligated to do it all the time.
  2. If necessary, address neighbor issues like uncleared walkways by reporting to the appropriate authorities.
  3. Maintain boundaries and find alternative solutions, like clearing your own snow instead of always helping your neighbor.

Are You Ready For Some... thing Else?!

58 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
😂 Humor Comedy Satire
  1. The writer shares advice on how to avoid watching football if you don't enjoy it.
  2. Consider spending time with friends at different events instead of watching sports if you dislike football.
  3. The writer suggests humorous ways to escape football, like starting a Fantasy League based on taking ayahuasca trips.

It couldn't have gone much better

255 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Analysis Political strategy Campaign Finance
  1. Overall turnout for the election was low at 9.1%, similar to past preliminaries.
  2. The chosen candidates from Worcester Sucks for different districts performed well and are advancing to the general election.
  3. Progressive candidates like Bilotta and Haxhiaj have strong chances in the upcoming elections, potentially leading to a shift in power dynamics within the City Council.

Contrast of competence

196 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Schools Community Elections Policies
  1. City Council meetings can sometimes be long and unproductive, with only a few tangible results.
  2. There is a clear contrast in competence between different members of the City Council and School Committee.
  3. Forums and election season are coming up, allowing opportunities to make informed decisions and vote for progress.

"O Lord make my enemies ridiculous"

157 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Local Politics Elections Media Government
  1. Political dynamics in local politics can be analyzed in terms of factions and movements rather than individual candidates.
  2. Transparency and accountability are crucial in local government, especially regarding police misconduct.
  3. Remaining vigilant and condemning acts of intimidation in politics is essential for maintaining a fair and just democratic process.

So long, Steve Sargent!

157 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Misconduct Investigation
  1. Today is Primary Day for the Worcester municipal elections, go vote!
  2. The retirement of Police Chief Steven Sargent is controversial and questionable.
  3. There are ongoing issues with the Worcester Police Department that need attention and accountability.

This Round is on You

98 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Advice Comedy
  1. The column discusses the ethical dilemma of buying alcohol for those not allowed to have it.
  2. It shares a personal story about some risky alcohol-related situations.
  3. The advice suggests inviting the person out for a drink instead of buying alcohol for them.

Sports Fans, QAnon and MORE!

19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Sports Comedy Entertainment
  1. A comparison between sports fandom and conspiracy theories, suggesting fans tend to justify losses like conspiracy theorists.
  2. Encouragement to find a different perspective or angle to enjoy meaningful experiences, even in seemingly trivial activities.
  3. Announcement of upcoming comedy shows and events, inviting readers to attend and engage in live entertainment.

Election guide: the Worcester Preliminary

117 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections City Council
  1. There's an upcoming preliminary election in Worcester that local residents should participate in to choose candidates for various district races.
  2. The city's district maps for different council and committee races are confusing, causing challenges for voters to identify their respective districts.
  3. Specific candidate endorsements were made for District 1, District 2, District 4, District 5 City Council, and District E School Committee races.

Old Sturbridge Pillage

157 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Law Public Opinion Legislation
  1. The main focus was the approval of an unpopular and morally unjustifiable charter school by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
  2. Despite clear opposition, the board approved the school by ignoring public input and critical issues within the proposal.
  3. Efforts are being made to address the financial and ethical problems of the charter school proposal through inquiries by state agencies and potential changes in legislation.

"Special considerations for plain-clothes personnel"

137 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. Plain-clothes personnel in police face special considerations.
  2. Intense exchange between council members about lack of oversight in police accountability.
  3. Discussion highlights loopholes in body cam policy and potential misuse by police.

The Having of Wonderful Ideas

117 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Community Engagement Funding
  1. The proposed charter school by Old Sturbridge Village in Worcester is facing pushback due to concerns about how it will harm the public schools and students.
  2. The charter proposal lacks coherence and capacity, with doubts about its ability to deliver on its educational promises, especially for diverse learners.
  3. Approval of the charter would divert significant funds from the District and undermine the gains made by the Student Opportunity Act.

"It’s about policing people and policing people’s culture"

98 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Social Issues Law enforcement Local government Civil Rights
  1. The city administration faced criticism for making it hard to hold events like the Worcester Caribbean American Carnival.
  2. The Worcester Police Department came under scrutiny for a past officer-involved shooting and handling of a dog attack.
  3. The Quality of Life Team in Worcester appears to prioritize addressing 'blight' over helping the unhoused population.

Horrorscopes

0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
😂 Humor Satire Comedy
  1. February is referred to as love month in this context. The author provides unique, humorous horoscopes for each zodiac sign focusing on love.
  2. The advice given for each zodiac sign is unconventional and light-hearted, encouraging readers to embrace humor and self-reflection in the realm of love and relationships.
  3. The post also includes news about upcoming events, encouraging readers to engage further and stay tuned for future content.