Second tier candidates for mayor Tom Sheff and Jackie Gauvreau remind us why they are second tier candidates on the latest edition Charlie Shapiro’s Newton Newmakers (go to the 17:30 mark on the video)
In the program’s first segment, School Committee vice chairman Matt Hills tells us (a) that our schools have reached “financial sanity;” (b) why his vote is going to Mayor Warren and (c) how “happy” he would be to become the next school committee chairman.
Maybe I would be better known if Mr. Reibman spelled my name correctly. People might remember Jackie Gauvreau as the whistleblower who sent the pedophile priest Paul Shanley to jail and forced Bernard Law to resign as Archbishop of Boston. If you spell my name correctly and Google it, you might be able to read about my role in the books about the scandal. Some people might remember working with me at City Hall when I was head clerk in the City Treasurer’s office before I was twenty. Others might be remember me as the innovative tenant leader at Echo Ridge in Newton Upper Falls or the transportation advocate who defended the Nexxus Bus and MBTA bus route 59 through Upper Falls, Newton Highlands, Newton Centre, Newtonville, and Nonantum and has never stop demanding bus service from Lower Falls to the Green Line and the Hospital. A few might remember my testimony before the state Housing Authority Reform Commission that was reflected in the Commission’s final report. Maybe if you google “Jackie Gauvreau”, you’ll find my selection by the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women as Newton’s Woman of the Year in 2006. But if you don’t spell my name right as Jackie Gauvreau, none of these things will come to people’s minds.
Jacqueline Gauvreau Sequeira, Whistleblower and Candidate for Mayor
Apologies for the typo. Fixed
Jackie –
If you really want to be mayor, you might want to think about how you are going to deal with the media. Politicians get bad press they don’t believe they deserve, they are omitted from news articles they believe should include them, and, yes, those whose names are’t simple to spell are subjected to seeing their name misspelled repeatedly.
Furthermore, you should be thanking Greg Reibman for posting your Newton Newsmakers interview here, bring it more hits. This blog has probably increased your visibility as much as, if not more than, any other campaign work you have done. A simple email asking him to correct it would have sufficed.
Finally, as someone who has corrected Greg’s spelling for years, I can assure you: It wasn’t personal.
Do you still live at Echo Ridge???
Someone running for public office might try a sense of humor to address a misspelled name. Right now I’m just rooting for people to continue to misspell Jackie’s name over and over again. Nothing like someone getting all pissy as a way to impress the electorate. I’ll watch the video now and see if I’m as charmed by her.
It seems based on your Village 14 blog poll that Tom Sheff is actually a first tier candidate.
Although we all know that the only poll that matters is the one on Election day.
I’m gonna guess there’s history here; seeing she had to battle w the press every day during those years she tried to expose Shanley and Law. She won and we all won.
Let’s move on to the evening gown segment… She’s a lock!
@Jackie -Do you have a website with links? That would be really helpful because I’m interested in learning more about some of the things you mentioned but I’m not really having much luck on Google. Did you testify at Shanley’s criminal trial?
It would be great if Ms Gauvreau would tell in her words, her involvement in the church abuse scandal. Below is a link I found several weeks ago when she announced her candidacy. The link has a chronicle of private church files on Shanley. Just to give a hint of how utterly shocking this material is — imagine a priest (or any other adult) so comfortable about their lust for children that they would speak at a “man-boy love” conference?
Please be very careful opening this material if you are on a public computer.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/docs/boston/shanley/doclist.htm
Kim and Gail, I was more miffed about Greg’s gratuitous snide comment about me and Tom being “second tier candidates” and I considered just saying “Greg, maybe I wouldn’t be a second tier candidate if you spelled my name right.” But then I figured I could fill in my background in the response. I agree that this blog has been very helpful to my visibility, and I do appreciate it.
Lisap,I’ll post a list of web links about my history, but for now, I suggest you look up “Betrayal” by the Boston Globe staff and “The Faithful Departed; the Collapse of Boston’s Catholic Culture” by Philip Lawlor. I didn’t testify at Shanley’s trial but I gave several depositions in the cases of sexual abuse and appeared on several national and local television broadcasts.
@ Jacqueline Gauvreau: As I’ve said previously, I have great respect for your courageous efforts related to the Shanley/Law matter. But that doesn’t change the fact that in 2013 you are a second tier candidate for mayor.
My comment was factual. No disrespect was intended.
“My comment was factual”- liar.
What facts does Reibman have to anoint front runner status to some, and second tier to others? Scientific polls?
Maybe he will be right, maybe not, but the only thing we know, is this guy goes out of his way to be mean. For years, he encourages new people to run, and then calls them “second tier”, and worse.
Reibman doesn’t even rate second tier, just second rate when it comes to journalism.
@Newtonianlive: You’re right that I cannot say with entire certainty that Sheff and Gauvreau will finish a distant 3rd and 4th on Sept. 17.
However I believe this to be true and will be true. How can I say that? The same way anyone expresses a view here on this blog. In my case, I bring to the table more than 15 years as a close follower of Newton elections. I was also the editor in chief/publisher of a group of papers and web sites that over the years covered probably hundreds of local and state wide contests. I’ve produced election debates in partnership with Channel 5 and an area college. I was an editor at the Boston Herald over several election cycles. I was the political editor at the PBS World Channel and produced three nationally broadcast election results programs. And I read and talk about this stuff even more than I watch the Red Sox, which as my family will tell you, is all the time.
In other words, I have some familiarity with how these things tend to work out. While I can’t always pick the winners, I can almost always spot the second tier finishers.
Might I be wrong? Yes.
But it’s doubtful.
Is it “mean” for me to call it as I see it? I think of it as qualified analysis but I suppose that’s a judgement call.
One more thing: This blog has a policy against sock puppets, which is when the same person comments using more than one name and/or pseudonym. I’m pretty certain you are a sock puppet. But I didn’t want to remove your comment since it was directly pointed at me. But please refrain from using multiple log-ons going forward….including on the evening of Sept. 17 when you come back here to either gloat because I was wrong, or to tell me how sorry you were to question my informed analysis.
The hippy dippy weatherman used to say tonight’s forecast is dark followed by continued darkness throughout the night. You said it’s dark in the top paragraph, then came back to say it’s dark again. Did either add analytical value?
Thank you to newtonianlive for being another person recognizing the unabashed personal attacks being made on this BLAAG by team Greg/Gail.
Janet, this is a blog, not the Globe/Times/WSJ. This is where unabashed attacks, personal or otherwise happen. If you can’t stand the heat, start your own blog and counter or battle it out here. I never even heard of Jackie until this blog and I was completely unimpressed with her appearance on Shapiro’s show. She is not even 2nd tier.
Sorry Reibman- since you watch so much baseball let me put in these terms- you are: oh for two now.
No sock puppet here. What is the saying: long time listener, first time caller. You being “pretty certain”, doesn’t make it so. You just happen to be wrong, again.
But, we do see a pattern, using the straw man- they must be a sock puppet, if you don’t like the comments.
To the topic; it doesn’t matter if your analysis is right or wrong; and it sure isn’t a tough call to figure out how they will finish in this primary for mayor. Didn’t they teach you anything about journalism as you bounced from one second tier job to another? You don’t get to call a prediction of yours factual- until after.
You and your lady sidekick, are just journalistic lightweights. By the way- Theo did take and pass the bar exam. That is factual; so she will have to come up with another excuse for Setti. Why not just ask the guy if he ever took the bar exam?
Reibman, it isn’t about calling it as you see it, its about not having any class.
I guess I stand corrected on comments I made on a different thread about Theo and the bar exam. My apologies for the mistake everyone. Dr. Steinberg must have said that Theo went to law school with no intention of becoming an attorney. He went for the education, not for the intended profession.
NewtonianLive: I did ask Mayor Warren if he took the bar and I reported the answer here.
As for your comment that Greg and I are journalistic lightweights: You are entitled to your opinion. I have no way of knowing your frame of reference because I don’t know who you are. I don’t know if you ever read the TAB or if you are even a Newton resident.
I do know Greg’s frame of reference enough to respect his opinion, even when I disagree with it, which, I do not, in this case.
If you randomly asked 20 registered Newton voters on the street to name the four candidates running for mayor, I predict the most frequent answer you’d get is: “I didn’t know there’s a mayoral election,” followed by “I didn’t know the mayor is opposed,” followed by “Setti Warren and Ted Hess-Mahan,” followed by nothing. Maybe one out of 50 would name Tom Sheff. No one would name Jackie Gauvreau. This is not fact. It’s my opinion. But because it’s not far-fetched, in an analysis (rather than a news story), I think it would be fair to label Tom and Jackie second-tier candidates. Just like it’s fair to predict they won’t make it through the preliminary.
Wow, folks. This has really become thread for personal bashing, and is more than uncomfortable and unpleasant to read. Grow up, or close up the blog. It’s stooped way too low.
My annoyance with Mr. Reibman is not so much with his assignment of Tom Sheff and me to second tier status. It’s that he thinks this opinion of his is factual and inserts it where it doesn’t belong. He could have merely noted that Mr. Sheff and I would be on Charlie Shapiro’s show and left it at that. Instead he repeats his opinion of our status and goes further by stating that watching the program will show why we are second tier. Somehow Mr. Reibman seems to feel that his opinions are factual and that obvious disrespect for me and Mr. Sheff somehow intends no disrespect. I would have thought he would have acquired enough humility and self-knowledge not to make these mistakes during his extensive journalistic career.
Jacqueline Gauvreau Sequeira, Candidate for Mayor
Gail Spector –For the record, the Wiki bio says he formed his Committee before he deployed. Seems unlikely someone studying for the bar would start a campaign at the same time…
Hoss – If I recall correctly, Setti Warren was talking to people about running for mayor before he was called up. He probably hadn’t officially announced because it was way too early but he was out there making it known that he was going to run against David Cohen, who, at the time, was planning on running for re-election.
I don’t know where the bar exam fit into all of this, nor do I care.
Perhaps I missed something but can somebody explain to me why it matters why Setti Warren did not take the bar exam?
Hmmm… You wrote two blog posts about a second tier candidate and where he gets his blueberry money. But we shouldn’t care if a first tier candidate who is likely to reappear at a statewide level ever twists his story? Is he a never had sex w an intern type, or a straight as an arrow, facts only type? You guys know, we don’t
@Hoss: You still haven’t explained why it matters. Did he ever claim otherwise? If so, where? And please stop referring to his Wiki bio. You know he doesn’t control that right?
Actually I think anyone can write and edit a wiki article.
And if voted in — I will hire more interns
So you don’t have an actual answer to my question?
@Greg, as a practicing lawyer, it only matters to me personally when someone holds himself out as a lawyer when he has (a) never taken and passed the bar exam or (b) passed the bar exam but no longer maintains an active license. There have been a few instances of late – the most recent that comes to mind for me is the selection panel for the current Chief of Police, where the panel was required to include an attorney. If my recollection is accurate, one of the few females on the panel was touted as an attorney when in fact that person’s status as a lawyer was and is inactive. It may seem like a technicality to others, but as a practicing appellate lawyer, having my profession represented by someone who doesn’t carry an active bar card certainly stuck in my craw. Personally, I have no problem with Setti Warren holding himself out as a law school graduate, but unless and until he actually obtains a license to practice law, he isn’t a lawyer as most people understand that word.
@Lisap – has Setti held himself out as a lawyer?
I don’t care if he ever took a bar exam. I do care if he twisted facts to a reporter. I think he’s done remarkably well in an administrative role; with good support from people like a quality CFO and a quality school super. But if he reappears as a congress, senate or gov candidate, it would be helpful to know if he’s the real deal, or fakes it at times. (Recall the silly quiz questions on the interview shows and reaction when he got answers wrong…)
Which reporter? When? Where?
Lisap – Is it possible that there’s a practicing lawyer in Newton that wouldn’t have a conflict on a police chief panel? We’d need a tax lawyer, maritime or estate lawyer.
The problem with the “second tier [sic]*” comment: while factually accurate now, the press and the informal press should not emphasize it, so as to allow for the possibility that it might not be true later.
One concern I’ve had, stretching back to the earliest days of the TAB blog, is Greg’s fascination with the horse race aspect of political races. The press has the power to make certain observations reinforcing. Call a legitimate candidate a second-tier candidate often enough and your readers adopt the view permanently.
Tom and Jacqueline got the signatures. They are entitled to be treated as candidates, without any Homeric epithet.
As for Jacqueline’s initial response, a dash of levity might have made it slightly more palatable, but it was an admirable bit of jujitsu, using Greg’s sloppiness as an opportunity for reciting her accomplishments. Impressive. Now, what do you propose to do for me as a Newton resident?
*As used, “second tier” is an adjective phrase. It needs a hyphen. “Second-tier candidates …”
@Sean: The good news is now I’m just a one of a large team of bloggers on this site (as opposed to “the press”) and you, and all our other contributors are welcome to start non- horse race threads as you and others see fit.
@MGWA – not that I am aware of.
@Hoss, While I agree you might want to avoid lawyers who practice in the Newton District Court, I entirely disagree that you would have to find someone in whose practice is far from criminal or constitutional law. Everyone is subject to the powers of the police so in theory we all have a conflict (or potential conflict) with them.
Sean and Lisap,
What will I do for you as Mayor? For starters, make sure that the School Department and the City side do a better job of checking backgrounds for pedophiles and that we teach children the how to protect themselves from pedophiles. I am heartsick over the news about the second teacher with a fondness for child pornography. I would bring more than thirty years of experience with this terrible issue to bear so that the children of our city would be safe from this threat. Unfortunately, it has permeated many of our most trusted institutions and children must be educated on how to protect themselves.
To cite a few of the other issues we face: I would support Department Heads and supervisors who crack down on employees who cheat the city with overtime and other abuses. I would not be dissuaded when legitimate discipline is met with phony claims of whistleblowing but listen carefully to determine who are genuine whistleblowers and who are self-serving phonies.
I would s traighten out the building permit process so that no more city homeowners will have to spend tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees to overturn permits that were given illegally that would have destroyed the quiet enjoyment of their homes. I would make sure that Inspectional Services Commissioners consult the sponsors of relevant zoning if he is unsure of its intent.
As Mayor, I will instruct the Planning Department to work with the Metrowest Regional Transit Authority to enable Lower Falls residents to get bus service across 128 to the Green Line and Hospital and to reach jobs, shopping, and educational opportunities in Wellesley and beyond.
I would direct the Planning, Law, Engineering, and Law staff to develop wording for the item
filed by Aldermen Fishman, Kalis, and Yates to require a special permit for major topographic changes. This would prevent the outrageous situation where a developer purchased a house at 295 Upland Avenue, cut down 90 trees and dumped a hundred thousand square feet of fill in the rear of the property terrifying the residents of Winchester Street into hiring their own lawyers, engineers, and architects to protect their families and properties from landslides and flooding. Keeping residents safe in their own homes is the least they should expect for the taxes they pay
I would also make sure that Inspectional Services and Engineering staffs work together closely so that no permits are given for developments that will flood other properties or for buildings or structures that violate the plans for which they received permits.
I would inform all the tenants of the Newton Housing Authority of the names and contact information of the members of the NHA Board so that they can respond to tenant needsand complaints, particularly of abuse by staff.I would not re-appoint any member who could not measure up to this standard.
I would list more things I would do as Mayor but the terrible news from Day has left me focused today on a primary duty of government. TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE!
That has been a focus of mine for more than thirty years and it would continue to be as Mayor.
Jackie,
That seems like a laundry list of relatively small-bore items. Any overarching themes? Any large-scale vision?
As for the first item, as a former prosecutor* specializing in child sex abuse cases and as a parent**, I yield to no one in my concern for threats against children. But, so far, there is no indication that NPS could have done anything better to identify the two teachers as child pornography consumers or that they have ignored indications that either teacher actually harmed students. (I will say that I hope NPS takes a more pro-active approach to ensure that Chan did not do anything inappropriate and/or illegal with students than they did with Ettinger.)
* Lisa — Not representing myself as an active attorney. Inactive status for me!
** I am, however, an active parent, though my certification status is a bit shaky.
Again, it’s a blog. Greg’s style is to present his opinion as fact. It’s a blog. You all respond to that as if what you are saying is a fact. Greg wins when you concentrate on how he delivered the message. And Jackie, he was being kind giving you second tier status. I would put you in the ‘joke’ category. I say that as a fact.
At least Tom and Jackie are running and forcing a conversation. This is a good thing and they should be commended for it.
@Sean – Jackie’s list may not be visionary, but she’s identified some areas that are worthy of discussion. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my two years of service its that constituent service and these day to day details require significant attention, and often lead to solving much broader issues.
I’m not saying a Mayor doesn’t need a vision, it’s definitely needed, but I like seeing her thoughts on a few specific issues.
I thank Alderman Kalis for grasping and restating my points. Sean, the safety of children from sex abuse is fact an overarching issue in all aspects of our society. Persons who should be above reproach because of their positions of trust in esteemed institutions can be the worst offenders of all as I have learned during more than three decades of involvement in this issue.
I agree that it’s very difficult to find offenders until they are caught for the first time. It’s also
impossible to retrain pedophiles. That’s why I hold that the most important element of protecting children against sex abuse is to teach them in how to protect themselves through age appropriate methods. They should know that a stranger who wants you to help him find his lost puppy could be a dangerous person and that if someone tells you that your mother is sic and offers to bring her to her, you should ask him what her name is and run if he doesn’t know the answer. There are many more tactics that children and parents need to know to protect the children against sex abuse and making sure that all children in Newton know what they need to know to protect themselves would be a major focus of my mayorality.
A second overarching theme would be accountability for all employees and supervisors, openness to suggestions and whistleblowing from employees while not being tricked by abusers who claim to be whistleblowers.
A third theme would be make sure that homeowners are protected by our zoning laws and don’t have to hire people to get the protection they deserve for their taxes.
Quote: “Personally, I have no problem with Setti Warren holding himself out as a law school graduate, but unless and until he actually obtains a license to practice law, he isn’t a lawyer as most people understand that word.”
You’re a lawyer if you graduate an accredited law school. You’re an attorney-at-law if you pass the bar exam. Why anyone who doesn’t want to practice law would ever take the bar exam is beyond me, but whatever.
Hey, Ed! We miss hearing from you! I hope all is well in your new digs. So how’s that for an off topic comment?
Ditto in the shout out to Ed.
Meanwhile since Hoss never backedup his claim that Setti Warren “twisted the facts [about taking the bar] to a reporter” that Hoss’ allegation just isn’t true.
Greg Reibman — I let you have the last word, but ok you’d like me to do that…. TY.
Gail Spector posted “Mayor Warren said that he didn’t take the bar because he was deployed to Iraq.” The timeline doesn’t fit — he already expressed desire to be mayor by forming a committee. Both you and Gail focused on whether taking the bar is at all important (in life). That part I agreed it is not. If you want to press me on all the fine people that have entered a profession called public service that twist facts, I’ll bet you know I can go on and on. It’s part of the job – never having sex with that women, reaching for toilet paper, amber liquids…. So he’s was an early starter if he claimed that he was distracted from his calling by a war. Good on him
Last word dance! I’m off to Shrewsberry…. !! (Which way do I go?)
@Ed, Sorry but just about any definition of “lawyer” you will find is a person who may or does practices law; ergo, since in order to practice law you must be licensed, a person is not a lawyer until they are licensed to practice law. A person who has graduated from law school is exactly that: a law school graduate. They do not become a lawyer until they pass the bar and prove that they are qualified to dispense legal advice.