Commentary – Editorials
- Fiscal 6 Findings (7/27/2025)
Editorial: Findings of the Fiscal 6 Project About Gardner MA
Listen to a commentary on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Commentary – Fiscal 6 Project So what did we discover which has set Gardner apart and for which we can accurately give Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, the Gardner Team, the Gardner City Council, the Gardner School Committee, Department Heads and School Administrators a lot of credit. Here goes:
The findings: There’s been a concerted effort to improve basic city services including upgrading the electronic interfaces with City Hall to make things easier, better, and more efficient. There’s been a focus on turning blighted private properties into future promise by, for example, getting an absentee landlord who owned 8 properties in Downtown to sell 7 of them to private investors who would renovate them and make downtown look better. We observed the proactive effort to either sell unused City properties so they can be put to good use and bring in tax money, or in the case of Waterford Street School, turn it in to something fabulous like the Waterford Community Center from which we seem to get good news every other month or so.
Findings continued: There has been a better way of interacting with City employees with the “people are policy” approach so that for the most part, excellence is displayed across all departments. An initiative was launched in 2020 to be more transparent – and here’s where the Mayor really stands out by being so detailed in his communications with the Gardner City Council that many questions are answered ahead of time. Agendas and documents are displayed with meeting notices and now about 1300 videos of various meetings, a huge effort to keep the citizenry informed. An online checkbook was established where you can see every bill paid in the last week or over a decade ago. We observed the proactive approach to improving education by improving facilities and working on the actual curriculum with various programs in place to make sure each student rises to their level of ability and interest. There has been a greater awareness of the environment and energy and work in that regard. Under Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, the City of Gardner has practiced a high degree of fiscal responsibility resulting in 4 years in a row of perfect Federal audits and similar private audits of the City finances. We observed a focus on bringing in needed housing to meet needs in the City with additional proactive efforts to be addressed going forward with the first ever Master Plan. There have been infrastructure improvements including a higher percentage of streets paved each year, water and sewer upgrades, and internet connectivity enhancements. To bring the City in to the 21st century, a huge amount of work has been done to update the City Charter, various ordinances, administrative rules, and policies. The books were completely cleaned up such as rescinding outdated loan orders. There’s been a lot of out of the box thinking such as the fountain at Orpheum Park, and so many aesthetic improvements in so many different areas. Mayor Nicholson himself has made improving public transportation a priority and still serves as the Chair of the MART advisory board. Gardner has become a hub for veterans services, and programs for Gardner’s older population are added to all the time. This is but a glimpse in to what Fiscal 6 shows about the City of Gardner.
Werner Poegel – Publisher
To see the complete Fiscal 6 Project, please visit Fiscal6.com for complete interview AUDIO, complete text of the interviews, and so much more Fiscal6.com, CLICK HERE.
The Fiscal 6 Project explores in detail the changes and successes which have occurred in the City of Gardner over the last 5 years. There are more than 3 dozen categories, ALL with success stories. Fiscal6.com, CLICK HERE.
- Flake and Dr. Mayo (7/12/2025)
Gardner Magazine Debuts Fictional Radio Play “The Story of the Flake and Evil Dr. Mayo”
On the WGAW Hotline Radio Show of 7-12-25, there was a debut of the Radio Play “Our Lady the Flake and Evil Dr. Mayo”, along with a commentary by Werner Poegel. The Radio Play is a work of fiction which took over 6 hours to produce. Listen to the Commentary/Play on any device. Or listen to the Radio Play separately.
Commentary and Play 7-12-25 RADIO PLAY – The Story of the Flake and Evil Dr. Mayo The point of the commentary and the play is to dissuade individuals from making false posts and comments instead of discussing actual local issues. The commentary covers these problems and the play “The Story of the Flake and Evil Dr. Mayo” is intended to drive the point home.
- Editorial $2.24 (6/9/2025)
Editorial: Where did the $2.24 go on July 24, 2014 in Gardner MA?
Gardner MA Open checkbook offers an incredible level of detail and there was indeed a check written by the City of Gardner for just over 2 dollars on July 24, 2014. It was check number 183329 and Gardner Magazine picked it at random to prove a point. Despite the incredible level of inaccurate and false nonsense continually peddled by a few wackos, the City of Gardner is actually completely transparent as to where it spends money and what it takes in. In fact, everyone can access the open checkbook and find out what was paid out last week or over a decade ago. Look for yourself anytime at this link, CLICK HERE.
On the other side of the ledger: The State of Massachusetts is transparent about the monies received by municipalities. To view the Cherry Sheet detail by Program, visit the Department of Local Services page, CLICK HERE.
Any more questions? Simply call the Mayor’s office at (978) 630-1490 or ask your City Councilor to get you some information. In addition, Gardner Magazine publishes all the AUDIO of City Council, School Committee and other meetings at which revenues and expenses are often discussed in great detail.
- Editorial – Blake (5/4/2025)
Editorial: Blake on an Island of Few – Up to Old Tricks?
This week Kimberly Blake announced she was running for Mayor instead of Gardner City Council. Weeks before, Blake arranged this Publisher’s re-admittance into the DeMeo Facebook Group. I’ve been posting a few things including a very positive post about the 4 years of perfect audits achieved by the Nicholson Financial Team. False Attacks began again, against me, against the Mayor, even against the State Representative, some using anonymous accounts. Of course I corrected the record and asked Blake via private Facebook message to honor her promise of not allowing false or personal attacks in that group. – Her response: “Comments like those should be made using the persons real name, not anonymous.” In other words, she would not honor her word, but did take down a few anonymous attacks. I spent many minutes on Saturday, May 3rd responding to the most salacious and ridiculous posts with facts, not attacks against anyone. This upset the liars and false mud slingers who reported me to Paul DeMeo.
The Group did a Poll and almost Nobody Cared
A self-serving poll was attempted in that group stating “With nearly 17k members in this group, I have to ask, who has your vote for mayor? Only 232 group members responded (almost all for Blake) but only 1.4% of the group even cared to respond in 18 hours. That means 98.6% of the group didn’t care during that time. In light of the goings on of last time, it is very clear, Blake’s candidacy is on an island of the very few. In my opinion, given Blake’s past actions, demeanor, and varied concerns on the part of many, it would be a sad day if that person was ever elected Mayor of Gardner. Why would you not rehire Michael Nicholson who by all objective data has done an excellent job since he took office in July 2020? UPDATE: 5-4-25 9:30PM – Interest rose slightly to 1.5% with 36 more participants. Update 5-6-25 3:30pm Interest rose to 1.7%
In my opinion, DeMeo Threw a Fit
In my opinion, Paul DeMeo was just not having it. People would be called out on false attacks and/or false statements. That just couldn’t be. He was losing the narrative. So, once again this Publisher was removed from that Facebook Group. For a brief time, he actually posted a poll “your vote will decide Werner Poegel’s fate.” When I had some fun and added an option for me to become an admin and some members voted for that, well that was it for the poll. The poll itself disappeared and so did me from the group. Some have commented to me that I was only made a member again so that Blake could use me for the vast platform Gardner Magazine has – my opinion agrees with that sentiment. What they didn’t count on is Gardner Magazine is about facts and you will always get the truth reported here. We only hope that other local media will not be manipulated to spread what in my opinion is often nonsense.
Update 5/5/25: DeMeo Retaliated for this article by falsely claiming this Publisher had made verbal attacks against “Animal Control Officers” who we hold in high regard and have often recognized. DeMeo twisted a comment made to Kimberly Blake, “You don’t deserve to be dogcatcher, let alone Mayor“. As it takes great character to handle the job of dogcatcher properly, the insult is to the candidate, not the dogcatcher. In my opinion, Kimberly Blake’s unwillingness to immediately remove false, sick, or perverted comments on that DeMeo-Blake Group (she stated simply that they shouldn’t be posted anonymously) renders her unsuited for the strength of character needed for the position she is seeking. BLAKE SUPPORT DIPS: After a 3 day poll on the Mayor’s Race, Blake was able to obtain interest in the poll of only 1.7% of group members. In my opinion, this is simply fallout from what went on when Blake ran for Mayor in 2023 and the public does not soon forget.
POP – Dirty Tricks FUNK – Dirty Tricks COUNTRY – Dirty Tricks Hope for a Positive Campaign
Gardner Magazine is hoping that Blake will opt for a positive campaign without dirty tricks. However, should it be otherwise, we will call out any false statements in the event they occur. Maybe a song will dissuade bad behavior. So just for fun, we have an original song called “Dirty Tricks” available in 3 versions. Play on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Facts matter…
- Winchendon 4-22-25 (4/22/2025)
This Editorial in Commentary form. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Common Sense Override Listen to the full song “Winchendon Common Sense Override” on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Winchendon Override Song An Editorial Letter to the People of Winchendon on the Proposed $2.9 million Override
With so many barbs being thrown about with regard to a Prop 2 ½ override, I thought I’d approach the issue with my own brand of common sense and also keep it simple without any political mumbo jumbo. My article contains an actual song I wrote on what I’m calling the “Common Sense Override” Bottom Line: Yes, Winchendon has had some problems over the years and has some big fiscal challenges Bottom Line: Yes, having to do an override sucks. But let’s look at reality. Things are so much more expensive than they were a few years back and the normal tax levy just won’t cover the bills. Even Duxbury which hasn’t had an override in almost 4 decades is seeking one this year. (Vote failed last month -2,174 no votes and 1,981 yes votes) Winchendon is not alone. But it is the only town in the United States named Winchendon. It is a truly special community. And it needs the support of its community of people to continue its progress. The $2.9 million override if approved would result in continuing a positive trajectory. It would be a win for the town. It would be a win for you.
The average single family Winchendon home is valued at just under $341 grand with a current tax bill of $4,006. Without the override, the bill goes up to $4,187 an increase of $181 or 15 bucks a month. With the $2.9 million override, the bill goes up to $4948, an additional increase of $761 or just under $64 bucks a month. You know what I would do in my household? I’d vote for the override because the value of the services maintained is worth it. After all, it’s part of why you live in such a wonderful town. If my budget was tight, I’d say, Hmm, I’d get rid of some of my expensive cable tv services instead, you know you could easily save about 80 bucks a month getting the same channels through a streaming service. And by the way, the FREE library can get you a lot of media for zilch, nothing. And do you really want to be the person who doesn’t support the senior citizens in Winchendon. Do you really want to cut badly needed supplies for Parks, Recreation, Fire, and public works. Do you really want to cut athletics, staffing, and programs at the schools? What is the monthly value of all that? It’s worth the 2 bucks a day extra you’d be spending. Keep what is needed to maintain a great town. Set up Winchendon for a better fiscal future. I know for some the thought is this: You’re tired of everyone picking your pocket. And you’re right. It pisses me off too. Every time we turn around, something goes up. Things you don’t have control over. So the tendency with an override that you have control over would be to start with a NO. However, funding your town is about as close to home as it gets and the consequences are very impactful. Please consider spending an average of an extra $64 per month to give Winchendon, your town, the full support it deserves. And then, after you say YES, I’d like you to do this. Stay involved locally. Make sure today’s leaders are followed tomorrow by fiscally responsible leaders. Let them know you are willing to invest in Winchendon. You’re willing to invest in Winchendon’s Future. You’re willing to invest in your kids future. You want people to be attracted to Winchendon so in case you ever want to sell your house, you can get what it’s worth, not tens of thousands less because you decided not to invest in your town. And remember this: You’re the boss. You employ the town’s leaders. You employ the administrators in the schools. And you have every right to demand competence and excellence. not one penny of your tax money should be wasted.
Vote for the $2.9 million override because it’s in your best long-term interest. But before you vote YES at town meeting, let the town leaders know that it’s your money and you will expect and demand that it be spent wisely, this year and years down the road.
Werner Poegel, Publisher Gardner Magazine.
- MART Riders (4/12/2025)
EDITORIAL – Full, Half Empty, a few riders, or empty – which is it?
Gardner City Councilor Karen Hardern got approval to have an informal meeting with the City Council and MART to discuss safety concerns and the amount of ridership. MART has been FREE and Hardern suggests the model may not be working.
FREE ridership on MART may not make any sense if ridership doesn’t increase by 20 fold in some cases as Councilor Hardern complains that some routes have no riders or 2 riders. With 2 riders, you’d need a 50% increase in riders to have just 1 more person. So what’s relevant are the real numbers. My idea would be that ridership would not be FREE, but could be rebated to an individual if a desired threshold is met, thus encouraging public transportation and actually making a difference in the environment. It appears the current model might actually be having a negative effect if Hardern’s concerns have validity. Without any real numbers but just percentages, we have no real data to really know what’s going on. Are the buses successfully full, half empty, or often empty? The answer would be helpful.
- Election Apology (3/19/2025)
Editorial: Gardner Magazine Publisher to be Publicly Flogged for Election Story Screwup (no flogging please)
Gardner Magazine published an incorrect date in an Election story.
The correct date to obtain nomination papers in Gardner is beginning April 1st.
We regret the error so much we have released an official apology song. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Election Apology Song Here is our story with the correct information, CLICK HERE. Complete Schedule included.
- Threshold of 3 (3/3/2025)
Renting a storefront, putting up a sign, and doing Social Media posts is not a recipe for success. We’ve seen too many local businesses fail because they don’t understand the need for REAL ADVERTISING whether it’s here, WGAW Radio, TV, Direct Mail, flyers, or shouting from the rooftops.
Investopedia has a helpful article on the top 6 reasons why new businesses fail. It’s worth a read, CLICK HERE.
Editorial: Threshold of 3 Violated Daily in Greater Gardner MA
It’s a simple concept violated daily by local officials, business owners, non-profit operators, and individuals – failure to cross the threshold of 3. The average person needs to be exposed to something about 3 times in order for it to sink in. That means relying on Facebook posts alone has caused the failure of information to get across and contributed to the demise of local businesses.
Every business, organization, or government entity should have a website and post ANY material there (on the home page) of whatever is important enough to post on Social Media. Only about 3 percent of the membership of any one Facebook Group visit on any given day – no more than a few hundred people. Gardner Magazine has thousands of daily visits. WGAW has thousands of daily listeners. Thousands watch TV. Thousands get their mail. It’s important for businesses to do REAL advertising, reaching people often, crossing the threshold of 3, and building the business. Only 25% of new businesses make it to the 15 year mark. But those with an organized advertising plan rarely fail.
Let me give you some local examples of those who didn’t really advertise and failed in Downtown: Crown Chicken (not once, but twice), the Nutrition Shake Shop (not once but twice), a downtown fashion store which lasted about 2 months, a bridal shop, a thrift shop, and the grocery store on the corner of the Garbose Building. New business coming in to Gardner is wonderful. Keeping a business afloat requires avoiding the violation of the Threshold of 3. Real success requires some sort of planned, real promotion which yes, costs some money, but not as much as you think. And certainly not as much as the heartache of having to close your doors.
- Throne of Shame (2/18/2025)
Musical Editorial – “Throne of Shame” Released by Gardner Magazine
With so much talk about the proposed Sludge Landfill Expansion, we’re releasing a musical editorial. The subject is the “Throne of Shame”. We all sit there and do our business with little thought of the consequences. As the song says, “Just send it away with the push of a lever, Thinking it’s gone, but it’s here forever.” No matter what the waste, we need to think of the consequences to the future and the wellbeing of our children and grandchildren.
Listen to the quirky, nutty, but hopefully thought-provoking song on any device. CLICK PLAY.
NOVELTY SONG – Throne of Shame
- 18 HR. Commentary (2/8/2025)
Commentary – 18 Hour Trade War – Not a Conflict at All
The recent 18 Hour Trade War was not a war at all. Listen to the commentary on any device. CLICK PLAY.
18 Hour Trade War Commentary Listen to the song featured in the commentary by itself, the 18 Hour Trade War song. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
18 Hour Trade War song Visit the song page with lyrics and an additional version of the song, CLICK HERE.