WCCA TV News and Information Round Up: October 20, 2015

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Worcester to cut ribbon on Greenwood Park improvements

WHAT: Ribbon cutting ceremony

WHY: To celebrate recent improvements made by the City of Worcester to Greenwood
Park, including new tennis courts, a new lighted basketball court, playground
upgrades, new shelter, new picnic tables, and accessible walking path upgrades, with
more improvements planned for 2016.

WHO: Mayor Joseph M. Petty, District Three Councilor George J. Russell, City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr., city and state officials.

WHEN: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27

WHERE: Greenwood Park, Forsberg Street, Worcester
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Latest Seasonally Unadjusted Job and Unemployment Estimates for Local Labor Markets
in Massachusetts

BOSTON MA, October 20, 2015 – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates are down in
all labor markets in the state measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics compared
to September 2014, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reports
Tuesday.

From August to September, seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates went down in ten
labor market areas, increased in nine areas, and remained the same in five other
areas of the state.

The Springfield, New Bedford, Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Worcester, Framingham,
Peabody-Salem-Beverly, Taunton-Middleborough-Norton, Leominster-Gardner, and
Lynn-Saugus-Marblehead areas added jobs over the month. Seasonal losses occurred in
the remaining six areas.

In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the Bureau of
Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for September
remained at 4.5 percent.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the
statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6 percent for the month of
September. The unemployment rate is down 1.0 percent over the year.

The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 7,100 job loss in September
and an over-the-year gain of 67,200 jobs.

The unadjusted unemployment rates and job estimates for the labor market areas
reflect seasonal fluctuations and therefore may show different levels and trends
than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates.
The labor force, unemployment rates and jobs estimates for Massachusetts is based on
different statistical methodology specified by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau
of Labor Statistics.

NOTES: The preliminary October 2015 and revised September 2015 unemployment rate,
labor force data, and jobs estimates for Massachusetts will be released on Thursday,
November 19, 2015; local unemployment statistics will be released on Tuesday,
November 24, 2015. Detailed labor market information is available at
www.mass.gov/lmi
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Groups File Complaint Re:

Worcester National Grid Smart Meter Pilot, Health Reports

Advocacy groups have filed joint complaints with the Massachusetts Attorney General and Inspector General regarding the Worcester National Grid smart meter pilot and Department of Public Utilities smart meter order 12-76-B.

The groups are calling for the Baker administration to investigate the $48M pilot, financed by ratepayers, as “outcome-oriented research” that manufactured consent, concealed unwelcomed information, and manipulated public perception concerning credible science, included claims that smart meters have been “proven safe.”

Industry articles are reporting this month that the Worcester pilot produced impressive results during “critical peak periods” on days when consumers were asked to limit electric consumption. The pilot is over budget and behind schedule and testing variables that will not be part of future smart meter deployment, including the free opt out and gift incentives.

Among the more serious charges is the assertion that Worcester’s Acting Commissioner of Public Health violated public trust when he issued a misleading health report, and that the DPU mischaracterized FCC exposure limits and misrepresented footnoted resources. The complaint also questions a controversial property value report by Worcester’s Assessor, and lack of support by Worcester’s elected officials to citizen concerns.

StopsmartmetersMASS spokesperson Patricia Burke stated, “Industry safety claims are based on testimony of one unethical mercenary tobacco scientist, who, like the sociopath Bernie Madoff, has contributed to the suffering of millions of people. Electricity is an essential service, not a consumer choice like cigarettes or a particular car model. As scandals like the Volkswagen debacle come to light, in the face of an alarming lack of integrity and transparency, it would be negligent for the Commonwealth to proceed without independent oversight and investigation, especially regarding environmental impacts and human health. It is our hope that all of the candidates running for office in Worcester will call for an audit and public, transparent investigation of the program. ”

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