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— Quincy Massachusetts News by Quincy Quarry News – News, Opinion and Commentary.
Via the latest of many dimes dropped Quincy Quarry News’ way comes yet another scoop for the Quarry.
(“Not the City of Quincy yet again …”)
An istock image
In this instance, the long expected lawsuit to stop Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch from illegally installing religion statues on the soon to be opening new City of Quincy Public Safety building and were paid for with roughly a million dollars of taxpayers’ money is imminent as in the lawsuit is likely to be filed by as soon as tomorrow to perhaps no later than sometime next week.
A consequential Boston-based boutique litigation law firm is in the loop working on behalf of outraged locals, the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and The Freedom From Region Foundation.
FAFO …
Image via change.org
On top of filing suit, a stop work injunction should be expected as well as every effort possible in the works, including to see considerable media coverage.
In short, expect taking names, numbers, and no prisoners.
In turn, given the Koch Administration’s woeful to near perfect losing record on consequential lawsuits, one can only assume that this latest litigation will result in even more whacks to Quincy’s rotund piñata.
So Timmons will sputter and stutter his way though another losing battle. Or he will go outside and hire some $1,000/hour litigator who will be paid by the taxpayers and they will lose too. Tommy never cared about the Code not Taxpayers, it’s all about his ego. What Tommy wants, Tommy gets. He learned that back at Sacred Heart. Are we done paying for his screw ups yet? We never will be given the long term debt he has saddled this City with. He really is going to spend out money fighting a Constitutional issue that has been adjudicated many times with the same outcome. He’s a moron.
Juice, for once taxpayers are supposedly not going to be stuck with covering the legal bills over a koching up.
A few weeks ago our peerless mayor stated that he had private money lined up to fund a defense of a lawsuit over the statues. Unmentioned, however, was pretty much had to line up private money-funded legal services as he had to as the core is issue is his obviously unconstitutional use of public funds.
Unclear, however, is if, when, and/or how he might end up stuck with having to reimburse local taxpayers for his surely illegally spending close to a million dollars of taxpayer-funded funds on what are banal statues of Roman Catholic saints that he wants to illegally install on public property.
The mayor insists these aren’t religious symbols but rather “beautiful public art” that “transcend any religious connotation” . That’s a bold claim, considering the ACLU and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have both pointed out that saints are inherently religious figures, and their prominent placement on government property could violate constitutional principles
This situation in Quincy is quite concerning. Mayor Koch’s decision to install two 10-foot bronze statues of Saints Michael and Florian at the new public safety building, costing $850,000, has sparked significant controversy. Many residents and organizations argue that this move blurs the line between church and state, potentially violating constitutional principles.
The ACLU of Massachusetts has expressed strong opposition, stating that the statues could be seen as government endorsement of a specific religion, which is problematic in a diverse community. Additionally, the lack of transparency and public input in this decision is troubling. Public funds are being used for these religious symbols without adequate community consultation.
It’s essential for public spaces, especially those funded by taxpayers, to remain inclusive and secular to ensure all community members feel represented and respected. I hope the city reconsiders this decision in light of the concerns raised.
Gus,
The bad news: Quincy’s peerless mayor is on record as saying he will not relent.
The expected likely eventual good news: a potential career-ending and perhaps even personally expensive spanking of Mayor Koch for a near million misappropriation of public funds.
After all, facts are stubborn things.
Does the Mayor not have ONE close adviser — among the oh so many surrounding him — who has both integrity and wisdom?
Joe, Clearly, you have not seen the job descriptions.
Plus, like the mayor listens to anyone. At least not to those he should.
To QuincyQuarry system administrator:
I am shocked to see my comment sent to you was DISTORTED when published:
2 words “oh so” were inserted into my comment.
This damages the credibility of your system. I hereby demand correction and removal of distortion of my comment. I hope to see professionalism and credibility of your system.