The Boston Globe has published a long list of government employees whom they suggest got their probation department jobs through political influence, often involving Ludlow's State Rep. Thomas Petrolati. Another name that appears again and again on the list is retiring State Senator Stephen J. Buoniconti of West Springfield. He is retiring against his will because voters refused to elect him Hampden County District Attorney earlier this month. Oh how the mighty are falling! Just weeks ago Buoniconti was a power-player with an unlimited political future - but now he has lost it all and frankly it couldn't happen to a more deserving guy!
Anyway, who were the people on the Globe's roll call of shame that are from Western Mass? Well you can look through all 250 names searching for the one's with local ties, but I've already done all the hard work for you and hereby present them right here for your perusal. The drum roll please:
Acting Chief Probation Officer, Hampden Superior Court
Son of Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe
It's all in the family when it comes to passing out the jobs!
Chief Probation Officer, Southern Berkshire District Court
Son of retired Pittfield District Court Judge Alfred A. Barbalunga
It was the Judge's judgment that his son was the most qualified!
Probation Officer , Palmer District Court
Former aide to Sen. Stephen J. Buoniconti, D-West Springfield
Voters may have shown Buoniconti the door, but not before his aide snagged a permanent payday.
Probation officer, Holyoke District Court
Daughter of former Probation Supervisor Nicholas J. DeAngelis
Isn't it amazing how often the most qualified applicant turns out to be someone in your own family!
Springfield City Councilor
How nice to be able to supplement your measly Council salary with a full-time state job. Two government checks are certainly better than one!
Acting Chief Probation Officer, Franklin Superior Court
Bartender at Joe's Pizza in Northampton, a bar frequented by former Probation Deputy Commissioner William H. Burke III
It must have been a hell of a pizza he served to get a state job for a tip!
Acting Chief Probation Officer, Hampshire Superior Court
Bartender at Joe's Pizza in Northampton, a bar frequented by former Probation Deputy Commissioner William H. Burke III.
Hey bartender make mine a double - a state paycheck with a fat pension on the side!
Associate Probation Officer, Chicopee District Court
Niece of Probation Officer John Crespo. Married to Probation Officer Jason Martins
After searching far and wide for a qualified candidate, only a family member could be found.
Probation Officer, Springfield District Court
Husband of Associate Probation Officer Jennifer Crespo Martins
Keeping the paychecks and the bennies all in the family!
Probation officer, Eastern Hampshire District Court
Son of former Greenfield District Court Chief Probation Officer Paul McDonald
Hey Daddy, I need a job!
Probation officer, Springfield District Court
Daughter of former Greenfield District Court Chief Probation Officer Paul McDonald
Yes Daddy, and don't forget daughter dearest!
Probation officer, Hampshire Superior Court
Son of former Greenfield District Court Chief Probation Officer Paul McDonald
Yeah Pop, and don't forget loyal son number two!
Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Eastern Hampshire District Court
Former legislative aide and childhood friend of Rep. Thomas M. Petrolati, D-Ludlow.
Growing up with Petro can prove quite profitable.
Regional Manager, Electronic Monitoring Program
Wife of Rep. Thomas M. Petrolati, D-Ludlow
After an exhaustive but futile search for a qualified candidate, Petro discovered the perfect applicant lying right next to him in bed!
Supervisor, Probation Services, Office of the Commissioner
Daughter of the late Hampden County District Attorney Matthew J. Ryan, Jr.
Yet another way that Matty got the last laugh on the taxpayers.
Chief Probation Officer, Eastern Hampshire District Court
Husband of Rep. Thomas M. Petrolati's aide, Colleen Ryan
No family member need suffer unemployment when you're in with Petro.
Probation Officer, Springfield District Court
Niece of Andre Pereira, Assistant Chief Probation Officer in Eastern Hampshire District Court and former aide to Rep. Thomas M. Petrolati.
There may be a few I missed, so if you look at the list yourself and spot any others please let me know. In any case, one thing is for sure, once you're in with Petro the paydays never stop!
Of course it is good to be reminded that not everything politicians do is evil, for example here is State Senator Stan Rosenberg collecting for charity on Main Street in Northampton.
In the window of Broadside Books.
Yesterday morning at the Haymarket.
Wild night on the Hamp nightclub scene.
by Paolo Mastrangelo
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