Brockton's Palermo Died Doing What He Loved

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—U.S. Army Capt. Anthony Palermo Jr. from his childhood until his death on April 6, 2007 wanted to be a soldier and became a professional military man much like his beloved uncle and role model Sgt. First Class Angel Ortiz--a career U.S. Army soldier who was with Palermo when a makeshift bomb killed his nephew on a roadway in Iraq.
“I was there with him when he was killed. It was tough to bring him home,” Ortiz said as he unsuccessfully choked back tears and could barely talk about the day in Iraq when Palermo died at the age of 26.
“It was the hardest thing I ever had to do,” he said.
Ortiz said when Palermo was shipped out for his second tour of duty to Iraq, the pair were stationed together in Kuwait and both were deployed in the same unit to Baghdad where Ortiz witnessed the explosion that killed Palermo.
It was a devastating moment that Ortiz preferred not to talk about in detail.
He said Palermo’s loss is even more difficult because of the way Palermo always looked up to him as a second father and mentor, but Ortiz threw his shoulders back and stopped the flow of tears from his red eyes.
“He died serving his country. He died doing what he loved,” Ortiz said.
Palermo, a Brockton High graduate who died two weeks before the birth of his only son Marcus Anthony was honored for his service Monday, May 30 following the City of Brockton’s annual Memorial Day Parade.
A bronze and copper plaque with a picture of Palermo was unveiled during ceremonies at City Hall Plaza that included a three-gun salute, Brockton High Marching Band,
Brockton Police Honor Guard, Brockton Fire Department’s Pipes and Drums, and Brockton High’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or JROTC—one of the ways a teenaged Palermo prepared himself for a career in the U.S. Army.
Palermo’s father, John Palermo said his oldest son--originally born in Puerto Rico--had Army on his mind from a very young age.
“He was always serious about it. Since he was a little boy playing with toy soldiers—he wanted to be in the military,” John Palermo said.
John Palermo said Anthony isn’t the only family member who has heard the call to serve. His youngest son Johnny Jr. is in the Army and stationed in El Paso, Texas and middle daughter Lisanette Palermo is stationed at a U.S. Army base in Kansas City.
All three Palermo siblings were members of Brockton High’s JROTC, Palermo said.
John Palermo said “there are no words” to describe Tony’s loss, but despite his older brother’s death in Iraq, Palermo said he could not keep youngest son Johnny from following his brother into the Army—even when the boy was underage.
“He told me if I wouldn’t give him permission he would find a way anyway,” Palermo said. “I couldn’t stop him,” Palermo said.
After graduating from Brockton High, Anthony Palermo went on to further his military studies at Norwich University where he and fellow Brockton JROTC members Dennis Goulet and Matthew Weeks (Pictured, right) excelled as leaders and all-around students and friends.
The trio graduated from Norwich in 1998.
“He was a friend, a father, a brother—he was just a great guy,” Goulet said.
Weeks said while Palermo loved his wife Kristy and was thrilled at the arrival of his son Marcus Palermo was a serious and committed soldier who passed over a promotion to lead his men into dangerous territory in Iraq.
“He loved his men. He loved the military. He loved what he was doing,” Weeks said. “It’s hard, but at least he died doing what he loved,” he said.
Weeks said Palermo died two weeks before his son Marcus was born and was expected to take a leave and come back to the U.S. for the birth or—if the youngster came early—to meet his new son.
However, an improvised explosive device changed everything.
His aunt Vivian Irizarry clutched a bouquet of red and white flowers and in between crying, laughing and wiping away tears, said the tribute to her nephew is in one way sad and sorrowful, but in another fills the family with joy and proud.
“He died fighting for his country. He died for the country he loves,” Irizarry said.
The plaque in Palermo’s honor was paid for by a combination of money raised by the family through a website, www.captaintonypalermo.blogspot.com and city veterans agencies.
Mayor Linda Balzotti said her father was a "veteran to the end," who died on Memorial Day May 30, 1988 and asked the crowd to take a moment from their day to honor and remember the sacrifice of the nation's armed forces.
"Let's pray they all make it home safely," Balzotti said.
The family is in the process of establishing a non-profit organization to raise money for a scholarship for a high school student and other veteran services endeavors.
(Top photo of Palermo courtesy of Palermo family)

Brockton Celebrates 130th Year

Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—City officials and dozens of residents celebrated the 130th anniversary of Brockton becoming a city during a brief ceremony in the rotunda of City Hall.
“We owe a great deal of gratitude to the founding fathers for incorporating this community as a city,” said state Senator Thomas Kennedy.
The celebration was held Monday, May 23, the day Brockton residents voted to make the leap from a town to a city about one month after an act of the State Legislature in April, 1881 gave the town the green light to change its status, said Brockton Historical Society President James Benson.
Originally Brockton was incorporated as the town of North Bridgewater in 1824 and eventually changed its name to Brockton at the suggestion of shoe manufacturing mogul Ira Copeland (Pictured, below) in honor of Sir Isaac Brock, a major-general in the British army.
Benson told the crowd that in Brockton’s shoe-making hey-day thousands of immigrants came to Brockton from Ireland, Italy, Germany, Lithuania and Sweden—a destination where they found a new and better life, similar to people who now flock to Brockton from Cape Verde, Haiti, Senegal and make up about 60 percent of the city.
“Some say Brockton’s best days are behind, in the past,” Benson said, “but with new businesses and new immigrant groups from places our ancestors never heard of…Brockton’s future is straight ahead.”
The event included a double-chocolate birthday cake celebrating the moment and a tour of historic Brockton City Hall by Bob Martin, one of Brockton’s historians, who pointed out that like the “Mona Lisa,” “The Charge of the 4th Mass. Cavalry” has a soldier whose eyes follow a viewer from one end of the massive mural to the other.
“Give it a try,” Martin said. (Pictured, top)
An exhibit of photographs from the historical society's collection will be on view until tomorrow in rotunda of City Hall.

Brockton Baking Co., Whitman Pub Take MetroSouth Yearly Honors

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton’s Elie Baking Corp. has been named Small Business of the Year and McGuiggan’s Pub in Whitman Entrepreneur of the Year by MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce during its 20th annual Small Business Expo and Luncheon.
The awards were announced Wednesday, May 18 at the Chamber’s annual expo and conference held at the Shaw’s Center.
Other nominees included Apothecare South Shore, Inc. of Brockton, Beaver Woodworking Supplies of Brockton, Belle Epoque of Brockton, Cake in a Box of Bridgewater, Hungry Coyote of Brockton, Mia Regazza of Abington and The Mockingbird Restaurant of East Bridgewater.
Nominees were evaluated on their ability to demonstrate creativity in the development of their business, growth and staying power, internal and external social responsibility, and the economic opportunities they have created in the Metro South region.
Elie’s Baking, which includes Near East Bakery in Boston, several years ago opened a manufacturing plant for bagels and pita bread at 204 N. Montello St. in Brockton that expands its already successful bagel, pita bread, gyro and tortilla business.
A minority-owned business operated by Lebanon natives Elie and Al Ata, (Pictured above, left to right, with Brockton 21st Century Corporation's Mary Waldron) the company has made a $1.7 million investment in the Brockton location and employs 40 to 45 people.
The company plans to expand it’s 48,000 square-foot building to add to its New England, Florida and Virginia client base.
The company has supported numerous food pantries and stop hunger causes.
McGuiggan’s Pub was opened in downtown Whitman in Dec. 2009 by well-known developer Richard Rosen. (Pictured at right with wife Kathy)
The pub, which features an upscale Irish sports pub atmosphere and elegant mahogany bar, has grown from 10 employees to 35 and has invested about $1 million for growth and expansion.
McGuiggan’s has sponsored road races for the Whitman Food Pantry, and Whitman Athletic Department. It has also hosted events to raise money for Brockton Family & Community Resources, ALS and MDA.
McGuiggan’s was named Best Bartenders on the South Shore and Best Hangout on the South Shore in 2010 by South Shore Living Magazine.

MetroSouth Biz Expo Wednesday

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton businesses will be highlighted for their perseverance, entrepreneurship and contributions to the city by the MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce, Brockton City Council and a coalition of business associations in honor of National Small Business Week.
Four businesses: Sunset Cafe, Executive Cuts, Waitt Funeral Home and Dwyer's Glass are the recipients of the first "Brockton--Let's Get Down To Business" recognition award initiated by Ward 2 City Councilor Thomas Monahan and modeled after a similar program in the City of Lawrence.
In a prepared statement, Monahan said afer seeing the recognition program in Lawrence and hearing from businesses how difficult it is to survive in a struggling city during the tax rate classification hearing in the winter, it would be a good idea to highlight more of Brockton's success stories.
"It hit home with me that many of these businesses are the employers of our residents and the contributors to various community groups and they don't even get a pat on the back," Monahan said. "The businesses being recognized through this program are examples of why one should bring their business to Brockton. They are the biggest cheerleaders of the city. The more businesses we bring in, the fewer burdens it has on our taxpayers," he said.
The four businesses received a certificate of accomplishment from the City Council and Mayor Linda Balzotti last Monday.
On Wednesday, May 18 MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Small Business Expo and Awards Luncheon from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
The free Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to Noon and is free to all.
The luncheon includes a presentation by Stephen Michon, vice-president of FutureWorks where he leads strategic planning for regional economic development. (Pictured at right)
Among the projects he has directed are the Fellowship for Regional Sustainable Development, the City of Portland economic development strategy, the Talent Dividend Network and an evaluation of small business lending strategies in Maine.
Michon is expected to tackle two major questions:
1) How does Brockton and the Metro South region compete on the global stage?
2) How do these trends impact your small business and what can your business do about it?
The luncheon will also feature the announcement of the Small Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
Nominations for Small Business of the Year include:
Beaver Woodworking Supplies, Brockton;
Apothecare South Shore, Inc. Brockton;
Mia Regazza Restaurant, Abington;
Elie Baking Corp, Brockton;
The Mockingbird Restaurant, East Bridgewater;
Nominations for Entrepreneur of the Year include:
Cake in a Box, Bridgewater;
Hungry Coyote, Brockton;
Belle Epoque Café & Bakery, Brockton;
McGuiggan's Pub, Whitman.
For more information about the expo and luncheon visit the MetroSouth Chamber's website.

School Roof Repairs On City Council Fin. Comm. Tonight

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—The City Council Finance Committee will meet tonight to discuss and possibly approve borrowing $7.2 million, or a 20 percent share of a $36 million roof repair project for eight of the city’s schools—a move that could trigger a Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusion override in the future.
City Councilors will be presented with a plan from School Operations Director Michael Thomas for the school department to repair eight school building roofs under the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Bureau’s Green Repairs program.
Thomas said the state has approved Brockton to repair roofs at Raymond, Davis, Downey and Hancock elementary schools, North, East and West Middle schools and Brockton High School.
East and North Middle schools would also receive new boilers.
Thomas said the state will pay for 80 percent of the repairs and Brockton would be responsible for 20 percent, or about $7.2 million—a figure that would require officials to absorb the amount in the city’s annual budget, or seek a Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusion override to pay for the loan.
“I don’t know what is going to happen tonight,” Thomas said. “We’re in tough economic times, but it’s a good deal for the city and the work has to be done. If we wait 3 or 4 years the work will still have to be done and we pay 100 percent,” he said.
The money has become available as a part of the federal American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
City officials must approve the spending by May 25 when the state building agency must approve the funding for its more than 130 school projects on the list.
If Brockton rejects the repair project another school system will be able to take the money for its own projects.
Thomas said initially state officials gave Brockton approval for four schools, but late last year added four more to the project.
John “Jay” Condon said he has sent a memo to the City Council outlining the city’s current and future budget and what kind of impact absorbing $7.2 million would have on services during the life of the loan.
“I can’t say it won’t have an effect,” Condon said.
Because officials are still putting together next year’s budget , Condon said it is unclear how much of an effect another $7.2 million roof project will have.
He said he believes it will “squeeze future budgets” and a debt exclusion might be necessary to pay the loan.
Historically, Brockton voters have rejected overrides, whether they are debt exclusions which increase taxes until a construction project is paid off or a so-called regular Proposition 2 ½ override for annual services and salaries that becomes a permanent tax.
Condon said while the green program is an excellent way for the city to repair severe problems at the schools—including North Middle School which has been unable to use its auditorium after it was condemned 2 years ago by the building department.
However, the city has absorbed numerous construction projects--about $25 million--over the past 10 years, including renovating the libraries and rebuilding and renovating five schools, including the Mary E. Baker School and the Angelo Elementary School.
Condon outlined payments for five school projects and library expansion and renovations already on the books and being absorbed within the limits of Proposition 2 ½:
*$17.5 million for school rebuilds—15 percent to be paid by the city or about $3.2 million;
*$10 million for school projects—15 percent to be paid by city, or about $1.5 million;
*$7.82 million for George School project—100 percent to be paid by the city;
*$485,525 for planning school projects—100 percent to be paid by the city;
*$1 million for school projects—100 percent to be paid by the city;
*$2.745 million for land acquisition for school rebuilds—100 percent to be paid by the city;
*$5.5 million for library projects—100 percent to be paid by the city;
*$3.025 million for library planning and land acquisition—100 percent to be paid by the city.
Condon said those figures make him hesitate that the $7.2 million can be absorbed for long within the confines of the budget.
The payments on the school building and library projects mature, or are fully paid as follows:
*$17.5 million, or $3.2 million 15 percent share in 2017;
*$10 million, or $1.5 million 15 percent share in 2020;
*$7.82 million in 2031;
*$1 million in 2021;
*$2.745 million in 2019;
*$485,525 in 2020;
*$5.5 million in 2021;
*$3 million in 2021.

Patrons Make Rowdy Exit From Joe Angelo's In Brockton

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—
At 1:40 a.m. Saturday morning—five minutes before last call—a request went out to Brockton Police for a cruiser at Joe Angelo’s Café.
Brockton Police and State Police had spent several hours searching for a man who ran away from a fatal fire at 75 Melrose Avenue.
Nearly all Brockton Police were involved in the search as were many State Police units and a State Police helicopter that had arrived in Brockton around 12:30 a.m. to help with the search.
The initial response came over the scanner: “No one’s available.”
Moments later another response came across that police would be sending someone.
At 1:45 a.m. the parking lot near the back porch of Joe Angelo’s was saturated with people who were leaving the bar.
Some were hugging one another. Others were visibly wobbling as they tried to walk to their cars. Friends gave them a shoulder to lean on. Most others were milling around and watching as more and more police arrived on the scene.
As this reporter got out of her car I came across a woman screaming at a young man not to fight.
The young man had that look many of us partygoers have seen when someone has had too much to drink—his eyes were blank and he didn’t want to listen to the woman who was screaming and swearing at him not to fight in public.
The woman after seeing this reporter recording the incident decided to attack this reporter and tried to grab my video camera. I began running and she fell face and shoulder first into the pavement after tripping in her high-heel shoes.
A police officer asked me to stop recording because he believed my presence was adding “fuel to the fire.”
Once the young man was loaded into a car the potential fight fizzled and the area was cleared of patrons and most police by about 2:10 a.m.
At a Brockton License Commission hearing April 27, the board voted to roll-back Joe Angelo’s weekend closing time from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. after Brockton Police testified over the last two years the Main and Crescent Street bar has had problem after problem culminating in a brawl March 12 when a man was stabbed and a woman had a broken beer bottle gouge her face.
The hours roll-back has not taken effect yet.
Lt Paul Bonanca testified at the April 27 hearing that Joe Angelo’s is headed for a murder, noting the man who was stabbed March 12 had his spleen removed and only missed being killed by a matter of inches.
“Two inches higher and it would have been a homicide,” Bonanca told commissioners.
Police testified that on any given Thursday, Friday or Saturday night fights have broken out at the bar and it has become common practice for Brockton or State Police to send a car at 1:45 a.m. to prevent brawls like the March 12 fight.
We decided to see what we would find if we arrived at about 1:40 a.m. on a Friday or Saturday night.
The above video is what we saw early Saturday morning May 7 as Friday night turned into early Saturday morning and revelers began to leave Joe Angelo’s.

Fire Kills Melrose Ave. Woman

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—The Lithuanian Village was surrounded by Brockton and State Police as they searched for a man who may have been at the scene of a fire on Melrose Avenue that took the life of an as yet identified woman who was living in what may be an illegal basement apartment.
Fire Chief Richard Francis said firefighters were called to the two-story Melrose Avenue house at about 11 p.m. Saturday and found the woman in the basement.
He said she suffered from smoke inhalation and was raced to Brockton Hospital.
Francis said en-route emergency personnel resuscitated the woman, but she went into cardiac arrest and died at the hospital.
Officials have yet to release the woman’s name.
While firefighters extinguished the blaze at about Midnight, police fanned out and surrounded the Village, setting up a perimeter from Ames Street, to Mulberry, and all along E. Ashland as they searched for a man who is belived to have been with the woman before the fire broke out.
“He is a person of interest,” Francis said.
Francis said neighbors told officials the man was a recent boyfriend and took off running shortly after the blaze broke out.
The man was described as a skinny Hispanic and possibly wearing a black baseball hat and orange jacket.
State Police brought in canine units and a State Police Air-Wing helicopter flew from Plymouth to Brockton at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday to aid in the search.
The helicopter circled the Village for more than hour, but did not locate the wanted man.
A man was apprehended in a marsh behind National Grid on East Ashland Street, however it was determined he was not the right guy.
Francis said the fire is under investigation and could not say immediately what caused the blaze.
Officials believe the woman may have been living in an illegal basement apartment.