Author: paulinemasson

By Pauline Masson –  Dan McClain has added a new lighted inflatable to his July 4 front yard display this year and it shouldn’t surprise anyone that it’s “Thank a Vet” message, ties the Stars and Stripes to Pacific’s reverence for all military veterans. It’s impossible to know how many flags there are in Pacific. Jeannie Bandermann has a stash of flags. Carol Johnson has a stash. The Boys Scouts have a stash. The Lions Club has a stash. The … Continue reading “July 4, One of the Days When the Flags Come Out in Pacific / There are Others / We Love Our Flags”

By Pauline Masson –  The Black Madonna Shrine, a historic walking garden graces a gentle slope in the picturesque LaBarque Hills 15 minutes south of Pacific. Open to the public and free, the shrine offers a welcoming stroll on any day in good weather. The historic retreat, which was built to offer solace to laborers and patients of a now abandoned infirmary, is a surviving reminder of a once thriving pioneer enclave of Irish immigrants. To this day the communities … Continue reading “Fifteen Minutes South of Pacific, a Historic Shrine Still Welcomes the Faithful and the Curious”

By Pauline Masson –  Advice from Former Public Works Commissioner: Changes in the atmosphere at city hall set one former official thinking of a city on the move. Former public works commissioner Ed Gass, who orchesrated two of the largest land purchases by the city in recent memory – or maybe ever – came to city hall June 20 to urge officials to rethink its bond issue plans. If the city wants to buy and build, it should forget about … Continue reading “No New Pool: Buy and Clear Lazy Larry Site, Spend Every Week Wooing Companies to Look at Pacific “

By Pauline Masson –  As we gear up for the Pacific Partnership’s 21st annual downtown Car Show, the number of people to thank for this popular shindig may surprise you. The Pacific Partnership as we know it, actually got its start at the death of a farovite son – local artist Joe McHugh. On Joe’s death in 1999 he bequeathed his half of the McHugh-Dailey Building at South First and Orleans streets to his two nephews, Jim and Bill McHugh. … Continue reading “Car Show: How Many People Does it Take to Make a Partnership? The Answer May Surprise You”

By Pauline Masson – As the Pacific Swim Club launches into its 25th season it might be timely to note that this club was the brainchild of a young police officer who disagreed with people who said there was nothing for young people to do in Pacific. “We have a swimming pool,” he said. “Why don’t we organize a swim club?” As I remember it, it took a couple of years in the 1990s for the idea to take shape. … Continue reading “Cop Who Liked Kids Left a Legacy: Pacific Swim Club / D.A.R.E. Program / Resource Officers in School / Police Explorers Club”

By Pauline Masson –  The four progressive aldermen prevailed on key issues June 6 in their quest for change in the way the city does business, but it was a tough slog. I concluded in my recent post that after City Administrator Steve Roth declared in writing that he would not acccpt additions that individual aldermen requested for the Board of Aldermen (BOA) meeting agenda that the progressive aldermen might just move forward without mentioning Roth’s insurrection. Which is exactly … Continue reading “No Surprises: Pro Change Aldermen Prevail on Key Issues / But Status Quo Officials Slow Proceeding”

By Pauline Masson – Aldermen may complete the first reading Tuesday evening of a bill that authorizes individual aldermen to add items to the agenda of the Board of Aldermen Meeting. Before this action, aldermen have had the opportunity to read a written declaration by City Administrator Steve Roth that he will not take part in a scenario where an alderman can add anything to the agenda that he creates and the mayor approves. The bill is one of three … Continue reading “City Administrator Divorces Himself From Aldermen Intent to Place Items on Their Agenda”

By Pauline Masson –  On Tuesday evening the newly organized board of aldermen will see three bills that can change the balance of power during board of aldermen meetings. If the language, crafted by City Attorney Bob Jones, does what they want it to do aldermen will complete the first reading – give preliminary approval – to the new bills. Once approved with a second reading, the ordinances authorize the board of aldermen to discuss upcoming legislation during the first … Continue reading “On Tuesday Aldermen Take First Step to Adjust the Balance of Power/ Target Public’s Need to Know”

By Pauline Masson – As tourist attractions go, Pacific is a landmark haven – with spots to highlight on a travel brochure  – white silica bluffs, a rail fan pavilion in the heart of Old Town, bluff top visitor sites at Blackburn Park and Jensen’s Point, and – for better or worse – its latent adoption of the Red Cedar Inn. I’ve been writing about the Red Cedar for for thirty years. I came across this piece that I wrote … Continue reading “Historic Tourism is All About Romance, Folks  – To Bring Visitors, You Have to Tell a Story”

By Pauline Masson – Stephen Flannery III, said he took it personally when aldermen recently refused to approve his re-appointment to the one-year seat he had held on the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z). Flannery was appointed to P&Z in May 2022 to fill the unexpired term of Rick Presley, who was elected to the board of aldermen. At the May 2, 2023 meeting, Mayor Heather Filley appointed Flannery to a full four year term but aldermen failed to approve … Continue reading “Stephen Flannery III Seeks Re-appointment to P&Z / Says He Is Best Qualified For the Seat”