Declare Your Curiosity

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:39:25 GMT

Get your game face on, ladies and gentleman. The holiday shopping season is about to begin. And it can be downright dangerous.

Remember last year's death of a Long Island Wal-Mart worker?

He was trampled to death BY SHOPPERS the day after Thanksgiving. Witnesses say about 200 people crashed through the doors to scoop up the bargains.

No discounted "Tickle Me Elmo" could have been worth that.

What’s the worst shopping rage you’ve ever seen? Have you ever been a victim?

As a former retail employee, I remember watching shoppers wrestle over sale sweaters, but it never got violent. It seems, sadly, those days have changed.

OSHA is even out with guidelines for retailers to make sure that shoppers are protected and stores have a security plan.

Wal-Mart says it's consulted with security experts to come up with a plan for each and every store.

Almost makes you wish you'd started shopping months ago...

Peg Rusconi is reporting this story tonight on WBZ NEWS AT FIVE.

Grads Want A Bailout

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:10:50 GMT

When did we get into a "bail out" mentality? College students can't afford their loans: why is this my problem? I went to a college I could afford, took loans as needed, and paid them off. Don't buy it if you can't afford it: how's that for a concept? Perhaps the government should stop bailing people and companies out and start creating jobs so that people can afford to pay their own way through life.

Stephanie, Whitman

Good idea. The trouble is that college tuition is getting less and less affordable. Even at cheaper state colleges. Some argue the student loans themselves are causing this, which seems like circular logic. And of course, there are other theories...

The fact remains though that recent grads' inability to pay back their loans will have consequences for all of us and may put a drag on the entire economy. Take a look at Kate Merrill's story from last night...

What do you think should be done about all that student debt? Do you think they should be bailed out? Or should they be left to fend for themselves?

Making it in Massachusetts? Not Anymore.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:11:33 GMT

Here are three words that will drive you crazy: "Made In China."

Here are three more: "Waste Of Money."

This a story that encapsulates both phrases with annoying aplomb.

About a year ago, the state gave Evergreen Solar, out of Marlboro, about $60 million dollars in aid to built a factory. We did a big story on the company's innovative ideas. Its solar panel building factory in Devens would lead the "green revolution" and create jobs.

Well, well, well. Evergreen Solar is now shifting its assembly of those panels to..... yes.... China.

According to the Globe, Evergreen pledged, when it got its $58.6 million from the state, that it would create about 350 jobs. The number has actually been much higher.

But what happens now? Evergreen won't say how many of its 700 or so jobs in Massachusetts will dissapear faster than you can say "Made in China."

It's a sad, sad development.

But who do you blame? Do you blame the Governor for giving Evergreen a sweetheart deal? Or... did the company pull a fast one? And perhaps the bigger question: how do we stop these companies from bailing on us??

As a taxpayer, I have three more words: I feel duped.

Civilian Flaggers Not So Cheap

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:01:18 GMT

I just watched your story on civilian flaggers. What a disappointment. You compare hourly rates for the flaggers and police officers working details but you made no mention of the cost of benefits for these employees. Police officers have benefits for their normal duties but not for their time on details. As full time employees flaggers will receive vacation, holiday and sick time in addition to their hourly rate. Including those numbers will show the true cost of this "savings" plan.

Laurena, Burlington

Why are civilian flagger getting $35.00? We won't save much at that payrate

Sandra, Marlborough

It was a big idea the governor was pushing that promised to save the state millions, and met with fierce resistance from local cops. But many local towns were not quite awe-struck with the amount that replacing police details at construction sites with civilians.

Every time we do a story on this issue, it gets a lot of reaction. Some feel the savings generated are really too little to make a difference. But a lot of the people we asked said any savings at all are reason enough to get rid of police details, especially since the already-decimated state budget is getting cut again. Take a look:

Do you still think it's worth getting rid of police details?

Enough With Bailouts?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:01:55 GMT

Thank you sir, may I have another. GMAC is asking the federal government to extend it a third financial lifeline.

This feels like a bad episode of "Who Wants to Be a Millionare?" with the government playing the role of Regis Philbin.

The lending giant is looking for nearly $6 billion on top of the more than $12 billion it has already received - and it appears the fed is ready to open the bank again.

The move would make GMAC the only US company to receive three rounds of bailout aid.

When is it time to let GMAC fail? How much is too much for taxpayers to bear? Let's hear your final answer....

Credit Card Companies Gone Wild?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:35:45 GMT

You pay off your credit card every month. You use it responsibly, but that’s not good enough. Now credit card companies are coming for you. Realizing you don’t have a monthly balance they can hit with their normally high interest rate, many are going to start charging you an annual fee.

Experts say you have choices. You can call and complain which if you’re a good customer often works. You can pay the fee if you’re getting rewards with the card, or you can tell the company thanks but no thanks and close the account. Sometimes doing this can affect your credit score.

Why are they targeting the responsible? Is this right? Don’t credit card companies make enough from the transactions already? Now that we know what they are planning to do, what are you going to do?

Under Valued and Over Taxed?

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:03:26 GMT

Chances are, your home is not worth what it was just a few years ago. When the real estate bubble burst, (ok..exploded..smashed..) your home value sunk like a rock. But, there is one thing that has not dropped and that is your property tax bill. While a realtor might tell you the price is down, your local assessor is telling you something else.

Many people were curious why the market value and the assessed value are not more in line, so we found out.

Turns out, your property value is from two years ago. Thats how the system works, this December's assessment will show up in 2011..not today. Instead, today you will pay like it 2007.

You don't have to stand for it. Home owners can fight for a reduction, which is called an abatement. Marlboro's chief assessor told us it can be worth your time.

But can it work? We want to hear from you. Anyone tried to fight for an abatement and did it pay off? Does this system seem fair to you? Or is this how it has to work because there is just too much information to have the numbers/taxes current?

Give us your two cents..if you have any left after paying your property tax bill.

Bumped Off A Flight. Not Yet? Just Wait

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:20:30 GMT

Fact: the airlines can sell more tickets than there are seats on a plane. It's allowed under Federal Law, and now that the airlines are struggling - well, all bets are off. (Hint: Print your boarding pass at home and GET a seat assignment.)

Once you've booked a flight for a trip and you're headed to the airport, you pretty much expect you'll definitely be on your way. But not so fast - getting bumped is at a 14 year high, and it ain't what it used to be. Don't count on a chipper flight attendant offerring you a First Class Round-Trip ticket anywhere for your future use! - nowadays count on delays, restrictions and black-out dates. Watch my story on getting bumped to find out what your rights are and how you can demand cash instead of a voucher. Before you book a flight for the holidays.

Have you ever been bumped or notice that it's happening more lately? Would you volunteer to be bumped? Have other terrible travel tales? Share your "bumpy" travel stories...

Shopping or Saving?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:08:09 GMT

So you wait till the last minute to shop for the Holidays. Cash in on desperate retailers offering up big sales in the 11^th hour. Be careful this year. With a bumpy economy, and a horrible holiday season in their rear view mirror retailers are manufacturing less this year so they don’t get stuck with unsold merchandise. With some economists offering up a so-so projection this season many retailers are not planning on over stocking. Good news for early shoppers, bad news for procrastinators.

With that said how about ShopperTrak. A retail research firm that is actually projecting holiday sales this year will rise 1.6 percent. They are basing this by tracking customer traffic in 45,000 stores. These are just projections, what really matters is what you are going to do.

How you are going to spend? Is this the year you are going to let loose? Are you going to budget? Are you going to splurge? How are you planning on spending this holiday season?

$1.7 Million For Mile Marker Signs!!

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:40:40 GMT

We have received thousands of your "curiosities." Thousands!

And, interestingly enough, one of the most famous, or infamous, curiosities goes something like this: "WHY IS THE STATE WASTING MONEY ON HIGHWAY MILE MARKER SIGNS EVERY TWO-TENTHS OF A MILE!!!!!"

We get so many of these. You are not a fan of the mile marker project which is costing $1.7 million in federal funds earmarked specifically for safety upgrades.

Back in May, I looked into the sudden explosion of mile markers along our highways. You can watch that story by clicking here. But even after that report, you kept writing into our website- "WHAT"S UP WITH THE MILE MARKERS! I'M NOT FLYING AROUND IN A MAKESHIFT MYLAR WEATHER BALLOON... I KNOW WHERE I AM !!!"

Today at 5, we bring you Mile Markers The Sequel. I printed up all your questions and brought them to the Mass Highway Commissioner and read them to her. Questions like: "Who's the rocket scientist who came up with this idea?" To her credit, the Commissioner is quick to defend herself and the project.

But here's what I want to know from you: Does the "it's federal money, not state money" argument drive you nuts? Do you actually think the mile markers are useful? AND- What other projects out there have you noticed that seem like a big 'ole waste of money?