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December 17, 2009

Both impressive talk and impressive talkers

By Alan Burke

MARBLEHEAD — The Rotary rounds up top speakers.

The caliber of those noontime talkers keeps rising. After a visit from candidate for governor Charlie Baker earlier this year and lectures from FBI counterterrorism experts, the group listened to F. Lee Bailey last week.

The one-time top defense attorney made his name in the early 1960s fighting to free convicted murderer Sam Shephard — the model for the hero of "The Fugitive." Bailey later provided counsel to accused Boston Strangler Albert DeSalvo and was part of O.J. Simpson's legal Dream Team.

"He was pretty amazing," Rotary member Gene Arnould said. "He was superb. He spoke for close to half an hour with no notes. He pulled up text, dates and names. ... I was impressed."

Arnould had gone expecting to hear someone a trifle self-important. Instead, he was enthralled with the 76-year-old's cool self-assurance. He spoke with authority of the anticipated trial of terrorism suspects in New York City as a showcase for the American legal system.

Bailey, who was disbarred some years ago, has lived in Lynn. He told Rotary member Tanya DeGenova, the program chairwoman who arranged his visit, that he intends to sell his house and move to Maine.

Don't try this at home

Town Administrator Tony Sasso was making a professional inquiry about the Breathalyzer during a hearing on whether The Landing Restaurant was over-serving a customer. "What's the quickest way I can get to a .30 in 45 minutes?" he asked.

"Give yourself an IV," deadpanned police Sgt. Donald Decker.

The question actually concerned a man who either got very drunk in 45 minutes or was already drunk on arriving at The Landing. The eatery's lawyer, Paul Lynch, suggested intravenous alcoholism, offering a written statement from a witness who insisted that the man seemed fine when he left the restaurant.

"We're taking your word that this (witness) is credible," Selectman Judy Jacobi told Lynch.

"I would hope you would," he retorted.

"Don't get yourself all excited," she replied.

Take your time and get it right

A discussion by the selectmen regarding who needs a swine flu shot led member Harry Christensen to note that his daughter-in-law has moved in and "she's about 12 months pregnant."

Students are slower than before

Marblehead High School junior Henry Pratt has asked to use the causeway for two hours on Sunday, June 13, in order to conduct a race for charity, namely the Citizen's Scholarship Fund. That had Selectman Jim Nye scratching his head. "He's going to need two hours to race a half-mile?"

Thanks for remembering

Michael Rockett appeared before the selectmen to thank the town for its outpouring of goodwill on the death of his father, former Selectman and state Rep. J. Hilary Rockett.

"It meant a lot to the family," he said.

The selectmen praised the late Mr. Rockett's contributions to the town.

"Hilary had a great institutional memory," observed Town Administrator Tony Sasso.

"If he didn't," the younger Rockett joked, "he made it up."

Selectmen also praised Michael Rockett, who has been an unpaid executive helping to oversee construction of the high school and the renovation of both Veterans Middle School and Village School.

First, Tiger Woods — now this

Santa came ashore for the Christmas Walk earlier this month aboard Jay Sahagun's boat the Sea Hooker. Well, he was chaperoned by Mrs. Claus, so we can relax. But he kicked off what Chamber of Commerce Director Ann Marie Casey is calling a successful series of events.

"There's been a lot of traffic through the doors (of shopkeepers). People seem generally pleased. ... And we still have activities planned."

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