In City Times' Straight Talk

1. President Obama recently held a health care summit. How did it go? Were the Republicans obstructionist - intent on making it Obama's Waterloo?

2. Why can't both parties craft a health care reform package acceptable to everyone? OR: Should the President just run with the Dems and get some reforms?

3. The troubles at Toyota continue. How does this affect the US auto industry?

4. A Rhode Island public school system fired all the teachers at a poorly performing school? Was this the right thing to do? The president applauded the move? Was this the right thing to do?

5. Republicans reinvigorated by the Scott Brown win. Will this affect the next few years of political races?

1. Tilikum the Orca whale made news when he drowned his trainer. He is worth $2 million to Sea World. Should he or other Orcas (or dolphins, etc) be forced to perform in aquariums?

2. Why can't Americans be more aware of animal rights? Animal abuse?

3. Billy Breault and oother community leaders remember Florence Street fire victims. What is the city doing to prevent this senseless loss of life.

4. The Narcan debate. Discuss. (Billy Breualt will introduce this topic)

5. The PIP. Where is it going? Is it going anywhere? Will it ever be the triage center the city wants it to be?

1. The Worcester Public Schools stills has many WPS teachers who are NOT certified to teach. Former Mayor Konnie Lukes planned on getting these folks certified/moved to classes they are certified to teach - or have them fired. Will this happen now, with Mayor O'Brien as head of the Worcester School Committee?

2. The stimulus money and Governor Deval Patrick keep the school budget from running a huge deficit. But we still have one - in the millions of dollars. How can the WPS survive - thrive?

3. The teachers' and police union members are the only municipal employees STILL paying 25% of their health insurance premiums. Everyone else (who works for the city) pays 20%. Discuss.

4. Charter Schools. Can they make a difference? Do we need more? Do the WPS need to do something radical - like another Univeristy Park Campus school?

5. President Obama. How is he doing lately?

1. Worcester Mayor Joe O'Brien and wife adopt two children from the Congo and Joe O. is working on Tim Murray's reelection campaign. Does our new mayor have the time to be mayor?

2. How is Mayor O'Brien doing? What are some of his strengths/weaknesses (that you can see so far)?

3. The UMass Med School's chancellor has his own Worcester search team looking for a grand, West-side half-million-dollar home for him and his wife (at the taxpayers' expense). Discuss.

4. The Gengel family finally knows for sure: their daughter perished in Haiti. Discuss.

5. Worcester Voke celebrates its 100th birthday! Discuss.

1. Belmont Community School vandalized - and saved! Discuss.
2. How is the new Worcester City Council shaping up?
3. The WP Schools still have many uncertified teachers in the system. Will Mayor Joe O'Brien follow Konnie Lukes' lead and make sure these teachers get certified? (and if not - be fired?)
4. Holy Cross College and College Hill residents are in conflict again! Discuss. See ICTimes website for the latest news ... by resident Ron Chiras www.incitytimesworcester.org 5. Worcester in winter. Cold enough for skating and yet our City Hall skating rink is still NOT in use. Discuss.

1. President Obama meets with the Republicans for a Q & A. Daniel in the Lion's Den? Discuss.
2. The economy. President Obama gives money to small biz owners. Will this make a difference?
3. What can he do to get our economy buzzing again and to create jobs?
4. Scott Brown was on 20/20 with Barbara Walters! Why the fuss?
5. Worcester and Haiti - are we doing enough?

* How and why did Scott Brown win?
* Does Brown's win have national ramifications?

* Has Obama accomplished anything in his first year?
* What do you this is Obama's most accomplishment?
* Does Worcester have too much affordable housing?
* Does Worcester have to change the way it taxes residents and businesses?