Name: Rich
Posts by RichY:
Meet & Greet Sunday January 8th
January 1st, 2012
Meet Bill Keating
I haven’t added a post in awhile and I am hoping to comment more in the coming New Year. I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday Season and Santa was good to everyone.
On Sunday January 8th, I am co-hosting along with Allin Frawley and Al Rullo a Meet and Greet for Congressman Bill Keating. As many loyal readers may be aware, Massachusetts lost a Congressional seat and the Commonwealth was redistricted by the State Legislature. In the fall, Bill will be running for a district that includes most of his current area along with new cities and towns that include Middleboro.
I have known Bill for well over 20 years and he is a great person and an incredible public servant. He wants to get to know his new area and try to understand the issues and concerns of those communities. We wanted to create a forum for him to come and hear about Middleboro.
The event will start at 2:30 and be held at the Flat Iron Café. Pizza and soft drinks are free and a cash bar is available. This is a family friendly event, so please stop by and say hello. If you have any questions, just let me know.
Thank you,
Rich
The Marsha Plan Rescinded
August 26th, 2010http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PUB04
I have posted the link to the Middleboro Gazette. There are two fantastic pieces by Jane Lopes today. She writes about Monday night’s Selectmen’s meeting for the front page and has dedicated her editorial to Marsha’s response. As I write this piece, the links were unavailable at the time; I read the paper this morning on the train. I would encourage everyone to buy the paper, come on splurge- it is 50cents. More importantly, save the paper and keep it until after our next Middleboro town election.
I attended the meeting and was amazed at Marsha’s response. She claimed that she was only trying to adhere to the New Open Meeting Law. No apology, no I made a mistake, she was just trying to obey the law. She further explained to her board, that she “reserved the right to say I told you so” when someone complained that the Selectmen violated the Open Meeting Law. She thought taking away our right to speak was the best way to comply with a law that mandates Meetings be open. It seemed like the right idea to Marsha.
The truth of the matter is that her response was nothing more than revisionist history. On 8/17 Bumpkin posted the video of Allin Frawley’s discussion with Marsha of her new plan. Watch the video closely. See how many times she mentions the New Open Meeting Law! Here is a hint- THE NUMBER IS ZERO! She mentions that her Board has been very “liberal” in allowing people to speak. She further explains that she needs to do this because, “some people tend to comment on everything…., for no purpose”.
Not one time does she mention the Open Meeting Law.
Marsha also tried to claim she never shut anyone off from speaking. To his credit Steve McKinnon called her on that point. He spoke passionately about the importance of allowing people to speak. He did make a motion to remove Marsha as Chair. He later decided to withdraw his motion until next meeting because the full Board was not present. Both Al Rullo and Steve Spataro spoke out against the Marsha plan and I commend them both for standing up for the citizens of Middleboro.
It was an interesting mix of speakers. Allin Frawley, Lincoln Andrews, Adam Bond, Judy Bigelow-Costa and I all took terms speaking. We all in one way or another pointed out this was wrong and clearly this revisionist idea was ridiculous. I will not make an attempt at why Marsha attempted to curtail the Public Comment section but she now has to live with the consequences.
As I pointed out in my last blog, she crossed a line that we cannot tolerate from public officials. I am very thankful that the three other members of the Board of Selectmen decided to do the right thing. Marsha tried to stop the public’s involvement in the democratic process. This cannot be forgotten when the Middleboro Town Elections come in April!
Tonight @ 7pm
August 23rd, 2010http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/x84262225/Backlash-to-new-Middleboro-selectmen-policy-expected
A quick reminder to our readers. Tonight should be a wonderful Selectmen’s Meeting. Can’t miss TV – but I think it would be more important for you to attend the meeting. I will be there and have already sent my request to speak my piece.
Marsha’s way
August 19th, 2010In the few blog postings I have written here, I have always tried to convey my admiration for anyone that serves their local community. We should always be thankful when someone comes forward to lend a helping hand. For me, this applies to local government, the school systems, local sports groups or any town activity for the benefit of others. These individuals will always have my heartfelt thanks, until they cross the line.
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That line was crossed at the last Selectmen’s meeting. The Chair of the Board decided she would make it impossible to comment on what she termed, “her Board’s business”. She stopped short of asking for a blood sample and a retinal scan of those lowly townspeople that dared to think that they could speak to their elected officials. Marsha instead wanted “her Board” to adopt a set of rules that would make it impossible for anyone to discuss the Selectmen’s meetings agenda the same day. You would be forced to wait until the next meeting to comment on any action taken. EVEN IF THEY WERE BASING THEIR DECISIONS ON ERRORS OR WRONG INFORMATION!
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I try to attend Selectmen’s meeting whenever I can. Sometimes life becomes a roadblock but I enjoy going to listen and comment when appropriate. You see in Marsha’s eyes I have the wrong philosophy. I want to be an active participant in my local government, she would rather have me watch from home and stay away from the meetings. I shouldn’t ask pesky questions or share opinions. Marsha has all the answers; she can solve all of our problems. She doesn’t need our input or ideas. After all we live in a town with no fiscal issues, we have all of our fire stations open, we have a state of the art police station and who can remember the last time the schools had a layoff. Marsha has solved all of our problems single handedly. SHE DOESN”T NEED OUR IDEAS!
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The amazing part is her rationale behind her decision. She said too many people comment on everything and it has gotten out of control. Isn’t that an issue with the Chair of the Board and not the townspeople? If there is an appropriate time to speak and make your opinions heard, shouldn’t she as the Chair ask the person to withhold their comments until the proper time? Last time I looked, that was one of the key responsibilities of the Chair of the Board of Selectmen.
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She also argued that this was the business meeting of “her Board”. I could not disagree with her more. This is a business meeting of the town and the townspeople need to be included and allowed to participate in the discussion. The “Comment’ section should open the meeting, so that those ideas could be included in the Board’s discussion not left until 10pm.
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I attended the meeting prior to this one. I attended to be a part of the discussion on if the Board should adopt Robert’s Rules of Order. I had served as a Chair of a School Board and had the Rules as our operating guideline. At the end of the meeting, it came time to the “Other” portion of the program. She said that no one had followed her new guidelines. I got up and asked if she could explain her new guidelines. She did and they were completely different from the new rules she is trying to impose. They had one meeting in between and she on her own decided that her own rules allowed too much discussion.
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I was allowed to participate in the discussion about Robert’s Rules of Order. During the discussion, Steve Spataro and Mimi Duphily both chose not to adopt Robert’s Rules because they were afraid it would limit the ability of citizen to participate. Let’s see if they choose Marsha’s Way!
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COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT
March 4th, 2010This Blog and the Comments attached are often full of anger directed at Town Officials and Town Employees. People are questioning salaries, benefits, and job performance. Sometimes the complaints extend beyond Middleboro to state and occasionally federal officials. The comments will often make note of the difference between the public and private sector. At times, these statements are angry and have a “this needs to be changed’ point of view.
I wanted to remind everyone that a Democracy is a PARTICIPATION SPORT! Everyone wants to criticize but nobody wants to get off the couch and make a change. YOU can help by getting involved. I don’t mean voting in an election once or twice a year or coming to the occasional Town Meeting. I mean running for a town office or putting your name into be appointed on one of the many town committees in our community.
The immediate response is “I don’t have the time”. Take a look around and see what is available, I think you might be amazed at the small amount of time you need to commit. This year alone, Middleboro has open slots on the Finance Committee and Parks and Recreations Committee. Those are just the elected offices that have openings, I am certain there are committees that need appointed help! Just take a quick glance through the town book.
I know they next question to be made is, ok Rich- why don’t you run? A fair and valid question, but I think I am doing my part. Prior to coming to Middleboro, I spent 6 years on an appointed Finance Committee followed by 6 years elected to a School Committee. Since coming to town, I have sat on the Superintendent’s Search Committee, did 2 terms on the School Council, been working with Casinofacts, Casino Free Mass and currently working on the override campaign in Middleboro. I also sit on the Board of Directors for Middleboro Youth Soccer. Running for office hasn’t been a priority for me. Who knows what the future holds?
I have the greatest respect for anyone willing to put their name forward to run for office. Never mind the time or resources you need to campaign, the sheer act of putting your name on a ballot for people to choose or not choose you is one of the greatest acts of courage a person could ever do. I have had my fair share of complaints with members of the Board of Selectmen, but I do respect their willingness to serve our town.
Everyone has responsibilities and commitments that burden us each and every day. We need people to become active participants in Town Government. Don’t sit on the sidelines and complain! GET INVOLVED! You don’t like how the benefits are structured; run for office and help negotiate the contract. Don’t like how the town spends money; ask to sit on the Finance Committee. Don’t like how the schools are being run; ask to sit on the Superintendent Search Committee.
When you sit at home and write a comment, it may feel good to get it off your chest, but we need you to stand up and be a part of finding the solution!
Thanks
ARGUING 101
February 25th, 2010Mark and I have had countless conversations about blog writing over the past few years we have formed our friendship. He has always wanted me to start my own website and get a blog going. I have been hesitant and not really sure I wanted to commit to something along those lines. His latest and greatest offer to me was that I could be a contributing writer to his Nemasket blog. This interested me and I thought I would give it a try.
We agreed that the focus did not have to be about the casino/lack of a casino or anything of that sort. It probably will be scattered for awhile, so I look forward to feedback from the many millions of readers that regularly read the Nemasket space. I hope you enjoy!
ARGUING 101
Several weeks ago, Mark and I were at a party with many of our friends. During the course of conversation, we became involved in a “discussion” about the upcoming override vote. As usual (except for Casino Issues), Mark was on the wrong side of the argument and I was “gently” pointing out that he was wrong. Perhaps the best way to describe the “talk” was to remind the readers of the Dan Aykroyd/Jane Curtin, Point Counter Point on Saturday Night Live. Our “conversation” went on for about half an hour. Needless to say, we both agreed Mark was wrong and moved on to some other topic. As it ended, I was amazed that the entire party was now in the dining room watching the “chat”.
Even more amazing was the reaction people had to our “argument”. Mark and I had driven to the party together and people were asking if one of us needed a ride home. We had to explain that Mark and I were fine. We weren’t personally offended about the conversation and yes we were going to disagree from time to time. On the ride home, both of us were laughing about how people were concerned that our arguing could hurt our friendship. IF THEY ONLY KNEW! Mark and I have had some great “talks” since we have come to know each other. Again, I cannot emphasize enough, that he is most often WRONG!
I do not think I can/could maintain a friendship with anyone that was not willing to argue. I don’t expect to agree with anyone all of the time. I love bouncing ideas and challenging each other’s points. I believe as long as you are willing to listen, be respectful and open, your opinions will develop and become stronger. Also, you may just learn a thing or two!
I think we need more Arguing Time in Middleboro. Everyone needs to take the time to listen to other people’s opinions and then react. There are far too many important issues that will be coming on the horizon. There needs to be an exchange of ideas and thoughts. We need to find a way to have people come forward and share. Every side has at least two sides, so before we make a decision let’s allow for some time to “talk” it over. At times, it may seem angry and yes maybe a little confrontational. As long as we are willing to respect each other, Middleboro will be a better community!
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