Bumpkin and CPA in the news
In the news … again
I’m getting sick of myself.
The front page of the Gazette featured this article and photo about the fledgling effort to pass CPA in Middleboro. The article was fair and accurate
Help wanted
We have over 900 signatures to collect and less than a month remaining to do it. I have to admit that so far I’m disappointed in the number of people that are willing to work on this. We are in desperate need of people willing to gather signatures. Few of the people that came out to oppose(or support) the casino seem willing to do something proactive to prevent future development that could be just as bad.
For anyone that is willing you could download this petition, print it, sign it, and drop it off at my house (29 Moulton) or at the offices of Adam Bond – downtown Middleboro(across from Maria’s on Rt. 105). Drop it in the mailbox/slot if no one is there.
With little effort, anyone can get a few signatures. You, your spouse, a few neighbors – or even just yourself. I don’t care if I have to turn in 900 petitions with one signature each. Ideally, you would make a bit of effort to get a few signatures – but even one will be helpful.
Gathering signatures
For anyone that wants to go the extra mile and collect a few signatures, I’ll tell you that it’s tough to get over the hump, but not bad once you do it. Most people are friendly and interested. It’s also good just to meet new people if you can get yourself in the right mindset. Try it – it ain’t that bad.
Apathy is tough to overcome. CPA is a good thing but it won’t pass based on my star power. It’s going to require a group of dedicated people who are willing to get out there and press the flesh.
Themocracy
Great photo! Elleen Grant always seems to come through! Way to gom Ellen!
BB: I am getting a mountain of negativity when I discuss this with others. All comes down to the same – great idea but not at this time. I’ve talked to about twenty folks from neighbors to casuals that I meet in stores or even the “Y” and it is now a short term pocketbook issue and those pocketbooks are not going to be open. Can’t get around that it’s a tax and that represents a permanent commitment that most are just not willing to chance. I can weigh this all I want against personal support versus reality and reality is winning out. Maybe you are getting a positive feedback but I’m not. Frustrating.
The “not at this time” argument drives me nuts. There never has been and never will be a good time. I suspect that the not-at-this-timers would always have some objection. Oh we need a police station, oh the firestation is closed, oh we just laid off teachers, oh fincom is projecting deficits, oh we just had to sell land to fill a budget hole – and so on, and so on.
CPA makes good financial sense – at anytime. It pays you twice – once in state matching funds, and in the future in reduced costs for schools and services due to less development.
We are at risk for not hitting the 900 signatures needed – so it may all be a moot point.
We must be traveling in the same circles because I’m meeting people who had already decided “NO,” but after I explain it to them, they agree that it makes sense.