This coming Friday March 16th is an important night for our town. The Middleboro Gas and Electric Commissioners changed their meeting in the hope that you wouldn’t notice. They are hoping that many of you are busy and can’t be bothered to attend their meeting because of your busy schedule. They pray that your week was busy and there is no way you can attend. They are hoping you won’t pay attention because you have already made other plans.

I accept blame for the problem that has become the G&E because I was not paying attention. Thanks to the efforts of one lone Commissioner, Mike Solimini, who worked hard to open my eyes and many others to the problems. I have spent well over the past year attending meetings and witnessing what I can only label a tremendous embarrassment to our community. I have never seen a Board continually disrespect voters time and time again as the Middleboro Gas and Electric Commissioners have to the town of Middleboro.

In my time observing the Board, I have witnessed the following;

• A Commissioner spending excessive amounts of money on travel for “Board Business” to resorts and vacation destinations
• Failures to follow state law and provide contracts not only to citizens but to Middleboro’s Town Treasurer and Finance Committee
• Repeated violations of Massachusetts’ Open Meeting Law
• Commissioners have not followed Massachusetts law and participate in a mandatory online training on the Massachusetts’ Open Meeting Law
• Commissioners had no idea that their General Manager was the highest paid Public Utility Manager in the state
• Commissioners never approved the General Manager’s contract in a public session
• Allowed the General Manager to set rates for consumers rather than elected officials
• Failed to take control of the agenda at their own meetings and have allowed the General Manager to set the agenda
• They have refused to schedule a one on one meeting with the Board of Selectmen
• Hiring outside legal counsel at $350 per hour to fight Open Meeting violations rather than using Town Counsel
• The Chair of the Gas and Electric refused to allow the public or a member of the Finance Committee to comment or ask questions until after the Commissioners had voted their budget. 

I rarely make requests of the readers of this Blog, but I must ask you please to attend Friday night’s meeting. We need to stand strong and put these people under a microscope. With the exception of Mr. Solimini, they have VIOLATED our trust and we must take them to task.

If you don’t attend, you will be part of the problem!

Rich Young

Hello Everyone in BumpkinLand,
 
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 8^th, 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

Here is the funeral information for Rich Young’s father Paul Young http://www.cartwrightfuneral.com/viewObit.php?id=2718.

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A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 AM in the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 906 No. Main St., Brockton. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Monday 2:00 – 4:00 & 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Burial in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 906 No. Main St., Brockton, MA 02301.

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This 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

Mark 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!