The Marsha Plan Rescinded
http://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!
Themocracy
I hope that everyone remembers that Marsha tried to skirt around the truth. I watched from TV and have to tell you that I was very embarrassed over her “I reserve the right to say I told you so”. Who does she think she is?
She needs to be ousted in April.
Did they vote to table her step down vote until MiMi comes back? If so, who will break the tie?
This is two times now, that Steve McKinnon has requested a vote for her to step down. Third time should not fail.
A person with integrity admits to mistakes. Marsha could still take the high ground and resign as BOS Chairman and save herself the humiliation of being voted out. Somehow I doubt she will take that route.
My appreciation and admiration goes out to all of you who stood your ground and faced Madam Chairman with her own words. We simply can not accept having our right to speak freely at meetings denied us. This is not Marsha’s board, it’s our board.
It was also gratifying to see everyone come together in a common resolve to make certain that all residents have a voice in the town’s political process.
I hope that Bumpkin can get the video of Monday nights meeting and play it side by side with the week prior’s video.
What are the penalties for blatantly lying as the Chairmen of the BOS? I don’t think she can be fined for perjury, but she should be.
I hope everyone remembers this in April.
If she lacks the character to admit her mistake and apologize, then she certainly lacks the character to lead our Town.
Steve McKinnon had it right, there is something to be gained by listening to the public, a fact that proven with every speaker that approached the poduim Monday night. Allin Frawley was great – he used his debate with Marsha to his advantage by getting her to admit that the issue was confusing. Rich, you’ve always been a great public speaker, no surprise there. Judy Bigalow-Costa’s well-prepared comments makes her a polished speaker. It was great that Linc Andrews had the letter Marsha had written and made sure that everyone understood its contents.
Adam Bond is a lawyer so I would expect him to be articulate, but still, he played off the comments of the board and his point was clear: the Open Meeting Law is the minimum standard – there is nothing to stop the board from doing better.
And truer words were never spoken.