This week in the Gazette
My bi-weekly column is in the week’s Middleboro Gazette and discusses in some detail things I often mention but perhaps haven’t fully explained: Various offers of help I’ve made to Middleboro BOS and the deafening silence that greeted the offer. This is framed in the discussion of why I think that sitting on the IT assessment committee would be a waste of my time – since past action of the BOS and IT director convince me that they have no interest in what I have to say or what I have to offer.
.
Also in this week’s paper is an editorial by Jane Lopes that I’d recommend. It concerns the recent set of meeting rules being proposed by BOS chairman Marsha Brunelle that will have the effect of limiting public speech at meetings. Today anyone can speak during the public comment period. The new rules would force you to submit your comments in writing on the Wednesday before the meeting. It would also limit public comment on other agenda items except for those that are specified as public hearings.
In my opinion, the rules being proposed by Brunelle serve no purpose but to alienate the public. I’ve watched virtually every BOS meeting for the last three years and at no time has the public been disruptive – though things got a little heated during the peak of the casino issue. When Adam Bond took over as Chairman just after TMFH, he brought back the public comment period and I know he was nervous that it would blow up in his face as casino emotion was still high. It didn’t.
.
People in this town often complain about the ‘ol boy network. They’ll have fresh evidence if the perceived good ‘ol boys and gals stay silent on this. It’s not up to Allin Frawley or Mike Solimini to fight this on their own and lord knows that BOS fanboys aren’t going to do it. It’s up to the former selectmen and longtime political gadflies to steer the ship of state away from the rocks.
Themocracy
Your article this week was excellent and very straight forward.
I found it to be honest and above board. It also goes along with the rulings that the chairman of the BOS is trying to put the town through.
Think about this. The chairman took up a great deal of time a few weeks ago on the otherside of the table because she could not talk as a BOS member and discuss the IT department. She wants to prevent any future talks on IT.
Her agenda is right in plain sight for anyone to see.
Does the town realize now, that we are being held hostage by a very, very uncaring group of people and that M-F has too much influence and power over this group? The power is from having four of it’s members be campaigned for by this group.Your sign holders, mailers, phone callers were all from that group.
I think “crooked” is a strong word – but would agree with most of your other points.
I agree, the only purpose of these rules seems to be to alienate the public. I’ll gladly join Allin and Mike in the fight. Not sure if you saw my Twitter posts the other day but I think I gave a pretty clear indication of how I felt about this.
I got an email from Al Rullo asking me to “re-consider applying for the IT Assessment Committee”.
He’s a decent guy. I like his fiscal senses most of the time and agree with his positions pretty often.
I agree with you on most of your blog and I understand your reasons for not applying for the IT assessment committee.
However I think you should be on the assessment committee, personally I would like to see someone who can’t be pushed around on the committee. I think you would be a welcome asset, and urge you to do so.
I would be more than pleased to have you on the IT assessment committee. This is not personal it is business. If we can get more productivity with less costs and an improved, more flexible and Stable system that would be a big step in the right direction. In order to do this we need knowledgeable articulate individuals to deal with this issue. You fit that description to a T. Please reconsider.
I should have proofed my comments more closely. “crooked” was very wrong.
It was meant to imply that the BOS does not care about the people that put them in office, thus, the community, nothing , else.