The economy being what it is (i.e., dismal), the Falmouth Service Center is seeing an increased demand for its services this year. This email was forwarded to me...
"We have been inundated with families in need this year. With another day of sign-up ahead we have already received more than a hundred requests for Thanksgiving baskets over our record number of 894 last year. Your support with turkeys and other food (especially cereal) to fill our pantry shelves is critical to our getting through the next several weeks with enough to feed all who need our help. Please send this on to others who may not know about our drop off this Sunday, November 20th from 1 to 4pm here at 611 Gifford Street. Thanks for being part of the solution!"
If you can help, please do.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
2011 Annual Fall Town Meeting Precinct Meetings
The following is the schedule for Precinct Meetings for the November 7th Annual Town Meeting.
Any boards, commissions, dept., or committees that have Articles on the Warrant are asked to schedule a representative to attend for questions and/or information.
All meetings begin at 7pm.
By Precinct:
Precinct 1 Thursday, November 3rd at the Civil Defense Room Ground Floor at Town Hall
Precinct 2 Thursday, November 3rd at the Civil Defense Room Ground Floor at Town Hall
Precinct 3 Wednesday, October 26th at the Great Harbors Clubhouse
Precinct 4 Wednesday, November 2nd at the East Falmouth Elementary School
Precinct 5 Thursday, November 3rd at the North Falmouth Elementary School
Precinct 6 Thursday, November 3rd at the North Falmouth Elementary School
Precinct 7 Wednesday, November 2nd at the East Falmouth Elementary School
Precinct 8 Wednesday, October 26th at the Barnstable County Fair Grounds Admin. Bldg
Precinct 9 Wednesday, October 26th at the Barnstable County Fair Grounds Admin. Bldg
By Date:
Wednesday, October 26th: Precinct 3 at the Great Harbors Clubhouse
AND Precinct 8 & 9 at the Barnstable County Fair Grounds Admin. Bldg
Wednesday, November 2nd: Precinct 4 & 7 at the East Falmouth Elementary School
Thursday, November 3rd: Precinct 1 & 2 at the Morse Pond School Library
AND Precinct 5 & 6 at the North Falmouth Elementary School
Contacts:
Precinct 1 & 2: Doug Jones at whcssjones at gmail dot com or 508-221-6804
Precinct 3: Michael Palmer at mpalmer at falmouthmass dot us or 508-495-7353
Precinct 4 & 7: Barbara Schneider at newsrm7 at aol dot com or 508-548-1703
Precinct 5 & 6: Nick Lowell at nick.lowell at gmail dot com
Precinct 8 & 9: Brent Putnam at brent at falmouthlocal dot com or 508-540-5662
This information and more is also available on the Town Meeting Information & Resources page on the Town of Falmouth website.
Any boards, commissions, dept., or committees that have Articles on the Warrant are asked to schedule a representative to attend for questions and/or information.
All meetings begin at 7pm.
By Precinct:
Precinct 1 Thursday, November 3rd at the Civil Defense Room Ground Floor at Town Hall
Precinct 2 Thursday, November 3rd at the Civil Defense Room Ground Floor at Town Hall
Precinct 3 Wednesday, October 26th at the Great Harbors Clubhouse
Precinct 4 Wednesday, November 2nd at the East Falmouth Elementary School
Precinct 5 Thursday, November 3rd at the North Falmouth Elementary School
Precinct 6 Thursday, November 3rd at the North Falmouth Elementary School
Precinct 7 Wednesday, November 2nd at the East Falmouth Elementary School
Precinct 8 Wednesday, October 26th at the Barnstable County Fair Grounds Admin. Bldg
Precinct 9 Wednesday, October 26th at the Barnstable County Fair Grounds Admin. Bldg
By Date:
Wednesday, October 26th: Precinct 3 at the Great Harbors Clubhouse
AND Precinct 8 & 9 at the Barnstable County Fair Grounds Admin. Bldg
Wednesday, November 2nd: Precinct 4 & 7 at the East Falmouth Elementary School
Thursday, November 3rd: Precinct 1 & 2 at the Morse Pond School Library
AND Precinct 5 & 6 at the North Falmouth Elementary School
Contacts:
Precinct 1 & 2: Doug Jones at whcssjones at gmail dot com or 508-221-6804
Precinct 3: Michael Palmer at mpalmer at falmouthmass dot us or 508-495-7353
Precinct 4 & 7: Barbara Schneider at newsrm7 at aol dot com or 508-548-1703
Precinct 5 & 6: Nick Lowell at nick.lowell at gmail dot com
Precinct 8 & 9: Brent Putnam at brent at falmouthlocal dot com or 508-540-5662
This information and more is also available on the Town Meeting Information & Resources page on the Town of Falmouth website.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Where were you?
For those of us born after the assination of JFK, 9/11 has become the "Where were you?" event; the moment in time when we vividly remember where we were and what we were doing when it happened.
September 11, 2001 was a Tuesday. I was in the midtown Manhattan office of my now former employer.
When the first plane struck the north tower, it was a distraction that annoyed our instructor. My coworkers and I were there for training, and our 8am start to class was quickly sidetracked. We couldn't see the north tower from our office, but the south tower was visible, and the smoke was trailing past it.
My wife, not knowing the details of the event or where, exactly, my office was located, called me in a panic. All was well, I reassured her. Back in the 1940's an Air Force bomber had crashed into the Empire State Building. With three major airports and an untold number of helicopters and small aircraft circling the city, an accident was possible.
Even though we could see the south tower from the corner conference room, I don't think anyone was paying attention when the second plane hit, but there was a flurry of activity shortly thereafter.
It was almost comical as my coworkers and I - a group of computer nerds - attempted to get a TV working. Finding out what was happening was next to impossible as the major news sites on the Internet were hammered by traffic. We had a TV in the office with a VCR player, but the cable service had been discontinued for lack of use. Now we scrambled to turn a coat hanger into a makeshift antenna.
The comedy routine continued when the only TV station we could pull in was in Spanish. Things quickly grew serious when one of my coworkers recognized the word "bomb", and news arrived from elsewhere about the Pentagon.
We were under attack.
Cell towers were overloaded and the land lines offered only busy signals as everyone tried to contact friends and loved ones. When we finally spoke again, my wife pleaded with me, "Get out of the building!"
And go where? Manhattan is nothing but buildings; a concrete jungle. Everything, everywhere was suddenly a target and news of other, unaccounted-for planes only added to the fear and uncertainty.
The south tower disappeared right before our eyes as we were clustered around the table in the conference room, alternatively watching the TV and looking out the window at the burning building. In a moment, it was gone in a cloud of dust and ash that enveloped the south side of the island.
Reactions varied. One of my coworker's eyes welled-up as he punched a chair and walked out of the room. A woman sat there, pale and stoic. The wife of one of our instructors, she was from Utah, and this was her first trip to New York City. They had been staying at a hotel at the World Trade Center, but the day before we had convinced them to change their accomodations and stay closer to our office.
With all of the major Internet news sites swamped, I sought other sources. Ironically, the Cape Cod Times website was accessible, although it offered little more detail than we already knew. While I sat at my computer, another coworker popped-up on my instant messenger, "I can't get a hold of my girlfriend."
Ironically, Peter was from New York City, but was in Utah for training. His girlfriend and her mother worked in the vicinity of the World Trade Center. A big, hairy guy, Peter looked intimidating, but now he was barely holding it together. Hours later he would find out that they were safe, and the following day he would rent a car and drive non-stop from Salt Lake City.
Things settled down after lunch, and half-a-dozen of us decided to make ourselves useful, so we ventured out to the nearest hospital to give blood. Midtown Manhattan, usually a flurry of bumper-to-bumper traffic and shoulder-to-shoulder sidewalks, was abandonded. The city that never sleeps felt dead as we walked across the streets with impunity.
The awkward silence was broken by reminders of the chaos at the other end of the city. At one point, a police car flew past, the only car on an otherwise empty road, trailing a cloud of dust and debris. On a side street, we happened across a parked news van, covered in ash and papers.
We found the traffic at the East River as cars sat idling in a jam, an exodus waiting for the bridge to reopen. Further south, the United Nations building was surrouned by yellow tape and police cadets. When we asked one about how far the hospital was, he told us to try again tomorrow - the line of blood donors was hours long.
The rest of the day was a blur as we sat trapped. The airports, bridges and tunnels were closed; nothing was getting into or out of Manhattan.
"Good luck." It was still dark when the doorman to the hotel wished me well. I walked to Penn Station through an eerily quiet Times Square. When they announced the opening of the bridges and tunnels, I had booked one of the first trains out of the city. The sun was rising as it rose out of the tunnel, and there was no small measure of relief as Ground Zero and the smoking remains of the World Trade Center disappeared behind us.
September 12, 2001 was a Wednesday.
Where were you?
September 11, 2001 was a Tuesday. I was in the midtown Manhattan office of my now former employer.
When the first plane struck the north tower, it was a distraction that annoyed our instructor. My coworkers and I were there for training, and our 8am start to class was quickly sidetracked. We couldn't see the north tower from our office, but the south tower was visible, and the smoke was trailing past it.
My wife, not knowing the details of the event or where, exactly, my office was located, called me in a panic. All was well, I reassured her. Back in the 1940's an Air Force bomber had crashed into the Empire State Building. With three major airports and an untold number of helicopters and small aircraft circling the city, an accident was possible.
Even though we could see the south tower from the corner conference room, I don't think anyone was paying attention when the second plane hit, but there was a flurry of activity shortly thereafter.
It was almost comical as my coworkers and I - a group of computer nerds - attempted to get a TV working. Finding out what was happening was next to impossible as the major news sites on the Internet were hammered by traffic. We had a TV in the office with a VCR player, but the cable service had been discontinued for lack of use. Now we scrambled to turn a coat hanger into a makeshift antenna.
The comedy routine continued when the only TV station we could pull in was in Spanish. Things quickly grew serious when one of my coworkers recognized the word "bomb", and news arrived from elsewhere about the Pentagon.
We were under attack.
Cell towers were overloaded and the land lines offered only busy signals as everyone tried to contact friends and loved ones. When we finally spoke again, my wife pleaded with me, "Get out of the building!"
And go where? Manhattan is nothing but buildings; a concrete jungle. Everything, everywhere was suddenly a target and news of other, unaccounted-for planes only added to the fear and uncertainty.
The south tower disappeared right before our eyes as we were clustered around the table in the conference room, alternatively watching the TV and looking out the window at the burning building. In a moment, it was gone in a cloud of dust and ash that enveloped the south side of the island.
Reactions varied. One of my coworker's eyes welled-up as he punched a chair and walked out of the room. A woman sat there, pale and stoic. The wife of one of our instructors, she was from Utah, and this was her first trip to New York City. They had been staying at a hotel at the World Trade Center, but the day before we had convinced them to change their accomodations and stay closer to our office.
With all of the major Internet news sites swamped, I sought other sources. Ironically, the Cape Cod Times website was accessible, although it offered little more detail than we already knew. While I sat at my computer, another coworker popped-up on my instant messenger, "I can't get a hold of my girlfriend."
Ironically, Peter was from New York City, but was in Utah for training. His girlfriend and her mother worked in the vicinity of the World Trade Center. A big, hairy guy, Peter looked intimidating, but now he was barely holding it together. Hours later he would find out that they were safe, and the following day he would rent a car and drive non-stop from Salt Lake City.
Things settled down after lunch, and half-a-dozen of us decided to make ourselves useful, so we ventured out to the nearest hospital to give blood. Midtown Manhattan, usually a flurry of bumper-to-bumper traffic and shoulder-to-shoulder sidewalks, was abandonded. The city that never sleeps felt dead as we walked across the streets with impunity.
The awkward silence was broken by reminders of the chaos at the other end of the city. At one point, a police car flew past, the only car on an otherwise empty road, trailing a cloud of dust and debris. On a side street, we happened across a parked news van, covered in ash and papers.
We found the traffic at the East River as cars sat idling in a jam, an exodus waiting for the bridge to reopen. Further south, the United Nations building was surrouned by yellow tape and police cadets. When we asked one about how far the hospital was, he told us to try again tomorrow - the line of blood donors was hours long.
The rest of the day was a blur as we sat trapped. The airports, bridges and tunnels were closed; nothing was getting into or out of Manhattan.
"Good luck." It was still dark when the doorman to the hotel wished me well. I walked to Penn Station through an eerily quiet Times Square. When they announced the opening of the bridges and tunnels, I had booked one of the first trains out of the city. The sun was rising as it rose out of the tunnel, and there was no small measure of relief as Ground Zero and the smoking remains of the World Trade Center disappeared behind us.
September 12, 2001 was a Wednesday.
Where were you?
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Hurricane Irene, part 3
Power's out in some parts of Falmouth and the Upper Cape area, and there are reports of trees down and roads flooded here and there. If you can stay home, stay home.
If you want to see the storm up close, I've posted some videos at my personal YouTube channel.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Hurricane Irene, part 2
A hurricane warning has been issued by the National Weather Service.
What follows is a press release issued by the Town of Falmouth.
For Immediate Release August 26, 2011
Hurricane Irene is expected to bring tropical storm force winds followed by hurricane force winds by early Sunday morning. Governor Patrick has declared a state of emergency. Low lying areas, particularly the area of Buzzards Bay should prepare for storm surge as high as 6-10’. Residents and visitors should be vigilant in preparation and be prepared for the possibility of evacuations of low lying coast areas. Further residents and visitors should be prepared for extended power outages and the potential for flooding, tree damage and blocked roadways and potential stranding until emergency response crews are dispatched after the height of the storm.
Preparations should be made well in advance of the storm as emergency response will be limited during the height of the storm. Residents in need of oxygen or electricity for personal safety should plan for extended power outages. Emergency response units will not respond when conditions are not safe.
The Town of Falmouth will be offering shelter to residents and visitors at Falmouth High School beginning at 6:00 PM on Saturday, August 27, 2011. The Emergency Call center will open at 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 27, 2011 and can be reached at 508-495-2602.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Hurricane Irene
What follows is a press release issued by the Town of Falmouth.
"For Immediate Release- Wednesday August 24, 2011
The Town of Falmouth encourages all residents and visitors to be vigilant in monitoring the path and potential impact of Hurricane Irene. Hurricane Irene is expected to make her presence known in our region beginning tomorrow, Thursday, August 25, 2011 with stormy seas and potential rip tides.
If this storm makes landfall as planned, it will occur during an astronomical high tide which will increase the storm surge particularly in low lying areas and in and around Buzzards Bay. The Bridges will close when winds reach high velocity and residents and visitors should plans accordingly.
Please be prepared to make accommodations for your family, pets and property prior to the storm anticipated on Saturday, August 27, 2011 peaking on Sunday August 28th.
The Town of Falmouth’s Emergency Response Team is monitoring the storm closely and will make an announcement at 3:00 PM on Thursday August 23, 2011 about the Town’s intention to open a shelter and possible evacuation plans. The hours of operation of the Town of Falmouth’s Emergency Operation Center will also be announced, as well as schedule for regular storm related announcements.
Community announcements will appear on Falmouth Community Television Channels 13 & 15 as well as on the Town of Falmouth’s web page and will be provided to WCIB, WQRC, and WMVY.
Please refer to the Town of Falmouth’s Home Page at www.falmouthmass.us for information about emergency planning and to the LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING PAGE for more information about Hurricane Preparedness."
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Learning a lot from one question
If you watched the interviews for the town manager candidates (note that they are being replayed by FCTV-13...next show at 3am tonight - Monday morning - for the late crowd or those with VCRs), you probably noticed that each of the selectmen had their preferred questions. Some had very specific questions, but the problem with specific questions is that you get specific answers.
For my part, I had about half-a-dozen specific questions, from which I asked each candidate two or three. They weren't always the same two or three questions; there were concerns that some of the candidates might have stayed in Falmouth and were watching the earlier interviews, so I mixed them up a bit.
There was, however, one question that I asked of every candidate: Where do you see yourself in five years?
This was a retorical question. Everyone knew the answer ("As Falmouth's town manager") and everyone gave that same, basic answer.
So why ask it?
It was actually suggested by a constituent. He wanted to know that these individuals were in this for the long haul, rather than interested in putting in a few years and retiring or moving on to other opportunities.
Our neighbor wanted the answer, but anyone serious about the job would give the correct answer. I saw the question as an opportunity to dig a little deeper. Sometimes it's not the answer, but how they answer that provides the insight.
For example, when asked this question, one candidate answered, "Here."
Remember the old adage, "Actions speak louder than words"? One of the specific questions asked by another selectman was about management style. This answer - short and to the point - can also tell us about management style.
Another candidate answered, "Hopefully, perhaps still here." Hear the doubt? Is it about being able to do the job, or doubt about the job itself?
A third said he would live in Falmouth seasonally, renting here during the off-season and commuting from Martha's Vineyard (where he owns a home) during the summer. Obviously, there's the residency requirement in the charter, so living outside Falmouth - even if just for a few months out of the year - might require approval from the Board.
What does this answer tell us about this candidate? He's up-front and honest, willing to put things on the table that may not be well received.
The fourth candidate answered that it would be his "privilege and pleasure" to still be Falmouth's town manager five years from now. Carefully chosen words.
You can learn a lot from one question.
For my part, I had about half-a-dozen specific questions, from which I asked each candidate two or three. They weren't always the same two or three questions; there were concerns that some of the candidates might have stayed in Falmouth and were watching the earlier interviews, so I mixed them up a bit.
There was, however, one question that I asked of every candidate: Where do you see yourself in five years?
This was a retorical question. Everyone knew the answer ("As Falmouth's town manager") and everyone gave that same, basic answer.
So why ask it?
It was actually suggested by a constituent. He wanted to know that these individuals were in this for the long haul, rather than interested in putting in a few years and retiring or moving on to other opportunities.
Our neighbor wanted the answer, but anyone serious about the job would give the correct answer. I saw the question as an opportunity to dig a little deeper. Sometimes it's not the answer, but how they answer that provides the insight.
For example, when asked this question, one candidate answered, "Here."
Remember the old adage, "Actions speak louder than words"? One of the specific questions asked by another selectman was about management style. This answer - short and to the point - can also tell us about management style.
Another candidate answered, "Hopefully, perhaps still here." Hear the doubt? Is it about being able to do the job, or doubt about the job itself?
A third said he would live in Falmouth seasonally, renting here during the off-season and commuting from Martha's Vineyard (where he owns a home) during the summer. Obviously, there's the residency requirement in the charter, so living outside Falmouth - even if just for a few months out of the year - might require approval from the Board.
What does this answer tell us about this candidate? He's up-front and honest, willing to put things on the table that may not be well received.
The fourth candidate answered that it would be his "privilege and pleasure" to still be Falmouth's town manager five years from now. Carefully chosen words.
You can learn a lot from one question.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Agenda for Town Manager Interviews
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011 – 8:00 A.M.
SELECTMEN’S MEETING ROOM
8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Selectmen Meet to Organize
Interview #1
8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Candidate Peter Fohlin Arrives/Introduction
8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Candidate Interview (Fohlin)
9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Informal Candidate Discussion (Fohlin)
Flexible Time and Break
Interview #2
10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Candidate James Boudreau Arrives/Introduction
10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Candidate Interview (Boudreau)
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Informal Candidate Discussion (Boudreau)
Flexible Time and Lunch
Interview #3
1:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Candidate Bonnie Therrien Arrives/Introduction
1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Candidate Interview (Therrien)
2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Informal Candidate Discussion (Therrien)
Flexible Time and Break
Interview #4
3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Candidate Julian Suso Arrives/Introduction
3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Candidate Interview (Suso)
4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Informal Candidate Discussion (Suso)
Mary Pat Flynn, Chairman
Board of Selectmen
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011 – 8:00 A.M.
SELECTMEN’S MEETING ROOM
8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Selectmen Meet to Organize
Interview #1
8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Candidate Peter Fohlin Arrives/Introduction
8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Candidate Interview (Fohlin)
9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Informal Candidate Discussion (Fohlin)
Flexible Time and Break
Interview #2
10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Candidate James Boudreau Arrives/Introduction
10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Candidate Interview (Boudreau)
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Informal Candidate Discussion (Boudreau)
Flexible Time and Lunch
Interview #3
1:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Candidate Bonnie Therrien Arrives/Introduction
1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Candidate Interview (Therrien)
2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Informal Candidate Discussion (Therrien)
Flexible Time and Break
Interview #4
3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Candidate Julian Suso Arrives/Introduction
3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Candidate Interview (Suso)
4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Informal Candidate Discussion (Suso)
Mary Pat Flynn, Chairman
Board of Selectmen
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Playing by the rules
It's no secret - the Falmouth Enterprise and I just don't get along.
They do, however, deserve credit for publishing my rebuttal to their latest attacks on me.
What follows also appeared in the Friday, August 12, 2011 edition under the title, "Calls Enterprise To Task".
It's been called one of the most embarrassing moments in baseball history. In the eighth inning with one out, the batter grounds the ball back to the pitcher. Bronson Arroyo fields the ball and runs to the baseline to tag Alex Rodriguez. What happened next is as unforgettable as the ball passing between Bill Buckner's legs.
In case you're not a baseball fan, Rodriguez slapped at Arroyo's arm, the ball went loose, and Rodriguez made it to second base. Arroyo was initially charged with an error, but the umpires conferred and agreed – Rodriguez had violated the rules.
In the sport of politics, the press is supposed to be the umpire. The First Amendment of our Constitution specifically protects the freedom of the press so there is a watchdog to keep our politicians honest. Watergate comes to mind.
But what happens when this umpire doesn't do its job?
Every fall, the Board of Selectmen sets fees and fines for the coming year. It's a well advertised process, timed so that the public will have ample notice of any increase, and the anticipated revenue can be included in the budget for the coming year.
However, in June the Board departed from this well established process, changing the fines for expired parking meters three months after the budget had been approved by town meeting. When someone spoke out against this, the Falmouth Enterprise didn't join the chorus against this unprecedented change, it attacked the messenger.
The appointment of town committees is also a very well established process. The appointment policy makes it clear that the selectmen are to interview every incumbent when there's a challenger. However, in an unprecedented departure from the rules, the Board reappointed incumbents first and without interviews, excluding many new applicants. Again, someone spoke out against this. Again, the Enterprise criticized the messenger.
Unfortunately, this habit of shooting the messenger instead of looking out for the people is nothing new. In 2008, the people of Falmouth and town meeting made it clear that an investigation or inquiry into the high school renovation project was a priority. The Enterprise attacked the messenger, and told the public to move on.
Two years ago, the town manager traveled to a conference without prior approval of the Board, or naming an acting town manager in his absence. When someone brought attention to these violations of contract and town charter, the Enterprise didn't chastise anyone for failing to follow the rules. Instead, the paper admitted to having no idea what the contract said, and then chastised the messenger.
In each of these examples, I was the messenger.
Mr. Clarkson suggests that I should "play nice", but how about playing by the rules? For more than three years now, I've fought for the people of Falmouth, asking that our government follow the rules, and when the rules are not followed, that people are held accountable.
Unfortunately, the umpire in this game – the Falmouth Enterprise – has abdicated its responsibility. I find myself standing on the field like Arroyo, wondering why I'm getting charged with the error when it's the other guy who didn't follow the rules.
After the umpires sent Rodriguez packing, a hostile New York crowd resorted to throwing trash on the field. In spite of this, the Sox won the game, and became the first and only team to come back from a 0-3 deficit to win the championship.
Like every good Red Sox fan, I have faith – faith that no matter how much trash is thrown, and no matter what the odds, the good guy can indeed win in the end.
They do, however, deserve credit for publishing my rebuttal to their latest attacks on me.
What follows also appeared in the Friday, August 12, 2011 edition under the title, "Calls Enterprise To Task".
It's been called one of the most embarrassing moments in baseball history. In the eighth inning with one out, the batter grounds the ball back to the pitcher. Bronson Arroyo fields the ball and runs to the baseline to tag Alex Rodriguez. What happened next is as unforgettable as the ball passing between Bill Buckner's legs.
In case you're not a baseball fan, Rodriguez slapped at Arroyo's arm, the ball went loose, and Rodriguez made it to second base. Arroyo was initially charged with an error, but the umpires conferred and agreed – Rodriguez had violated the rules.
In the sport of politics, the press is supposed to be the umpire. The First Amendment of our Constitution specifically protects the freedom of the press so there is a watchdog to keep our politicians honest. Watergate comes to mind.
But what happens when this umpire doesn't do its job?
Every fall, the Board of Selectmen sets fees and fines for the coming year. It's a well advertised process, timed so that the public will have ample notice of any increase, and the anticipated revenue can be included in the budget for the coming year.
However, in June the Board departed from this well established process, changing the fines for expired parking meters three months after the budget had been approved by town meeting. When someone spoke out against this, the Falmouth Enterprise didn't join the chorus against this unprecedented change, it attacked the messenger.
The appointment of town committees is also a very well established process. The appointment policy makes it clear that the selectmen are to interview every incumbent when there's a challenger. However, in an unprecedented departure from the rules, the Board reappointed incumbents first and without interviews, excluding many new applicants. Again, someone spoke out against this. Again, the Enterprise criticized the messenger.
Unfortunately, this habit of shooting the messenger instead of looking out for the people is nothing new. In 2008, the people of Falmouth and town meeting made it clear that an investigation or inquiry into the high school renovation project was a priority. The Enterprise attacked the messenger, and told the public to move on.
Two years ago, the town manager traveled to a conference without prior approval of the Board, or naming an acting town manager in his absence. When someone brought attention to these violations of contract and town charter, the Enterprise didn't chastise anyone for failing to follow the rules. Instead, the paper admitted to having no idea what the contract said, and then chastised the messenger.
In each of these examples, I was the messenger.
Mr. Clarkson suggests that I should "play nice", but how about playing by the rules? For more than three years now, I've fought for the people of Falmouth, asking that our government follow the rules, and when the rules are not followed, that people are held accountable.
Unfortunately, the umpire in this game – the Falmouth Enterprise – has abdicated its responsibility. I find myself standing on the field like Arroyo, wondering why I'm getting charged with the error when it's the other guy who didn't follow the rules.
After the umpires sent Rodriguez packing, a hostile New York crowd resorted to throwing trash on the field. In spite of this, the Sox won the game, and became the first and only team to come back from a 0-3 deficit to win the championship.
Like every good Red Sox fan, I have faith – faith that no matter how much trash is thrown, and no matter what the odds, the good guy can indeed win in the end.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
surreptitious
surreptitious [sur-uhp-tish-uhs] adjective
obtained, done, made, etc., by stealth; secret or unauthorized; clandestine: a surreptitious glance.
Occasionally one hears talk of revisionist history. In other words, trying to change the truth about what really happened. It happens a lot in politics, even here in Falmouth. For example, last year a member of the Board said the tourism industry in Falmouth was dead. When it came time to approve the minutes, this selectman tried to change their statement. Fortunately, the rest of the Board refused to allow such revisionist history.
It doesn't always work that way, which is the reason for this particular post.
Recently, there's been a suggestion that the Committee Appointment Policy which the Board updated on May 16 was an 11th-hour job, done surreptitiously. Unfortunately for those who want us to believe this version of events, the record is quite different.
What follows are emails, sent on March 6, March 13, May 1 and May 10. As noted in the emails, the first three included attachments - copies of the policies which were to be discussed.
===== ===== ===== =====
From: Brent Putnam brent@falmouthlocal.com
Reply-to: brent@falmouthlocal.com
To: Board of Selectmen selectmen@falmouthmass.us
Subject: Draft policies for review
Date: 03/06/2011 10:41:42 PM
All,
I've attached some draft policies for your review. So that we adhere to the Open Meeting Law, please refrain from any discussion via email. We will be devoting some time on an agenda later this month to another policy discussion, so there will be ample time for discussion and debate then.
If any of you have a new or updated policy, please feel free to share it and I'll make sure it's also included in the agenda.
===== ===== ===== =====
From: Brent Putnam brent@falmouthlocal.com
Reply-to: brent@falmouthlocal.com
To: Board of Selectmen selectmen@falmouthmass.us
Subject: Policy
Date: 03/13/2011 09:24:51 PM
A reminder that we'll be discussing policy tomorrow evening. See attached, and bring any drafts/ideas/comments you may have.
===== ===== ===== =====
From: brent@falmouthlocal.com brent@falmouthlocal.com
To: Board of Selectmen selectmen@falmouthmass.us
Subject: Policies for May 2
Date: 05/01/2011 08:01:26 PM
All,
I've attached the policies & calendar we'll be discussing tomorrow evening. I know there may be revised versions of the policy, or revisions that need to be made, but I'm having trouble finding them right now. The online posting policy comes to mind.
If you have them, or can point me to them, let me know.
If necessary, we can begin discussing these tomorrow and finalize them on May 16.
Also attached is the calendar Diane has put together, and the liaison assignments list. Both will need to be reviewed and updated in preparation for the Board's reorganization on May 23. Again, we can review tomorrow and then finalize on May 16.
===== ===== ===== =====
From: brent@falmouthlocal.com brent@falmouthlocal.com
To: Board of Selectmen selectmen@falmouthmass.us
Subject: Policies
Date: 05/10/2011 10:10:46 PM
All,
A reminder that we'll be discussing policies on Monday. Please review the Liaison Policy, Appointment Policy and Online Posting Policy and be ready to vote these up or down.
You should all have copies of these policies; if you need a fresh one, let me know.
If there are changes you'd like to suggest, please send them to me ASAP and I will compile them into a final draft.
===== ===== ===== =====
Not only are these emails part of the public record, but because they were all sent to the selectmen@falmouthmass.us address, anyone can go to town hall and get copies of them.
The new policy is included here in this post. The old policy is still online, so you can see the changes. The biggest difference was a spin-off of the liaison part into a separate policy. Several members of the Board expressed concerns about the new Liaison Policy even before the meeting on May 16, so it was tabled.
However, even though the Board had received no less than three copies of the updated Committee Appointment Policy between March 6 and May 1, no one expressed any concerns about it until the meeting on May 16.
The last word here belongs to the official record, the minutes of May 2...
Policy Discussion: On-Line Posting Policy, Liaison Policy, Appointment Policy, Review Committee Handbook Policy and Review Calendar
Brent Putnam asked the Board members to take this home as homework. Look these over, including the Speakers Policy, and bring them back in two weeks, and we will vote them up or down, he said. Bring additions or subtractions. It was noted that there was no liaison for Coastal Ponds and no liaison between the Board and constables. The new Board will address this.
...and the minutes of May 16...
Policy Discussion: On-Line Posting Policy, Liaison Policy, Appointment Policy, Review Calendar and Liaison Assignments List.
Speaking on the calendar and liaison list, Brent Putnam said it is not set in stone; it just gives the Board an idea of the time issues. Additions or deletions should be given to Diane Davidson. Brent Putnam moved to accept the On-Line Posting Policy. Ahmed Mustafa seconded. 5-Yes, 0-No. Melissa Freitag thinks the Liaison Policy and the Committee Appointment Policy need lots of work. Mary Pat Flynn thinks the Liaison Policy should include what liaisons are not supposed to do as well. There was a brief discussion on what the Committee Appointment Policy accomplishes. Heather Harper said this policy will help the staff. Brent Putnam moved to approve the Committee Appointment Policy. Ahmed Mustafa seconded. 5-Yes, 0-No
Nothing surreptitious here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
