"You have no power until they attack you in the press."

I forget who said this, but it's sort of ironic that I heard this statement at a convention for conservation commissioners. In the past two weeks I (and another candidate) have been attacked no less than five times by four different people who would probably describe themselves as environmentalists.

Why the attacks?

Cranberry bogs.

It's actually odd, given that the only mention I've made of cranberry bogs was this paragraph...

"The density creates other issues, most notably environmental. A few years back some folks tried to blame the nitrogen levels in our coastal ponds and embayments on cranberry bogs. However, even if we closed every cranberry bog in Falmouth, there would be no measurable effect on the nitrogen levels. It is development - septic nitrogen, lawn fertilizers and road runoff - which contributes virtually all of the nitrogen. Development must be addressed if we are to get control over this; everything else is a side show."

...which was part of my answer to the League of Women Voters questionnaire.

Basically the LWV asked each candidate some questions and this was a - VERY brief - part of my response. In case you missed it, I will publishing the full answer in it's entirety in another blog entry.

I've not discussed cranberry bogs all that much because it's not as big an issue as things like 40B or taxes. In any campaign for public office - if you really intend on serving the public - you will listen to the people and address their concerns. I've been listening, which is why I've been talking about 40B, New Silver Beach, taxes, etc.

In any case, I've got a pretty thick skin, so the attacks don't bother me. Indeed, letters like these that show up in the weeks before an election are little different from the "October surprise" that one expects in presidential elections. Clearly these folks don't like the position I took on the cranberry bogs, so they've resorted to mud slinging, hoping something will stick and make me unattractive to the electorate.

So, let me reassure the residents of Falmouth that when I'm selectman, I promise - yes, I PROMISE - that every decision I make will be made upon the facts of the situation, without bias or favoritism. I will listen to all opinions with an open mind before taking a position, and then explain myself fully when I cast a vote.

So there. The only reason you have to fear a "Selectman Putnam" is if you are afraid of fair, open and accountable town government.

And, yes, we CAN do better.