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?

Facebook

It's now easier to follow me on Facebook! Use this URL...

http://www.facebook.com/FalmouthSelectmanPutnam

I'm still writing the checks

Several years ago, I unsuccessfully argued against giving taxpayer dollars to Operation In From The Streets. At the same time, I wrote a check to support the efforts of this worthy cause.

The cause continues, supported by the Cape Cod Council of Churches. Every year they send a request for funds. Every year I write a check.

If you're reading this, odds are you're better off than the average homeless person. As I did back then, I urge you to write a check too.

Don't feed the trolls

I was on the Interent before most people knew that it existed. Back then, there was no www (World Wide Web), but there was email and Usenet. Usenet was a text-based bulletin board system where you could post thoughts and questions about just about any topic you can imagine...politics, computers, science, hobbies, etc.

"Troll" is double entendre, a term intended to be interpreted in two ways. It came into use on Usenet to describe people who posted just to upset others. Troll never made it into common use, but it's email counterpart, "flame" has been used here and there.

What does "troll" mean?

It refers to someone who posts something inflammatory, something that is obviously intended to upset someone else. A troll is fishing (i.e., trolling), casting something into the waters with the hope of hooking someone. The troll is looking for a fight. Troll also refers to the work of the troll - the post, email or letter.

We all know the other definition of a troll - an ugly, evil creature that cannot live in the light of day.

Not everything inflammatory is a troll. There are always controversial topics, but a troll seems unusually harsh or vague. It lacks specifics and is strong in emotion. It is intended to generate strong feelings, to get the reader to avoid thinking logically about the issue.

How do you get people to think about the facts when there are trolls out there formenting trouble?

1) Just don't respond - don't feed the trolls. As I've told my children, it takes two to fight, and if there's no response the troll won't be able to say anything more without looking the part.

2) If you insist on responding, remember that trolls make sweeping arguments based on emotion. Your response should ask for specifics. If they're sincere, you'll get specifics. If they only wish to get a response, you'll get more sweeping arguments and emotion.

Or silence.

Facebook

I have a Facebook page.

When our eldest children insisted on getting their Facebook pages, my wife and I made a deal - they would be our friends. This way we could keep an eye on their online activity.

It provded to be a good deal. From time to time they've had to remove things. Usually it was a picture or post from one of their friends - something which fell into our "inappropriate" category.

That is one problem with Facebook; anyone of your "friends" can post anything and anyone of your other "friends" can see it.

Another is the definition of "friend". Since becoming selectman, more than a few folks have requested to be my friend. Some I hardly know. While I appreciate the thought, I like to cultivate my friendships the old fashioned way - in person.

A Facebook phenom now (and an aspiring politician*), my son offered a solution - Facebook's "Fan Page."

So, I have a fan page now on Facebook; look for "Falmouth Selectman Brent Putnam".


*If you are so inclined, feel free to become a Facebook fan of my son, Andrew Putnam. He's running for Falmouth Town Meeting in Precinct 9.

My agenda

I got the following email not long ago. It was accompanied by the picture to the right. I've confirmed that it's authentic, and radio talk show host Howie Carr discussed it earlier today with the folks from Citizens for Limited Taxation.

"As my family and I were driving back from York Beach my wife asked me to pull off at the NH liquor store on 95 south at the Mass border. When I pulled around to get a parking space you can imagine my surprise to see what I could only assume to be a Mass state rep’s car. He also had a Deval Patrick/Tim Murray sticker on his back window-so I assume he’s a democrat who voted in favor of the recent sales tax hike.

"So the guy comes out with a couple of cases of booze in his carriage and loads them into his car. I asked him if this was "official" business or personal. He was surprised by my questioning and asked what business is it of mine as to what he’s doing. I told him I was a Mass citizen. He said it was personal-I pointed out the state car with official plates and he said it was "his".

"I didn’t ask him WHY he was in NH purchasing alcohol instead of supporting Mass businesses and the 6.25% tax they just levied on us common folk…

"He had his wife with him. I left ahead of him and as I was driving down 95 into Mass doing the speed limit, he blew by me doing about 75 in the left lane.

"I guess those who pass the laws need not abide by them. You would think that after hours of testimony from Mass businesses saying how the increased tax and the alcohol tax would hurt them by causing people go to NH would have had an effect on these weasels. But, alas, it’s proof again that they have no conscience and only serve their own interests and themselves.

"So, who was this guy? I didn’t even want to make him feel good or important by asking. He asked where I was from and I didn’t answer him. I got into my car and drove away."

I know what you're thinking, "Why put this on the blog? It has nothing to do with town politics."

Ahhh, but it does. On one of the Cape Cod Times' Reader Forums someone calling themselves 'OPENHAND' asked, "And that boy scout Putnam, what is his real agenda?"

The picture and email confirm what we already know - that too many politicians are the 'Do as I say, not as I do' types, i.e., hypocrites. Even if there is only one, it is one too many, as it creates the impression that every elected official has some nefarious agenda, hidden secret or hypocritical attitude.

Sorry to disappoint you OPENHAND, but with me, what you see is what you get. If you want to know something, just ask. I've nothing to hide.

Correcting my ConComm record

It seems that some one, at some time, is going to say some thing which needs more detail. Last Friday, a constituent leveled some criticisms against me in one of the local papers. What follows was also published in the Friday, July 3, 2009 edition of the Falmouth Enterprise as a letter titled "Letter Writer 'In Error'".

I would like the opportunity to correct the record. In the Friday, June 26, edition of the Enterprise, Craig A. Martin wrote that I missed “close to half the scheduled meetings” during my tenure on the conservation commission because “it was too time consuming,” and that I resigned well before my term expired. Mr. Martin is in error.

In late 2006, my wife’s grandmother—a woman who was closer to me than my own grandmothers—passed away after a long battle with cancer. Several months later, my mother passed away, also after a long battle with cancer. In-between, I got my first double ear infection in 30 years, which significantly impaired my hearing for several weeks. Altogether, I missed three months of commission meetings because of these events.

My last term on the commission ended June 30, 2007. In May of 2007, I submitted my request to be reappointed to another three year term, but was never notified when this would be considered. By July, I had heard nothing from the selectmen, and finding my schedule to be more demanding than expected, I reconsidered my request. My resignation letter—dated July 12, 2007—apparently did not reach the selectmen before they unanimously voted to reappoint me on July 16.

As for Mr. Martin’s suggestion that the selectmen have “a simpler agenda and the less strenuous thought and research necessary for decisions,” I disagree. Having been there and done that, I can say from experience that being a selectman is more difficult than being a conservation commissioner.

Finally, I agree that Dr. Deegan deserved a more respectful conclusion to her tenure with the commission. The recognition of our volunteers—or lack thereof—is something to which Chairman Mary (Pat) Flynn and I have devoted some effort over the past year. Recent events have highlighted the need to more aggressively address this, and Chairman Flynn and I recently met to do exactly that.

For further clarification, I've attached a couple of letters. The first is my letter of intent, when I requested that the selectmen consider me for a full voting position on the commission. The second is my letter of resignation, referenced above.

Sadistic nerd humor

My sister forwarded this email to me...

"First time in recorded history that Mars will be this close! It will be centurys before this happens again, so make sure your kids don't miss it! (Would make a great school project for later years!) It will rise in the East and will appear as large as the moon. Note or photograph any color and size changes.

Brent,
Any truth to this?"

This was my response...

"Yes and no.

Every 26 months, Earth passes Mars, so every 26 months we get close - a point in time called "opposition", when Mars is closest to Earth and opposite the Sun in the sky. Typically it's about 50-60 million miles away at opposition.

All plants have an elliptical (not circular) orbit, and "perihelion" refers to that point in the orbit when a planet is closest to the sun. Every 15 years or so, Mars and Earth meet in a "perihelic opposition" that brings us much closer than average. These always happen between July and September.

In August of 2003, we had a perihelic opposition that brought us to within 35 million miles of Mars. This was the closest such encounter in thousands of years, and while Mars wasn't as big as the moon, in a telescope it was much larger - about 25 arcseconds (an arcsecond is a unit of measurement for objects in the sky; the full moon is typically 1800 arcseconds in diameter) - than it has been during a typical opposition.

This particular email is probably left over from that event. These things tend to have a life of their own.

The next opposition with Mars - in January 2010 - will be an "aphelic opposition". Aphelion is the opposite of perihelion, i.e., the planet is furthest from the sun. So, Mars will be considerably smaller when viewed through a telescope - about 14.1 arcseconds.

No, I didn't have all of this off the top of my head, but I did know what I was looking for; a few minutes with Google helped with the details.

Feel free to send this explanation back to the source. This particular email was innocuous enough, but I'd hate to think that someone would be standing outside at night expecting Mars to rise like the moon.

Then again, you could always keep this to yourself and let them believe it's true. Think of it as sadistic nerd humor.

;-)

Brent"

Ipsa scientia potestas est

In 2006 and 2007, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) National Civic Literacy Board conducted studies of college students' civic literacy, i.e., Do our college students understand our history and the fundamental principles of our nation?

The results have been dismal, at best.

This year, the Civic Literacy Board expanded it's study by testing 2,508 adults. The results of this multiple-choice test were truly depressing, with a 71% failure rate and an average score of 49%.

I've said before that I try to keep this blog focused on local issues, which begs the question: Why am I writing about this?

Because the article that brought this study to my attention was titled, "US officials flunk test of American history, economics, civics" and since I fall into that category, I wanted to find out more.

What I learned was that of the 2,508 adults, 164 individuals claimed to have been elected to government office. Of those 164, 74% failed with an average score of 44%. Given that we should be electing the best and brightest to lead us, if this test even remotely reflects the knowledge of our elected "leaders" then this is really depressing.

But it also raises serious questions about what we need to know as citizens and public servants in order to maintain our nation and way of life. If knowledge is power, these results would suggest that too many of us are powerless.


How did I do? My results are in the screen shot above.

Sidewalk Astronomy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SIDEWALK ASTRONOMERS SHARE THE NIGHT SKY

(Falmouth, MA, October 27, 2008) – Weather permitting, the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers will hold their first outing this Saturday, November 1, from 6pm to 9pm near the Katherine Lee Bates statue on the Falmouth Public Library lawn. The public is welcome to come and get free views of the moon, planets and stars through telescopes.

The Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers are an informal group of amateur astronomers dedicated to sharing the night sky with the public. Instead of seeking out dark sky locations to practice the hobby, sidewalk astronomers bring their telescopes and knowledge to where the people are.

“This is something I've been wanting to do for many years,” stated one organizer, Falmouth Selectman Brent Putnam, “and things were finally set in motion by a series of recent events.”

Those events included an inquiry by fellow organizer Peter Cook, Chief Creative Officer & Videographer of Explorations Unlimited and a veteran of many star parties when he lived in the Philadelphia suburbs. After learning that Mr. Putnam was also an amateur astronomer, Mr. Cook asked about good dark sky locations in Falmouth, which led to a discussion about sidewalk astronomy.

The other catalyst was concern about local light pollution. Putnam noted that during his campaigns for selectman, “several individuals expressed concerns about light pollution and light trespass.” By going where the people are, sidewalk astronomers draw attention to poorly designed lighting and light fixtures which can interfere with our ability to see the night sky.

Mr. Putnam approached the Trustees of the Falmouth Public Library and they gave permission to use the library lawn for the event. He hopes other amateur astronomers will bring their telescopes and binoculars and come and share the sky.

Contact:
Brent Putnam

Jabberwocky

As previously noted, I attended the Falmouth Historical Society's Annual Poetry Fest this past Wednesday. The event takes place every year on or about the birthday of Katherine Lee Bates, who would be 149 years old this year.

Every year, they invite community leaders to read a poem. When I read the invitation, "Jabberwocky", by Lewis Carroll, was the first poem that came to mind.

This poem was introduced to me by a friend when I was back in grade school. At the time, we all played Dungeons & Dragons, a role playing game loosely based on J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" novels. Although "Jabberwocky" was a nonsense poem - many of the words were made up by Carroll - the image of a mythical creature slain by a sword fit into the imaginary world in which we played.


Jabberwocky

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought --
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy.

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

News, swearing-in and Memorial Day

There have been a few more articles in local rags and blogs about Tuesday's election...

Voters Reluctantly Approve Tax Hike

Post-Election Analysis - What Did We Learn in Falmouth?

...although I must admit to being partial to this article...

The eagle has landed: Former scout Brent Putnam is Falmouth’s newest selectman

I'm not sure if Joe Burns, the reporter who interviewed me, knew that I'm an amateur astronomer. The title, "The eagle has landed," alludes to the statement made by Neil Armstrong when the Apollo 11 lunar module landed on the moon.


My swearing-in on Memorial Day was full of smiles. My friends, family and supporters joined me and the other newly elected candidates (and their friends, family and supporters) to watch the event.

My youngest daughter and I then walked to the village green. Michael Arth, the Teaticket Elementary school principal, had asked me and several other parents to help herd a few dozen 3rd and 4th graders along the parade route to the library where the children placed flowers and flags at the markers of Falmouth's veterans.

My thanks to Dawn and the other parents for helping with this.

The event was followed by some socializing at the library and then at the Elk's Club on Palmer Avenue. Thanks to everyone for all of the congratulations.

And yes, I've heard from a number of folks about the editorial in the Falmouth Enterprise. Obviously, not everyone is happy about my election. It happens.

League of Women Voters Q & A

Published in today's Falmouth Enterprise were the questions posed to the candidates for various elected offices, and their respective answers.

I didn't write as much this year, but I still gave good, detailed answers. Feel free to contact me if you want me to elaborate more.

League of Women Voters of Falmouth
QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES FOR FALMOUTH SELECTMAN

NAME: Brent Putnam

ADDRESS: John Parker Road

OCCUPATION: For the past eight years, I have worked for Novell, Inc., a network and infrastructure software company, as a field support engineer. My responsibilities include problem solving, training, troubleshooting, and creating documentation. Because our products are mission-critical to our clients, I often have to work with difficult people in high stress situations that have tight deadlines.

Prior to this, I was employed by the “Big Four” accounting firm, Ernst & Young, LLP as their New England area Network Manager. My responsibilities there included planning, budgeting, and project management. With regard to the latter, I was part of project teams that built new offices in Newton and Hartford, and renovated the Boston office.

I have a consistent record of advancement and achievement with each of my employers. I have been promoted to roles of greater responsibility, and have been repeatedly recognized for my work ethic. In fact, I have received peer recognition awards on four different occasions over the past three years.


Your participation in Falmouth civic activities, including but not limited to participation in town government and town cultural, social, educational, political, business, religious and philanthropic organizations:

In 2006, the residents of Precinct 9 elected me to be one of their Town Meeting Representatives. That fall, my peers elected me Deputy Captain, and last year I was elected Precinct Captain.

I was appointed to the Falmouth Conservation Commission three times; once as an alternate member, and twice as a full voting member. I served for four years, choosing to step down because of other responsibilities.

Those other responsibilities include being President of the East Falmouth Village Association, and of the Old Barnstable/John Parker Neighborhood Association. I have been the webmaster for the Friends of Falmouth Farms for several years now; last year I was also elected Vice President.

I am a member of the Falmouth Amateur Radio Association, and we have family memberships with The 300 Committee and FCTV-13. We attend St. Anthony's Parish in East Falmouth and contribute to the Falmouth Service Center.

I am an Eagle Scout, a graduate of Falmouth High School (Class of '89; Member of the National Honor Society) and Cape Cod Community College (Associate in Science – Computer Information Systems; cum laude); I have been nominated for 2008 Alumni of the Year.

As a family, we are regular volunteers for the Falmouth Cranberry Harvest & Farm Festival. Our children are and have been in the Falmouth Public Schools and Falmouth Youth Hockey. My wife owns her own real estate brokerage here in town and is a member of the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce.


QUESTION A:
“On capitol projects with multi-million dollar budgets, what is the Selectmens' role in assuring that the town avoid significant cost overruns?”

The people of Falmouth look to the Board of Selectmen to be a bulwark of fiduciary responsibility. As the highest elected office in the town, there is an expectation that this body will be a watchdog so that there is never a need to ask taxpayers for more money. Indeed, this responsibility is outlined in various parts of the town code.

For example, the selectmen, “shall maintain liaison with all boards, commissions and committees” (Section C3-7D). The importance of this role cannot be understated, as this is how the selectmen stay on top of town government. If the liaisons are doing their jobs, personality conflicts, budget overruns and other issues would never become front page news.

Because the Board serves “as the chief executive...policy-making board of the town” (Section C3-3A), they can implement proactive policies to protect the taxpayer's dollar. For example, a surety bond could be required for all capital projects. This ensures completion of the project if, for whatever reason, there are issues with contracted parties, be they architects, contractors or otherwise.

Another proactive policy would be to require those who are directly responsible for a project to publicly convey the progress – or lack thereof – via periodic progress reports. Among other things, these reports should include finances, progress toward interim deadlines, and contingency plans for unanticipated problems. A short paragraph in the newspaper would not qualify.

The selectmen exercise control over town affairs by “Recommending major courses of action to the Town Meeting” (Section C3-2B). Therefore, they could recommend that town meeting make these policies a permanent part of the town's bylaws.

Falmouth has no ombudsman. The role “to make investigations and...investigate the affairs of the town and the conduct of any town department, office or agency” (Section C3-5) is granted exclusively to the selectmen.

Audits are one type of investigation. The state requires audits of capital projects when they are completed, but in some cases, years will have passed and tens of millions of dollars will be spent before that happens. For any project that falls behind schedule or over budget, an interim audit should be required. This would help pinpoint how the money was spent to date, help identify how much would be needed to complete the project, and perhaps even find lost money or identify were money could be saved.

A more thorough investigation of the type suggested in the town charter is an excellent way of ensuring accountability when a project has gone completely awry. Good, methodical investigations answer the questions that taxpayers ask: What went wrong? Why? Who is responsible? How can we prevent this from happening again?

Taking these proactive steps can prevent the need for after-the-fact intervention by the town's leaders on future multi-million dollar capital projects.


QUESTION B:
“Which of the nine major elements in Falmouth's Local Comprehensive Plan should be a priority for implementation and how do you suggest that this be accomplished?”

Planning – which falls under Element 1, Land Use & Growth Management – is probably the foundation of the other elements. However, choosing one element as a priority is impossible, as everything is interconnected.

Affordable Housing (Element 5) can bypass local planning via 40B. Economic Development (Element 3) affects affordable housing. If more people make more money, the median income will rise. Because the definition of affordable is based on an income of 80 percent of the median, 40B could become a non-issue. Any development – business, housing or otherwise – will affect water, coastal and wetlands resources (Element 2). Every element dovetails another.

I used to play the trombone, and know from experience that one part in a complex symphony doesn't sound complete by itself. So it is with the Local Comprehensive Plan. This is a comprehensive plan; to prioritize one element over another is like asking a conductor to chose the most important part in the orchestra. This is not a collection of solo performances, but rather a symphony in which each element plays an important part.

A Practical Environmentalist

Some folks still view me through cranberry bog blinders; they cannot seem to get past the fact that I argued to keep the Coonamessett River cranberry bogs open.

Truth be told, these people have never really talked with me about the subject. Sure, there may have been passing words here or there, but there was never really any effort to sit down, discuss things at length and come to any understanding.

It wasn't for lack of trying; I tried approaching a number of people, but they weren't interested in talking. Had they done so, they would realize that I, too, want to help the Coonamessett River - I just don't think we need to close cranberry bogs to do this.

For those who have chosen to speak with me, minds have changed. Indeed, over the past few weeks, I've had some wonderful conversations with a number of folks who had, until recently, thought of me as an intractable anti-environmentalist.

However, my environmental credentials are good and sound, and for those of you who aren't aware of them, here's a quick run-down:

* As a Boy Scout (I earned my Eagle Award in 1986), I earned a number of environment-related merit badges, including Environmental Science and Soil and Water Conservation.
* I was a member of the Falmouth Conservation Commission from 2003-2007. It's worth noting that I was a member of the quorum which unanimously imposed 99 conditions on the Little Pond Landing project.
* We are members of the 300 Committee.
* I drive an 8-year old Saturn which gets 30+ mpg.
* Our house was - at my insistence - built with 50 percent more insulation than what is required by code.
* I am a founding member, and former member of the board, of Clean Power Now, a non-profit organization which supports the development of renewable energy resources.
* I'm a member of the International Dark-Sky Association, an organization dedicated to stopping the adverse effects of light pollution, including, "Energy waste, and the air and water pollution caused by energy waste," and "Harm to nocturnal wildlife and ecosystems."

No, I don't belong to Greenpeace, but then neither does Dr. Patrick Moore, one of its founders. In the mid-1980's, Dr. Moore left Greenpeace to found Greenspirit, an organization devoted to cooperative - as opposed to confrontational - environmentalism.

As he notes, "...when a majority of people decide they agree with you it is probably time to stop hitting them over the head with a stick and sit down and talk to them about finding solutions to our environmental problems."

It's fair to say that - with respect to the Coonamessett River cranberry bogs - we've finally arrived at the cooperative environmentalism which Dr. Moore advocates. We've a grower with a fisheries background who is going to farm the bogs organically and install a modern irrigation system. While I'm disappointed that it took so long to get here (four years), I'm glad we finally did.

It's the kind of practical environmentalism that I've been advocating all along. Some folks were listening from the beginning; now that the confrontational environmentalism is behind us, perhaps more will remove their blinders to sit down and talk.

I was listening, Mrs. Sutherland

While reading Mr. Corgan's latest editorial, "When A Brief Encounter Results In changing Direction," I heard my 9th grade government teacher echoing in my head.

The term Mr. Corgan should have used was not "oligarchy," which is rule by the few, but aristocracy or plutocracy, which is rule by an elite or wealthy class, respectively. In fact, the "establishment" that Mr. Corgan speaks of - presumably the two-party system of Democrats and Republicans - is, in fact, an oligarchy.

There is a barrier to entry in politics. While anyone can run for office, to do so successfully usually requires either political connections, money or both. Knowing this, it is easy to understand why individuals such as Al Gore (whose father was also a U.S. Senator), our own Senator Kennedy, or George W. Bush were able to rise to the top.

It is possible to overcome that barrier, and for every Franklin D. Roosevelt, there is, to use Mr. Corgan's example, a Tip O'Neill. However, to succeed, the individual usually has to join one of the two major parties (Bill Clinton comes to mind), and so, in the end, even they become part of the oligarchy.

All that said; there are occasions, such as with former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, when someone rises to the top without support of the oligarchy.

(This post also appeared as a letter in the Friday, April 4, 2008 edition of the Falmouth Enterprise entitled, "Corrects use of oligarchy."

Although I graduated from Falmouth High School, my freshman and sophomore years were spent at Brunswick (ME) High School.

I'd always done well in history, so my 8th grade history teacher recommended me for the advanced government class in the 9th grade. Rather than rehash American history, our teacher, Mrs. Sutherland, taught us just about everything about government - ours and all the others. Those lessons were not forgotten.)

Voting records

The Cape Cod Times ran an article today, "Political candidates have spotty voting records." which stated, "Brent Putnam voted 21 times since 1996, missing a host of elections including the state and presidential primaries in 2004."

I've asked Mr. Brennan for this information so I can review and comment on it.

That said; it's worth noting that I'm the ONLY member of town meeting to voluntarily post my voting record. I started this practice with the spring 2007 town meeting, continued it with fall 2007 town meeting and I'll be posting my votes for this spring's town meeting too.

Honorable mention

I got an honorable mention in Troy Clarkson's latest blog post entitled, "Hearing from the Man (or Woman) on the Street." Shirley from East Falmouth said, "You talk about who will inspire us. Locally, I hope it's Brent Putnam."

Thanks Shirley; it's good to know that I can inspire you.

Changing the world

Just after Christmas, the Cape Cod Times published an op-ed by Jim Donnellan entitled "Three words to change the world."

In it, Mr. Donnellan reminds us that there is a way to dissolve tension, get a different perspective and learn from each other. He states, "Instead of reacting [in a tense situation], pause...and then ask the magical three words: "Help me understand. ..."

Unlike some who have run for public office, I've been very forthcoming about my opinions on various subjects. While this makes it easy to know where I stand, it also makes it easy to write me off. Someone might think that because I believe A or support X, therefore I don't believe B or support Y.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I have opinions and hold positions based upon what I know. However, I'll be the first to admit that I don't know everything; it's possible that I could be wrong. So, I'll follow Mr. Donnellan's suggestion and leave an open door for you.

If you disagree with me about who or what I support or an opinion that I hold, tell me. I promise that the first words out of my mouth will be, "Help me understand..."

This and that...

Back in the middle of August I wrote a brief note referring to my absence during the month of July. I finally have some time to expound upon that.

I'll not bore you with details (which are largely unrelated to the theme of this blog), but my wife had to have two surgeries (she's well now, thanks) and I was away for two weeks due to business. The net result of this was some rethinking of my priorities and commitments.

In early July, I resigned from the conservation commission. I'd served for nearly 4 years and enjoyed the experience tremendously. However, it's a big commitment in time and energy, and there are other things I need and want to do, so I figured it was time to move along.

In August I followed-through one of those things and became president of the East Falmouth Village Association.

There's still more on my list (many unrelated to town government), but the Association will keep me pretty busy for a while.

I'll keep you updated.

Vacation

Yes, I took a vacation.

No, it wasn't really that long.