Do you want to improve our local government? We will have a Charter Commission soon charged with evaluating our present system with the goal of making recommendations to our residents for our consideration. But designing a new Charter is only half the battle. The real challenge is convincing the majority of our citizens that the package recommended by the Charter Commission is worthy of adoption. For several years we have had self-appointed "advocates of change" implement a foolish strategy of "attack and divide" which was designed to fail. And it has.
They have attacked everyone in sight. They have attacked the villages. They have attacked the Fire Departments. They have attacked the Golfers. They have attacked every elected official. They have attacked the Town Manager. They have attacked Town staff. They have attacked our legislators. They have attacked our civic associations. The have attacked our Chambers of Commerce. They have attacked the volunteers on the Town's Committees and Boards. The have attacked small businesses. You know, I am not sure who they haven't attacked.
The problem is that members of the all of these groups make up about 99.85% of the voting population. And we're not talking philosophical attacks. We are talking about personal, vindictive, mean-spirited assaults. We're talking about questioning people's honor, integrity, motivation and honesty. You know, the kind of attacks you never forget. And who are these persons to question other people's integrity so wantonly? Do they even live in our town?
The hate-bloggers would have us believe that they are going to bring about change. Muffy wouldn't know change if it bit him in the tail. He, along with a few other maniacal government critics, have pursued a dumb strategy that could only have one explanation for it. They are trying to get into the "Ripley's Believe it or Not" for having the biggest ego and the dumbest strategy ever devised.
Why not adopt a winning strategy. Why not work WITH people to develop the best Charter possible for this town. There are more than a few residents who support a different way of selecting our Town Council and/or electing a Mayor. But the track record of the hate-bloggers is to attack and divide. It is a losing strategy.
I guess the bullies gain some sick pleasure in attacking other people. It must make them feel good. Maybe they were abused themselves, who knows.
But it is not a winning strategy. Building coalitions and working with like-minded citizens is the start of a winning strategy. When asked whether "we want to study and improve our local government", 5000 residents said yes. (I have yet to meet a person who would say no). But getting the signatures and implementing a winning strategy are two different animals.
The question is, do we want to associate ourselves with the slash and burn hate-bloggers? The overwhelming populace will say no every time. It's time for a new strategy. A winning strategy. What do you think?
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A realistic look at life and politics in the Town of Barnstable.
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15 comments:
There continues to be a lot of conversation about the next phase of charter reform, how to achieve the best possible slate of commissioners. One approach might be to encourage maximum participation in the race, and trust controversial or weak candidates to get weeded out. We could use this blog to study charter scenarios and rate the performance of those running for the commission. At the same time, 7 council seats could, and should, be contested. Some people will have to decide which campaign is more important to them.
BB,
It is obvious that we can bring about reform by building coalitions. I signed the petition and support the at large option. We don't need to tie ourselves with the other blogs. They're politically poison.
The key is to stay above the frey. There is a real opportunity to bring on either a hybrid(some precinct based and some at large)or all at large. Either is an improvement. I think your blog could play an important role by providing information.
BB- I am afraid if you eliminate the village based councilors you will lose support. Look who votes. The highest turnouts seem to be in Cotuit, Barnstable Village, Osterville and Marstons Mills. Will they want to get rid of their Councilor's position for all at-large? I am not sure.
Did you notice that the other Blogs are dead. I have decided to stop visiting there. They offer nothing.
B.B.
I favor a Council with 7 town-wide Councillors with either a Mayor or Manager.
So many are truly angry about the other blog's slander and lies. Many, many citizens are willing to work towards improving town government, but I am afraid you will see good people stay on the sidelines rather than slog through the mud. I hope that you can change things. There seems to be broad support for at least some at large councilors and even a mayor.
Hey BB, Did you notice that Muppy has had only 100 visits today. I told you he's losing it.
I'll bet 99 of the visitors were Mugsy himself. The other one was JJ.
Blog author:
Anonymous author equals beaucop censorship. Anonymity muddies democratic tracks. There have been few exceptions: e.g. the famous "X" who wrote about Russia in Foreign Affairs during the 1950's.
I hope this blog values all contributions, whether anonymous or not. A review of other local blogs, i.e Bugsy, Leghold, Coddah, etc. and other blogs everywhere suggest that most post anonymously. Only the large of ego would demand to be known. Let your words and thoughts speak for you.
In my discussions with some civic figures from the outer villages I have picked up a clear and deep distrust of any move towards at-large. The feeling seems to be: as bad as this current structure may be, we have found a way to make our way through it. We can't justify switching to a system where we may be swamped over by other, more populous districts or by special interests with deep pockets. The irony is that the strong village civic groups can drive the voter turnout and access the funds to compete in a larger arena. Finally, without a switch to an elected executive many voters may simply reject any proposed charter.
I agree with anonymous. The village groups are weary of all at-large. Maybe a hybrid is the best we can hope.
Hey BB,
I have to stop going to Mugsy's blog. It is SOOOOOO boring! All you read is, "Let's beat up on Janet Joakim". Boy, are these guys tough. They sit at home and throw bombs. Can we say Bully?
We have a good chance of at least getting some at-large and an elected Mayor. If Mugsy, Loopy Lopez and others get involved, it's going down bigtime.
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