The long-awaited announcement came the other day that enough signatures have been gathered to form a Charter Commission. No surprises there. Why would any Barnstable resident not sign a petition to periodically study our form of government to look for improvements. We have had many Charter Commissions in the past, and should have periodic review in the future.
Which begs the question, why not just build a periodic review into the new Charter?
Having said that, On Election Day in November, we will be asked two questions:
1. Do we want to form a 9 member Charter Commission? The Barnstable Blogster hopes all vote YES.
2. If so, we also get to vote on who we want to serve?
But before we get that chance, people have to choose to run. That is much easier said than done. Over the past few years, there has been a constant barrage of personal attacks and negativity that probably will have an negative impact on who is willing to serve. We hope that isn't the case.
Our future depends on quality individuals coming forward to serve. Citizens who bring to the table an open mind, a willingness to work hard to research the issues and an ability to sell their end-product to us.
The Charter Commission should not be an extension of the personality and ego driven hate mongering that we read on local blogs. It should be a positive process designed to bring people Together. Now that would be a welcome change.
So, what about a run for office? If you just can't swing it, why not try to convince other respected citizens to run.
The BarnstableBlogger was impressed with the wonderful and diverse people who volunteered their time on the Council Review Committee. We hope we'll see a similar group of talented, diverse and compassionate citizens elected to the new Charter Commission. Any ideas on who you would like to see serve? Any thoughts on how to overcome the recent negativity to get talented persons to come forward?
What do you think?
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A realistic look at life and politics in the Town of Barnstable.
34 comments:
BB, Will a Charter Commission be able to make changes to the Airport?
The Charter Commission could suggest that the Airport Manager be brought under the authority of the Town Manager. Many residents feel this is overdue.
BB,
This has been my biggest fear about a Charter Commission....I don't know many folks who don't support a review of government, but many are concerned about the people who may serve on the CC. If we can't find quality candidates to run, the seats will go by default to the KOG crazies, and doom any chance that a viable charter will come out.
I hope your readers will seriously consider running for this office...don't let this chance for real reforms go by!
I hear that King KOG has declared he is shutting down the site (for the 7th or 8th time); hopefully he does, as we would have a better chance to get some quality candidates....
I agree Coddah. If the blogs have anything to do with it, it is D.O.A.
Al
Don't worry Al. One blogger doesn't live in town and the other never comes out of his house.
Sarge
I just heard that a slate is being put together by the Hate Blogs. Any guesses on who is on the list? The Doirons, John Julius, Frank Paparo, Greg Milne?
I hope they run. Not one of them can carry a vote.
Al
Al, Milne could get some votes. But this is townwide, not only in his little precinct. I hear he has some major trouble in his precinct.
Sarge
The petition still has to be approved by the town clerk, followed a merit vote by the council.
Any one else see this as a 12-1 vote against the merits given some of the people behind the petition.
So how did you guys get the wacko's to get your signatures for you? Someone is brilliant!
BB- What is it that the blogs want? At Large Councillors? A Mayor? A new Airport setup? I know people who have various opinions on each of these? Why do they have to make the debate about personal attacks? Do you honestly think that any respected member of this community will get involved after reading the local blogs? Not a chance!
BB, I hope Julius runs. We will finally see how few people support him. I bet you Lopez could get more votes.
Anon- The more the better. Anyone has the right to run (as long as they live here).
BB
I guess that leaves BostonBugsy out then.
Sarge
I think the Airport should not be a seperate operation, but part of Town Hall.
There is a confident opinion from someone with experience that 30 candidates may come forward, a ratio of approximately 3 to 1. Some Crocker Commissioners will certainly come forward. This race is a simple way to try one's hand at running for townwide office without raising a massive war chest or campaigning heavily. Short of garnering no votes at all what do you really have to lose? Give it a shot.
BarnstableBlogger- All we have to do is to try to convince respected citizens that this will be a positive, thorough and legitimate process. How can we expect someone to give of their time for 18 months if it is going to be nothing more than a food fight.
Anonymous said...
I think the Airport should not be a seperate operation, but part of Town Hall.
The airport is under the falls under the auspices of the FAA and MAC as a result it cannot be placed under the town.
Hey BB. That is why we should put the Airport under the Town. We need to keep tabs on the MAC and FAA. It is not a seperate entity.
Al
Blogger, Do you see why KapeKog and Mugsy should not be involved in the Charter Commission? They are already naming the Mayor. Some guy from Canton. These guys just don't get it. What part of objective review do they not get?
Anon, That's a relative of Lopez. He was a Police officer and Selectmen awhile ago, until he got ridden out of town in scandal. HE would never come back.
Why don't we wait until the residents first decide that we should have a Charter Commission and then that we should have a Mayor, before we start naming candidates.
Sarge
Good Advice Sarge-
BB
I agree.
Sarge, Why don't you throw your hat in the ring?
Sarge for Mayor!
BB
Do you think you could get JJ to get some signatures for me? I am thinking of running for Charter.
Steve
You are going to have to ask KapKog. He can get JJ to do anything.
Is Coddah around today?
Mayber he is out collecting signatures for Charter Commission.
Coddah would be an excellent choice on the Charter Commission.
Thanks to the posters for the nice words, but to maintain a viable nom de plume, I obviously cannot say if I will or won't run for Charter Comm.
There are a lot of great potential candidates out there...folks who served on the recent charter review committee or last CC several years ago (Lucien Poyant comes to mind), civic association leaders (like Mr Goodwin in Cotuit), respected business people, non-profit group leaders, etc.
The main thing needed is to show the potential candidates that they can run for office without having to fear the hate blogs....we have to provide positive support for quality candidates, and offset any negative publicity from King KOG, his JESTER, Muffy the Wonder Dog, and the rest of the crazies. We can print positive, thought-provoking blogs, letters to the editor, etc that stimulate discussion on the ISSUES, and not get into personalities.
Also, I think it wise to not select candidates mainly based on their positions, such as favoring a mayor, all at-large council, etc, but to instead concentrate on electing quality, open-minded Commissioners, and let them perform a throrough review before committing to a position.
As always Coddah, you provide a thoughtful commentary. Did you see how ridiculous the Brighton Bomber is on his blog? He must know about 5 people in town. His post demonstrates how little he knows about Cape Cod. He should move here before he calls himself a resident.
Al
Al- Wouldn't you have a warped view about this place if the only people you knew where Lopez and Julius?
new post for ya..
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