It's In Your Hands
It's often claimed that political campaigns, whatever else they might accomplish, reveal under the glare of attention much about the candidates. Muskie's crying, Eagleton's depression, Nixon's sweat, Ford's "free" Poland, Dan Quayle's JFK association: these all represent, fairly or not, aspects of those candidates that had an effect on the way voters perceived them.
Our own little campaign here in Milton has developed a theme of its own. That theme is arrogant disregard of Massachusetts laws.
Some weeks ago the Boston Globe advanced a story begun by the Patriot Ledger. The story dealt with what seems clearly to be a violation of the Massachusetts open meeting law when Selectmen Mullen and Shields conducted an executive session meeting under false pretenses. The Norfolk District Attorney's office is now investigating this matter. Here is the link to the Globe story. I would give you the link to the Milton Times coverage but for the fact they have deliberately buried the story. Does anyone think that paper would miss the opportunity to cover even an innocent violation of the same law by the School Committee?
http://snipurl.com/1fd4n
Yesterday's Boston Globe brings us another troubling issue. Apparently candidate James Mullen caused a letter of support to be circulated among employees at Town Hall. Some of those employees have told Selectman Marion McEttrick they felt pressured to sign. This would appear to violate conflict of interest laws and a complaint will be filed with the State's Ethics Commission.
Here is a link to yesterday's Globe story.
http://snipurl.com/1hr27
Tomorrow you can stay home and hope things turn out right, or you can make sure that you and everyone you know gets out to cast a vote to ensure that things are put right.
posted by Philip Mathews at 7:54 PM
13 Comments:
I really hope we get the change this town needs. I don't want to live in a town that embraces bigotry and cronyism, so if that ends up ruling the day, I want to pack my bags! Yet, I dont want to be run out of town by these people either. I'm just afraid of how long it will take to undo the damage created by another five years of the Jimmy and Johnny show.
It's critical that we take back our town through our votes and our follow-up. Regardless who wins today, we citiens have to demand a more positive and inclusive tone to the dialog of public decision making in town. The town government operates for the benefit of its citizens, not the other way around.
This is a fateful election in Milton. I am flying my U.S. Flag today in the hope that the better American values of community, as I know them, will prevail. Milton residents overwhelmingly believe in fashioning a trusting, respectful, welcoming, inclusive and just community. I trust that will be reflected in the results.
What a great day for Milton, with Kathy Fagan as our new selectman!! Congratulations to Kathy, Bernie, Glenn and all the other fine canadiates who ran successful races based on thoughtful, positive platforms. It will be hard work to address all the challenges the town faces, but if anyone can do it, I think Kathy will build the bridges to make it happen.
How interesting...
The tone coming from the Fagan supporters appear to be changing from how bad the old elected officals were to how "hard" it will be to address the challenges Milton faces.
How very disingenuous.
There is no change in tone.
Solving our problems has never been presented as easy. What was said was that ignoring the problems was an impossible place from which to begin solving them.
Do I detect some sour grapes?
Do I detect an ungracious "winner" who is intolerant of a dissenting opinion?
There is a difference between being intolerant and disagreeing with an opinion. I think sour grapes captured it quite accurately.
"Sour grapes" is an expression used to convey emotional disdain in mindset.
It's a phenominal leap of intellect to argue it's a logical counter-argument to anything, and therefore a likely indication of intolerance.
Try to refrain from mud slinging, it cheapens the discourse.
No, "sour grapes" refers to pretended disdain for the unobtainable.
It isn't an argument, it's a description. I haven't noticed any arguments that require much of anything else.
It seems to me you're the mud slinger. And I've been waiting for a long time for someone with your views to offer some discourse. I guess this is it.
LOL! Are your accusing me of "pretending" to think the tone has changed?
"sour grapes" has nothing to do with "pretending" and everything to do with bitterness - hence the "sour".
I think you missed your calling as a comedian.
However, as a Milton Public Offical, I find your relishment indicative of the problems in Milton politics today.
By the way, what are my "views" of which you proclaim to know?
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so there's such a thing as an innocent violation of the law in your mind? betsy
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