I will have a fund raising dinner for my Select Board campaign on March 28th, 5-8 PM at the Dartmouth VFW on Cross Road, Tickets are $20 and the menu is Italian fare. Tickets can be bought beforehand by calling 508-992-4343, 508-636-2537, or emailing pokanoketlax@hotmail.com. You can also buy tickets at the door. Remember to vote on APril 1st!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
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68 comments:
Hi Bill, I already have a ticket...and it's March 28th, NOT the 29th.
See you Friday, the 28th! Good Luck!
That night is not good for me, but I'll be buying tickets anyway. Can't wait to vote for you!
Bill, the reason I asked you what your opinion is on the fincomm meeting is because I watched your library interview and you stated, I believe, that you will only support the police department's question. In light of the fincom's unanimous support of "an" override, how will you proceed in good conscience? It seems to me the most prudent path for this town to follow would be to pass all override questions and continue to work on belt tightening. I would not be paying $95.00 for garbage removal (plus bags) if the last override had passed. Now, we still need an override, on top of this garbage fee. I suspect without an override, this will be how things continue to transpire in the future- less services with decreasing quality, more fees, bad town bond rating, no personal tax deductions to show for any of it. Perhaps it is time to temper your position.
I attended the Finance Committee meeting and they did not endorse the current override questions. A motion was made to endorse all the override questions and it failed. A motion to endorse the override questions individually could not even get a second from the committee. The Finance Committee stated that they believe an override is needed. I agree with their assessment. Not all the override questions this year address the underlying problems. Some would in my view add to the problem. I think the voters can decide for themselves which they want to support.
I do not understand your logic in complaining about a $95 fee for trash and then wishing that your taxes had been raised $500-600. Perhaps you can tell me what has been done in the past year to prevent the need for this year's override requests. Has the town moved aggressively to reduce the rate of growth of expense? What belt tightening has been done? Even when the town KNEW that they had a shortfall this year, they have done little to change that equation. Change is going to be needed if the override questions pass or not. Do you agree?
Bill, please outline in detail what you would done differently that the current board has done. Please be mindful of the difficulties of collective bargaining in your response.
BillT the $95 trash fee is not tax dedcutible and serves one small purpose. A rise in my taxes is tax deductible and would serve to improve a vast array of services in town, from police to library, dpw, schools, animal control, town hall etc.
Bill, the reason I brought up the garbage fee is becuase I believe it is a result of thinking with blinders on, if you will. Yes, I would much rather have payed an additional $200-300 in taxes, not have a garbage fee, have my street lights on, and NOT have my town in this predicament less than one year later. Also, though I appreciate the CFRG's efforts to uncover waste in our government and the schools, their tactics are beginning to seem more and more like a good old fashioned yankee witch hunt. Regarding the library, did Barry speak to anyone there before lobbing the latest bomb?
I have enjoyed the discussion with frankg on the library issue. He seems a logical, thougtful person even if I do not agree with him. However, if what is said here regarding Barry's comments is true, I have to wonder what the CFRG is really all about. If Barry is the leader and says the things he says regarding library practices I wonder why people like Frankg and BillT continue to associate with him? Unfortunately it makes me question the motivations of everyone that continues to support Barry and his 'cause'.
I have posted here what I would have done differently.
Tax deductible fees or not, a $9 million override would have cost taxpayers much more than trash fees.
The reason the town is in this predicament year after year is that they have not addressed the root cause of our problems.
As I pointed out in my post on libraries, the state certification requirements place us in a position that requires a 2.5% increase in funding even though we have a smaller library department. I enjoy and support the library but we have to face the fiscal realities. That is what I am running on, fiscal responsibility. We can have a debate about what our priorities are but we also must have changes.
BillT - let's cut to the chase, do you agree with Mr Walker's very public statement position that the 'Library's in Dartmouth are poorly managed and fiscally irresponsible'?
I reviewed the post you directed me to and it does not answer my question at all. Specifically what would you have done differently, and I am not asking what the finance committee says, I am asking for what concrete things you would have done differently. Please answer the question, you are beginning to sound like a politician.
Anonymous, please come to the Rotary candidates night and ask your questions. There have been other events where you could have come and asked questions also.
It sounds to me like you're getting ready for your own questions?
The citizens in this town have to start holding our leaders accountable for the failed leadership which we have witnessed with regard to our fiscal problems Even now as they push for an override for one year, while they refuse to say "what happens next year??". When you go to the polls on April 1st, you can support any,none, or all questions...but we are far from done!
I take my hat off to Barry W. for raising questions and forcing leaders to get started looking at ways to cut spending. I do not agree with everything that the CFRG says, but I am grateful to Barry for standing up and speaking out! I am going to vote yes on some of the questions. I hope Barry W. doesn't go away or get tired of being attacked by our SB. Some on our SB have tried to quiet the voice of the public and that is wrong! They pick and choose who they will listen to at their meetings. VOTE APRIL 1st!!
NDMom - I did'nt go to the CFRG forum and won't be going to the rotary forum. I have watched, read and listened to enough people to know how I am going to vote.
I certainly applaud any citizen for standing up and speaking their minds. Mr. Walker and his fantom steering committee stand up and make statements that cannot be supported by any facts whatsoever. People get angry when this pattern is repeated as it has been in Mr. Walkers case. I listened when he did it to the schools, the town separation benefits, the bogus agrguments on excesive salaries etc. and now he's on television making false claims about library management and fiscal responsibilities with no facts to back up his statements. The scorn that is heaped on Mr. Walker is the responsibility of no one but Mr Walker himself.
Responsible citizens who do not like what they see in their government make their case and back it up with facts to support their claims. Mr. Walker rarely does that and when he does the 'facts' as presented invariably turn out to be wrong. But by then the damage is done. His latest tirade on the loperation of the remaining town library is but another example. The damage has been done by virtue of one quite televised news piece. How do we turn back the clock so those that were influenced by that piece know the facts not just Mr Walkers false claims?
Anonymous, yes, those are the same kind of attacks that Rep John Quinn had to endure after his presentation before the board. I see a pattern here!!
Everyone is wrong!
If that's the case, why are we not looking toward our own leaders who have been in the thick of it for years! Please don't attack a citizen who raises questions. Figures can and have been used to back every argument. The fact that Barry W. raises questions that you don't like or that you find uncomfortable to answer are just another example of failed leadership in Dartmouth!Our own Fin Director changes figures at every meeting! Moving target... I suppose! Dartmouth voters are not stupid, they can figure it out!
ok nd mom - lets keep it to the matter from yesterdays news program.
There is ZERO evidence that the library is mis managed or fiscally irresponsible. Yet Barry Walker feels it his duty to state the opposite. Is that ok with you?
Let's leave the fincom, the slect board out of it in this one instance since that is nto the question I have raised.
anonymous, BOGUS ARGUMENT ABOUT EXCESSIVE SALARIES!!!
Please, what about the contracts that were re-negotiated when they were eights months into a contract already. Our town was already suffering when some SB members signed these contracts. The town people deserve an explanation to this question! Where is the leadership when contracts like these are signed!!!! Failed leadership, I agree with nd mom. We need a change!
Barry can raise any question he wants. When he influences people with falsehoods is when I have a problem with it. When he demands that the town employess that I pay for too have to spend hours and hours refuting Mr Walker's falsehoods I get upset. So its not a matter of asking hard questions or demanding answers, its gettting up on a soapbox and preaching falshoods as was the case on last night's news program.
Kim, I've heard the contract issue explained a half dozen times by now. It's a non-issue as far as I am concerned. Next issue?
Do you agree with Barry on his and the CFRG stance that the library is mismanaged and fiscally irresponsible?
I strongly disagree with Barry Walker's assessment. The library is well managed and very effective. It has taken many steps that I would have expected Barry Walker to applaud. They have raised thousands of dollars in private donations, implemented automated services, encouraged resident volunteers and reached out to UMassD to help provide election information to town residents.
Regarding the quote from channel 10. What I was trying to convey to the reporter was that current Ma general laws concerning libraries do not encourage efficiency. In fact, they punish it. I did not see the news piece but it appears that this reporter was trying to sensationalize my statements and I sent her an e-mail blasting her for it. We need to move away from the divisiveness. It is time for the people to vote. Regardless of their choices, there is plenty of work to do after the election.
I guess I need to start watching channel 10.
Anonymous - Let me explain my philosophy about dealing with people. I am a firm believer in the fact that everyone has a right to their own opinion, even if it doesn't agree with mine. I "associate" with everyone, especially when there is common ground. In this case we all want a better Dartmouth.
I am not a member of the CFRG or any other group, except for the Town committees I have volunteered for and been appointed to. I am entirely my own person, who has opinions based on my learnings and investigations. If I offer an opinion you can be sure it is all mine. Some agree with me, some don't, and that is ok with me.
I agree with Barry on some things, and not others. I agree with Bill T. on some things and not others. I agree with the Select Board members on some things and not others. I agree with the school folks on some things and not others. Having discussions is how people learn things, and sometimes someone walks away having changed their mind or learned something new. I always try to stay open-minded and talk to everyone, even strangers. I like people, and diversity is what makes the world go 'round.
On the BRTF we all agreed there was an underlying problem with the way some things were done and structured in our town, but at the end there was some disagreement on how to deal with things, and whether an $8.5M override would do more harm than good. I still associate with those folks too, including those of the Coalition.
I especially appreciate conversations and discussions with those that are trying to fix our town. I can tell you that Barry cares a great deal about this town, as I do. He is a multi-generational resident as I am, and we met at a SB meeting. Since then we have had many good discussions about many things.
As a smart friend of mine always said, no 2 people will ever agree on everything, because if they did 1 of them is unnecessary. What we are watching and experiencing is democracy in action. Just because someone disagrees with me is no justification to stop talking to them, or "associating" with them as you put it. The common ground is still there.
If I stopped associating with everyone that had a difference of opinion on something with me, I might as well go live on an island by myself. I prefer to focus on the things that we do have in common and make some progress. I look for differences but build on similarities.
anonymous, I am voting for the library.
Anonymous, Sorry but the contract issue is NOT a non-issue as you would like to think! It's the talk of the town! Those are the kind of back room deals that need to be brought into the light. The likes of certain SB members who SIGNED those contracts should be accountable for that kind of failed leadership!! I am glad Barry W. brings issues to the people!!! Our town leaders cetainly won't!
Frank G, Thank you for bringing some rational logic discussion to the blog. I don't want to read ranting about Barry W. or anyone else! Let people vote and then as a town we need to go forward. You are right, no two people agree on everything.
I enjoy what you, Bill, and Barry have contributed to this discussion.
Barry,
Thanks for the post. It is very unfortunate that the reporter sensationalized your comments.
Anonymous, No, you're probably right...people who live in Dartmouth don't want a better Dartmouth!!
COME ON!! We want quality, not quantity!
Maybe your idea of a "better" Dartmouth is not my idea of a better Dartmouth. Our priorities are very different. I would be happy with very little service. I would gladly take my trash to the transfer station. I don't need curbside service. I don't need a library. I am very supportive of the senior center. We are all different and we have a right to our opinions.
Frankg, I appreciate your diplomacy, but I believe it is fair to ask a political canidate (Bill) what his position is regarding the statement that our library is fiscally irresponsible. This is the very damaging statement that was made on channel 10 and attributed to Mr. Walker. Bill, do you agree with this statement or not? Will we be sending the only remaining library down the same tubes as the street lights, animal control, garbage collection and the Vaz senior center? It is time for the citizens of Dartmouth to start holding the CITIZENS of Dartmouth responsible, and by that, I mean that come April 1, we will reap what we sow.
All personal attacks aside, I happen to be voting in favor of the Southworth library receiving funds to put on a new roof, install a new hvac system, and resurface their parking lot. I am also encouraging others to do the same. Vote yes on question 7. Vote Bill Trimble for select board. Bill, could you please consider deleting anything that is a personal attack on this blog? It's getting old. Perhaps you could consider only allowing personal attacks written by those who disclose their identity. I believe that would solve 99% of the problem.
Seems odd to vote for a new roof on a building yet gut the services held under that buiding. I'll be voting no on the roof too regardless of Barry's position. Makes no sense to put good money after bad.
Barry, delete items you consider personal attacks? I go back to my post that asks how should one respond to a group such as the CFRG that puts out its official opinions with you as their sole spokesperson? Do we all just sit back and nod? If you want to continue in your role as the CFRG's official spokesman for all things Dartmouth its time for a thicker skin.
I would have to say that the statement on channel 10 is doing a lot more damage now that certain CFRG attackers have grabbed hold of it. Didn't see it on t v but I know about it now. The more these people bring it up the less chance the library question has of passing. Didn't they learn anything from the last override. Nastiness turns voters off. I think it was a big factor in the failure of the last override.
Another 'sit back and nod post'. Leave the cfrg alone or we'll be the cause of harm. Nonsense. Any fault lies directly at the feet of the cfrg because of their continued, baseless statements against virtually every organization in this town. As to your ascertion that this blog has more influence than a channel 10 news story in prime time - well BilT might like to think so but the reality likely is that a few dozen of us write these entries if that-compared to thousands that likely saw what was on the news last night. I did not feel compelled to talk to a reporter, apparently Mr' Walker and the cfrg did.
anonymous, How about the failed leadership in Dartmouth being the cause of the mess we're in???? How can you say that a group of citizens is causing our current fiscal crisis?? How about looking to those in leadership positions, how about looking at those who have been at the helm for years, how about looking at those who knew full well that we are in crisis and still sign new contracts contracts??
Instead of looking at the people running the town government you want to point the finger at a group of town citizens!!!
That pathetic!
I missed Chan 10 but I haven't missed town meeting, SB meetings, Fin Com meeting, SC meetings, etc. and they provide much more insight into our town and it's leadership or lack of!
Voter,
all I am saying is this - I believe the government side of town is moving forward with belt-tightening and changes to business. This is not enough. The citizens of Dartmouth need to be held responsible for where we are as well. I for one am willing to vote yes on all overrides and put my money where my mouth is.
to 'voter' part of the reason for our current situation does in fact lie at the feet of the cfrg. They perpetuate and spread baad information which contributes to doubt in people's minds. Like it or not some blame gets put to the cfrg precisely because of the information stated on last night's television program. To say otherwise is ignoring reality.
Drink some more koolaid from the town administrators, maybe you'll croak and do us all a favor. I'm voting NO on everything. You people are nasty, nasty ,nasty!!!
At least Barry reveals his identity.
let's all take a deep breath, here.
No need to refer to Jim Jones, I'd rather watch his son do an amazing job on the b-ball court. I'm taking a few nights off to watch my brackets. Believe it or not, I called the San Diego and the WV win. Hubby is bummed about Clemson & George Mason, but it's a healthy distraction, at least.
Getting ready to play easter bunny for the kids tomorrow -- everybody have a great holiday. You can come out swinging on monday.
momof3, Happy Easter! Season of Hope!
If my taxes go up on top of the 40% more that I am already paying, then I hold Peter Kavanaugh responsible. He must be held accountable for his actions. He should be shunned in the business community!!!!!
God Bless Peter Kavanaugh!
If your business can't survive in the low tax environment that is Dartmouth you're doing something wrong.
Maybe you should move to New Bedford, or Fairhaven or Westport or Fall River. Oh wait, they're all more expensive than Dartmouth. Hum, guess you're stuck here.
I am a life long resident and a small business owner in Dartmouth happily doing my share and am in complete agreement with Peter Kavanaugh. I am also a residential homeowner and feel it my responsibility to give back to the town what I received from the split tax vote as well as a little bit more (for me about $2.75/week) to pay for the services that we enjoy and take for granted in Dartmouth. Even with the $2.75/week increase our taxes are still one of the lowest in the State of Massachusetts and we get to keep our library, streets plowed and repaired, residents safe, COA services and good schools! A small price to pay to keep Dartmouth….Dartmouth the town I am proud to live in.
Barry and the CFRG have gained credibility because you have given it to them. Every time you try to discredit them or offer rebuttals in response to something they have said, you make them more and more credible.
Enough on credibility, how about accountability. When is the executive administrator going to come under fire? He is the one responsible for negotiating most of the contracts. He is the one responsible for the plan. Why does he set the select board agenda? Why don't select board members tell him to put GIC reps on the agenda to give the other side of the story on health benefits? EBS Foran's presentation was obviously biased. They stand to lose money if we join the state plan. Mike Gagne cares as much about the taxpayers as Joe Michaud. Joe has ignored or tried to discredit the CFRG until the week before the election, then he asks to meet with them. When the CFRG said they wanted to meet with him right after the election, Joe Michaud said there was no point. Thanks for including us as part of the community Joe.
I see a pattern now. BillT is in fact censoring any anti CFRG comments yet allowing all pro CFRG sentiments.
We all should sit back and smile when the all knowing CFRG speaks.
So BillT I guess you finally have answered the question; you are in fact a card carrying CFRG member.
We'll see how long this comment lasts.
Please, stick to issues! No personal attacks on people or groups!
We will never get our town in order this way!!
I think the library is run well. I'm confused as to why the library question was left all on its own instead of being part of question 5. That is unfortunate. I miss the ND library and hope that when or town is able, it will open again. The library is a great resource!
I agree ND Mom - let's get back to the issues. The library should be properly funded and a longer range plan should be developed to re-open a library facility in the northern part of town. Continued residential growth in that part of town means more need for a library and eventually more room for school kids. These should be the things we are discussing and planning for not constantly trying to fight off accusations by any group or individual. I hope that can happen soon.
Barry,
You wrote in this blog that your comments were sensationalized and you believe we should "move away from the divisiveness." It seems to me that this unfortunate situation has presented you with an opportunity. Will you consider writing a letter to the Standard Times rejecting the Channel 10 quotation? Such a letter will enable you to lucidly express your views while taking a real leadership role in moving the discussion beyond the current divisiveness.
I agree, this forum is a waste now as Bill censors all comments except CFRG comments or Barry's comments. I've had it. This has become only a forum for the CFRG.
nd mom - Right or wrong, what the SB tried to do with the separate library question is keep apart "extra" from level funding.
Question 5 keeps level funding for the library when compared to this year so they wouldn't have to take additional cuts for FY09. Question 2 gives additional money to try and restore some of what was removed for the FY08 budget.
Matt, What is your e-mail address? I would like to correspond with you.
Barry, In your attempt to clear things up on this issue, maybe you could tackle the other issues brought to light here that have been otherwise dismissed - like distorting facts to imply school consolidation would not overcrowd them before the last vote, just to name one.
From the article
"The best of times, the worst of times;
A closer look at the newly consolidated Quinn School"
By Lily Brown
The Spectrum
Dartmouth High School
Dartmouth, MA
Issue Date: 9/28/2007
Issue: Vol. V, No. 1
There is no doubt the revamped Quinn is an excellent facility. Due to its size, the school now has ample space to accommodate every activity students partake in. Where Cushman housed music classes, lunchtime, and gym in one central auditorium, Quinn has a separate location for all of the above, not to mention various special education rooms that allow SPED faculty to extend their options much further than they were previously capable in the smaller buildings. The entire third floor that was closed off when the school was originally reconfigured to house the elementary level, reopened this summer to hold the overflow of incoming fifth graders. It was repainted and given a thorough dusting by a Sheriff’s Department work crew, and the classrooms now rival or even exceed the quality the incoming teachers had at their previous schools. As Co-Principal Heidi Silva-Brooks puts it, "It’s a beautiful space, it’s just a lot of kids."
A Plan Forward (Found at http://home.comcast.net/~dartmouthparents/a_plan_forward.pdf) prepared by Dartmouth Parents Group specifically identifies a method to have two smaller, efficient schools work well within the Quinn facility (Quinn East and Quinn West). Why is this not a realistic option if the override fails? Why hasn't the School Committee and School Department come out in favor of this option?
It cut off part of the address - reposting here:
home.comcast.net/
~dartmouthparents/
a_plan_forward.pdf
Barry - Are you now changing your position regarding Quinn over-crowding needs to be addressed as you have been quoted as stating, or is someone else speaking for you here?
just to be clear - Quinn has no third floor, I'm assuming the poster meant 2nd floor. Yes Ms Brooks stated its a beautiful facility - it's just a lot of kids and that's exactly the problem. There are too many kids in that building and it's an accident just waiting to happen never mind what's already happening to mcas scores at the Quinn.
Did you know that since the auditorium is too small to accomodate an entire class that any program offered at the school has to be held multiple times so a class can see it? What that means in real life is that should you want to have someone come in to talk about say astronomy off the top of my head, they must hire that person to do the program 2-3 times instead of once. Another, in class program, not offered at the Quinn School is a free program that brings an engineer into theclassroom for an hour to talk about engineeering. It doe not come to Quinn because there are too many classes and the volunteer who puts this program on simply can't devote the time it would take to give the program in eight separate classes. The extra cost and time involved in that means less of this type of enrichment programming is going on at the Quinn School. Just one small measure of loss for those kids among many, many others.
As far as Ms. Brown's assessment of the Quinn School, I also note the article came out 3 weeks after the Quinn School opened its doors. Go back now as I did during the recent open houses at lunch time and arrival time and you will see quite a different picture.
Barry - Quinn as a physical plant is one of the better-equipped schools in the system. That's not what's being debated - the overcrowding issue is and your continuing to irresponsibly deny your role in distorting figures to imply overcrowding would not be result of consolidation. Inexcusable!
Why is it that any opinion counter to the "party line" is immediately attributed to Barry Walker? I posted those quotes and links - and I'm speaking entirely for myself and my family - although I cannot identify myself because I work for the town. I am not CFRG, I don't have horns and a tail, and it isn't some secret society or conspiracy group at work. I posted those for information and because I'm not certain that the override is the only solution.
geez, you guys are all nuts.
You know what happened as soon as that report was released right?
The people were jumped on for being an open Cushman crowd and that was the end of it. So now where are we?
Well, that is what happens when anyone expresses an opinion in Dartmouth. It does not matter what is said, what your intentions are, what your intelligence level is, how long you've lived here, what you do for a living, whether you have kids in the schools or not - you are still gonna get jumped on by someone! So, it seems Dartmouth has become an equal opportunity - go ahead and slam everyone - kind of town!
At this point, I cannot wait until April 2nd. At least then we will know what we are dealing with and can finally start doing something besides talking, ranting, and slamming! (I'm sure that is just wishful thinking.......;)
Anyone care to guess how many kids can be accommodated in the auditorium at Cushman? Anyone?
Are we to assume an engineer has time to go the 5 schools and give a program but cannot come to one school more than once? Or would the program only be offered to certain schools, say a special school?
Let's see anonymous. The engineer VOLUNTEERS his time for free. He cannot give his course to classes over thirty students at a time. He is one man and can do 3 classes in a day before he must move on to his other commitments. He gives this class at the DeMello School currently which has 3 classes in each grade level. The Quinn school has 8 classes in a grade level - too many classes to give the course. It is but one example of the problems of an overly large school. The Cushman School is closed and never had this program either but did have others. It was an example do you understand what that is? For crying out loud some of you people look for anything to rant about.
Just so you learn a little more before you post blather - the Quinn auditorium CANNOT accomodate an entire class at one time, therefore many programs offered there are done more than once either robbing those students of class time because they have to do a program more than once or the program has been eliminated. The 2 remaining elementary schools do not have worry about those things at least not this year.
Run Quinn as two separate elementary schools (Quinn West and Quinn East) and that eliminates quite a few of the problems, doesn't it?
Running Quinn as 2 separate elementary schools is one possibility but it would require some changes to the infrastructure to make it feasible it would also require some additional administration. Both of these things cost money. Quinn as 2 elementary schools alone will not alleviate the crowding at the Middle School, it will also not provide suffcient space for the additional math and elementary school teachers that are needed to improve lagging mcas scores at the elementary level. So Quinn alone as 2 schools within a school does not in and of itself solve many of the systems issues.
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