Mr. Michael Watson had a opinion letter in today's Standard Times where he advocates for transparency in government. I completely agree that our town should be run as openly as possible. Mr. Watson feels that the current Select Board has not adequately presented their ideas on a new direction for the town. He says,
"We hear rhetoric of a "new direction" without being given specific details. Without clarity, this new direction is simply a fuzzy political slogan unworthy of public trust."I believe that I and others on the Select Board have had a lot to say about what that new direction is. This blog itself is an effort to inform and convince the public. Basically, we must reconcile our expenses and revenue and that is going to require some fundamental changes in how town services are delivered. Consolidation, contracting out, and regional services will all play a part in that solution. The majority on the Select Board feel that new leadership ...
... in the post of Executive Administrator is needed as well. That majority has acted decisively to do that and a search for candidates is now underway.
Mr. Watson while advocating for effective, responsible leadership says little about any specific program to provide that.
I am not sure what decision and actions he refers to when he says,
"Recent decisions and actions taken by our town government have lacked transparency, and residents have lost trust when they couldn't see."If he is referring to the decision not to renew the contract of the current Executive Administrator, I would offer this timeline. The Select Board met in Executive Session on a couple of occasions to discuss whether or not to renew Mr. Gagne's contract. The board met in Executive Session with Mr. Gagne to tell him that the board had decided not to renew his contract. The board met in public session and heard from the public for two hours on the decision before taking a vote in public not to renew the contract. There is still a dispute about whether or not the contract language which requires automatic renewal of Mr. Gagne's contract, which was approved by a previous Select Board, is valid. I also refer you to this post. That dispute is currently in the courts and the board must exercise some care in public statements due to the pending matter. I have published the public filings in the case here and here. Mr. Watson may disagree with the action of the majority but says nothing about what should have been done differently with Mr. Gagne, or what other matters were not handled with transparency. It is early in the campaign season so I hope to learn more about Mr. Watson's ideas in the next few weeks.
What are your thoughts?
Posts
9 comments:
Mr. Watson is I'm sure very well intentioned but where has he been? Transparency is exactly what Dartmouth citizens are finally getting thanks to this new majority Select Board and Diane Gilbert's determination. I'm not sure I understand where he is coming from.
It would seem Mr. Watson has hit a nerve.
NO INCUMBENTS!
anonymous 9:05 What are you referring to? I guess I don't understand where you are coming from either.
This op-ed piece is a joke. The main issue that he talks about is the dead recall issue? If you read between the lines of this letter, it is clearly an attempt to take votes away from the legitimate challenger to Carney. Watson is being used as a patsy.
Mr. Watson reminds me too much of another Leduc...wet behind the ears. Someone who can be led around just like Leduc was led around by Miller et al.
Mr. Watson needs a lot more experience in Dartmouth political service before I'll vote for him.
Go Mr. Watson. If these people feel the need to attack you, you must be a threat to their candidate Frank Gracie.
I really don't have a clear idea of Mr. Watson's positions. I hope he will attend some of the candidate nights so that residents can ask questions about his positions. I will not vote for Mr. Carney again, but so far have not made up my mind on the others.
I think Mr Watson is a great addition to the race. This town needs a new, younger voice to help lead us. No more old boy friends of friends. Someone independant fresh. Good luck Mike!
Post a Comment