Just got back from the candidate forum at the Dartmouth Grange. It was very well attended with over a hundred there to hear from candidates for the Select Board, School Committee, Planning Commission, Park Board and Library Board of Trustees. I think I covered them all and apologize in advance if I missed anyone.
John Fitzpatrick moderated the event and did an admirable job. Citizens in the audience asked questions directly ...
... to the candidates for various offices who were then called upon for their answers.
I thought all the candidates gave a good account of themselves and their positions on issues. I videotaped the forum and I will look at what I captured and if it is audible and not too jumbled I will try to post it here.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Candidate night at the Grange
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I just want to say thank you to all the candidates who participated. A great example of the community coming together because of a common interest in our town. Thank you to John Fitzpatrick for moderating our event again this year. I'd also like to thank Bill for holding the camcorder all night even though he no longer had any feeling left in his arms.
Thank you to all candidates who took the time to come out! I learned a lot from the candidates.
I will also try to attend the other events so I can learn more. In my opinion, the two select board candidates with the most knowledge about our town government are Diane Gilbert & Frank Gracie. The newcomers are all fine people, but don't know enough yet to sit on the board especially during these times. I hope Diane can continue her good work and I like the fact that Frank has already spent a lot of time on various boards and is in touch with the many problems we face. Good Luck Frank & Diane!
Great turn out at the Grange! I hope DCTV can tape this event next year. It's important that the public get to hear the candidates as much as possible before April 7th.
Thank you John George:
Gilbert's accusations false, divisive
March 12, 2009 6:00 AM
I read the article wherein Diane Gilbert accuses me of conspiring to reinstate Michael Gagne by
controlling the election against her and in favor of her opponent (March 9). I'm flattered that Ms.
Gilbert believes that I would have that much power, however as usual, she is off the mark.
Although I consider her statements to be ridiculous and untrue, only worthy of being ignored, I
thought, "Enough is enough!" and decided to address her accusations this one time and never again.
Ms. Gilbert states that she has no proof of her accusations, however, she is " ... a critical thinker. I'm
connecting the dots," she states. Unfortunately, as with so many of Ms. Gilbert's statements lately, her
dots do not connect. Perhaps she should try some rational thinking and forget those dots. They're not
working for her.
I did support Ms. Gilbert in her initial bid for election. Since that time, she has repeatedly showed
herself to be a loose cannon that I choose not to have represent me.
Yes, I am supporting Lara Stone for several reasons. One of the most important reasons, but certainly
not the only one, is because I think that she can bring a degree of civility to the board which in turn
should help bring the town back together. The last time that I checked, Dartmouth is in America,
where we have freedom of choice without repercussions. I am free to choose and support a candidate
without answering to Ms. Gilbert or anyone else as to why I have chosen that individual.
One has to wonder why Ms. Gilbert is so obsessed with her re-election that she would resort to a
degree of dirty politics that we have not seen for quite some time. Do you think it's because she hasn't
finished the job of destroying our town? The easiest way to destroy a government is from within, and it
appears that is just what she is trying to do. She is systematically destroying peoples' lives with no
rhyme, reason or thought to their well-being.
First up was Michael Gagne, about whom she made comments and statements that were totally
unfounded to support his firing. Second was Kevin Lee, about whom she made accusations, innuendos
and intimations that were so repulsive to most of the towns' people that they felt the need to defend the
perfect reputation of a valued employee, not to mention a kind, compassionate and decent man.
Now, it appears that I am the next victim. Fortunately, I'm not a town employee, but after she's finished
with me, ask yourself this: Who's next?
Ms. Gilbert is out of control. I have never witnessed such hostility, negativity and just plain
mean-spirited behavior by any other elected official. As long as she is representing the people of
Dartmouth, she needs to stop and think before she talks. She makes statements that have no basis in
fact, are totally fabricated or speculative, and she expects us to accept them as though they are the
"Gospel according to Diane Gilbert."
Diane Gilbert is virtually tearing the town apart. She needs to stop this nonsensical behavior before she
destroys the entire town. Enough is enough!
"I'm flattered that Ms Gilbert believes I would have that much power." A quote from John George who then goes on to say that "Diane Gilbert is virtually tearing the town apart. She needs to stop this nonsensical behavior before she destroys the entire town." Ms. Gilbert I guess should also be flattered that Mr. George belives she has that much power.
John George and Bob Miller smile to your face while they make secret backroom deals. First, George and Miller hand picked Gagne 20 years ago even though he was not qualified and didn't make the list of candidates for EA. Second, Miller was the ring leader behind the sweetheart contracts. This was done in secret so the town would not know. We would still be in the dark if it weren't for Diane Gilbert. Funny how the people who did the wrong thing are now accusing the honest ones.
John George and Bob Miller can write all the nasty letters they want. Diane Gilbert did the right and honest thing and is looking out for the best interest of Dartmouth. We need people like Diane on the select board for open, honest government.
Oh, my God... attempting to besmirch John George's reputation in an effort to help Diane Gilbert's re-election??? That's unbelievable!
Not an attempt. It is in black & white in the Chronicle articles published when the hiring process occurred. Mr. Gagne was hired because of Miller & George even though the search committee SCORE rejected him several times and finally threw up their hands when Miller & George insisted he be hired. Look it up.
I attended the event last night and thought all the candidates presented themselves well. A great turnout.
John George has been inside the Dartmouth political shadow for many years. Until Diane Gilbert identified the so called CONTRACTS, she was strongly supported by the John George machine of town polly's. Hey John, so you may have thought she would be just another puppet, but she has a mind of her own. You and Miller conspired to appoint Mike Gagne. According to score, Gagne didn't meet the minimum qualifications. How dare you lecture Diane Gilbert for undoing your appointed fetch and catch political appointment. Shame on YOU. Because you supported Diane three years ago, I didn't vote for her. Now that I know she pissed you off, I'm in full support of Diane. I shall call all my family/friends and ask that they vote for Diane.
I certainly believe that Frank Gracie, as a newcomer seeking election, demonstrated last evening that he has extensive knowledge, combined with experience on various committees, also affording him information, far more so than either Ms. Stone or Mr. Watson have.
Mr. Gracie wouldn't be coming onboard wet behind the ears. He jumped right into the water from day one, in 2006, when he first got appointed to the Tax Classification Study Group, and he's still swimming.
I just went for a fairly long drive around town (mostly in South Dartmouth) and couldn't help but notice who has a lot of signs, and who doesn't. Mike Watson has the most signs. I had to have seen well over 100 signs for him. Next would be Carney with what I'd guess were aroung 80 signs, and then Stone with about 60... maybe a few more than that.
I was surprised to see so few Gilbert and Gracie signs. Gracie had the fewest. It's hard to tell he's even running. I only saw 5 or 6 of his. And I probably saw around 15 or 16 Gilbert signs... definately fewer than 20. The funniest thing about the Gilbert signs was that 8 of them were in front of Dave Vincent's property on Rock O' Dundee Road. Other than those 8, I saw very few Gilbert signs.
I know signs don't vote. But when the spread if so great, I can't help but think it has meaning.
A sign for your candidacy at the John George farm has been the "kiss of death" lately. The man is clearly out of touch.
Man, it is going to be fun to come on this blog the morning after the election. I hope all the Gilbert backers who come here live on the first floor. he he ;o)
Kathleen Horan-McLean thought that having more signs was going to matter too. She was defeated by a landslide.
It is a bit of a stretch to think I or anyone else will jump out of our windows if Diane loses.
By the way Mike G's injunction was officially denied by the court today.
Anonymous March 12, 2009 3:39 PM - FYI signs, mine started trickling out sooner than expected because people started calling and e-mailing me for them. I actually have about 100 out at the moment and they are all over town, many "north". I have not gone door to door asking, and I don't believe my couple of helpers have either. I still have a list I have to tend to.
The only place I asked was across from Friendly Pizza which is a common spot, but I wanted to make sure they were on private property, which is the rule. The others there are on town property. I know that I will never win the "sign contest" because I don't have an army of folks going door to door, but that is not the important contest anyway.
I enjoyed the event last night, and I want to thank all those who attended, and those I spoke with. The CFRG put on a great event for the benefit of the community.
The candidates did speak well. However, Frank Gracie comporting himself better than Mike Watson? I don't think you and I were in the same room. Watson was, and has been the surprise in this race thus far. He is handling every question with confidence, authority and knowledge. He is expressing his opinions and defining his thought process clearly and concisely. His campaign material tout his energy, a claim that certainly can't be denied. Observe the contrast. Watson is certainly the surprise of this race and he's won my vote.
Both Frank and Mike impressed me last night. I am looking forward to attending all the candidate nights.
Frank Gracie has the experience from volunteering a great deal of his time to the Town and its issues over the past few years. Unfortunately, I did not hear the same from Ms. Stone or Mr. Watson.
One thing to remember, too: Mr. Gracie is RETIRED from Polaroid.
RETIREMENT = TIME he can devote to the Town.
Mike Watson spoke in general terms and admitted himself that he has little experience. The fact that Frank has spent so much time volunteering on several committees during our town's fiscal crisis is very important.
All did a great job!
Gentlemen, You are obviously firmly planted in the Gilbert/Gracie camp. As one who observed to decide my vote in the Carney/Gracie/Watson race I was clearly most impressed with Watson. Mr. Trimble worn out his arm taping (thank you Bill) hopefully he hasn't edited. Try to be impartial and view the tape. Barring a 'shot in the foot', Watson has earned my vote. I want him leading and I want him on the Select Board.
Is that true? Was the injunction denied?
Heard a lot about the Slocum Farm Homeowners Association.
Could he help the members if he is elected?
Could Ms. Stone twist another override question for the schools or for anything else if she is elected?
Who was that guy in the beginning ...it was either Toomey or Medeiros, are they both running for park board?
I will NEVER shop at John George's farm again now that I know who he really is!
The first guy last night was Medeiros runnuing for Park Board. His main goal is to spin off the park department into a revolving fund. No thanks!
Yes it is true Gagne lost his judgement.
All candidates did a great job! I was also at the Grange and had no problem hearing the candidates. Mr. Gracie has a resume , having served on several boards during our town's fiscal crisis. He impressed me a lot. Mr. Watson seems like a nice enough guy but no town government experience yet. He is just now running for town meeting. Get some more town government Mr. Watson.
what is a revolving acct
Like an enterprise fund. The park dept. wants to be self sufficient. This on the surface may sound great but the park dept. is a fee generating service. We actually create revenue there. At this time the town contributes 52k to help run the park dept. so it is not self sufficient. Even with consolidation and other cost saving measures, making up that difference would be difficult. Fees would have to be raised.
You also have to consider that if the park dept. does become an enterprise fund, the town or general fund could no longer receive monies from it. Like the waterways commission who also spun off with its own fund. The waterways commission generates a lot of revenue, so much so it was able a couple of years ago to purchase a house, but the general fund does not benefit from those revenues. I think most people would agree that we could use a lot of things in Dartmouth other than a house for the waterways commission. Unfortunately because it was turned into an enterprise fund, the town cannot touch those funds. Enterprise funds can be useful and not always bad as in the case of the water & sewer fund but it can also lead to abuses where money can accumulate and then be spent on unnecessary things or on wish-lists. The town needs to retain its revenue generating services.
You make an excellent case about revolving funds for the Park Dept. Ray Medeiros wants to create one which the finance committee is opposed to. I will be voting for Gillian Lake.
Spending from any enterprise fund must be approved at Town Meeting.
Enterprise funds actually help the General Fund by allowing the receipts taken in to be used directly back into capital improvements and expenses. The tax levy burden for those items are no longer needed and are available for other uses.
I know Lake and will be voting for her for Park Board. She is a long time resident who has given much to this community. I hope she is elected to the park board. I don't know Ray M., but did read a letter in the paper which he wrote to the residents. Gillian Lake has my vote!
If the Park Board gets a revolving account does that mean they will have to rent the town owned land that they use?
A revolving account for the Park Dept. will do nothing more than create another separate fiefdom. Gillian Lake for Park Board. It was a mistake to do it with the Waterways commission and Ray's yop priority is to repeat that mistake with the Park Dept. No thanks Ray, I'm voting for Lake.
A revolving account is already in place for the park dept. but it is limited to the concert series. If a full revolving account is established the park stlil needs TM to appropriate the money for the budget. 75% of the park revenue comes from the residents that use the facilities and programs, those residents should not be short changed if the Town decides not to fund the park department. As it Stands now the park dept puts 140,000 into the general fund only to ask for it again the next FY. This money is not TAXED money it is money RAISED by the PARK Dept. and should be used for that purpose.
Ray Medeiros, Jr _A revolving account will keep 52,000 a year in the general fund if the Park department has a revolving acct. The Town will not keep the 140,000 that the Park Department raises because that money is going to be used again in the next FY for the Park's budget. When the Park Department is self sustaining in 5 years like I said, it will be a line item on the town budget that does not need to be funded. The Town needs to keep all of our Parks running no matter what, with the exception of Round Hill because they have all been funded by the State...so cut backs that are drastic are not feasible, because if we do not have the funds to keep these parks open and maintained we will owe the state 2.5 million dollars and give that property to the State.
Diane Gilbert is a wonderful person. She always takes the time to listen to people. She is honest. She is strong enough to handle the constant nasty attacks against her. I will vote for Diane Gilbert. Integrity and leadership are my reasons.
Diane, Watson, Nunes, Toomey, Lake, Jonnson have my votes!
STONE,CARNEY?WATSON,TOOMEY,MEDEIROS,NUNES,
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