To Chairperson Shannon Jenkins and members of the FinCom
I am pleased to report that I am appointing Barry Walker of Potomska Road as the newest member of the Dartmouth Finance Committee. His letter of appointment was mailed on Friday and I expect he will be sworn into his new role by the Town Clerk early next week. He will succeed Tenney Lantz, who recently resigned. Barry owns his own successful small business and serves as both a Town Meeting member and Community Preservation Committee member. He served as a leader and spokesman for Citizens for Responsible Government, a citizens group that opposed most (but not all) of the Prop 2 1/2 override questions placed before the town almost two years ago. While I have not always agreed with Barry's views on town issues, I believe he will be a hard-working member of the FinCom and will add a thoughtful, independent-minded, private sector perspective to the committee. With this appointment (as with all the others I have made), I have attempted to ensure that all parts of the political spectrum are represented. Please join me in welcoming Barry Walker to the FinCom.
Steve Sharek
I thought I had posted earlier that Ms. Jenkins had assumed the chair of the Finance Committee, but I find I had not.
The Finance Committee is appointed by the Town Meeting Moderator and elect their own leadership from among the members.
Congratulations to Mr. Walker and Ms. Jenkins and thank you both for taking on these challenging tasks. Thank you to Ms. Lantz for her service as well
Update
More from Mr. Sharek
I was also going to say that, underpinning all of our debates over money and fiscal policy is a common goal: to do what's best for the Town of Dartmouth. We have different views of what's "best", of course, and how to reach that goal. As I remind Town Meeting members ad nauseum, we need to respect the differences. If Shannon and Barry can work together -- and I am absolutely convinced they can and will -- the result will be a stronger Dartmouth.
WAY TO GO, MR. SHAREK!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS, BARRY!
Great news on a dreary afternoon!
ReplyDeleteThis makes my day!
awesome, now the cycle is complete. The town of Dartmouth will never have to worry about overfunding the schools like stone wanted too
ReplyDeletethats a cheap shot at Stone...FinCom can recommend what it wants..in the end, its town meetings call.
ReplyDeleteI'm not suggesting not to have FinCom. I'm simply saying town meeting is the deciding body. and lately, they have ignored some fincom recommendations.
ReplyDeleteWhat has FIN COMM recommended that TM hasnt put through
ReplyDeleteOn all of the big, multi-million dollar issues like setting aside money for the Stabilization Account, full-day kindergarten, anticipated 9C cuts, and capital expenditures, Town Meeting has marched lock-step with the Finance Committee. TM has rejected FinCom on some issues like US-made flags. TM follows FinCom 95% of the time -- or more.
ReplyDeleteBarry Walker, a good appointment.
ReplyDeleteTown Meeting isn't "stupid", 9:20 AM.
ReplyDeleteWhy did did TM not follow on US made flags. they had a good point. Mr. Medeiros proposed that by-law i think and i feel it was wrong to go against FINN COMM on that by-law.
ReplyDeleteI think you may be missing my point. On the big issues that most affect the town's finances, Town Meeting has voted to follow the Finance Committee's recommendations. I can't think of a single major fiscal issue where TM has differed from the FinCom.
ReplyDeleteTown meeting doesn't follow FinCom's recommendations nor does it respect the voters' decisions. The voters decided not to fund textbooks/computers. Town meeting reversed that decision by funding it. The voters decided not to fund school fees. Town meeting reversed that decision. The voters decided to close Cushman. Town meeting is in the process of reversing that decision as well. Town meeting is supposed to represent Dartmouth's citizens but it is failing miserably.
ReplyDeleteVoters only voted to NOT RAISE TAXES for certan things. They didn't say that certainly things shouldn't be done at all, or weren't worthy initiatives, only that they weren't worth raising taxes for at that time. Big difference. Based on sound, well-thought-out recommendations from the Finance Committee, Town Meeting voted to use regular town operating funds or one-time revenue to buy textbooks, computers, and to reduce fees. There is no inconsistency there at all.
ReplyDeleteYou are assuming you know what Dartmouth residents want. The only way to truly know is through the ballot process and the voters said no. You are rationalizing when you assume the voters wanted town meeting to appropriate money for these items regardless of the results of the election. If these questions went before the voters, you would see a very different outcome but you already know that. That's why you won't see override questions on the ballot. What you will see is more and more money being funneled to the schools through town meeting.
ReplyDeleteSomeone above wanted examples of Town Meeting opposing FinCom recommendations. Here are three in the last few months.
ReplyDeleteVeteran's Housing in June 09
Town Meeting YES
FinCOm NO
Street Acceptances in Fall 09
Town Meeting YES
FinCom No
Fund Youth Advocate in June 09
Town Meeting YES
FinCom No
Fin Com should support Full Day K or they will lose anther pivotal issue. Let's face it. Town Meeting has shown a willingness to do what they wish.
To be honest the voters should contact their TM member and voice their concerns, but just like at the state house or in DC people dont call the reps. It is the voters who drop the ball not the reps.
ReplyDeleteGood move! Barry Walker will be a great addition to the fin com!
ReplyDeletewhy did lantz resign
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Mr. Walker! This is wonderful news!!!
ReplyDeleteNothing like having an impartial person on the finance committe. Mr. Walker is so one sided the entire board is now leaning in a singular direction.
ReplyDeleteShame shame shame
Independence, not impartiality, is required. Barry is his own man.
ReplyDeletebarry is of the scholl of CUT CUT CUT. Unfortunately there isnt anywhere else to CUT
ReplyDeleteAt least Barry went to "scholl"
ReplyDeleteThe role of the committee is to make informed decisions that are representative of the community and in the best interest of the town. Clearly, a large percentage of the community consistently votes in a manner that is in line with Barry and the committee also has members that represent the other side of the override issue. The diversity of thought on the FinCom is its greatest strength. The other strength is the willingness of all, while passionate about their positions, to listen with an open mind. While the debate is always polite and respectful, the implication that the committee is a collective of like-minded thinkers is laughable to anyone who has attended even a single meeting.
ReplyDeleteI must also say that I am disappointed by the personal and public attacks on Tenney Lantz. She volunteered to serve on a very demanding committee and now somebody feels the need to take a mean-spirited cheap shot as she steps down. It is disgraceful.
with all due respect Peter, the voters barely show for voting. so to say "the community", you mean a certain voting percentage, the rest of Dartmouth barely votes.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Barry ! I'm not sure if congratulations or condolences are in order. I look forward to serving with you. Thank you Tenney. Best wishes and thank you for your service.
ReplyDeleteAs for Barry? God Help us!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to see Mr. Walker on the Finance Committee. Dartmouth is very lucky to have such talented people who are willing to give of their time. Thank You!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Mr. Walker will be a nice addition to the committee
ReplyDeleteCongratulation Barry, I know you'll be watching out for the taxpayer.
ReplyDeleteNot running for selectmen is a disappointment.
Barry would have made an excellent Select Board member, as well. He looks out for the ordinary citizen, which is most of us in town.
ReplyDeleteWe need candidates running for Select Board who will come to the office with the full intent of watching out for US.
Anyone have any suggestions that might prompt someone to run in 2010? This is an excellent opportunity to fully expunge the old boy system from this Board, at least.
Here's an idea... You run!
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, 7:26, as I watch the SB meetings, I am more and more impressed with the range of knowledge some of our Select Board members display. Mr. Trimble, especially, does his homework so thoroughly that one would think this is his full-time job.
ReplyDeleteIf I felt I could keep up with his political acumen, not to mention understanding finances, I would!
So in other words... you are not qualified in your own mind. Why do you feel so confident in tearing others down then?
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is anything wrong with understanding and accepting my limitations.
ReplyDeleteAs far as "tearing others down," where in my post do you read that?