3/23/07: The following is said in kindness and meant to move us forward in a positive way. The leaning towards a three member executive is a mistake. It merely reduces our current five member selectmen's board down to three. Basically, it preserves the status-quo. And even though you may think this fortifies power within the executive, it actually severely weakens the executive branch. Under this strategy, the legislative branch's influence is also greatly reduced. Even with an elected Mayor coming out of a three member panel, the public will see it as two legislative branches of government. In addition, it applies yet another unnecessary layer of government into the equation. No one person is really accountable. No valid checks and balances. From the outset, my quest for accountability has been a top priority. The community deserves one leader who is out front. Willing to stand up and be accountable. Capable of leadership. Please think carefully before making your final decision. For I fear, if you remain on this path, this charter is destined to fail.

1/1/07 Opening statement:

Plymouth’s Charter Commission is undertaking an especially important task which will change how our government works. From the start of the ballot question initiative people understood that I support a balanced Mayoral form of government. I remain fully committed in achieving that goal.  I also believe, that no matter what kind of government one has, we should contribute our time, energy and intellect whenever and wherever possible.

Recently, a very wise Charter Commissioner reasoned …
“Any type government we have, is only as good, as the people who serve it.” An applicable and true statement.

That’s exactly why citizens should make very sure they understand who a candidate is, and what they represent, before casting their vote. Additionally, people should not fear change. For no matter what kind of government one has, knowledgeable, hardworking, sincere individuals, are needed to run it.

I fully agree with the following opinion from a Plymouth resident.  “Integrity does not mean doing what’s right when the room is full.  Integrity means doing what’s right when the room is empty.” {Statement by Gerard Holland during a Commission meeting}

What is it about the performance of our current government you would like to see changed?

The entire structure of government in Plymouth must be changed.  A more effective, accountable and timely way of doing business is needed. Town Meeting prospered for a long time. However, our population has grown considerably and continues to grow rapidly every year. My assessment is not a personal indictment against Town Meeting Representatives but rather an acknowledgment that our town has outgrown it.

Additional Remarks:

By-laws have been changed in order to streamline Town Meeting. Mini town meetings, known as caucuses, are now held throughout the town on a regular basis. And whether you agree with that course of action, or not, many say it has dramatically reduced debate on Town Meeting floor. Town Meeting is now begun and concluded in one session. Yet some have implied, a Mayoral form of government would be too hasty in its decisions. Others have said, a Mayoral form of government is corrupt. Not so.  May I remind everyone, any type of government we have, is only as good, as the people who serve it.

Government must act in a more timely and well-organized fashion.

Example: Dismissing a former Town Manager. Contract probation period was not acted upon in a timely fashion. Doubt as to how to proceed clouded the issue.  In doing so, the additional cost to our taxpayers was exorbitant.

Example: 89 Court Street. Former Senior Center. Loss of monies in the initial transaction. Subsequent renovation. And a potential loss in revenue in the final selling price.

Example: Downtown parking.  Even though many meetings and discussions took place, people were left out of the process. In the initial stages, before going to Town Meeting, more in-depth planning should have been done. 

Board meetings:

Even though meetings concerning town matters are held virtually everyday of the week, televised, and posted in local papers, citizens still say they are left out and therefore not part of the process. When a citizen feels ignored they become apathetic or conspiracy theorists and very angry.  People tell me, they don’t even know what’s going on in their own hometown until it’s too late. 

Understaffing departments:

Not cost effective and ultimately it is counter-productive. 

Layering of government:

When one hand doesn’t know what the other is doing, it defeats the purpose. Overlapping layers of government is cumbersome, confusing, and counter-productive. 

Government must do more to educate the public:

It is ultimately up to those in charge to communicate with the public more effectively. If done properly, people in-turn will be more responsive and more positive. If included in the process, citizens will be more willing to support their leaders.

How do we get our citizens more involved?

Respect and value each citizen at all times and they will respond in the same way. Allow people to vote for their leaders. Voting gives citizens a say-so within their community.  Officials could conduct some meetings on weekends. It gives people who aren’t available during the week a chance to participate in government. Since Plymouth is so large officials should travel to other areas within the town for their meetings. Establish an open door policy once a week.

Vision: Voters must be allowed to elect the Mayor from a totally separate and clearly defined category. When voters go to the ballot box to choose a Town Councilor, I am not in favor of the highest vote-getter automatically becoming the Mayor.  It muddies the water. The office of Mayor and Town Councilor are powerful positions in themselves. Voters must have an uncomplicated and clear understanding of what a candidate stands for. If he or she can handle that particular position.

Voters must be allowed to choose every elected position separately.

A Mayoral form of government counterbalances the different levels of government by instituting substantial checks and balances. Counterbalance is meant to offset the executive so that no one branch, committee, or individual, overpowers the other. An elected Mayor is a spokesperson for the town. Out front. And directly accountable to the voters. Elected Town Councilors will be fully accountable as well. Coupled with the Mayor, a professional Town Manager will add a constructive and valuable balance to the entire structure. If elected officials do a good job, citizens will return them to office. If not, people will vote them out. People appreciate being included in the process. Voting is democracy in action and keeps people connected to their leaders. In addition, the Mayor should not serve long term. Which helps in controlling someone from overstaying their welcome. With an elected Mayor the Town Manager is able to perform the towns daily business away from the body politic. A certain number of Town Councilors will run for office from their own precincts.

Example: If Commissioners incorporate eleven Town councilors, four should be At-Large. Seven Councilors will run from their own precincts. Four At-Large candidates will run town wide.

Suggestion: If an even number of At-Large Town Councilors are incorporated, they should be evenly split up between the North and South of Plymouth. In that way, a balanced distribution of representation and power is incorporated. If this board decides to have more than four At-Large Town Councilors, then we should extend the evenhandedness to the West part of town, as well. However, no matter how many At-Large Town councilors we have, the Councilors must disburse representation evenly throughout the entire town. We should also stagger the Town Councilors terms.

Option: Combine a number of adjoining precincts.  I am against splitting up the town.  Preference: Involve Plymouth citizens in the process by establishing regular public forums.

Departmental responsibility must be headed by a person that has at least five years prior experience.

School Committee: Maintain an elected school committee.

Planning Board must be elected. Electing the planning board will go a long way to safeguard that board from manipulation.  To further insure integrity, major zoning and planning proposals should go to the ballot box to be voted on by the townspeople.  We must retain all Village Steering Committees.

Votes by officials both appointed and elected:
Whenever a vote is taken every official must be identified publicly as to how they voted. Votes by officials should be published every week in a local newspaper.

What I believe is really right with Town Government.

Our DPW workers. The workers in town hall. Our teachers, principals and school committee. Our brave policemen and firemen. They are the true face of our town. And I respect them greatly.

School Initiative:

Whether you agreed with the school initiative or not a majority of townspeople chose to support it. And I am one of those people. The willingness, dedication and sincerity from town officials that worked diligently with the school department and school committee is what teamwork is all about. Each sector helped tremendously in getting the school initiative passed. Town officials and the entire school organization must be commended for showing respect and value toward the community. 

Village Steering Committees:

Village Steering Committees consist of very knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers. No matter what kind of government we have the Village Steering Committees are a valuable asset for the town.They must be allowed and encouraged to continue their work.

Master Plan:

The Master Plan is highly praised for good reason. Many hours of thoughtful planning went into it. People that work within the Master Plan are greatly respected for safeguarding Plymouth’s future.

Open Space:

The most positive and thoughtful program our town has established is the Open Space initiative. Thousands of hours from very dedicated, knowledgeable and caring individuals serve on that board. Preserving Plymouth’s resources must continue so that we may protect the character of our town. Conserving Plymouth’s resources, as in our forests and water reserves, will benefit everyone. 

My beliefs are formed in knowledge and understanding. Through knowledge came enlightenment. Research, study, and hearing what officials and private citizens offered, is what helped me. Town Meeting members, officials and even this very board should not fear change.  There is no reason why hardworking, dedicated people can’t be an integral part of the equation.

Government for the people. By the people. That is my goal.