Candidate for Town Council in Precinct 5

Public service and political life are in my genes.  Both my parents were intimately involved in volunteer public service and philanthropy, and I inherited a strong service ethic from them. An entrepreneur, having started several for-profit and non-profit business ventures, I am a “people person”.  I have consistently worked in positions to facilitate health and well being for persons of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds.  I like to incorporate ideas of my constituents, rather than take my own direction all the time.  I plan to keep the channels of communication open post-election and build outreach to people in Precinct 5 via Precinct Meetings, surveys and going door to door.

With our schools in crisis, the school year coming to a close, and jobs in the balance, the school committee once again was unable to keep its collective eye on the ball. "We are stalled," stated member Jennifer Mahar. "We can't continue to move at a snail's pace," interjects John Lunt. "We need to move things along," comments Mayor Forgey. Yes, yes and yes. This was all in response to discussion on a motion to remove Greg Aubin as chair of the committee. I would say those comments apply to everyone on the committee including Mr. Aubin and calls into question their collective and individual roles played in the debacle we are now in.

There is growing discussion of recalling every person who refuses to participate in this process. And I say why not. All we are asking is that people communicate and work together. If Councilors are going to refuse to do that they should not be holding office and they do not deserve the slightest bit of respect from anyone in this town. 

Councilors Bill Martin, Dan Guinn, Mark Wisnewski, Chris Joseph and Al Siano have committed to being a part of this process. As far as I'm aware no others have. We'll be calling around in the next week to get firm answers. We'll also ask the Mayor. Those who refuse to participate in this meeting will see recall petitions everywhere they look. They will also see regional and national media asking much tougher questions about why they couldn't bring themselves to participate in such a basic expectation of public service.

i·ron·ic, adj. characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is.

Last evening at the Log Cabin in Holyoke I attended a 400-seat event celebrating excellence in teaching throughout the Pioneer Valley. Simultaneously our school department discussed the state of the education system in Greenfield.