Category Archives: Election 2007

Information about election 2007 in Newburyport, MA

Bruce Menin, Newburyport School Committee

In my quest to learn more about the Newburyport School Committee election which I now know a little bit more about than “zip,” I contacted folks about who they would consider voting for Newburyport School Committee.

Bruce Menin’s name was also one of the names at the top of the list. Again, from some of the not the usual suspects.

“Menin–Tip O’Neil said always lash to the old oaks when the storm wind blows. Bruce is a proven commodity.” Was one reply I received.

If re-elected this would be Mr. Menin’s 3rd term (one 4 year term and half of a 4 year term, 2 years). (Please see “Editor’s Note” below for clarification.)

That anyone could have a sustained and tenacious passion for trying to solve the ongoing conundrum of our school system is remarkable. (I would give up after the first week. It seems as if the position chews folks up and spits them out. This is not an easy volunteer undertaking.)

I met Bruce Menin one day on the street about 3 months after he had begun his first School Committee term and he looked gaunt. I must have had a questioning look on my face like, “How’s it going?” because Mr. Menin looked up and said, “It’s real different when you’re in the inside.”

Yes, and “Amen” to that. How true.

It strikes me that change in any political process is like moving a barge or trying to wade in a swimming pool full of taffy.

If the barge gets moved even the slightest bit, that’s quite an accomplishment. In my experience the barge rarely turns a quick 180 degrees.

And politics, most politics, appears to me, to often be slow and sticky.

One of the things I have observed about Mr. Menin is that he is never afraid to ask the question which no one wants to hear and no one wants to talk about. It appears to me that in the last 6 years Mr. Menin has more than once challenged the “status quo.”

As uncomfortable as that might be, challenging the “status quo” is something I happen to think would be a good idea. And Mr. Menin does so often with a New York sense of humor and approach, that I very much appreciate.

Mr. Menin has a certain “ironic irreverence” that may not be understood by one and all, but there is more than just this blogger who thinks that that character trait is “not all bad.”

And Mr. Menin is not afraid to let people know who he is or what he thinks. His blog is a testimony to that. If you would like to know who Bruce Menin is, I would check out his blog at: newburyportschools.blogspot.com.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

(Editor’s Note: Please see the very moving post by Bruce Menin about Vickie Pearson that clarifies the length of the School Committee terms (4 years) and how Bruce Menin has come to serve 6 years on the Newburyport School Committee. Please press here to read that post).

Stephanie Weaver, Newburyport School Committee Election

Well, I learned something.

For me, anyone with a name associated with the “Yes for Newburyport” folks would be “polarizing.”

But, I think that the election for Newburyport School Committee is really, really important, and I got to tell you I know almost zip about the candidates. (Now I know a little bit more than completely zip.)

So since Stephanie Weaver (who is running for Newburyport School Committee) lives near by, I decided to stop by on one of my walks and introduce myself.

Well, I gotta tell you folks, I had an incredibly pleasant surprise.

Stephanie Weaver, in my book, turned out to be not a “this is how we are going to do it” sort of person, but instead someone who is a “listener” and appears to have a talent that is very much needed– a communicator and a “bridge-builder.”

It takes a whole lot to impress me, and I was way impressed.

I’m sure many of you have noticed signs around town. Most of the time they are clumped together in ideological groups.

But take a look at this twosome:

weaver_roberts1.jpg
Stephanie Weaver, School Committee
Gary Roberts, Councilor at Large

In most people’s books, this would be a political and ideological “odd couple.”

But there they are. Two folks very much trying to be Newburyport “bridge-builders.” And I got to say that this works for me.

And the feedback that I’ve gotten from other folks, and I gotta say unlikely candidates, is that Stephanie Weaver is one of the folks at the top of their list.

Ms Weaver has been working real hard at going door to door. So if she happens to knock on your door, take a moment, have a chat and take the time to introduce yourself to this young lady. Be a bridge-builder too.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Building Political Bridges

When I look over the last two posts–the thread, theme what have you, appears to be people who are capable of being “bridge builders,” as well as caring and hard working folks, folks willing to “serve” the community.

And I think for this election, November 6, 2007, that is what we would desperately need for the city of Newburyport, MA. Not folks who could be “polarizing,” but folks who would be willing to meet somewhere in the middle for the good of the city.

Gary Roberts, Tom Jones and Greg Earls are hardly alone in the “bridge-building” category. But for me, “bridge-building” would be a good litmus test to apply.

And maybe I would ask myself, if “bridge-building” skills might not have been demonstrated before in a candidate, could that quality exist, because it would be very much needed now.

There are so many things that divide us, and there are so many things that would be good to have a working relationship on.

And as a city, it feels to me as if we are going through huge growing pains. And when that happens it would be much easier to be cranky and blame other folks, than it would be to sit still and try to figure out the best solution for the city as a whole.

And this is not to say that I think disagreement, advocacy, dissent would not be good things. I think that they would be excellent things, and greatly needed to have an honest exchange and thought process to arrive at civic solutions.

Am I a big fan of “I have all the answers and you do not.”

No, not particularly.

And on the other hand, if Newburyport was one cohesive, gooey, sweet family, I wouldn’t want to live here.

I love all the fascinating personalities that make up our town, and serve on all the boards, committees as well as serve as elected officials.

And probably one of the other qualities that I would hope for, would be an ability for mutual respect. Anger, feistiness and disagreement could be very much part of that equation as well. But at the end of the day, a capacity for consideration would work so well.

And I know that yes, we’ve been called “Cannibal City” and that “politics in Newburyport is a contact sport.” But, my, sometimes that feels exhausting. And in the year 2007, almost the year 2008, it seems that there would be just too much at stake.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport City Council at Large, Tom Jones and Gary Roberts

I started blogging the Newburyport Blog on January 1, 2006 when this present Newburyport City Council took office. And because I’ve been paying so much more attention to stuff than I ever would have before, I’ve ended up paying a whole lot more attention to this particular Newburyport City Council.

This Newburyport City Council seemed to started off kind of ragged, but gradually over the last almost 2 years, in my mind, they have become, for the most part, a thoughtful, reasonably cohesive, deliberating political entity.

And 2 of the “newbies” to the Newburyport City Council, Gary Roberts and Tom Jones, have for me, become 2 delightful surprises. I see them both as thoughtful “centrists.”

I think my initial concern about Tom Jones and Gary Roberts was that they could both be “polarizing,” “simplistic” and “difficult.”

And in my mind, the opposite has proven true.

Two things concern me when it comes to the electorate.

Both of these men voted against having the spring override for the Newburyport Schools. And I think in many folks minds, this pigeonholes them as being “anti-school” and “anti-children.” And from my discussions with both men, nothing could be further from the truth.

And I think that the folks, including “Yes for Newburyport” folks, who have gradually gotten to know Gary Roberts and Tom Jones, have come to see these two men as problem solvers and bridge builders, wanting what is best for both the schools, as well for the larger community.

And from what I am hearing, some of the electorate could wonder that both men might have disagreed with Mayor John Moak.

Well, “reasonable people can disagree” (I’ve always loved that quote).

And what I have witnessed from both Tom Jones and Gary Roberts, is that when something is proposed or if there is an issue to be solved, that both men take a great deal of time to think things through. And the conclusion that they reach, may or may not be to folks liking, including Mayor John Moak’s, but a time-consuming and thoughtful deliberation has been behind whatever conclusions have been made.

And the other thing that I like about Gary Roberts and Tom Jones is they are not petty and they do not hold grudges (this has not always been true of Newburyport city councilors and some politicians). After an issue is voted on, both men move on to the next issue and don’t hold it against whoever it is that might have disagreed with them.

In my book this is called maturity.

I have enjoyed seeing Tom Jones and Gary Roberts grow as Newburyport City Councilors. And I would very much like to see them be re-elected to the Newburyport City Council on November 6, 2007 and watch them flourish as they might continue to serve the city of Newburyport, Massachusetts, which they both obviously love.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Greg Earls, Ward 2, Newburyport

Greg Earls is a terrific Newburyport City Councilor.

Greg Earls is the City Councilor for Ward 2, the most progressive, “liberal” ward in the city.

And Greg works really hard and represents his Ward really well, and I cannot imagine why anyone would not want to see him re-elect. Just my opinion.

I was talking to Greg, this was quite a while back, about how hard I thought it must be to be a Newburyport City Councilor. Difficult choices to be made on complex issues, would keep me up at night.

Greg Earls said a very interesting thing. He said that he thought the hardest thing for him was the bad feeling stuff that happened between neighbors in his ward.

And an issue came up in our neighborhood that could have turned neighbor against neighbor and destroyed friendships for life (I’ve seen stuff like this happen all over the city.)

And Greg Earls was wonderful.

I talked to him about what my concerns would be. Other neighbors talked to him about what their concerns might be.

Greg came and had a neighborhood meeting. He listened to everyone, he was involved, thoughtful and just downright kind. And reassuring that there was a solution that everyone would be comfortable with.

And I felt really relieved, because here was someone who understood how things worked on a municipal level, and clearly has a real gift for working with folks and mediating and defusing what could be damaging situations.

What I witnessed and experienced was Greg Earls serving his community and his Ward, in this particular instance.

And the other thing that I like so much about Greg is that when I have questions about stuff, a) he always gets back to me and b) I never feel as if I am intruding or silly with whatever questions I might have.

And if Greg is not there, his wife, Nancy, is always warm and gracious. And for me, this is huge.

And I am proud to have Greg Earls representing me on the Newburyport City Council. And I hope that he would be representing me come January 1, 2008.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Blogging, a New Journalistic Medium

Blogs are becoming a new journalistic medium. And to state the obvious, nationally, some blogs have become very powerful.

Last week, when the Newburyport Daily News called to do their story on blogs, what came to my mind was Bill Moyers’ interview with national blogger, Josh Marshall, who broke the Alberto Gonzales story. (Please press here if you would like to read a transcript of that interview.)

I know I’ve said this before, and a similar quote was in the story by Steven Tait in yesterday’s Newburyport Daily News, but I really like Ed Cameron’s and Bruce Menin’s blogs. And the more I think about it, the more that I think that the blog medium would be a pretty amazing way for voters to get to know their candidates. And help them make an informed decision on how they would like to vote.

(All the Newburyport candidates’ blogs and websites for the election, November 6, 2007, that I know of, are listed at the side of the Newburyport Blog. If I do not know about a candidate’s blog or website, please let me know, and I will list it on the Newburyport Blog ASAP.)

And I am fascinated to see how national blogs, as well local blogs would evolve.

And since there are a variety of blogs popping up, what I have learned in the last almost 2 years of blogging, is that all bloggers, candidates or otherwise, need to be really careful.

Bloggers are considered “publishers” and have all the responsibilities of the New York Times, but in most cases, they do not have the resources, legal and otherwise of the New York Times. (See “Publishing” category in the “Issues” section on the side of the Newburyport Blog.) Especially as blogging becomes more prevalent and more mainstream and blogs become more of a challenge, in any number of ways.

To have blogger, Josh Marshall, break the Alberto Gonzales story, with all the political ramifications that have taken place as a result, is huge. And many folks, including major media folks and politicians, check out Josh Marshall’s blog “Talking Points Memo”, the first thing in the morning, or the last thing at night.

This is a big difference in the blogosphere, even from just a year ago.

So, bloggers out there, give yourself a crash course on the legal issues about blogging.

There is a lot of stuff on legal issues now for bloggers on the World Wide Web. And the legal issues are constantly changing as the blogging medium evolves.

And bloggers out there in Blog Land (including me!), please blog with knowledge and with care.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Messy Municipal Process

I’ve read (I think) a number of times in the Newburyport Daily News and at least once on Bruce Menin’s Blog that the electorate is impatient with the Newburyport School Committee and would like them to hurry up and make decisions.

As I recall, I have read these words or similar words, from “Yes for Newburyport” members (pro-override group for the Newburyport Schools).

And a number of “Yes for Newburyport” folks are running for Newburyport School Committee.

Unfortunately, running a municipality is a slow and messy business.

John Moak hoped to come in as Mayor of Newburyport, MA and clear up the Central Waterfront and parking issues ASAP, and what he found was, nope, not so easy to do.

In fact Mr. Moak’s opponent in the November 6th election, Jim Stiles, is a pro-waterfront, less-parking on the waterfront candidate. So much for easy, no hassle solutions.

And if one, some or all of the “Yes” folks get elected to the Newburyport School Committee, I imagine they would find that, yes indeed, this is not a CEO, let’s make a decision now sort of thing.

Having the honor of serving as an elected official is about public process and public input, which is almost always muddled and chaotic.

And if that public input could be short-changed, look out. Whatever decision was made, almost always backfires.

In fact, I hate to say it, but it’s almost always best to have too much public input than not enough, especially on hot-button issues.

And the since the special spring election for the override for the Newburyport schools, unfortunately, (in part, in my opinion, due to a hurried decision–an example of a quick decision backfiring big time) the Newburyport Schools have become a very polarizing issue in this small New England city.

So whoever wins the election for Newburyport School Committee would, I imagine, need to ask for the “Wisdom of Solomon,” because that, and public process, is what it is going to take to start to resolve the conundrum that is facing our Newburyport city schools.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

(Editor’s note: The folks running for Newburyport School Committee for the election on November 6, 2007 are: Nicholas Dekanter, Scott Frisch, Tracey Hurst, Barbara McDonough, Bruce Menin, Stephanie Weaver.)

Single-Issue Elections and Politics

I have an old friend Frank Schaeffer (the same Frank Schaeffer who, with Jerry Klima and others, helped stop the Casino at Salisbury Beach–see earlier entry) who has just written a book.

The book, is about many things, and one of the things it is about is how only focusing on one issue in an election can really mess things up.

The book is called “Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back.” (The original subtitle was “How I Helped Found the Religious Right and Ruin America”… I loved that one, but I guess it didn’t make it.)

I’ve known Frank and his wife Genie for 35 years (this dates me big time). And one of the things I like so much about Frank’s writing is his sense of humor, self-deprecation and his wonderful and often moving off-beat view of the world.

Reading the book, I had forgotten how involved Frank had been in national politics, which probably explains why he is so amazing when he gets involved in local politics. (In fact, Frank was my original political mentor in the fight to save High Street. Please press here to read that post.)

To quote from Frank Schaeffer’s book:

“…single-issue politics deforms the process and derails common sense. It facilitates the election of leaders just because they are “correct on “my issue.”

Frank is talking about national stuff, but for me, the same principal could most definitely apply on the local level.

I worry that the upcoming Newburyport elections (November 6, 2007) could for some, be “single-issue politics.” The most obvious issue that comes to mind is how a candidate stands on an override for the Newburyport Schools.

One of my concerns, is that one of the reasons that there was such a low turnout for the primary for Mayor of Newburyport, MA, was that possibly the folks that came out for the election for the spring Override for the Newburyport Schools who were for the override, might NOT have voted in the mayoral primary race. Because all the candidates said that they would not be for another spring override (i.e. it could be a none-issue).

And when it comes to the Newburyport City Council race, it appears that often the bottom line is– would or would you not be for an override in Newburyport, MA.

Single-issue elections negate the reality that running a municipality is a very complicated and interwoven proposition.

And it also appears to me that it could be a selfish way to engage in the political process. “I only vote if the issue happens to affect my life. Otherwise, I’m not interested.” (Disclaimer… Obviously this does not apply to all voters.)

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Wards and Politics in Newburyport, MA

I was sitting in a Newburyport City Council subcommittee meeting once. It was over a particular issue, and one councilor there was keeping track of which Wards the people (it was jammed) spoke from.

This puzzled me. This puzzled me a lot.

And it’s not until recently that I’ve begun to figure that one out.

A lot of the folks who spoke were from Ward 1 and 2. And I thought, so what?

But now I am beginning to understand. Ward 1, 2 and 3 are the “liberal” wards. And Ward 4, 5, and 6 are the “conservative” wards.

Another light bulb is going on for this blogger.

(I think the Newburyport city councilor was noting that the comments were mainly coming from the “liberal” wards. And the thought would be, that the comments would not represent the city as a whole.)

And many people ask me who do I think would win for mayor of Newburyport, MA.

And looking at the primary votes for mayor of Newburyport, MA, this is what I think.

Dan McCarthy’s votes, and Steve Cole’s votes would probably be divided between “liberal” and “conservative” voters.

Mayor John Moak sailed in the “conservative” Wards of 4, 5 and 6.

It was closer in Wards 1, 2 and 3.

So, my thought is, if Jim Stiles would win for mayor of Newburyport, MA, Mr. Stiles would, I believe, have to win or do very, very well in the more liberal Wards of 1, 2 and 3. And get a good percentage of the votes in the “conservative” Wards of 4, 5 and 6.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport Politics, Condescending, Not Good

I am fascinated that I apparently touched a nerve with the infamous “coupon, low-low price of hamburger” post. (See previous post.)

I often “lurk” at a forum about Newburyport called Around the North Shore:
aroundthenorthshore.com/forums/index.php.

You have to join to be a member of the forum.

And on the forum one of the posters really articulated something for me. The word that was used was “condescending.”

A nerve that the “coupon, low-low price of hamburger post” apparently hit, was that folks felt that I was “condescending.” (Oh, that I had put “BMW” or “Jaguar,” instead of “hamburger.” Thereby, of course, pissing off a whole set of other folks.)

If some people had such a visceral reaction to what could be perceived as a “condescending” post on my part about hamburger and coupons, that could also tell me a whole lot about what could be a visceral response concerning a whole lot of political stuff in Newburyport, MA.

Tom Ryan often used the word “arrogant.” “Condescending” could be a variation of the same thing.

It would explain people’s visceral response to the “Yes for Newburyport” folks. Many perceived them to be “condescending.”

It could explain people’s reaction to Donna Holaday’s run for mayor in 2005. It seems that some folks perceived her in 2005 to be “condescending.”

And it could explain why, although John Moak, despite having views and policies that people in Newburyport may disagree with, may well be electable for a second term. The electorate so far appears not to have found our present mayor to be “condescending.”

And “condescending” seems to be the “kiss of death” when it comes to Newburyport politics.

I am truly fascinated by all of this.

It explains to me (something that has puzzled me for a long time) why many voters (liberal, conservative, centrist) often appear to be turned off by very intelligent progressives. The progressives could at times be perceived as being “condescending.”

To quote from a post on the Around the North Shore Forum, that “anyone who disagrees with them (progressives) is either stupid or simply needs to be ‘educated’.”

A light bulb has gone on for this blogger.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Infamous Hamburger Post

From the feedback and emails, I guess folks found my now “infamous coupon post” on the “low-low price of hamburger” offensive, to say the least… try condescending, elitist, patronizing, arrogant, snobby, uncompassionate, insensitive, nasty… you get the idea.

Wow.

Confessions of a blogger:

I am too lazy to read the coupon ads. And I go straight to the store that I’m pretty sure always has the “low-low price of hamburger.”

And I do NOT have anything against coupon users.

And I even like to cook. And if you check out my art blog, I have “recipes for artists.” A number of them contain the low-low price of hamburger. In fact, one of the things I like to do (and I got this from my Dad) is try and experiment each week, and come up with some variation of some “cooking concoction,” (which often contains the low-low price of hamburger).

I did get a very nice email from the folks who run the “poverty program,” that was supposed to be (but I guess was not, for some readers of the Newburyport Blog) the point of the post (along with my frustration that there was such a low turn out for the primary election for mayor, among all socio-economic groups of people).

They said they had just been reading a book that talks about how freedom would decline when people care more about their possessions than other stuff, although the book apparently “doesn’t specify cheap hamburger” (their quote).

Their sense of humor made me smile, along with their thoughtfulness and appreciation. Thank you so very much. It sure did beat folks thinking I could be callous, condescending, elitist and snobby.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Fantasy vs Real Life

blond_blog.jpg

I got a very nice email from some readers of the Newburyport Blog seeing if I would be interested in trying to interest folks in poverty here in Newburyport, MA and everywhere else.

Sigh…

We live in a superficial culture–a “Paris Hilton world.”

Guaranteed, most folks out there would rather look at a gorgeous blond than a starving kid.

People, apparently (see earlier entry), aren’t even interested enough to get their noses out of the coupon-ad section of the newspaper to find out that there is actually a mayoral primary election that could effect their lives right here in Newburyport, MA.

How do you get folks interested in something like “poverty?” Beats me.

I was listening to someone on TV the other night who said, “Freedom isn’t free.” Sobering.

But, so many of us take freedom, liberty, democracy for granted. Except of course if we were to lose it.

It’s a little bit like losing one’s health. One tends to take it as a “given” and don’t really appreciate it until it could be in jeopardy.

Ever sprain a wrist or hurt a toe? It’s like, “Wait a moment, who knew that a wrist or a toe were that important in life?” Well, they are. Same thing with the other stuff (freedom, democracy, etc.).

Our “Paris Hilton one sound-bite world” is a nice (or not so nice, depending) fantasy, but it has nothing whatsoever to do with reality.

And apparently the low, low price of hamburger is much more engrossing compared to having to figure out who to vote for mayor of Newburyport, Massachusetts.

And the word on the street is “forget that poor kid, bring on the gorgeous, filthy rich blonde.”

(I guess I’m still pissed at the electorate for its lousy attention span. What a way to end the week.)

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Electorate Asleep at the Wheel

Wow! Talk about apathy. Good grief.

Boy, am I disappointed in the residence, citizenry of Newburyport, MA.

Those who are good at math, who were at Newburyport City Hall last night (I’m lousy at math), tell me that only about 25% of the voting public bothered to vote in this primary election for Mayor of Newburyport, MA.

There was a 40% turnout for the Special Election for the Newburyport School Override. 25% for a primary vote for Mayor. That’s just downright pathetic.

As one person said (probably a whole lot more than one person, I just didn’t hear them), “If it doesn’t affect people’s pocket books, I guess they just don’t care.”

Amen to that.

A big hearty congratulations to all 5 candidates who showed up and worked so hard for the city of Newburyport, MA. I hope that the citizenry shows a little more respect in the general election in November, cares about their city and gets out and votes.

And a big congratulations to Jim Stiles and John Moak.

(And, if I wanted to lighten things up a little, I’d say I’d petition the Newburyport City Council to have a special category on the November ballot, which would be–Which of all the candidates running do you think is the “easiest on the eyes.” (See earlier entry) After all, we live in a “Paris Hilton world.” Maybe if we included a beauty contest, people would actually care.)

Can you tell that I’m pissed and disappointed? Well, I am disappointed and pissed.

Again (also see previous post) the election results for the primary for Mayor of Newburyport, MA:

John Moak= 1355
Jim Stiles= 659
Dan McCarthy= 566
Steven Cole= 434
Gardiner Bacon= 99
Write-in= 5

Total= 3118

(Folks, people-wise, the total number, 3118 is “bubkes”–that’s Yiddish for “nothing”… the New Yorker is coming out in me, oy veh.)

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Primary Election Results for Mayor

I’ve just come back from Newburyport City Hall and here are the “unofficial” results of the Primary vote for Mayor of Newburyport, MA.

John Moak= 1355
Jim Stiles= 659
Dan McCarthy= 566
Steven Cole= 434
Gardiner Bacon= 99
Write-in= 5

Total=3118

So for the election in November, it will be between John Moak and Jim Stiles for Mayor of Newburyport, MA.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

VOTE: Who, Where, When

When to Vote:

Today, Tuesay September 18, 2007

7:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Primary for Mayor of Newburyport, MA

(After the polls close at 8:00 PM tonight, I may wander over to Newburyport City Hall and find out what the elections results are.

If I do that I will post the results tonight on the Newburyport Blog. Probably around 9:00 PM.)

_____________________

Where to VOTE today:

WARDS

Ward 1 (Plum Island)

Northeast Mosquito Control Headquarters
(The Former Parker River National Wildlife Headquarters)
261 Northern Blvd
Plum Island
(End of the Point, near 78th Street)

Ward 1 (Main Land)

People’s United Methodist Church
64 Purchase Street
(Between Harrison Street and Neptune Street)

Ward 2

Brown School
40 Milk Street
(Milk Street and Lime Street)

Wards 3 & 4

Hope Community Church
11 Hale Street
(Hale Street and Low Streets,
past the Nock Middle School on Hale Street)

Wards 5 & 6

Bresnahan School
333 High Street
(Between Myrtle Ave and North Atkinson Street)

____________________________

Who to Vote for Today:

The Candidates

In the order they that they are listed on the ballot:

Daniel McCarthy
James Stiles
John Moak
Gardiner Bacon
Steven P. Cole

VOTE Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Having watched the lady on the bus (see earlier entry) read the Ads-Coupons in the newspaper so intently, part of me wanted to take out an ad to VOTE, this Tuesday September 18, 2007 and put it in the food or back to school section of the ad-coupon part.

A) I’m not sure I could do that, and B) it would probably cost a ton of money.

I’m a big fan of voting. It’s one of the privileges that we have as Americans.

In a desperate attempt to get people’s attention so they will go VOTE in the primary for mayor of Newburyport, MA, I drew a picture of an ad page instead.

Ad_blog.jpg
Go Vote, Tuesday, September 18th

Again the folks you can choose from are:

(In Alphabetical Order)

Gardiner Bacon
Steven Cole
Dan McCarthy
John Moak
Jim Stiles

Democracy is an honor… make the most of it.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Rain and Drought and Green Stuff

Who knew that I would love the rain so much.

I would water my yard, helping out the Newburyport Water Department marvelously during our “drought” and the “stuff” back there would perk up a little bit, but basically, no matter what I did, things looked “wilty” and “parched.”

My grey/green lawn turned brown and proceeded to become dust.

My green “lawn” turned grey/green except for a small piece around my dwelling that retained a kelly green color. (What this says about my dwelling, I’m not entirely sure.)

In the middle of our drought, when not a lawn mower could be heard, I actually got out my lawnmower and mowed my green morsel of grass.

(I wanted to go up to my neighbors and assure them that no, I was not abusing water restrictions by wildly watering my lawn. I just had this odd green scrap.)

And my finch feeders were swarming with finches still.

I think some of them were “baby finches.” A) Because there were so many. And B) because they were smaller and thinner than the other finches.

They also flew funny.

As I’ve watched “my” finches over the years, I’ve found that they have a wonderful long-wave flight. These poor little finches looked like little fluttery helicopters that might crash at any moment. I think that’s a give-away.

Ah, but there is nothing quite like the cooperation of Mother Nature. All that green stuff began to look perky and relieved. And the brown lawn is starting to actually turn green again. And I might be able to mow my lawn now without resident “drought guilt.”

I’d rather mow than water, or not water and worry.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

(Editor’s Note: The Primary to vote for Mayor of Newburyport, MA is this Tuesday, September 18, 2007. Don’t forget to VOTE.)

Listening and Hearing on a Municipal Level

So far there are 2 candidates running for political office for the November 2007 election who have blogs (that I know of).

What can I say, I am becoming more partial to political candidate blogs, than I am to political candidate websites, because the blog format seems to give a more down to earth and realistic idea of who the candidate might be, without political spin.

This is true of Bruce Menin’s blog:
(newburyportschools.blogspot.com)

One discovers Mr. Menin is both informed and at times, long-winded.

Bruce tells me that very complicated issues cannot be addressed in short posts.

I am sure that those who care passionately about the issues of our schools are grateful for the more detailed entries. However, if I’m zoning out on long posts, and I really pay attention, what is your average reader going to do?

And the blog could demonstrate the difficulty that the Newburyport School Committee has in communicating with the public. The electorate in general can absorb short, one sentence sound bites. Very little else. Sad but true.

Meticulous explanations might not be as effective as one might hope in connecting with the public.

The blog may give you a “truthiness” insight into what you would get if you re-elect Mr. Menin (who at times can be funny and audacious) to the Newburyport School Committee.

And Ed Cameron now has a blog.

So far this delights me.

Here is a quote from Mr. Cameron’s blog:
(edcameron.blogspot.com)

“Over Labor Day weekend, I met two households on Howard Street whose situations illustrate the pressures. For a retired couple with a fixed income, property taxes are the main issue in this campaign. For a younger couple at the other end of the street, schools are the most important issue and at the same time they too are feeling the pinch (or perhaps vise-grip is a better analogy) of local property taxes.


To me, lowering reliance on the property tax and providing for an excellent public education experience are not mutually exclusive…” (edcameron.blogspot.com, September 4, 2007)

I am still unclear how any of our elected officials or concerned citizens are going to find the massive amount of funds that we as a city need (and have needed like forever). However, for the purpose of this post, that for the moment, is beside the point.

What that entry suggests is that Ed Cameron has the makings of a first rate Newburyport City Councilor. He appears not only to have the ability to listen to his possible future constituents, but to also to “hear” what they have to say.

Oh, my, what a gift.

Seriously, what I often run into with political folks (not to repeat myself endlessly, but to repeat myself endlessly) is that they nod at you as you are speaking to them and then proceed to tell you why you are wrong or worse yet, don’t even address the question or concern at all.

Listening and hearing and even changing one’s perception of what might be needed for the folks in Newburyport, MA is a rare gift. Mr. Cameron appears to be moving more to the political “center” just by going “door to door” and hearing what folks in Ward 4 are saying, feeling and what they are afraid of.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

(Editor’s Note: The Primary to vote for Mayor of Newburyport, MA is Tuesday, September 18, 2007.)

Making it Happen on a Municipal Level

How does one get things accomplished on the municipal level?

For me, this very difficult “skill” is as important in a candidate as the opinions that they may have on issues pertaining to Newburyport, MA.

It also requires an astute “political ear.” Another very difficult “skill” indeed.

To my utter discouragement, I do not see any of the candidates running for mayor, including our present mayor, having either of these 2 vital political abilities.

People have asked me what I think of various candidates. I may agree with much of what a candidate for mayor is expounding, however, if I feel the individual could not “govern” or make those political issues “happen,” I feel very discouraged about voting for them.

And making things happen on a political, citywide level, appears to require that very rare gift of “listening” and then balancing what one would like to happen with what one hears the electorate feels they would either like to happen or be willing to tolerate.

I think that this is why it is so important that mayoral candidates take the late Ed Molin’s very wise advice (see earlier entry) and have at least 2 terms or 4 years as a Newburyport City Councilor.

One Newburyport City Councilor validated this bit of Mr. Molin’s wisdom in a recent conversation that we had. Their comment was that as a first term Newburyport city councilor that they had all kinds of ideas on how things “should” happen, only to come up with the hard realization that things on a municipal level transpire in a very different way.

It appears to be difficult to actually make things work without experience “in the ring,” so to speak.

So I hope that this is the last mayoral election that we see candidates with no prior and reasonably extensive experience on the Newburyport city council floor.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

(Editor’s Note: The Primary to vote for Mayor of Newburyport, MA is this Tuesday, September 18, 2007.)