BOS Debate & Luther Standing Bear

It was heartening to see several BOS candidates reply to my previous blog entry on “Ethics & Good Faith Effort”. The question, carefully crafted, was about giving the voters a decent and fair shake -- giving them the respect due both as people, and as citizens in a democratic land. Government belongs to all, and should be treated as such.

All agreed with the premise of my ethical question, but each indicated that my request for a simple yes, or no, to tell the tale so to speak, was not sufficient. My initial reaction was to want to quickly respond, and convince them that a simple answer was ‘the’ key. As I formed a reply in my head, however, I was reminded of something I had recently read: It was written years ago by Luther Standing Bear, a chief of the Oglala Sioux. There is wisdom to be found in his words; well worth the read. - (http://www.unitedearth.com.au/standingbear.html )

“Conversation was never begun at once, not in a hurried manner. No one was quick with a question, no matter how important, and no one was pressed for an answer. A pause giving time for thought was the truly courteous way of beginning and conducting a conversation.”

Luther’s words would not leave me, and so, I took his advice; to pause and think about what the candidate’s were trying to say, to thus be respectful toward each of them. It now occurs to me that they were all aiming for the same target -- trying to suggest that the voters need to be informed and respected by the members of the BOS. The answer to my simple yes or no question should be a forgone conclusion. How we, as a town, go about the process of ‘informing and thus respecting’ the electorate should be the rightful debate.

So, I thought some about Jessie Powell’s passion, Michael O'Shaughnessy’s analysis and Bob Dunphy’s directness. -- My mind wandered to similar experiences I have been a part of in my 30+ years working for computer related companies. On several occasions, I have been part of a small team which had to make a relatively quick selection of computer hardware and software in response to new business opportunities. The selection would have significant technical and financial impact on the organization, and the people whose livelihood depended on it.

Before these experiences, I had sort of assumed that there was always a group of sharp, experienced and savvy folks somewhere way up in the organization who would make these decisions. But, I noticed that this was not always the case when venturing into new areas. What I did find however, was that there was always a ‘process’ in place; a process designed to insure that those who had the authority to make the final choice, saw a well done, balanced analysis, giving them the right information at their fingertips in time to properly digest it and render a decision.

This, I believe, is what Jessie, Michael, Bob and the voters want: a balanced analysis with the right information in time to properly digest it and render a decision. With deference to Bob’s directness, I shall forgo a description of my work experiences, and translate them into a concrete suggestion. The process I am suggesting is intended to be used to in the future to analyze items to be set before the voters. It is based on the premise that those on both sides of an issue, have a vested interest in the issue, and can be used, if properly controlled, to help gather and make available information for both sides on a voter issue in a timely and fair manner:

Proposed Approach for a ‘Voter Data Forum Process’

The basic thread in this approach is to incorporate the aid of all town groups who want a voice in the gathering of information about an item which is to be put on the town ballot. Having them help identify the issues involved, along with the aid of appropriate subject matter experts and general public input, can develop a 'pro and con' analysis on each of the issues in a timely manner.

• Selectman choose an initial public data forum committee: 5 or 6 townspeople, not including any current town officials or employees.

• Committee Makes Requests for Participants:

1. Put out a request for any interested town group to participate in the data gathering and analysis effort.
2. Interview all ‘interested town groups’, and select ‘all those who can demonstrate a useful grasp of some aspect of the subject to be presented to the voters.

• Perform Initial Data Gathering

1. Have groups each present an initial statement or position paper to committee. Presentation must include an itemized list of what they see as pertinent issues.
2. Committee reviews these materials, and compiles a composite list of all pertinent issues.

• Round 1: Initial Analysis

1. Invite all groups to present formal positions on the total composite issue list.
2. Acquire inputs from subject matter experts and consultants as needed. (All affected town department heads, the selectman and the Finance Committee are automatically included as ‘subject matter experts’ in their respective areas only.)
3. Data forum committee analyzes inputs, adding new items for the issue list as necessary.
   
4. Publish composite issue list with the initial ‘pro or con’ positions.

• Round 2: Competitive Analysis

1. Invite groups & subject matter experts to update their issue positions given the 'opposition' inputs from Round 1.
2. Publish updated ‘pro and con’ issue list.

• Round 2 +: Repeat round 2 as may be necessary.

• Round 3: Public Input

1. Solicit public input on all items in the ‘pro & con’ issue list
2. Groups & Subject Matter Experts may use public inputs, as desired, to update their final ‘pro or con’ positions.
3. Add selectman’s oversight opinion relative to the readiness of the updated ‘pro and con’ issue list.
   
4. Publish updated ‘pro and con’ issue list together with the selectman’s oversight opinion for voter use.

Public Availability of Information:

• All data group and subject matter expert position papers are to be made available to the voters in hard copy and internet web form when they are accepted for consideration by the data forum group.
• All ‘Published’ versions of the composite ‘pro and con’ issue list are likewise to be made available,
• All ‘Public Input’, to the Round 3 review of the ‘pro and con’ issue list, whether selected for use or not, shall also be made likewise available assuming that they do not contain confidential or defamatory material.

Commentary:

I have seen this approach of utilizing opposition groups, subject matter experts and general public input to form an effective 'pro and con' issue list, work to inform those who had 'the vote', in a 40 to 6o day period. Certainly, with the the concerns Middleboro will be facing in the coming years, it would be wise to start incorporating such a system now or face the likelihood that town government will slide primrarly, into the hands of those who have power.

Ethics & Good Faith Effort

I started school at a time when we recited the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the school day, Civics was a mandatory class, the Declaration of Independence was held in high esteem, and the Preamble to the Constitution and the Gettysburg Address were to be committed to memory. The ideals expressed, embodied the foundation for a just society, of, by and for the people.

As a youngster, it was easy to embrace such noble ideals, being there was not yet any cost associated with them. As I grew older, I became aware that things were not necessarily fair and just for everyone, Wampanoags included. There were costs to be paid and sacrifices to be made to preserve and make available to all citizens, that which we hold in high esteem.

Perhaps this is why something I head from a radio commentator on my way home from work one day seemed so relevant. The essence of what he said was that "If we don't hold some ideals, or rules, to be above our own personal and sometimes selfish interests, only those in power will make the rules." -- Above our own, often selfish, interests; that is the cost --. So it is, in this vein I wish submit a question to all those who would want to be a selectman in our town:

Question to BOS Candidates

If, as a selectman you are involved in evaluating or promoting an issue which is going to be put before the voters -- do you believe that you would have an ethical responsibility to make a good faith effort to insure that both sides are presented to the electorate in time for a full, honest and proper evaluation before the vote ?

A simple yes or no will tell the tale --

P.S.

After work, I am often the caretaker for my wife who is ill, and therefore, it is hard to guarantee that I will be able to attend any particular 'candidate's night'. So, I would appreciate it if someone would copy and present the above question at the appropriate occassion.

With thanks -
Barry from Middleboro

7 Coates and 9 hatchets

"7 Coates, 9 hatchets, 8 Hoews, 20 Knives, 4 Moose skins, 10 ½ yards of cotton and 20 L”

(http://www.rootsweb.com/~mabridge/bridgewaterdeed.html)

This was the deal brokered by Myles Standish, Samuell Nash, and Constant Southworth for 14 square miles just above the location of Middleboro’s proposed casino complex. Does anyone believe that Massasoit really knew what he was agreeing to? Did he understand that he was helping to sign away his way of life? Was he informed that there would be many others coming, with various intents, attracted by the riches to be found in the land ?

Had he been informed by Miles and Company, of all the facts and probabilities which they knew, I doubt that Massasoit and his council would have agreed. His descendants know now . . . painfully so.

Our modern counterparts of Miles and Company have chosen to rush this casino deal through without striving to bring attainable cost information to the voters. Democracy demands an informed electorate. Their votes need to be the result of evaluation, discussion, and reflection, both pro and con. The town’s finance committee rejected the deal on a fiscal basis two days after it was presented to the town. The committee did not stand to gain anything in saying that the deal would only gain the town about $900,000 dollars profit per year. There were only three days left until the vote, and Miles and Company would not give the townspeople the respect of fairly presenting both sides. If the selectman were right and the FinCom was in error, the pro casino vested interests could easily have been given a venue to argue and point out those errors. A couple of weeks fairly spent would have been a small price to support democracy in our town.

I am more than aware that we all must deal with the difficult realities of Life, financial and otherwise. But my admiration for the way of life of the original Wampanoag goes to help temper the decisions I make in this current reality. Unfortunately, these original inhabitants did not have a chance to continue the integrity of their way of life on their land within the reality of their times.

I hope that all works out for the town, and the descendents of the ‘Keepers of the land’. It’s just that the refrain I hear in our town in a modern version of 7 Coates, 9 hatchets, 8 Hoews, 20 Knives, 4 Moose skins, 10 ½ yards of cotton and 20 L”

What ever happened to integrity?

To Glenn Marshall:

The last several weeks have seen a divisive campaign in our small town; those who see a large casino complex as a rather negative influence on the future of our town vs. those who see a promising gain for the fiscal problems we have here. Now that the issue goes to the state government, there will be monetary and political issues at a level far greater than our town.

I myself have a strong philosophical disagreement with casinos per se., and am sorry to see one coming to town. After the election, my wife and I were sitting in out on our porch when two young men in a white pickup truck slowed down, saw our ‘No Casino’ sign and angrily swore, and made an obscene gesture at us before driving off. The sign had been tacked way up in a tree since someone would come by in the evenings and steal those put in the ground. I was both amazed and somewhat angry to have been treated like that by someone I didn’t even know. But, the election was over, and so I got the ladder and took the sign down. There was no need to stir up already inflamed emotions.

It was a little difficult to let go of this personal assault, until I read a letter by Jessie Little Doe on the pro-casino web site. (www.casino-friend.com) She was able to put things into proper perspective, and I applaud her.

In her 'letter' she graciously wished peace and respect to people of all descents, and then said something very profound: "Know that whatever you do that has its origin in Love and not fear is never wrong." and continued with: "The simple refusal to not move from the place of Respect or Love in the face of fear or anger is courage."

Her words resonated within, and I was reminded of a piece I had written about a year ago. It was about my understanding of the ‘keepers’ of the land. Please read it, in the quiet of your day, away from the distractions of leadership, from those who merely want money, from those who may often express anger. Regardless of my views about a casino, I have always thought, and still do think that there is something special about the keepers of the land. So . . . in the spirit of ‘Jessie Little Doe’

The Keepers

The place of my childhood was along an old Wampanoag Indian path, between their encampment at Titicut and the Nipinickut pond. It wound through meadows and woodlands following the terrain set down in the times of their ancestors of long ago. There is not much left of that path discernible to the eye; just a few artifacts and a chance meeting with one who is many generations removed.

For my brothers and I, the field on the stream side of the path was a place for long fly balls, freshly mowed hay and button hook passes, each in its season. Occasionally, after the field had been plowed, I would find an arrowhead, and would wonder about the keepers of the land who had fashioned it. My summer afternoons were just as long as theirs, and the autumn colors were just as spectacular. But, the trees must have been taller, the deer and trout more plentiful, and the dwellings fewer and farther between.

My musings about these people were interrupted by the decline of the afternoon sun and the appearance of the evening mosquitoes. This was the signal to head back across the field over the wide green yard to retreat into the safety and comfort of the old family home. Generations ago, descendants of the Pilgrims built this old house after the retreat of the keepers of the land. Like other artifacts, remnants of their dwellings are rather scarce, just the charred bases of bent pole row houses.

It wasn’t until I was much older that I was ready to learn what they had to teach. Their structure was built up from of a set of mating poles, each charred on one end. The burnt end was set into the earth bent upward and ached over to be tied to its mate; ‘earth to earth’. Love thus united formed the support for their rooftops, designed to fend off soaking rains, freezing snows and blistering sun. All this was necessary in order to sustain and grow new life, being as fragile as it was.

This protection however, brings with it a danger. A danger that life will not be experienced and not grow to become what it is meant to be. When you hide under a rooftop all the time you do not experience the warmth or the glow of the light. You miss the cleansing effect of the rain. And so, your existence becomes pale.

Finding the sun, the wind and the rain is the only way to come to understand how you are part of something bigger than yourself. Indian culture innately understood this, having lived the experience. The lesson they came to understand was their connectedness, and therefore, respect for all that was. Their rooftops were not edifices unto themselves, but rather a place of respite from overexposure, an acknowledgment of their own finiteness.

All too often we build rooftops to crown our achievements, always higher and bigger. The irony of it, is that the higher they are, the smaller we look. From the top of such heights you can not make out much of what is below. But, look up, and the rooftops themselves appear as they are . . . small, in the enormity that surrounds them.

Maples, oaks and wild cherries have taken over the forgotten cranberry bog across from the field on one side of the path. The small stream way behind the other has nourished tall pines and hardwoods giving visual respite to the current inhabitants of the field. New families with playful kids now run among the trees of these wetland buffers. At one end of the field, my son and his wife have built their new home, and at the other, there is a final lot, just waiting.

It is now 50 years after my days in the field; near time for my wife and I to retire and move to the lot just waiting. And so, there will shortly be new keepers entrusted at both ends of the field, on the old Indian path between the encampment at Titicut and the Nippeniket pond.