Commenting, Candidates (kind of) & Change?

First note, you may have noticed the "Events Calendar" page has been deleted.  No interest, so no need.

Commenting

Next, if you want to leave a comment now, you are going to have to sign in.  No more anonymous.

Why might you ask?

I thought hard about this decision, as there have be some good comments from people choosing to remain anonymous.  There really have.  There have been some pretty foolish ones too.  I published a couple.  I have refused to publish some.

The most recent one came in at 10:21 PM. last night.  I wasn't going to publish it, because from where I am sitting, it is that type of mentality that hurts a certain point of view more than it helps (See comments under "Special Edition").  Another self-inflicted shot in the foot won't help, but hey ...

I am sorry there is a certain segment that can't figure out what many others get; and, I am sorry people have a hard time understanding the "why" behind the statements.  You have reasons for making statements the way you choose, I have reasons for doing things the way I choose.

However, because anonymous comments such as the latest one drag down those from people wish to actually engage in civil discourse, there will no longer be an "anonymous" designation allowed.

You will have to register to post your comment.  You can set them up so your true identity remains "anonymous".  If that is so, you might ask then why the need to "register".  I want a way to distinguish between commentators.  I want the readers to be able to know, if not the true identity, at least the identity of the commentator so that all the anonymous comments do not get judged in the same light.

From this point forward, you will have to come up with a screen name, so at least I and other readers will know which "anonymous" is posting.

Candidates - FREE FORM

I am going to leave the FREE FORM page up for a few more days.  Again, thought it might be an idea worth doing.  If there isn't any interest in it, I'll re-assess and try and think of something else.

Change? - Government Forum

It has reached a point, at least in my mind, that someone needs to get the ball rolling on at least assessing the need to change or government structure.  I have been advocating for a charter commission for a number of years, hoping that someone might start the process.  I explained a bit why I haven't myself done it in a previous post.

With everything else going on at the moment, the timing presently is not right for me, but it has reached the point where I am willing to help get the ball rolling.   I am thinking a push should be made to organize a meeting to gauge the interest in a charter commission and willingness of people to actually do the leg work.

I am convinced that this is an absolute necessity.  The time is right, and I will detail those reason in a later post.

There will most definitely be leg work involved.  A petition drive will have to occur.  The signatures needed are 15% of the number of registered voters in the last state election.

So you are aware, membership on the charter commission is by election held on the ballot for an annual town election.  There are 9 members on the commission.  They would not receive a salary, but the law provides for compensation of expenses incurred.  It also provides for a minimum budget to the commission in the amount of $5,000.00 for a town the size of Fairhaven.

If you are interested in reviewing what is involved and what would need to be done, and what the commission is required to do, check out M.G.L. c. 43B, Sections 1 -18.

Anyone who is truly serious about a need to change, willing to work on such a commission, and willing to do so within the structure of a charter commission, might be very interested in such a meeting.  As noted, members are elected to this commission.  They are not subject to any authority other than the voters.  Indeed the law provides that they have a great deal of free rein in what they can do, and also directs what the town must do to assist them.

If people are willing, and this means anyone, let me know.  I am not talking about whether you think it is a good idea.  I am talking about getting involved and seeing it through.  Just remember, the only guaranty as far as being a member on the commission is if the people elect you!

There is common ground on the issue of a need to change government.  What better way to do it, to find a consensus, to propose a structure, than to have the same ultimately determined by all the voters!