Somber Tuesday

I am never too sure how to deal with senseless acts like that yesterday's at the Boston Marathon.  To ignore it totally doesn't seem right.  To give too much attention to such an act seems to elevate it above the despicable deed it is.

Such things are done to get the attention that unfortunately is all too readily available in today's world of 24/7 news coverage.  I don't really need to be adding to that.

To those injured and the family of those who perished, my prayers and thoughts.

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What's coming up this week?  Not all that sure to be honest with you.  The town's proposed budget is pretty set.  In years past there is always a move or two in the last few weeks by someone to tweak his or her share.  Whether that happens, time will tell. 

The town government articles for the Special are what they are at this point and may not be what they are by the time you get to the STM, and eventually you all may actually get to see what they are.  I had thought about scanning and posting the drafts which have been presented for the articles.  

I haven't for several reasons.  At the top of the list of excuses for not having done it:  Every time I think about it I am at home, and the scanner I have here is bare bones model and I quite frankly am too lazy to get up from my seat and do it.

Another reason is the simple fact I am still not quite sure what to make of these articles.  Why poison the water any more then it is at this point?

Perception is 95% of the battle folks.  There are several competing perceptions out there.  Some correct.  Some not so correct. Some just plain wrong.

Let's start with the just plain wrong.  A town administrator for of government would disenfranchise the people.  Completely wrong.  I will get to this one in a minute or two.

Another completely  wrong concept is that there is a difference between a town manager and a town administrator.  Again wrong.  It is a matter of what you want to call the position and the specific powers and duties an individual town wishes to give to the position.

For my part, I would have used the title "Town Manager".  Perhaps you have heard a similar comment as I have on several occasions from others.   Why do we have to have a town administrator  why not just a town manager?  While the only difference is as stated, I again fall on the perception argument.  

Seems the word "administrator" denotes a much higher level of authority for some people.  A manager seems to be a more comfortable term for some.  It is more familiar in application.  Most people seem to get the fact that the manager runs the team day to day, or the store.  They understand also that there are layers of authority above him or her.  the store owner, or a general manger, team owner, etc.

To be honest, one can't fault the use of administrator vs. manager.  They are two words that mean the same thing in this specific application.  I did not see any problem with either term initially (still don't), but I am not the one who needs convincing.  

While perception may be 95% of the battle, one does have wonder sometimes what the heck is really behind that perception sometimes.

Anyway, back to people being disenfranchised.  Again, I don't see it happening and don't buy into the argument.  I can understand the initial perception that is what would happen.  There is a concern that the average citizen will be adversely affected under such a system, especially if the elected BPW is eliminated.

You would no longer have the ability to approach a BPW Commissioner on the street or at an event to air your complaint or concern.  There is no disputing that fact.  

There are several means to replace that function of the politics of an elected board. An advisory committee it its place.  Detailing a complaint procedure/policy.  A bunch of stuff that could insure openness and fair play.

But constituent service does not always equal service to the constituency, and quite frankly often creates the adverse perception that it isn't so much about dealing with what is needed but about who you know.

Does a complaint or comment made directly to any elected official automatically deserve more attention than one made to a department head or other town employee?  Lack of immediate attention does not equate to indifference.  Neither should who the complaint is made to equate to immediate action.

A Town Administrator does not replace elective representation.  It is not an all powerful position.  The individual is very much answerable to a Board of Selectmen, which will very much still be involved.

What it does is shift the day to day operations to a more central chain of command if you will. It actually instills more accountability into the process.  

Quite frankly, with or without the position, we should be looking at streamlining the entire process and eliminating layers of bureaucratic levels, elected or otherwise.

Here is what I would ask everyone to consider.  Take a very hard look at the entire "process" over the last say 20 years.  Take a hard look at how everything has been done, the highs and the lows, effectiveness, errors you perceive, operations, etc.  

There have been significant changes is operations, many of which have been mandated.  Technology, the extent of services, the nature of services and operations and other factors have combined to make what was, simply obsolete.  

Sorry folks.  Seems things are a bit disjointed this morning.  Just having some difficulty wrapping my head around it all today.  Given yesterday's events, such things as STM just don't seem to be all that pressing right at the moment.

I think I will end it here.  Take care and please be safe.