If a topic, cited story or the blog mentions specific people of private entities please do your best to refrain from veering off and mentioning entirely different people or private entities which at best only touch the outside edges.
I realize that may be hard at times. I realize some may not themselves realize the consequences of "naming" people or private entities. Several comments were deleted yesterday yesterday, an another one not posted because the discussion turned from the topic, veered of course in my mind, and started down another path. I was willing initially to expand the "four corners" until the expansion started to involve comments relative to a third party that no longer remained relevant to the discussion, in my opinion.
Another comment didn't make it on a different topic for several reasons. First the cite it contained, when reviewed did not substantiate the "fact" stated. Different dollar amount if the attempted commentator is reading. Secondly, the article should have answered the commentator's own question about why names weren't named. Couple of other points put those two are enough.
Anyway ..
We are going to have a B of H debate. Seems like it will be an NFIA style candidates' night. Note: reference to outside group directly related to topic of debate.
If this one doesn't play to a bigger crowd than the last election "debate" circle, that will be another surprise for me in the election. Selectmen chair will moderate, per selectmen discussion and decision. Nothing per se wrong as long as it stays with simply introducing the candidates, questioners (stated to be members of the press).
From what was discussed, questions will come from the reporters and those submitted by the general public which will be picked by the reporters.
I don't know about the format as to time, date or place so keep your eyes open and ears open for that info.
Is anyone really convinced that this election is going to center on anything other than the turbines? I know we have gone this route before, but this is simply a one issue election. No one is more disappointed on that "presumed" fact than I am to be honest.
We have two PACs formed in town, if the newspaper story I read yesterday is accurate. I will tell you right now any PAC in my opinion is a blight on the face of the election process. You can argue all you want for or against "Citizens United", a PAC is a PAC no matter who forms it, or who donates to it.
Despite what ever long term goals are stated, doesn't change the rationale behind the formation of either one. The membership of both have the same goal. A different end goal certainly, but essentially the same. We want to make sure our side wins. As I said before, dressing up a duck in a tuxedo doesn't make it a penguin.
But I digress.
There was a fair amount of chatter across the web yesterday. Better candidate, the issues, qualifications, etc.
As far as issues, seriously, there is only one. All the other stuff, maybe in a general election absent the controversy you might be able to sway enough people.
In this election, sorry, it has been turned into simply who is going to protect and individual voter's position on the turbines. If you think they should stop spinning, you are going to vote Wethington. If you think they should keep turning, you are going to vote DeTerra.
People with a position in between those extremes, well there is were the uncertainty is. Wethington needs to come out and state his plan. Not the future regs. noted on his web page. His plan for dealing with the existing turbines. It needs to be specific. It needs to address the scenario.
DeTerra needs to do the same to be honest. There is a far amount of uncertainty among people in between the extremes. He needs to explain what he has done, why he has done it and how he intends to handle the on going "debate".
If there are still swing votes out there, it is a candidates position on the turbine issue that will swing them.
You think there are other important issues (and there are), by all means point them out, but explain nonetheless how those other issues are going to have an influence on this particular election. I have seen some of the "other" issues. I don't see them being relevant.
I suppose you could chalk that up to my being all the various, less than flattering, adjectives used to describe me from time to time.
Whatever the reason, it is what it is.
Enough for today.
Be safe.
The reasons for voting for either candidate can be further simplified for those not involved in either turbine group-----if people want continuity, some kind of stable ground for the BOH, they'll vote DeTerra. If folks want change, and to undo recent decisions, they'll vote Wethington. I realize this is still spinning around the turbines, but there are many that just want peace and quiet in our town. Also, many are tired of our town government being hijacked by special interests that fly in the face of majority votes.
ReplyDeleteWethington's camp is certainly energized to vote. Fairhaven Windwise is a machine, backed by a national organization that is weighing in on our issues. They may accomplish their goals. It really depends on how much the voters are willing to defend the will of the majority.
~Votes early, often, and anonymously~
Does every opposition automatically become the machine-of-the-day? Isn't that what the people who negotiated the turbines were labeled?
DeleteWindwise is/was/whatever a grassroots movement but now that they have continued to stand their ground they're a machine? I don't support either side, but I have respect for someone who defends their convictions.
Voters will vote. Hopefully they will vote with the sole purpose of defending their own consciences.
What difference will it make if they vote early? Are those votes going to be counted twice, or are the polls going to close two minutes early, I doubt it. Often? That's up to the poll workers to monitor. Anonymous? Yes, PLEASE DO NOT put your name anywhere on your ballot, unless you are running as a write-in candidate. The last thing we need at the end of the day is another invalid election.
A national organization kind of negates a grass roots movement, don't you think? It is that connection that makes it a machine. If you're comfortable with that influence in town government, so be it. And no, those who negotiated the turbines were not a machine, they did so with the approval, by vote, of the majority of Fairhaven. Twice. That is the proof of democracy.
DeleteI also respect those that follow their convictions. Just not at the expense of my taxes covering legal bills so the minority can repeatedly litigate against the will of the majority. That is the proof of denying democracy.
And the voting early, often, and anonymously SIGNATURE.......it's a one liner joke Michelle, a well known one at that, at least for those of us who've been voting for several decades.
~Votes with disappearing ink~
Inadvertently deleted what I believe was another comment from you re "the vote early" tagline. I got the joke by the way.
DeleteIt's good there's going to be a candidates' night. It's been a long time since someone who doesn't follow social media has heard from the challenger. I look forward to hearing the questions and responses. I hope the event will remain civil on all accounts, and discord among the audience will be restrained.
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious what each 'side' will be looking for. But legally, how much can either can either candidate, when elected do? We can judge the incumbent on his actions thus far, but how do we judge the challenger?
For me, this election is not about who can make the turbines do what I want them to do, because I'm convinced that's no longer possible. But it's to vote for the candidate who will most professionally handle, on all levels, similar situations in the future.
Hopefully by "often" you mean every election.
ReplyDeleteThis election will hopefully fix the infamous flying chad scenario like Florida once an forever...The legal process in the town needs a much needed change..35 years an counting ,seems like we hired a member of congress.They last forever also....
ReplyDelete