Welcome Back?

It has been a while, hasn't it?

For some, it is certainly going to seem like it hasn't been long enough.

For me, it was a much needed sabbatical. It was in some ways extremely restful, in others a learning experience; about myself, about others, and certainly about life. Yes, it was a needed break.

A time to assess and make a few decisions.

The same have been made.  A new direction of sorts chosen, and in someways a decision simply dictated by the lay of the land, by simple time and circumstances, if you will.

As the saying goes, sometimes you need to take a step back today, in order to be able to take two steps forward tomorrow. Heck, truth be told, sometimes you simply need to take a step back so you can remain standing.

Anyway ... no matter what one chooses, there always will be those who disagree with your choice. So be it because others seldom have to deal with the true ramifications of our individual decisions. That is a concept which at times has a certain amount of irony involved with it as occasionally our decisions are based on the consequences of decisions made by others.

Again, anyway...

Speaking of decisions of others and such occasions, seems three people have publicly announced their own decision about running for selectmen and a fourth is not so quietly discussing the same as if out and running. This is one of those decisions, or more accurately four decisions, where we all will eventually live with the ramifications and consequences of others' decisions.  Fortunately for us, at least collectively, we will make the final decision.

We need to keep in mind it is early.  There is no guaranty we will see a four way race.  It could be less than that number. It could even expand.  Heck, this time last year the chatter was loud also, but that fizzled out soon enough.

Do not expect a no-contest for this year though.  

Hopefully we will see, or should that be hear, more from the candidates than we usually do. Sound bites and self-serving platitudes are the stuff it seems too many elections have come to be.  A true shame.  While claims of "I am the better candidate" fortunately seem to be fading in the political spectrum, on the local level issues very frequently take a back seat in elections. Certainly such claims work to a large degree in an open seat contest. After all, there is no yardstick to measure claims against.

For the up coming election, a yardstick does in fact exist.In truth, each of the potential four have a record of sorts for which they and their claims can and should be measured against.

You want to be selectmen, it seems you should be able to tell us why you will be a better selectman than your opponents.  Certainly seems something you should be able to do with all the advanced planning.

Could be just me, but I tend to quickly strip away the pretty wrappings around any candidacy. Details in the book are more important than the cover art.  Granted, the only thing some candidates have to offer is a pretty cover jacket. After all, if that type of hook works to secure enough votes, well who cares.  Well, we should all really care, but ....

For the time being we need to keep things in perspective.  Timing and circumstances are such that the potential is all that exists at this particular point in time.

Was a time when this was the time you began to quietly assess opportunity, support and prospects. The times are constantly changing though, aren't they?  Nothing wrong with declaring early mind you.  There are distinct advantages to it, just as long as you acknowledge there are also drawbacks.

From the pundit point of view, one just hopes such decisions lead to a lively and spirited campaign rather than simply early hype and a fizzled out contest.

As for me, I think I am going to rather enjoy a season of sitting back and watching what transpires. That doesn't mean I won't jump into the fray at some point (and if I jump, it will NOT be running as selectman, let's get that out right now).

What does it mean? The meaning is something one should be able to glean from the simple fact this piece has been posted. A decision has been made on another front.  Timing and circumstances dictating a step back to simply remain standing.  A very popular decision on one front I am sure. Well, everything involved in it except the part about remaining standing, I am also sure.

Enough on that. The die is cast. That issue is over.

Going forward, I wear the same hat so many out there claim to wear, that of a simple and concerned citizen.

As far as going forward, well the blogging possibilities now become completely unrestrained and seemingly endless. Of course I may have been gone too long from these pages to get back up to even my previous small following.  If so, well at least I get to rant.

Anyway, silly season is starting early in town. Until papers are pulled, well it is all hypothetical. Except for what someone puts out publicly that is.

As time progresses the issues and candidates will firm up for more detailed discussion. In the meantime there are plenty of issues and topics floating out there.

Yes, silly session is upon us. In many ways it simply never ends.