I find myself, time and again, much to frequently reminding myself of the H.L. Mencken quote about complex problems and simple solutions. If you are that interested, you can Google search for it.
Anyway ...
I won a bet last night/this morning. One I made about three months ago, one of a series of bets actually. With this week's edition of the Fairhaven Neighborhood News and the letter addressing the location of new school and the turbines part one of the bet is in the win column.
The stakes, just a friendly wager of prognostication skills. The actual bet, within a week of opening you would see such a letter or comment posted somewhere.
Just noting my prognostication skills above mind you.
NOTE: Do not send comments in under "anonymous" and signed by bearing the name of an individual. Do not cut and past a letter to the editor appearing in a newspaper, whether or not you supply the "link". I need a verifiable e-mail address for all "signed" comments in the first instance; and, I don't do this exercise so that stuff can be distributed.
We are just about there. Ten o'clock A.M. the polls open on Monday. Could be it is just the closeness of the event, but I am thinking my 17% prediction might be a bit low. I hope so. There are certain indicators that we could see what would be considered a heavy turnout for such a "special election.
Usually I head to the polls first thing when they open. I am thinking about waiting until say 1:00 or so. By that time, getting the number on the machine when I check out, using my less than scientific algorithm, might have a good guess as to the percentage.
It would be something. Ignore the "which side you are on" component. Could any side truly complain about a large turnout?
Well they shouldn't, but if there is one, I am guessing the losing side will. Can you hear it now?
I had an interesting telephone conversation with a friend yesterday afternoon. The observation and agreement is this election is going to make or break certain political trends in town and potential political aspirations.
I know politics is such a dirty concept, but one that rears its ugly head the minute you have such issues. I suppose one can say at times you have to fight fire with fire, but there is no mistaking the politics going on.
While I will absolutely agree with the concept that this election should be about more than the turbines, for most it simply is all about the turbines. It becomes a bit self-defeating to argue otherwise when just about every opinion piece, endorsement, statement and rant works its way squarely back to that issue as the dominant theme.
It is what it is, and it has been made into that by the actions, tactics and steps taken by all involved. It is a referendum of sorts, and I realize that statement is a change of opinion from some earlier posts. It has morphed into that.
When you ask people about the election, and two out of three of them bring something about the turbines into their int ital response, that has to tell you something. Heck as of late more people are omitting any reference to the candidates and just mentioning the turbines.
Anyway we are close to the en for this chapter in the never ending saga.
Enough for today.
Be safe.
Have you counted the number of blogs you have dedicated to this election? Yet after it's over, what's going to change? Neither candidate has he ability to appease everyone or the power to do anything that will make both sides happy. Do you see either 'side' stop insulting the other? Or Fairhaven United? Hah! Tuesday morning there'll be cheering and moaning. But what comes after that? Of course talk of turbines. But this election has to be about more than the 'uncontrollable' issue. Because when all is said and done, there's still other issues that need to be addressed. Who's going to be left standing to deal with it? I almost don't care.
ReplyDeleteThere have been political battles going on since the failed April election. Back on July 5 ,2013 there was an editorial in the local news "Our View: Only one election needed in Fairhaven." The pro wind turbine group wanted a re-do of the entire election. Those that oppose the turbines only wanted a single race do-over right away. No one won that battle either.
ReplyDeleteBoth groups lost the battle because of time. It's been well over 5 months since the first election. There was no winner in April and appears to still be a close race except for the amount of money spent on the election. There's an old saying that confirms one of the biggest truisms in politics: "money buys elections".
Winning an election and raising money go together in large state elections but how about local elections?
Large donations to one candidate does not equate to a win locally.For example if 4 or 5 contributors donated thousands of dollars and 5000 people donated a dollar each you know the candidate who had the one dollar donations would win.
We will all know the answer Monday night or maybe Tuesday morning
Isn't it odd as you point out that each 'side' wanted a different election? A judge ruled for a single race do-over, and then others hopped on the bandwagon and wanted a complete do-over.
DeleteDaniel Freitas stated in a letter to the editor in the Advocate today, "Due to the closeness of the election in April a judge ordered a new election scheduled." It wasn't due to "the closeness of the race." We've also heard several times over that the action of contesting the election by the challenger cost the town thousands. It WASN'T his action that cost the town money- it was the clerk's and the poll workers action. So write her a letter. But stop blaming a candidate who wanted clarification and got it, from a nonbiased expert nonetheless. We can't even get past that.
This will be an interesting election. Too bad it had to cost the candidates money from whatever sources. It never should have happened.
But as far as money goes, we've seen a not-too-long-ago local election in which money, signs and give-aways didn't result in a win. I just hope for a clean election so at least the 'sides' will stop bickering about it.
Counted? No, but it is probably safe to assume 97% +/- have addressed the election since it became an issue. After its over, I see many things changing. Which direction the change will go will depend on who wins.
ReplyDeleteI agree appeasement of all is not possible. The power to do anything to make both sides happy, again I agree. The power to make one or the other side happy, will that would be a different story. Not commenting on authority, but power and authority do not always walk hand in hand.
I do not see the insults stopping or a Fairhaven United no matter who the winner, but who wins is in fact going to dictate what happens. You have people counting on that. Yes talk of turbines will be there. I have said the issue doesn't disappear after the election.
This election should be about more than what you describe as the "uncontrollable issue". It isn't, at least to many. For those "many" it is exactly about controlling the issue.
If it comes down to the other issues that need to be addressed, I hope you really do still care enough and vote for who you feel will best deal with those other issues.