“Them” and who else?

6 Comments

1. 

   George C

    /  March 30, 2015

   Nancy,

   If you had heard the entire conversation (and perhaps you did but chose to ignore the earlier part) you would know that Michael’s question wasn’t an unreasonable one. I had asked Michael whether he was there for the reception and he said no, that he was there for the Council meeting. He then said that he didn’t even know there was a reception for Matt, at which point I said that I didn’t even know about the reception until I read about it in your column that morning. So his question was not out of line given the fact that I shared with him about how I learned of the event.

2. 

   Nancy

    /  March 30, 2015

   George, I was disappointed that the town didn’t announce the reception publicly beforehand. It had been in the works for days. I chewed on Parker’s remark for a while, trying to find some saving grace, because I did not expect such a divisive remark from him. I would like to see candidates whose sole motivation for running for office is public service, making the town a more livable, fiscally sustainable place to live. If Parker were concerned that his tax dollars were being frittered away on something he disagreed with, he would have made a different comment. His phrasing revealed an “us vs. them” mindset that I wish wasn’t there.

3. 

   Don Evans

    /  March 30, 2015

   Good to hear that Nancy’s column is keeping Town Council members informed. Sounds like the town sure isn’t!

4. 

   Fred Black

    /  March 30, 2015

   Who paid for the reception? If it came out of Town funds, then all of us “thems” paid for it. I think you are reading much too much into Michael Parker’s comment.

5. 

   George C

    /  March 30, 2015

   Nancy, I don’t think Michael was concerned that tax dollars were being frittered away. I think he was simply asking who arranged the reception since it was announced on your blog.

   Dan, I was disappointed that the reception wasn’t better publicized. And although I didn’t often agree with Matt (but there were times we did), I would have liked to see a more robust reception (although I heard the cake was very good but I am trying to lose weight). Whether one agrees with someone or not, 7 years of Council, committee, and advisory board meetings is a very significant contribution of time and energy and we all have only so much time to give so every minute or hour is valuable.

6. 

   Buffie Webber

    /  March 30, 2015

   My assumption is more people would have been in attendance to appreciate Matt had the opportunity been widely publicized. Arriving at the end of the occasion, I was pleased to see people with diverse views committed to planning for our town’s future. Matt has generously volunteered his expertise and time to strive to make our lives better.

   I applaud Matt’s commitment in bringing his talents to east Africa and hopes to addressing one of the most divisive issues of our time — access to water.

   Reconciliation in Rwanda is based on finding common ground. I answered the phone to hear the caller from Kigali stating, “the river is red with blood and the bodies are heading down river like logs to a sawmill, send help.” It is stunning to realize how easy and quick it is to inspire genocide.

   It is much easier to be divisive than it is to do the work of builing a community. My heart and good wishes are with Matt.