It is important to keep showing up, yes, they will no doubt try to pull out a trick or two to try and nullify their ass whooping.

She would rather have the 60 plus remaining articles not have any action at all, leaving all of that important town business up in the air just because she did not get her way.  Shameful.  She has proven she does not care about this town and this community, and is ruled only by her ego.  She should resign immediately.  Any selectman who voted to dissolve town meeting should also resign immediately.

YES SCREW YOU ED P.

I have to say that the crowd was impressive, where was John Cronin?
I also just want to comment (and I am sure you will all disagree) but I felt that John Donahue did a much better job this time, he allowed Bob Brady to make his initial suggestion about article lottery, he handled it respectfully and fairly which is way more than he afforded me last fall when he refused to allow me to make a motion (but he let someone else - go figure). Yes, there were blunders but overall there is improvement, give credit where credit is due.
I think Bruce was hurt, whether you agree or disagree with Westfield (I voted to postpone), this is something he has put a great deal of effort into.
George Dionne was fabulous, by far the best speaker of the night! Good work George!
I was extremely disappointed in the "Counsel", and I question their ability to even intepret the law. He is a member of the BAR and as such has taken an oath. Once again he said whatever he thought the BOS wanted to hear, shame on him, it's no wonder there are so many lawyer jokes!
Kudos to Frank DeFelice for shouting out "if and probably", I laughed so hard, it should be someone's campaign slogan in April.
Dick Paulsen did a great job! Making that speech could not have been easy but your intelligence and passion were evident.
Now I am off to bed, goodnight everyone :-)
ps-I don't think it was Andrea that demanded a recount.

Aside from tonights meeting, I would really like to thank Mr. Whitehouse for the opportunity of allowing us to come here and post our views, observations, concerns, fund raiser information, VENTING, etc, etc.  I would have to say that this site played a crucial role in opening the peoples eyes to the way our town government is being overseen by this Board of Selectmen and there bully tactics.  It wasn't more black and white then watching one of our elected selectmen try to disolve town meeting because the voter majority was not in their favor.  And just another reminder this isnt her first time pulling that stunt!  Lets make sure we all keep up the accountablility, especially now, the board has lost so much credability that I would be very cautious in there decision making process.  Unfortunately we have a major position that has to be filled under there watch. 

Thank you Bill Whitehouse.

There's no better way to say it than this: The tide has turned.   That doesn't mean we've won; all it means is that the momentum has changed : It's up to us... Are we going to sit home tomorrow night and celebrate, or are we going to get back into the ring tomorrow night to deliver the knock-out punch ?

Larry has stated it well: Celebrate that Wareham is wide awake and determined to take back what has been stolen from us, but keep in mind that our adversary, although mortally wounded, is still armed. Please be there tomorrow..... and pass that word  to the people you know  who love this  wonderful town......which is probably all the people you know !  Let's turn the well earned gift of a tide change into a tsunami !

LIZdaGNOME wrote:

cara it WAS andrea smith writer for slager that demanded a recount...

It was actually Dawna (Smith) Gauvin who questioned the tally...

Cara Winslow wrote:

I have to say that the crowd was impressive, where was John Cronin?
I also just want to comment (and I am sure you will all disagree) but I felt that John Donahue did a much better job this time, he allowed Bob Brady to make his initial suggestion about article lottery, he handled it respectfully and fairly which is way more than he afforded me last fall when he refused to allow me to make a motion (but he let someone else - go figure). Yes, there were blunders but overall there is improvement, give credit where credit is due.
I think Bruce was hurt, whether you agree or disagree with Westfield (I voted to postpone), this is something he has put a great deal of effort into.
George Dionne was fabulous, by far the best speaker of the night! Good work George!
I was extremely disappointed in the "Counsel", and I question their ability to even intepret the law. He is a member of the BAR and as such has taken an oath. Once again he said whatever he thought the BOS wanted to hear, shame on him, it's no wonder there are so many lawyer jokes!
Kudos to Frank DeFelice for shouting out "if and probably", I laughed so hard, it should be someone's campaign slogan in April.
Dick Paulsen did a great job! Making that speech could not have been easy but your intelligence and passion were evident.
Now I am off to bed, goodnight everyone :-)
ps-I don't think it was Andrea that demanded a recount.

Sorry, but I have no hurt feelings for Bruce.  He thinks we are stupid.  Look, I've lived here 61 years, born at Tobey.  I will agree with anyone that our charter needs to be ammended, not rewritten, but I cannot believe that any one would want to change the vote of the people from 1977.  When we vote, we don't expect a group, or our BOS to come along and change the will of the people.  Their votes in 1977 are as important as our votes were tonight.
Leave that land alone.  Why haven't they allowed discussion on their little pet project.  They have limited us to information about their plans for Westfield and basically put us on a need to know basis, and we don't need to know.  You do not go out and look for contractors to build affordable housing.  Were they put out to bid?  I must have missed that.  How did they search for these contractors, I do know the answer to that but some may not.   They put the cart before the horse, again!  Just look what has been wasted - the bill for Heaton, for one.  K&P giving their "unsound" advice? More money.  Not only that, but there are five developers who put together all these plans - 2" thick I think Brucey said.  They have lost that money.  Now, all of a sudden the amount of space they were planning has been scaled way down.  Why?  Did all five of those contractors decide that?  Did Brucey?  I think that they already had the contractor picked out.  I also think that there is much more about these dealings than we know.  I don't think that EVERYTHING here is  completely open.  Why, for God's sake do you think they were so angry and upset?  Over 200 people on the waiting list.  High priorities are moved to the top of the list.  I knew someone, since passed away, that lied and told them that she was homeless and staying with several different people and she was in Redwood in a matter of weeks.  So, no, I feel no sympathy for Bruce or any other person that was on that stage tonight.

Larry McDonald wrote:

Yes, our very own Selectmen, Brenda Eckstrom, voted to dissolve the meeting. Now, why would anyone who sat through a meeting with close to 500 residents voting their minds and tell them since you didn't vote my way, I want to dissolve the meeting? If she does it again, she should be recalled.

Larry, this is not the first time she has tried to do something like this at town meeting. And I do believe she SHOULD be recalled in April.

Also, her comment about the "assholes" who only show up every five years. Did we all hear the selectmen encouraging people to show up at this town meeting? You can't have it both ways.

Her behavior was beyond reprehensible. The CPC articles are important, Habitat for Humanity (let's punish someone seeking affordable housing who isn't over 55), and most of all, the Bay Pointe article. It was typical, if we can't get Westfield, I'll try to prevent you from getting Bay Pointe. Horrific, unprofessional behavior.

And Larry, if this was your first meeting, please know that the lack of civility was NEVER part of Wareham's town meeting. Over the past few years, it has grown to become that way. Many of us recall the days when town business was conducted in a polite, civilized manner. My own opinion is that this board of selectmen's actions and words and the town moderator's clear bias in his decisions, is responsible. When this board is done, we can go back to town meeting as it should be. We do not need a mayor. We need a new bos.

IT WAS ANDREA SMITH WHO GOT UP TO THE MICROPHONE AND SAID THERE WAS CONFUSION IN THE VOTING TO THE REAR AND THE RECOUNT HAPPENED.

This was my first Wareham TM, but certainly not my first TM.  I have seen mostly everything you can see in several of the SouthCoast communities I have lived in, but to disolve TM and from a Selectman........outragious !!!!

I have lived in Town for only a year, but it did not take me long to see that the current BOS is not working in the best intrests of the people of Wareham.  At one time I actually paid for the Observer, but soon realized that it is just a spin rag for the BOS and other less than competent Town Officials.  I chose to ignore Slagers rants and spin and found this site (Thank you Bill W.) where I could find the TRUTH.  Though sometimes the banter here is a little crude, once you sort out the wheat from the chaff the truth shines like the sun.

I was greatly dissapointed in the presentation of the Acting Chief.  He really did not give the voters at TM the truth.  As you know he is a Civil Service Chief in N. Andover and reaps the benifit of that status.  When Civil Service gives the 250 question test, it specifically can be given to Wareham officers only.  I know this to be fact, because I have taken that exam several times.  There are both open and closed tests given.  To go outside for a new Chief is NOT what this Town needs at this time.  The PD is loaded with talent (the young Union President is a perfect example).  I spent 28 years as a police officer in two states and find it just unbelieveable that the AC spoke the way he did.  Lt. Wallace should be wearing the Chief's badge today.

A new course has been laid and the future is looking bright if we keep going in this new direction.  Stay with it tonight to insure that a fast one isn't tried and lets move toward April when we can really send our strong message.  We have almost Taken Wareham Back...........I am proud to be one of you.

Last edited by Quahog (2009-10-27 07:50:57)

Quahog wrote:

Though sometimes the banter here is a little crude, once you sort out the wheat from the chaff the truth shines like the sun.

Wow. A rare cop indeed.

Your objection has often surfaced here and will no doubt continue to raise a stink so long as I can type. You surrender some small part of your soul whenever you can't call excrement smelly shit.

Welcome to Wareham!

Fairly New in Town

Auto-edited on 2020-08-11 to update URLs

I immediately went to my Robert's Rules of Order this AM to see if Brenda's motion was legal and enforceable. It was not on all accounts. I didn't think so. First of all she is not smart enough to make that motion, and secondly, the dumb asshole that told her to make the motion was as confused as she was. The motion to dissolve is unacceptable for a scheduled Town Meeting. The Moderator should have explained the motion to the floor after it was submitted, advised the mover that the motion is inappropriate, and moved on.
I am disgusted by the Moderator obviously in cahoots with the scum that are siting up on the stage with him. He needs to go, and someone who cares about Wareham and not themselves needs to replace him.
The acting Chief seems like a nice guy, but, he has his head up his ass. Must be all the money he is making with two jobs. Dionne should be a Selectman.
Great job, everyone. Make sure you show up tonight, and someone carry Robert's Rules with them so you can tell any idiot that makes a motion, and is accepted by another idiot, what idiots they are and point it out with your Robert's Rules.
YOU ROCK.
TAKE BACK WAREHAM.
By the way, if the dumb ass had accepted and pushed the motion to dissolve, not all would have been lost. Only time and money, which apparently the Moderator and his cohorts think the Town of Wareham has unlimited sources of..
Don't allow your intelligence to be insulted again by a bunch of amateur political hacks.

Last edited by danoconnell (2009-10-27 08:55:03)

Is it possible for them to try and make us revisit the articles that where defeated on the first night again on the second night?

Yes it is possible, but I'm not going to post how to do it here.
I am going to pm Liz though, and explain how it can be done...not by them...by YOU!

To danoconnell

I'm not sure what you meant ...not by them...by YOU. Should I be offended?

Isn't it possible to reconsider an article if the moderator thinks that there had been confusion when people previously voted, or if he thinks new information has come to light that is relevant to the issue?  He talked about that in his introductory remarks.

Does Indefinite Postponement mean that an article can't come before the voters again, or not again for two years?  And, how different does it have to look to be brought back again sooner?

I am putting it out there so we can learn about the process, for better or for worse.

Dick Wheeler wrote:

Second thought : Somewhere in his barf-inducing rant Bobo implies that developers are greasing  our palms....that the whole issue is competition between Westfield and Bay Pointe!  This is beyond ridiculous but set off an alarm in my head : which one of the five developers has been paying Bobo's printing bills?

Alright, Dick, you opened this slimy can of worms.

Who's paying Bob Brady's printing bills? Yes, I do think I know.

I just read his site to see what he said. I wish I had waited a little longer after breakfast. I am feeling nauseous. Why is each story such dramatic bullshit?
Can the guy write a story without editorializing.
Did anyone want to cry when they read about Brenda?
Come on...get a newspaper in Town that is a newspaper. If you want to hear editorializing, turn on the news cable channels.

I'm sure that I'm repeating some of what's been said, but I have to say it again.

Thanks to all who participated in last night's Town meeting.  I urge you to ALL attend again this evening, and continue to STAY until the very end, because you never know what could happen.

If you supported or defeated any article, please come back to be sure that the BOS don't try to pull a fast one and change your vote!

To those of you who attended for the first time  (and to those of you on the charter review committee) please try to understand that overall, it is not a flawed process.    Town Meetings are not usually that chaotic and uncivil.  When it works, it works well; but in order for it to work, you need a good moderator.  When handled properly by the moderator, who IS in charge of the meeting, Town meeting is a democratic and civil process.  When handled as it was last night and on previous occasions, it becomes a circus.  (Yelling, cat-calling, applause; it is never appropriate and George Tabor must be rolling over in his grave!)

Also, kudos to George Dionne.  It could not have been easy, but he spoke tactfully and eloquently.  If it were a different BOS, maybe the dialog for change could have been an option, but not now.

And Wareham is not against Seniors and Senior Affordable housing !  The Westfield process was flawed.  Get together the proper committees/boards that are supposed to do this and let them do their job.
P.S.  How much did the consultant (Heaton) cost and where did that money come from?

This BOS is trying to do every job in town but their own.  They've fired and driven away good people for their own agenda.  Get the right people in to fill those missing spots, let them do their job, and the town will be better off. 

The members of the Charter Review Committee is another issue that needs to be addressed.  Members should be voted in, not appointed.  Just like every other board/commission in town, they do what the BOS tells them to so that they can get re-appointed. 

Want to talk about retribution?!  Never mind the WPD, everyone's afraid to stand up to the current BOS!

Your next step: VOTE IN APRIL ! 
Two selectmen, the moderator, and the town clerk are up for re-election.  If you don't like it, change it !  Let's get some civility back into our government. 

See you tonight.

I just want to repeat myself,

First, I want to state that it is NOT over. Please be there tomorrrow night at 7:00 pm. It is important to the future of this town that voters show up and vote on the remainder of the articles....also....Brenda are you listening?.....to defeat ANY vote to dissolve the meeting!

This is a long process, not a short fix. We must be there to see Town Meeting through. If you think they are sitting on their hands today, you will be wrong. They are working on a way to either dissolve TM or get their agenda back on the schedule. Either way, they are proving to all voters they do not support the democratic process. We need to drive that point home tonight.

I encourage everyone to climb back into their seats and experience this bumpy ride all the way to the end. If you need any more encouragement, think about some of the speakers last night and the passion with which they spoke. Let's make sure it does not go for naught.

See you at 7:00pm. Steve, I'll save your seat!

I just want to include some random notes on last night's meeting. It was my first TM. It was a spectacle!  I belive the loud and outspoken crowd is in answer to the last few years of bully behavior and tactics by the current elected officials. I thought Frank D was about to get into a hook n duck with somoene on the opposite side of the auditorium!  I sat near the son of our former Moderator, it makes me wish I could have met him! It IS the most pure form of democracy, no doubt! It's different watching some of the speakers when you know some of the "behind the scenes" information. George Dionne did a stand up job of bringing home the win!

Idiotic motion. Idiotic to accept the motion and even entertain the motion.

LIZdaGNOME wrote:

"Selectman Brenda Eckstrom was so frustrated Monday night’s events that she asked for a motion to dissolve the meeting with articles still on the table.
    “It appeared to me that the people participating in Town Meeting did not want to go further,” Eckstrom said. “They were against everything so what was the point? When people come to the meeting just to disrespect the legislative body by yelling and screaming and opposing everything then what’s the point? So why bother to continue with the meeting if you are not going to accomplish anything?”

Liz,
Thanks for pasting this quote in. This just shows that Brenda doesn't have a clue. Town meeting is NOT just the bos show. Any article can be voted either way. The purpose of town meeting is NOT TO SIMPLY FURTHER THE BOS AGENDA. 

And while I don't like being disrespectful to anyone, if you are a politician, you understand that you might get heckled or have someone shout out something you don't like. Americans even do it to the president. Do you hear the president whining or calling his opponents assholes every time they yell out or disagree with him? Does he shut down meetings because he doesn't feel good about himself?

She should resign immediately. I guess it is all right for her on public television to humiliate and embarrass a woman in the audience by asking if she is the person whose husband is "screwing around on her."  But when someone is disrespectful to her---Really, talk about being a hypocrite.

THE BOS LOST AT TOWN MEETING BAD. THEY HAVE NO POLITICAL POWER WHATSOEVER. APRIL CANT COME SOON ENOUGH

It was very confusing at the end. When Ted..errr John Donahue smacked the gavel and said this meeting is dissolved, it confused all those left in attendance. In fact, since all business was concluded, the meeting was over.

It was a decent turn out for tonight. I met plenty of interesting people and had the chance after the meeting to meet more of the good people that are working hard to make Wareham a better place! I want to thank them all for what I have learned and welcoming me to Wareham. Yes, I know I will never be a townie, but I'm not going anywhere and we have plenty to do now! Let's get to work!

Cara, you were great, thanks...

PShooter
TAKEBACKWAREHAM

Why don't we ask for Brenda's resignation since she is not going to offer it.  Maybe we would be doing her a favor.

YES, THAT IS WHAT YOUR HEARD, BILL.  LET'S HOPE THEY DON'T CALL US BACK TO SAY EVERYTHING WE VOTED ON HAS TO BE DONE OVER.  GOING TO BED, I'M EXHAUSTED.  nite nite.

THE BOS ADMITTED THAT THE HEALTHCARE ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN CONTRARY TO FEDERAL LAW, SO WHY WOULD ANYONE VOTE FOR IT? THE ARTICLE WAS NOT WRITTEN CORRECTLY AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN VOTED FOR FURTHER STUDY UNTIL IT WAS CORRECTED. AND BRUCEY'S RESPONSE , "WELL I DIDNT WRITE IT." NO YOU DIDNT BUT YOU VOTED 5 0 0 FOR IT AND YOU SHOULD HAVE NOT VOTED FOR AN ARTICLE THAT WASNT PROPERLY WRITTEN. I LOVE THE BOS BLAME TRAIN

Final notes on Town Meeting:

I don't like how it ended.....if it was a tactic by Donahue to say "this meeting is dissolved" and it ruins all the hard work of the citizens of this town, then I will be in favor of recalling the entire lot of them!  Voters turned out and spoke their mind. If the Selectmen don't like it, then they only have themselves to blame. Misinformation and bully tactics backfire!  As far as what Brenda said on Monday night, that showed a clear disdain for the voters and her melt down after the meeting was unacceptable!  Enough is enough......it's time to put professional mature people in those Selectmen chairs.....

Thank you to everyone who attended the meetings leading up to TM and for listening and asking questions. We can build on the effort heal Wareham!

Well, I guess we know the answer to the question that started this thread..

Let's not get in a "tizzy". Let's just continue to kick their asses. The fun ended too quickly anyway.

Still feel sorry for Sweet Brucey? Anyone?

PShooter
TAKEBACKWAREHAM