When I first visited Wareham, I saw a bustling town that was ripe with promise. We were originally looking at Swampscott and Danvers to buy a home, but we knew that my wife’s heart was in Wareham. As luck would have it, a home near the family “compound” went on the market just as we had narrowed our search. Some would call it timing, but we both knew it was fate. Thirty days later, we became citizens of Wareham. In the tradition of family, the house went from a shell to a warm home in less than a week. No less than 20 family members and friends painted, hammered, lifted, and made a house into “our home”. The family even tolerated my Indianapolis Colts flag and collection of Elvis memorabilia. Our annual barbeque has grown from fifteen or twenty people to over fifty people. In short, we love our home, our community, and our friends.

There is also a dark side to this story. The political climate in Wareham is divisive and destructive. What started out as, in my opinion, as an act of callous disregard for privacy, has grown into an education on the cesspool called politics. I reluctantly entered the arena without knowing the rules change as quickly as the weather in Wareham. Perhaps it was naïve to think I could make a difference. I certainly tried the civil approach. I was taught that most problems could be solved by rational thought and discussion. That just isn’t the way it works. When frustration and anger took over, I became what I despise the most, an immovable object. I was not capable of compromise. I stopped listening.

I have made mistakes. I’ve spoken too soon or been given information that came with the caveat that I couldn’t disclose the source. I will be the first to admit I am not perfect. At times, I have allowed my emotions to override my rational thought. The one thing I will cling to is that I believe that Wareham needs a change, and it cannot come soon enough.

Thankfully, the only people that I have to apologize to are those that stand with me. I read and watched numerous attacks on friends and family. My natural reaction is to defend their honor, but the long and short is that those who are attacking my family and friends are just not worth the effort. They can question my credibility, but it is safely intact with those who matter the most in my life.

The current climate in Wareham is a reflection of our elected officials. They lack the ability to bring both sides together in compromise. I have already said that if the elected officials were subject to a job performance review, they would be summarily terminated. Continuous violations (open meeting law), questionable personnel decisions, overall poor fiscal management, and repeated displays of unprofessional behavior have been the cornerstone of their legacy. Now they are thumbing their nose at the citizens and informing us they do not care what we say, they will change the rules to further their agenda. They will use their personal mouthpiece and assorted followers to preach how much they have done to make this town better, but you have only to look at the condition of the town to know the truth.

When is it enough? April 6th is the day. That is the day we go to polls and give our current elected officials their performance review. Do we continue on the path to destruction or do we elect new leaders that have a better vision for all the citizens of Wareham? Now it is our turn, so let’s make it count!

Last edited by Larry McDonald (2010-03-02 10:43:48)