Hello all,
I perfectly understand the jubilation following last night's incredible turn of events. But please don't lose sight of what is happening in Wareham.

It is the duty of all citizens now to make sure our town moves in the right direction. Attend BoS meetings on Tuesday nights and speak your concerns during Citizen's Participation (without fear of humiliation and retaliation). Attend town meeting to vote not only on the budget, but on important articles that can affect our town.  Here are some issues that we can't lose sight of:

1. Should Wareham get rid of its present form of government in favor of a mayor? 26% of people came out to vote in this election getting rid of the current BoS who strongly supported tossing the charter.  And since the charter was never actually "reviewed," the town is in violation of.....the charter!! A review needs to start immediately.

2. Should Wareham hire a police chief who made racist comments during a recent arrest where several witnesses were present? Do we want to get stuck paying this guy's retirement benefits? Do we need more legal bills which will result from the racist comments? No one should be hired until this is resolved.

3. Should we support the CEDA director? It seems the rumors are true about the CEDA director. I have heard good things about this guy, but he has cleaned his desk out in anticipation of getting the ax. I have also heard that the current BoS is not willing to work WITH him. His contract is up in June. This town NEEDS economic development!!! He has the support of his board; he should have our support too.

4. Should we stop the vendetta against the library? The library is still understaffed and unless the town (since the Friends have been told we can no longer pay the book bills since last October) buys enough books and materials by the end of the fiscal year, there is no way we will be certified. By my figures, not even half that amount has been spent, yet the acting director last fall said she "found" $47,000 in the budget (unused salaries?). She has authorized $2400 spent on books for March. Way under what is needed. The animosity with the library must stop. A new director should have been hired last summer!!!

5. Should we support a fully employed MM?? Municipal maint. is still understaffed. Lifeguards are great. But when the trash cans can't get emptied at the town beaches, people will not be happy. The town's buildings are not getting cleaned the way they used to. Our roads are in terrible shape. The word is maintenance. If you don't maintain buildings, roads,etc. they deteriorate.

6. Should we support the current EMS and Harbormasters departments?  These departments should not be under the police chief if the rumor is true. Of course, according to the charter, it can't be done without town meeting vote, but hey... stranger things have happened. We should support these independent departments that have important functions and need highly qualified directors.

7. Should we support Senior housing at Westfield? Westfield is still an issue that can be resolved at town meeting. We need senior housing but not at Westfield.

8. Should we demand improvements in the town clerk's office?? The town clerk's violation of the charter by keeping records from the library must be rectified. The minutes were taken in 2008 (see thread on violation of charter). Also, we need to demand better technology in the clerk's office in regards to online postings, records, etc.

9. Should we be working with non-profits? Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!! Many of the non profits who had to attend the meeting at town hall and were told we can't do anything without a memo of understanding and even then, you have to jump through hoops to support a town department or group are  not happy. Volunteers don't like to be slapped in the face. Relationships need to be repaired.

10.  We SHOULD Boycott the rag once and for all. No question here. It's clear no one reads it when it's given away for free. Let's not be distracted by what have proven to be lies and distortions. (He claims our candidates would have lost if he had revealed all about the library embezzlement/money laundering/loan sharking/ copy machine rip off/used book sale scam and third as yet to be named method.  I say go tell it to the Inspector General!!)  Please folks, give it up. It's not worth wasting our time on anymore.

SPRING BRINGS RENEWAL AND REBIRTH.  Let's continue to get Wareham on the right track.