Herald articleBoston Herald columnist Jessica Heslam wrote about the Clipper's Zabuli series in yesterday's paper. Here's a link. Note, it's below the stuff about the WHDH manager who had a few too many... Read blog
To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer.
Sullivan, Ward and Connolly Win Contested Races; Public Safety Article Defeated (Video)
Written by Adam Swift
Sat, Mar 22 2008 20:08
The two incumbents facing challenges during this year’s town election were returned to office on Saturday.
Selectman Betsy Sullivan won a third term on the board, defeating political newcomer Niamh O’Byrne by a margin of 1,397 to 858.
“This is great; I’m thrilled,” said Sullivan. “I love doing this job
and I’m grateful that people think I should be doing it for another
three years.”
School Committee member Anne Ward listened patiently as Town Clerk Nancy Oates announced election results on Saturday.
School Committee member Anne Ward won a second term on the
committee, where she will be joined by Maureen Connolly. John
Magnarelli decided against a reelection bid this year.
Connolly topped the ticket for School Committee, garnering 1,438
votes to Ward’s 1,346. ML Nichols finished third with 1,121 votes.
Connolly thanked her supporters and said she is looking forward to the hard work ahead on the School Committee.
Ward also thanked her supporters and said she was pleased at the chance to serve a second term on the committee.
Voters split on the three ballot questions, approving a capital
exclusion for school and town items and funding for design plans for
renovations to the Percy Walker pool, but shooting down the funding for
design plans for new police and fire stations.
The capital exclusion in the amount of $616,774 for school and town
items passed 1,347 to 983 while the $163,000 debt exclusion for design
plans for the renovation of the Percy Walker Pool passed 1,414 to 903.
“I’m very happy that (the capital exclusion) passed,” said Ward.
“Now the kids will have the books and computers they need in class.”
The $1 million debt exclusion for design plans was handily defeated,
with 1,422 people voting against the debt exclusion and 885 for it.
Sullivan said she was disappointed by the defeat of the public safety design article.
“The condition of the police station is deplorable and something will have to be done at some point,” she said.
I thought the public safety question would have passed or at least been a pretty close vote. Instead it was rejected nearly two to one.
In hindsight I think you have to question the wisdom of the decision to package both projects together. With all the money being spent it looks like voters decided enough was enough.
My bet is there'll be a special town meeting in Duxbury's future sometime soon. The condition of the police station isn't getting any better and I'd guess town officials might try it again with just one project this time.
That's what they should have done from the beginning in my opinion.
BREAKING NEWS: Sullivan, Ward and Connolly Win Co Mar 23 2008 02:06:29
I agree, the Police Station is deplorable and we need a new facility for them. I don't believe the Town worked hard enough to find efficient options for a combined Public Safety Facility. If that is not possible, I believe a new Police Station and renovation/addition to the Fire Station is a better and less expensive option. While the Town has grown somewhat over the past 15 years, the growth is not large enough to support a significantly larger fire station. I'm convinced a renovation of that facility and a small addition is sufficient to meet our current and future needs, and that can be done at a significantly less cost than a completely new facility.
BREAKING NEWS: Sullivan, Ward and Connolly Win Contested Races; Public Safety Article Defeated Mar 23 2008 02:12:14
No shock at all. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time. The powers that be tried to slide this one by without the public's input. They picked the wrong site, at the wrong time, and wanted too much money. People took their "the current location of the police station is not adequite" comment to be fact without a second thought-at first. But then thought, "wait a minute-there's plenty of room there." Where there's a will there's a way. Rebuild or renovate on the current location at less cost and it will pass.
BREAKING NEWS: Sullivan, Ward and Connolly Win Contested Races; Public Safety Article Defeated Mar 23 2008 14:37:05
I think the voters of our town sent a clear message to the elected officials. We support, albeit sometimes to a greater extent than needed, the educational and recreational needs of the community. We should always make public safety professionals as comfortable as practiable. However, we cannot creat an infrastructure that taxes working people and seniors out of their homes.
With the exception of Police and Fire I rate the quality and quantity of town services at a c-.
School Comm Voting Block Trio Mar 23 2008 18:02:20
Congratulations to Maureen Connolly for winning the election and on receiving more votes than the incumbent, a rare voting outcome for Duxbury. I know Maureen will fight for the changes that she spotlighted during her campaign.
Unfortunately, the Cipoletti-Wong-Ward voting block trio remains intact until we have another opportunity to elect some new school committee members who can actually think, act and vote independently. Thus, the pathological status quo in the Duxbury Public School District will continue to thrive for at least another two years.
Re:BREAKING NEWS: Sullivan, Ward and Connolly Win Contested Races; Public Safety Article Defeated Mar 23 2008 22:02:32
Congratulations Maureen Connolly on your win. I know a lot of special needs parents voted for you because of your campaign statement" you would try to replace the schools law firm." It is time for Stoneman, Chandler, & Miller and their truth twisting lawyer, C.C. Brunt, to be run out of town. Please tell the 3 stooges you have to work with, George, Ward & Wong, to open their eyes and ears and pay attention to what is going on. If you stick with John Heinstadt, you'll do fine.
Duxbury Clipper Town Meeting Guide 2008
