Sunday, March 20, 2011

BOS Campaign

Another week and another war.

I’m Scott Brown and I drive a truck. I’m Allin Frawley and I drive a hammer. Both have some remarkable similarities and I am not discussing their view of politics but their approach. Both have actually managed to combine state of the art and old time politics. Brown has shown a streak of independence that has riled up left and right and Tea Party types. Allin has no personal agenda other than to serve to the best of his abilities - summed up fairly well on his web site. Brown had the novelty of his truck. He actually used that truck to campaign around Massachusetts. Allin opened up a storefront and he is there whenever he can be. I can go in and pat him on the back or whine. Where do I go to see MiMi? The Café Milano at noon time? For Marsha do I slip a note under the door in the Town Hall basement IT Department for Roger to forward? In politics so much is perception and not necessarily political position. BOS is about as local as it gets.

The last store front I can recall was for Gary Studds waaaay back. I know because I worked in that campaign with the usual stuff of handing out info, holding signs and going door to door. To listen to MiMi in the recent Enterprise article one would get the impression that Allin’s campaign is being funded by Soros or the Koch Brothers.

Just a thought but being a good person does not necessarily translate into being a competent person.

Jack Healey had a nice letter for Allin Frawley in the Gazette and it represented quite a you know what slap to the M & M duo. Jack had served as town manager during part of Marsha Brunelle’s reign so it appears he had some real issues with her performance both as a TM and now as a Joe Citizen. His letter about summed it up.

MiMi Duphily also had her campaign letter in the paper and as tempting as it is I will be silent on that one.

So far letters of note have been from a former chair of the BOS and a former TM and I wonder if any will be in the paper from any sitting members of the BOS?

As I cruise around Middleboro (AKA - Middleborough) I notice that the number of election signs have started to blossom. I usually end up counting them and it is fairly even for all candidates with Jay Austin having a slight edge.

A few issues have surfaced in the BOS race but I think it will really come down to change versus no change as the primary issue. This will not be a one trick pony election as it was with the gin mill floundering around. If the status quo is acceptable then look for M & M to return.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

It should be an interesting election. I'm friends with Mimi, Marsha & Brian but I do like Ben & Allin. It's going to be a lot of fun and I have no idea as to how it's going to turn out. This one is a toss up!

bogofree said...

Good to hear from you Wally. Is this the first anniversary of The Great Flood for you?

Anonymous said...

It is and I still don't have the house back together again...

anonymous said...

Marsha has an autocratic disposition so I will pass on her.

Mimi just doesn't seem to be in tune with what is going on at meetings.

Quelle I know little about except his run for state office.

Allin is heavily involved in various town boards and is energetic and I believe hard work should be rewarded.

Suo Mynona said...

We are fortunate insofar all of them are decent people in their core. We all need to remember this is town government, not life and death. In the end we all go to the grocery store together.

Anonymous said...

Agreed!

chica said...

Candidates night can provide some insight but I think the weekly performances on the Monday night BoS meetings can gave a better understanding of how they will function as members of the BoS. A weekly observation can provide me with more abundant information that snippets from candidates night or the associated prefabricated questions.

Marsha has been termed dictatorial and I can't disagree with that. Enough has been blogged about that or has appeared in the local papers. Marsha does have a wealth of experience and despite my negative feelings towards her on TV persona she does have a grasp of local government that is apparent to me.

I view Mimi Duphily as just the opposite to Marsha. I really feel she is unaware of how the BoS should function and has a lack of understanding when issues are presented to the BoS. Her knowledge appears superficial.

I first thought that Allin Frawley and Mike Solomni were there just to agitate rather than bring up constructive criticism but my view of Allin has changed considerably. Frawley questions but does not attack. He is a constant at the meetings. Frawley is heavily involved with other boards. I am impressed by his willingness to participate and to learn.

I know little of Ben Quelle other than he ran against Calter. Quelle did give an impressive speech for candidates night. I just don't see the same level of involvement and experience that I see with Allin and Marsha.

Next Saturday I will vote for both Marsha and Allin but if they both are elected I hope that Marsha will step down as chair.

bogofree said...

Nice synopsis of the BOS candidates. Certainly more even handed and balanced from what I usually write.

And to expand on Suo's comments these are not paid positions but they do take an emotional toll and a huge investment of time to do the diligence the position deserves.

Just look at the crap I write and BB and a few others. Would you want to put yourself through that every few years? Running for office can often result in becoming a verbal punching bag.

Anonymous said...

I was at the four corners holding signs last Saturday and Ben, Mimi & Marsha were all there and being very friendly towards each other. Allin stopped by and said hi to everyone as he placed a sign in Adam Bond's office. I think the town is finally coming back to where it was before the Casino issue and I like what I'm seeing!

Family Guy said...

I was very impressed with the presentations of Quelle and Gillis.

The last time Marsha ran didn't she have her son asking her a question? This time Willy Duphily is asking or confronting Frawley. If I see such an obvious questioner I just score it as worthless. How about someone with no horse in the race asking questions?

bogofree said...

Nice get together at Allin's campaign headquarters this evening. Good food and good conversation.

Suo Mynona said...
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Suo Mynona said...

Bogo must have writers cramp. A full week has passed without his pseudo sagacity. We need sapience from he who is a chawbacon of the luminary blogging pontifex.

bogofree said...

WTC? Even the big...real big...dictionary doesn't have those words. Is this like Star Wars stuff with Chewbacca? Oh...chew bacon!

I'll put a new post out today. Have had it all ready. I'm dedicating it to BB and Suo.

Suo Mynona said...

I hereby retract my former comments