What is the beef with each other. My God, it goes back and forth. I am fairly new to town and I am just trying to figure out what everyone is fighting about. Aren;t these people that are in the local government there to try and help the citizens of the town? It seems from the outside that that is not on their agenda. Words spoken by a drunk come to mind. Can't we all just get along?
This town needs some help. With my friends house "underwater", they can't just leave. They are stuck here. How can this get better? How can people move forward? Forclosures to the left and to the right. Kids hanging on the corner because there is nothing to do, no place to go. Jobs in the area for maybe minimum wage, if you can even find a job. The Board of Selectman spending money that isn't their own. For what, just to feel like they are right? What the hell is going on?
Templeton is a wonderful town. I didn't grow up here but I've lived here for a while. The people I've met--at the stores, the post office, my neighbors--are some of the most down-to-earth, friendly people I've ever come across. And I've lived in a lot of towns around New England. When I first moved here, there was a dump issue brewing. I quickly learned how a big company with a shady reputation was trying to sneak their way in and take advantage of this town. I wondered what that foul smell was that woke me up in the middle of the night. That was the Gardner dump at that time. That dump has been capped for a while and the smell has gone away. Thankfully, the good people of Templeton got smart to what was about to happen here and prevented the company from opening up shop and turning this beautiful landscape into nothing but wasteland.
Admittedly, I didn't pay much attention to town politics after that. I had personal issues to tend to including having a child. Since that time, there have been some dealings that occurred (from what I can piece together) that dealt with improper oversight of property liens, cronyism, and workplace bullying. I still don't quite understand the timeframe of it all...maybe it preceded the dump issue, please don't quote me on that. People have taken sides of several of these issues and have been fighting over it for a very long time.
The recall was created because the friends and family of the former Town Coordinator were upset that she was let go (as far as I can understand) and set out to right what they saw as wrong. I can understand that...to a point. Personally, I think that having a coordinator that does not live in town is a benefit to fixing some of the ongoing feuds because he can be objective and isn't related to anyone here and hasn't made any back room promises to anyone. It seems like said group wants to fire him out of revenge and are not really representing what's best for this town as a whole.
I think that is morally wrong. I will support anyone that shows that their intensions are for the greater good of Templeton. I try to read everyone's comments online and read articles in The Gardner News and Worcester Telegram. TGN seems to lean towards one side and doesn't tell both sides. WT seems a little better. I've tried to engage in conversation trying to discuss finding common ground and reason. But, my posts have been deleted on some sites which is discouraging. That's why I started my own blog...so I could get out my thoughts freely. I doubt it will change anything but I feel better being able to "get it out". I fear the "story" runs deeper than it appears. For someone to delete well-intentioned comments means people are not acting honestly and it saddens me. My first real attempt at being a part of a community, following local politics, has left me feeling very disappointed and disillusioned.
I hope your attempts to understand all of this mess is more successful than mine has been. I would love to hear your view from someone fairly new that has a fresh perspective on it all. I will continue to follow it all as I'm concerned about the state of the school system as my son grows closer to school age. I was raised to respect my elders, but from the actions I've seen from some of them, I feel more adult than them.
Ironically, the town is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. Please attend the events and see the positive side of the community. Actually, I think its a great coincidence that all this crap is coming out as the town is forced to acknowledge its history and what makes its a great place to live. Maybe the positive events will have an effect on the negative events and possibly everyone can remember to feel pride for their community.
Olive - You give me great hope. I, too, have been trying to piece together the story of Templeton. I love your perspective. I also enjoy a good snow day.
I did go to the 250th bonfire and can still feel the heat from the flames. Perhaps that fire currently represents the town's politics, calm to begin with, some small sparks, furious at its peak and burning embers in the end. The flames sure feel hot right now. After watching the 10 minute BOS meeting on cable, I don't think it has reached its peak yet. Perhaps a phoenix will rise from the ashes and lead us all to a better future.
Until then, I still want some questions answered and some people held accountable. Stay tuned
It's tough times, my friend. What specifically do you want to know?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the beef with each other. My God, it goes back and forth. I am fairly new to town and I am just trying to figure out what everyone is fighting about. Aren;t these people that are in the local government there to try and help the citizens of the town? It seems from the outside that that is not on their agenda. Words spoken by a drunk come to mind. Can't we all just get along?
ReplyDeleteThis town needs some help. With my friends house "underwater", they can't just leave. They are stuck here. How can this get better? How can people move forward? Forclosures to the left and to the right. Kids hanging on the corner because there is nothing to do, no place to go. Jobs in the area for maybe minimum wage, if you can even find a job. The Board of Selectman spending money that isn't their own. For what, just to feel like they are right? What the hell is going on?
Can someone please fill me in!?!
Templeton is a wonderful town. I didn't grow up here but I've lived here for a while. The people I've met--at the stores, the post office, my neighbors--are some of the most down-to-earth, friendly people I've ever come across. And I've lived in a lot of towns around New England. When I first moved here, there was a dump issue brewing. I quickly learned how a big company with a shady reputation was trying to sneak their way in and take advantage of this town. I wondered what that foul smell was that woke me up in the middle of the night. That was the Gardner dump at that time. That dump has been capped for a while and the smell has gone away. Thankfully, the good people of Templeton got smart to what was about to happen here and prevented the company from opening up shop and turning this beautiful landscape into nothing but wasteland.
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly, I didn't pay much attention to town politics after that. I had personal issues to tend to including having a child. Since that time, there have been some dealings that occurred (from what I can piece together) that dealt with improper oversight of property liens, cronyism, and workplace bullying. I still don't quite understand the timeframe of it all...maybe it preceded the dump issue, please don't quote me on that. People have taken sides of several of these issues and have been fighting over it for a very long time.
The recall was created because the friends and family of the former Town Coordinator were upset that she was let go (as far as I can understand) and set out to right what they saw as wrong. I can understand that...to a point. Personally, I think that having a coordinator that does not live in town is a benefit to fixing some of the ongoing feuds because he can be objective and isn't related to anyone here and hasn't made any back room promises to anyone. It seems like said group wants to fire him out of revenge and are not really representing what's best for this town as a whole.
I think that is morally wrong. I will support anyone that shows that their intensions are for the greater good of Templeton. I try to read everyone's comments online and read articles in The Gardner News and Worcester Telegram. TGN seems to lean towards one side and doesn't tell both sides. WT seems a little better. I've tried to engage in conversation trying to discuss finding common ground and reason. But, my posts have been deleted on some sites which is discouraging. That's why I started my own blog...so I could get out my thoughts freely. I doubt it will change anything but I feel better being able to "get it out". I fear the "story" runs deeper than it appears. For someone to delete well-intentioned comments means people are not acting honestly and it saddens me. My first real attempt at being a part of a community, following local politics, has left me feeling very disappointed and disillusioned.
I hope your attempts to understand all of this mess is more successful than mine has been. I would love to hear your view from someone fairly new that has a fresh perspective on it all. I will continue to follow it all as I'm concerned about the state of the school system as my son grows closer to school age. I was raised to respect my elders, but from the actions I've seen from some of them, I feel more adult than them.
Ironically, the town is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. Please attend the events and see the positive side of the community. Actually, I think its a great coincidence that all this crap is coming out as the town is forced to acknowledge its history and what makes its a great place to live. Maybe the positive events will have an effect on the negative events and possibly everyone can remember to feel pride for their community.
Olive - You give me great hope. I, too, have been trying to piece together the story of Templeton. I love your perspective. I also enjoy a good snow day.
DeleteI did go to the 250th bonfire and can still feel the heat from the flames. Perhaps that fire currently represents the town's politics, calm to begin with, some small sparks, furious at its peak and burning embers in the end. The flames sure feel hot right now. After watching the 10 minute BOS meeting on cable, I don't think it has reached its peak yet. Perhaps a phoenix will rise from the ashes and lead us all to a better future.
Until then, I still want some questions answered and some people held accountable. Stay tuned