It is normal to keep our foibles hidden from the rest of the world. That is human nature. What is also human nature is to occasionally let the cat out of the bag.
We can show the world what we strive so hard to keep under wraps by just opening our mouths, writing some poorly thought out words, or, even more dramatically, walking into a glass door.
That is also pretty funny.
Sorry. It is though.
Now, the key word here is "occasionally". When we do it more often than that we move from the "questionable" column to the "confirmed" column.
My preference? Keep 'em guessing. Sometimes it works.
Then there are those that remove any doubt. No need for an x-ray security device here. No. Just listen. Or, read what they write.
The good thing about those that "lift the sheets" so to speak, is that by exposing their inner "workings" we get to know them better, and are better off in dealing with them. Helps you make more informed decisions later on. Sometimes those decisions are made before you get to the alter, or even more importantly, at the polls.
Keep that mind when you hear of someone in a position of responsibility saying, writing, or doing something that you may have thought twice about before doing, or saying yourself.
Oh, and that x-ray above? It's mine. Somethings I don't mind sharing.
At least you know what you're dealing with.
You are right, of course, Wally. If we pay close attention to what has been happening in this town, can see that both persons, who are good communicators, and persons who are not a good communicators, who would deny the citizens a chance to express themselves about a controversial issue, equally don't deserve our votes.
ReplyDeleteNo board elected by the people can step beyond their duties, and act in the peoples place unless they are performing duties ascribed to them. If they take on more than is allowed by the rules, by-laws, of the town then they must be reprimanded.
ReplyDeleteThe people of Sturbridge did not give the BOS the right to go forward with the sidewalks, but did express very clearly that they wanted the intersection fixed. The next election will settle it all. Don't even think of fixing it now.
I like how you write. never placing a finger on someone, or poking at them. Just writing enough for others to understand where you are coming from, and to make our own determination. In fact, the post can be applied to most anyone, anywhere. Thanks for just saying it like you see it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous who wrote that he or she appreciates the fact that you tell it like you see it without going overboard to slam, but just tell it like it is. If you want to see "overboard" and what looks dangerously close to blind hatred, just go to the other Sturbridge blog (if you haven't already)and scroll down to the articles pertaining to town politics, brick sidewalks, town sewerage, etc. and read the comments there. Your eyes will be opened as were mine. With some of these folks, it seems that if you don't do things their way, God help you! This "your with us or against us mentality" is not a good thing. I would ask those writers this: "If I don't agree with you, does that makes me part of the axis of evil in your eyes?" Is that a fair, honest, and God-like way to respond to others?
ReplyDeleteComments are no different here or anywhere else, just look around.
ReplyDeleteWally,
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving us a comfortable spot to speak WITH each other.
There are a few (I think quite a few, now) in this town who bully and try to intimidate anyone who disagrees with them. How does the fact that one selectman said something rude to a woman several months ago, have anything to do with brick sidewalks and sewerage? Why are folks who go before the BOS and state their honest opinion told in effect, before the vote, "Sorry, you're too late." And then be called nothing but a bunch of guys brought there by Garieri, as though these were not intelligent people who clearly spoke about their own concerns?
Why does a well known and responsible citizen, who goes before the BOS after the BOS vote and asks for a vote by registered taxpayers, the next time a real money issue comes up, be attacked on a blog as having no credibility? What is that even supposed to mean?
Why is anyone, who on a blog posting, questions the way things are done around here, very quickly told in effect that he or she is lazy and uninformed (usually by a person less informed)?
Why do some of our local politicians so easily say that they didn't receive enough complaints to see a problem that's been right in their own faces right along? Who knew that they came in office "blindfolded?" Didn't they come into office to make things better?
And, last, but importantly, why do people feel intimidated if they dare to openly voice their opinions in this town???? 'Any ideas why?
I don't understand why we keep being told that we need to spend so much for lipstick and accessories to enhance the look of this town while at the same time being told that the more important things cost way too much. In my own little life if I spend money over and over again on expensive ties and perfumes and such there's never money left to do the driveway and fix the car. You would think that the same rules apply for the town, but then again, perhaps if I use enough accessories to my advantage I might attract a rich person who will come to visit, not notice the stuff I've overlooked, and pay the bills. Not.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how folks use numbers to prove a point? For instance a relatively low number of accidents at an intersection may suggest that there is no problem there, but a couple of serious accidents at the same intersection say loud and clear that something must be done. Is this how we decide to do things here? 'Wait until we can verify the problem by serious injury, and then find that fixing the problem will mean bringing in equipment and starting all over again with no money? As far as the serious injury goes, "so sad, too bad?"
ReplyDeleteThey say that fish is good for the brain and carrots are good for the eyes. Does someone have a good recipe for a nice fish and carrot souffle? Perhaps you could send the recipe to someone who needs it?
Maybe the problem's us not wanting to admit there isn't a problem? Police Chief says no problem. DPW boss said no problem. I saw the meeting when he answered the question. The numbers on SPW say no problem. People could drown in Cedar Lake or Big Alum. Should we drain them? Maybe close them? Route 20 has crashes all the time. Should we close it or make it wider? Maybe it's us. Just wondering.
ReplyDeleteTo Wondering,
ReplyDeleteIf there isn't a problem at the Haynes Street intersection, why did the state request the town not to put in brick sidewalks at the intersection, saying that the weight of the trucks would ruin the brick sidewalks?
If a person is swimming at the lake, it would be highly unusual for a "truck" to be coming at him because the lake wasn't wide enough. Route 20 certainly has a speed factor at the lights for the Hobbs Brook Plaza. I do wish that the traffic was required to slow down there.
When the town administrator asked the DPW head about the intersection at Haynes St., my understanding is that he was told that they knew all along there was a problem there, and thought they might "have to do something" to prevent certain vehicles from traveling there. We heard that the intersection had been narrowed by 4 feet because of the road project. Then we heard that the road had been narrowed by 4 inches. The latest version is that the road has been widened by a few inches. Who are we to believe, and when should we believe them?
If you take a lawn chair over to the library lawn and sit there for a couple days, you will see some interesting maneuvering at the Haynes Street intersection, and at the Maple Street intersection as well.
Like I said, the state said that trucks running over the sidewalk at the intersection would ruin bricks if the sidewalks were made of bricks. Do concrete sidewalks magically repel traffic from climbing on to them? How else could you suggest that there is no problem there?
So, in Sturbridge trucks and pedestrians share the sidewalks, and that's okay. There aren't many people who use the sidewalks anyway, so I guess it's not a big deal to some people. Wouldn't it be easier if there were no sidewalks on Haynes Street?
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the last time I saw anyone walking on the sidewalk that's on 131 right in front of the town hall, and who would want to walk there? Even good sized cars turning left as they exit Haynes Street come too close for comfort.