The last line in my previous blog got me thinking. It's a fine line between (a) listening to the concerns of the public and making a decision based on their input because your research leads you to the same conclusion and (b) blindly advocating for a faction based on expediency and "political blowback". I use quotation marks because that's what a selectman said at the meeting Monday night…"We're a political body and we make decisions based on politics and potential political blowback." A majority of the BoS agreed.
Is that the kind of leadership you want - or deserve? I hope not because if you do that says something basic about this community I don't want to believe.
That's not how I make my decisions. I do my homework, listen to anyone who wants to weigh in on the subject, and consult with objective experts when required…then I make my decision based on facts and what's in the best interest of the town as a whole – not on friendship or votes in the next election.
Just look at my voting record on the tough issues: Treat's Pond, LH/AA sewer betterments (50/50), Cat Dam and the Water Enterprise Fund crisis. Those were difficult decisions that impacted residents. The Bear Hill Easement looms as another.
With each vote someone agrees with me; someone doesn't. I've lost the support of individuals I thought were friends; I've been threatened. I'm sorry my decisions have impacted residents but I wouldn't change a one of them.
On the other hand I am continuously buoyed by unsolicited expressions of support by many in the community (some who disagree with some of my decisions but overall think I'm doing a good job).
We have individual rights but we live in a community because a long time ago man decided banding together provided more safety and benefits than existing independently. So, in my mind, the tradeoff is that when something benefits the common weal (as in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) then sometimes some of us get impacted.
For example, my neighborhood was negatively impacted for 3 years during the school expansion and the immediate abutters continue to be affected by early morning deliveries, dumpsters and lights; many others were impacted with the return of the railroad; some by staging sites for water and sewer expansion on Main Street and Little Harbor; still others are impacted when vacant lots they consider open space are developed; and others by a proposed wind turbine. All of these are deemed in the best interest of the town as a whole but maybe not for some individuals.
That puts a heavy burden on those making these decisions: if you're not willing to take on the responsibility of leadership then you shouldn't assume the position of a leader. One of my favorite sayings is "Unless you're jello you should never conform to a mold." Thomas Jefferson put it more aptly: In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
4 comments:
Selectman Quigley,
In reading this article and a number of your blogs, it sounds like you are starting to understand you are quickly losing the support of the community. I'd suggest the reason for the loss of support is primarily because of some poor decisions, mismanagement of the Town's affairs and, perhaps most importantly, because you portray yourself as being smarter than everyone else including your fellow Selectmen.
To quote a previous article you wrote: "Really. Most nights I return home shaking my head. I must be talking in a foreign language because they (the Selectmen) look at me as if what I'm saying is incomprehensible. If I weren't so confident in my intellect this might be daunting." Are you sure they are all wrong and you are the only one who gets it?
Another quote from your blog: "In my opinion, the majority intervened... The majority want to give the public an opportunity to provide comment and input...The majority want to discuss the NOI" For the benefit of other readers, the context was that you were critizing and attempting to quash the majority view. You ignored the majority opinion of the very people who elected you and ceased to be a representative in favor of becoming a crusader for you own beliefs. This causes great concern in your ability a represent which is different from the way you describe your 'leadership'.
I sincerely hope you find your way back to truely representing the citizens of Cohasset. In an earlier blog you wrote: "My first night as selectman I vowed never to forget how it felt to be on the other side of the desk. I haven't. If I ever do, please smack me upside the head." Please give this some serious thought. The community feels you have forgotten.
I submit this respectfully.
Thank you for your comment but I'd give it any credence if you didn't make it anonymously. I have the courage to sign my name to my opinions. I challenge you to do the same.
Hey KQ -
You're doing just fine.
Keep up the Great Work!
I trust Karen whether I agree with her or not. To me trust is the most important quality in a person. I wish we had more people like her in this crazy town...maybe we wouldn't be in such a mess.
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