Town Election 2010

[Unregistered]

This from Keith Ferguson's Twitter:

"Al DeNapoli will not be running again for Selectmen. David Sullivan, however, will look to be reappointed. Crowded BOS field again this year."

Here are the candidates, and one person's two cents:

David Sullivan (who knew Sully actually had a first name?)
Patrick Shield (glad he's giving it another try, youthful exuberance)
Ed O'Neil (board of assessor's veteran, could bring a new perspective to the BOS)
Eric Kraus (glad he's trying again, too. Got unfair treatment last time, IMHO)
Mike Berry (bright kid with good ideas, not afraid to speak his mind)
James P. Taylor (Jimmy, if you are serious, show up for the LWV debate this year)
Bill Hamilton (prior experience on BOS, somewhat of a gadfly these days)

Comments?

[Unregistered]

Life isn't fair and neither is politics. Let's just hope that this time there is more clarity in the candidates' positions. It's tough to get away with conflicting statements and opinions in the age of the internet.

[Unregistered]

IMHO, Patrick Shield was robbed of his election last year. He lost by about 30 votes. Patrick would be a tremendous addition to the Board of Selectmen. He is thoughtful, exuberant, and has a command of the issues. No double talk. No waffling. Just straight up honest answers.

[Unregistered]

I have met Patrick and he is a very nice, personable gentleman but has a thin resume' of real world experience. I feel more comfortable with someone that has worked in the private sector or made policy and decisions in the public sector and managed budgets and issues.


IMHO

[Unregistered]

I agree about Patrick Shield. Very likeable kid. However the Walpole Times has referred to him on several occassions as a "State House intern."

Is that really what he is??

I didn't know that when I voted for him last year nor do I recall reading that. I know he doesn't have much experience but if he is that young than I don't know if he is ready for the scrutiny and pressure of being a selectman. That's nothing personal on him, I just didn't know he was of college intern age. Let's face it ... regardless of your political beliefs or stances on the issues ... being a selectman is not an easy job and requires the ability to keep at bay many competing interests.

God bless anybody who puts their name out there to run for office no matter how old, however given the way the current board seems to work and get along I don't know if adding an intern to the mix is a great recipe.

P.S. This thread should be updated so that it is the "2010 Election"

[Sparky]

IMHO, Patrick Shield was robbed of his election last year. He lost by about 30 votes. Patrick would be a tremendous addition to the Board of Selectmen. He is thoughtful, exuberant, and has a command of the issues. No double talk. No waffling. Just straight up honest answers.

In what sense was he robbed?

And before this thread goes to far, I'm going to open a thread "Town Elections 2010". Please comment there.

[Sparky]

This thread is a re-direct from "Town Election 2009". Please continue the discussion here.


sparky is right. i've copied the most recent posts from election 2009 to here and closed the 2009 thread.--tg

[Unregistered]

I agree, I am very impressed with this young man.

[Unregistered]

I agree about Patrick Shield. Very likeable kid. However the Walpole Times has referred to him on several occassions as a "State House intern."

Is that really what he is??

I didn't know that when I voted for him last year nor do I recall reading that. I know he doesn't have much experience but if he is that young than I don't know if he is ready for the scrutiny and pressure of being a selectman. That's nothing personal on him, I just didn't know he was of college intern age. Let's face it ... regardless of your political beliefs or stances on the issues ... being a selectman is not an easy job and requires the ability to keep at bay many competing interests.

God bless anybody who puts their name out there to run for office no matter how old, however given the way the current board seems to work and get along I don't know if adding an intern to the mix is a great recipe.

P.S. This thread should be updated so that it is the "2010 Election"

I've run into Patrick and talked to him about this myself because I saw this in the Times too and was a little concerned. He used to be an intern at the State House a few years ago. Honestly in my own opinion, I agree with you about the scrutiny and pressure but where he ran last year and is going for it again this year, it says to me that he's ready to handle the scrutiny and pressure. I was a little on the fence about him last year but I think he'll do an excellent job this year.

[Unregistered]

I am willing to give Patrick Shield a chance. The members of the BOS are older than him but that does not make them necessarily wiser or better at keeping competing interests at bay. Age is just a number not an idicator of dedication, judgment, or intelligence. Go Patrick.

[Unregistered]

BOS Race:

David Sullivan will not campaign and will lose
Jimmy Taylor will get protest votes
Ed O'Neil Who is he?
Mike Berry school vote will reluctantly go his way
Eric Kraus the single issue factions of schools and developers will support him
Bill Hamilton will spoil the race again
Patrick Shield will draw votes from the vast majority of balanced common sense moderates

Biotech will be the issue in this race. Voters will be looking carefully at candidates' back grounds to see if they have affiliations or leanings to this industry.

I hope others jump into this race.

[Unregistered]

Don't be so sure of school votes going to Berry

[Unregistered]

I am willing to give Patrick Shield a chance. The members of the BOS are older than him but that does not make them necessarily wiser or better at keeping competing interests at bay. Age is just a number not an idicator of dedication, judgment, or intelligence. Go Patrick.

Not a bad post, I agree with you on most but not all.

I agree that age in and of itself does not mean you would be a better or worse Selectman. Nor do I disagree with you that age is not an indicator of dedication or intelligence.

I will disagree with you however with your assertion that age is not an indicator of judgement. Your age is representative of your life experience and it is our experiences that shape our judgement.

Nine times out of ten I will trust the judgement of a 47 year old more than I would a 23 year old. It does not make them a better person or smarter but experience always counts for something; experience in dealing with unreasonable people, people with hidden agendas, finding areas of compromise, building coalitions, or standing your ground against the status quo. Those are all things that Mr. Shield has yet to fully experience, primarily because of his age. That's not to say he has not confronted challenges in his life but, those challenges have likely left him ill prepared for serving in such an important capacity in town.

When decisions are placed at the feet of the Selectmen that could be decided on a 3-2 vote, that is when your experiences will play a large role in affecting your judgement. If you have little experiences to draw from, you will likely find yourself in a situation where you can be more easily "persuaded" by the more experienced people around you.

P.S. I actually feel like I am having a civil, substantive exchanged on Walpole Words ... HOORAY!

[Unregistered]

This is from last year's Walpole Times on July 2, 2009 ("Candidates finance reports shows that it pays to spend")

{Buckley and Shield both received $500 from IBEW Local 2222 – an electrical union with about 30 Walpole members – and $25 from for-mer Selectman Joanne Damish.

"This is in no way a conflict of interest," said Buckley, noting that many of the union members have children in the school system.

Shield also received $25 from former Selectman Joanne Muti and $100 from Buckley.

Shield served as the treasurer of Buckley's campaign as Buckley was the chairman of Shield's campaign. Both denied running on a tandem ticket, explaining that they were simply helping each other out because of their close ties from high school.}

Between the special interest union money and the too cozy relationship between one candidate and one current official, this is a turn off.

Anytime a candidate has to say "This is in no way a conflict of interest" usually means there is one! These guys belong on the Boston City Council.

[Unregistered]

There are followers on the board now and they are all many years older than Patrick Shield. Mike Berry is not much older than Patirck so by your logic, we should not vote for him either. So I will have to respectfully disagree with you on the follower issue.

[Unregistered]

There are followers on the board now and they are all many years older than Patrick Shield. Mike Berry is not much older than Patirck so by your logic, we should not vote for him either. So I will have to respectfully disagree with you on the follower issue.

If you re-read my comments, you will see that age is not the issue. It's experience that counts and that influences judgement.

Mr. Berry appears to have substantially more experience than Mr. Shield. I'm not an ardent follower of his but I know what he has significantly more professional and political experience than Mr. Shield. That counts for something with me. And as the election goes on I am sure we will come across someone with more experience than Mr. Berry. That's just the way it goes. It doesn't make anybody a bad person!!

There was a young man a few years ago who was at Town Meeting and I think he had just graduated high school. I'm not an RTM anymore so I do not know if he is still there but that was an example of a young man who got involved on the ground floor of town meeting. How come Mr. Shield couldn't follow the path blazed by another young citizen? By now, he likely would have amassed the experience that would probably catch this voter.

It's still early however. I've not written any candidate off so who knows where things will end up!

[Unregistered]

This is from last year's Walpole Times on July 2, 2009 ("Candidates finance reports shows that it pays to spend")

{Buckley and Shield both received $500 from IBEW Local 2222 – an electrical union with about 30 Walpole members – and $25 from for-mer Selectman Joanne Damish.

"This is in no way a conflict of interest," said Buckley, noting that many of the union members have children in the school system.

Shield also received $25 from former Selectman Joanne Muti and $100 from Buckley.

Shield served as the treasurer of Buckley's campaign as Buckley was the chairman of Shield's campaign. Both denied running on a tandem ticket, explaining that they were simply helping each other out because of their close ties from high school.}

Between the special interest union money and the too cozy relationship between one candidate and one current official, this is a turn off.

Anytime a candidate has to say "This is in no way a conflict of interest" usually means there is one! These guys belong on the Boston City Council.

Talk about trying to make something out of nothing! They both had such limited fundraising, as did most other selectman, that your attempt to create a federal case out of such limited donations is embarassing. But since your so up on who gave what.... who paid for that full color mailer that Nancy MacKenzie sent out the week before the election? Imagine the cost of the printing and mailing alone,... wonder who she got $$ from... you must know... please present both sides...

Patrick Shield is a fine upstanding young man who will bring idealism and a fresh perspective to what has long been an insiders game in Walpole. His fresh face sounds a lot better that the 3 out of 5 current selectmen who have an immediate family member on the payroll. Do you think that colors their approach to things a bit?

Now we have Biptech on its third attempt down the aisle in Walpole. The last 2 times it was so ill prepared that it was pulled before ever reaching Town Meeting floor. It is like Healthcare in DC. Someone just seems intent on slamming this through one way or anotjher.

Why is it our selectmen consider any and every disgusting business before we ever consider addressing our own spending? Our Board of Selectman's lack of desire to address salaries and benefits could very likely be colored by their own personal vested interests. Think that is a bit more of an issue than taking $50 from a former selectman? (The fact that the $50 was from a former selectman who has saved residents from one bad idea after another is actually a big plus in my book).

I am tired of bad developement ideas that are suppoted by school candidate after school candidate, and old townie after old townie. It is definately time for something new in Walpole. And Patrick is it!

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;10492]
I will disagree with you however with your assertion that age is not an indicator of judgement. Your age is representative of your life experience and it is our experiences that shape our judgement. QUOTE]

To now say that Mike Berry is different is dis-ingenuous. You clearly state age is an indicator of judgement. Mike Berry is equally young. You quote "experience" without any substance. I like that you are trying to have a polite disagreement, and so am I, but you do appear to be contradicting yourself.

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;10495]This is from last year's Walpole Times on July 2, 2009 ("Candidates finance reports shows that it pays to spend")

between the special interest union money and the too cozy relationship between one candidate and one current official, this is a turn off. QUOTE]

So the fact that John Murtagh gave Nancy MacKenzie $200, as the same article quotes, is somehow not an issue? Both John and Nancy were members of the planning board at the time. ....and $200 is a heck of a lot more than $25.

And the $25 donation to then candidate Shield was from a FORMER selectman, while the $200 donation to then Planning Board Member MacKenzie was from another elected Planning Board Member. Talk about too cozy!

I am sure you are equally appalled.

[Unregistered]

Anytime a candidate has to say "This is in no way a conflict of interest" usually means there is one! These guys belong on the Boston City Council.

What an odd approach to conflict oif interest. Of bigger concern this election season in Walpole, is the Biotec and Medical Device Industry.

The attached article from the Boston Globe quotes Selectman Candidate Eric Kraus, regarding the medical device industry. He states,

"At Covidien PLC, which has its US headquarters in Mansfield, spokesman Eric Kraus said the company is “committed to health care reform, but we feel the medical device tax is inappropriate.’’

Kraus said Covidien worked with Kerry and Representative Richard Neal “to reduce the original, proposed tax, which was significantly higher.’’ The tax was initially set at 2.9 percent. By the time it reached Obama’s desk, it had been reduced to 2.3 percent."

So by your standards, would this also be a conflict of interest issue as well?

[Unregistered]

Wow what a huge age difference between Mike Berry and Patrick Shield. Mike is all of three years oder than Patrick. Old enough to be his father. And wow again, Mrs. Damish and Mrs. Muti do have a special interest - The People.

[Unregistered]

Patrick Shield is a fine upstanding young man who will bring idealism and a fresh perspective to what has long been an insiders game in Walpole. His fresh face sounds a lot better that the 3 out of 5 current selectmen . . . " I am tired of bad developement ideas that are suppoted by school candidate after school candidate, and old townie after old townie. It is definately time for something new in Walpole. And Patrick is it!

Time to rename this Thread the Patrick Shield Fan Club. So much for balanced debate, as the same person seems to be posting like crazy, over and over again, for Patrick. We can almost hear your giddy giggling. By the way, Patrick grew up in Walpole and went to Walpole High School, so doesn't make him one of your hated Townies?

It's going to be a long 8 weeks at this rate.

[Unregistered]

Poster 14, if you had bothered to post or read the entire article about campaign contributions, then you would have also posted that there were relationships between selectmen candidates MacKenzie and Timson and current and former members of the Planning Board and Selectmen. Planning Board members and former selectmen donated sizable contributions to their campaigns. So it's very curious that you are only concerned about the relationship between Patrick Shield and William Buckley.

So to set the record straight, here's the link to the Walpole Times article you quoted:

http://www.wickedlocal.com/walpole/town_info/government/x737353658/Candidate-finance-reports-show-that-it-pays-to-spend

[Unregistered]

The good thing: Hes a nice kid.
THe bad thing: he is still lacks broad life experiences.

We need someone with life experience to take on the adult situations coming up. Patrick just doesn't have them yet.

[Unregistered]

I think there is nothing wrong with Mr. Shield accepting union PAC money ... I am glad to the see union-labor movement get behind a candidate for Selectman. I hope that Mr. Shield will stand on the side of union workers as we fight to maintain the integrity of our collective bargaining agreements. The town is insistent on balacing their budgets on the backs of unionized workers and it is not right! We should not be forced to make ANY concessions that were negotiated fairly. Hopefully the IBEW support of Mr. Shield is an indicator that he supports union jobs - good jobs at good wages.

However, this thread is giving me a "guy who lives in his mothers basement" vibe. Enough already.

Sincerely,

UNION WORKER FOR SHIELD!!

[Unregistered]

I think there is nothing wrong with Mr. Shield accepting union PAC money ... I am glad to the see union-labor movement get behind a candidate for Selectman. I hope that Mr. Shield will stand on the side of union workers as we fight to maintain the integrity of our collective bargaining agreements. The town is insistent on balacing their budgets on the backs of unionized workers and it is not right! We should not be forced to make ANY concessions that were negotiated fairly. Hopefully the IBEW support of Mr. Shield is an indicator that he supports union jobs - good jobs at good wages.

However, this thread is giving me a "guy who lives in his mothers basement" vibe. Enough already.

Sincerely,

UNION WORKER FOR SHIELD!!

It is disingenuous to use this board to try to create your own reality. Patrick Shield is a fiscally prudant young man, who does not use a blind allegiance to maker any decisions. Patrick is fiscally prudent and will use reasonable and balanced judgement in addressing all ofd our issues.

Candidates with blind siupport of schools have brought us contracts we cannot afford. Candidates with blind support of developement have brought us one scary project after another (this years biotech is no exception). When these 2 groups combine we usually get "hazards for kids". I am looking forward to some balance and reason. Patrick will provide this.

[Unregistered]

". . . Patrick Shield is a fiscally prudant young man, . . . " "Patrick is fiscally prudent and will use reasonable and balanced judgement in addressing all ofd our issues."

So you say, but seriously, how can we tell? What objective information or evidence is there to make this assessment? Never having been on any board or committee, and not even a town meeting rep (as other posters have noted), what has Patrick ever voted on in town that we, as voters, can judge for ourselves whether he is fiscally prudent or not? Just because you keep repeating it doesn't necessarily make it so. Are we to accept your assertion of his fiscal prudence as an article of faith?

[Unregistered]

Speaking of standards, David Sullivan and Eric Kraus ran for office and I don't recall anyone evaluating them by their voting record. Neither had one a record because they had not been town meeting reps or served on any board. I do remember all the glowing letters to the editor for Mr. Kraus. I see a double standard when it comes to Patrick Shield though. He is being held to a standard that prior candidates did not meet.

[Unregistered]

Reading these postins, it is a wonder anyone would run at all. What a bunch of miserable people in this town!
You need thick skin to step forward and become a target.

[Unregistered]

Speaking of standards, David Sullivan and Eric Kraus ran for office and I don't recall anyone evaluating them by their voting record. Neither had one a record because they had not been town meeting reps or served on any board.

Good point, and I didn't vote for either one of them either. But you refused to address my point: you are advocating for this obviously bright and committed young man on the grounds that he is a fiscal conservative. Where is the proof, or even any evidence of this?

I went to his webpage, http://patrickshield.com/issues/, and most of his position on issues deal with spending, not saving, taxpayers money. Sure, he is for economic development and against trash fees, but that does not set him apart from any of the other candidates.

At this point, I am neither strongly for or against any particular candidate (Actually, I have ruled out two.) But Patrick's supporters on WalpoleWords are promising a lot from him. I just want to be able to assess each candidate objectively, rather than on the glowing representations of anonymous posters.

[Unregistered]

Good point, and I didn't vote for either one of them either. But you refused to address my point: you are advocating for this obviously bright and committed young man on the grounds that he is a fiscal conservative. Where is the proof, or even any evidence of this?

I went to his webpage, http://patrickshield.com/issues/, and most of his position on issues deal with spending, not saving, taxpayers money. Sure, he is for economic development and against trash fees, but that does not set him apart from any of the other candidates.

At this point, I am neither strongly for or against any particular candidate (Actually, I have ruled out two.) But Patrick's supporters on WalpoleWords are promising a lot from him. I just want to be able to assess each candidate objectively, rather than on the glowing representations of anonymous posters.


I agree regarding the "glowing representations of anonymous posters." Not that I am either for or against Patrick either, but the difference is at least his priorities are known and he is out there. Where are the other candidates? I haven't seen anything from anyone. I, too, want to be able to assess each objectively and I hope that we will be able to do that on the issues and facts sometime soon.

[Sparky]

Time to rename this Thread the Patrick Shield Fan Club. So much for balanced debate, as the same person seems to be posting like crazy, over and over again, for Patrick. We can almost hear your giddy giggling. By the way, Patrick grew up in Walpole and went to Walpole High School, so doesn't make him one of your hated Townies?

It's going to be a long 8 weeks at this rate.
You could have balanced the debate by contributing something of substance in your post regarding some of the other candidates. But you didn't.

[Unregistered]

It is disingenuous to use this board to try to create your own reality. Patrick Shield is a fiscally prudant young man, who does not use a blind allegiance to maker any decisions. Patrick is fiscally prudent and will use reasonable and balanced judgement in addressing all ofd our issues.

Candidates with blind siupport of schools have brought us contracts we cannot afford. Candidates with blind support of developement have brought us one scary project after another (this years biotech is no exception). When these 2 groups combine we usually get "hazards for kids". I am looking forward to some balance and reason. Patrick will provide this.

Actually you are incorrect and your comment is unfair. It may not be popular to be pro-union in Walpole but I am and will remain unabashedly so.

Maybe where you work unions are non-existant or unimportant. But they have always done right by me and my family so when I see a fellow union step forward to support a candidate it sends a signal to me that that person cares about families and worker's rights.

Unabashedly so,

Pro Union, Pro Shield

[Unregistered]

One post mentioned age as a factor for Patrick Shield while ignoring the fact that Mr. Berry is only 3 years older than him. Another post mentioned his lack of experience and voting record but failed to mention that Eric Kraus and David Sullivan had no voting record or experience either when they were selectmen candidates. Another post mentioned donations and a cozy relationship between Patrick Shield and William Buckley while failing to mention that members of the Planning Board gave rather large contributions to Nancy Mackenzie and former Selectmen did the same for Chris Timson. The post also mentioned that Patrick Shield and William Buckley were running for different boards. They were not a tag team.

Let's talk about political experience. Mr. Kraus and Mr. Shield are pretty much on equal footing. Both were appointed to a board a few months ago. Mr. Kraus became an RTM last year because he was unopposed. His experience is confined to one Town Meeting. The difference between them is age.

Age has not been a measure of success, wisdom, and good judgment when it comes to the board of selectmen.

Patrick Shield has no family connection to the town payroll unlike three current selectmen so he is in a position to be truly objective when discussing budgets, health care benefits, and salaries because he or his family will not be personally or financially affected.

I look forward to examining the record for every candidate once they file their nomination papers. May the best candidates win.

[Unregistered]

Thank you, Mrs. Shield.

Please see Post #22


One post mentioned age as a factor for Patrick Shield while ignoring the fact that Mr. Berry is only 3 years older than him. Another post mentioned his lack of experience and voting record but failed to mention that Eric Kraus and David Sullivan had no voting record or experience either when they were selectmen candidates. Another post mentioned donations and a cozy relationship between Patrick Shield and William Buckley while failing to mention that members of the Planning Board gave rather large contributions to Nancy Mackenzie and former Selectmen did the same for Chris Timson. The post also mentioned that Patrick Shield and William Buckley were running for different boards. They were not a tag team.

Let's talk about political experience. Mr. Kraus and Mr. Shield are pretty much on equal footing. Both were appointed to a board a few months ago. Mr. Kraus became an RTM last year because he was unopposed. His experience is confined to one Town Meeting. The difference between them is age.

Age has not been a measure of success, wisdom, and good judgment when it comes to the board of selectmen.

Patrick Shield has no family connection to the town payroll unlike three current selectmen so he is in a position to be truly objective when discussing budgets, health care benefits, and salaries because he or his family will not be personally or financially affected.

I look forward to examining the record for every candidate once they file their nomination papers. May the best candidates win.

[Unregistered]

Ask each of the candidates these questions all requiring a simple yes or no answer
1 did you vote in favor of the new library?
2 will you vote in favor of the new police facility?
3 will you vote in favor of the fire site and planning process?
4 will you vote in favor of the bio tech articles for Siemens?
4 will you vote in favor of removing the Allied junk yard from Walpole?
5 will you vote for trash fees?
6 will you vote for the hotel / motel tax?
7 will you vote for plan design?
8 will you vote to keep the present town administrator?
9 will you vote to develop the Bird Machine site?
10 will you vote for a train stop at the site?
11 what do you see as viable industry for the site ( OK so it requires more than a yes / no )

Real simple , real easy, really insightful

[Unregistered]

Two more question to ask of the candidates.

Do you or will you have family members on the town payroll?

Do you support spending cuts in salaries and health care benefits to balance the budget rather than supporting hotels and restaurants taxes and implementing trash fees on residents?

[Unregistered]

By the end of today the so called field of candidates for all town wide seats will be known . So much time so few choices. We could have had very good races if those of you who chime in here got up off your butts and actually did something

[Unregistered]

Ask each of the candidates these questions all requiring a simple yes or no answer
1 did you vote in favor of the new library?
2 will you vote in favor of the new police facility?
3 will you vote in favor of the fire site and planning process?
4 will you vote in favor of the bio tech articles for Siemens?
4 will you vote in favor of removing the Allied junk yard from Walpole?
5 will you vote for trash fees?
6 will you vote for the hotel / motel tax?
7 will you vote for plan design?
8 will you vote to keep the present town administrator?
9 will you vote to develop the Bird Machine site?
10 will you vote for a train stop at the site?
11 what do you see as viable industry for the site ( OK so it requires more than a yes / no )

Real simple , real easy, really insightful


1. YES
2 & 3. Only if it is combined facility in the center of Town @ Stone Field or current location
4. NO
5. YES
6. NO
7. Be more specific. Plan design for what?
8. Undecided
9. Too much contamination to build anything on it. So NO for now.
10. NO, Mr Kraft can forget this idea. We suffer for his gain. No Way
11. Perhaps a small office park, that's it. No warehousing, no industrial manaufacturing, no more industries that are causing industrial pollution. We are paying enough for the impacts of industrial pollution in this Town.

[Unregistered]

Time to think about the upcoming town election on June 5th. There have been no comments on this thread for some time.

There is a race for the Board of Selectmen - 6 candidates for 2 seats.
The candidates should have to declare how they feel about biotech. Each one should state if he would allow biotech Level 1 and 2 business to locate on any of our aquifer area. It is a simple yes or no question - Would you as a Selectman support zoning that would allow biotech industry to locate on any of our water protection area?
Would you as a Selectman support Level 3 biotech at Siemens?
Would you as a Selectman support Siemens expanding into the residential A zoning land area to the rear of the limited manufacturing land that the plant is located on?
Would you as a Selectman support trash fees?

No doubt there are many more questions that should be asked.

I need direct yes or no answers before I decide whom I will vote for.

[Unregistered]

Time to think about the upcoming town election on June 5th. There have been no comments on this thread for some time.

There is a race for the Board of Selectmen - 6 candidates for 2 seats.
The candidates should have to declare how they feel about biotech. Each one should state if he would allow biotech Level 1 and 2 business to locate on any of our aquifer area. It is a simple yes or no question - Would you as a Selectman support zoning that would allow biotech industry to locate on any of our water protection area?
Would you as a Selectman support Level 3 biotech at Siemens?
Would you as a Selectman support Siemens expanding into the residential A zoning land area to the rear of the limited manufacturing land that the plant is located on?
Would you as a Selectman support trash fees?

No doubt there are many more questions that should be asked.

I need direct yes or no answers before I decide whom I will vote for.

I would also like to know if the selectmen candidates support cost containment of the health insurance budget. That budget is $8.5 million and changes in that budget would generate significant revenue for the town's overall budget. I don't buy that attracting business is the only way to generate revenue as candidiate Eric Kraus wrote in a letter to the editor in the Times last week. New business is a long way off and the town needs help now. I would like to see the candidates talk about how they are going to control health care and salaries which are an immediate way to generate revenue for the schools and the town.

Every candidate talks a good game about attracting business but this year we need to know specifically what kind of business and exactly where. No more broad brush statements that sound good but mean nothing.

I would also like to know what they think about the appointment or election of officials to town boards who are either town employees themselves or have family that are town employees. I don't think these types can be unbiased when it comes to the discussion of healthcare and salary budgets. Especially since they don't abstain form the discussions or votes.

[Unregistered]

I would also like to know if the selectmen candidates support cost containment of the health insurance budget. That budget is $8.5 million and changes in that budget would generate significant revenue for the town's overall budget. I don't buy that attracting business is the only way to generate revenue as candidiate Eric Kraus wrote in a letter to the editor in the Times last week. New business is a long way off and the town needs help now. I would like to see the candidates talk about how they are going to control health care and salaries which are an immediate way to generate revenue for the schools and the town.

Every candidate talks a good game about attracting business but this year we need to know specifically what kind of business and exactly where. No more broad brush statements that sound good but mean nothing.

I would also like to know what they think about the appointment or election of officials to town boards who are either town employees themselves or have family that are town employees. I don't think these types can be unbiased when it comes to the discussion of healthcare and salary budgets. Especially since they don't abstain form the discussions or votes.
Im so sick of this. Im a town worker, Ill pay more very soon. The health benefit came with the job and no one bitched about it then. It was all in black and white. Im not sorry, look at some of the teachers and school admin. pay for the year, business agents making $ 100,000 where is the outrage, $ 6000.00 travel expenses and a car with free gas for the school superintendent, when was the last time he was called in on the weekend, where is the outrage. Its cost money to run this town its a multi million dollar operation. why dont all of you who complain about our health benefits call YOUR employer and tell him you will be happy to pay extra because you care so much

[Unregistered]

Im so sick of this. Im a town worker, Ill pay more very soon. The health benefit came with the job and no one bitched about it then. It was all in black and white. Im not sorry, look at some of the teachers and school admin. pay for the year, business agents making $ 100,000 where is the outrage, $ 6000.00 travel expenses and a car with free gas for the school superintendent, when was the last time he was called in on the weekend, where is the outrage. Its cost money to run this town its a multi million dollar operation. why dont all of you who complain about our health benefits call YOUR employer and tell him you will be happy to pay extra because you care so much

You are showing how out of touch you really are:) My employer made me pay WAY more for FAR less. And it started happening 10 years ago. You should consider yourself very lucky to have gotten as much as you have for as long as you have. You are by no means joining the rest of us, you are just inching in the direction that the rest of the world lives in.

By the way... there havebeen no "step" raises or "Cost of Living" adjustments in the private sector for years. Try that one on with the health insurance squeeze we have all lived with and you will see why local governemnt is in such trouble. Welcome to reality!

[Unregistered]

You are showing how out of touch you really are:) My employer made me pay WAY more for FAR less. And it started happening 10 years ago. You should consider yourself very lucky to have gotten as much as you have for as long as you have. You are by no means joining the rest of us, you are just inching in the direction that the rest of the world lives in.

By the way... there havebeen no "step" raises or "Cost of Living" adjustments in the private sector for years. Try that one on with the health insurance squeeze we have all lived with and you will see why local governemnt is in such trouble. Welcome to reality!

you are so right, I guess I didnt get my stock options, profit sharing, 401k's, Christmas bonus, 1 hour lunches, Christmas partys, company outings, yeah, your right none of that goes on anymore, if this all started 10 years ago why only bring it up now? Many companys are doing better than ever now, I see what the stock prices are. But no one ever brings up that for every 4 people that go to the hospital have no health insurance and the ones that do pay for that visit, or all the handouts and free rides given to people that refuse to work or pay their share of taxes, no, its the town workers fault. Thats reality, look at California and Arizona bankrupt, not because of the health care costs of the state workers its because of all the costs the taxpayers are forced to pay for those who pay zero for their health care. as for you saying Im getting " much" Im getting what they tell me Im getting, I dont set my own rate of pay.

[Unregistered]

You are showing how out of touch you really are:) My employer made me pay WAY more for FAR less. And it started happening 10 years ago. You should consider yourself very lucky to have gotten as much as you have for as long as you have. You are by no means joining the rest of us, you are just inching in the direction that the rest of the world lives in.

By the way... there havebeen no "step" raises or "Cost of Living" adjustments in the private sector for years. Try that one on with the health insurance squeeze we have all lived with and you will see why local governemnt is in such trouble. Welcome to reality!

Wrong, there has been "step" raises and "Cost of Living" adjustments in the private sector these past years as my spouse has received both. These were simply handed out, not the case with municipal contracts. Look both types of jobs have advantages and disadvantages, if you disagree that is your opinion. I doubt you were forced to take the job you are currently in, if you were quit get a new one, maybe apply for a municipal job. Look as I said before, both have advantages and disadvantages. Good luck.
The “health insurance squeeze we have all lived with”, is it really the cause of the municipal employee, really? Nothing to do with gross over inflated insurance company profits and huge CEO,CFO, COO, SR VP, B.O.D, ec t salaries. You know those private sector employees.

[Unregistered]

you are so right, I guess I didnt get my stock options, profit sharing, 401k's, Christmas bonus, 1 hour lunches, Christmas partys, company outings, yeah, your right none of that goes on anymore, if this all started 10 years ago why only bring it up now? Many companys are doing better than ever now, I see what the stock prices are. But no one ever brings up that for every 4 people that go to the hospital have no health insurance and the ones that do pay for that visit, or all the handouts and free rides given to people that refuse to work or pay their share of taxes, no, its the town workers fault. Thats reality, look at California and Arizona bankrupt, not because of the health care costs of the state workers its because of all the costs the taxpayers are forced to pay for those who pay zero for their health care. as for you saying Im getting " much" Im getting what they tell me Im getting, I dont set my own rate of pay.

People just want equity. Equity in what they have. Equity in what their taxes are providing for municiple workers. Right now it is out of whack. The benefits, retirement, pay, holidays, sick time, and vacation time in the public sector is just really generous in relation to the private sector.

I can tell you I have no stock options, no retirement, expensive health care and no raise. I am sure you get to each lunch, perhaps like mine, gobbled down at my desk. I work close to a 50 hour week (no OT, no extra comp). Most people are in the same boat as me. I do not want to hear about municiple cuts while we are funding extrordinary pay and benefits. It is just not fair. I do not think Walpole is any more generous than other towns. I think everyone is in the same boat. But that is why things have to change. We have let this get out of control.

You are I am certain a very valuable and appreciated employee. We have great people serving this town. The benefits and pay are just more than we can afford. Not a personal slight to you. Just reality. The private sector has been adjsuting for years. The public sector needs to start living in the same world

[Unregistered]

I would also like to know if the selectmen candidates support cost containment of the health insurance budget. That budget is $8.5 million and changes in that budget would generate significant revenue for the town's overall budget. I don't buy that attracting business is the only way to generate revenue as candidiate Eric Kraus wrote in a letter to the editor in the Times last week. New business is a long way off and the town needs help now. I would like to see the candidates talk about how they are going to control health care and salaries which are an immediate way to generate revenue for the schools and the town.

Every candidate talks a good game about attracting business but this year we need to know specifically what kind of business and exactly where. No more broad brush statements that sound good but mean nothing.

I would also like to know what they think about the appointment or election of officials to town boards who are either town employees themselves or have family that are town employees. I don't think these types can be unbiased when it comes to the discussion of healthcare and salary budgets. Especially since they don't abstain form the discussions or votes.


The silence is defeaning from the Selectmen candidates. Where do you stand on these issues?

Bill Hamilton
Mike Berry
Patrick Shield
Dave Sullivan
Jim Taylor
Eric Kraus

[Unregistered]

People just want equity. Equity in what they have. Equity in what their taxes are providing for municiple workers. Right now it is out of whack. The benefits, retirement, pay, holidays, sick time, and vacation time in the public sector is just really generous in relation to the private sector.

I can tell you I have no stock options, no retirement, expensive health care and no raise. I am sure you get to each lunch, perhaps like mine, gobbled down at my desk. I work close to a 50 hour week (no OT, no extra comp). Most people are in the same boat as me. I do not want to hear about municiple cuts while we are funding extrordinary pay and benefits. It is just not fair. I do not think Walpole is any more generous than other towns. I think everyone is in the same boat. But that is why things have to change. We have let this get out of control.

You are I am certain a very valuable and appreciated employee. We have great people serving this town. The benefits and pay are just more than we can afford. Not a personal slight to you. Just reality. The private sector has been adjsuting for years. The public sector needs to start living in the same world

I hear what you are saying; while some of it I do not disagree with, some I do. I also do not wish attack you at all. I will start by saying through diligent contract negotiations my yearly raise since I have been a town employee, has been anywhere from 0% to 4%, most of the time 3%. Each of these raises has resulted in giving something back to the town. Not just a full work week, but something we have already gained through negotiations. Now as I mentioned in a previous post my spouse has come home from work with a 3%, 5% and even an 8+% increase without negotiations and without having to give a previously earned benefit up.
The current economy is a temporary situation the municipal remedies are permanent. I am not opposed to changing my contract but sit with me and negotiate it with me. Unions were made because employers where taking advantage of employees , such as low wages, no benefits, long hours without OT, no lunch breaks, 40 plus hour work weeks. Is a union perfect, no but it does help the employee. Companies are making money; higher ups are making nice salaries.
Try it, you might like one.

[Unregistered]

The silence is defeaning from the Selectmen candidates. Where do you stand on these issues?

Bill Hamilton
Mike Berry
Patrick Shield
Dave Sullivan
Jim Taylor
Eric Kraus

Some of them are running very quiet campaigns. I think all should should answer those questions too. The election is only 3 weeks away and it's shaping up to be another popularity contest instead of a thoughtful discussion of very important issues.

[Unregistered]

Some of them are running very quiet campaigns. I think all should should answer those questions too. The election is only 3 weeks away and it's shaping up to be another popularity contest instead of a thoughtful discussion of very important issues.

Let's see who shows up to candidate's night on May 24th. My guess is 4 of the 6 will attend and answer the questions about the issues facing our town. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Sullivan do not have good track records of showing up at candidates night.

It was helpful to meet and speak with three of the candidates today at Walpole Day. Eric Kraus, Mike Berry and Patrick Shield all answered many questions I had. Being there shows that these three are taking this race very seriously, and as a result, 2 of the 3 of these guys will get my two votes.

[Unregistered]

People just want equity. Equity in what they have. Equity in what their taxes are providing for municiple workers. Right now it is out of whack. The benefits, retirement, pay, holidays, sick time, and vacation time in the public sector is just really generous in relation to the private sector.

I can tell you I have no stock options, no retirement, expensive health care and no raise. I am sure you get to each lunch, perhaps like mine, gobbled down at my desk. I work close to a 50 hour week (no OT, no extra comp). Most people are in the same boat as me. I do not want to hear about municiple cuts while we are funding extrordinary pay and benefits. It is just not fair. I do not think Walpole is any more generous than other towns. I think everyone is in the same boat. But that is why things have to change. We have let this get out of control.

You are I am certain a very valuable and appreciated employee. We have great people serving this town. The benefits and pay are just more than we can afford. Not a personal slight to you. Just reality. The private sector has been adjsuting for years. The public sector needs to start living in the same world

easy solution, start cutting pay and benefits, start getting lousy services, works every time. you get what you pay for, do you think these guys will give up a whole weekend to plow snow for less money? no. Look at South Norwood and other towns, looks like the inner city. gross. you need good pay and benefits to attract good workers or they just go somewhere else. Where is the extrodinary pay and benefits you speak of? $ 20 per hour to run specialized equipment or to be in charge of the towns water supply. Do you think this stuff just gets done? They get the same holidays you all get off, they get vacation time you all get too. only they have to work if needed on all those holidays and weekends that you all get off. And the town employees pay 100% of their pensions, the town contributes nothing. The private sector employee is doing very well, maybe you are overworked or underpaid, but many friends and family I know are very happy at their private sector job.

[Unregistered]

I hear what you are saying; while some of it I do not disagree with, some I do. I also do not wish attack you at all. I will start by saying through diligent contract negotiations my yearly raise since I have been a town employee, has been anywhere from 0% to 4%, most of the time 3%. Each of these raises has resulted in giving something back to the town. Not just a full work week, but something we have already gained through negotiations. Now as I mentioned in a previous post my spouse has come home from work with a 3%, 5% and even an 8+% increase without negotiations and without having to give a previously earned benefit up.
The current economy is a temporary situation the municipal remedies are permanent. I am not opposed to changing my contract but sit with me and negotiate it with me. Unions were made because employers where taking advantage of employees , such as low wages, no benefits, long hours without OT, no lunch breaks, 40 plus hour work weeks. Is a union perfect, no but it does help the employee. Companies are making money; higher ups are making nice salaries.
Try it, you might like one.

yes..100 years ago when the model-T was being made and coal and steel mills where everywhere. There are so many laws protecting workers today that all unions do is cause a $100 project and turn it into a $1000 project. Try to fire a lazy overweight union slacker today and then the union protects him and his union dues. Unions slow down productivity, Not one american in this country was or is forced at any job. If you dont like it , go get another job. any employer today should be able to fire any of its employees that wont do what is told or asked of them. If they feel the termination was unjust then the legal system will help them. Hire ups should make more money, they take all the risks. you think the guy pushing the broom should make as much as the bosses. The unions think they should.

[Unregistered]

easy solution, start cutting pay and benefits, start getting lousy services, works every time. you get what you pay for, do you think these guys will give up a whole weekend to plow snow for less money? no. Look at South Norwood and other towns, looks like the inner city. gross. you need good pay and benefits to attract good workers or they just go somewhere else. Where is the extrodinary pay and benefits you speak of? $ 20 per hour to run specialized equipment or to be in charge of the towns water supply. Do you think this stuff just gets done? They get the same holidays you all get off, they get vacation time you all get too. only they have to work if needed on all those holidays and weekends that you all get off. And the town employees pay 100% of their pensions, the town contributes nothing. The private sector employee is doing very well, maybe you are overworked or underpaid, but many friends and family I know are very happy at their private sector job.

Why don"t you take a look at the contracts for the town employees which can be found on line under the town administrator link? You will be quite surprised to see how many vacation days and sick days they can earn along with longevity pay and other perks. Know before you post.

[Unregistered]

Let's see who shows up to candidate's night on May 24th. My guess is 4 of the 6 will attend and answer the questions about the issues facing our town. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Sullivan do not have good track records of showing up at candidates night.

It was helpful to meet and speak with three of the candidates today at Walpole Day. Eric Kraus, Mike Berry and Patrick Shield all answered many questions I had. Being there shows that these three are taking this race very seriously, and as a result, 2 of the 3 of these guys will get my two votes.

These are the questions that I want answered.......

I would also like to know if the selectmen candidates support cost containment of the health insurance budget. That budget is $8.5 million and changes in that budget would generate significant revenue for the town's overall budget. I don't buy that attracting business is the only way to generate revenue as candidiate Eric Kraus wrote in a letter to the editor in the Times last week. New business is a long way off and the town needs help now. I would like to see the candidates talk about how they are going to control health care and salaries which are an immediate way to generate revenue for the schools and the town.

Every candidate talks a good game about attracting business but this year we need to know specifically what kind of business and exactly where. No more broad brush statements that sound good but mean nothing.

I would also like to know what they think about the appointment or election of officials to town boards who are either town employees themselves or have family that are town employees. I don't think these types can be unbiased when it comes to the discussion of healthcare and salary budgets. Especially since they don't abstain form the discussions or votes.

[Unregistered]

Let's see who shows up to candidate's night on May 24th. My guess is 4 of the 6 will attend and answer the questions about the issues facing our town. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Sullivan do not have good track records of showing up at candidates night.

It was helpful to meet and speak with three of the candidates today at Walpole Day. Eric Kraus, Mike Berry and Patrick Shield all answered many questions I had. Being there shows that these three are taking this race very seriously, and as a result, 2 of the 3 of these guys will get my two votes.

Selectman Davld Sullivan was also at Walpole Day and in the parade.

[Unregistered]

Why don"t you take a look at the contracts for the town employees which can be found on line under the town administrator link? You will be quite surprised to see how many vacation days and sick days they can earn along with longevity pay and other perks. Know before you post.

I know the facts..Im living it and loving it. And Im on vacation this week, thanks residents, keep paying your taxes.

[Unregistered]

I know the facts..Im living it and loving it. And Im on vacation this week, thanks residents, keep paying your taxes.

And I have saved up a years worth of vaca and sick time to cash out when I leave! Double up residents... Corporate America stopped this Grand Cash Out System long ago. It bloats payroll beyond control. Employees effectively get 53 or 54 or even 55 weeks of pay a year.

Thanks residents! Bring in more dirty business. I need my perks!!!

[Unregistered]

I know many people in the private sector making great pay and benifits. For example the fulltime employee at stop and shop. That being said why don't you give me your occupation, pay scale and benifit package. Even let me know the company you work for. OO YA that will never happen. Its much easier to come on here and complain.

[Unregistered]

I know many people in the private sector making great pay and benifits. For example the fulltime employee at stop and shop. That being said why don't you give me your occupation, pay scale and benifit package. Even let me know the company you work for. OO YA that will never happen. Its much easier to come on here and complain.

You are a public employee. The taxpayer is your employer. They pay you. They are entitled to know. I assure you that a whole series of bosses know the pay of every employee in a private company. And guess what,.. when profit $$ are down, those private sector employees take a pay cut, get fired, or pick up the workload of a fired employee. Those private sector employees are paying 50% / 50% on healthcare to. If you don't like the scrutiny, go to work in the private sector.

...But by the way, you will get 9 holidaysdays, not 12. You will have "use it or loose it" sick time (5 days!!) which if you use it all you will be considerred undependable and definately never see a raise, promotion, or anything liike that. Come even close to using it all for 2 years in a row and you will be on the unemployment line. Take note... THERE IS NO OVERTIME PAY. Nights and weekends are the price of maintaining employment. You will max out at 3 weeks of vaca, though it will be tough to take that mucch anyways. Personal time is 2 days per year, but it doesn't look good if you actually use it. You are an "employee at will". You do what you are told, when you are told. Everything is in your job description. There is no "arbitration"... no one to complain to. Your salary is your salary. No stpends, no extra %s, no OT, No guaranteed raises.

...I can see why you think it is "easier to come on here and complain".

[Unregistered]

I know many people in the private sector making great pay and benifits. For example the fulltime employee at stop and shop. That being said why don't you give me your occupation, pay scale and benifit package. Even let me know the company you work for. OO YA that will never happen. Its much easier to come on here and complain.

simple answer if you don't like the public knowing your salary and benefits. Leave working for the government and get a job at a private company.
Other than that to bad. You get a job in the public sectore everyone gets to know your compensation package. Real simple.

[Unregistered]

You are a public employee. The taxpayer is your employer. They pay you. They are entitled to know. I assure you that a whole series of bosses know the pay of every employee in a private company. And guess what,.. when profit $$ are down, those private sector employees take a pay cut, get fired, or pick up the workload of a fired employee. Those private sector employees are paying 50% / 50% on healthcare to. If you don't like the scrutiny, go to work in the private sector.

...But by the way, you will get 9 holidaysdays, not 12. You will have "use it or loose it" sick time (5 days!!) which if you use it all you will be considerred undependable and definately never see a raise, promotion, or anything liike that. Come even close to using it all for 2 years in a row and you will be on the unemployment line. Take note... THERE IS NO OVERTIME PAY. Nights and weekends are the price of maintaining employment. You will max out at 3 weeks of vaca, though it will be tough to take that mucch anyways. Personal time is 2 days per year, but it doesn't look good if you actually use it. You are an "employee at will". You do what you are told, when you are told. Everything is in your job description. There is no "arbitration"... no one to complain to. Your salary is your salary. No stpends, no extra %s, no OT, No guaranteed raises.

...I can see why you think it is "easier to come on here and complain".

Sounds like the employees need some protection, maybe a shop steward to stand up to the man. Nope I will just keep taking my licks and begrudge those who don't. Cause my way is the right way, it is good to suffer.

Where was all this screaming for equality when no one wanted this peasant like public sector jobs? Oh I know, you were living the good life looking down on me or did you fail the test and will forever hate me and the fact that I didn't?

[Unregistered]

yes..100 years ago when the model-T was being made and coal and steel mills where everywhere. There are so many laws protecting workers today that all unions do is cause a $100 project and turn it into a $1000 project. Try to fire a lazy overweight union slacker today and then the union protects him and his union dues. Unions slow down productivity, Not one american in this country was or is forced at any job. If you dont like it , go get another job. any employer today should be able to fire any of its employees that wont do what is told or asked of them. If they feel the termination was unjust then the legal system will help them. Hire ups should make more money, they take all the risks. you think the guy pushing the broom should make as much as the bosses. The unions think they should.

You are right I was not forced into my job, nor where you, correct. We all made these choices, but there are plenty of lazy overweight private sector employees out there as well. Union employees can be fired and have been. "If they feel the termination was unjust then the legal system will help them." What is the differance?

"Hire ups should make more money, they take all the risks. you think the guy pushing the broom should make as much as the bosses. The unions think they should." ---What are you talking about?

[Unregistered]

How did the candidates and incumbents for BOS and School Committee that are RTMs vote at Town Meeting?

[Unregistered]

You are a public employee. The taxpayer is your employer. They pay you. They are entitled to know. I assure you that a whole series of bosses know the pay of every employee in a private company. And guess what,.. when profit $$ are down, those private sector employees take a pay cut, get fired, or pick up the workload of a fired employee. Those private sector employees are paying 50% / 50% on healthcare to. If you don't like the scrutiny, go to work in the private sector.

...But by the way, you will get 9 holidaysdays, not 12. You will have "use it or loose it" sick time (5 days!!) which if you use it all you will be considerred undependable and definately never see a raise, promotion, or anything liike that. Come even close to using it all for 2 years in a row and you will be on the unemployment line. Take note... THERE IS NO OVERTIME PAY. Nights and weekends are the price of maintaining employment. You will max out at 3 weeks of vaca, though it will be tough to take that mucch anyways. Personal time is 2 days per year, but it doesn't look good if you actually use it. You are an "employee at will". You do what you are told, when you are told. Everything is in your job description. There is no "arbitration"... no one to complain to. Your salary is your salary. No stpends, no extra %s, no OT, No guaranteed raises.

...I can see why you think it is "easier to come on here and complain".

you need to get a new job. are you working in a sweat shop. No overtime for nights and weekends, I would call james sokilof...lawyer

[Unregistered]

How did the candidates and incumbents for BOS and School Committee that are RTMs vote at Town Meeting?

BOS Candidate Eric Kraus who is an RTM had been at Town Meeting but was not present for the Roll Call Vote. BOS Candidate Jimmy Taylor who is an RTM was not present for Town Meeting or the Roll Call vote.

BOS Candidates Berry and Shield are not RTMs.

Candidate and current selectman Sullivan voted YES as a BOS member.

Both School Committee candidates, Desmond and Gallivan voted YES.

Anyone can take a look at the attendance and Roll Call vote. They are available in the Town Clerk's office. Read for yourself.

[Unregistered]

How did the candidates and incumbents for BOS and School Committee that are RTMs vote at Town Meeting?

Mr .Hamilton voted NO
Mr. Kraus not voting
Mr. Taylor not voting

[Unregistered]

BOS Candidate Eric Kraus who is an RTM had been at Town Meeting but was not present for the Roll Call Vote. BOS Candidate Jimmy Taylor who is an RTM was not present for Town Meeting or the Roll Call vote.

BOS Candidates Berry and Shield are not RTMs.

Candidate and current selectman Sullivan voted YES as a BOS member.

Both School Committee candidates, Desmond and Gallivan voted YES.

Anyone can take a look at the attendance and Roll Call vote. They are available in the Town Clerk's office. Read for yourself.

Kraus was present but didn't vote?

[Unregistered]

How did the candidates and incumbents for BOS and School Committee that are RTMs vote at Town Meeting?

Hamilton voted no on the roll call.

Kraus and Taylor were not recorded on the roll call but both told the opponents they were against it and were prepared to vote no on reconsideration. (Mrs. Kraus is also a TM member and voted no, though that's not a sure sign he would have voted no. Another husband - wife couple split their vote.)

Shield and Berry were asked this question live on the air on Sam Obar's radio show at Walpole Day. Shield declined to give an opinion either way. Berry said he was against the current proposal.

Sullivan voted yes at the Board of Selectmen vote, but is not a TM member.

I think that is all candidates for BOS?

[Unregistered]

Hamilton voted no on the roll call.

Kraus and Taylor were not recorded on the roll call but both told the opponents they were against it and were prepared to vote no on reconsideration. (Mrs. Kraus is also a TM member and voted no, though that's not a sure sign he would have voted no. Another husband - wife couple split their vote.)

Shield and Berry were asked this question live on the air on Sam Obar's radio show at Walpole Day. Shield declined to give an opinion either way. Berry said he was against the current proposal.

Sullivan voted yes at the Board of Selectmen vote, but is not a TM member.

I think that is all candidates for BOS?

Interesting....Kraus was going to vote no on reconsideration. That means zilch because a request for reconsideration was never made at Town Meeting. I hope the opponents haven't fallen for that explanation. Until someone is on the record, they can say anything and they will. The opponents should go to the Candidates Night on Monday and submit a question: Do you support a police station at Robbins Road? Let all the candidates say Yes or No on the record.
Don't let yourselves be fooled because off the reocrd talk is cheap.

[Unregistered]

Kraus and Taylor were not recorded on the roll call but both told the opponents they were against it and were prepared to vote no on reconsideration.

How cowardly can you get. You ran for RTM to represent your precincts. We expect you TO BE THERE FOR THE VOTE AND Take a stand! Does Taylor even go to Town Meeting? You two want to be Selectmen, you are going to have to take a stand on the difficult issues.

"I would have voted no on reconsideration" - how pathetic. Same to a certain extent to Patrick Shield if he didn't take a position while being interviewed.

So, it appears Berry (no) and Sullivan (yes) at least have the courage of their convictions.

[Unregistered]

lets stick with experience and vote for Sullivan and Kraus
leave the kids at home with a sitter

[Unregistered]

taylor-OMG
oniel-who?
sully-union, for the working person, $$$ conservative
hamilton-not again
shield- the boy lives at home
berry- a little better, lives alone? married?
kraus- obvious choice

[Unregistered]

taylor-OMG
oniel-who?
sully-union, for the working person, $$$ conservative
hamilton-not again
shield- the boy lives at home
berry- a little better, lives alone? married?
kraus- obvious choice

Kraus isn't the obvious choice for me. Didn't hang aroung Town Meeting to take the vote on the police station. Is endorsed by O'Neil and Maguire in today's paper. Two people who are diametrically opposed in their views and ran against each other as selectman. O'Neil very pro-school and Maguire anti-school. Oh come on, Kraus is against overrides? His wife is Tom Cibotti's daughter...the former school superintendent.

Kraus works for Covdien according to today's Times...the company that is dragging its feet about cleaning up commercial property on South Street.

[Unregistered]

Both School Committee candidates, Desmond and Gallivan voted YES.

Hmmm. School Committee cries poor, then proposes or supports hotel tax hikes, meals tax hikes, trash limits, and on and on. Yet they both support asking the voters for more money for a police station?

If they upheld their duty to the school system, they'd have had the courage to push an operating override as an alternative and demand the police station be taken off the ballot for now. They likely would have lost, but they'd have had a better chance of passage than the police station.

[Unregistered]

So we are only 2 weeks away from electing 40% ( 2 ) of the members of the board of selectmen and basicly we know squat about their positions on a huge number of very significant issues facing Walpole.
Some candidates hide from important votes , some have no opinion, some do not show up, some always vote no, I can hardly wait to see who will win our hearts cuz our brains won't know the difference.

[Unregistered]

1 will you support 30+ trains a day crossing Walpole just to help out Mr Kraft
2 What will you do to rid Walpole of our junk yards
3 your vote on the police and fire
4 if you support our downtown ,would you build on stone field
5 your position on Siemens level 3
6 your position on the police filling deputy chief, from within or look outside as well
7 position on the Superfund site on South street
8 do we need a senior center and if yes where would you place a senior center
9 what specific talent do you bring to the office that will get your agenda done
10 do you support Adams Farm

[Unregistered]

taylor-OMG
oniel-who?
sully-union, for the working person, $$$ conservative
hamilton-not again
shield- the boy lives at home
berry- a little better, lives alone? married?
kraus- obvious choice

Kraus--Leaves Town Meeting just before a roll call vote on Police station--No Thanks
Sully-Conservative Good thing
Shield--So what he lives at home, Better than the rest
Berry--Another School clone
Taylor--WHO?

[Unregistered]

Kraus--Leaves Town Meeting just before a roll call vote on Police station--No Thanks
Sully-Conservative Good thing
Shield--So what he lives at home, Better than the rest
Berry--Another School clone
Taylor--WHO?

So, your two picks are total "unionistas." Sully a member of and now in bed with the police union, and Shield in the Stop & Shop union (as well as his close ties to Sen. Timilty, the biggest union lackey in the whole senate). John L. Lewis would be proud of you.

You are showing your true colors with this post. Howie Carr has a word for people like you - Moonbat!

[Unregistered]

So, your two picks are total "unionistas." Sully a member of and now in bed with the police union, and Shield in the Stop & Shop union (as well as his close ties to Sen. Timilty, the biggest union lackey in the whole senate). John L. Lewis would be proud of you.

You are showing your true colors with this post. Howie Carr has a word for people like you - Moonbat!

I laugh out loud at the other two unionistas on the board...Mackenzie and DeNapoli whose family are both UNION members

[Unregistered]

So, your two picks are total "unionistas." Sully a member of and now in bed with the police union, and Shield in the Stop & Shop union (as well as his close ties to Sen. Timilty, the biggest union lackey in the whole senate). John L. Lewis would be proud of you.

You are showing your true colors with this post. Howie Carr has a word for people like you - Moonbat!

Believe me I am not a pro Union guy at all and have fought against unions. I'm just against all the tax and spend liberals being supported by Kraus and Berry, if you get my drift.

[Unregistered]

Less than 2 weeks to go to the election and no campaigning , no positions etc so I have an idea NO VOTE stay home

[Unregistered]

Less than 2 weeks to go to the election and no campaigning , no positions etc so I have an idea NO VOTE stay home

Do you expect all six candidates to knock on your door and tear you away from the TV and beg for your vote? (In fairness, maybe there is one or two who you wouldn't much like to see on your lawn never mind knocking on your door).

I think there has been a decent amount of campaigning. A few of the candidates are holding signs in the center of town on Saturday mornings ... did you ever think to go up to them, introduce yourself, and ask them questions?

Have you read any of their articles in the Walpole Times? Educate yourself!

Also, there is candidates night tonight at 7:30 at OPR.

No reason to stay home unless you are a nattering nabob of negativism!

[Unregistered]

Do you expect all six candidates to knock on your door and tear you away from the TV and beg for your vote? (In fairness, maybe there is one or two who you wouldn't much like to see on your lawn never mind knocking on your door).

I think there has been a decent amount of campaigning. A few of the candidates are holding signs in the center of town on Saturday mornings ... did you ever think to go up to them, introduce yourself, and ask them questions?

Have you read any of their articles in the Walpole Times? Educate yourself!

Also, there is candidates night tonight at 7:30 at OPR.

No reason to stay home unless you are a nattering nabob of negativism!

I read the fan letters to the editor and took them with a HUGE grain of salt. I want to heat from the candidates themselves.

[Unregistered]

Less than 2 weeks to go to the election and no campaigning , no positions etc so I have an idea NO VOTE stay home

This weekend is Memorial Day, where we honor those who have served and died for our country. As you drive by a cemetary this weekend, notice all the American flags by many, many headstones. Choose to stay home and not vote on election day, and you dishonor the memory and efforts of each and every one of those people who served to protect the very right you threaten to ignore. You might as well go spit on their graves. Shame on you.

[Unregistered]

I want to heat from the candidates themselves.

Well, we heated from the candidates last night. Who spoke well? (Try to be objective, don't just write in and say your candidate was Abraham Lincoln and the other three were buffoons.)

Surprise, surprise David Sullivan and James Paul Taylor did not appear. How disrespectful to the LWV and the voters in Walpole.

[Unregistered]

Do you expect all six candidates to knock on your door and tear you away from the TV and beg for your vote? (In fairness, maybe there is one or two who you wouldn't much like to see on your lawn never mind knocking on your door).

I think there has been a decent amount of campaigning. A few of the candidates are holding signs in the center of town on Saturday mornings ... did you ever think to go up to them, introduce yourself, and ask them questions?

Have you read any of their articles in the Walpole Times? Educate yourself!

Also, there is candidates night tonight at 7:30 at OPR.

No reason to stay home unless you are a nattering nabob of negativism!

Dear Unknown Citizen,

I like this phrase too....."pusillanimous pussyfooters"

Your Friend, Spiro

[Unregistered]

For the most part the questions resembled a series of softballs with very little substance either in the question or the answer, example, Q : why do you want to be a selectman? A : I want to give back to my community ! Really deep stuff
Q : what should the town do about the old Kahana? A: nothing we can do ? OK lets move on . Watch and determine the winner on your own the "winners" will make up 40% of the Board of Selectmen and choose the next Chairman.

[Unregistered]

Hamilton: Used his opening remarks to talk about the Mall of America ... what?

Berry: Talked to much about growing up here, buying his first home here, etc.

Shield: Underperformed compared to last year; repeated other candidates lines too much; seems like a genuinely nice kid

Kraus: Too Heavy on economic development however his business background is impressive

J.P. Taylor: Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

Sullivan: Nice knowing you

[Unregistered]

For the most part the questions resembled a series of softballs with very little substance either in the question or the answer, example, Q : why do you want to be a selectman? A : I want to give back to my community ! Really deep stuff
Q : what should the town do about the old Kahana? A: nothing we can do ? OK lets move on . Watch and determine the winner on your own the "winners" will make up 40% of the Board of Selectmen and choose the next Chairman.

Did Mr. Hamilton really say that the United States Post Office, if they got Stone Field to build their new facility, was also going to build the town a police and fire station and library. Could this be true?

And Mr. Hamilton implied that after his previous adventure on the Board of Selectmen, it was the BOS alone who rebuffed Mall of America, the developer who wanted to buy all the houses on Coney Street between Rout 1 and Rt. 95, all the houses on Rustic Road and on Joseph Lane to build a Mega Mall? I'm guessing some of the residents up there weren't too crazy about giving up their homes so easily. Maybe the Sandra/Hale Road folks weren't too keen on the idea either. Did Mr. Hamilton want to turn Rt 1 at Coney Street into Route 9 in Natick/Framingham? And he all but had Reebok ready to buy Adams Farm (he used the term "Isaacs property" to disguise this) to Reebok for their world headquarters? The traffic was too much for (registered scenic way) North Street - no kidding! Maybe the Board was listening to the townspeople who didn't think these were such great ideas.

And now in 2010, there is "nothing" that can or should be done with the Bird Machine site - commercially zoned property that has been used for business for 100+ years. So, I see two things going on here: Mr. Hamilton has delusions of grandeur of his previous time on the BOS, but worse, he advocates for mega development for anywhere else in town, except South Walpole.

I agree with the previous poster who said the questions were nothing but softballs.

[Unregistered]

Hamilton: Used his opening remarks to talk about the Mall of America ... what?

Berry: Talked to much about growing up here, buying his first home here, etc.

Shield: Underperformed compared to last year; repeated other candidates lines too much; seems like a genuinely nice kid

Kraus: Too Heavy on economic development however his business background is impressive

J.P. Taylor: Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

Sullivan: Nice knowing you

Kraus....background is PR and not "business" so knows how to talk, talk, talk a good game
Sully, Hamilton, Taylor.....will become history
Berry.....another School Committee member...last thing the BOS needs
Shield....it's his time

[Unregistered]

Hamilton: Used his opening remarks to talk about the Mall of America ... what?

Berry: Talked to much about growing up here, buying his first home here, etc.

Shield: Underperformed compared to last year; repeated other candidates lines too much; seems like a genuinely nice kid

Kraus: Too Heavy on economic development however his business background is impressive

J.P. Taylor: Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

Sullivan: Nice knowing you


If anyone watched the debate, Berry and Kraus came away the clear winners.

Patrick Shield is simply not ready to confront the issues facing the Board of Selectmen. At one point he spoke of using eminent domain for conservation purposes in the downtown area! I don't even know if he knows what he was saying. Nothing personal against him, he just does not have any experience to draw from.

Berry and Kraus had a good command of the issues ... Berry stressing his experience working on municipal and state budgets and Kraus talking about attracting good business development.

I may not agree with them on everything but they are clearly the best suited and most qualified candidates to be on the board.

[Unregistered]

Did Mr. Hamilton really say that the United States Post Office, if they got Stone Field to build their new facility, was also going to build the town a police and fire station and library. Could this be true?

And Mr. Hamilton implied that after his previous adventure on the Board of Selectmen, it was the BOS alone who rebuffed Mall of America, the developer who wanted to buy all the houses on Coney Street between Rout 1 and Rt. 95, all the houses on Rustic Road and on Joseph Lane to build a Mega Mall? I'm guessing some of the residents up there weren't too crazy about giving up their homes so easily. Maybe the Sandra/Hale Road folks weren't too keen on the idea either. Did Mr. Hamilton want to turn Rt 1 at Coney Street into Route 9 in Natick/Framingham? And he all but had Reebok ready to buy Adams Farm (he used the term "Isaacs property" to disguise this) to Reebok for their world headquarters? The traffic was too much for (registered scenic way) North Street - no kidding! Maybe the Board was listening to the townspeople who didn't think these were such great ideas.

And now in 2010, there is "nothing" that can or should be done with the Bird Machine site - commercially zoned property that has been used for business for 100+ years. So, I see two things going on here: Mr. Hamilton has delusions of grandeur of his previous time on the BOS, but worse, he advocates for mega development for anywhere else in town, except South Walpole.

I agree with the previous poster who said the questions were nothing but softballs.

Hey let's talk about selling a portion of Adams Farm to defray the cost of a combined public safety facility. I know everyone in North Walpole will just jump on board. Won't they? You know the folks who fight assisted living facilities and soccer fields. Who want development anywhere but in their neighborhood.

[Unregistered]

Shield....it's his time

It's his time for what? Not the Board of Selectmen. Patrick showed a lot of enthusiasm as he always does. But what real, relevant experience can he bring to this Board? Please don't say his time spent with Jim Timilty and time spent working at a grocery store would prepare him for this. That won't cut it. I'm not being ageist here, age isn't the issue. I just don't think he has the right experience to get the job done. He needs to get more exposure in other areas of local government, which he is doing, but he's not there yet. Three times is a charm.

[Unregistered]

It's his time for what? Not the Board of Selectmen. Patrick showed a lot of enthusiasm as he always does. But what real, relevant experience can he bring to this Board? Please don't say his time spent with Jim Timilty and time spent working at a grocery store would prepare him for this. That won't cut it. I'm not being ageist here, age isn't the issue. I just don't think he has the right experience to get the job done. He needs to get more exposure in other areas of local government, which he is doing, but he's not there yet. Three times is a charm.

We have elected many "Businessmen" who have been less than stellar selectmen because business experience is NOT the same as political experience no matter how hard some might want to think so.

The old mantra of atrracting business has gotten really old because it is not simple and it is not on overnight process that is going to produce revenue for the school budget. No one ever says what type of business, where or how they plan on attracting business. Mackenzie made the same comments last year and so have meny before her. A great promise from the candidates that has produced nothing.

The town does have to look at its costs instead of pretending that a large corporation will find its way to Walpole.

Berry and Shield both have political experience because of their work at the State House. They've walked the walk.

[Unregistered]

Kraus says he can raise $8 million in commercial tax revenue. I guess he hasn't checked out what many businesses pay. We would need 8 Siemens, or a few Walpole Malls, and/or too many other businesses to count. Next candidate please.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/walpole/town_info/government/x407183341/Challenger-Eric-Kraus

[Unregistered]

Last week Sue Maguire wrote a letter in support of Eric Kraus. She has openely opposed school overrides. This week, School Committee member Nancy Gallivan wrote a letter in support of Eric Kraus who asserts in his bio in today's Times that.........

"Kraus called proposals to raise revenue through increasing the hotels and meals tax and impose trash limits short term “band-aid” fixes only necessary because the town has failed to grow commercially.

Philosophically, he was against all three proposals."

Nancy Gallivan was one of the signers of the 10 signature petition to impose hotel and meals taxes and is in favor of trash fees/caps as well.

Doesn't it make you wonder??????

[Unregistered]

Patrick Shields appears earnest and reasonable, but it's clear he's a guy that has been raised in the current political system. He's clearly following the career politician path, first you run for school committee, then try to move up to BOS, and then keeping going after that. Our political culture is broken and we don't need more of these types of people in government. We've got plenty of them already! I hope we will put people in office that have actually achieved something in the working world so they can bring their experience to our trouble system.

[Unregistered]

Berry and Shield both have political experience because of their work at the State House. They've walked the walk.

State House experience is not what we need in Walpole. Spending time on Beacon Hill teaches you how to cave into special interests, cut deals for connected friends, put political donors into no-show patronage jobs, and then pretend to be concerned about what the average person in concerned about. Berry and Shield come from a system that is completely broken -- a system that has needs to be changed. Now is not the time to elect more of the same but to give people of accomplishment and achievement in the real world a chance to serve.

[Unregistered]

Patrick Shields appears earnest and reasonable, but it's clear he's a guy that has been raised in the current political system. He's clearly following the career politician path, first you run for school committee, then try to move up to BOS, and then keeping going after that. Our political culture is broken and we don't need more of these types of people in government. We've got plenty of them already! I hope we will put people in office that have actually achieved something in the working world so they can bring their experience to our trouble system.

You've got the names mixed up...Mike Berry was on the school committee, not Patrick.

[Unregistered]

Patrick Shields appears earnest and reasonable, but it's clear he's a guy that has been raised in the current political system. He's clearly following the career politician path, first you run for school committee, then try to move up to BOS, and then keeping going after that. Our political culture is broken and we don't need more of these types of people in government. We've got plenty of them already! I hope we will put people in office that have actually achieved something in the working world so they can bring their experience to our trouble system.

You got the wrong guy. It's Berry who is on the School Committee and is running for selectman. He was endorsed by two school teachers in yesterday's paper. You have no clue who these candidates really are.

We've had plenty of people from the working world as selectmen and they have gone along with the broken system of bloated salaries and health care benefits at the state and LOCAL level. They are on the board right now.

[Unregistered]

State House experience is not what we need in Walpole. Spending time on Beacon Hill teaches you how to cave into special interests, cut deals for connected friends, put political donors into no-show patronage jobs, and then pretend to be concerned about what the average person in concerned about. Berry and Shield come from a system that is completely broken -- a system that has needs to be changed. Now is not the time to elect more of the same but to give people of accomplishment and achievement in the real world a chance to serve.

Sounds like what has been happening right here. Caving into special business and school interests, apppointing friends and campaign donors to town boards, favorable bias towards certain businessmen, pretending that citizens matter.

The system needs to change at home by supporting candidates who are not already part of the system or endorsed by certain factions. It's easy to figure out by reading the Walpole Times.

[Unregistered]

Last week Sue Maguire wrote a letter in support of Eric Kraus. She has openely opposed school overrides. This week, School Committee member Nancy Gallivan wrote a letter in support of Eric Kraus who asserts in his bio in today's Times that.........

"Kraus called proposals to raise revenue through increasing the hotels and meals tax and impose trash limits short term “band-aid” fixes only necessary because the town has failed to grow commercially.

Philosophically, he was against all three proposals."

Nancy Gallivan was one of the signers of the 10 signature petition to impose hotel and meals taxes and is in favor of trash fees/caps as well.

Doesn't it make you wonder??????

I see it as this is a canidiate who is willing to listen to all sides, and make a decision that is best for all people. No doubt that Ms. McGuire and Ms. Gallivan differ on many issues, if Kraus is able to win the support of these two extremes, perhaps he has the ability to work out solutions that will help the being the different factions of Walpole together so that we may be able to actually move forward.

Oh God!! Not Progress!!

[Unregistered]

State House experience is not what we need in Walpole. Spending time on Beacon Hill teaches you how to cave into special interests, cut deals for connected friends, put political donors into no-show patronage jobs, and then pretend to be concerned about what the average person in concerned about. Berry and Shield come from a system that is completely broken -- a system that has needs to be changed. Now is not the time to elect more of the same but to give people of accomplishment and achievement in the real world a chance to serve.


You're obviously trying to discount actual government experience because I'm guessing your candidate lacks it. So what experience do we need then? Are you going to tell me that we need corporate experience? Like it or not, municipalities will never be run like corporations so that "business" experience won't do you much good. I'm not saying that business experience is a detriment but to discount government experience for a government position is batty.

We should be worried about having the right experience to work for the people of Walpole as a Selectman. I will be voting for the candidate(s) who have the knowledge and experience to start getting things done.

[Unregistered]

I see it as this is a canidiate who is willing to listen to all sides, and make a decision that is best for all people. No doubt that Ms. McGuire and Ms. Gallivan differ on many issues, if Kraus is able to win the support of these two extremes, perhaps he has the ability to work out solutions that will help the being the different factions of Walpole together so that we may be able to actually move forward.

Oh God!! Not Progress!!

You must be the only person who believes that Kraus can support the agendas of Sue Maguire and Nancy Gallivan.

Is he going to oppose half of the hotel tax or maybe just part of an override? You can't be serious.

[Unregistered]

I hope we will put people in office that have actually achieved something in the working world so they can bring their experience to our trouble system.

The "working world" and the world of "an elected official" are completely seperate. The failure to recognize that you work for the people, and in an OPEN and TRANSPARENT manner if the SINGLE most important trait I am looking for. I am tired of Waklpole backroom deals, special interests, and personal agendas. Nancy MacKenzie and David Sullivan really look completely inappropriate to me, in their insistance on being involved in hiring the next Deputy Chief, which directly affects their own family members. It is really very astounding to me.

Mrs. MacKenzie's public, and frankly offensive, e-mail support of Kraus and Berry is an eye opener. In her own words, she refers to the Board of Selectmen as "My Board", more times than I can count. HER agenda seems pretty clear as well, especially when it comes to one dirty business after another. The last thing we need is two more people on the board who will support her unprofessional behavior. Imagine that they actually put Nancy MacKenzie in the chairman's seat next year?! We are headed for BIG trouble if "her agenda" takes center stage.

And by the way, just a simple reminder, the government and the BOS belongs to the people.

[Unregistered]

Just remember what is most important.
Always attack North Walpole, Begrudge the people who paid the most for their homes and pay the higher property taxes.
Always protect Bird Machine, it can Never be developed. We don't need the money. Just stick with developing downtown.
Keep Walpole the way it is right now. Never change it.
I will chain email you as to what to be for and what to band together to fight against.
I am an expert. You can't trust or believe anyone or government agency.
If you question me...your Off my email list...forever.

[Unregistered]

Go Patrick Go. We're rooting for you. Selectman Shield has a nice ring to it.

[Unregistered]

Kraus' promise / guarantee of 8 million dollars in "new " revenue from the expansion of commercial development will take walpole approving 5 new Siemens' and 6 new malls , sorry, I forgot that schools get 66% so if he wants it for the Municipal side for stuff like facilities , better make it 7 new Siemens , 8 new malls and throw in 5 new H&V's

[Unregistered]

Just remember what is most important.
Always attack North Walpole, Begrudge the people who paid the most for their homes and pay the higher property taxes.
Always protect Bird Machine, it can Never be developed. We don't need the money. Just stick with developing downtown.
Keep Walpole the way it is right now. Never change it.
I will chain email you as to what to be for and what to band together to fight against.
I am an expert. You can't trust or believe anyone or government agency.
If you question me...your Off my email list...forever.


You obviously are tired of never winning with your dirty business.
It is too bad that the town's drinking water and Soutrh Walpole are constantly on the sacrificail alter to settle some petty personal score.
Thing is, you don't realize that you are the one stuck in the past.
The days of heading to the factory floor with your lunch pail are over.
Stop trying to re-create the past.
Stop trying to punish the while town to settle you little vendetta.
By the way, did you know that bird machine is on TOP OF OUR DRINKING WATER??
The gross contamination from the failures of the past is not yet cleaned up. Great stewardship from the "old guard".
What decent thing has been proposed for that site anyways? Really... put ypur money where your mouth is.

South Walpole is not your personal dumping ground. And by the way, who is attacking North Walpole? The old guard are the only ones who resent the "McMansions". I myself am quite happy with mine:)

[Unregistered]

Just remember what is most important.
Always attack North Walpole, Begrudge the people who paid the most for their homes and pay the higher property taxes.
Always protect Bird Machine, it can Never be developed. We don't need the money. Just stick with developing downtown.
Keep Walpole the way it is right now. Never change it.
I will chain email you as to what to be for and what to band together to fight against.
I am an expert. You can't trust or believe anyone or government agency.
If you question me...your Off my email list...forever.

"Begrudging the people who paid the most for their homes and pay the higher property taxes."

This sentence says it all and reveals your attitide about others who don't have the financial means or inclination to live in a huge home. Guess what? All votes are created equal. Your vote for a candidate is equal to mine no matter how much you pay in taxes. See you at the polls.

[Unregistered]

Why doesnt someone run on the forum of raising taxes. Forget talk, talk, talk about bringing in a tax base, forget it, nobody wants it. So lets really become Dover. How much do we need to raise taxes to afford the budget? How much to build a new fire/ police combo and give the seniors a decent place? how much for the average tax bill? Maybe we should ask the voters? give us the number and let us vote.....?

[Unregistered]

I just found this site . Now after spending some time reading posts. I am begining to understand why this town is such a mess.

[Unregistered]

Why doesnt someone run on the forum of raising taxes. Forget talk, talk, talk about bringing in a tax base, forget it, nobody wants it. So lets really become Dover. How much do we need to raise taxes to afford the budget? How much to build a new fire/ police combo and give the seniors a decent place? how much for the average tax bill? Maybe we should ask the voters? give us the number and let us vote.....?

Best guess as to how much

New middle school = $ 20 million
new police station = $ 7.9 million
new fire station = $ 8.5 million
new senior center = $ 4.5 million
new DPW improv = $ 2.5 million
building up grades = $ 2.5 million
road upgrades = $ 3.0 million
water & sewer = $ 1.9 million
School budget = $ 1.5 million
Municipal budget = $ 1.0 million
SO...for the measly sum of $ 53 million ( or $ 533 on the average tax rate ) YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL..
NOT A BAD DEAL !!

[Unregistered]

VOTE-VOTE-VOTE
June 5th
Kraus & Berry
These two did a geat job last monday evening. I went Monday with an open mind and left feeling that they will be an asset to the Board of Selectman. We really need to start working together as a town and stop rehashing old issues. Other communities are growing and thriving. New blood and fresh ideas is a great start. Out with the old and in with the new. Move on Walpole.

[Unregistered]

Best guess as to how much

New middle school = $ 20 million
new police station = $ 7.9 million
new fire station = $ 8.5 million
new senior center = $ 4.5 million
new DPW improv = $ 2.5 million
building up grades = $ 2.5 million
road upgrades = $ 3.0 million
water & sewer = $ 1.9 million
School budget = $ 1.5 million
Municipal budget = $ 1.0 million
SO...for the measly sum of $ 53 million ( or $ 533 on the average tax rate ) YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL..
NOT A BAD DEAL !!

You sound like a Town Administrator. Are you ours? Perhaps.

[Unregistered]

VOTE-VOTE-VOTE
June 5th
Kraus & Berry
These two did a geat job last monday evening. I went Monday with an open mind and left feeling that they will be an asset to the Board of Selectman. We really need to start working together as a town and stop rehashing old issues. Other communities are growing and thriving. New blood and fresh ideas is a great start. Out with the old and in with the new. Move on Walpole.

Nothing new about these two. Berry is on the School Committee and Kraus is tied to the school voting bloc. It will be the same old agenda again of more money for schools at any cost.

[Unregistered]

Kraus = all the usual promises. We can spend more money because he will bring in more business.
Questions where will all this new business be going? you would need to build 8 to 10 Seimens to get the money he is talking about. Frankly only a fool thinks this is possible.
For all the talk of his busines skills he is a PR guy. All who work in a business realize PR is usefull once the real business people have come up with a plan or product. But they are not on the business side of things, usually just full of fluff. This might explain his ads, fluff but not real.

[Unregistered]

VOTE-VOTE-VOTE
June 5th
Kraus & Berry
These two did a geat job last monday evening. I went Monday with an open mind and left feeling that they will be an asset to the Board of Selectman. We really need to start working together as a town and stop rehashing old issues. Other communities are growing and thriving. New blood and fresh ideas is a great start. Out with the old and in with the new. Move on Walpole.

These 2 are more of the same old same old. I know because Nancy MacKenzie keeps speaking for them. And she is as old school Walpole as it gets.

[Unregistered]

Nancy MacKenzie is the only Selectperson who knows what they are talking about.

[Unregistered]

You obviously are tired of never winning with your dirty business.
It is too bad that the town's drinking water and Soutrh Walpole are constantly on the sacrificail alter to settle some petty personal score.
Thing is, you don't realize that you are the one stuck in the past.
The days of heading to the factory floor with your lunch pail are over.
Stop trying to re-create the past.
Stop trying to punish the while town to settle you little vendetta.
By the way, did you know that bird machine is on TOP OF OUR DRINKING WATER??
The gross contamination from the failures of the past is not yet cleaned up. Great stewardship from the "old guard".
What decent thing has been proposed for that site anyways? Really... put ypur money where your mouth is.

South Walpole is not your personal dumping ground. And by the way, who is attacking North Walpole? The old guard are the only ones who resent the "McMansions". I myself am quite happy with mine:)

Any body home??? I am still waiting. What DECENT thing has been proposed for Bird Machine??? Seriously. Otherwise you are nothing but a BLAH BLAH BLAH bag of hot air. Making baseless claims. Not facts to speak of... You are proving that you truely are a part of the "old guard" with some silly personal vendetta. I can always hear an empty drum from miles away....

[Unregistered]

Mike berry all the way

[Unregistered]

Just got around to reading the candidates in the Times and was shocked to see Kraus quoted as willing to consider tearing down old town hall , WOW !!
We already know he can not deliver on his promise to bring in $8 million in fast quick commercial development ( the equivalent to 9 new Siemens ), WOW !
He wants to fill the downtown area with buildings and then says he wants GREEN space, WOW !
He touts himself as Walpole's self avowed savior , not for me, I will look elsewhere

[Unregistered]

Nothing new about these two. Berry is on the School Committee and Kraus is tied to the school voting bloc. It will be the same old agenda again of more money for schools at any cost.

You have obviously never watched a school committee meeting on television or in person. Mike is a thorn in the sides of the Desmond/Gallivan "spend-it-all, spend-it-now, get-some-more and spend-it-again" faction. They are two happiest people in Walpole that Mike will not be there to challenge their relentless claims for needing more money. Not only that, but Mike will be replaced by former school committee member and chairman Michael Ryan (running unopposed for the open seat): talk about same old agenda!

As a Selectman, Mike will understand the School Committee's "agenda" but definitely will not be their marionette on the Board of Selectmen. When it comes time to work the budgets, Mike Berry will know better than any other candidate what the School Committee is up to, and he will make sure fairness and reasonableness prevail.

[Unregistered]

You have obviously never watched a school committee meeting on television or in person. Mike is a thorn in the sides of the Desmond/Gallivan "spend-it-all, spend-it-now, get-some-more and spend-it-again" faction. They are two happiest people in Walpole that Mike will not be there to challenge their relentless claims for needing more money. Not only that, but Mike will be replaced by former school committee member and chairman Michael Ryan (running unopposed for the open seat): talk about same old agenda!

As a Selectman, Mike will understand the School Committee's "agenda" but definitely will not be their marionette on the Board of Selectmen. When it comes time to work the budgets, Mike Berry will know better than any other candidate what the School Committee is up to, and he will make sure fairness and reasonableness prevail.

Nancy Mackenzie's endorsement of Kraus and Berry was a total turn off for me. I do not agree with her agenda so I will not be voting for anyone that she has supports. The members elect the chair. This is another reason I won't be vtoing for either one of them.

[Unregistered]

You have obviously never watched a school committee meeting on television or in person. Mike is a thorn in the sides of the Desmond/Gallivan "spend-it-all, spend-it-now, get-some-more and spend-it-again" faction. They are two happiest people in Walpole that Mike will not be there to challenge their relentless claims for needing more money. Not only that, but Mike will be replaced by former school committee member and chairman Michael Ryan (running unopposed for the open seat): talk about same old agenda!

As a Selectman, Mike will understand the School Committee's "agenda" but definitely will not be their marionette on the Board of Selectmen. When it comes time to work the budgets, Mike Berry will know better than any other candidate what the School Committee is up to, and he will make sure fairness and reasonableness prevail.

I don't know about his grasp of the budget. He voted in favor of the recent teacher contracts even though the town can't afford what the school commitee agreed to. That is why Desmond and Gallivan signed a petition for hotel and meal taxes and want trash caps/fees - to cover the expense of the contract.

[Unregistered]

Just days before the election and you want to sling mud? Stick to the facts. Shields is a nice young man with no experience. He lives at home, doesn’t pay taxes and has nothing to offer but enthusiasm. Shields’s true colors came out during the LWV event, where he couldn’t intelligently answer a single question. Berry, while a tad older, also comes up short on experience. That said, he seems to be well grounded on what Walpole needs. Our Town has serious issues and needs serious leaders. Kraus has boatloads of business experience, as well as key negotiation success with the state and federal government. You can spin the profiles any way you wish, but at the end of the day, my vote goes to Kraus, as he has the best chance to help Walpole.

[Unregistered]

Just days before the election and you want to sling mud? Stick to the facts. Shields is a nice young man with no experience. He lives at home, doesn’t pay taxes and has nothing to offer but enthusiasm. Shields’s true colors came out during the LWV event, where he couldn’t intelligently answer a single question. Berry, while a tad older, also comes up short on experience. That said, he seems to be well grounded on what Walpole needs. Our Town has serious issues and needs serious leaders. Kraus has boatloads of business experience, as well as key negotiation success with the state and federal government. You can spin the profiles any way you wish, but at the end of the day, my vote goes to Kraus, as he has the best chance to help Walpole.

So Kraus is the only answer? What is the question? Who can make the most ridiculous promise ( $8,000,000 in new business tax revenue). Or is it how to keep saying nothing about everything and ducking his RTM votes.

[Unregistered]

Just days before the election and you want to sling mud? Stick to the facts. Shields is a nice young man with no experience. He lives at home, doesn’t pay taxes and has nothing to offer but enthusiasm. Shields’s true colors came out during the LWV event, where he couldn’t intelligently answer a single question. Berry, while a tad older, also comes up short on experience. That said, he seems to be well grounded on what Walpole needs. Our Town has serious issues and needs serious leaders. Kraus has boatloads of business experience, as well as key negotiation success with the state and federal government. You can spin the profiles any way you wish, but at the end of the day, my vote goes to Kraus, as he has the best chance to help Walpole.

Complain about mud slinging and then start attacking the other candidate??
If we are in desperate need of press releases a PR guy may be helpful. But when it comes to real work I am not sure what Kraus brings.

Also show me who you hang around with and it tells me allot.
All the usual override for the school budget people are pushing him. I know from his supporters that i cannot support him.

[Unregistered]

Nancy Mackenzie's endorsement of Kraus and Berry was a total turn off for me. I do not agree with her agenda so I will not be voting for anyone that she has supports. The members elect the chair. This is another reason I won't be vtoing for either one of them.
Im not sure you can vote in this town?

[Unregistered]

Sully has done a good job and does well by the people add Kraus and we have a winning ticket

[Unregistered]

Sully has done a good job and does well by the people add Kraus and we have a winning ticket

It's hard to tell what kind of a job Sully has done. He barely speaks at the meetings. Does the board of selectmen need a press secretary? Is that what Kraus is running for?

[Unregistered]

My wife got a letter yesterday from the AFL-CIO & IBEW labor union supporting Patrick Shield for Selectman.

So organized labor is sticking their noses in Walpole to support the most inexperienced candidate of the whole bunch?! I guess this makes sense since in his candidate profile Shield professed to being a "union guy."

That is the LAST thing we need on the Board of Selectmen. Even my wife who is a member of AFSCME union was surprised to see the union backing a candidate with such a thin resume.

All you posters who talked about contracts and the like ... just what do you think you're gonna get with an AFL-CIO endorsed candidate? We know whose side he will be on when it comes to contract negotiations.

Sullivan has had one term and has been fabulously unimpressive.

Kraus' candidate profile in the Walpole Times did not do him any favors. I'm still iffy on him.

Berry seems the most balanced of the bunch though none of the candidates seem to be as fiscally conservative as I'd like them to be.

Prediction: Berry and Kraus battle for the top two spots. Shield and Sully split the union/teacher/police & fire vote and lose.

[Unregistered]

Don't even try to denigrate Kraus's credentials. He is a leader and Walpole would benefit from his expertise. We are not talking about stocking store shelves here...but rather how to move the Town forward.

[Unregistered]

My wife got a letter yesterday from the AFL-CIO & IBEW labor union supporting Patrick Shield for Selectman.

So organized labor is sticking their noses in Walpole to support the most inexperienced candidate of the whole bunch?! I guess this makes sense since in his candidate profile Shield professed to being a "union guy."

That is the LAST thing we need on the Board of Selectmen. Even my wife who is a member of AFSCME union was surprised to see the union backing a candidate with such a thin resume.

All you posters who talked about contracts and the like ... just what do you think you're gonna get with an AFL-CIO endorsed candidate? We know whose side he will be on when it comes to contract negotiations.

Sullivan has had one term and has been fabulously unimpressive.

Kraus' candidate profile in the Walpole Times did not do him any favors. I'm still iffy on him.

Berry seems the most balanced of the bunch though none of the candidates seem to be as fiscally conservative as I'd like them to be.

Prediction: Berry and Kraus battle for the top two spots. Shield and Sully split the union/teacher/police & fire vote and lose.

Oh please, a union person being offended that the union is supporting a candidate? You expect anyone to believe your post? I was offended by Mackenzie's email. An attempt to promote herself by getting two more votes on the board.
Did you see Berry's bio in the Walpole Times?. He works for the Asscoiated Builders & Contractors. You don't think that they are union folks? Try something that's not going to backfire on you.
Nice try but it didn't work

[A.B. Poot]

I've had more than a few dealings with Eric Kraus. I have found him to be conscientous & diplomatic. I also know first hand he's got allot on the ball. What we need is new blood with new ideas from people that love Walpole, but can move past the "townie" mentality. I think he brings that.

My second vote goes to Shield, for allot of the same reasons. He's got Union backing - that is true, and yes this makes me somewhat nervous. But he's a hard working, self-made guy - always has been. He's bright & articulate. As far as his age is concerned, I find it pretty impressive that this guy has a calling towards public service and wants to make a difference at an age where most other young men are thinking soley about thier own self interest.

Folks, there are two poles in this town:

On the one side you have the people that bought in Walpole becuse they didn't want to pay Medfield or Dover taxes, but now they want Medfield and Dover services. These are your "Overrides for the sake of image" types.

One the other side you have the people that have lived here forever, and don't want to recognize that Walpole is no longer a mill-town, and that we need to do things differently in order to make it attractive to "real" business. These are the "no overrides - ever - for any reason" types.

In the middle - where I believe most of us fall - are those that are willing to spend the money if they see any kind of tangible return on thier investment. We want a conscious effort made to seeking alternatives to overrides, like generating new revenue streams from commercial based taxes, but when that is not enough, we are also willing to accept an override so long our money is spent judicously, on things we truly need that will attract that type of revenue stream and stimulate growth so we don't have to talk about an override every 18 months.

Of all the candidates, I'm convinced these two gentlemen are the two guys fall that into this category.

[Unregistered]

I'm a life long resident of Walpole, but I don't get the emphasis being placed on being born here in the this election. Berry and Shield are making it a big deal. If that's the top criteria, then I guess Bill Hamilton should get our votes.

[Unregistered]

It's hard to tell what kind of a job Sully has done. He barely speaks at the meetings. Does the board of selectmen need a press secretary? Is that what Kraus is running for?

Walpole needs a new image, so why not elect a guy with proven business experience and the expertise to promote a brand? Who better than Kraus -- who has done that successfully at several blue chip companies -- to rebrand Walpole as a town that: welcomes good business development in the right locations; cares about its infrastructure; values quality education; and has the intelligence to seek viable fiscal solutions for putting the town's balance sheet back in good order?

[Unregistered]

Shield is a hard-working self-made guy? Albeit w/ Union backing? What 23-year-old can declare himself a "self-made guy" at such a tender age? Nothing personal, but
I think the town demands someone w/ a little more life experience and maturuity. Under ObamaCare, he can remain on his parent's medical coverage for the balnce of his term!

[Unregistered]

Oh please, a union person being offended that the union is supporting a candidate? You expect anyone to believe your post? I was offended by Mackenzie's email. An attempt to promote herself by getting two more votes on the board.
Did you see Berry's bio in the Walpole Times?. He works for the Asscoiated Builders & Contractors. You don't think that they are union folks? Try something that's not going to backfire on you.
Nice try but it didn't work

I checked out the organization Berry works for. They represent NON-UNION construction companies.

Maybe you should do YOUR homework before your own responses blow up in your own face! HA!

And if you re-read my comments, I said that my wife is a union member, not myself. I am not nor ever will be a union member.

[Unregistered]

Did you see Berry's bio in the Walpole Times?. He works for the Asscoiated Builders & Contractors. You don't think that they are union folks? Try something that's not going to backfire on you.
Nice try but it didn't work

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association with 77 chapters representing 25,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms with 2 million employees.

That means non-union, i.e., people who have to perform in order to keep their jobs and get promoted versus the union seniority system. Companies that have to bid fairly for work, not preferentially rigged by state law, choking us to death with prevailing wage.

I think your alleged backfire just fired back at you! AFL-CIO, gimme a break.........

[Unregistered]

Also show me who you hang around with and it tells me allot.
All the usual override for the school budget people are pushing him. I know from his supporters that i cannot support him.

Ahhhh, HELLO! OK, you need to come out of your mother's basement too and look around. But wear sunglasses, its light out here. Most of the people with Kraus signs also have NO OVERRIDE signs on their lawns too. Kraus is associated with fiscal conservativism. It's not just the school people (heaven forbid we have people in town to fight hard for a great education for our kids - at least 3 from the WHS Class of 2010 going to the Ivies: Harvard, Columbia and Penn, but I digress), who back Eric, it's people who want a better Walpole.

When was the last time there was an override for the schools anyway, 2001? It's time for you to get a new calendar.

[Unregistered]

Oh please, a union person being offended that the union is supporting a candidate? You expect anyone to believe your post? I was offended by Mackenzie's email. An attempt to promote herself by getting two more votes on the board.
Did you see Berry's bio in the Walpole Times?. He works for the Asscoiated Builders & Contractors. You don't think that they are union folks? Try something that's not going to backfire on you.
Nice try but it didn't work

are you one of her 40 friends? or the sneak that passed it along to try and "expose her". because who ever did, did Berry and Kraus a favor. Nancy has been a breath of fresh air on that board of stuffed shirts and now the rest of us came send her a rope on Saturday

[pmarcano]

I have been looking for a list of the ballot questions and issues online. Does anyone have a URL?

[Unregistered]

Shield is a hard-working self-made guy? Albeit w/ Union backing? What 23-year-old can declare himself a "self-made guy" at such a tender age? Nothing personal, but
I think the town demands someone w/ a little more life experience and maturuity. Under ObamaCare, he can remain on his parent's medical coverage for the balnce of his term!

AND, he lives at home with his parents!!!!!

[Unregistered]

Taylor-No......Hamilton-had his turn years ago.....Shields-just needs more life and town government experiance......Berry-a little to full of himself, needs to bring him self down a notch.....Sullivan-just is a real guy with bagage but knows whats going on and whos trying to pull one over on us, a good watch dog.......Kraus-a great head on his shoulders and the experiance to back it up.

[The Raven]

http://www.wickedlocal.com/walpole/town_info/government/x407183341/Challenger-Eric-Kraus

I just read the item on Eric Kraus in the Times on-line. Sounded pretty good to me, until I read this sentence:

"He said he’s against a police station on Robbins Road and preferred a Stone Field location or possibly tearing down the old town hall to make way for a new headquarters."

Tear down the old town hall, Mr. Kraus? Its a plain foolish and shortsighted idea. Makes one wonder what else he is proposing to do.

http://www.linsdomain.com/totems/pictures/raven.jpg

[Unregistered]

Walpole needs a new image, so why not elect a guy with proven business experience and the expertise to promote a brand? Who better than Kraus -- who has done that successfully at several blue chip companies -- to rebrand Walpole as a town that: welcomes good business development in the right locations; cares about its infrastructure; values quality education; and has the intelligence to seek viable fiscal solutions for putting the town's balance sheet back in good order?

Walpole is not a consumer product. It is our home. Nothing will change the amount of wetlands, limited access, or gross contamination on many of the sites in Walpole. The only re-branding we need is to stop the rediculous parade of fools who have tried to bring us Biotech Level 3 (a la Nancy MacKenzie & Timson), a power plant (courtesy of DeNapoli, Timson, and Brady), a trash transfer station, a propane farm, and a sludge facility. Add to it the Rebel Flag, and we look like a bunch of backwater hicks.

All of the bad land uses have come at the hands of school candidates and Townies. That takes care Nancy MacKenzie and her picks. Patrick Shield gets my vote

[Unregistered]

Ahhhh, HELLO! OK, you need to come out of your mother's basement too and look around. But wear sunglasses, its light out here. Most of the people with Kraus signs also have NO OVERRIDE signs on their lawns too. Kraus is associated with fiscal conservativism. It's not just the school people (heaven forbid we have people in town to fight hard for a great education for our kids - at least 3 from the WHS Class of 2010 going to the Ivies: Harvard, Columbia and Penn, but I digress), who back Eric, it's people who want a better Walpole.

When was the last time there was an override for the schools anyway, 2001? It's time for you to get a new calendar.

The "no-override folks" who are schoolies, are ONLY no override when it comes to anything BUT schools. No Police, No Fire, No Library, NO NO NO... unless it is schools.

[Unregistered]

Taylor-No......Hamilton-had his turn years ago.....Shields-just needs more life and town government experiance......Berry-a little to full of himself, needs to bring him self down a notch.....Sullivan-just is a real guy with bagage but knows whats going on and whos trying to pull one over on us, a good watch dog.......Kraus-a great head on his shoulders and the experiance to back it up.

Will the room be big enough for the egoes of Mackenzie, Berry, and Kraus? Sullivan has accomplished nothing.

[Unregistered]

are you one of her 40 friends? or the sneak that passed it along to try and "expose her". because who ever did, did Berry and Kraus a favor. Nancy has been a breath of fresh air on that board of stuffed shirts and now the rest of us came send her a rope on Saturday

One of her 40 friends must have been the "sneak" who forwarded the email. Simple logic. With friends like that, who needs enemies. Very unprofessional email that has caused animosity on the board. What does she care though? Getting those two votes for herself are what it is all about.

[Unregistered]

Time for change. vote for the 2 people who will provide for Walpoles future, respect its past and educate its future.
Your job is to figure out the two people that will try their best to obtain this goal. Our future depends on your choice on Saturday

[Unregistered]

You are Kraus and the schools want $20 million for a new middle school and the public safety bldg is also $20 million.
Bet you can guess which way he would go. So much for no override, so much for no favorites.

[Unregistered]

I would urge voters to take a good hard look at experience and which candidates can make the biggest impact today and over the next three years. Pat Shield is a very nice young man. Hats off to him for running this year. His time will come, but he needs more seasoning. Mike Berry is quite full of himself, and unfortunately, has answers to every question and every issue.

I'd really like to see what Eric Kraus can do over the next three years. The Town has everything to gain, and quite frankly, little to lose by giving him a chance. If he's effective, we all win. If not, we won't be in any worse shape that we are today with the current Board.

[Unregistered]

Taylor-No......Hamilton-had his turn years ago.....Shields-just needs more life and town government experiance......Berry-a little to full of himself, needs to bring him self down a notch.....Sullivan-just is a real guy with bagage but knows whats going on and whos trying to pull one over on us, a good watch dog.......Kraus-a great head on his shoulders and the experiance to back it up.

I've seen Kraus in action for several years...both professionally and here in Walpole through his many philanthropic and volunteer endeavors. The guy is a big thinker, action-oriented and passionate. It would be a shame -- a missed opportunity -- if we didn't give him the chance to help out our town.

[Unregistered]

Mr. Kraus has been a member of the EDC ( Ecconomic Development Commission ) for a while . I do not recall any develpoment nor do I see any suggestions coming from that committee.
As for his RTM ( Representative Town Meeting ) record, he skips out on a critical roll call vote.
You will get what you vote.

[Unregistered]

I would urge voters to take a good hard look at experience and which candidates can make the biggest impact today and over the next three years. Pat Shield is a very nice young man. Hats off to him for running this year. His time will come, but he needs more seasoning. Mike Berry is quite full of himself, and unfortunately, has answers to every question and every issue.

I'd really like to see what Eric Kraus can do over the next three years. The Town has everything to gain, and quite frankly, little to lose by giving him a chance. If he's effective, we all win. If not, we won't be in any worse shape that we are today with the current Board.

So with Kraus we have everything to gain and very little to lose?

What's the risk with Berry, Hamilton, Shield, or Sullivan for that matter?

If you want to vote for Kraus b/c of his business experience than say it. Don't discredit him by saying "we have little to lose."

Because, "quite frankly" Kraus has little to no experience serving in his local government. Same for Shield. So unlike Berry or Sullivan or perhaps even Hamilton, they are complete unknown quantities.

My only concern with Sullivan is his support of the override for the police station. The way Timson & Snuffer have shoved this proposal down our throats is concerning. Sully could have shown real leadership as a former cop by opposing this proposal instead of "going along" with the crowd.

[Unregistered]

The Mackenzie email was a real eye opener and an indicator of raw political ambition. The selectmen should have addressed it at their meeting and rebutted her opinions. Anyone who has seen the email can see it for what it is.... an undignified attempt to create a board with "her" vision of the town, "her" agenda, and possibly "her" as chairman. When Kraus and Berry thanked "her", it said a lot about them too.

Any other selectman could have easily written an email about her that could have been equally unflattering but the rest of the board had too much class for that.

Those who fly to close to the sun, will burn their wings. This is a selectman who needs a lesson in humility instead of the platform afforded her by media outlets to create her own reality since her statements go unchecked and unsubstantiated.

[Unregistered]

Mr. Kraus has been a member of the EDC ( Ecconomic Development Commission ) for a while . I do not recall any develpoment nor do I see any suggestions coming from that committee.
As for his RTM ( Representative Town Meeting ) record, he skips out on a critical roll call vote.
You will get what you vote.

You need to understand how committees work. Kraus has only been on the EDC for 4 months. The EDC has no power and only serves as an advisory committee to the Board of Selectman.

Don't try to discredit someone who can definitely help the Town of Walpole. He is by far the most qualified candidate and has the skills and experience to move the Town forward.

[Unregistered]

I've seen Kraus in action for several years...both professionally and here in Walpole through his many philanthropic and volunteer endeavors. The guy is a big thinker, action-oriented and passionate. It would be a shame -- a missed opportunity -- if we didn't give him the chance to help out our town.

Kraus only got involved in Town POlitics after his last failed run for Selectman. He joined the Economic Developement Commission about 6 or 7 months ago, and he ran for RTM just last year. And his first big vote t the Spring Town Meeting was.... to leave before he went on the record. So much for "all of his experience in local government". I have NEVER seen him at a BOS, Fin Com, or Planning Board meeting.

Boy, these PR guys really know how to play the game.

[Unregistered]

I'd rather pick strawberries than pick one of Mackenzie's choices for selectmen.

[Unregistered]

AND, he lives at home with his parents!!!!!

Walpole isn't a case study for a poli-sci course. We are not even talking about politics, but rather we're talking about help, strategic thinking and results. As wide-eyed enthusiastic as Shield may be, he brings no relevant experience. Great kid, but it's not his time. Not now. Not on June 5th.

The back and forth banter is amusing, but let's be serious -- Kraus is a serious leader with experience that can really help us.

[Unregistered]

Time for change. vote for the 2 people who will provide for Walpoles future, respect its past and educate its future.
Your job is to figure out the two people that will try their best to obtain this goal. Our future depends on your choice on Saturday

Only two candidates fit that bill: Mike Berry and Eric Kraus.

[Unregistered]

Why does Mike Berry keep pushing as his main plank in his platform that he was "born and raised" in Walpole? To those of us who care about such nonsense, we already know that. To others, it is a major turnoff, as if he has no better ideas, so he waves the townie flag. In today's economy it is more and more uncommon to see a lifelong Red Sox or hometown resident..not to belittle the "accomplishment" but is it at all relevant? I'd rather hear how he plans to improve the sorry state of the town, not preserve it!

[Unregistered]

I'd rather pick strawberries than pick one of Mackenzie's choices for selectmen.

Ron Mariani, a former Selectman himself and a conservative one at that, wrote to the Walpole Times endorsing Shield. Mr. Mariani is a good guy but he jumped the shark on this one.

How come no one makes an issue of his supporting the one candidate on this race with a resume that could fit on a "Post - It" note?

Yet Nancy Mackenzie gets knocked around because ... she exercised her right to let her friends know whom she is supporting for Selectmen?

Agree or disagree with Nancy on an issue. But she has every right to support whomever she wants whether she is a sitting Selectman or not.

The poisonous South Walpole politics of "win at all costs" will prove a loser on Election Day.

[Unregistered]

I'd rather pick strawberries than pick one of Mackenzie's choices for selectmen.

Good, because if you discount Mike Berry and Eric Kraus, that's about what you are left with.

[Unregistered]

Walpole isn't a case study for a poli-sci course. We are not even talking about politics, but rather we're talking about help, strategic thinking and results. As wide-eyed enthusiastic as Shield may be, he brings no relevant experience. Great kid, but it's not his time. Not now. Not on June 5th.

The back and forth banter is amusing, but let's be serious -- Kraus is a serious leader with experience that can really help us.

Do you guys think Eric has someone "on staff" whose job it is is to look out for and respond to any post, negative or otherwise, here on Walpole Words?? It seems that any post here about any other candidate is followed immediately by a wicked "pro-Eric" post. They are usually short, written in the same style, I am guessing by the same person. See #154, #158, # 145 and the post quoted above. Just wondering . . .

[Unregistered]

Why does Mike Berry keep pushing as his main plank in his platform that he was "born and raised" in Walpole? To those of us who care about such nonsense, we already know that. To others, it is a major turnoff, as if he has no better ideas, so he waves the townie flag. In today's economy it is more and more uncommon to see a lifelong Red Sox or hometown resident..not to belittle the "accomplishment" but is it at all relevant? I'd rather hear how he plans to improve the sorry state of the town, not preserve it!

I take it to show his true commitment to the best interest of the town, in all aspects. If you grow up in a place and want to stay there as an adult, that says something that you want that place to be the best it can be. In my case, I hated where I grew up and went to high school, so when my wife and I could, we moved here. In Mike's case, he wants a Walpole with a future where people of all walks of life can afford to live; where kids will get a quality education (like he got); a place with very little serious crime; great green spaces; a solid, but not overburdensome commercial base; a town that cares for the wellbeing of its seniors: in other words, a town that preserves it core values that Mike experienced growing up here, while moving the town forward in accordance with the will of the citizens. This is what Mike talked about with great passion when he knocked on my door the other day.

I was not "born and raised" in Walpole, but I am glad my kids will be, which is why I am voting for Mike Berry

[Unregistered]

Part of Nancy MacKenzie's "vision" being derided here was for for Walpole to become a Green Community, only to be stonewalled by three Selectmen? (not Al, he was probably in favor too.) Now, thanks to their fear, feetdragging and spineless lack of support, we are missing a HUGE opportunity for the town, part of Ms. MacKenzie's vision.

I'll stick with her.

From a recent DOR publication: This should make you very angry . . .

Municipalities compete for Green Community Grants

Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray have awarded 35 cities and towns designations as the Commonwealth’s very first “Green Communities,” which now makes them eligible to compete for $8.1 million in state grants for local renewable power and energy efficiency projects. This is an exciting step in a relatively new Patrick-Murray program for cities and towns.

{If the Board has listened to Nancy and believed in her vision, we would have been one of those towns!!!!! Walpole always does well with state grants. We would have received some of that money.}

In a statement issued on May 25, Governor Patrick thanked all the communities involved for their vision and effort, {NOT WALPOLE} saying, “These pioneers are notable not only for their commitment to a cleaner, greener Massachusetts, but also for their diversity. From tiny towns to major cities and suburbs in all regions of the state, Massachusetts communities recognize the benefits, for the economy as well as the environment, of making clean energy choices.” {THANKS TO SNUFFY, TIMSON AND SULLY, NOT US!!!!!}

Lt. Governor Tim Murray added that not only is this initiative good for the economy, but good for job growth as well; “It’s great to see so many communities dedicated to saving energy, making new construction as energy efficient as possible, and accommodating clean energy investment and jobs in support of a stronger, more sustainable future for Massachusetts.”

{During the CPV Power Plant debate, these are the thing we said we wanted - "clean entergy investment". Why did the board members other than Nancy stonewall this??}

The grant program for the first time is offering cities and towns the opportunity to find energy savings for residents and to reduce the environmental impact of municipal operations. Now that the 35 communities have met the clean energy benchmarks allotting them this state designation, they will now submit applications due on June 4th for grants that will be awarded later this month.

{Why didn't anyone but Nancy want this for our citizens and for our town!! "Oh, we don't know if the money will come through" I think they said, "so we will just sit on our thumbs" This is infuriatinging!}

Find out more at dor.state.ma.us


Start believing in the only selectman with vision. If she has to push a little harder to get her point across to these other fellows, I say "YOU GO GIRL." After something like this, the infamous email showed great restraint, I would say.

[Unregistered]

The Mackenzie email was a real eye opener and an indicator of raw political ambition. The selectmen should have addressed it at their meeting and rebutted her opinions. Anyone who has seen the email can see it for what it is.... an undignified attempt to create a board with "her" vision of the town, "her" agenda, and possibly "her" as chairman. When Kraus and Berry thanked "her", it said a lot about them too.

Any other selectman could have easily written an email about her that could have been equally unflattering but the rest of the board had too much class for that.

Those who fly to close to the sun, will burn their wings. This is a selectman who needs a lesson in humility instead of the platform afforded her by media outlets to create her own reality since her statements go unchecked and unsubstantiated.


You didnt like her before and are trying to make something out of nothing.
But let me tell you a story...it goes something like this....
There is an older woman who lives in a shoe and she sends sooo many emails... the rest of us........

And for the "stuffed shirts" on that board
Ive watched those "meetings" and I use the term loosely, Mrs. Nancy Mackenzie is hands down the only Selectman who knows whats going on. The rest of us have noticed that young woman must be on to something to have them all running scared and are truly are grasping at straws.

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;11276]You need to understand how committees work. Kraus has only been on the EDC for 4 months. The EDC has no power and only serves as an advisory committee to the Board of Selectman.
QUOTE]

So what did he join for,.. to put it on his resume for the Selectman campaign?

[Unregistered]

Ron Mariani, a former Selectman himself and a conservative one at that, wrote to the Walpole Times endorsing Shield. Mr. Mariani is a good guy but he jumped the shark on this one.

How come no one makes an issue of his supporting the one candidate on this race with a resume that could fit on a "Post - It" note?

Yet Nancy Mackenzie gets knocked around because ... she exercised her right to let her friends know whom she is supporting for Selectmen?

Agree or disagree with Nancy on an issue. But she has every right to support whomever she wants whether she is a sitting Selectman or not.

The poisonous South Walpole politics of "win at all costs" will prove a loser on Election Day.

Nice try, but WAYYYYYY off base.

It is inappropriate for a current Selectman to campaign for future candidates. I have never seen another Selectman conduct themselves in such a manner. It looks inappropraite. But then again, this is Nancy MacKenzie, so I guess it is to be expected. Nothing like trying to stack the deck for "YOUR Board".

"Poisonous South Walpole Politics" is an odd way to refer to Walpole politics, but then again, when was the last time someone tried to build a power plant, sludge facility, trash transfer station, of propane tank farm anywhere else in town....? The only poison in Walpole politics comes from our secretive and destructive officials who bring one outrageously bad developement idea after another.

[Unregistered]

You need to understand how committees work. Kraus has only been on the EDC for 4 months. The EDC has no power and only serves as an advisory committee to the Board of Selectman.

Don't try to discredit someone who can definitely help the Town of Walpole. He is by far the most qualified candidate and has the skills and experience to move the Town forward.



But first

Are You Experienced?
Ah! Have you ever been experienced?
Well, I have

-Jimi Hendrix

If his spin doctor is saying the EDC is a do-nothing committee, and he has been an RTM for less than a year, and missed key votes at town meeting, and has never been seen at any meetings and had no involvement in any issues- where exactly is all of Mr Kraus's "experience" in Walpole? It seems every other post must be written by the same Kraus spin doctor. If you say it over and over, though that doesn't make it true.

Sorry to break it to you, but the other 5 candidate have more experience!.

At least James Paul Taylor has been elected to an RTM seat and the Housing Board.

Hamilton was a selectman when Abe Lincoln was splitting rails.

Sullivan is a selectman.

Berry is on the School Committee and works at the State House.

Shield has experience at the state house.

I don't see anyone in the bunch who can claim he should be elected on his experience.
Maybe we need to give Berry and Shield a chance instead of the same insiders who will owe their seat to someone or some group..

[Unregistered]

Do you guys think Eric has someone "on staff" whose job it is is to look out for and respond to any post, negative or otherwise, here on Walpole Words?? It seems that any post here about any other candidate is followed immediately by a wicked "pro-Eric" post. They are usually short, written in the same style, I am guessing by the same person. See #154, #158, # 145 and the post quoted above. Just wondering . . .

Staffer, no. Supporter, Yes. Just a concerned tax-paying resident who wants a Selectman that can actually help our Town. At the end of the day, Kraus gives us the best chance to move forward. Keep on taking shots. It's amusing at best.

[Unregistered]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Why does Mike Berry keep pushing as his main plank in his platform that he was "born and raised" in Walpole? To those of us who care about such nonsense, we already know that. To others, it is a major turnoff, as if he has no better ideas, so he waves the townie flag. In today's economy it is more and more uncommon to see a lifelong Red Sox or hometown resident..not to belittle the "accomplishment" but is it at all relevant? I'd rather hear how he plans to improve the sorry state of the town, not preserve it!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I take it to show his true commitment to the best interest of the town, in all aspects. If you grow up in a place and want to stay there as an adult, that says something that you want that place to be the best it can be. In my case, I hated where I grew up and went to high school, so when my wife and I could, we moved here. In Mike's case, he wants a Walpole with a future where people of all walks of life can afford to live; where kids will get a quality education (like he got); a place with very little serious crime; great green spaces; a solid, but not overburdensome commercial base; a town that cares for the wellbeing of its seniors: in other words, a town that preserves it core values that Mike experienced growing up here, while moving the town forward in accordance with the will of the citizens. This is what Mike talked about with great passion when he knocked on my door the other day.

I was not "born and raised" in Walpole, but I am glad my kids will be, which is why I am voting for Mike Berry

Understood: In fact, I think that is what the vast majority of townsfolk want..what is not apparant is what plans if any Mike Berry has to get us there..hence the reference to his hometown roots being "the biggest plank in his platform". It's easy to say what you want..tell us what you can do to get us there..instead of leading off every question's answer with..."Well, as you know, I was born and raised here..." Great, we got it..move on!

[Unregistered]

Staffer, no. Supporter, Yes. Just a concerned tax-paying resident who wants a Selectman that can actually help our Town. At the end of the day, Kraus gives us the best chance to move forward. Keep on taking shots. It's amusing at best.

I'm just saying that it will be interesting to see whether your "let's win the battle of WalpoleWords" will tanslate to success at the ballot box tomorrow.

Personally, I think Eric has a very good shot of getting elected to one of the seats tomorrow, regardless of what happens in this forum. I was just commenting on what appeared to be a conscious strategy on his part of having someone monitor WalpoleWords and having that person respond immediately to any negative posts.

***********************

As the election is now within 24 hours, this exercise on WalpoleWords has been fun (for us, probably not the candidates). Sometimes informative, sometimes silly, somtimes funny, sometimes bordering on meanspiritidness (can you imagine what Tom has edited out??), and all to be taken with a grain of salt. God help us if we vote based on what we read on WalpoleWords; but it is entertaining. Anyway, there are probably, what, 20 active posters, and maybe several hundred occasional readers? What is said here probably won't influence how the 2000-3000 people who vote tomorrow will actually vote.

Thanks to T.G. for giving us this forum for an exchange of viewpoints. Good luck to all candidates tomorrow. Five of you have really put in a good effort during this election season.

[Unregistered]

I am supporting James Taylor---he will ask the questions nobody else dare asks and speak his mind. All of the other candidates pale in comparison.

I am giving him a bullet vote.

[Unregistered]

Let's all write in Joe Finneran's name. That's a man with real vision.

[Unregistered]

Congrats Winners!
Mr Kraus and Mr Berry you did a fine job, I think you will be great leaders. I think the message is clear that Walpole wants change, and new faces. Please, please pay attention you "no to development People" Tell your leader to back off. We want Walpole to develop its economic base. We want revenue.
So if you dont like it, it might be time for you to retire to the South (not South Walpole)
Let us move on as you should, the Sludge, the Propane and Power Plant are dead issues.
Whoever leaked Ms Mackenzies email did a great thing for the rest of us who may not of known who to vote for and what the differences were, but Im so, so sorry you are that closed minded that you really felt her email was an issue, you must realize now how off base you are. So grow up, and let Walpole move on. You cant keep attacking the woman who has Walpoles best interest first. Stop making it personal.

[Unregistered]

Congrats Winners!
Mr Kraus and Mr Berry you did a fine job, I think you will be great leaders. I think the message is clear that Walpole wants change, and new faces. Please, please pay attention you "no to development People" Tell your leader to back off. We want Walpole to develop its economic base. We want revenue.
So if you dont like it, it might be time for you to retire to the South (not South Walpole)
Let us move on as you should, the Sludge, the Propane and Power Plant are dead issues.
Whoever leaked Ms Mackenzies email did a great thing for the rest of us who may not of known who to vote for and what the differences were, but Im so, so sorry you are that closed minded that you really felt her email was an issue, you must realize now how off base you are. So grow up, and let Walpole move on. You cant keep attacking the woman who has Walpoles best interest first. Stop making it personal.

This post captures precisely how the voters felt about this election. Spot on in all regards.

[Unregistered]

Congrats Winners!
Please, please pay attention you "no to development People" Tell your leader to back off. We want Walpole to develop its economic base. We want revenue.
So if you dont like it, it might be time for you to retire to the South (not South Walpole)
Let us move on as you should, the Sludge, the Propane and Power Plant are dead issues.
Whoever leaked Ms Mackenzies email did a great thing for the rest of us who may not of known who to vote for and what the differences were, but Im so, so sorry you are that closed minded that you really felt her email was an issue, you must realize now how off base you are. So grow up, and let Walpole move on. You cant keep attacking the woman who has Walpoles best interest first. Stop making it personal.

Not sure who you think you are talking too,.. with comments like "your leader", it is clear that the only one who is making things personal is you.

I don't know anyone who is a "no to developement" person, but I know a lot of people who are "no to really really bad ideas". Nancy has never fought off anything, nor have Mr. Kraus or Mr. Berry for that matter. Only time will tell if they are truely interested in developing Walpole with "good" business. The things of the past, have sadly kept coming, and we have had many many bad years. Hopefully Kraus and Berry really will be a new direction.

Again, time will tell. I wish them both success, judgement, and transparancy for all. We really could use a new direction, and hopefully these 2 will bring it. No one else on that board seems to have the skill or judgement needed tpo bring the town together.

Good luck Mr. Berry and Mr. Kraus

[Unregistered]

Congrats Winners!
Mr Kraus and Mr Berry you did a fine job, I think you will be great leaders. I think the message is clear that Walpole wants change, and new faces. Please, please pay attention you "no to development People" Tell your leader to back off. We want Walpole to develop its economic base. We want revenue.
So if you dont like it, it might be time for you to retire to the South (not South Walpole)
Let us move on as you should, the Sludge, the Propane and Power Plant are dead issues.
Whoever leaked Ms Mackenzies email did a great thing for the rest of us who may not of known who to vote for and what the differences were, but Im so, so sorry you are that closed minded that you really felt her email was an issue, you must realize now how off base you are. So grow up, and let Walpole move on. You cant keep attacking the woman who has Walpoles best interest first. Stop making it personal.

...and what pray tell did these people stop, that we should have had? Put your intellect where you big mouth is. I am just DYING TO KNOW what these people stopped that you would have liked to have?? I am certain that the silence will be deafening. You are just making up stuff..... agian. The world according to ... you.

[Unregistered]

Good luck to the winners in the election.
Sorry for both Mr. Kraus and Mr. Berry, they start their term with the added burden of serving with Nancy Mackenzie. Each time they vote her endorsement of them will be in the backround. Starting with the vote for chair. She wants to be chair, if they vote for her is it because they owe her? are they her votes on major issues?
We will have to watch and see.

Also to all town officials the ballot question sends a signal. This poor plan should never have been on the ballot. The board of selectman was arrogant to put this on the ballot when many asked them not to.
Now is the time to go back to drawing board and look a the combined facility downtown.
NEVER bring Robbins Rd back as a site for a police station.

[Unregistered]

I must say that the election results are exactly what I expected. I'm not saying that this is what I wanted, just what I expected. I wish all of our board members good luck and hope that they listen to the voters of Walpole. The Master Plan is the will of the people, please read it and endorse it. All candidates have a track record and things that were done, both good and bad, should be remembered. Let's be hopeful that the will of the people will be their agenda.
I wish that all the newly elected, will do a good job for Walpole and have a good clear vision for the future.

[Unregistered]

Congrats Winners!
Mr Kraus and Mr Berry you did a fine job, I think you will be great leaders. I think the message is clear that Walpole wants change, and new faces. Please, please pay attention you "no to development People" Tell your leader to back off. We want Walpole to develop its economic base. We want revenue.
So if you dont like it, it might be time for you to retire to the South (not South Walpole)
Let us move on as you should, the Sludge, the Propane and Power Plant are dead issues.
Whoever leaked Ms Mackenzies email did a great thing for the rest of us who may not of known who to vote for and what the differences were, but Im so, so sorry you are that closed minded that you really felt her email was an issue, you must realize now how off base you are. So grow up, and let Walpole move on. You cant keep attacking the woman who has Walpoles best interest first. Stop making it personal.

Too bad, no matter what new blood we vote in, the old divisive attitude is still apparent with people like you.
I will not forget all the bad ideas that were fought off and I will be watching very carefully what new development ideas are forthcoming.
I hope we have more transparency, but with likes of Mackenzie in charge I doubt anything will change.

[Unregistered]

Wait and see will be the word with this new board. They promised much but it will be tough to deliver because their own personal agendas and political ambitions will get in the way. They will lose one of the groups that endorsed them very quickly becasue they can't be both pro and anti override, pro and anti school, pro and anti union. The transparency issue is another whole story.

[Unregistered]

Well the new boys vote in Nancy as chair.
Are we to assume they are in the tank for good? Really rather sad.

[Unregistered]

The vote was 3-1-1 to make Mackenzie Chairman. Berry nominated her. Kraus seconded.

Timson voted against. Snuffer abstained.

So much for openness and transparency. Berry's and Kraus's campaign promises lasted a nanosecond. This was a done deal going into the election.

[Unregistered]

The vote was 3-1-1 to make Mackenzie Chairman. Berry nominated her. Kraus seconded.

Timson voted against. Snuffer abstained.

So much for openness and transparency. Berry's and Kraus's campaign promises lasted a nanosecond. This was a done deal going into the election.

MacKenzie + Berry + Kraus = A Positive Direction and Progress for Walpole

Snuffer, Timsom and their tired, old-school, stonewalling ways, dissappear into the sunset of Irrelevance.

Maybe we can reapply now to become a Green Community.

[Unregistered]

The vote was 3-1-1 to make Mackenzie Chairman. Berry nominated her. Kraus seconded.

Timson voted against. Snuffer abstained.

So much for openness and transparency. Berry's and Kraus's campaign promises lasted a nanosecond. This was a done deal going into the election.

What campaign prmoise did either make? Kraus wins in a landslide. Berry wins second in a dominating fashion. Do you really think a Mackenzie email had anything to do with those results. The town spoke. The town wants change. These three will do their very best to go forward, not backward. What personal agenda? Get over it. One thing is clear, these guys wont try to cram a police station down people's throats. They also won't look to taxpayers footing the bill first.

[Unregistered]

The vote was 3-1-1 to make Mackenzie Chairman. Berry nominated her. Kraus seconded.

Timson voted against. Snuffer abstained.

So much for openness and transparency. Berry's and Kraus's campaign promises lasted a nanosecond. This was a done deal going into the election.

Seriously ... who do YOU think should have been named Chairman?

Snuffer? The Godfather of the failed override that Walpole voters rejected by a 4-1 margin?

Timson? He who presided over the Board for the past year? Did he really do that good a job????

It almost had to go to Mackenzie b/c no newly elected Selectmen ever go right to being a Chairman so that nixes Berry and Kraus.

So if you really want to have an intelligent discussion, please state for the audience who should have been named as Chairman and why.

[Unregistered]

For Immediate Release:

There's A New Sheriff In Town

Kraus and Berry vote for Mackenzie as the new Chairman while asserting that her pre-election endorsement had absolutely no influence on their decision. They keep looking in awe at their new big and shiny Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff, and Deputy Assistant Sheriff badges so everyone will know who they are.

"We wish former Chairman Timson and Selectman Snuffer the very best because their best years are behind them," said Mike Berry. "We're in charge now," said Eric Kraus. "And don't you forget it," said Chairman Mackenzie.

Timson and Snuffer vow to filibuster at every meeting and make funny faces while their new colleagues try to take over the town. They both suggest a citizen call in feature during the selectmen meetings so citizens can participate live. Caller One says, "No one tells me how much trash to put out." Caller Two says, "You keep talking about a police station and I will perform a citizen's arrest." Caller Number Three says, "I don't like you." The new trio unanimously shouts, "We don't like you either because you had someone else's sign on your lawn."

The Town Administrator quietly slips out the nearest exit.

[Unregistered]

MacKenzie + Berry + Kraus = A Positive Direction and Progress for Walpole

Snuffer, Timsom and their tired, old-school, stonewalling ways, dissappear into the sunset of Irrelevance.

Maybe we can reapply now to become a Green Community.

What other options were there? First timers rarely become chair. Snuffer as chair, no way. Timson as chair again? You talk about transparancy ... how 'bout the Board's actions this past year?

[Unregistered]

MacKenzie + Berry + Kraus = A Positive Direction and Progress for Walpole

Snuffer, Timsom and their tired, old-school, stonewalling ways, dissappear into the sunset of Irrelevance.

Maybe we can reapply now to become a Green Community.

With those three, you won't be seeing any Green Community in Walpole

[Unregistered]

The vote was 3-1-1 to make Mackenzie Chairman. Berry nominated her. Kraus seconded.

Timson voted against. Snuffer abstained.

So much for openness and transparency. Berry's and Kraus's campaign promises lasted a nanosecond. This was a done deal going into the election.

Why did Cliff Snuffer abstain on a vote for Chair? One usually abstains if there is a conflict or is absent, but he was there. Has this guy already checked out after getting less than 20% for his pet project, the Robbins Rd police station? Why is he possibly abstaining on his first vote of the new session?

Seriously Cliff, engage or go home. The town sent in some exciting new blood, and if you plan to pout all year, give up the seat to someone who cares.

[Unregistered]

My wife got a letter yesterday from the AFL-CIO & IBEW labor union supporting Patrick Shield for Selectman.

So organized labor is sticking their noses in Walpole to support the most inexperienced candidate of the whole bunch?! I guess this makes sense since in his candidate profile Shield professed to being a "union guy."

That is the LAST thing we need on the Board of Selectmen. Even my wife who is a member of AFSCME union was surprised to see the union backing a candidate with such a thin resume.

All you posters who talked about contracts and the like ... just what do you think you're gonna get with an AFL-CIO endorsed candidate? We know whose side he will be on when it comes to contract negotiations.

Sullivan has had one term and has been fabulously unimpressive.

Kraus' candidate profile in the Walpole Times did not do him any favors. I'm still iffy on him.

Berry seems the most balanced of the bunch though none of the candidates seem to be as fiscally conservative as I'd like them to be.

Prediction: Berry and Kraus battle for the top two spots. Shield and Sully split the union/teacher/police & fire vote and lose.

If this is how you feel about Unions then why don't you ask your wife to quit her job. Why is it alright for your family to have collective bargaining rights but not others. I have children in the Walpole public schools and want the best teachers educating them. I also support our Police and Fire Fighters and respect them. I still view them as role models in our community who our children can look up to and respect. Teachers,Police and Fire Fighters are not the enemy, they are vital parts of a community.

[Unregistered]

With those three, you won't be seeing any Green Community in Walpole

This is not an opinion, this is fact. Nancy pushed for the town to become a green community, and Sully, Clifff and Timson stonewalled it. You don't know what you are talking about. There will progressive thinking with the new board, not the same old "react to this week's crisis: mentality.

Chris Timson has become Kevin Garnett. He has lost a step, and finds himself powerless against superior talent.

[Unregistered]

I'm not trying to be ignorant and I'm not trying to fuel the fire, but does it really matter who the Chairman is? Do they do anything more than the other members of the board do? Seriously, what does the Chairman do?

[Unregistered]

What campaign prmoise did either make? Kraus wins in a landslide. Berry wins second in a dominating fashion. Do you really think a Mackenzie email had anything to do with those results. The town spoke. The town wants change. These three will do their very best to go forward, not backward. What personal agenda? Get over it. One thing is clear, these guys wont try to cram a police station down people's throats. They also won't look to taxpayers footing the bill first.

Let's talk in December when the state cuts funding and then let me know what magic wand MacK and her boys are gong to be waving to fund anything let alone public safety. Tell me where they are going to get over $12 million easy to pay for a police and fire station. Here's a clue. Don't hold your breath.

[Unregistered]

So you are saying with your vote (and the other 33.4% of the town that gave a hoot) you expect/demand the new Selectmen to instantly recover lost state funding and make everything all better? And who better to do that? Which candidate that didn't win has a better shot of obtaining this mythical goal you have set? Here's a news flash: Walpole wants to pretend it's Dover without paying for it. As long as we protect our precious aquifer, no industry will come to town. People don't want Norwood's industrial base but they don't want to pay Dover taxes nor see any more over-rides. So they just moan about do-nothing Selectmen before they have found their way around town hall. Walpole ain't going back to the old days, so hopefully the newly elected guys have a plan to maximize the quality of life in this town w/o killing people on taxes.

[Unregistered]

So you are saying with your vote (and the other 33.4% of the town that gave a hoot) you expect/demand the new Selectmen to instantly recover lost state funding and make everything all better? And who better to do that? Which candidate that didn't win has a better shot of obtaining this mythical goal you have set? Here's a news flash: Walpole wants to pretend it's Dover without paying for it. As long as we protect our precious aquifer, no industry will come to town. People don't want Norwood's industrial base but they don't want to pay Dover taxes nor see any more over-rides. So they just moan about do-nothing Selectmen before they have found their way around town hall. Walpole ain't going back to the old days, so hopefully the newly elected guys have a plan to maximize the quality of life in this town w/o killing people on taxes.

Hey go ask the candidate who set this goal by saying he could bring in $8 million dollars in tax revenue.

[Unregistered]

So you are saying with your vote (and the other 33.4% of the town that gave a hoot) you expect/demand the new Selectmen to instantly recover lost state funding and make everything all better? And who better to do that? Which candidate that didn't win has a better shot of obtaining this mythical goal you have set? Here's a news flash: Walpole wants to pretend it's Dover without paying for it. As long as we protect our precious aquifer, no industry will come to town. People don't want Norwood's industrial base but they don't want to pay Dover taxes nor see any more over-rides. So they just moan about do-nothing Selectmen before they have found their way around town hall. Walpole ain't going back to the old days, so hopefully the newly elected guys have a plan to maximize the quality of life in this town w/o killing people on taxes.

Whats with all the job postings outside the school departments offices in town hall. I thought. oh wait..its the school department they do funny things

[Unregistered]

So you are saying with your vote (and the other 33.4% of the town that gave a hoot) you expect/demand the new Selectmen to instantly recover lost state funding and make everything all better? And who better to do that? Which candidate that didn't win has a better shot of obtaining this mythical goal you have set? Here's a news flash: Walpole wants to pretend it's Dover without paying for it. As long as we protect our precious aquifer, no industry will come to town. People don't want Norwood's industrial base but they don't want to pay Dover taxes nor see any more over-rides. So they just moan about do-nothing Selectmen before they have found their way around town hall. Walpole ain't going back to the old days, so hopefully the newly elected guys have a plan to maximize the quality of life in this town w/o killing people on taxes.

Here is the "mythical goal" that Kraus himself proposed in his pre-election Bio:

"With his help, Kraus said the town should be able to raise enough revenue with commercial development to
close budget gaps, pay for infrastructure needs and start rolling back the residential tax.

Kraus said he thinks he’d be able to raise the $8 million in commercial taxes alone that could pay for a police
station out of the operational budget."

It would have been great if the reporter had asked him "how" he plans to achieve this, rather than just reporting such a reaching statement as a "fact".

[Unregistered]

So by "immediate impact" he should have had a Brinks truck deliver the money like an old Ed McMahon commercial? Funny, those that didn't vote for him are now p'ng and moaning that he hasn't delivered? But if you wanted what he was going to deliver..why didn't you vote for him?

[Unregistered]

So by "immediate impact" he should have had a Brinks truck deliver the money like an old Ed McMahon commercial? Funny, those that didn't vote for him are now p'ng and moaning that he hasn't delivered? But if you wanted what he was going to deliver..why didn't you vote for him?

No one is complaining about anything, just responding to your use of the term "mythical goal". I have whip lash from watching the change in the expectation yu set for him...

[Unregistered]

So by "immediate impact" he should have had a Brinks truck deliver the money like an old Ed McMahon commercial? Funny, those that didn't vote for him are now p'ng and moaning that he hasn't delivered? But if you wanted what he was going to deliver..why didn't you vote for him?

Looks like the point that posters are trying to make is that he made some over the top claims. People voted for him because they actually believed what he said in his campaign platform. So he has to take responsibility for making these statements and promising a bill of goods that might be undeliverable. Doesn't sound like whining and moaning to me. Just pointing out his own statements. If he doesn't drive a Brinks truck, then he shouldn't have promised $8 millionand an "immediate" impact. Unless he meant a collision.

[Unregistered]

Looks like the point that posters are trying to make is that he made some over the top claims. People voted for him because they actually believed what he said in his campaign platform. So he has to take responsibility for making these statements and promising a bill of goods that might be undeliverable. Doesn't sound like whining and moaning to me. Just pointing out his own statements. If he doesn't drive a Brinks truck, then he shouldn't have promised $8 millionand an "immediate" impact. Unless he meant a collision.

Ok, thanks ... I must say your last statement made me laugh out loud!

[Unregistered]

This is really lsomething. The Chair of the Selectmen is the boss of her husband's boss. Doesn't look right.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/walpole/news/x1057813002/Boards-reorganize-after-election

[Unregistered]

This is really lsomething. The Chair of the Selectmen is the boss of her husband's boss. Doesn't look right.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/walpole/news/x1057813002/Boards-reorganize-after-election

Nancy MacKenzie should have no involvement in the hiring process. It is so obviously wrong. If she has nothing to gain, she should have no problem re-cusing herself. Her aggressiveness in defending her involvement in the process makes her look bad. It makes the entire board look bad. As they say "I think though doth protest to much". If it is no big deal, then step out of the process Nancy.

Selectman Kraus and Berry even appear suspect now. She lobbied so hard for their election,... tjhey paid he back with the Chairmanship, she comped them with the #2 and #3 spots,... The Chief absolutely has to hire an outsider to avoid this from looking like a personal payback.

I really keep thinking that this town has hit bottom, and then we hit a new low.

[Unregistered]

This is really lsomething. The Chair of the Selectmen is the boss of her husband's boss. Doesn't look right.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/walpole/news/x1057813002/Boards-reorganize-after-election

Well it certainly seems the chair should be stepping down on any issue having to do with the police. A very strange situation.

[Unregistered]

Nancy MacKenzie should have no involvement in the hiring process. It is so obviously wrong. If she has nothing to gain, she should have no problem re-cusing herself. Her aggressiveness in defending her involvement in the process makes her look bad. It makes the entire board look bad. As they say "I think though doth protest to much". If it is no big deal, then step out of the process Nancy.

Selectman Kraus and Berry even appear suspect now. She lobbied so hard for their election,... tjhey paid he back with the Chairmanship, she comped them with the #2 and #3 spots,... The Chief absolutely has to hire an outsider to avoid this from looking like a personal payback.

I really keep thinking that this town has hit bottom, and then we hit a new low.

You should bring this post up to Adams farm to fertilize the garden plots. This nonsense is nothing but sour grapes that your candidate lost. Let's check in with each other 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36 months from now. I'll stake my anonymous name that this board of selectmen will accomplish more for the town than any other in recent memory. (I'll also stake my anonymous reputation that you will complain about every one of those accomplishments.)

You can call me "Marshall Tucker."

Tune in on Tuesday nights, and let me know how things are going.

[Unregistered]

MacKenzie + Berry + Kraus = A Positive Direction and Progress for Walpole

Snuffer, Timsom and their tired, old-school, stonewalling ways, dissappear into the sunset of Irrelevance.


When I was in the Air Force stationed near Okinawa, Japan, my commanding colonel had a sign above his door, which stated: "LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY" I'm sure this is common throughout the military, but this is where I saw it.

This seems to be an appropriate message to Messrs. Timson and Snuffer.

Things are going to happen with this new board. How will Chris and Cliff respond?? Will they be join in and be part of the solution, remain part of the problem, or just sit back and watch??


Enguibus et Rostro

[Unregistered]

You should bring this post up to Adams farm to fertilize the garden plots. This nonsense is nothing but sour grapes that your candidate lost. Let's check in with each other 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36 months from now. I'll stake my anonymous name that this board of selectmen will accomplish more for the town than any other in recent memory. (I'll also stake my anonymous reputation that you will complain about every one of those accomplishments.)

You can call me "Marshall Tucker."

Tune in on Tuesday nights, and let me know how things are going.

It's the same donkey, but with a new saddle

[Unregistered]

Nancy MacKenzie should have no involvement in the hiring process. It is so obviously wrong. If she has nothing to gain, she should have no problem re-cusing herself. Her aggressiveness in defending her involvement in the process makes her look bad. It makes the entire board look bad. As they say "I think though doth protest to much". If it is no big deal, then step out of the process Nancy.

Selectman Kraus and Berry even appear suspect now. She lobbied so hard for their election,... tjhey paid he back with the Chairmanship, she comped them with the #2 and #3 spots,... The Chief absolutely has to hire an outsider to avoid this from looking like a personal payback.

I really keep thinking that this town has hit bottom, and then we hit a new low.


I dare you to stop being a coward behind anonymous slander. Go to the meeting and ask her. your so tough on Walpole News put your money were your keyboard is.

[Unregistered]

Whats with all the job postings outside the school departments offices in town hall. I thought. oh wait..its the school department they do funny things

If really think that these are new postions, then you are one of the most uniformed people on this board. If are just trying to make a point with humor, you missed.

Just incase you are that ignorant, and people think you are speaking the truth. The postings are for postions that are not being cut, but the people are still leaving. Some reasons for not coming back; teachers have not met the standards of Walpole and are being asked to leave, some are leaving for different opprotunities, some are leaving for retirement. These positions are being posted, and before you say we should wait to avoid paying them over the summer, evein if hired today, they will not get a pay check until Sept.

[Unregistered]

When I was in the Air Force stationed near Okinawa, Japan, my commanding colonel had a sign above his door, which stated: "LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY" I'm sure this is common throughout the military, but this is where I saw it.

This seems to be an appropriate message to Messrs. Timson and Snuffer.

Things are going to happen with this new board. How will Chris and Cliff respond?? Will they be join in and be part of the solution, remain part of the problem, or just sit back and watch??


Enguibus et Rostro

On Tuesday the 2 new selectmen agreed with Timson and Snuffer that the Stone field should remain a green space and a multi-purpose field thereby admiting that it should not be built upon. Who leads?

[Unregistered]

On Tuesday the 2 new selectmen agreed with Timson and Snuffer that the Stone field should remain a green space and a multi-purpose field thereby admiting that it should not be built upon. Who leads?

One week later the full MPIC ( master plan implementation committee ) whose compliment contains 2 planning board members as well as the planner , the entire recreation committee and ecconomic development officer joined with the new chair and new selectman in declaring Stone field as GREEN space and were unanimous that it will not be built upon.Thanks to Cliff and Chris for their leadership.