Communication

4/30/2022

It seems that we have lost the ability to have disagreement in Heath without attributing nefarious motives to dedicated public servants. I had hoped that an AT&T blog would be a way to have a reasoned dialogue on the tower. Unfortunately, while there was some learning, the blog became a vehicle to attack the Select Board unfairly. The Select Board can not defend itself while there is ongoing litigation. Unfortunately, I felt it was necessary to remove the blog.

I have been attending Select Board meetings for over two years. I know how hard these folks work outside the Select Board meetings putting in their time to meet with engineers, electricians, plumbers, FRCOG members, attending several meetings both with town bodies and outside committees. They do this public service, which is sometimes thankless, for a love of Heath.

I am grateful to a Board that has a strong desire to do what is best for all the Heath community, are dedicated, and willing to sacrifice personal and family time on our behalf. I also know from my experience attending Select Board meetings how much thought and personal angst goes into decision making to do what’s right and best for the town.

Please be cognizant that there are two sides to every story and do not pre-judge and possibly libel our Board who is prevented, due to litigation, from speaking on their own behalf. From my personal experience our board members are dedicated, trustworthy, respectful of all Heathans, and I am grateful they are guiding us.

14 Comments

Margaret H. Freeman link

2/12/2022 02:23:12 pm

I too was disturbed by the content and tone of comments made orally and published in the Recorder that were not only misleading and factually in error but contained personal attacks on our elected members who work long and diligently on our behalf.

Could we please stop such slanders and return to what I thought Heath was all about: a respectful and harmonious environment even when we disagree?

Deb Porter

2/14/2022 07:10:39 pm

I too was distressed at all of the unfair accusations lobbed at three folks who are dedicated, honest and who work hard on our behalf.

Heather Row

2/15/2022 04:27:50 pm

I would like to express my gratitude to the Select Board for all of the time that they invest in researching, meeting, discussing and deciding on the issues which arise for our town.. The times that I have attended the Select Board meetings, I have been impressed with the respectful and thoughtful consideration of issues, including hearing the diverse views of Heath's various committees and Heath residents.

Cathy Tallen

2/22/2022 03:07:09 pm

I am very grateful to our Select Board for their time and effort to keep our town in good shape. Judgemental, and misleading comments about our Select Board really reflect poorly on those who deliver them. Disagreement does not need to be like that. Working together is possible and sometimes better with different thoughts and points of view, as long as communication is reasoned and civil.

Bill Lattrell

2/22/2022 07:22:45 pm

I agree totally with sentiment that Selectboard Members are under valued and under appreciated. There is a stipend, however. I once did the math when I was a member and figured my compensation came to about $1.50/hour! People do this job because they love the town and want to contribute. That does not mean that they are beyond critique or criticism but it does mean that they should be treated with respect and people should tone down the negative rhetoric. We all recognize that there are differing points of view on every topic. Some will agree and some will not. Personal attacks are NEVER acceptable. We live in a representative democracy where we get to choose our government. That comes with the responsibility of supporting those who choose to serve and are chosen by the voters. If you can't support those elected than disagree with respect and let your truthful views be known. It really is simple and does not have to be divisive.

Lynn Perry

2/23/2022 07:37:48 pm

Personal Comment: Being a Select Board member is a part time unpaid job with a lot of homework outside of meetings and with many folks grading that homework. Remember that this work is public service and keep in mind what Abe Lincoln said: ". . . you can't please all of the people all of the time."

Thank you! And AMEN to your personal comment. —Lynn Perry

JULIE SIDON

3/2/2022 07:54:36 pm

I totally agree with the points of view already expressed on this blog regarding the Select Board. I find the hard work and dedication of our three board members to be impressive. There are very few people who are willing and able to commit so much of their time to giving thoughtful consideration to the issues affecting the residents of a town, and I truly believe these individuals have , the welfare and best interests of the residents of Heath at heart. They are willing to listen and are respectful to those with differing views. Therefore, we should be respectful and appreciative of them.

Jane DeLeeuw

3/7/2022 05:40:52 pm

Excellent comments !
Best, Jane DeLeeuw

Enrico Mezzacappa

3/8/2022 08:23:16 am

Dear Select Board Members,

I want to express my gratitude for the work you do on behalf of our town, and express my support for you all as individuals and as a collective body. Whether I agree with all of your decisions or not, the time, effort, and care you put into your work must be acknowledged.

I also want to express my abhorrence for incivility in public discourse, in general, and in particular regarding personal attacks on the character and integrity of others.

Enrico Mezzacappa

Jack Gougeon

3/8/2022 12:47:44 pm

Dear Select Board,
My name is J Gougeon and I stand in support of difficult decisions that you have made in the past. I believe that you all gather and review as much information as possible on each subject on the plate.

Evidence of this was the ATT tower decision. There were and always will be people that will not agree with the final decision, though in my opinion, it was the best decision for the town’s people. We need better cell service in Heath so that in the event of an accident or other need people can get cell service and call for HELP ! New technology is here to stay and we should welcome it . Thank you all for doing such a wonderful job for myself, and all the citizens of Heath. Hope you all run for another term, as you will receive my support.
Thanks again 223 Number Nine rd

Ken Rocke

3/8/2022 07:22:30 pm

I have great respect for all of the work that our current members of the Select Board do on behalf of the Town of Heath.

I think that they strike a very effective balance between the sometimes conflicting ‘goods’ that they must consider: i.e., what is good for the town as a whole, now and in the future, and what is good for a particular group of people within our town.

This balancing act – if done well – can only be achieved through countless hours of work mastering the details (and broad implications) of many situations; endless hours of careful discussion and consideration with board members, members of other boards, the general public, outside agencies and vendors, and so on; and finally the willingness to come down on one side or another of an issue, and then stand strong for what they have come to believe is in the best interests of the town as a whole.

All of this takes energy, intelligence, and a kind of moral courage that can only be found within.

I appreciate their service to our town.

Ken

Lyra Johnson

3/8/2022 07:26:35 pm

Many thanks to our Heath Select Board for their time, talents, and unwavering dedication to our town. All of their good work, in addition to how well our Board has handled difficult situations they have been presented with, have been noticed and much appreciated.

Thank you,
Lyra

Don Freeman

3/14/2022 08:50:18 am

I was about to write that I couldn't top Bill Latrelle's comments. But then I read the others, and was struck by the high level of all of them (no criticism of Bill intended). When I was in town government as chair of the Finance Committee years ago, I always felt that what we did was treated with respect even by townspeople who disagreed with us. Alas, that is no longer true. Perhaps it is a sign of the times: disagreement is always intense and personal these days. I would like for that not to be the case in our town.

Dena Briggs

3/14/2022 09:55:53 pm

I am grateful to the Select Board for the work they do for Heath and the careful consideration they apply to every decision. I feel lucky that we have such competent and caring people making decisions. I have not been following the ATT tower issue because I don’t have to. I trust our elected officials to make good decisions, and they have my support even if I would do things differently.

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Communication

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