REAS Foundation kicks off 2009/2010 Fundraising Campaign

Sturbridge, MA – The REAS Foundation of Sturbridge announces the launch of the 2009-2010 10K Circle of Friends and 10K Circle of Businesses. These two fundraising appeals form the foundation of such efforts for the year. REAS predicts that applications for assistance this heating season will far surpass the many applications received last year. REAS asks that 1,000 Sturbridge families donate just $10 each – less than the cost of going out to lunch one day. This effort alone will raise $10,000 to aid qualifying Sturbridge seniors who cannot meet their utility costs.

Similar to the 10K Circle of Friends, Jennifer Morrison of Sterling Engineering has renewed her 10K Circle of Businesses challenge. Sterling Engineering will make a matching donation of 10% of any other business donation, up to a maximum donation from Sterling of $1,000. When asked why, in these lean times, Sterling was willing to offer this challenge again Morrison stated, “That’s precisely why. Times are tough for everyone, but even more so for those among us who are most vulnerable – our seniors. How can we not help?”

REAS asks all who are interested in donating to please mail their check directly to: REAS Foundation, PO Box 737, Fiskdale, MA 01518 and earmark it for the 10K Circle. Additional information and news on these and other events may be found at the REAS website: www.reasfoundation.org.

State Ethics Commission: Law Summary - Self-Dealing

The following guidance is provided by the State Ethics Commission relevant to the participation of selectmen in matters involving a conflict of interest.

I. RESTRICTIONS ON YOUR ACTIONS

A. Self-Dealing (Section 19)

The law generally prohibits you from taking any official action on matters affecting your own financial interests, or the financial interests of: your immediate family members (i.e., your spouse and the parents, siblings and children of either you or your spouse); partners; your employer(s) other than your town; anyone with whom you are negotiating or have an arrangement concerning prospective employment; or organizations for which you serve as an officer, director, partner, employee or trustee.(3) As a Selectman, you may not act in any way that affects these interests, positively or negatively, nor may you act on any matter that affects these interests within the foreseeable future. If a matter affecting one of these interests comes up for consideration at a Selectmen’s meeting, the wisest course of action is to leave the room during discussion, deliberation and the vote on the matter, and make sure that the minutes of the meeting reflect your recusal.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR TRAVELS FROM UGANDA TO PERFORM AT STURBRIDGE WORSHIP CENTER ON OCTOBER 16

PRESS RELEASE

STURBRIDGE – Sturbridge Worship Center will host the Destiny Africa Children’s Choir on Friday, October 16, at 7pm on 9 Mashapaug Road in Sturbridge, MA. In the last year the choir has performed in the United Kingdom, including before British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Queen Elizabeth. And now, these children are bringing their talent and their passion to New England for their first USA Tour. Dressed in colorful garb, the choir will present a lively mix of traditional and contemporary songs and dances—and some awesome drumming. The choir is comprised of orphaned children, rescued from horrific and desperate situations in the war-torn and AIDS-ravaged villages of Uganda. This is a free event, open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken to fund and support the growth of the Kampala Children’s Centre, where the children live. For more information about this event, go to www.sturbridgeworshipcenter.org or call 508.347.9642. To learn more about the Destiny Africa Children’s Choir, their home in Uganda, other concerts scheduled in their USA Tour, or how you can help them through one of their support programs, go to www.kampalachildren.com.

Media Contact:
Stuart Rankin
Sturbridge Worship Center
508.347.9642
stuart@sturbridgeworshipcenter.org

"Action will delineate and define you"

Over the last several days, much has been written and spoken regarding the Town Administrator's search process. Clearly, I've raised several questions about the evolution of that process, but not the integrity of those managing the process.

My concerns with the committee's departure from the publicized vacancy posting should not be construed as a lack of confidence in their ability to conduct their charge. Rather, I was, and remain still, concerned about the perception that said departure presented, not only to the community, but to applicants themselves. The failure of the committee to properly re-advertise the "relaxed" qualifications regardless of the rationale presented, remains a component of the perceptions which manifested during the process.

Perception in the world of public governance is central to the effectiveness of the democratic process. When one perceives government to be fair, principled, objective, and balanced, one's ability to maintain faith in that system remains unchallenged. Obviously, the opposite becomes the case when one perceives a shortcoming in any of those characteristics.

The members of the Search Committee do not - in my view - bear responsibility for the public perception that has engulfed the search for a new Town Administrator. They have been burdened by the failures of others and in fact have become casualties because of those failures. The responsibility for this unfortunate situation rests squarely on the shoulders of two individuals.

The failure or refusal of these two individuals to recognize the ramifications of maintaining a seat on the Board of Selectmen during this process and certainly after the names of the final three had been determined, (which clearly was confirmed by the Search Committee Chair beginning at 36 minutes into the audio) speaks to a fundamental lack of judgement. Indeed, it speaks as well to a lack of sound leadership. Whether conscious of the ramifications or not, the failure to identify them is of concern.

Maintenance of the public trust is critical in the equitable dispensation of democracy. To even consider a situation wherein one would continue to govern were a spouse to be selected for the town's top management position, regardless of any legal precedent for such, is an affront to that public trust, accidental or otherwise.

The members of the Search Committee, all reputable individuals, were unnecessarily placed in an untenable position by the failure of two individuals to put the public trust before any personal ambitions. So too, their decision unnecessarily burdened the the town's governing body - the Board of Selectmen.

Despite any rational explanation for the departure from established criteria (regardless of how legitimate the reasoning), nothing would or could overcome the perception that is pervasive within the community. Nor can any reasoning in terms of legal precedent be sufficient to alter the perception of what is right and what is not. The perception generated by this issue and the fallout from it, rests solely at the feet of two people who failed to do the right thing. Their decision placed the members of the Search Committee, the Board of Selectmen, and most importantly - the Town of Sturbridge, in an unnecessarily difficult predicament.

As I stated during public discussions relative to this issue Tuesday evening: just because something is legal, does not mean it is necessarily right. There was a time in this country when the Ethics Commission might have opined that it was acceptable to discriminate against women, minorities, and persons of color - simply because it was legal to do so; that certainly did not make it right.

Doing the right thing, can at times, be absolutely the most difficult thing to be burdened with. Clearly, there is little satisfaction in publicly challenging friends and/or acquaintances that one is on friendly terms with. Such is the case here, as individuals at the center of this storm span both categories. The right thing however, is, and shall remain always - the right thing. One cannot in good conscience walk away from doing that which is right, simply because the alternative is more convenient or more comfortable.

It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in a situation wherein one might surmise that two individuals appear to have chosen a path, which prevented them from making the right decision, simply because doing the right thing - which required sacrifice - was not very comfortable.

Thomas Jefferson once said that: "If you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you".

National Public Lands Day

Press release:

Local Preparations underway for participating in the nation’s largest single volunteer day.

Sturbridge: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at East Brimfield and Westville lakes along with the local trail committees of Brimfield, Sturbridge and Southbridge along with the Grand Trunk Trailblazers, are in final preparations for National Public Lands Day (NPLD) to be held on Saturday, September 26th from 8:30 am to noon.

NPLD is the nation’s largest one day event to encourage volunteerism to help support our public lands. Locally this year’s NPLD is the seventh consecutive event, organized by Park Ranger Tom Chamberland. This year’s effort is spread out over three towns, in Brimfield the trail committee along with the Corps of Engineers will be working on improving the Grand Trunk Trail portion of the Titanic Rail trail section off 5 Bridge Rd.

Work items include sign installation, and staining, brush cutting to improve safety for horseback riders, installation of fencing and spreading the fine gravel final trail surface. Registration will be held at the trail head parking lot on 5 bridge rd. starting at 8:30 am. A pizza lunch will be served at noon.

In Sturbridge, the trail committee will be focusing work on completing the 3 universally accessible trails on the Heins Farm Conservation lands. Volunteers are asked to meet at the trail head parking lot, 197a Leadmine Rd, about 1000’ after the Douty Rd intersection on the left. Work items include sign installation, rock and root removal from the cabin loop and pond loop trails, mowing of the Stafford Turnpike trail, trash and old fence removal from along Leadmine Rd, and spreading the fine gravel surface completing the pond loop trail. A pizza lunch will be provided at noon. The Sturbridge trail committee has a special need for small utility bucket type tractors to assist in the fine gravel work.

In Southbridge/Sturbridge volunteers are asked to meet in the Westville lake Park at shelter 2 joining the Grand Trunk trailblazers, Corp park rangers along with Southbridge trail committee members who will be working on trail tread improvements to sections of the West Street School trail and Heritage trail extension. Work on these trails also includes invasive plant removal and brush cutting. Work items in Westville Lake Park include trail tread improvements to the lake overlook trail, sign installation, invasive plant removal, stone wall rebuilding, and trash removal along the river and lake shore lines. A pizza lunch will be served in the park at noon

Pre registration is requested so appropriate plans can be made and pizza ordered. Walk in registration will be held at each area at 8:30 am. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves, water bottle, and wear appropriate shoes and clothes for the work and weather. NPLD will be held rain or shine (except for extreme wet weather). For more information on NPLD visit their web site at http://www.publiclandsday.org/. Local registration for any of the above projects can be done by contacting Park Ranger Tom Chamberland at Thomas.a.chamberland@usace.army.mil or calling 508-347-3386, or contact Sturbridge Trail Committee chair Randy Redetzke at RRedet@charter.net or Tony Bys, Brimfield Trail committee vice chair at tbys9297@charter.net

The Responsibility of Office

Below is the Second Inaugural Address given by President George Washington on March 4, 1793. It is one of the shortest addresses offered by an American president. It is also one of the most significant, as it underscores the responsibility of elected officials; be they presidents, senators, congressmen, or selectmen. I frequently read this speech in hopes of remaining ever cognizant of the incredible obligation I have to you, the residents of Sturbridge.

Though one surely cannot draw comparisons between the mighty office of the President of the United States and that of local selectman; one must bear in mind that the responsibility of elected public officials recognizes no distinction in terms of their obligation to the citizenry. Each day, I endeavor to fulfill my responsibilities in a manner befitting the trust you have placed in me. I am reminded always of my obligation to work for you with great vigor and honesty.

Second Inaugural Address (March 4, 1793)
George Washington

Fellow-Citizens:

I am again called upon by the voice of my Country to execute the functions of its Chief Magistrate. When the occasion proper for it shall arrive, I shall endeavour to express the high sense I entertain of this distinguished honor, and of the confidence which has been reposed in me by the people of United America.

Previous to the execution of any official act of the President, the Constitution requires an Oath of Office. This Oath I am now about to take, and in your presence, that if it shall be found during my administration of the Government I have in any instance violated willingly, or knowingly, the injunction thereof, I may (besides incurring Constitutional punishment) be subject to the upbraidings of all who are now witnesses of the present solemn Ceremony.

- George Washington

Unemployment Rate Reaches 9.7%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that the unemployment rate has reached a 26 year high of 9.7%. News releases from Bloomberg.com reported that "Today’s figures stoke concern that the recovery forecast to take hold in the second half of the year won’t prompt a turnaround in the job market until 2010. With the ranks of long- term unemployed nearing 5 million, workers are at risk of losing skills, making it even tougher for them to eventually find work".

The Wall Street Journal quoted Sal Guatieri, a senior economist for BMO Capital Markets who stated that "Joblessness continues to mount, which will only make it harder for households to repay debt and build savings, thereby impeding a consumer-led recovery". Of added significance to us locally are the statisitcs for Worcester County, which identify the unemployment rate at 10%.

Concerts on The Common

This Thursday marks the season finale of Concerts on the Common and special thanks are in order to Lynne Girouard and the Sturbridge Recreation Committee for an outstanding season. We are most fortunate for the incredible efforts put forth by the Recreation Committee as they endeavor to ensure a happy and entertaining summer season. As well, we are grateful for the sponsors who step forward to provide the funding necessary to host these weekly concerts.

Should your schedules permit, please consider dropping by - if only for a moment, as a show of thanks to the Recreation Committee for their efforts - as we close out the summer by celebrating this final concert. No need to pack a "lunch" as food is always served by some of our great local eateries.

Certainly, a quick email, a short phone call, etc., conveyed to Lynne and the members of the Recreation Committee at: recreation@town.sturbridge.ma.us would be a most welcomed way of demonstrating your support for their efforts.