Sturbridge Veteran's Memorial Group to hold public meeting.

The Sturbridge Veterans’ Memorial Group is holding an initial meeting to form a committee to rebuild the Veterans’ Memorial on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at the Sturbridge Senior Center, 480 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA.

Veterans and interested parties are encouraged to attend.

For information call Kathy Neal at 508-347-3588 or email:  kathy85569@gmail.com.

Veteran's Monument to be restored & reclaimed!

Last night, in a 4-1 vote the Board of Selectmen voted to "...restore and reclaim the Veteran's Monument, returning it to its former location in front of Town Hall".

Those voting in favor - Mary Dowling, Priscilla Gimas, Angeline Ellison & Tom Creamer - agreed that the sacrifice and commitment of those serving our nation was too important to our current and future generation to have their places of honor restricted to the interior walls of Town Hall, and that the unilateral and rather non-public decision to remove the former Veteran's Monument was an injustice, albeit an unintentional one.  

The Veteran's Group that appeared before the Board last night, is currently forming a committee that will develop plans, review costs, and explore funding alternatives, while working with representatives from the Town in an effort to identify some creating financing options. It was an honor and a privilege to be witness to the respectful, thoughtful, and sensitive manner by which the veteran's representatives presented their argument. 

"We want choices"

The following post solely represents my personal views and is not intended nor should it be construed as representing the views of other members of the Board of Selectmen.

Last night during a joint meeting between Sturbridge members of the Tantasqua School Committee and the Board of Selectmen, so scheduled to appoint a member to the vacant TRHS Committee seat, the lone applicant was rejected because she was the lone applicant and the TRHS members wanted to have “choices”. To that end, they stated that they believed the process had been rushed, though clearly it had been entirely consistent with the posting requirements of the Town Charter and that given more time more individuals might apply.

Certainly, this appears to be a reasonable request when viewed from afar, void of the fact that the candidate before the BOS and the TRHS representatives “holds a doctorate in educational leadership, and works extensively with children”, and, is in fact imminently more qualified than more than a handful of the members in attendance last night, irrespective of the board/committee they represent. Equally, it appears to be a reasonable request - when viewed from afar - void of the fact that several committee members who stood their ground on the “we just want choices” argument, had themselves run unopposed and/or hold their current seats solely due to the former caucus process, having bypassed the formal nomination procedure to in effect run unopposed. There is absolutely nothing inconsistent with the Town Charter, local bylaws, or State Law as it relates to the process of their unopposed “elections”, nor could anyone suggest that they are undeserving of their currently held positions as a result of same; they merely availed themselves completely and honestly of the established process.

That said, so too did the candidate who completely and honestly availed herself of the process of appointment by submitting the necessary information within the required timeframe as established under the Town Charter and State Law. The approach taken by Sturbridge members of the TRHS Committee does leave one to wonder why there was no motion or action to postpone our recent town-wide elections until we had “choices”, nor why those who were the beneficiaries of unopposed candidacies did not themselves champion the cause of having opponents step in to challenge them, in order to ensure that voters had “choices”.

There is little doubt that a request to have “choices” appears to be a very reasonable one except that some of those arguing for same were themselves the beneficiaries of our community  not being afforded the luxury of “choices” when they ran unopposed. One would surely argue that there is clearly a level of intellectual inconsistency – some might even suggest intellectual dishonesty – in an argument that itself stems from those whose “appointments” were not born from the very womb that they now argue is critical to the process. It is my sincere hope that the candidate in attendance last night will chose to resubmit her name as her qualifications are more than impressive and certainly her qualifications surpass the vast majority in attendance.

Reflecting upon last night’s “exercise”, one is left wondering just whom some individuals appear to be hoping will charge the hill to save the day with credentials similar to those of the individual before them last night.

Collecting Toys while reclaiming lives.

Sturbridge resident Erin Abrams, is collecting outside & ride-on toys for children of the tornado at 43 Abrams Drive (off Cedar Pond Road). To donate, please contact Erin at erin@yogafamily.com or 508-259-1973.

Erin has been coordinating this endeavor for several families with children as she helps run La Leche League of Sturbridge, and is an active member of the MOMs Club. The idea is one that has "just exploded with generosity", which is no surprise when one considers the unbelievable compassion of our residents. Erin believes it would be nice to have a specific location for collection so when parents are ready to get bikes and ride-on toys for their children they will hopeful have a wide selection and a one-stop place to pick them up.

Please support this truly wonderful endeavor on behalf of those whose lives are now forever altered. It is truly a way to help them reclaim some aspect of that which has been lost.

Thank you.

Tornado Recovery Volunteer Orientation

Individuals wishing to provide VOLUNTEER assistance/service in support of tornado recovery efforts within the town of Sturbridge are invited and encouraged to attend a volunteer orientation meeting to be held Thursday, 9 June 2011, 6:00PM at the Publick house.

The purpose of the meeting is to ensure coordination of services/assistance in support of Town sanctioned volunteer efforts. With so many offers of assistance by neighbors, friends, family, and those we may not know but who are moved to action, it is vital that ongoing volunteer efforts are not duplicated, while ensuring that all volunteer services are coordinated in a manner that leaves no residents left un-served.

Recovery Efforts - Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen

In an effort to provide residents with an opportunity to ask questions, address concerns, or share ideas regarding the recent tornados that impacted our community, the Board of Selectmen will be holding a special meeting on Wednesday, 8 June 2011, 6:30 PM at Town Hall. We encourage residents - particularly those most impacted - to attend so that we can answer questions or address any concerns you may in the aftermath of this event so that all have a clear understanding of the needs moving forward.

Recognizing that many have reached the point of emotional and physical exhaustion, the meeting will be televised and we will accept phone calls during the meeting in an effort to provide the most complete access to those who may be unable to attend. At the conclusion of the public forum, the Board will then convene more formally to address ongoing and future recovery operation policies.

Tornado Recovery Effort - Update

Greetings all,

First, I would like to extend a very warm thank you for the many volunteers within our community who have temporarily abandoned their lives in order to help restore the most remote sense of peace to those who have had their worlds forever altered by the devastation visited upon our community. Visiting with those affected these past few days has been both emotionally difficult and extremely uplifting at the same time. The courage, perseverance, and resilience of Sturbridge residents is matched only by the incredible compassion, commitment, and selflessness of other residents who have come forward to support those in need. As we have worked to ensure that all impacted areas have received the highest level of support we can provide, our efforts have been bolstered by the generosity extended by those who have volunteered their time and labor.

As previously reported, we have established a Volunteer Resource Center, which has been tasked to serve as the central repository for those wishing to provide assistance within the community. This will better allow us to match needs with actual resources/assets so as to ensure that no one is left behind. Dr. Susan Waters had been designated as the Volunteer Resource Coordinator and we encourage those who wish to provide any manner of volunteer support to contact Sue at 774-402-4387, or via email at volunteer@town.sturbridge.ma.us. As we continue to identify and assess needs, Sue will endeavor to identify and assess the assets/volunteers who have entered our database, while then matching the needs and assets appropriately. Please note that you need not have any special skills to volunteer, just the ability and willingness to extend your time and your heart in support of those in need. As the road to recovery and restoration will be months in the making, so too will be the need for volunteer support from within our community. For those most affected, the difficult part of reclaiming their lives can be significantly less challenging with the continued support of volunteers from within our community.

As of today, nearly all have had power restored with the exception of isolated pockets, due mainly to on-site line-issues as opposed to service area issues. Equally, all roads have been opened and access/egress has been established to even the most remote areas of our community. This has been an incredible effort involving local Public Safety entities, Public Works, and outside support assets dedicated to extending the Town's resources.

Moving forward, the Town will be establishing/sanctioning a Relief Fund managed by a 3-member committee consisting of the Volunteer Resource Coordinator, a ranking member of local Law Enforcement, and a Finance Officer. They will be responsible for ensuring a valid and focused donor depository, dedicated to addressing those financial needs beyond the capabilities of insurance, Federal or State assistance, and local revenues/assets. We encourage residents who might be considering a financial donation in support of local residents to consider this fund, which will ensure distributions are local, properly executed, and consistent with the needs of those impacted, as well as the desires of those donating. More information is forthcoming once we have identified and addressed all of the associated parameters.

Finally, it is impossible not to share with you the incredible sense of inspiration I have experienced as I witness the amazing sense of humanity and humility that reigns within our community. One cannot bear witness to all that is happening around us in terms of human interaction and kindness without experiencing a cascade of emotion that is as uplifting as it is endearing. As one reflects upon what some have experienced, what so many have done, and what so many more will continue to do, one is left with an undying belief that there is nothing so powerful as the human heart, nothing so caring as the soul, and absolutely nothing more enduring than the love of neighbors and friends, many of whom we have never before met, nor may ever again see.

Post Tornado Recovery Operations - Volunteer Resource Center

Clearly, the last few days have been a difficult period in our community and despite the devastation witnessed locally, we are grateful that no loss of life or injuries of significance were experienced. Equally, there is a growing sense of relief now that power has been restored to nearly every neighborhood, as the inconveniences experienced as a result of same have diminished. Surely we are all aware that our neighbors to the west and somewhat south of us are faced with a long-term response commitment that will delay their transition to a recovery and restoration phase. The challenges ahead for them is significant.

Here in Sturbridge, there are those among us whose lives have been forever altered as the destruction visited upon them will remain a life-long legacy accompanied by the daily reminders of the drastically altered landscapes around them. The road ahead will be challenging as the number of emergency crews will diminish daily as will the availability of assets that have been committed to our area, as they are shifted elsewhere. The support evident to those impacted will quickly be reallocated and residents will suddenly be faced with the long and often lonely task of reclaiming their lives.