Well said and Amen...Nancy V.

Wellesley High School just opened a new 115 million dollar high school this year. The Wellesley High School that you are reminiscing about was demolished over the summer. New is needed every once and a while.

Publius,
Thank you for letting me know that. Although my heart hit the floor I can hold on to the memories I had but what a shame! That school had such a history to it and one could feel the pride of tradition. I think new was preferred over necessary.

Are you asking if the Warrant mailed to all of the residents should specifically include a written statement or minority report for those articles not unanimously voted by the BOS?

Kirsten - that actually is an interesting idea. The warrant should contain opposing views or at list links to where those views are contained.

I may also be voting for the roof in May. It is not clear we can do something better. But we should have had that answer at town meeting. The real issue here, is not the roof, but in how the opinions of the minority are handled.

Without a formal way to present the minority opinion at town meeting, it is very easy to blow off the opposition. In this case it backfired. Rather than make a decision, we essentially voted to delay since the minority idea of a new center had not been vetted prior to town meeting.

I am glad this info came out at town meeting, but it only came out through questioning by the hall. I would prefer we just hear both sides of an argument without us having to ask. FINCOM, BOS, school committees--- what are both sides of the argument if an recommendation is not mandatory.

I think the warrants should have all opinions. We have see an increased trend of "report at town meeting" which, in my opinion, should never happen. It's lazy and doesn't inform the voter. There is no reasonable reason why opinions can't and shouldn't be part of the warrant.

Bryan,
The first sentence of your third paragraph "Without a formal way....." concerns me. Isn't the basis of democracy a consensus of "We the People?" Do you believe that this implies that everyone should have One Voice, or to go a step further, that all of the various residents of Sudbury from all of the different backgrounds and opinions should be considered ONE SUDBURY? If the reason for the original Lavendergate mission (to determine what happened May 8 and 9) morphed into a drive drive for transparency that morphed into a change in our Town charter and now seemingly wants to change how the Town Meeting is run, well, I'm just getting dizzy trying to figure out what really is your directive with so many transmutations we have all witnessed. No one that has faithfully attending Town Meeting for years has been trying to ".....blow off the opposition." The choice of words you are using demonstrates a combative stance. THIS is what many are having a problem swallowing--the combative approach. Not what you have to offer but the combative approach. The ONE SUDBURY methodology is not easy to digest. Sort of like pickles and pudding.

Kirsten –My writings are my own. For an opinion of how the members of the OneSudbury facebook group feel about my blog, I would post something in the group and see what people say. I joined the group after it was formed as did many others and have been fascinated to watch it. But I don’t lead the group or speak for it or write for it.

Bryan,
Thank you for the clarification. But might you be inclined to answer my first question?

Rick,
Didn't Jim Kelly reference the poor pitch of the roof as the main culprit and not the materials the roof is constructed with? I thought that was the main issue with both the Nixon and Fairbanks roofs and that these roofs as built do not meet the current codes for construction.

And they didn't care before?

And by the way, as member of the St. Anslem task force I repeatedly voiced my desire to see the existing church utilized as a ...... community center! With a toddler playground in the back and 4 units of affordable housing in what is the rectory.

It's important to note that Bob Haarde actually went home after town meeting while our other two Selectman went to Lavender after posted closing hours. One went on to stay 30 minutes after the town allows any restaurant to be open, while the other went missing. Both were present when a town employee left drunk on way to her 3rd OUI offense. Then ensued a cover what which sparked the whole "Lavendergate" group. Whether you like Bob Haarde or agree with him on his stances, you certainly cannot knock his behavior. For that reason I have gained a large amount of respect for him and consider him Sudbury's best Selectman.

Hi Thrice,
Believe it or not I actually like Bob Haarde,too, and think his actions regarding the handling of the events of May8-9 exemplary. I am being forward thinking in my desire and belief that we all need to document our positions in the information age, especially the members of the BOS and other Town Boards and Committees that are making important decisions with taxpayer dollars. Bob unfortunately presented his opinion regarding the desire to have a new community center sometime in the future (specifically privately funded) but had no supporting documents to suggest the feasibility of this proposition or the history behind it. His popularity and majority support for his position swayed a vote that really should not have been a victim of the power of the people.
This is just my opinion, Thrice. But I am pretty certain I am not alone in this belief. Again, I am able to separate the individual from the actions of the individual. I may really like someone as a person but find difficulty accepting or endorsing particular actions. My lack of control today or my "Patch-ionate blogging" is not acceptable to me! And thanks for the comment.

Thanks for having the courage to voice your opinion. I respect your desire to stay anonymous. This will ensure that if you have one, your business in town won't be boycotted!

Kirsten, no one is boycotting your store. They just don't like what your selling.

@sudbury citizen. Personally, I like her store and I have incredibly beautiful floral arrangements from her as well.

Sudbury Citizen,
Robert Stein, a member of Lavendergate/OneSudbury threatened to use the "power" the group has to put me out of business. This is a serious threat and is likened to blackmail. More than one person has suggested I print out his little Patch contribution for future "use". What a proud moment that must be for the OneSudbury group!

I don't really care if she was a plant or not. The warrant should have had the opinions printed. I'm glad that she did ask the question. How else would we know that the topic was brought up and not investigated or studied? Quite frankly, do you really think the people who tried to stall the vote and/or kill it were independent? If so, I don't think you have been paying sufficient attention to the inner workings of this town and the people who have raised concerns repeatedly.

SueChap,
Do you not think it sufficient to inform the residents of either a unanimous or majority supported position? Minority reports, if submitted, can be obtained from the Selectman's Office for review, duplication and/or distribution. With a new 5 member BOS it is very likely that an existing minority position will be the norm and that is a good thing--it suggests thoughtful debate and broader representation. But the general consensus of the individual Boards, their recommendations as appointed or elected officials, is what is of import at Town Meeting. Extrapolation of the democratic process suggests just this. Many residents of Sudbury for very many years have been faithfully attending Town Meeting from start to finish in order to voice their opinions, often minority ones. Faithful attendance and participation is at the heart of success. If you really wish to know the minority positions then go to Town Hall and request that information--if foresight were involved there should be reports in existence.

Edward,
One thing is to personally decide not to frequent a business. The Editor of a Patch Website decided to allow to be printed a direct threat--blackmail essentially--in the discussion forum. This when added to the pot that the Editor has pulled or not at all published comments directed as personal attacks, well, you be the judge here. Does Robert Stein's comment published by the Sudbury Patch Editor calling for the Lavendergate group to put me out of business qualify as a personal attack? Again, you be the judge. I asked the Sudbury Patch Editor a direct question TWICE and instead of objectively answering them he claimed I was attacking his reporting and never answered my question. Never. Very professional and unbiased.... I simply wanted to know if he was aware of the Online retail store called OneSudbury.org owned by Michael Troiano--this store sells logo clothing and so forth--which the Editor published. Where is the transparency, Edward? I only went on Patch yesterday out of curiosity as I decided never to go there again. What a mess!

Pat,
Respectfully I think having the foresight to document a minority position is mutually exclusive of a written Majority Report. Documentation, paper trails, is essential in matters of Town Governance and can act as "proof" of due diligence. When minority opinions are documented, thus becoming minority reports, then they can be referenced for future decision. I don't consider having a minority opinion as expressing dissent. This is at the core of debate and Democracy. It is the responsibility of the responsible citizen to be proactive in his or her pursuits. Just as it is the responsibility of the elected and appointed volunteers to serve the people to the best of their ability and indeed that includes some paperwork. If this is beyond the scope of reasonable expectations then indeed I am in the wrong country.

Just to be clear, although Bryan writes in the first paragraph of this article "The defeat of roof repair...." he is incorrect. The article was for roof REPLACEMENT. Big difference. Your idea for a roof fund is fabulous!

With all due respect - the warrant article was for partial replacement AND repair. Only one section of the total roof was to be replaced.

Yes, SP, that was how I viewed my votes as well. We have a capitol improvement committee but we do not have an adequately funded capitol improvement fund. I agree, this article highlighted improper management of current and future capitol needs.

Good observation, Siobhan!

I like lemon poppy seed cake. What about lemon poppy seed cake? And I prefer tea over coffee. Chamomile actually.....what about chamomile tea? Are there chairs in this barn or just stalls? Is the floor clean? Do I need to sign any release forms? So many questions, so little time. Thanks for the brakes, Joanne. You are a voice of reason for a tired friend:)