I Got the Horns
When I chose to challenge the incumbent Town Moderator in this year’s Town Election, I knew I was taking a risk regarding my future involvement in Town government.
If I won, I’d be the Town Moderator for three years. I would be able to appoint my replacement to the Finance Committee.
If I lost, I was at-risk of not being re-appointed to the Finance Committee because my former opponent is the appointing authority for the Finance Committee.
And, in case you aren’t aware, I lost.
I reapplied to the Finance Committee on April 26, 2012, less than two weeks after the election. I reapplied because I enjoy the work and I think I add value to the process. I’ve learned a lot about municipal finance in the last four years on the committee. I spent the last year as the Vice Chairman and previously served as the Secretary. I’d like to think I am a strong (and somewhat humble) contributor to the Committee.. not God’s gift to the Committee, in any way, but still doing good work and providing helpful advice to Town Meeting.
Well, it seems my services are no longer needed, based on the letter I received from the Town Moderator today. It looks like I’ll have about thirty or so more nights at home this year… at least my wife and kids will be happy to have me home.
You know what they say, “You mess with the bull, you get the horns.”
Best of luck to the new Finance Committee members and to my former colleagues.
Posted on June 18, 2012, in Local Government, Opinions. Bookmark the permalink. 17 Comments.
I am so sorry for the towns loss. I am happy that your family gets more of your time.
Thanks, Sandra!
This is so blatantly political and personal that is borders on being obscene. The town will certainly lose a skilled member of an important committee. I was disturbed to find that Gil has appointed a first time Town Meeting member with no prior experience in town finances into a position that your experience would certainly have been more helpful in a down economy than that of a well intentioned on the job trainee.
I’m certain that you will find and achieve success in other endeavors until the town moderator position is up for reelection. I wonder if Gil will still look for you to help solve problems at town meeting to compensate for his lack of understanding in computer and audio-visual technology.
Best of luck to you, Mike, and although we’ve not seen eye to eye on several issues, I truly believe that the failure to reappoint you will prove to be unjustified and inappropriate to those who pay attention to town politics.
–Rick
Thanks, Rick. I enjoyed the FinCom but this was the risk I took when I chose to run for Moderator. I’m certainly disappointed, even more so that I lost the election AND was sacked from FinCom. I guess I really upset some people.
And therein lies the rub. Amateurs chase off competition whenever they can; while, true professionals not only desire competition, but thrive on it. Let’s see if this new guy thrives or dives.
Gil Moreira has already self-disclosed his status through his playground actions.
And the Breaking News piece on the Lowell Sun website has now been taken down (you can still find it in the Google search cache) and the full story never ran…
Breaking news?
When the Sun writes a short piece online they publish it to the Breaking News section of the site and then follow up with a full story, usually the next day. I’m told the full story will run tomorrow and the Breaking News piece expired, as they’re expected to do, on its own.
Mike,
I am not sure why you think you should be on the Finance Committee indefinitely. I agree with Gil that the FinCom needs diversity and it should be renew with fresh talent routinely. It has sorely lack diversity and renewal for over a decade. The Town Moderator needs to balance the representation so that all the residents of Billerica are fairly represented. I am not sure why you would feel entitled to serve indefinitely on a committee — especially since there seems to be a waiting list of very talented people that would like to serve on it. If you really wish is to serve the people and the Town – there are lots of committees and boards that have positions unfilled that could use your help. You were not the only one on the FinCom that was not asked to return. Your complaints and claims are a telling indicator of your character. It seems to me that you are the one playing politics.
Mr. Mollison,
Let’s be honest – we’re all playing politics… we all play in the court of public opinion and try to influence people our way. We try to build support for our positions to get things done the way we want to see them done. I do it, you do it, and so does everyone else. And we’re all entitled to do so, which is one of the reasons this country is great.
As an example, I could have hit the Delete key on your blog comment but I didn’t.. which is part of playing politics. Replying to your comment gives me a chance to give my point of view.
A couple of corrections on your blog comment:
1. Doug Fogerty wasn’t reappointed because his application was never considered. His application was late and the Moderator, after consulting Town Counsel, chose not to accept his application for consideration for that reason.
2. I never said that I was entitled to keep my seat on the Finance Committee. But I will not be shy in saying that I feel I’ve earned the right to continue to serve. I know I’m there for the right reasons. I know that I help the committee provide much needed advice to Town Meeting which enables them to make well-informed decisions.
And yes, I know there are other boards and committees with openings. But, to me, participating in Town government is about finding the best place to serve – where your skills and passion are a match for the mission and scope of that board or committee. So, if it’s not the will of the voters for me to serve as Moderator, the Finance Committee was the next best place for me to serve. The Moderator disagreed and so that’s that. Life will go on, for us all.
Mike,
The reference to others not selected again to serve is addressing not just this period but, numerous years where certain incumbents have not been selected. Political leanings and special interests have always been a part of the selection process and qualifications usually played second fiddle. I was just a little surprised to see that suddenly the selection of an individual (or non-selection) is front page news because it happened to you. You earn the right to serve only for the period you are appointed and then must compete like anyone else would have to. The entitlement conclusion was drawn from the article and your actions.
I personally have not seen any real balance in the FinCom since I became involved in Town government about 15 years ago. Conflict of interest is a widespread problem in Town government and the FinCom is no stranger to that problem. I do not draw a distinction between Town budgets and School Budgets because they are interdependent and complementary — thus, quid pro quo ends up as the operative element on how the system works. — Ultimately, skirting the spirit of the conflict of interest rules and laws. The taxpayers are not legitimately served by this situation – but, the Corporate Town and special interest groups are. I may have been more sympathetic to this situation if you had not created you own blatantly political response – which ultimately, make me question your real motivations.
I agree that diversity on the committee is good. In fact, I recall saying so many times during the campaign… looks like Gil agreed, and here we are.
Again, I never said I was entitled, and I approached the application process and interview with respect and humility. When I interviewed for the role I simply explained why I thought I was a good choice to serve on the committee.
If you’re wondering why this is newsworthy, you can ask the paper since they control what gets printed, not me. Most people don’t suffer defeat and humiliation so publicly but I’m fine with sharing this event publicly because I think it tells something about all the players involved and my hope is that people gain a better understanding of how local government and the people in elected and volunteer positions play a role in that government.
And as for my motivations, you are welcome to question them and be suspect. But I think you’ll be disappointed when you discover that I have no aspirations to develop a long political career, ascending from one office to another, until I reach some lofty position. I’m not trying to line up a fat public sector salary for me, my family or friends. I just want to be a good husband, be a good father, provide for my family, and contribute to a community to help make a good life for my family.
Well stated, Mike.
Rick/Mike,
Well I guess we can all agree — that is how the game is played. Ultimately time will tell as to people’s motivations or aspirations. I know that you are actively trying to make a better community for Billerica. As most of us are — and in some way many of us are seeking the same things — but, through different means. Good luck
JIm
Agreed, Jim. Thanks.
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