tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post2189419422702614118..comments2021-12-12T09:07:17.657-05:00Comments on Stephanie's Town Meeting Experience: With apologies to the BardStephanie O'Keeffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139345960579356043noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post-58674060160639836542007-05-19T21:58:00.000-04:002007-05-19T21:58:00.000-04:00Even if we were to institute a recall provision, I...Even if we were to institute a recall provision, I know that we could not repeal the presumption of innocence. The presumption of innocence is one of the cornerstones of our American system of justice. The existence and operation of such principles in our country is one of the reasons I voted for Mr. Kelley's flag resolution.<BR/><BR/>The presumption of innocence and the burden of proof (beyond a reasonable doubt) are important because they protect every person, even Town Meeting members in the Town of Amherst, from false or unproven accusations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post-54022237960613764272007-05-19T18:59:00.000-04:002007-05-19T18:59:00.000-04:00Keep in mind that Rob Kusner won by default. Ever...Keep in mind that Rob Kusner won by default. Everybody assumed the Charter would pass so the mainstream folks on either side did not bother to run a qualified candidate for Select Board.<BR/><BR/>Amherst does not have a recall provision. Harry Brooks was the odd (Select) man out 15 years ago and drove folks crazy so Town Meeting created a committee to come up with a recall provision. But when it finally came back to Town Meeting it did not pass. So today, a Select Board member can do most anything shy of a felony and not be “forced” to resign. Or Town Meeting member for that matter (Kenton Tharp for instance).<BR/><BR/>Yeah, BIG changes are coming very soon. Thank God!Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post-82386069387679210402007-05-19T16:18:00.000-04:002007-05-19T16:18:00.000-04:00There’s something a wee bit unpersuasive about *an...There’s something a wee bit unpersuasive about *anonymous* calls for resignation. <BR/><BR/>Besides, it would cost $14,000 for an election to replace him. Voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on his antics soon enough.Stephanie O'Keeffehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13139345960579356043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post-79308599424443270572007-05-19T12:42:00.000-04:002007-05-19T12:42:00.000-04:00I agree with anonymous x 2. Kusner has continued ...I agree with anonymous x 2. Kusner has continued to show lack of respect for his position and his constituents. It's time to ask him to leave. The threat against Mr. Churchill was unacceptable behavior. Thanks to the MP3 file and the Bulletin, it's clear that (contrary to Mr. Kusner's claim) it was not taken out of context. How would this be accomplished?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post-83747190819693148732007-05-19T11:04:00.000-04:002007-05-19T11:04:00.000-04:00Another great summary of TM, Stephanie. Nice work...Another great summary of TM, Stephanie. Nice work. About article 35, I was conflicted but in the end voted to support the article. Two reasons: first, it was simply a request (admitedly a strongly-worded request, but a request none-the-less) that the University appoint a citizens advisory panel. WFCR management can, and probably will, ignore it, which might explain why they didn't bother to address TM in the first place. And second, I have made requests/comments essentially every year while making my annual contribution, and these have never been answered by anyone. They've taken my money and ignored my expressed opinion, not even bothering to send an e-mail or anything. I have to admit I'm not a big donor. Just a membership level. So several years ago I stopped supporting WFCR and sent donations to WAMC intead because I was listening to them more often anyway. I sent a note to WFCR telling them why I did this, and again, nothing. No response. No acknowledgement at all. After a couple years I resumed donations to WFCR because it feels like the right thing to do, to support my local NPR station even though they don't care what I think. So, on article 35 I voted to encourage the University to save WFCR from itself. Will the University act? Maybe not, but no harm in asking!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post-90724476442519791912007-05-19T10:58:00.000-04:002007-05-19T10:58:00.000-04:00Off topic from Town Meeting, regarding the latest ...Off topic from Town Meeting, regarding the latest Rob Kusner incident, I'm in agreement with the previous comments. He should be made to resign. It's completely obvious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post-87714390619122555642007-05-18T13:09:00.000-04:002007-05-18T13:09:00.000-04:00Off topic, but I just followed the link in the Amh...Off topic, but I just followed the link in the Amherst Bulletin and listened to the message Rob Kusner left on Andy Churchill's phone machine. I think he should not be permitted to remain in office. This follows the shirt throwing, and the incident with the motorist whom he pulled over and represented himself to as a town official.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post-48995097880087454932007-05-18T12:00:00.000-04:002007-05-18T12:00:00.000-04:00Can't share your world-weary cynicism over the 5/1...Can't share your world-weary cynicism over the 5/16 meeting. Town meeting passed a resolution to give resident non-citizens the right to vote in town elections. We have passed these resolutions over and over and over again. These resolutions have been ignored over and over and over again by by our "elected representatives".<BR/><BR/>Save your cynicism for Stan Rosenberg, Ellen Story and their colleagues.dick bentleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17070410441024886771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post-20107170095127293002007-05-18T09:46:00.000-04:002007-05-18T09:46:00.000-04:00Only one thing that evening was a genuine ado. Th...Only one thing that evening was a genuine ado. The entire assembly singing Happy birthday, dear Mr. Moderator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post-48139607077027811912007-05-18T08:01:00.000-04:002007-05-18T08:01:00.000-04:00Incredibly thoughtful, Stephanie. It's so interest...Incredibly thoughtful, Stephanie. It's so interesting reading your on the one hand this, on the other hand that analysis of the articles. This was quite an interesting bunch of questions to consider. I was SO happy Nicky got to witness this of all Town Meeting sessions. He seemed quite exhilarated afterward. (No one must EVER tell him I said so.)Mary E.Careyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13038834344347616519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213795.post-25660096610229955662007-05-17T22:18:00.000-04:002007-05-17T22:18:00.000-04:00"Why did no one from [WFCR] come to speak on its b..."Why did no one from [WFCR] come to speak on its behalf at Town Meeting?!?"<BR/><BR/>Yeah, that seemed downright insulting.<BR/><BR/>Given that all the article really asked did was ask that we "call upon the Select Board to urge the Town Manager to present Amherst's Town Meeting's position to the University"(whew!), that lack of interest just proved to me just how little practical effect Town Meeting's vote could ever have on WFCR.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com