Monday, June 4, 2012
A letter to the editor from Jon Spector.
- OPINION
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Monday, June 4, 2012
To The Editor: Several months ago, a Weston resident filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Ethics Commission, charging Town Moderator Wendy Spector with misconduct, self-dealing and a number of other ethical breaches. It’s unfortunately not possible to completely remove the stain to a person’s reputation that a public complaint creates — particularly when that complaint is trumpeted repeatedly in the press, as this one has been. The Ethics Commission, bound to follow the actual facts rather than the public rhetoric, has now responded to the complaint by dismissing each of the allegations made against Wendy. I hope this will lay most peoples’ concerns to rest. Jon Spector, Conant Road
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Incumbent Moderator Wendy Spector is being challenged by candidate William Sandalls.
In advance of the annual town election on May 5, Weston Patch is posting Q&As with candidates running for election or re-election to town boards, seats or committees. The following Q&A is with incumbent Moderator Wendy Spector. Spector is seeking re-election against challenger William Sandalls. (See a Q&A with Sandalls here.) Q. Why are you running for Moderator? Spector: I am interested in improving the flow of communications in Weston and in getting more people involved in town governance. I think Town Meeting is an important part of the democratic process but that it should adapt to changes in technology and lifestyle. I also think that people need to be educated about how local government works and to feel that they can contribute to …
William Sandalls is challenging incumbent Wendy Spector for Moderator.
In advance of the annual town election on May 5, Weston Patch is posting Q&As with candidates running for election or re-election to town boards, seats or committees. The following Q&A is with William (Bill) Sandalls, candidate for Moderator. Sandalls is challenging incumbent Wendy Spector. (See a Q&A with Spector here.) Q. Why are you running for Moderator? Sandalls: I am running on a pledge that, if I am elected, I will carry out the duties of the moderator as fairly and as unbiased as is humanly possible. That means that voters attending Town Meetings, particularly those with views that might be in the minority, have a right to be heard as long as the debate and discussion is germane to the issue to be decided by the vote taken at the …
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
A letter to the editor from T. Alex Shimada-Brand.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, May 1, 2012
To the Editor: In thinking about whom to support in the Moderator race (or even whether to care about it), voters should be aware that the Moderator has the important and exclusive right to appoint members of Weston's Finance Committee. Some might even consider this at least as important as the procedural details of conducting the Town Meeting itself, since the Finance Committee plays a key role in our town's budgeting and financing process and in turn the funding and quality of our schools and other services. During her time as Moderator, Wendy Spector is considered to have appointed a balanced range of Finance Committee members, without demonstrable bias for specific budget or financing objectives. Accordingly, the Finance Committee …
A letter to the editor from Mary Ellen Sikes.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Dear Editor, Weston's Town Meeting needs a fresh start. Mr. Sandalls understands that we need efficient government but cannot sacrifice trust in the process. His Warrant Article 11, supported by the Weston League of Women Voters, exemplifies this approach. He has served our country and has served Weston admirably as a volunteer, notably as past Chair of the Finance Committee. Most importantly, it sends a message to others thinking of serving our town in elected positions that no one is anointed to a position and, if you have something valuable to add, people will support you. Mary Ellen Sikes, Conant Road
Monday, April 30, 2012
A letter to the editor from Henry L. Viles.
- OPINION
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Monday, April 30, 2012
[Editor's Note: Letters to the editor pertaining to candidates in the May 5 town election must be submitted by Tuesday, May 1, at 5 p.m. No letters to the editor on candidates will be posted May 2 through May 5.] To the Editor: Fans of the Coen brothers’ spoof of Prohibition-era gangster films, Miller’s Crossing, will remember the classic line uttered by one of its mob boss characters, Johnny Caspar: “It is about ethics.” So it is in Weston, but instead of a plot about rival gangs battling viciously over a small city’s gin joints, other criminal enterprises and loads of political corruption, Weston has a smelly scandal about the self-dealing actions of its incumbent Moderator, Wendy Spector. The latest attempt to shield Spector is the …
Thursday, April 12, 2012
A letter to the editor from Wendy Spector.
- OPINION
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Thursday, April 12, 2012
Dear Editor: Many know that I have contributed a lot to the town over the years as a volunteer, School Committee member and chair, part-time School Website Manager, and two-term elected Moderator. Throughout this time, my two main goals have been to improve communications and increase engagement in town governance. Weston this May will have the first contested race for Moderator in many years. Democracy benefits when voters have a choice and, as someone who has been encouraging others to volunteer for town governance, I consider this an opportunity to communicate and engage. In a contest, we can have a discussion about the role of Moderator and citizens feel more engaged in the process. This election is important because the Moderator …
Monday, April 9, 2012
A letter to the editor from Maureen Ecker.
- OPINION
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Monday, April 9, 2012
To the Editor: I am writing to express my wholehearted endorsement of Wendy Spector for re-election to Town Moderator for Weston. During her tenure, Wendy has distinguished herself as an forward thinker who has reached out to the citizens to create a better and more interactive Town Meeting. As Town Moderator, Wendy has worked hard to improve communications in Weston and to create a forum which allows for more citizens to be able to voice their points of view. As well, she understands the need for information to be disseminated to the public via a variety of media including electronic bulletins. Most of us appreciate the ability to have the information we want delivered to our desktops. For those of use who do not own a computer or are …
Thursday, April 5, 2012
A letter to the editor from Ed Coburn.
To the Editor: Weston is fortunate to have two strong candidates for Town Moderator. The Moderator serves two primary functions — to preside over our Town Meetings, and to appoint members of several committees, perhaps most notably the Finance Committee and the Community Preservation Committee. I understand what’s at stake, and I am familiar with the candidates. Both have previously served the town, which is commendable. I will vote to re-elect Wendy Spector. Here’s why. The first act of the Special Town Meeting last fall was to vote to approve, unanimously, a rule which permits people to speak as many times as they wish but for no more than 3 minutes at a time. This is a rule that is used in many other towns in the state, and bears some …
A letter to the editor from Jon Spector.
- OPINION
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Thursday, April 5, 2012
To the Editor: Isabella Jancourtz and William Sandalls have asked questions and made a number of insinuations about the Town’s use of myGrapevine, and about my behavior and the behavior of the Town Moderator (Wendy Spector). Among other things, they accuse Wendy of stealing westonGrapevine data to enhance her campaign for Moderator, a serious ethical breach. I know for a fact they have no evidence of this — because it did not occur — but there is no way to prove a negative. I think the best way to respond to their broad set of question and hypotheses is to simply explain the history of westonGrapevine. Residents can then judge for themselves whether anything improper has occurred. In November, 2009 (before Wendy was elected Moderator), …
Isabella Jancourtz
9:10 am on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Bill Sandalls is our best bet for moderator and Weston is very fortunate that he has taken on this challenge. He is superbly well qualified to run our town meetings and to make appointments to the Finance Committee and to other committees in town. Moreover, he has a bright, easy-going temperament which will make town meeting a pleasure to attend. Most importantly, he knows and is committed to … more ›