Vote For Allin Frawley On April 2nd

What follows is a letter to the editor of the Middleboro Gazette that unfortunately did not make this weeks edition.  I fully support Allin and ask that you join with me in bringing a positive change to Middleboro by voting for him on April 2nd.

I am writing to voice my support for Board of Selectman candidate Allin Frawley.  Allin will bring to the board the dedication, common sense approach and drive needed to make a difference in Middleboro. 

In many ways, Allin has already shown a commitment to the town of Middleboro.  Through his past and present service on various town committees including the Charter Review/Change Committee, the Conservation Committee, the Open Space Planning Committee, the EMS Committee, the Community Preservation Act Bylaw Committee and the Zoning Recodification Task Force, Allin has demonstrated his desire to take an active role in the town.  Allin also attends Board of Selectmen meetings on a regular basis.  

More than that, Allin has proven to be accessible to the citizens of this town.  Recognizing that there has never been an easier or more effective way to stay in immediate and direct contact with his supporters, Allin has developed a website as well as Facebook and Twitter accounts.  In addition, he has opened a campaign headquarters downtown where voters can stop in, meet Allin, ask questions and share their concerns.  His willingness to listen and respond to voters will make him, if elected, a true representative of the people.

I ask you to join me in voting for Allin on April 2^nd.  As a selectman, Allin will represent Middleboro honorably and will make sure that our voices are heard.

Suggestions

It is my intent to spend the entire afternoon outside tomorrow to take full advantage of the beautiful day that is coming our way.  Ideally I would like to spend some of the time walking and some, perhaps, just sitting down and taking it all in.  Normally, a walk along the canal suits these purposes just fine but I was thinking it would be nice to try something different.  So,local readers, I am looking for your suggestions.  Not to be extremely picky but here is my ideal description of someplace I would like to go:

-must be local to Middleboro (by local I mean in Middleboro itself or within 45 minutes of the town lines because I need to be home late afternoon for the girls and don't intend to head out until mid morning or so).

-must have paved or well packed down walkways (I am not at all opposed to walking through the woods but I imagine the woods would be a muddy, wet mess at this point with the snow melt and I am all set with that).

-must have some sort of option for sitting (benches would be ideal but if the walkway is paved, I don't mind just sitting along the edge) so I can just sit, relax, admire the scenery, take in the fresh air, and possibly even spend some time reading).

-Must not need four wheel drive as the only means of access (no four wheel drive on the van).

So there you have it.  Suggestions welcome and appreciated!

Blizzard Pictures

Yes, I went out in the middle of a blizzard and took pictures. It was worth the trek through the snow to get these shots (which are just a small sample of the many I took).

One of the few trees in the open field out beyond my backyard.

The birdhouse picture is my favorite of the bunch.

Yup, it was definitely blizzard-like.

Love this one with the birdhouse in the distance.

This one is looking out on the field that borders my back yard. So pretty.

My message...

...to the Middleboro BOS:

"If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!"

Note I did not say:

"If you can't take the heat, tell the public to shut their collective mouths."

Just for clarification.

IT Meeting

I am one who almost always gives someone the benefit of the doubt. I mean, without having been there, scheduled the meeting, made the phone call, sent the email etc., there is no way to really know what happened and why. Certain things, no matter what the situation though, just seem, well, intentional.

I am talking about the meeting scheduled for tonight regarding the recently completed assessment of the Town of Middleborough's IT Department. Until the recent update of the town website, it wouldn't have required, in my opinion, any one to look further than that to declare this town in need of a major overhaul in the IT department. It doesn't surprise me at all, given the sub standard web site that was in place, that problems were found in other areas.

What gets to me regarding this whole thing however, has nothing really to do with the IT department. It has to do with the meeting, which is a public meeting, being announced to the public on the day of. Seriously? Even given my optimistic attitude when it comes to giving someone the benefit of the doubt, I find it extremely difficult to believe that this meeting was scheduled in the wee hours of this morning which is when the Enterprise posted the link on their website and Twitterfeed. There is also no indication of the meeting on the new town website(at least that I was able to locate). One could argue that it may have been announced at the BOS meeting last night (I was unable to attend so I am not sure if this is even a valid argument) but still, one day notice? It is very difficult for me to believe that there wasn't some part of this last minute announcement that was intentional so that fewer people would attend than already do, leaving little to no public comment on something that has been a concern of this town for years. Please, if I am wrong about any of this and there was some announcement that I missed, jump on in via the comments and correct me.

I have previous plans which may have been changing anyway, but I'd be lying if I said my only interest in attending this meeting was to hear the full report on the assessment. Yes, there is a small part of me that wants to go just to prove a point. You can announce your meetings a day, an hour or even a minute before, and well informed, concerned citizens such as myself will still show up...even if I don't speak a word.

As someone who has more recently taken a keen interest in the affairs of this town, I am continually discouraged by the lack of communication between our elected officials and the general public. They were elected to be representatives of this town and it's people and this is one instance in which they are doing a poor job.

Just A Random Observation

The Middleboro town website is the most useless thing I have ever seen. I went on it to see what was on the selectman's agenda for tonight and while I was able to find it, it was no easy task. It is the most disorganized, non-functioning, pathetic excuse for a website that I have ever encountered. Even someone like me, with limited experience in building websites, could do a better job than that. I have heard rumors that a new one is being developed and there is even a questionnaire on the website looking for input. Does anyone know if this is still in the works and when it will happen?

*REMINDER* Comments are now open so that anyone can respond, as opposed to just registered users.

Veteran's Memorial Park

I went and took pictures at Veteran's Memorial Park today. I have wanted to go and get a closer view (as opposed to just driving by ) since it was built. I was moved to tears, honestly. It's a beautiful spot, and a wonderful way to honor our veteran's.

Busy Much

Just for the fun of it, here is what I have on tap this year for activities etc.

-Three girls in 3 separate dance classes.

-Two girls in 2 separate Girl Scout Troops.

-one girl playing basketball.

-one girl involved with the Art Club and Student Council at school.

-one Mom (ME!) President of the PTA

-one Mom (me again!) chairing the PTA Advocacy Committee

-one Mom (guess who?) being active members of the following PTA subcommittees: the Green Team, Bake Sale, and Teacher Appreciation.

-one Mom(three guesses): member of the middle school PTSA.

-one Mom (still me!) volunteering every Monday afternoon in Kindergarten.

-one Mom (uh huh) being the Room Parent to a 4th grade classroom.

-one mom (yes) serving on the Kindergarten School Council.

-one Mom (you guessed it) serving on the MA State PTA Legislative Advocacy Committee.

-one Mom (enough already!) working 20 hours per week.

Busy much?!?!? I am not complaining really. These PTA/Advocacy/Volunteer type things? Are what I was put on this earth to do and I love it.

FYI

Adventures in Education has been updated.

End Of The Year Teacher Gifts

Every year, I try to come up with (or copy someone else's!) creative ideas for teacher gifts. Last year, we made little books titled, "What I Learned In Mrs.______Class." The year before that, I complied a list of summer-type recipes, and made each teacher a scrapbook-style recipe book. This year, I have three teachers, one teacher's aide, a Title I Reading Teacher, and three specialists (OT, PT and Speech Pathologist) to buy for. Obviously, due to the sheer number of people, money will be a factor in my decision. I have a couple ideas in mind.

For the classroom teachers, I was thinking of putting together a bag of school supplies for the classroom next year. With budget cuts and even without, more and more teachers are having to pay out of their own pocket for things such as pencils, crayons, glue etc. At least this seems like a useful gift, and not something that will sit on a shelf and collect dust.

Another thought I had was making fortune cookies, an idea I found here.. I could buy the cookies, and dip them in chocolate, dip them in to some sprinkles, and put them in Chinese food takeout containers that I could get inexpensively enough at Michael's.

I am still thinking about what I could get for the Title I teacher. I was thinking a gift card to Borders maybe, since I am assuming someone that teaches reading would like to read?

I am also trying to come up with a creative idea for the OT, PT, and SP.

Any thoughts or ideas you would like to share?

The PTA Mom

It seems that each year, at least over the past few, I have gradually added to my list of volunteer related "work." I started off as a Sunday school teacher. I quickly realized that that was not my calling (actually I probably knew that before I even jumped on board but that's another entry entirely). The next year I joined the PTA, and in the same year, decided to chair the food committee for Mardi Gras. The next year I became a Girl Scout Leader, and the Cultural Enrichment chair for the PTA, and continued as the Food Committee Chair for Mardi Gras. This year, I remained a Girl Scout Leader, switched to chairing the Fundraising Committee, for the PTA, co-chaired the entire Mardi Gras event, am helping with the 5th grade end of the year events, and am volunteering bi-weekly in Julia's classroom. The point is? While I find all of it to be rewarding, and worth every minute of the time and talent I gave to it, I have been thinking lately that it is time for me to narrow it down to one or two things that I feel most passionate about. I feel like I have been spreading myself too thin, making it so that I am unable to give 110 % to any one thing. It hasn't been easy deciding on one thing because really? I love it all and hate to give any of it up. However, a decision had to be made, and here is what I have come up with. I am going to "run" for PTA president next year. I say run, but more than likely, it will be a uncontested race (generally, when someone volunteers for such things, it usually works out that they are in effect awarded the position, even with the formalities of nominations and an election). I will continue to volunteer in the schools and classrooms as needed or requested, and will continue on a regular basis volunteering in Julia's classroom. I also plan to initiate a PTA Partners In The Community Program, and will co-chair Mardi Gras again. When it came down to deciding, it really became obvious that my passion lies in the education and support of the students in the school environment. This means that I will be giving up my position as a Girl Scout Leader, and in effect re-arranging and perhaps adding more to my responsibilities in the PTA. I really feel like this is where I can offer the most, and is where I can make the most difference.

Poor Neglected Blog

SO I could tell y'all how busy I've been and what a slacker I have been here but really? Lets just say the biggest and most time consuming part of my "volunteer" life? Ended with a hugely successful event today, which was both enormously fun and tiring, and, as pleased as I am with the outcome, I am equally as pleased that it's over.

Ended of course, until next year, when we all do it again.

Anyway, off to bed with me. Regularly scheduled blogging should resume shortly.

You know you live in the country when...

...you find random animal skulls in your back yard.

Here's the most recent find, courtesy of Emily the Archaeologist:







So hazard your best guess. What is (or was) that?

Haunted Hall

A couple of weeks ago, the Paranormal Institute of New England (aka PINE)investigated claims that the Middleboro Town Hall was haunted, particularly in the Grand Hall. Foot steps have been heard, pictures have shown orbs and other unexplained things, and several town officials have had an "uneasy" feeling in various locations of the building, including the old jail cells in the basement. After their investigation, they presented their findings to the selectmen at this weeks meeting.

Here is an article, detailing their findings. I think Marsha Brunelle is on to something by the way. Offering tours of the haunted town hall could bring some much needed cash to the budget.

Below is a video of NECN coverage, in which the voice recording is played.

Casino

I haven't blogged about this in a while. It hasn't been for lack of interest; I have been following the news regularly.

One of the big topics lately has been in regard to Middleboro representatives joining a regional task force whose purpose is to study potential impacts on the surrounding communities of a casino being built in Middleboro. The task force was formed after Middleboro, without giving any consideration to other surrounding towns and how a casino would affect them, signed an agreement not only welcoming the casino, but, promising to support and promote the idea. Now, Middleboro wants part in a group, representing communities who will no doubt be affected by a casino, and weren't even considered by the town when all of the talk was going on, or when the agreement was signed. True, if the casino comes to town, those surrounding communities will be able to negotiate with the state but I don't blame them for not feeling neighborly to Middleboro. Not at all. And, while I can see Middleboro's input being beneficial to the task force as a "direct connection" to the tribe, I don't think they deserve a spot. Too little too late, if you ask me.

FYI

Adventures in Education has been updated, a few times I think, since I last linked from here.

Speaking of tree hugging save the world freaks...

...Ryun went out and invested in those newfangled energy saver light bulbs. I think he was thinking more of saving money as opposed to saving energy of course.

Anyway, the timing behind his decision to do this was a little odd, because it came just after someone at the PTA meeting mentioned selling light bulbs as a fund raiser. I thought this was odd but looked it up online and found a number of references to non-profits selling energy saver light bulbs that were donated by various vendors and/or electric companies, and turning 100 % profit. I also came upon the Energy Star website and their newest campaign, called, "Change a Light Bulb, Save The World." Heroes reference intentional or not, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the catchy tagline. I found an amazing amount of information, ideas and resources, most of which I have printed out for reference. My reading helped generate many of my own ideas, which I really think, with a lot of time and effort on my part could be a part of the week-long Earth Day Celebrations that take place at the Elementary Schools each year. I usually help out in some way or another during that week anyway, and with the Entertainment Book fundraiser well behind me come the new year, I really think I could turn it all in to something fun and educational for the kids.

So we'll see what happens after I formulate an actual plan (as opposed to the millions of ideas running around my head right now).

Shame

I drove out to "Casino Country" (aka North Middleboro) this morning and took some foliage pictures. If you ask me, it's a damn shame that those woods are going to be town down to build a casino, or to build anything for that matter. It's not that I am a "tree-hugging, save the world freak" or something. It's just so darn pretty.

At the rate this world is going, scenic views are going to go from beautiful fields of green to buildings of architectural beauty. That's not to say that architectural beauty should be discounted, but shouldn't some things just remain...as they are?

Train

The only good thing about doing the Entertainment books: Julia had fun playing with the empty boxes!

How I Know Hunting Season Has Begun

I woke up this morning to gun shots echoing through the woods. The sound was relatively close actually, but the woods out back are vast, and I am sure the they were further away then they sounded.

When we lived at our old house down the street, we could actually see the hunters, in their bright orange vests with rifles slung over their backs. I was concerned with how close they were at that point and actually called the Fisheries and Wildlife Department to find out what the regulations were regarding hunting that close to a house. If I remember correctly, it was 500 feet. By my guess, they were at least that far away, maybe more.

I am not a big fan of the idea of hunting for "fun" but seriously, does it get anymore "country" then waking up to gunshots in your back yard?