But if I'm a resident of Plum Island--or just someone concerned--I can't take too much comfort in his answer to the question about the island's erosion problem. From today's Daily News:
Patrick also said he didn't have an intimate knowledge about the erosion on Plum Island. He did say, however, that both the state and the country need to work on global warming initiatives, which some say is helping to erode the barrier island's dunes.
"I'm not satisfied that as a nation we have taken global warming seriously as we need to," he said.
To be fair, the governor apparently came to town to discuss the plans to redevelopment Newburyport's waterfront, an important issue no doubt. But that concern seems a little misplaced when you've got a headline screaming, "Officials put up Jersey barriers, stockpile sand on island," running along the top of the front page. (Note: The online headline is different.)
Also, since I wasn't there I concede there may have been discussions on the issue throughout the day that weren't covered. Frankly, I'm not sure who asked the question about Plum Island. It looks to have been Stephen Tait.
So I'm not here bashing the governor or his vist. Glad he came. But if I'm Plum Islander I might want a bit more.
Here's hoping the question put the issue a little closer to the center of his radar screen.
8 comments:
Tom,
I was equally concerned that he appeared to be unaware of the landfill problem...
"Patrick was introduced to at least one local issue during his time at Plum Island Roasters when, on the way out the door, Jones, the at-large city councilor, asked about Crow Lane Landfill, the dump that has plagued neighbors and city officials for half a decade.
The governor said he wasn't familiar with the situation but said he would "relay the message to the team" and get environmental officials working on the issue."
I also think he should call over to Coastal Zone Management and ask for a copy of their shoreline change maps. PI has been experiencing erosion and accretion cycles that pre-date the automobile.
hi, everyone. When I went to hear from the the Governor and ask questions, I did not expect him to be up to speed on all our local concerns, which is not to say I think they are unworthy of his notice. I did expect to have an opportunity to be heard and answered-- and I was.
If Patrick had demonstrated specific knowledge regarding the erosion problem at Plum Island or the capping problem at our landfill I would have been very impressed, indeed, but would also assume he had been well-briefed on the way over here. I think it premature and unwise to evaluate his positions on issues he readily acknowledges he has not examined. I regard the Governor's role as an executive of the Commonwealth requiring a generalist perspective and an understanding of how things are related holistically.
I was encouraged and immensely pleased by his frankness in the "conversation" about options for increasing income and revenue in Massachusetts, and agreed wholeheartedly with his assertion that the problems we are experiencing in our community (education cuts, public services cuts, etc.) are happening all over the Commonwealth, reflecting a need for sustainable economic development and revenue generating solutions.
Ultimately, what I took from yesterday's gathering was his message-- so important--about participatory democracy. I admit that I have been pretty passive since the election. I have not monitored legislative goings-on at all. I was not very informed on the casino idea, yet I felt entitled to an uninformed opinion. I was not a fan of bringing casinos to Massachusetts, for various reasons. Had I taken the time to look into the proposal more deeply, I might have seen how it was an attractive and viable option for us. On the other hand, I may never have agreed with it, but surely I would have been able to state my opposition intelligently. I expect I won't always agree with Governor Patrick's positions; I am in the luxurious role of "principled voter" and do not have to play politics on Beacon Hill.
But Deval Patrick reminded me yesterday that I voted for him in large part because he is all about involvement from citizens in the democratic process. If I want him-- or anyone else representing my community-- to know about something and do something-- it is up to me to tell him. So I will.
It's ridiculous to expect the governor of any state to have familiarity, intimate or otherwise, with the goings-on of every issue in every community. It's not his domain; that's why he has a cabinet and various advisors.
However, considering the governor's visit was "unannounced," it's fair to presume there was not enough time to brief the governor in advance.
If there was time, his scheduling office would have followed protocol and contacted the applicable state offices to get the necessary info for a proper briefing packet.
Tom:
The Governor can't know the intimate issues in 351 communities the way we do, but he, unlike his predecessor, seems to care enough to visit, listen and learn. We need to give him our concerns, that is why he came, to speak to us and listen to us. What a novel approach to government! I don't like casinos either, but I like the effort to change Beacon Hill. I also like his focus on alternative energy development.
Why don't you email him the CZM maps and a brief description of the issue? You might be pleasantly surprised.
Folks,
Thanks for the posts. I conceded most of these points in the original post so I've got little arguments.
Fact is, the headline on top of the paper screamed Jersey Barriers and sand piles. The same article talked about a rumor that the city would shut off water and sewer to two municipality's neighborhoods.
Yet the governor only mustered a high level, we as a nation must do something about global warming. At the same time the state DEP is suggesting the problem isn't really all that bad.
You can dice, slice, spin and toss around political terminology and processes. But it did not look good.
I don't think that's a ridiculous assertion at all.
For the record I didn't expect him to know about the landfill.
Again, I like the guy.
Folks,
I voted for the guy - but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that he should have some understanding of the local issues - that's just good politics and good business. He continues to come across as amateurish and unprepared. If I had it to do over again I would still vote for him - but receiving one's vote shouldn't make one beyond criticism.
Tom, Patrick should have known what was going on here or he should have stayed home. He has a support staff that is more than capable of going over the 2-3 major issues that any community faces before he travels to speak there. I agree with the comment that he seems amateurish and unprepared. I would expect more from a City Councilor.
I agree with you, Tom, that the governor should be able to address the community's major issues when he is making a visit. I find it ironic that he was here to discuss Newburyport's "waterfront", but was unaware that the barrier island that protects this city is the hottest topic in town. Citing global warming issues smacks of pandering and political rhetoric to me, but hey that's what his whole campaign was based on.
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