Leadership for Waltham

As one of my beloved son’s likes to say, “Oookaay, allllrrrright’.  I’m sure you knew this was coming, at least, I am certain those that know me at all knew I would have something to say.

Dear Mr. Stanley,

We get along so well, don’t you think?  I am not being facetious, I think we have gotten along well.  Yet I fear there may be a problem that has yet to be uncovered.  A couple weeks ago I took exception to what you had published in the Waltham Tribune, see http://sharonforrep.blogspot.com/2014/10/dear-mr-stanley.html for a refresher.  At that time I took the approach that your memory had failed you on several key points.  Now however, I have to think it is something more insidious than a failed memory.  You know as well as I do that you were invited to a candidate forum by the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee and by the 3^rd MAD Democratic Committee.  And that you were offered several dates from which to choose.  I know because I received a copy of the same email you did.  Why would you tell the public, your constituents, that is not the case? 

Mr. Stanley, what is going on?  Your signs all tout Leadership for Waltham.  Let’s leave out the fact that this ignores a significant portion of the district, that being Lincoln, what qualities do you think are necessary to be a leader?  Surely honesty would be among them.  Having a proactive approach is also an important quality in a leader, would you agree? 

Let us analyze this piece of your recent letter to the editor in the Waltham Tribune. 

As for the orchestrated attempt to imply I am avoiding a public debate, I have not received such an invitation from any civic, business or community organization during this election campaign.  In the past, I have participated in all I have been invited to.

How can you in all seriousness publish this?  I refer you to the following email, dated September 26, 2014:

Dear Tom,
The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee and the 3rd Middlesex Area Democrats would like to invite you to a FORUM wherein you and Sharon would be asked a series of questions on your candidacies for 9th Middlesex District.  When 3M has a FORUM (not a debate) we use LWV format and certified moderators. The rules - which both sides will have to agree upon - have been vetted many times.
To start - would you please let me know if either of the following dates and times would be possible for you for this event.
Location: Waltham Public Library Lecture Hall
Date/Time; Either Thurs 10/23 630-830PM (forum 7-8)
                     Or      Sat 10/25.   1230-230PM (forum 1-2)
If these don't work, please let me know another date that might.
Thank you very much for letting us know ASAP for volunteer scheduling purposes.

Don’t you think that at a minimum the people you serve deserve to know the truth?  You will recall the Waltham Tribune also asked you to engage in a debate.  I am sure you have a good reason for not agreeing to a forum or a debate to discuss the issues, but please do not say you were not invited.

On the other hand, even if you had not been invited, as someone that is advertising ‘Leadership for Waltham”, wouldn’t it be incumbent on you to initiate the debate yourself?  You are a seasoned candidate, you have been doing this since 2001.  Why would you sit back and wait for someone else to initiate a debate?  You should be three steps ahead of me and of the democratic party.  Communication, as I am sure you know, is an integral part of leadership.  As a leader I would expect you to be getting out in front of issues, taking the opportunity to show the community who you are and why what you have to offer is better than what your opponent offers.  

You cannot lead from behind.  Well, I suppose you might be able to but I would not think that is a wise strategy.

The second point I would like to comment on, and this, I promise, is the last point.  From your same letter,

I spend a lot of time in both of the communities I represent, Waltham and Lincoln. I attend meetings and events, I regularly distribute questionnaires on state and local issues to solicit feedback from my constituents and I spend a lot of time knocking on doors, trying to meet as many people as I can.

No you do not.  You certainly do not spend ‘a lot of time in Lincoln’.  You have been representing Lincoln for almost two years yet almost no one in Lincoln knows who you are.  You will recall I first contacted you via email on January 30, 2013 to say hello and welcome you to Lincoln yet I do not recall ever seeing a questionnaire from you, not through email or US mail or from any other method.  Dear Mr. Stanley, I do not understand your strategy but believe me, sticking to the facts is always easier in the long run.

Here is what we tell our children.  If you want to us to believe you, you have to establish a pattern of telling the truth.  And leadership, while I guess it technically does not require truth telling, a quality leader certainly makes it part of his or her repertoire.

I wish you well,

Sharon