I want to thank my Campaign Committee for running an excellent campaign, and the 43 generous donors. We lost by 109 votes to Mike Kopko and 52 votes to Tim Soverino. I was particularly happy to work with T.J. Grant. Hopefully he will inspire the younger generation to become involved in Town Government
Even though I was not returned to the BOS, I plan to work even harder for the future of Nantucket.
Selectman (1 seat):
Michael Kopko 943 ballots
Tim Soverino 886 ballots
Whiting Willauer 834 ballots
TJ Grant 289 ballots Blanks: 78 ballots
Write-ins: 3 ballots
TOTAL BALLOTS CAST:
7519 Registered Voters
3033 Ballots cast
40 % Percentage voting
Let's Grow Our Team!
Whitey and supporters stump the dump
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
5 Days Before 2009 Election
Monday, April 6th, 2009 - 1st night of Annual Town Meeting:
The appropriation for the new Police Station was adopted. The voters will decide whether to spend the money on Tue, April 14th. The Police and Fire Union contracts were approved. Master Plan approved. The prohibition of smoking marihuana in public places was approved. Separate Board of Health approved. Prohibition of Cell Phone use will driving was favorably supported by sense of meeting, but still permitted. Ocean Management Planning Process approved. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 PM until Tuesday, April 7th.
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009:
Atended SHAB meeting. The scallopers landed approximatley 9,000 bushels this year. Next year looks better. 182 commercial licenses have been sold for next year, an increase of 25. Nantucket has submitted a stimulus grant for $2.2 million for eel grass restoration, Consue Springs restoration, two large storm water drainage systems, and shellfish management plan. On April 1st 10 scallopers and marine department personnel moved 100 bushels of seed scallop from up harbor to the 1st point area.
2nd night of 2009 Annual Town Meeting
Long term lease for affordable housing lease options at 2 Fairgrounds Road was tabled. Many real estate conveyances, acquisitions, and dispositions were approved. The proposed Human Services Center project was approved to contain housing. The Annual Town Meeting was adjourned at 10:07 PM.
Wednesday April 8th, 2009:
Was interviewed by Plum TV at on site at Madaket Marine. I described how the boat yard operated in the 1950s and 1960s. Times were different then. There were no fiberglas boats. Everyone went scalloping in the winter and participated in the theater on weekends as there wasn't any TV. We charged the customers $3.00 per hour, the boat yard was full, and everyone eventually paid their bills.
The appropriation for the new Police Station was adopted. The voters will decide whether to spend the money on Tue, April 14th. The Police and Fire Union contracts were approved. Master Plan approved. The prohibition of smoking marihuana in public places was approved. Separate Board of Health approved. Prohibition of Cell Phone use will driving was favorably supported by sense of meeting, but still permitted. Ocean Management Planning Process approved. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 PM until Tuesday, April 7th.
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009:
Atended SHAB meeting. The scallopers landed approximatley 9,000 bushels this year. Next year looks better. 182 commercial licenses have been sold for next year, an increase of 25. Nantucket has submitted a stimulus grant for $2.2 million for eel grass restoration, Consue Springs restoration, two large storm water drainage systems, and shellfish management plan. On April 1st 10 scallopers and marine department personnel moved 100 bushels of seed scallop from up harbor to the 1st point area.
2nd night of 2009 Annual Town Meeting
Long term lease for affordable housing lease options at 2 Fairgrounds Road was tabled. Many real estate conveyances, acquisitions, and dispositions were approved. The proposed Human Services Center project was approved to contain housing. The Annual Town Meeting was adjourned at 10:07 PM.
Wednesday April 8th, 2009:
Was interviewed by Plum TV at on site at Madaket Marine. I described how the boat yard operated in the 1950s and 1960s. Times were different then. There were no fiberglas boats. Everyone went scalloping in the winter and participated in the theater on weekends as there wasn't any TV. We charged the customers $3.00 per hour, the boat yard was full, and everyone eventually paid their bills.
BOS Achievements and Failures
I&M Question #2 for April 9th:
Name one achievement and one failure of the current Board of Selectmen. Is the board headed in the right direction?
One major BOS achievement was the land swap to move Myles Reis operations from Miacomet Pond to land near the airport. This enabled the Town to protect Miacomet pond from further pollution, and facilitated moving the bulk fuel tanks from the downtown onto the same property near the airport.
The present BOS has failed to prioritize the Town services and to determine which are essential. The Chairman of the BOS was recently quoted saying the services of Adult Community Day Care (ACDC) are not essential to the community. While they may not be essential to all community members, they are essential to an important segment. The BOS first cut ACDC from the budget, and then reinstated it for one year.
This year the BOS increased nineteen user fees, far more than any other year on record. Those approved or under consideration, include; residential parking fees, 14 liquor license fees, mooring waiting list fees, seasonal vacation rental tax, rental car fees, and beach parking fees. User fees should not be used to balance the Town budget. This hurts the residents.
We need an efficient budget process and real planning to grow our economy. We must encourage all aspects of our community to thrive. We have to take care of our business owners, Town employees, teachers, tradesmen, fishermen and year-round residents. Our people are our community.
Name one achievement and one failure of the current Board of Selectmen. Is the board headed in the right direction?
One major BOS achievement was the land swap to move Myles Reis operations from Miacomet Pond to land near the airport. This enabled the Town to protect Miacomet pond from further pollution, and facilitated moving the bulk fuel tanks from the downtown onto the same property near the airport.
The present BOS has failed to prioritize the Town services and to determine which are essential. The Chairman of the BOS was recently quoted saying the services of Adult Community Day Care (ACDC) are not essential to the community. While they may not be essential to all community members, they are essential to an important segment. The BOS first cut ACDC from the budget, and then reinstated it for one year.
This year the BOS increased nineteen user fees, far more than any other year on record. Those approved or under consideration, include; residential parking fees, 14 liquor license fees, mooring waiting list fees, seasonal vacation rental tax, rental car fees, and beach parking fees. User fees should not be used to balance the Town budget. This hurts the residents.
We need an efficient budget process and real planning to grow our economy. We must encourage all aspects of our community to thrive. We have to take care of our business owners, Town employees, teachers, tradesmen, fishermen and year-round residents. Our people are our community.
Why Open Town Meeting
I&M Question #1 for April 9th:
Is the Town Meeting government system still serving Nantucket well? Should it be changed?
At our Town Meeting, citizens come together to legislate Town policy and budgets. While some feel we should have a Representative Town Meeting with elected members, Nantucket has always had an Open Town Meeting, inviting all registered voters the opportunity to participate. Changing that would require an amendment to our Town Charter. A city form of government is run by an elected mayor, with one city councilor elected to represent each district of the Town. There would be no Annual Town Meeting.
Nantucket is known to have more Home Rule Petitions than any other Town, where we amend state laws to suit our local needs. That's because we have unique issues being an island with just one Town and County.
While I agree it is good to re-evaluate our circumstances periodically, I believe the Open Town Meeting form of government has served us well, and I would like to see it continue. With this form of government, every citizen has the same opportunity to bring an issue to the voters at Annual Town Meeting. Nantucket is a true democracy.
Is the Town Meeting government system still serving Nantucket well? Should it be changed?
At our Town Meeting, citizens come together to legislate Town policy and budgets. While some feel we should have a Representative Town Meeting with elected members, Nantucket has always had an Open Town Meeting, inviting all registered voters the opportunity to participate. Changing that would require an amendment to our Town Charter. A city form of government is run by an elected mayor, with one city councilor elected to represent each district of the Town. There would be no Annual Town Meeting.
Nantucket is known to have more Home Rule Petitions than any other Town, where we amend state laws to suit our local needs. That's because we have unique issues being an island with just one Town and County.
While I agree it is good to re-evaluate our circumstances periodically, I believe the Open Town Meeting form of government has served us well, and I would like to see it continue. With this form of government, every citizen has the same opportunity to bring an issue to the voters at Annual Town Meeting. Nantucket is a true democracy.
BOS Present Operation
Nantucket Independent Question #3 for April 8th
No town board is perfect in its makeup of individuals who view issues from their unique perspectives. What is your greatest criticism of the operation of the current board of selectmen, and how do you believe keeping you on the board or adding you as a member will improve the selectmen's function?
The current board has great diversity but is missing someone with the experience of leading multi-million dollar organizations. We need a pro-active board, not reactive. We need to plan for Nantucket's future, not just muddle through and figure out how to get by. Right now, our Town is faced with a financial crisis that could have been avoided with better planning.
I am an 11th generation Nantucketer. I grew up here working summer jobs while getting a great education. I ran a boat yard business on the Island for 10 years. As a veteran of foreign wars, I served my country well. I excelled working for the U.S. government in intelligence, and later in private business. I have skills that are sorely lacking on the BOS, including; budgeting, planning, contract negotiation, forecasting, management, and setting and achieving goals.
I have attended nearly every Board of Selectman meeting since early 2005. As Board Chairman, I had a great working relationship with the Town Manager and all the other Board Members. I continue to serve on eight town committees and organizations. I am up to speed and can hit the ground running. I have several new ideas to bring forward that will help the Nantucket economy to grow and prosper.
We must reduce the cost of living for year-round Nantucketers, and make sure teachers and Town employees can keep their jobs.
No town board is perfect in its makeup of individuals who view issues from their unique perspectives. What is your greatest criticism of the operation of the current board of selectmen, and how do you believe keeping you on the board or adding you as a member will improve the selectmen's function?
The current board has great diversity but is missing someone with the experience of leading multi-million dollar organizations. We need a pro-active board, not reactive. We need to plan for Nantucket's future, not just muddle through and figure out how to get by. Right now, our Town is faced with a financial crisis that could have been avoided with better planning.
I am an 11th generation Nantucketer. I grew up here working summer jobs while getting a great education. I ran a boat yard business on the Island for 10 years. As a veteran of foreign wars, I served my country well. I excelled working for the U.S. government in intelligence, and later in private business. I have skills that are sorely lacking on the BOS, including; budgeting, planning, contract negotiation, forecasting, management, and setting and achieving goals.
I have attended nearly every Board of Selectman meeting since early 2005. As Board Chairman, I had a great working relationship with the Town Manager and all the other Board Members. I continue to serve on eight town committees and organizations. I am up to speed and can hit the ground running. I have several new ideas to bring forward that will help the Nantucket economy to grow and prosper.
We must reduce the cost of living for year-round Nantucketers, and make sure teachers and Town employees can keep their jobs.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
I&M Endorsements
I&M Editorial - Thursday, April 9th
Four people for one slot, yet this is the hardest race of all to call. We applaud T.J. Grant for stepping forward to serve, and advise him to seek appointment to one of the town boards in June to get some experience in town government before running another time.
Then we have three people with experience in this seat to consider, and not a clear choice among them.
The incumbent Michael Kopko has matured a great deal since he took office three years ago, and has done a good job as chairman this past year. However, we can’t forget his votes that have hurt island tradesmen and an apparent anti-business stance that was evident in liquor license applications as well. We also do not like his view that the planning director should report to the town administrator, and indirectly, to the Selectmen. We do not feel that is appropriate and is such a clear grab for power and control that it bothers us quite a bit.
Nantucket’s current economic decline demands a board that will work in the best interests of merchants and tradesmen alike and we don’t see that in candidate Kopko.
Whitey Willauer and Tim Soverino have both served as selectmen and both lost their last bids for this office. What has changed for each since then?
Willauer has always had Nantucket’s best interests at heart, and works diligently for the good of Nantucket. His legendary spreadsheet of projects to be addressed shows that he is no slouch when focusing on what needs to be done. We just wonder if he can narrow those choices down so something actually does get accomplished. Willauer is also a genuinely nice guy who treats his colleagues with respect, and that’s something in his favor.
Tim Soverino can’t get away from the fact that he was one of two Selectmen who negotiated the contract with Waste Options that has been viewed by many as largely not in the town’s best interest. Soverino says he’d like to get back on board to iron those details out. We’re not sure how that would work. Meanwhile, we like Tim’s connection to the island workforce and municipal employees, his institutional knowledge of Nantucket, his background in government and finance and the Board of Selectmen. He knows the fiscal bind the town is in and may very well be the person who can talk with union heads and get needed concessions from them on future contracts. The Tim Soverino we have seen this go-around is a different, humbler person who would work well with the current board, as would Whitey Willauer.
Four people for one slot, yet this is the hardest race of all to call. We applaud T.J. Grant for stepping forward to serve, and advise him to seek appointment to one of the town boards in June to get some experience in town government before running another time.
Then we have three people with experience in this seat to consider, and not a clear choice among them.
The incumbent Michael Kopko has matured a great deal since he took office three years ago, and has done a good job as chairman this past year. However, we can’t forget his votes that have hurt island tradesmen and an apparent anti-business stance that was evident in liquor license applications as well. We also do not like his view that the planning director should report to the town administrator, and indirectly, to the Selectmen. We do not feel that is appropriate and is such a clear grab for power and control that it bothers us quite a bit.
Nantucket’s current economic decline demands a board that will work in the best interests of merchants and tradesmen alike and we don’t see that in candidate Kopko.
Whitey Willauer and Tim Soverino have both served as selectmen and both lost their last bids for this office. What has changed for each since then?
Willauer has always had Nantucket’s best interests at heart, and works diligently for the good of Nantucket. His legendary spreadsheet of projects to be addressed shows that he is no slouch when focusing on what needs to be done. We just wonder if he can narrow those choices down so something actually does get accomplished. Willauer is also a genuinely nice guy who treats his colleagues with respect, and that’s something in his favor.
Tim Soverino can’t get away from the fact that he was one of two Selectmen who negotiated the contract with Waste Options that has been viewed by many as largely not in the town’s best interest. Soverino says he’d like to get back on board to iron those details out. We’re not sure how that would work. Meanwhile, we like Tim’s connection to the island workforce and municipal employees, his institutional knowledge of Nantucket, his background in government and finance and the Board of Selectmen. He knows the fiscal bind the town is in and may very well be the person who can talk with union heads and get needed concessions from them on future contracts. The Tim Soverino we have seen this go-around is a different, humbler person who would work well with the current board, as would Whitey Willauer.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
10 Days to Go
Things are heating up. The Selectman election is 10 days away on Tuesday, April 14th. It's hard to tell the outcome.
Here's what I did the past four days:
Wed April 1st: Attended the BOS meeting. Discussions included: establishing Taxi Advisory Committee; Committee Appointment Schedule; establishing Ad Hoc Fiscal Committee; tracking Construction and Demolition (C&D) material.
Thu April 2nd: At 2:00 pm, chaired the Bulk Fuel Committee. We are moving ahead with disestablishing the fuel tanks downtown and building new tanks near the airport.
At 5:00 pm: Energy committee: review feasibility of 4WD Hybrid vehicles for the Police; solar energy for the school/swimming pool; and obtaining a grant for a feasibility study of Wind Turbines at the dump.
At 6:00 - 8:00 pm: Attended public forum for the Selectman candidates to answer questions by the five Town Unions.
Fri, April 3rd: At 10 am, interviewed by the I&M editors in preparation for their endoursements.
At 12:00 noon, participated with the four selectmen candidates in a debate on TV-17 with Jason Graziadei of I&M as moderator. This one hour show will be shown many times in the next 10 days.
At 2:00 pm, met with 30 or so residents of Sherburne Commons to discuss the future of that organization and the possibility of merging with Our Island Home, and Adult Community Day Care Center (ACDC) on the Sherburne Campus.
Sat, April 4th: The campaign team stood at the dump from 8:00 am until noon. Whitey left to attend James K. Glidden's funeral at St Paul's. He died April 1st at 92. At the funeral, we sang, How Great Thou Art, The Old Rugged Cross, and In the Garden. Richard Glidden gave an outstanding eulogy. Committal was at Prospect Hill. A reception was held at the Miacomet Golf Club with much of old Nantucket in attendance.
Here's what I did the past four days:
Wed April 1st: Attended the BOS meeting. Discussions included: establishing Taxi Advisory Committee; Committee Appointment Schedule; establishing Ad Hoc Fiscal Committee; tracking Construction and Demolition (C&D) material.
Thu April 2nd: At 2:00 pm, chaired the Bulk Fuel Committee. We are moving ahead with disestablishing the fuel tanks downtown and building new tanks near the airport.
At 5:00 pm: Energy committee: review feasibility of 4WD Hybrid vehicles for the Police; solar energy for the school/swimming pool; and obtaining a grant for a feasibility study of Wind Turbines at the dump.
At 6:00 - 8:00 pm: Attended public forum for the Selectman candidates to answer questions by the five Town Unions.
Fri, April 3rd: At 10 am, interviewed by the I&M editors in preparation for their endoursements.
At 12:00 noon, participated with the four selectmen candidates in a debate on TV-17 with Jason Graziadei of I&M as moderator. This one hour show will be shown many times in the next 10 days.
At 2:00 pm, met with 30 or so residents of Sherburne Commons to discuss the future of that organization and the possibility of merging with Our Island Home, and Adult Community Day Care Center (ACDC) on the Sherburne Campus.
Sat, April 4th: The campaign team stood at the dump from 8:00 am until noon. Whitey left to attend James K. Glidden's funeral at St Paul's. He died April 1st at 92. At the funeral, we sang, How Great Thou Art, The Old Rugged Cross, and In the Garden. Richard Glidden gave an outstanding eulogy. Committal was at Prospect Hill. A reception was held at the Miacomet Golf Club with much of old Nantucket in attendance.
Andrew Vorce
I&M Question #2 for April 2nd: Do you feel that Planning Director Andrew Vorce should report to the town manager, or is the existing system, in which he is responsible to the Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission, working?
Planning Director Andrew Vorce is doing a great job. He has hired an excellent staff and is working well with the Town Manager and the Selectmen. He has produced the Master Plan. He is working with the State on the Oceans Management Plan. Real planning is being done and would not be better under the Board of Selectmen.
Having two parallel operations creates checks and balances. Why are we splitting the Health Department from the BOS? Why do we have separate Airport, Water Company, Solid Waste enterprise accounts? The answer is that they work better that way and so does the Planning Board.
Having a separate Planning Department encourages independent thinking. There have been many initiatives derived from the Planning Department that may have been stifled under the BOS. With them working independently, they can develop ideas and present them to the voters at Town Meeting for consideration. This department functions well as is. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
Planning Director Andrew Vorce is doing a great job. He has hired an excellent staff and is working well with the Town Manager and the Selectmen. He has produced the Master Plan. He is working with the State on the Oceans Management Plan. Real planning is being done and would not be better under the Board of Selectmen.
Having two parallel operations creates checks and balances. Why are we splitting the Health Department from the BOS? Why do we have separate Airport, Water Company, Solid Waste enterprise accounts? The answer is that they work better that way and so does the Planning Board.
Having a separate Planning Department encourages independent thinking. There have been many initiatives derived from the Planning Department that may have been stifled under the BOS. With them working independently, they can develop ideas and present them to the voters at Town Meeting for consideration. This department functions well as is. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
Labor Cost Managment
I&M Question #1 for April 4th: Given the fact that town salary and benefit increases have outpaced the growth in municipal revenue, what changes, if any, would you propose to restructure the town's agreements with its labor unions?
We need to look at municipal revenue more carefully. In the past, we have relied on new growth to keep up with the salary and benefit increases. Most of the new growth has come from our vacation home housing boom. The Land Fill Operation was sized to accommodate the peak operations during the summer. The same is true of the Waste Water Treatment, the Police Station, the Water Towers, and Storm Water Treatment.
The BOS has increased 19 different permits and user fees this year. This hurts year-rounders struggling to make a living. If we look more carefully at the economic impact of an override, we find that 87% is paid by non-resident taxpayers and only 13% by resident tax payers. This means that for every dollar that the resident taxpayer pays the non-resident tax payer pays $6.70. Vacation homes caused the problem, and are rightly charged higher taxes.
Strategic planning is my greatest strength. Land based Wind energy can save the town $3M per year in a few years. Moving the bulk fuel to the airport will save $0.40/gallon or $4 Million per year. Doubling the scallop industry will bring $60,000 per day into the economy. Combining Our Island Home, ACDC, and Sherburne Commons into a public-private partnership will save $3 Million per year.
We need to grow our economy while protecting the jobs of teachers and Town employees, and reducing the cost of living for year-round residents.
We need to look at municipal revenue more carefully. In the past, we have relied on new growth to keep up with the salary and benefit increases. Most of the new growth has come from our vacation home housing boom. The Land Fill Operation was sized to accommodate the peak operations during the summer. The same is true of the Waste Water Treatment, the Police Station, the Water Towers, and Storm Water Treatment.
The BOS has increased 19 different permits and user fees this year. This hurts year-rounders struggling to make a living. If we look more carefully at the economic impact of an override, we find that 87% is paid by non-resident taxpayers and only 13% by resident tax payers. This means that for every dollar that the resident taxpayer pays the non-resident tax payer pays $6.70. Vacation homes caused the problem, and are rightly charged higher taxes.
Strategic planning is my greatest strength. Land based Wind energy can save the town $3M per year in a few years. Moving the bulk fuel to the airport will save $0.40/gallon or $4 Million per year. Doubling the scallop industry will bring $60,000 per day into the economy. Combining Our Island Home, ACDC, and Sherburne Commons into a public-private partnership will save $3 Million per year.
We need to grow our economy while protecting the jobs of teachers and Town employees, and reducing the cost of living for year-round residents.
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