In this spot, in Stockbridge Updates, there was a column from those who work for Stockbridge — it was From the Desk of Town Administrator, Chief of Police, Fire Chief, and Superintendent of Schools. Add in columns written by elected officials, and there was a column in almost every issue for the last 5 years from those at work on our behalf. I think it benefitted all of us. There is a beloved member of our Community named Kevin “Moose” Foran. When on Stockbridge Updates CTSBTV show, Moose explained why he subscribes to Stockbridge Updates even though he is a Lenox resident. (Go to video tape above and listen to the last two minutes) It is a tribute to the job SU and the Town did together in creating transparency. Now, there is no text in this spot and that is a real loss to our community. So what’s up?
The short answer is I don’t know but I did receive a strange email from Michael. Not trusting my judgment alone, I shared it with many folks whose judgment and experience I trust. So far no one understood what Michael was saying.
Michael,
The underlying problem is that you reference a complaint I made against a Town employee, and the email proceeds from there. Let me make perfectly clear: I filed no complaint against anyone. I would know if I did. A complaint is an official document. My guess is a complaint would be a form maybe, signed and dated surely. Even notarized? In triplicate? Submitted officially? Come on, Michael, I made no complaint. You are well aware that I told you a story as the basis for a question I had. As you correctly point out, I emailed a pleasant note to that same person the same day.
You and I have done great work. You and your team have informed us on the pages of Stockbridge Updates, and SU has been happy to facilitate. Together we informed the Town. It was as it should be — it was practically a model for good government.
If the town loses it, it is serious. We contribute to this becoming a different country if we allow government to become punitive when displeased. This becomes a different village if government is allowed to choke off the news, choke off public comments, and invent reasons to have private meetings.
Once SU exposed a “work session” you immediately opened it to any citizen who wants to volunteer as a member. Good! Thank you.
You told someone in full voice in the Town Offices that you would apologize for scheduling a Town program on Rosh Hashanah, but nobody could make you change it. You changed it after complaints were voiced. Right on! Thank you!
That’s how government and the press work. Tell me, do those things happen without SU? Do I correct copy if a government volunteer doesn’t point out the error? I hope so but maybe not every time. I think it is part of your job to keep the public informed. I think it is part of SU‘s job to help you do that. Let’s get back to doing that. Once we were good at it, and you know what happened?
Everyone loved it.
Carole
