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May 9th 2008

Policy, Pay Raises and Politics

This month's guest editorial covers three topics ranging from the sex scandal at Silver Lake to the question of county politics. First up -- the Silver Lake story....

Policy: The Sunday Enterprise sternly criticized Silver Lake Principal Richard Kelly for the now famous bus incident of a month ago. The truth be told, Silver Lake has had for at least three years a policy and process for notification of incidents that involve the police or other authorities.

The vote taken several years ago requires the superintendent to notify the school committee chairman who in turn notifies the members regarding the incident. Notification does not and usually will not require that student names be furnished, address or any other personal information. It is simply a "heads up" for the elected officials who must deal with their constituency as openly as the law allows.

Former School Committee Chairman Brian Caseau made a plea in a televised portion of the school committee that the superintendent and the committee chair simply follow protocal. Caseau was quite right having been a voting member of the committee that established the rule. Caseau is noted as an open and honest elected official and showed it again this past week. Kudos as well to John Creed and Maureen Springer for speaking out.

Supt. Gordon Noseworthy and Committee Chair Geralde Buckley played the role of Capt. Smith and First Officer Murdoch as an incident that would have been handled and vanished in a day or two became a fourth estate feeding frenzy. In past years, the press has been advised of drug incidents and bomb scares and handled them well and without sensationalism in large part because the administration was honest and up front with them. Shunning a reporter is similar to waving a red flag at the bull. Sooner or later you will be ignored.

Silver Lake is not alone in trying to dismiss the press as a casual nuisance. Who can forget the number of times [and again and again] that Duxbury Supt. Eileen Williams' brief snippet ran on WATD radio telling general manager and newsman Ed Perry he wasn't welcome at Duxbury High School. Perry incidentally is a Duxbury resident and parent of a high school student. It seems Ed is only welcome to broadcast good news and athletic events.

As for the criticism of Rich Kelley, I can speak from experience. He is liked by the students, supported and often admired by the staff and is a very decent man. His job is part good soldier and at times sacrificial lamb. The old adage applies "don't shoot the messenger." As a former committee member, I supported his appointment as principal and I support him today.

As for Supt. Noseworthy, a letter in his personnel file and a copy of the committee policies is in order. For Mrs. Buckley, a reorganization of the school committee is in order.

Pay Raises: Sen. Terese Murray is not accepting her pay raise or is donating it to charity. The new Ways and Means Chair is a hard working public official as evidenced by her 100 percent voting record over ten years. She's earned her money and is entitled to do as she pleases. She'll get my vote again in two years because she's earned it. And she's earned the money as well.

Rep. Tom O'Brien is leaning toward accepting the pay raise... and he should. The O'Brien's have a mortgage, children and all the expenses most of us have. Again, Tom has earned the money. Rep. O'Brien does not represent my home district but my interaction with him over the Silver Lake / Tri Town issues were always cordial. Rep. O'Brien has the right idea. You call...he calls back. The answer is not always yes but it's always sincere and well thought out.

Politicians: Newly elected Plymouth County Commisioner Timothy J. McMullen was sworn in this past weekend at an event at the Pembroke Country Club. The low key McMullen was lauded by longtime friend Rep. Tom Kennedy of Brockton and campaign coodinator Diane Sullivan but McMullen's young son, Ryan, stole the show. Ryan, a B.C. High sophomore introduced "my best friend, my father... Timothy McMullen" to 200 friends and family members. Another political generation on the way?

This race, many will agree, was one of the best run county campaigns in recent memory. McMullen edged Kingston Selectman Ollie DeMacedo, a veteran campaigner with strong family values and county wide support. We'll surely see both again in the future.

Editor's Note: Arthur Boyle is a Pembroke Selectman and School Committee member as well as the former chairman of the Silver Lake SC. Boyle also is a part time sports announcer for WATD radio.

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