LETTER: Lack of Character and Failure of Leadership on Beacon Hill
Jon Fetherston, a candidate for State Representative, spoke out against the culture of corruption on Beacon Hill yesterday, July 24.
Recent news stories detailing allegations concerning the trading of probation
department jobs for political consideration are the latest in the sordid, recent
history of Massachusetts House of representatives.
The problems on Beacon Hill are many and the challenges confronting us are formidable, but working together we can overcome them.
The first step in dealing with the many difficult issues we face is ending the culture of corruption on Beacon Hill. The culture of corruption infects all parts of state government and its effects are devastating to us all. It effects how much money the state has to spend to help the neediest of our neighbors and to help our towns serve the people. From the housing department in Chelsea to the education collaborative for special needs students in Merrimack Valley, people are hurt by the culture of corruption.
For too long, our elected representatives have turned their backs on public corruption and looked the other way while their colleagues betrayed the public trust. Even after details of the allegations against Sal DiMasi were made public, our elected representatives, including Tom Sannicandro, re-elected him Speaker only to see him resign in disgrace a few weeks later.
The last three house speakers -- convicted felons all -- were welcomed back to the House Chamber with open arms when the current legislature was sworn in. The felons were applauded and honored by those who supposedly represent us. Instead of speaking out against the corruption, our elected representatives go along and stay silent.
This lack of character and failure of leadership tell the corrupt that it’s okay to betray the people and it tells the rest of us that our Representatives do not care what we think.
We must return confidence in state government to the people of Massachusetts. We must tell the people who have failed us to get out of the way and let people who will fight for us take up the battle.
Come Election Day, Nov. 6, we have to turn out those who have enabled the corrupt and betrayed the public. We have to elect new people to the legislature. We have to elect people who won’t stand by while those in charge steal and squander the precious resources of our Commonwealth. We must elect new people who will confront and fight those who betray the public trust.
Jon Fetherston
Ashland
candidate for 7th Midlesex District Representative seat
Jim Rizoli
10:47 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Jon what you say is true, but you're a little naive if you think that you will have a part in changing it. The corruption everywhere is just the way of doing business and most people don't seem to care. Just look at Framingham, it's a sanctuary town for illegals, police have no control of it, businesses are part of it, and the beat goes on. The politicians don't speak out against it which shows whose running the show here.
People vote for the same people because the same people keep it going.
Not to say they are corrupt, just morally off base because they refuse to speak out.
If they did speak out like you, they wouldn't be voted back in.
I saw how the process works and finally know the "man" behind the curtain.
The only thing I do now is expose it on my two cable shows.
Too bad more people are listening, but my conscience is clear.....sad to say this will all catch up with them later on.
Jim@ccfiiile.com
James McIntosh
12:17 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Before you start attacking others Mr. fetherston, maybe you can explain to the voters what part you played in driving our effective and well liked Town Manager out of Ashland? How much has it cost us, and why are we on a rudderless ship awaiting a replacement that never had to happen?
Please explain your seemingly personal vendetta with the Police Chief. And finally, what part did you play in the major issues we had to deal with after our Selectmen broke state open meeting laws?
Explain those questions in a reasonable manner, then maybe we will listen to your attempted links to corruption by your opponent voting for a former Speaker.
Jon Fetherston
6:54 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Mr. McIntosh, thank you for a chance to respond to your questions. The town manager left, for a better job in Burlington Ma. I played no part in that. He left one his own and left after I had left the Board of Selectmen. He had been looking for a new job for over a year. Did Mr. Petrin and I have our differences, yes, but we had a good working relationship and it is the Board of Selectmen's role to push and request of things from the Town Manager. The town of Ashland is far from a rudderless ship. There are very capable department heads and staff to continue to run the town until a new Town Manager is found. Your questions about the Chief of Police is the main disagreement I had with the Town Manager. I do believe you don't have all the information. I 100 percent support the Chief ! I was out in front, and still am in my support of Scott Rohmer ! The Board of Selectmen Ashland have never broken open meeting law. We did self report some e-mail violations, of a member, but that issue was all cleared up and was found to have no merit, by the State Ethics Committee. If you would care to discuss these or any subject, please feel to call me at 508-816-6674. Thanks.
Jim Rizoli
1:12 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
All town politics have their issues.
The more you examine the going ons in your town the worse it gets.
I think the most important thing to ask of a politician is....does he/she stand for Rule of Law? Or are the wolves taking over the hen house. I can put up with people's imperfections but not their turning their heads from Rule of Law.
If you don't have Rule of Law....you have nothing.
Jim@ccfiile.com
dave Hornfischer
12:14 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Should we expect anything else in this one party Democratic people's republic? . Would it be any different if it was all Republican? I doubt it!
We elected em all so the blame is in the mirror if anyone cares to look.