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Sorry Times, June 24 2024 |
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"The Grow Smart organization chose to not participate in a public debate regarding the proposed Rate of Development (ROD)By law sponsored by the Citizen Engagement Night folks. They must be avoiding transparency and operating as a local special interest group. In the interest of our community, that's very unethical. True?
Our Administrative Administrator says it is. It is an easy assumption and logical conclusion, for those opposing the ROD by-law. Is that true? Or is there another ethically driven reason?
I was part of the discussion on whether to participate in that debate with Grow Smart leader, Sheryl Rosoff. She expressed her worry that over the last few years the struggle between town leaders working to promote local business and residential growth and those promoting protecting our small town rural life instead, has become so disrespectful and angry that the benefit of this debate would be outweighed by the demonstration of hostility among community leaders. I encouraged her to engage in the debate and model respectful dialogue. I respect her decision to not expose herself and her peers to unhealthy experiences. She described her plan to have multiple public meetings and ask for published support from local town organizations.
The problem with making assumptions and drawing conclusions is that it is most often motivate by our needs of confirmation bias. That is, hearing offered facts and transforming those statements to fit our needs. "these are sneaky people needing to trick the voters to get what they want." instead of," huh, I need a better understanding from the source of why they are making this choice." and contacting Sheryl for a better understanding. Seeking a better truth rather than discrediting the authors in order to defeat the by-law.
Sadly, I see a persistant pattern of demonizing the folks proposing protecting our small town culture. I don't see Grow Smart members demonizing the development people. I applaud everyone that makes an effort to participate in local community decisions. I protest those that misrepresent the work of people offering choices to our voters. There are "true" statements and there are "more true statements" when a context is also offered.
I take the position that growth is not unavoidable and, going relatively unplanned can be unwise, leading to the loss of a healthy, and happy community .
Our Administrative Administrator says it is. It is an easy assumption and logical conclusion, for those opposing the ROD by-law. Is that true? Or is there another ethically driven reason?
I was part of the discussion on whether to participate in that debate with Grow Smart leader, Sheryl Rosoff. She expressed her worry that over the last few years the struggle between town leaders working to promote local business and residential growth and those promoting protecting our small town rural life instead, has become so disrespectful and angry that the benefit of this debate would be outweighed by the demonstration of hostility among community leaders. I encouraged her to engage in the debate and model respectful dialogue. I respect her decision to not expose herself and her peers to unhealthy experiences. She described her plan to have multiple public meetings and ask for published support from local town organizations.
The problem with making assumptions and drawing conclusions is that it is most often motivate by our needs of confirmation bias. That is, hearing offered facts and transforming those statements to fit our needs. "these are sneaky people needing to trick the voters to get what they want." instead of," huh, I need a better understanding from the source of why they are making this choice." and contacting Sheryl for a better understanding. Seeking a better truth rather than discrediting the authors in order to defeat the by-law.
Sadly, I see a persistant pattern of demonizing the folks proposing protecting our small town culture. I don't see Grow Smart members demonizing the development people. I applaud everyone that makes an effort to participate in local community decisions. I protest those that misrepresent the work of people offering choices to our voters. There are "true" statements and there are "more true statements" when a context is also offered.
I take the position that growth is not unavoidable and, going relatively unplanned can be unwise, leading to the loss of a healthy, and happy community .
Three years later! Thank you Pepperell voters for electing me to our Select Board. My experience on the Board has been remarkable, full of successes, debates, struggles and most of all learning which has deeply enriched my life.
My local political path has confirmed the worth of working to protect our rural life qualities. As history teaches us, rural areas suffer pressures to urbanize, and Pepperell faces that challenge today. I am running for a second term on our Select Board to continue my advocacy for climate change limited growth planning for Pepperell, defending our Master Plan mandate to protect our open and working lands, farms, woodlands, wetlands and waterways. I fully support the good work of the MA. Executive Office for Energy and Environment"s Zero Carbon by 2050 Plan. It is my guiding document in advising my Select Board, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Climate Change Committee, Agricultural Commission and all other town Boards and Committees. My ambition is guide Pepperell to a leadership role as a model for climate change policies and achievements.
My local political path has confirmed the worth of working to protect our rural life qualities. As history teaches us, rural areas suffer pressures to urbanize, and Pepperell faces that challenge today. I am running for a second term on our Select Board to continue my advocacy for climate change limited growth planning for Pepperell, defending our Master Plan mandate to protect our open and working lands, farms, woodlands, wetlands and waterways. I fully support the good work of the MA. Executive Office for Energy and Environment"s Zero Carbon by 2050 Plan. It is my guiding document in advising my Select Board, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Climate Change Committee, Agricultural Commission and all other town Boards and Committees. My ambition is guide Pepperell to a leadership role as a model for climate change policies and achievements.
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Tony: You know, I was just elected as Selectman.
Cow: Keep scratchin'. |
A Little About Me
My name is Anthony "Tony" Beattie. Thank you for considering me for the position of Pepperell Selectman. The following is a synopsis of my life experiences, all of which have prepared me to expand my role as an engaged community leader in Pepperell. I am sharing my bio with the community so voters can see the many valuable life lessons I have learned growing up, working and being active in a small, rural community.
Born in 1952, I grew up in South Natick. My Dad, a WWII Navy flyer, worked in public education. When my sisters and I were old enough, my mother returned to business accounting work. My grandparents' farm here in Pepperell was the happiest center of my family life. My extended family and many neighbors gathered on the farm to share hard work, lively meals, games, projects and holidays. I learned the essential value of the embrace of family love. I carry on those traditions with my family and friends today.
I earned a Bachelor’s degree in English at New England College in Henniker, N.H. and was active in the unprecedented environmental movement of the 70’s. I learned how much I have to learn and how students and citizens can launch cultural changes. I came to live here at Robinwood Farm in 1977, working on nearby farms, enjoying becoming part of the community. I milked cows in Hollis, did timber work, construction and landscaping jobs and built my own baled hay business, employing school and college-age workers. I learned to be determined, patient and thankful in my successes as a business owner, a staff manager, and valued farm product provider.
Born in 1952, I grew up in South Natick. My Dad, a WWII Navy flyer, worked in public education. When my sisters and I were old enough, my mother returned to business accounting work. My grandparents' farm here in Pepperell was the happiest center of my family life. My extended family and many neighbors gathered on the farm to share hard work, lively meals, games, projects and holidays. I learned the essential value of the embrace of family love. I carry on those traditions with my family and friends today.
I earned a Bachelor’s degree in English at New England College in Henniker, N.H. and was active in the unprecedented environmental movement of the 70’s. I learned how much I have to learn and how students and citizens can launch cultural changes. I came to live here at Robinwood Farm in 1977, working on nearby farms, enjoying becoming part of the community. I milked cows in Hollis, did timber work, construction and landscaping jobs and built my own baled hay business, employing school and college-age workers. I learned to be determined, patient and thankful in my successes as a business owner, a staff manager, and valued farm product provider.
I volunteered on the Pepperell Fire Department for ten years in the 90’s, rising to lieutenant in Hook and Ladder Company working under Chief John Marriner, Engineer Ken West and Wes Whittier, and along side (later) Chief Toby Tyler, Tom Nephew, Eugene Douglas and many more. I got to know and work with some great firemen and women. Emergency service work taught me how to be a team member and the importance of providing essential services for our town.
I’m also a Prescott Grange member, with two terms as Grange Master. I led efforts to host movie nights, annual Halloween Fun Nights, Santa’s Workshops, and garden workshops, and helped with School Dictionary projects and monthly suppers. As a local history lover, repairs and maintenance of the historic Grange building are very rewarding. Community service, teamwork, and leadership experience furthered my interest in strengthening a sense of community in town.
In 1995 I returned to school, earning a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Fitchburg State University. While still farming and parenting, I worked for ten years as a licensed child and family clinician for the Herbert Lipton Center in Leominster. I trained in hospice work, learning disabilities, and autism, and provided school, office and home therapy for children and families. I learned what a privilege it is to be allowed into the privacy of families and individual lives, how strong we can be when we struggle and how rewarding it is to help individuals and families reach their goals.
I joined the Democratic Town Committee in 2016. The DTC holds to the tradition of non-partisan Pepperell politics and does not endorse my campaign for the Selectboard. I believe that town level politics is better kept as non-partisan
In 1995 I returned to school, earning a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Fitchburg State University. While still farming and parenting, I worked for ten years as a licensed child and family clinician for the Herbert Lipton Center in Leominster. I trained in hospice work, learning disabilities, and autism, and provided school, office and home therapy for children and families. I learned what a privilege it is to be allowed into the privacy of families and individual lives, how strong we can be when we struggle and how rewarding it is to help individuals and families reach their goals.
I joined the Democratic Town Committee in 2016. The DTC holds to the tradition of non-partisan Pepperell politics and does not endorse my campaign for the Selectboard. I believe that town level politics is better kept as non-partisan
I’ve been on the Town of Pepperell Agricultural Advisory Board for six years, previously helping manage the Farmers Market in town. The Board is now working to establish a commercial kitchen as part of the Peter Fitzpatrick Collaborative to serve our farmers and their customers. We are also meeting with town boards and the Master Plan Committee to discuss efforts to ensure our farms have a sustainable future. More recently I joined the Light, Air and Noise By-law committee.
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I am proud that as a local citizen I was able to prompt town hall staff to apply for a climate change grant, generating an initial $36,000, with more to follow, for climate change planning. I am a member of the Pepperell Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Advisory Group.
As I continue to farm asparagus, potatoes, pumpkins and hay, I am drawn to a leadership role on the Selectboard. Pepperell has been a great community for my life’s efforts. I’m determined to do all that I can to ensure the same or better life for all Pepperell citizens and the generations that will follow us. |
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