Comments on: The Week In Politics – April 27, 2012

By: Mike Bailey

Mike Bailey — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:08:58 +0000

>> it has not escaped the attention of a number of persons, just how extremly protective you appear to be of the county commissioners and the various officials supporting the Special Commission recommendations…….Once again, an accusation without merit. I don’t live on Cape Cod anymore, ergo I don’t give a toss about who wins any elections, about how the government is run, or how wastewater is handled. None of it impacts me personally, which makes me the most neutral person you could ask for. I’m not protective of either county government or the special commission’s recommendations, I’m simply not letting anyone running for public office, incumbent or otherwise, make inaccurate claims against the processes underway if they have no basis in fact. I expect defensible arguments and sound evidence. If a candidate provides their claims? Good. He or she is backing their argument and showing voters they’re not just spouting empty sound bites intended to generate a visceral reaction. They fail to prove it? Good, because now voters can see how much hot air they’re blowing.The fact of the matter is the processes stemming from the special commission’s report are just beginning, and treating anything like a done deal that will come to pass without any public influence is disingenuous.

By: Ronald R Beaty, Jr.

Ronald R Beaty, Jr. — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:39:39 +0000

Mike, don’t just focus upon Sheila, because according to what I am being told by my contacts in Falmouth, Mary Pat Flynn is extremely vulnerable to losing her seat on the Board of County Commissioners this year, and her seat on the Falmouth Board of Selectmen the next time she seeks re-election. In all likilhood, because I am a non-party candidate, they probably do not have too much to fear from my candidacy, but if another Democrat or Republican should enter the race, then either or both of these ladies could lose their respective seats on the Board of County Commissioners. What do you think? Regards again. RB

By: Ronald R Beaty, Jr.

Ronald R Beaty, Jr. — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:30:19 +0000

Oh, and Mike, there is one very specific element within the Special Commission’s recommdation number 17 which I believe would be a very good one to adopt for the Board of County Commissioners, it should be made non-partisan, which would bring it in line with the County Assembly of Delegates (which are also non-partisan). I also think following components are pragmatic as well: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11. RB

By: Ronald R Beaty, Jr.

Ronald R Beaty, Jr. — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:30:52 +0000

Mike, as with all members of the public at large, you are certainly entitled to your OPINION, and that needs to be respected. The bottom line, however, is that these matters are presently in the hands of the State Ethics Commission, and it will be up to them to decide the final status of the respective issues in question…not you or I. I have no problem with that. At this point, we will simply have to agree to disagree. In any case, if you still want a few references regarding the appearance of impropriety then here are a few of them: “Unless you make a proper, public disclosure in writing — including all the relevant facts — you may not take any action that could create an appearance of impropriety, or could cause an impartial observer to believe your official actions are tainted with bias or favoritism.” *Introduction to the Conflict of Interest Law for the Public Sector, http://www.mass.gov/ethics/laws-and-regulations-/conflict-of-interest-information/public-employee-trifold.html – Advisory 05-01: The Standards of Conduct, II. “APPEARANCES” OF CONFLICTS (G.L. c. 268A, § 23(b)(3)), http://www.mass.gov/ethics/education-and-training-resources/info-section-7/advisories/advisory-05-01-standards-of-conduct.html – Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law for County Employees, (f) Appearance of conflict. Acting in a manner that would make a reasonable person think you can be improperly influenced is prohibited. (See Section 23(b)(3)), http://www.mass.gov/ethics/education-and-training-resources/implementation-procedures/county-employees-summary.html – Thank you for your engaging comments. It makes for an intellectually interesting dialogue. One final observation, it has not escaped the attention of a number of persons, just how extremly protective you appear to be of the county commissioners and the various officials supporting the Special Commission recommendations, but that is your prerogative. After all, this is your blog. Take care, and have a good week guy. RON

By: Mike Bailey

Mike Bailey — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:31:54 +0000

Where does it say this exactly? The law itself (http://www.mass.gov/ethics/laws-and-regulations-/conflict-of-interest-information/conflict-of-interest-law.html) does not contain that exact sentence. Nor does that exact sentence show up in a Google search. Further, the “appearance of impropriety” is a subjective accusation. If you’re going to accuse anyone of impropriety, you cannot simply point to two circumstances connected only by a campaign donation — that is correlation, not causality.

My whole point here is that these accusations are flimsy and smack more of campaigning than raising a legitimate point; they feel like an effort to weaken an opponent by questioning her integrity on a weak “ethics” argument than an attempt to engage her and voters in a serious discussion on a serious issue.

By: Ronald R Beaty, Jr.

Ronald R Beaty, Jr. — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:32:14 +0000

…oh,and Mike, before I forget, relative to the MA Conflict of Intereest Law, “even if no concrete conflict exists in a given situation, certain political donations can create the appearance of impropriety…which is also not a good thing because it can erode public confidence in our government institutions.” Regards, RON

By: Ronald R Beaty, Jr.

Ronald R Beaty, Jr. — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:13:44 +0000

…Mike, with regard to your comments about the ongoing decision-making process related to both the regional wastewater authority AND the proposal to abolish the county assembly, your points are absolutely correct…and therein lies the inherent problem…the decision-making process must continue in a positive, transparent, unfettered manner without undue political influence. All official actions and decisions pertaining to the respective recommendations issued by the Special Commission on County Governance need to be appropriately deliberated and processed in a manner which is in the best interests of the residents, voters and taxpayers of Cape Cod. In reference to the brief comment made by Town of Dennis Assembly Delegate, John Ohman, it is my understanding that State Rep. Sarah Peake is less than happy with several of the Special Commission recommendations, including the Regional Wastewater District/Entity and/or Authority recommendation. Though I could be mistaken, I believe that along with at least a few other members of the Cape & Islands Delegation, she may now feel that the spirit and intent of “Think regionally, Act locally” is not being actively pursued at the present by the proponents of the Regional Wastewater Initiative. With that in mind, I would strongly support Rep. Peake’s re-election…Thanks again. RON

By: John Ohman

John Ohman — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:33:35 +0000

Don’t forget Hon. Sarah Peake Barnstable 4th is currently also unopposed.

By: Mike Bailey

Mike Bailey — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:03:14 +0000

Two points: a wastewater authority that has not been fleshed out in terms of form, function, or finances, and a proposal to “eradicate” the assembly that would also need to go to a ballot vote — the “negative impact” of which is at present entirely theoretical and subjective.

By: Ronald R Beaty, Jr.

Ronald R Beaty, Jr. — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:43:54 +0000

Relative to the potential ethics violations by County Commissioner Sheila Lyons, the respective matters are currently being examined by the State Ethics Commission for their determination regarding the releveant issues in question. As for the positive statements that I made about Ms. Lyons last December, that was several months before the present problems had been discovered. As with all persons, I am quite sure that Ms. Lyons has her good points, as well as her faults. It just happens that several of her less-than-positive actions have recently come to light which have a direct negative impact upon the residents of Cape Cod (the Cape-wide Sewer Authority with taxation powers, and the attempt to eradicate the democratically elected county legislature!) Thank you. RON BEATY, West Barnstable, MA