THE UPCOMING MODERATOR’S RACE IS ABOUT SUBSTANCE This race is about substance and not about style. Ask yourself the following questions: • Which of the two candidates is the frequent, political FaceBook and Patch blogger? • Which of the two candidates has stated that he can advocate for one side of an issue, today, and then advocate against the same issue, tomorrow? • Which of the two candidates has publically expressed political opinions on major issues on a regular basis, including pending Town Meeting Warrant Articles? I am not a frequent blogger in the Patch or FaceBook. I can not take one side one day and take another side the next day… it’s not in my nature or my training. I am totally neutral and I avoid expressing any opinion publically or privately. Being Moderator is a great responsibility and I take the role very seriously… • The Moderator must control the tempo of Town Meeting. • The Moderator must be impartial and not have any political agenda of his own. • The Moderator must also have no public opinion on any article before Town Meeting. • The Moderator must be familiar with the rules at all times and apply them fairly. • The Moderator must be knowledgeable of the articles that come before Town Meeting. • The Moderator must respect the decisions of the town meeting members. I am running for a second term as Town Moderator with a commitment to fulfill four basic principles: Fairness, Balance, Accountability and Transparency. I will continue to appoint qualified individuals, who apply and wish to serve, on the Finance Committee. I encourage anyone who is interested to apply. I will support and apply the recommendations of MARCOM, the Moderator’s Advisory Rules Committee, and I will encourage their continuance as an oversight committee. I will continue to be prepared for each Town Meeting to moderate the Town’s legislative agenda in a respectful and non-political manner. Here are some comments taken from many letters of endorsement… “As a veteran Chelmsford town meeting representative, I think Dick has done a very good job as Town Moderator and I am actively supporting his reelection… Dick has spent countless hours learning all the rules and bylaws necessary to lead town meeting. He has forged a good working relationship with town staff, elected officials and town meeting representatives while remaining non-partisan… During his first term, he has helped make electronic voting successful, appointed well qualified Finance Committee members and convened a Moderator’s Advisory Committee to update town meeting rules and bylaws... …he has the proven experience and leadership as moderator needed to keep Chelmsford moving forward.” …Paul Gleason, Precinct 7, Town Meeting Representative “I called Chelmsford Town Moderator, Richard DeFreitas, and asked if he would be willing to spend a few minutes to discuss his views on the implementation of electronic voting… The few minutes turned into hours of his guiding me through the process of implementing electronic voting. He saved me hours of work by providing me with guidelines and other material that he had prepared for the implementation of electronic voting in Chelmsford. Richard has become a great resource for me as we both have the same desire to do the best possible job for our respective towns. I found Richard to be a great representative of the Town of Chelmsford.” …Gilbert A. Moreira, Billerica Town Moderator “Dick, overall, has done an outstanding job as Town Moderator. He sought out and encouraged the required ‘knowledge’ that he needed to do his job as Moderator and do it well. Some of that information came from fellow Town Moderators, from Chelmsford Town Counsel, also from the rules, regulations and by-laws governing Chelmsford Town Meeting, and I applauded Dick for seeking such ‘knowledge’. He has successfully appointed qualified candidates for the Chelmsford Finance Committee and created the Moderator’s Advisory Committee comprised of Town Meeting Representatives from each Precinct to monitor and update the rules and regulations governing Town Meeting. I find Dick to be an honest, upstanding member of the Chelmsford community and has always strived to be fair, and just, when he moderated over Town Meeting. Who could ask for more?” …Maria Karafelis, Precinct 2, Town Meeting Representative “It is crucial that a Town Moderator leave his personal politics and agenda at home. Choosing Finance Committee members is a very big responsibility, not an opportunity to push an agenda… Richard left it up to the Finance Committee to debate issues free from his influence. The Town Moderator should not see the Finance Committee as a reflection of his point of view or a reflection of his ego… Richard appoints members who are free thinkers and willing to do their homework. Richard will not set one profession above another when looking for potential members. It takes more than a title to be a good member of any committee, and Richard knows what it takes. …he can be compared to a referee, an official who watches a game closely to ensure that the rules are adhered to and who keeps his personal opinion where it belongs, out of the game.” …Patrice Garvin, Previous Chairman of the Chelmsford Finance Committee I have endeavored to be an effective Moderator and would gratefully appreciate the opportunity to serve Chelmsford residents for another three year term. I respectfully ask for your support and your vote on April 1st. …Thank You!
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 17:59:45 +0000
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