October 1, 2007
Dear Friends,
I congratulate Wayne Perkins on his victory to maintain his seat on the Middleboro Board of Selectman. I felt everyone ran a respectful campaign. I also feel Middleboro is better as a result of the debate we have had on the many issues facing our town.
I would like to thank everyone who helped in my campaign. I’ve met so many wonderful people who supported me in various ways. In particular, I would like to thank; Rich Young, Judy and Dick Gibbs, Penny Wyatt, Liz Glaspy, Tracy Marzelli, Jim Knox, Bob Kenney, Don and Danelle Baldwin, Mary Stone, Suzanne Dube, Rob Derossiers, Chris and Judy Wicks, Bill and Sue Sherman, Dave and Tanya Tzreciak, Jacquie Tolosko, Jean and Wes Sanford, and Mike Solimini. My final and greatest appreciation is for my wife, Laura, who gave me loving support for my decision to get involved at this level in our local government.
I want all of my supporters to know I am committed to remaining involved with our town’s government. I will be seeking a seat on the Board of Selectmen in the upcoming April 2008 election. I appreciate your continued support.
Sincerely,
Greg Stevens
Monday, October 1, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Help for Friday and Saturday
Hi Everyone,
Well, we are down to the last couple of days and I could use some help with sign holdings. I will be at the Rte 44 rotary from 3:30 to 6:30 on Friday and during the election day this Sat from 8 AM to 8 PM at the polling places. If you can give anhour or two, please call me at 508-946-2186.
I appreciate all the help I have received on my Selectman's campaign!
Sincerely,
Greg
Well, we are down to the last couple of days and I could use some help with sign holdings. I will be at the Rte 44 rotary from 3:30 to 6:30 on Friday and during the election day this Sat from 8 AM to 8 PM at the polling places. If you can give anhour or two, please call me at 508-946-2186.
I appreciate all the help I have received on my Selectman's campaign!
Sincerely,
Greg
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Closing Remarks for COA Candidates Night 9/13/07
Closing Remarks (This was not read as the format was changed at the last minute)
Thank you all for your questions and participation tonight. I have many disagreements with the way our town is currently operating. We currently have no Town Manager, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, COA Director, Town Accountant, or Conservation Agent. Many of these positions have needed to be filled for months and even years. The Town Manager search was started two and a half years ago and we are no closer today than we were then to hiring a new Town Manager. Many Fire Dept. officials from around the state including our County Chief were adamantly against a Police Chief acting as a Fire Chief, yet this was ignored. The Board of Selectmen’s main responsibility as the Executive branch of our government is to make sure all of the key positions are filled with competent people. This is a responsibility they have ignored for far too long.
The agreement for the proposed gambling casino was another area they exceeded their authority. They had no town meeting authorization to spend $160,000 for the attorney fees during the negotiations. They had no authorization to spend $80,000 for a rushed dangerous outdoor town meeting. They had no authority to accept and spend a private donation for the tents at the Special Town Meeting.
The current Board of Selectman has ignored every out of town agency in dealing with the very complex issue of the Tribal Gaming laws. Every County and State organization including our State Treasurer and Governor thought the tribal agreement was rushed and a bad deal for our town. Our own elected Finance Committee determined this would be a bad deal for our town yet our current Board rushed it through. The application for trust is now sitting on a desk for 18 months waiting to be accepted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. What was the rush? We are now rushing to push through a charter change which will change our Town Meeting type of government. Again what is the rush?
This has been a very exciting time to be involved with town politics. The above outlines the frustrations associated with the events of the past several months. There have been many positives as well. I have had the pleasure to meet and get to know a great many people involved with CasinoFacts. We share the values of a good rural neighborhood to raise children. As a board member, I learned a small group of concerned citizens can accomplish a great deal in a short amount of time. We called every listed household in Middleboro in 3 weeks with 100% volunteer effort. We raised thousands of dollars in donations for a mailing campaign. The pro-casino effort spent more than 10 times that amount with no reporting of the source. I am proud of the effort in which we brought 1300 people to the Special Town Meeting, which would have been the largest town meeting in Middleboro history. We brought a petition article to Town Meeting in which the town voted ‘No’ to a casino gambling complex.
I have many ideas to help our town recover from the problems we are currently facing. I would suggest an open monthly forum for the casino related issues. I would recommend an extensive review of each department’s budget with the help of the Finance Committee. I would make it a priority to find and hire the most capable people for the vacant positions starting with Town Manager. I would carefully consider the Department of Revenue’s recommendations for shifting authority over to the Town Manager’s position. There are a lot of things right with Middleboro and we do not need a magical casino to come and fix them. Whether or not a casino comes to Middleboro, we need to make sure we do the right things to make our town strong.
My wife and I feel we have invested what is most precious to us in this community, our three daughters, and I hope you put your faith in me as our next Selectman. Thank you!
Thank you all for your questions and participation tonight. I have many disagreements with the way our town is currently operating. We currently have no Town Manager, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, COA Director, Town Accountant, or Conservation Agent. Many of these positions have needed to be filled for months and even years. The Town Manager search was started two and a half years ago and we are no closer today than we were then to hiring a new Town Manager. Many Fire Dept. officials from around the state including our County Chief were adamantly against a Police Chief acting as a Fire Chief, yet this was ignored. The Board of Selectmen’s main responsibility as the Executive branch of our government is to make sure all of the key positions are filled with competent people. This is a responsibility they have ignored for far too long.
The agreement for the proposed gambling casino was another area they exceeded their authority. They had no town meeting authorization to spend $160,000 for the attorney fees during the negotiations. They had no authorization to spend $80,000 for a rushed dangerous outdoor town meeting. They had no authority to accept and spend a private donation for the tents at the Special Town Meeting.
The current Board of Selectman has ignored every out of town agency in dealing with the very complex issue of the Tribal Gaming laws. Every County and State organization including our State Treasurer and Governor thought the tribal agreement was rushed and a bad deal for our town. Our own elected Finance Committee determined this would be a bad deal for our town yet our current Board rushed it through. The application for trust is now sitting on a desk for 18 months waiting to be accepted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. What was the rush? We are now rushing to push through a charter change which will change our Town Meeting type of government. Again what is the rush?
This has been a very exciting time to be involved with town politics. The above outlines the frustrations associated with the events of the past several months. There have been many positives as well. I have had the pleasure to meet and get to know a great many people involved with CasinoFacts. We share the values of a good rural neighborhood to raise children. As a board member, I learned a small group of concerned citizens can accomplish a great deal in a short amount of time. We called every listed household in Middleboro in 3 weeks with 100% volunteer effort. We raised thousands of dollars in donations for a mailing campaign. The pro-casino effort spent more than 10 times that amount with no reporting of the source. I am proud of the effort in which we brought 1300 people to the Special Town Meeting, which would have been the largest town meeting in Middleboro history. We brought a petition article to Town Meeting in which the town voted ‘No’ to a casino gambling complex.
I have many ideas to help our town recover from the problems we are currently facing. I would suggest an open monthly forum for the casino related issues. I would recommend an extensive review of each department’s budget with the help of the Finance Committee. I would make it a priority to find and hire the most capable people for the vacant positions starting with Town Manager. I would carefully consider the Department of Revenue’s recommendations for shifting authority over to the Town Manager’s position. There are a lot of things right with Middleboro and we do not need a magical casino to come and fix them. Whether or not a casino comes to Middleboro, we need to make sure we do the right things to make our town strong.
My wife and I feel we have invested what is most precious to us in this community, our three daughters, and I hope you put your faith in me as our next Selectman. Thank you!
Opening remarks for COA Candidate Night 9/13/07
Opening Statement
I wish to thank Ms. Lopes for hosting this Candidates Night. My name is Greg Stevens and I am running against Wayne Perkins for Selectman. While I respect the years of service Mr. Perkins has given this town, I feel it is time for a change.
I came to Middleboro with my wife Laura and our daughter. Finding a community which would be a good place to raise our family was the top consideration when we were searching for our home. We moved to Middleboro and immediately came to appreciate the people here and the sense of a nice, safe, rural community.
When we had our second daughter the support we received from the community was truly great. The local Mom’s club provided hot meals for a week. When our third daughter was hospitalized for 6 days at 6 weeks old, we received much needed help from our neighbors and our church. We became foster parents because of our strong support and loving community. Laura and I both teach Sunday school to help our children learn what it means to be a part of a community. I coached my oldest daughter in soccer and watched her become involved with dance, ice skating, and school. Laura and I decided this was the place we wanted to stay and go into retirement. Sadly I learned a valuable lesson this past summer, if you don’t get involved in your local government, this can all change rapidly.
I was proud to be a part of the process over the summer but I was astonished at the lack of response the current Board of Selectman gave the people of this town. I witnessed many people being silenced by the gavel and thousands more subjected to extreme heat in a rush to judgment on a proposed casino agreement. Although the events of this summer got me involved in the town, I am running for selectman to bring a better process to our government to the people of this wonderful town.
Over the five years I have lived here and watched my three girls grow, go to school, and attend church, I have realized this is a town worth fighting for and this is why I have decided to run for Selectman. Although I lack the municipal experience Mr. Perkins has, I have worked as a business consultant for five years and regional sales manger for another six years. I have been involved with corporate budgeting, financial planning, and multi-million dollar negotiations. I work to solve corporate problems with clients and consultants. I will bring reasonableness and rational action to our town. I believe I can add many things to our Board of Selectman and would appreciate your support for my bid to be Selectman.
Thank you all for being here tonight.
I wish to thank Ms. Lopes for hosting this Candidates Night. My name is Greg Stevens and I am running against Wayne Perkins for Selectman. While I respect the years of service Mr. Perkins has given this town, I feel it is time for a change.
I came to Middleboro with my wife Laura and our daughter. Finding a community which would be a good place to raise our family was the top consideration when we were searching for our home. We moved to Middleboro and immediately came to appreciate the people here and the sense of a nice, safe, rural community.
When we had our second daughter the support we received from the community was truly great. The local Mom’s club provided hot meals for a week. When our third daughter was hospitalized for 6 days at 6 weeks old, we received much needed help from our neighbors and our church. We became foster parents because of our strong support and loving community. Laura and I both teach Sunday school to help our children learn what it means to be a part of a community. I coached my oldest daughter in soccer and watched her become involved with dance, ice skating, and school. Laura and I decided this was the place we wanted to stay and go into retirement. Sadly I learned a valuable lesson this past summer, if you don’t get involved in your local government, this can all change rapidly.
I was proud to be a part of the process over the summer but I was astonished at the lack of response the current Board of Selectman gave the people of this town. I witnessed many people being silenced by the gavel and thousands more subjected to extreme heat in a rush to judgment on a proposed casino agreement. Although the events of this summer got me involved in the town, I am running for selectman to bring a better process to our government to the people of this wonderful town.
Over the five years I have lived here and watched my three girls grow, go to school, and attend church, I have realized this is a town worth fighting for and this is why I have decided to run for Selectman. Although I lack the municipal experience Mr. Perkins has, I have worked as a business consultant for five years and regional sales manger for another six years. I have been involved with corporate budgeting, financial planning, and multi-million dollar negotiations. I work to solve corporate problems with clients and consultants. I will bring reasonableness and rational action to our town. I believe I can add many things to our Board of Selectman and would appreciate your support for my bid to be Selectman.
Thank you all for being here tonight.
Campaign Letter
Vote for Greg Stevens
September 29th
Dear Middleboro Friends,
I am running for Selectman in the September 29th election against Wayne Perkins.
Among my qualifications for this difficult job are many years of managerial and business experience. Specifically, I have worked for 5 years as a business consultant and another 6 years as a Regional Sales Manager. My resume also includes fiscal planning, contract negotiations, and capital sales.
My wife and I came to Middleboro five years ago with our eldest daughter from Bridgewater. Since moving to this community, we have had two more daughters, joined our church, started teaching Sunday School, became foster parents, coached youth soccer, and joined CasinoFacts.
I want to be Selectman for the following reasons:
• To Promote an Open Process in Town Government
• To Balance the Town Budget without an Override or Debt Exclusion
• To Listen to the People of Middleboro to Help Solve Problems
September 29th
Dear Middleboro Friends,
I am running for Selectman in the September 29th election against Wayne Perkins.
Among my qualifications for this difficult job are many years of managerial and business experience. Specifically, I have worked for 5 years as a business consultant and another 6 years as a Regional Sales Manager. My resume also includes fiscal planning, contract negotiations, and capital sales.
My wife and I came to Middleboro five years ago with our eldest daughter from Bridgewater. Since moving to this community, we have had two more daughters, joined our church, started teaching Sunday School, became foster parents, coached youth soccer, and joined CasinoFacts.
I want to be Selectman for the following reasons:
• To Promote an Open Process in Town Government
• To Balance the Town Budget without an Override or Debt Exclusion
• To Listen to the People of Middleboro to Help Solve Problems
I am concerned about:
• Lack of Town Manager, Fire Chief, and Town Accountant
• Rushed Process with Casino Agreement and now the Charter Revision
• Lack of a Modern Police Station and Closed North Fire Station
• Unauthorized Expenditure of $240,000 for Town Meeting and Lawyers
I do not have all of the answers going into this process, but, I will listen to people, allow the appropriate time to make decisions, and follow a careful process. I appreciate your vote on September 29th and a vote for the Recall of all the incumbents. If you wish to contact me, you can call me at 508-245-3906 or email me at gstevens31@yahoo.com.
stevens-selectman.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Meet Greg Stevens - Sunday 9/16 3-7PM Elks Club
Meet Greg Stevens
Candidate for Selectman
Open House 3-7 PM
· Meet the Candidate
· Ask Questions
· Become Informed
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Elks Club, 24 High Street, Middleboro
Coffee and snacks will be provided
Children are welcome, activities will be available
Contact Greg (508-245-3906) for more information
P.S. Patriots are playing at 8 PM
Candidate for Selectman
Open House 3-7 PM
· Meet the Candidate
· Ask Questions
· Become Informed
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Elks Club, 24 High Street, Middleboro
Coffee and snacks will be provided
Children are welcome, activities will be available
Contact Greg (508-245-3906) for more information
P.S. Patriots are playing at 8 PM
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Support for my Campaign
I look forward to speaking to all of you about the upcoming elections. If anyone would like to support my campaign I need help with;
-Lawn sign placements
-Phone calls
-Mailings
-Sign holdings
-Monetary donations
Please email if you would like to help out in any way.
Donation checks should be made out to "Committee to Elect Greg Stevens" and sent to:
Greg Stevens
204 Rocky Meadow Street
Middleboro, MA 02346
Maximum donation is $500 per calendar year and I need name, address, and phone for tracking purposes.
Some upcoming events include;
A Gazette hosted Candidates night on Thursday Sept 13th at 7PM in the COA.
There is a "Meet Greg Stevens" event at the Elks Club on Sunday Sept 16th from 3-7 PM. Kids are welcome, there will be activities. Coffee and snacks will be served.
Please feel free to forward this email to anyone who may be interested in finding more out about my campaign.
Thank you all for your generous support.
Sincerely,
Greg Stevens
------------------------------------------
Greg Stevens
Candidate for Middleboro Selectman
Email: gstevens31@yahoo.com
Cell Phone: 508-245-3906
http://stevens-selectman.blogspot.com
------------------------------------------
-Lawn sign placements
-Phone calls
-Mailings
-Sign holdings
-Monetary donations
Please email if you would like to help out in any way.
Donation checks should be made out to "Committee to Elect Greg Stevens" and sent to:
Greg Stevens
204 Rocky Meadow Street
Middleboro, MA 02346
Maximum donation is $500 per calendar year and I need name, address, and phone for tracking purposes.
Some upcoming events include;
A Gazette hosted Candidates night on Thursday Sept 13th at 7PM in the COA.
There is a "Meet Greg Stevens" event at the Elks Club on Sunday Sept 16th from 3-7 PM. Kids are welcome, there will be activities. Coffee and snacks will be served.
Please feel free to forward this email to anyone who may be interested in finding more out about my campaign.
Thank you all for your generous support.
Sincerely,
Greg Stevens
------------------------------------------
Greg Stevens
Candidate for Middleboro Selectman
Email: gstevens31@yahoo.com
Cell Phone: 508-245-3906
http://stevens-selectman.blogspot.com
------------------------------------------
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