Autumn in the North Cemetery.

Sixty miles west of Boston, Massachusetts there is the small New England town of Sturbridge. Located at the junction of I-90 (The Mass Pike), and I-84 it has become known as the "Crossroads of New England". The town was first settled over 300 years ago, and like other small New England towns it has grown just enough over the years to be in a difficult place today. How do we embrace the future without forgetting how we got to our present? How do we attract the right kind of growth, and maintain who we are? And, what about our culture out here in Central Massachusetts?



These pages will cause one to think about how to protect what we have, our future direction, and how to move on in the very best way.


Those thoughts, and other ramblings, will hopefully inspire more thought, conversation, action, and occasionally a smile...

...seems to be working so far

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Statement of Support

Another NEW Feature!

Starting today if you would like to submit a short statement of support for a local particular candidate, you CAN!

There are a few things to keep in mind, however. First of all, submit your short statement of support to aroundstubridge@gmail.com, and include you name. This isn't "Commentville" where any old name, or being anonymous will do. This is to show your support for a particular candidate, and there is no reason you should not want your name posted with your comment. Of course, unless you are married to the opposing candidate. Then my prayers are with you.

I am also going to deactivate the comment portion of the posting. We already know how you feel, and you left your name, if someone else wants to support another candidate they can use their name and submit their statement in the same way.

Today's Statement of Support:

March 9, 2010

Dear Editor:

Please accept this letter of endorsement for Mary B. Dowling for Sturbridge Selectperson. In the March 9th SEN announcing Mrs. Dowling’s candidacy, a couple paragraphs stand out: ‘Even on probably the most general, yet poignant, debate in Sturbridge – that of growth versus anti-growth – Dowling said the issues should not be viewed in such a black and white way. “We should not be divided on one versus the other,” she said. “I like to say that I’m pro-Sturbridge, recognizing the needs of the business community and residents.” “In order to maintain the quality of services we’ve come to expect in our town, we need some sustainable growth,” Dowling said. “As services become more and more expensive we need some way to offset the cost of those services.”’

I concur with Mrs. Dowling’s statements above. The result of spending eight years doing conservation-related land acquisitions in south-central Massachusetts taught me that one of the most affordable, winning approaches to problem-solving complex transactions was by aiming toward a win/win situation for all concerned parties, by finding a way to meld development with conservation. Thus, I believe balance can be achieved if everyone focuses on what’s best for all residents in the town of Sturbridge. An open, objective mind that considers all options and all residents is what the town sorely needs right now. Please vote for Mary B. Dowling for Board of Selectmen.

Sincerely,

Carol Childress

Sturbridge resident


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