Patrick/Murray Transition announces working group members -- blogger appears on list

Civic engagement actually looks really interesting... (0.00 / 0)

I don't think they would have put Ron Bell, Nancy Stolberg and Cam Kerry all on Civic Engagement if they didn't really mean it. I'm interested to see what will come out of that/ get involved in what they might have to offer.

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by: afertig @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 00:45:46 AM CST

Depth: 15 Committees v. Romney's 6 (0.00 / 0)

Just for comparison's sake, Romney's transition team had 100 members spread out in these areas:

1.  Healthcare
2.  Jobs and the Economy
3.  Education
4.  Public Safety
5.  Transportation
6.  Environment

Compare that to Patrick's:

1.  Budget & Finance
2.  Economic Development
3.  Education pre K-12
4.  Higher Education
5.  Energy & Environment
6.  Health care
7.  Housing
8.  Human Services
9.  Local Government
10. Technology
11. Public Safety and Security
12. Transportation
13. Civic Engagement
14. Workforce Development
15. Creative Economy

Kudos to them for breaking down Education that way, and the local government group is appropriately geographically diverse.  I have to say, I'm just wild about "Creative Economy" and "Civic Engagement"--very proactive and exciting.  Good people are spread throughout the entire team.  Aside from a few minor nits, I'd say this guy is ready to transform our state. 

Wish you were here!

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by: lori @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 13:40:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Transition Working Groups - a BIG hole (6.00 / 2)

There is no working group dealing with the Administration of Justice.  The "checks and balances" system is way out of alignment. 

This is really a big, big hole.

Some of the issues can be seen in the report issued after two years of study, often called "The Monan Report" which is online at http://www.mass.gov/... [The Supreme Judicial Court Web Site]

But in addition, the following issues, at a minimum,  are critical:

1.  Structure of the courts [buildings AND management].

2.  Appropriations issues (Massachusetts is the only state with a separate line item for each court house).

3.  JudiciaL diversity/Judicial nominations (Romney pretty much always appointed prosecutors, never members of any defense bar).  So the diversity I am talking about is that of experience as well as heredity.

4.  Delivery of indigent legal services, both civil and criminal, both as managed by the Committee for Public Counsel Services and "the line item 0330-0300 appointments" which are not managed by CPCS.

5.  The absence of formal, codified "Rules of Evidence" in Massachusetts.  While "rules of evidence" were proposed in the 80s, they were never adopted.  Therefore, there are "statutory islands" of evidentiary rules, but no coherent or unitary set.

6.  The Pro se explosion.

Those are for starters!

I have been working actively on some of these issues, as well as in the Deval Patrick campaign for some time, and have lots more information, if anyone is interested.

AmberPaw

Deborah Sirotkin Butler
AmberPaw dot @aol.com

"Failure to plan is planning to fail."
Proverb

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by: AmberPaw @ Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 15:38:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I am interested (0.00 / 0)

Maybe you want to start a new thread/diary on this topic. Just a thought. And you might want to consider identifying yourself, or providing contact info on your ID.

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by: Speaking Out @ Tue Nov 28, 2006 at 22:11:17 PM CST

[ Parent ]

AmberPaw identifies herself and asks for a "how to" (0.00 / 0)

Greetings!  I am fairly new to blogging, though I am used to e-mail.  I actually tried to start a new thread but it turns out I did it wrong and so my post is where you found it!

I am actually Deborah Sirotkin Butler

My e-mail address is AmberPaw@aol.com

My office # is 781 641 9939

Can you explain to me how to turn my "Big Hole" post into a new thread?  I will add to my ID (or at least try to).

AmberPaw a/k/a Deb

Deborah Sirotkin Butler
AmberPaw dot @aol.com

"Failure to plan is planning to fail."
Proverb

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by: AmberPaw @ Wed Nov 29, 2006 at 17:16:38 PM CST

[ Parent ]

In Environment (6.00 / 1)

Susan Nickerson, Executive Director, Alliance for Nantucket Sound  -- correct me if I'm wrong, but she doesn't support Cape Wind. In fact, she works for an organization that actively opposes Cape Wind. On the one hand, I understand that the best administrations have people of every point of view represented, but didn't Deval run on Cape Wind early and forcefully? I mean, that's one of the major reason he got a lot of early support. Kind of surprising that one.

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by: afertig @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 01:03:19 AM CST

Keep you friends close ... (0.00 / 0)

and your enemies closer?

---
Blue Mass. Group
Call Scott Brown's office at (617) 565-3170, or (202) 224-4543 to support a cap on carbon emissions: 350ppm by 2050
My Twitter feed

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by: Charley on the MTA @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 07:54:08 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Better to have differing ideas (0.00 / 0)

at the committee level than an echo chamber, no?  Besides, AtoPNS can be against Cape Wind until the cows come home, but the majority of the state is for it, the governor-elect is for it, and he ran as pro-Cape Wind as part of his platform.  There's no way Nickerson will be dumb enough to throw herself under that bus...

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by: stomv @ Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 17:17:20 PM CST

[ Parent ]

All leaders in their fields (6.00 / 2)

I am extremely disappointed that so many of the people appointed to these groups are well positioned and powerful.  Where are those of us who do the work in these fields?

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by: rhondabourne @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 06:54:29 AM CST

Couldn't agree more (6.00 / 1)

For a grassroots campaign, their roots aren't showing. 

Wish you were here!

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by: lori @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 07:01:27 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Have to disagree (0.00 / 0)

Many on the list were the grassroots from the very early days of the campaign.  Michael Wilcox was part of a small group that met with Deval prior to his even announcing.  The grassroots can and does consist of highly qualified individuals.  Deval has carefully chosen from those who advised him on issues from the very beginning.  I congratulate him on those choices.

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by: lolorb @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 07:14:44 AM CST

[ Parent ]

There are some wonderfully inspired choices, of course (5.00 / 1)

And of course the grassroots consists of highly qualified individuals.  Additionally "grassroots" can have dramatically different definitions in different policy areas.  My overall impression is that there is a very strong industry leaning in some of these committees (Environment jumps out at me), and a very generous reach across the political aisle (many examples), but I will hold off on judging the individual construction of the committees until we see what policy emerges. 

Wish you were here!

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by: lori @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 07:31:48 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Grassroots (6.00 / 1)

I am not denying that there are "qualified" people in the grassrooots.  What I am concerned about is that, at least in the Human Services Group, every single person is the director or head of something, administrators not the doers of the work.  Big difference between administering human services and providing them on a daily basis. I didn't see the name of one person in this work group who participated in the human serice work group prior to the election.  Guess our opinions and ideas were good enough for Deval, but not for Governor Patrick.  Up from the grassroots and into the tree tops!

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by: rhondabourne @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 08:04:50 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Congratulations David! (6.00 / 2)

An inspired and hopeful appointment!  Will there be live blogging from the meetings?

Wish you were here!

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by: lori @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 07:07:25 AM CST

David, thanks for the shout-out (6.00 / 1)

And thanks to the others for their supportive comments. I would hope that people will suspend judgment until the process gets underway. I've already been asked to think about how to reach out and involve as many people as possible in the work of the committees.

Obviously, David has learned a little bit about how to do that, and having Nancy Stolberg and Ron Bell involved not only sends a message (as already noted) but will undoubtedly produce some great ideas about how to do outreach.

I know many of the people who have agreed to serve on these groups, and I know many more of them by reputation. I'm excited at the prospect of working with so many accomplished people. The grassroots involvement will follow, as night follows day, I can assure you.

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by: Michael Forbes Wilcox @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 07:32:18 AM CST

Respect You (6.00 / 1)

Michael,

I know you from the grassroots on yahoo.  I have enjoyed and respected your input.  Clearly you have been committed and involved throughout this campaign.  If you were not a CEO, and had not been chosen, to be a part of this work group effort, you might have very different feelings and attitudes.

I feel I have been mislead about something I gave my heart and soul to only to find that those with a voice already, simply get a bigger voice.  Governor Patrick should now say "Hope for the best, work hard for it, and have impressive credentials."  Deval would never have said that or even hinted at it.  Perhaps the inevitability of governing is that you lose touch with your ideals and the people to a degree.

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by: rhondabourne @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 09:15:06 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Rhonda, I will work hard to earn and retain your trust and respect (0.00 / 0)

Before you despair, please find it in yourself to trust that Deval means what he says. From the press release:

Continuing in their grassroots outreach, Patrick and Murray also announced that the working groups would conduct a series of Community Meetings across the Commonwealth over the next several weeks to seek public input for their agenda.

and

"This series of Community Meetings is just the beginning of our effort to bring people back into civic life, to re-engage their interest and to get some fresh, new ideas about how we tackle challenges and take advantage of opportunities," Patrick added.

Until proven otherwise, please think of the leaders working on these groups as being charged not with advancing their own agendas [though some of that will happen, and that is not necessarily all bad], but as evaluating and aggregating the input from people like you.

Believe me, YOU will have a voice in this process, if I have anything to say about it. And I'm sure that's what Deval wants, so please chip in and help make it happen. 

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by: Michael Forbes Wilcox @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 10:23:39 AM CST

[ Parent ]

That is all well and good. (6.00 / 1)

Being able to stand up in a forum and state your view is not really having a voice.  As you can tell, I am not shy and I state my views when I have an opportunity to do so.  I intend to attend the community meeting, but I could have done that whether I paticipated in this campaign at all.  The committee members have the power to consider what I and others have to say or to disregard or it as they so choose.

Whenever anyone says anything the least bit negative about the campaign or about Deval they are seen as some kind of heretic, or somekind of obstacle to the work of the campaign.  I do not believe that Deval had anything to do with he membership of these committees.  I do believe that the membership of these committees does not represent the ideals that I understood Deval to be touting during the course of the campaign.

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by: rhondabourne @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 19:01:04 PM CST

[ Parent ]

FWIW (0.00 / 0)

You have a voice here :-)

BMG: Reality-based commentary.

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by: Bob Neer @ Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 08:54:37 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Community meetings? (0.00 / 0)

I'm not going to a "community meeting."

What I want to see is someone on the list who I know, trust, and can drop a quick email to about an issue of concern.  With no selectmen (except Charlie Baker) or school committee members anywhere to be found, I don't feel like I have that entry into the discussion.  Instead, I see some of the people who have been in power in the past, or who have had money and power to buy a seat at the table, who have no interest in what I would have to say.

Paul Reville, Chris Gabrieli, and Henry M. Thomas III are the people who were deaf or hostile to people like me, working on the local level to improve public education.  It's okay to include them if I have people on my side of the street, who have actually been elected to a school committee and are committed to making public governance work on the local level.

Giving these people a seat at the table, and putting every school committee member in the auditorium at a community meeting, isn't going to work.

 Only the cod is sacred.

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by: pablo @ Sat Nov 25, 2006 at 10:32:17 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Hmm. (0.00 / 0)

What I want to see is someone on the list who I know, trust, and can drop a quick email to about an issue of concern.

Perhaps you're speaking hyperbolically.  Fact is, it's not possible for these groups to be set up such that everyone in the state has a personal acquaintance on the groups that are addressing issues of concern to them.

If you mean that you'd have liked to see people on the group that you associate with the positions you favor, that's a different matter.

In any event, please don't write off the meetings.  If you don't show up ... well, you know the rest.

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by: David @ Sat Nov 25, 2006 at 14:15:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

There is a level of civic involvement... (0.00 / 0)

There is a level of civic involvement that is deep enough to expect to find a trusted name on the list.

What I want to see is someone on the list who I know, trust, and can drop a quick email to about an issue of concern.
Perhaps you're speaking hyperbolically.  Fact is, it's not possible for these groups to be set up such that everyone in the state has a personal acquaintance on the groups that are addressing issues of concern to them.

Actually,  I must say that  it is more than mere hyperboly.  I am very active in K-12 education.  I know most of the school committee members who are active on state or national issues. 

School committee members are very frustrated by the current State Board of Education, and the utter disrespect from the Romney administration.  Tim Murray spoke to a joint conference of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, and they were practically throwing rose petals at his feet as he left the room.

If there was one or two school committee members on the transition list, I guarantee there would be someone who has lived the challenges I have lived, and there would be sharing of ideas on the school committee email list.  Not having anyone from my side of the street on the list, and having the same old people who have pontificated and proclaimed and disdained, is a kick in the teeth to a constituency that was very supportive to the campaign.

I'm wondering if the way to get close to the Patrick operation is to declare opposition, then wait for them to romance you back into the fold.

 Only the cod is sacred.

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by: pablo @ Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 20:39:05 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Cowgirl up! (0.00 / 0)

Your voice and perspective are very important.  I particularly agree with your incisive statements about the absence of front-line workers...be it H&HS (mental health providers), Education (teachers), Transportation (DPW workers), etc...
I have learned that the wisdom of the working class is an incredible asset to developing policy and systems of delivery.  The age old problem is that it is only the middle-upper/elite classes that can actually afford or have the professional mobility to take time from their jobs to serve.  How many of these appointees make less than the state's median income?  Ain't no 50%.  Oppression is a cunning, baffling and insidious force.

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by: HeartlandDem @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 20:00:09 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Exciting! (0.00 / 0)

Positives first....David Kravitz and Michael Wilcox, Yeah!  Chris Gabrieli and Andrea Silbert, Yeah!

Local Government...Booooooooh!  Not a single Selectman or Town Administrator (current or former), again I say, Booooooooh!  351 TOWNS and cities.

Transportation: Picknelly, uck!  Peter Pan Bus Lines and the (corrupt) Republican PVTA (Pioneer Valley Transit Authority) as well as the regional MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) and the PVPC (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission) are self-serving hack-o-ram-organizations.....quasi, quasi and sharing the same bed.

Someone did not do their homework...PVTA publicly funded and advertises Peter Pan (private).  PVPC, PVTA and MPO "share" commissioners that make the decisions on millions of tax dollar expenditures.  PVPC selects the MPO members from member communities and MPO decides how transportation $$$ for the Springfield-Northhampton region are spent, yes, including bus purchases for PVTA, which is connected with Peter Pan.  Sorry, way too close to the rotten bone of the Springfield political establishment. PVTA

PVTA Information Center:PVTA's routes are designed to create a network so that by transferring from one bus to another you can reach
your destination. If you are going to transfer, purchase a transfer from the operator at the time you pay your fare.
Transfers are good only until the latest time shown, and never for a round-trip or stopover.
Service to Six Flags is provided by Peter Pan Bus Lines from April through October during the Park's operating
hours.

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by: HeartlandDem @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 07:50:43 AM CST

Congratulations to both (0.00 / 0)

David and Michael!  What a wonderful opportunity for both of you, and I've no doubt you will contribute significantly in shaping decisions and direction.  Bravo!

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by: lightiris @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 08:58:41 AM CST

GBLT Community (0.00 / 0)

Congrats to Andrea,Michael, and others. However where are the voices of the GLBT community. No one from MassEquality, PFLAG or the Gay and Lesbian Political caucus. The only out GLBT name I saw was Mayor Ken Reeves. Am I missing something?

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by: LynPB @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 10:44:18 AM CST

GBLT Community (6.00 / 1)

Congrats to Andrea,Michael, and others. However where are the voices of the GLBT community. No one from MassEquality, PFLAG or the Gay and Lesbian Political caucus. The only out GLBT name I saw was Mayor Ken Reeves. Am I missing something?

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by: LynPB @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 10:46:50 AM CST

Mayor Claire Higgins of Northampton (0.00 / 0)

is co-chair of the local government committee and is out GLBT (specifically L).  But if there is a GLBT activist as such, I didn't notice them.

It's interesting that the higher ed committee is (a) entirely made up of CEO's of institutions, and (b) doesn't have anyone from the flagship school of the public system.  Given the Globe editorial saying that we are neglecting our true mission by focusing on student quality rather than access, I have to worry a little about the "top quality is for the privates" mindset that was so strong under Dukakis.  But that's probably an overreaction.

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by: DaveMB @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 19:13:38 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Head Counting (0.00 / 0)

Aren't you skipping past Elyse Cherry, already on overall transition committee and immediate past chair of MassEquality?  Or just looking at latest names?

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by: Karl Roving @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 21:29:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I'll just note, too, (0.00 / 0)

that the vice principal at my school got a call/voicemail from someone on the transition team.  The individual is apparently looking for our kids to do something (the VP seemed a little confused), so I'll find out more about it Monday when I can go in and listen to the message.  I suspect this came my/our way through Joe O'Brien, but we'll see.  Wouldn't it be something if my Young Politicians Club kids got to participate in some way?  Holy shit.  I'm geeked. 

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by: lightiris @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 11:18:03 AM CST

I thought for sure that Grace Ross (6.00 / 2)

would end up on one of the panels. I'm disappointed to see that she is missing.

And David Forsberg, a moderate Republican, is an extremely likeable and decent man, and a member of my church, but in all the years I've lived in Worcester and known him and seen him work all he's ever been good for IMHO is schmoozing, schmoozing and more schmoozing. When it came to creative thinking or starting new initiatives I have yet to see a single one - even when he served on the local level - in which he's actually done anything except perpetrate (or at most, tweak) the status quo, and I've yet to see him work with the grassroots except from on high.

Sure, he's shown up at meetings in which ordinary citizens got to speak (some of which I've been party to), but I don't believe he's ever gotten his hands dirty or his immaculately white shirts sweaty by actually working alongside the actual doers. And, true to his West Side upbringing and his longstanding friendships with the power brokers of the city, he's never, ever stuck his neck out for anything that had a single element of risk, no matter how admirable.

In fact, his most public appointment, to the Massachusetts Turnpike Board in 2001, ended with Forsberg walking away from the post only a few months after his appointment was hailed as a positive first step after the resignation of James Kerasiotes from Mass. Highway. Why he allowed himself to be appointed is a mystery, since his background is in Health and Human Services, But he's never turned down an appointment - no matter how short-tenured - so maybe it's just part of the pattern.

Ironically, the other two board members at the time, Jordan Levy and Christy Mihos, were from the area and Forsberg knew them personally. But the minute controversy reared its head and Levy and Mihos demanded that Bechtel pay reparations for the chronic cost overruns and other problems arising with the Big Dig (this a full six years before the horrible accident finally convinced the State that of what they had been saying all along!), Mr. Master Conciliator walked away and kept his precious reputation as a good guy unsullied, blaming the individuals over him in the hierarchy and the fact that the chair had been reduced to a part-time position for his lack of action.

That's why he ends up in boardrooms and in public seats of power. David is liked by everyone and offends no one, and each new appointment only adds to his resume. Actual service other than nodding sagely and shaking hands? Not so much.

I don't know much about most of the other appointees except their names, so let's hope they aren't in the same "Thou shalt not offend" mold.

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by: Sharoney @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 11:27:18 AM CST

What will they do? (0.00 / 0)

So are these teams in place for the next 6 weeks to come up with ideas until DP takes office or will they play a continuous goal after the new administration is sworn in?

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by: eury13 @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 18:42:16 PM CST

Where's Western MA? (0.00 / 0)

The Republican has been pointing out that Western Mass has been woefully underrepresented on both the transition team and the advisory groups.

Seems like that from more than 200 appointments, more than 14 should be from the Western part of the state. We sure have more than 7% of the population out here.

I'm also wary about Picknelly on the transportation board. One of the Springfield representatives has been working with Connecticut to have a commuter rail that will run from New Haven to Enfield extended into Springfield. Peter Picknelly Junior fiercely opposes that -- because that is a very profitable bus route for him. Seems like a substantial conflict of interest to me.

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by: NoPolitician @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 20:28:53 PM CST

Local Government... (0.00 / 0)

has 4 (maybe 4.5 if you want to half-count Gardner), including a co-chair.

Chair, Mayor Clare Higgins, Northhampton
Mayor John Barrett, III, North Adams
(Mayor Gerald E. St. Hilaire, Gardner)
Mayor Richard K. Sullivan, Jr., Westfield
Mayor James M. Ruberto, Pittsfield

That's ~30% on that committee.

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by: fredct @ Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 00:30:28 AM CST

[ Parent ]

You raise a good point, NoPo (0.00 / 0)

But I wouldn't get too bent out of shape about it.

The western four counties have about 12% of the state's population, so to have 7% of the team is not to be "woefully underrepresented" imho. Yeah, it would have been nice to have another dozen names from the Pioneer Valley, but hey, we'll make do.

The important thing is that we all work together and make sure that voices from all across the state are represented in our final report.

All that said, I feel a special need to advocate for those of us out here in the boondocks; for our special needs and from our very different perspective. My cell phone, for example, only works on sunny days or when the planets are in alignment or whatever -- not something that Boston folks ever worry about. This may sound like a hick complaint, but it's symptomatic of the barriers we face to attracting businesses to locate in this area.

In the end, though, it's up to all of us to register our thoughts and suggestions. Only that way will the working groups be able to get a complete picture of what's on people's minds.

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by: Michael Forbes Wilcox @ Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 07:41:15 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I don't even own a cell phone, but... (0.00 / 0)

My cell phone, for example, only works on sunny days or when the planets are in alignment or whatever -- not something that Boston folks ever worry about.

Except:

  * In downtown buildings
  * In tunnels under the river
  * while riding the T

Which means, during plenty of transportation hours.  I'm not so worried about it since (a) I don't have a phone, and (b) other people using their phone during transporting is at best annoying and at worst really dangerous.

But, I just wanted to point out that "more bars" doesn't apply to all parts of the city either...

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by: stomv @ Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 17:24:22 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Also - (0.00 / 0)

on that really annoying stretch of Storrow Drive behind BU.

Not that I ever talk on the phone while driving!

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by: David @ Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 17:37:04 PM CST

[ Parent ]

A little worse than that... (0.00 / 0)

Well, "about 12%" is really 12.8% (2003 estimates), which is a lot closer to "about 13%".

Given that there were over 200 appointments, 14 is really pretty pathetic for a region that has constantly felt out of the state's attention span, and one that came out with so much support for Patrick.

Seems like Western MA is at about 1/2 of what it should be, and that's not just a small slight. Especially when this state is so Boston-centric, to the detriment of other parts. Housing, traffic, transportation would be alleviated in greater Boston if the wealth was shared with the rest of the state, and if the eastern part didn't see Western MA as a place to send poor people -- maybe you remember about 5 years ago when Boston started shipping homeless to Springfield because it was cheaper to find them lodging here.

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by: NoPolitician @ Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 20:40:05 PM CST

[ Parent ]

How much representation can you have? (0.00 / 0)

How much representation can Berkshire County have if the only people on the local governance committee are mayors?  Berkshire County has two cities - all the rest of the municipalities are towns.

If the committees had a better town-city balance, then Western Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the urban-suburban towns across the rest of the state would have a better shot at getting views heard.

 Only the cod is sacred.

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by: pablo @ Sat Nov 25, 2006 at 10:48:10 AM CST

[ Parent ]

The people from the Cape... (0.00 / 0)

...are Andrea Silbert, who has a charge, and Sue Nickerson and Elliott Carr, who are anti-windfarm activists.  So was that just a posture based on polling?  Wendy Norcross is a Chamber of Commerce head, not an artist or an arts advocate - check their membership roster.  She'd do better on Workforce Development where we are unrepresented.  And, she's anti-windfarm.

We are also unrepresented on Civic Engagement, Health Care, Human Services, Local Government and Public Safety.  Mostly a Boston point of view - ho-hum.

On the other hand, Margo Fenn of the Cape Cod Commission is a chronic PROBLEM for transportation advocates who want rail or alternative bus service.  Dan Wolf just wants cheap landing fees at Logan.

Another surpirse - Peter Forman, now head of South Shore Chamber.

Yr. Obedient Servant, Peter Porcupine, Republican

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by: Peter Porcupine @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 20:43:09 PM CST

MAybe Peter Forman... (6.00 / 1)

...should head up pension reform, given his deepth of knowledge in the area?

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by: FrankSkeffington @ Thu Nov 23, 2006 at 22:39:10 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Excellent Comments! (0.00 / 0)

I just want to thank all of the above commenters. The depth of knowledge of this community never ceases to amaze me. Just TRY to slip something by this group ... we've got historical memory going back decades, personal knowledge of almost every minor politician in the state, so far as I can tell, and encyclopedic research resources through the web and the time and ability to use them and write them up ... Good Lord, not a chance!

BMG: Reality-based commentary.

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by: Bob Neer @ Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 08:58:37 AM CST

It's A Who's Who of People to be Coopted, Paid Back, Shut Up or Cultivated (0.00 / 0)

This list reminds me of the "summit on the economy" that Clinton called prior to his inauguration. It's a great strategy to shut up everyone, because even the skeptics have a seat at this table. It's a brilliant strategy to control criticism, coopt potential critics, get what you can out of some people who have something to offer, and create the appearance of looking for broad consensus.

Considering that Patrick wasn't very clear during the campaign on where he stood, this is also a wise strategy, emulating the mentor, Clinton.  Reach out, listen to everyone, take your time, and then do what you determine is best.  In that regard, isn't it good to hear from everyone.

Just to prove that the list can be as meaningless as it is meaningful, look at some of the names.

Steve Crosby will never have a place in this administration because of his inability to hear any voice but his own and the pomposity with which he presides over at UMASS. But he looks good on paper.  Same for Andrea Silbert and Jim Segal. It will take about a quarter hour for these two to put everyone off. Same for Margaret Blood, the tool of the child care profiteers.

And that big list of mayors, including all the ones who endorsed Patrick. Was that a good reason to leave out all the local elected officials.  Oh, wait, I forgot - they're the ones who can go directly to the legislature and get what they want from their fellow local elected alumni. Is it a surprise that, in the past few years, the MMA was able to increase local aid and the school committees were able to score huge increases in state assistance for schools even if the governor was steering the cash in a different direction.

Frank Ollivierre, former secretary of elder affairs, was never taken seriously by anyone, but his name is known. The rest of the elderly network must be angry as hell they were left off the list. However, being on this list is not about who knows what, it's about who's ego needs to be stroked.

Charley Baker invokes the Godfather (Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Baker does what's good for Baker, including latching his hook onto a profitable HMO.)

Could the Globe's choice, John Devillars actually make it back to state government. Is there room enough for his ego and the rest of the team as well?

Conspicuously missing from Higher Education: Harvard. Ha, ha, ha, ha. It has nothing to offer to higher or k-12 education. Paul Reville, accurately criticized in an earlier blog, is only at Harvard in name - he's got a cubicle there.

Mike Widmer is on everyone's short list and for a good reason. He's reasonable, respectful of the truth, and has a superior intellect.

Paul Harrington of Northeastern is the best at what he does, and with Bob Haynes at the table, labor's voice will be heard in the governor's office, as opposed to what's happened over the past few years, when only the legislature listened.

This final suggestion - don't waste our time with civic engagement, unless these are the left over names.

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by: Ellery1978 @ Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 15:49:11 PM CST

Not so alone (0.00 / 0)

I was beginning to feel that I was the only one troubled by the composition of these work groups.  It is all the queen bees, but none of the worker bees.  Whether these groups do anything substanative or not, they give the appearance of elitism, and titles/credentials over substance.

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by: rhondabourne @ Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 19:26:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Housing Committee ????- AKA - Developers Committee (6.00 / 1)

There are 251 Local Public Housing Authorities in Massachusetts, represented by the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, (Mass.NAHRO)  Mr. Patrick came to our annual conference in May, so he knows about us.  However, there are zero representatives of Local Housing Authorities or Mass NAHRO on the "Housing Committee" for the transition.  What I see is mainly developer friendly types, the same community that has contributed to the misuse of Chapter 40B for the last 25 years. 
50,000 units of public housing and not one LHA commissioner, Executive Director, or Tenant on this committee. 
C'mon Deval, when are we going to get started right?

David, you are one of the few great choices for this transition from what I see.

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by: smerr194 @ Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 15:59:02 PM CST