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Westwood Town Government

February 1, 2009 - 12:36am

Don't Just Stand There...RUN!

by GregAgnew

A Blog post has been crated on the main page of WestwoodBlog for this event. Below are the deatils as to the specific location and contact information.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 7:30 to 9:30 pm

WHERE: Westwood Main Library Large Meeting Room (The Large Meeting room is located in the basement of the Library, to the left as you enter the children's section).

Contact Greg Agnew at 781-801-0779 or email board@lwvwestwoodwalpole.org for more information including questions about membership or questions regarding the workshop.

February 1, 2009 - 12:29am

Don't Just Stand There...RUN!

by GregAgnew

The Westwood-Walpole League of Women voters is proud to announce it's sponsorship of a two-day workshop on how to run a successful campaign, titled "Don't Just Stand There...RUN!". The first event will take place on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 in the Westwood Library (Main Branch) Large Meeting Room from 7:30 pm onward. The second night will take place the following day, Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at the Walpole Town Hall Main Meeting Room from 7:30 pm onward.

This is a great non-partisan event hosted by a diverse group of individuals who either have run for elected office or have had experience in the political arena.

If you would like to be on the panel of former or current elected officials, or have had political experience and would like to speak about your travels, please call 781-801-0779.

RUN!For more detailed information including street addresses and membership information, please visit http://www.lwvwestwoodwalpole.org

July 2, 2008 - 1:15pm

Get Involved! The Freedom of Information Act in Westwood

by GregAgnew

While reading the Westwood Press this morning during breakfast, I noticed a very compelling letter to the editor, sent in by Jane Nash, a member of Westwood’s Board of Library Trustees and News Coordinator for the Westwood-Walpole chapter of the League of Women Voters.

Jane spoke of the 41 year anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which established our right as Americans to obtain government records and affirmed our right to know what our local town, state, or federal governments are doing. Nash also exclaimed that our rights to transparent government have been eroding, leaving people feeling helpless when it comes to attempting to obtain knowledge of government happenings.

Much like Jane, I suggest residents in Westwood become more aware of what their town government is doing on a week-to-week basis. We need to make sure our top town government officials are being asked questions, and held accountable for their actions. In addition, I ask that you attend meetings held by our local boards and committees, educate others on the important role town government plays in your life, and become aware of elections being held in our town, our Commonwealth, and our country.

Best Wishes,

Greg Agnew

March 21, 2008 - 1:01am

My Proposed Solution to Meeting Problems

by GregAgnew

Creating open lines of communication and advocating transparency within the Town of Westwood’s government has been one of my top concerns as a Candidate for Selectman.

I understand that many of you, including myself, show up at a meeting in town that supposedly has a predetermined agenda, only to find that the board or committee did not prepare to speak about the topics that the public was interested in hearing or debating about.

I’m pleased to admit that our town website is one of the most informative and visually appealing websites I’ve seen in years. But there is still a huge problem with communication, and I’m not sure anyone can truly grasp the disconnect that continually occurs with residents and town officials. Events are posted along with the subject matter that supposedly coincides with that particular meeting. Each time a board or committee meets however, they must accomplish or discuss any leftover business from previous meetings. This is the only reason I can see for continual resident disappointment in not being able to discuss and/or participate in the subject matter they came prepared for. Agendas, much like construction projects, are continually delayed or pushed back in order to clean up unfinished business.

I’m struggling to understand why people (including myself-several times) have difficulty showing up to the correct meeting. It most certainly has something to do with the town, and NOT the resident’s ability to “follow directions” so to speak. Earlier in the week, “Concerned Resident” mentioned he/she did not see the any members of the Board of Selectman show up to a meeting that in part featured them! I can GUARANTEE that I’ll show up to every meeting, especially meetings that I’m listed as being a featured participant in. Countless times this has happened in our town, where representatives are sent in place of the actual person, supposedly dictating their sentiments to the group. This behavior is not one of transparent government that advocates the desires of the people, the true representatives. I agree that time commitments may have played a role for all three members of the BOS, but I truly believe that representation is what the residents deserve above all.

This is my proposed solution. I’m not sure, but I think we’re not dealing with a lack of information, rather, we’re dealing with the lack of attendance by board members and the lack of truth to the posted agenda from the town website. I’m also sure that Westwood possesses someone who continually posts updates and meeting schedules onto the website for informational purposes. What we need is someone SINGULARLY dedicated to meeting posts, schedules, changes, and general information. The best part is, we won’t have to pay them. I suggest we offer the job listing to a highly qualified web and media oriented student, willing to dedicate their time to meeting information, changes, etc. Credits will be given to this student by the school for performing this task, thus treating the experience much like an internship for credit.

What are your thoughts?

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