Disappearing blogs & campaign for Town Manager

The following commentary was included in the middleborocasino discussion forum, but has mysteriously disappeared.
For others who might be interested in the campaign for Town Manager, you might also check out: http://medianation.blogspot.com/


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Yesterday at 04:38 PM #1

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Why do you think you would be qualified to fill Mr. Healey's shoes as Town Moderator?

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Adam



Registered: 10/04/07
Posts: 7

Yesterday at 08:37 PM #2

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It’s a fair question and you obviously mean Town Manager, not Moderator. Also, I am sure that I left things out, or phrased things imprecisely, but here goes:

First, I would not try to fill Jack’s shoes, since I disagree with the style of shoes he wore. Jack was the consummate hydra, with arms extending constantly into every single minute detail of government. What ultimately happened is that Jack could not control everything in the government, so nothing got done in an exceptional manner, things got rushed and fudged, all because he could not be everywhere at once and do everyone's job. He simply did not feel he could delegate authority. Consequently, he had to run everything.

Being Town Manager is not about the Town Manager, it is about everyone else being encouraged to do the best job they can. As long as the Department Heads are doing their jobs well and taking policy direction from the Town Manager and the BOS, then everyone looks good. My “style” is to let the Department Heads lead in the areas of their expertise and to let them rise or fall on their own merit—just like in the private sector. Rely on your planner for planning expertise; rely on your Fin Comm, your Treasurer, your Accountant and various Department Heads for financial information and advice. I would be a facilitator to obtain the best from the staff, and I would analyze and determine whether the final product is supportable, consistent with the policies as set forth by the BOS, and sometimes whether we have to go back to the drawing board. My view is not that the Town Manager is king, but he is the overall coordinator of the efforts of his experts to achieve Town policy.

As to what the Town policy becomes, that is where my legal skills of research and argument become a part of the needed skill set involved. My job, vis a vis the BOS is to research the possibilities—not just the one I like—but all reasonable options. I then educate the BOS as to those options, and argue for the one that I believe best serves the interests of the Town. I have too often seen Jack offer only one option—his—and leave the BOS – the Monday evening quarterbacks—to find their own options. That is not management, that is dictatorship and counterproductive.

Second, much has been said about my lack of financial knowledge. Nobody but you has even come close to asking. Much of my work in New York’s financial district had to do with forensic analysis of commodities and securities trading accounts to determine customer losses or damages related to illegal trading schemes, as well as researching and analyzing the relevant markets to determine if the investment advise given made sense. The trading involved in the accounts analyzed frequently dealt with options, derivatives, bonds, forex, wash trading, trading ahead, suitability, market manipulation, etc. This type of analysis is not simple, and in litigating these types of matters it frequently requires both going back in time to develop a damages model based on the well managed account theory (basically, what should the account have made if traded correctly), as well trying to find ways to defeat the other side’s argument for why the well managed account theory is either wrong or inapplicable.

In addition, much of my career has involved business advice to high net worth individuals and other businessmen and entities relating to all varieties of economic decisions and plans contemplated by the client. I have then moved forward and executed the plan and negotiated the final product, and then drafted the final product. This takes incredible coordination of facts, legal knowledge, strategic prowess, and sometimes just pure “guts baseball.”

Third, most of my career has involved dealing with regulators, state and federal, civil and criminal. I have dealt with the SEC, NFA, CFTC, NASD, U.S. Attorneys Office, various State District Attorneys, and various Attorney Generals. This relates to the Town Manager job, as there are a large number of State Regulators and regulations that must be dealt with in the day to day operations of the Town. Regulators and their regulations, and how to deal with their frequently “different way” of doing things is a talent I have already developed and can transfer to the Town Manager position.

Fourth, my knowledge and instincts as a litigator provide a liability protection to the Town. I have sued Towns and other entities for various violations of individual civil rights, and I am keenly familiar with employment and discrimination laws and policies from the plaintiff’s side (the other side). I have a lawyer’s knowledge of the operation of government and a fairly substantial knowledge of what a Town and its employees should NOT do. Currently, in my opinion, we have at least two civil rights lawsuits pending against the Town that could have been prevented if a different management style had been employed.

Moreover, the position of Town Manager has become even more law oriented as our society has become more litigious. In fact, knowledge of municipal finance law, the procurement laws, environmental laws, contract and collective bargaining laws, etc., are quickly becoming essential parts of a Town Manager’s diet.

Fifth, I am a resident with a wife and child. I am not going anywhere geographically, and I have no political aspirations. I don’t need the headache. But I have a stake in this Town, I love this Town as my home, and I want to help to shape the future of this Town. (I expect a lot of people to take shots at this comment, but try to take it for what it is worth).

I only moved here in 2002, and in 2004 I was elected with the most votes against two long timers, and in 2007, I was elected with the most votes, and approximately 70% of the 8% turnout. I have made AN impression on people (good or bad), and been able in a relatively short time to develop a fairly sizable group of citizens that trust me (whether you agree or not).

Finally, I think I am qualified because I care about what is going on, and I work very hard to execute my duties as Selectman, and would do so as a Town Manager. But, for those of you who are boiling over with anger reading this, don’t worry—no one has offered the job, no application has been made, and no interviews have been had. Long shot?—I think so. Would I take it if offered—you bet. Also keep in mind that I voted in favor of Mr. Fohlin—twice. I also made the motion to appoint Steve Lombard, our current temporary Town Manager. So, I also think that this shows another qualification—I can separate my own personal self interests from the job I perform as Selectman. I act on what I believe is in the best interests of the Town—whether you agree that I accomplish that goal is another story.

As usual, Indy has asked me the time, and in typical lawyer fashion I have instead told Indy how to build a clock. Sorry, but I wanted to give a respectful answer to a fair question. However, I also know that there will be lots of snotty, snide, mean attacks on what I have said. To those comments I simply will NOT respond. As to reasonable questions or comments, I will be happy to address them to the extent that I have time to do so.

Indy—thank you for the question, I assume it was asked in sincerity.

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Adam Bond
Indy

Registered: 10/02/07
Posts: 22 Yesterday at 08:53 PM #3

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Thank you, Adam. I appreciate your time and effort in answering my question. I hope that if you succeed in your aspirations to become Town Manager, you will remain accessible to the people. My best wishes, Indy

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Adam



Registered: 10/04/07
Posts: 7 Yesterday at 09:00 PM #4

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I will be as accessible as I am currently--all you have to do is call or grab me by the shoulder.

Come by Honeydew someday, and I'll buy the coffee.

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Adam Bond
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pcunix

Registered: 09/08/07
Posts: 98 Today at 03:30 PM #5

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam

Finally, I think I am qualified because I care about what is going on, and I work very hard to execute my duties as Selectman, and would do so as a Town Manager. But, for those of you who are boiling over with anger reading this, don’t worry—no one has offered the job, no application has been made, and no interviews have been had. Long shot?—I think so. Would I take it if offered—you bet. Also keep in mind that I voted in favor of Mr. Fohlin—twice. I also made the motion to appoint Steve Lombard, our current temporary Town Manager. So, I also think that this shows another qualification—I can separate my own personal self interests from the job I perform as Selectman. I act on what I believe is in the best interests of the Town—whether you agree that I accomplish that goal is another story.



To me, the ability to set aside your own best interests is the most important. So
few people even make a nod in that direction.. and shame on them.

I was talking to several people here at Oak Point today. We all agreed that we'd
like to see a qualified person who already lives here rather than someone who
moves here for an "opportunity" and then will move on the minute someone
makes a better offer.

Someone who lives here might move on too, of course: but we think there is
more chance of their hanging in.

Adam isn't the only person from Middleboro who is interested in the position;
but if you agree with me that a current resident (assuming they are qualified
of course) makes more sense, you should let the other Selectmen know
that.

By the way, the sentiment of two people I spoke with is that the Oak Point
Veterans will generally oppose Adam because of the Paul Provencher issue.
However, when I drilled into that, it seemed that they really didn't understand
the background and once I explained it, felt that Adam was "in the right" there -
though that doesn't necessarily mean the Vets would be changing their minds.






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Tony Lawrence
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Juliette

Registered: Today
Posts: 1 Today at 04:13 PM #6

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Adam:

Where do we find the revenue we need to keep our schools certified while we're waiting on a casino to be built? I assume another attempt needs to be made for a prop 2 1/2 over-ride (though it failed twice in Bridgewater). As the mother of two small children, I am very concerned that my kids won't have the educational advantages I did. My husband and I have come up with a contingency plan to send them to private schools if need be. But I'm afraid that places like Coyle will be inundated with applications if area schools lose their accreditation. Besides I would prefer the diverse atmosphere public schools offer. Any thoughts? Encouragement? Juliette


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