Citizen News, Letter to Editor, October 28, 2015

To the Editor:
In just a few days, residents of Sherman will have the opportunity to vote for members of the Board of Selectmen and numerous Town Boards and Commissions. I strongly urge you to vote for Don Lowe for First Selectman and Ashleigh Blake for Selectman, as well as the excellent slate of candidates, a number of whom are Republicans, that Don and Ashleigh support.

Don Lowe has proposed an important change in the format of the
monthly Board of Selectmen meetings. Presently, residents may speak
for three minutes at the beginning of the formal agenda and again for
three minutes at the end of the formal agenda. Questions raised
during these three minute statements are not responded to by members
of the Board. It can be a frustrating experience, particularly when you
are speaking about an item listed on the evening‘s agenda. Not
infrequently, one feels that they have been, essentially, ignored. On
occasion, the present First Selectman, Clay Cope, will invite the
speaker to arrange to meet with him in his office during the week so
they can discuss the matter at greater length. This is often a most
unsatisfactory response as the speaker is seeking to have their
comments considered in the Board’s discussion of the topic!

Don Lowe is proposing to include resident comments and questions
during the part of the meeting devoted to that agenda topic – perhaps
even including a well-informed resident in the dialogue not unlike the
present practice that includes comments from Boards and
Commissions during parts of the agenda.

Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake are committed to engaging residents
and volunteers in the work of the Town of Sherman and to effectively
using the resources of the Town in their administration.

Vote for Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake. They are advocates of
inclusive, collaborative, open, and effective government for the Town
of Sherman.

Stan Greenbaum,
Sherman

Citizen News, Letter to Editor, October 28, 2015

To the Editor:

The in-depth candidate interviews in the October 14th Citizen News, revealed the best choices for the voters in Sherman.

Don Lowe has it right: The biggest challenge going forward’is “the budget – always”. That’s the correct answer from a First Selectman – always. While other towns have separate boards of finance, Sherman does not. Our First Selectman is also the Chief Financial Officer, and the primary responsibilities are financial. Don Lowe is the only candidate who sees – and understands – the big picture.

Ashleigh Blake also has it right. She outlined tangible opportunities to better serve Sherman, clearly articulating her vision free from corporate
lingo and institutional gobble-de-gook.

Please VOTE next Tuesday for Don and Ashleigh; the right choices to lead Sherman.

Kate Sweetser McConaghy,
Former Sherman Selectman

Citizen News, Letter to Editor, October 28, 2015

To the Editor:

When I returned to Sherman I was not sure what to expect. As I child I grew up here and had great memories of long days at the beach, and hours playing in the woods and fields, and visits to the Library. Those memories, the idea of having my mom and dad just a few miles down the road, seemed reason enough to give the idea of raising our son here a chance.

Sure, the town has changed some over the years, but In many ways it has stayed the same. For the most part, that is a good thing. We do not face over development that plagues so many other towns. We are not overrun by chain stores that are blight on the landscape and on communities of our neighboring towns. We have preserved much of our natural landscape, forests, and some of our farms. This conservation took vision and leadership and an investment in the future. But we can do better. We can and should have a more active and engaged public. We can have civil discourse and a real plan about how to care for our elders. We can do more to support local, farmers and farms. We can have a more active town hall leadership that encourages all of us to do more to make our town be the best it can be. That all requires real leadership and vision.

I have seen just that type of leadership and vision that can not only preserve our past, but move us into the future in Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake. They have the work ethic, the spirit and the common sense to help all of us make Sherman the best it can be. Sherman is great. It can be even better. Please join me in voting for Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake, and get help make Sherman the best community it can be.

Justin Molito,
Sherman

Citizen News, October 21, 2015

I was delighted and encouraged to see that the candidate debate that
was held at the ESF this past Sunday was very well attended. In fact,
more seats had to be brought in to accommodate all who were present.
Debates are an example of democracy at its best: when folks come
together to ask questions of their town leaders a dialogue is created
that can be very productive. Don Lowe and I believe that it takes many
different perspectives to create a complete picture of our town and we
will always be open to receiving your input and hearing your ideas.

Questions came up during the debate regarding the town
budget. This is where it gets a bit murky. The budgeting process is complex and not always well explained. When an aspect of town
governance is not understood by the general public, it is because it is not being explained well enough by town leaders. In response to a budget related question, our first selectman welcomed residents to attend budget workshops….well, I have attended this administration’s budget workshops and they are not always enlightening. The audience watches the BOS discuss budget items without the benefit of being provided with any visual material. The concept of asking citizens to show up and watch, for hours on end, the board and treasurer discuss the intricacies of the town budget without, at the very least, the ability to view those numbers, has all the mass appeal of watching grass-grow or paint dry. I would propose something as basic as projecting the numbers being discussed onto a screen via power point. This simple, seemingly small adjustment would change the process for the better, provide greater transparency, and encourage far more interest from the public.

This particular example is just one of many areas where Don and I
intend to improve processes in order to provide Sherman taxpayers
with the transparency that they deserve from their managing board.

Next, Don and I have already engaged in preparing for the positions
we are seeking. I recently completed a two day workshop on grant
writing through the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits. It was a
high-caliber skills program featuring the theory and practice pertaining
to the fundamentals of grant writing. Being prepared for the position of
the Selectman is of the utmost importance to me. Once elected both
Don and I intend on learning as much as we can in the two months
preceding the beginning of our term so that we may hit the ground
running and minimize the learning curve.

Lastly, Don and I are focused on tapping human resource assets that
are truly right for Sherman. We will not limit our search to the confines
of a single political party at the cost of the best possible skill set and
talent for the benefit of our town. We have made this more than clear in
the fact that we have not challenged well-run town positions simply
because they are occupied by members of “the opposing party.” In
stark contrast, the Cope administration has a track record of leaning
exclusively on members of their own party to fill vacancies on town
boards and committees. In a town where any particular party makes up
less than one third of all registered voters, this practice is certainly not
“right for Sherman.” It is highly likely that Mr. Cope’s practice of
choosing party before the overall good of Sherman has cost the town
much needed talent. Political gamesmanship at the expense of the
Sherman taxpayer will be met with a zero-tolerance policy under a
Lowe-Blake administration.

On November 3rd, your vote for Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake will
not just be a vote for a particular political party or a row on a ballot. It
is a vote for integrity in our governing process and a bright future for the town we all love.

Citizen News, Letter to Editor, October 21, 2015

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of Candidates Don Lowe
and Ashleigh Blake for the Selectman’s positions.
After attending yesterday’s debate it became even
more apparent that a new leadership team is needed
in Sherman. A team that will offer more than a
ceremonial approach, with photo ops and gratuitous
compliments. A team that will approach the job
with the dignity, hard work and responsibility that is
due to the people of Sherman. A team that will truly
get back to the people with accurate information on
a timely basis.

A team like Don Lowe, Ashleigh Blake and Bob
Ostrosky.

James Maharg,

Sherman

Citizen News, Letter to Editor, October 21, 2015.

To the Editor:

When we choose those who will run our
government, we expect honesty and sincerity. At the
state and federal level, most of us have little if any
contact with our elected officials.

But at the local level, here in Sherman, there’s a
greater opportunity to interact with our elected
officials. Some may have children who go to school
with your children. Others may worship at the same
religious institution.

We have many chances to engage with our local
politicians and we expect them to engage with us
when there is an issue that requires their leadership.
After all, it is our taxpayer money that pays their
salaries.

Unfortunately, when scores of seniors can no
longer maintain their homes, but want to remain
in Sherman, our selectmen’s professed abstinence cannot be confused with leadership and it certainly isn’t a strategy. Not
participating in any of the dozens of meetings
affecting the future of our seniors and those soon to
be, is both irresponsible and negligent.

We need elected officials who look out  for
everyone in our town, not just those who vote for
them. That’s why we need people like Don Lowe
and Ashleigh Blake. Both Don and Ashleigh are
long-time residents of Sherman who have served
with distinction in leadership positions on a wide
variety of town commissions. They are compassionate people who are fully engaged in making Sherman a town we can ALL be proud of.

Leadership, compassion and engagement are
qualities we’ve been deprived of for too many years.
A vote for Don and Ashleigh will bring those
qualities back in spades and restore trust in our
elected officials.

Steve Roffwarg,
Sherman Resident

Citizen News, Letter to Editor, October 21, 2015. To the Editor:

November 3rd, Election Day for local officials is almost here. In Sherman, we are very fortunate to have Don Lowe running for First Selectman and Ashleigh Blake running for Selectman.
Don is a highly qualified candidate who has a
long history of volunteer services on local Boards
and Commissions and at the Sherman School.
Complimenting his vast knowledge of town
operations is a multi-skill level professional
background. With a Master’s Degree in
Professional and Creative Writing, he teaches at
Naugatuck Community College, and has worked in
other areas of education, teaching children of all
ages. He’s also an author and spent many years in
the corporate world, including the financial services
industry.

Don Lowe’s strengths will bring greatly enhanced
communication skills, responsiveness, strong work
ethic, and transparency to the job of First Selectman.
Coupled with his in-depth knowledge of town
issues, dedication to better budgeting, better town
operation efficiencies and reversing the trend of
increasing taxes, while continuing to provide
essential services, he is an excellent choice.

Equally well qualified for Selectman is Ashleigh
Blake. Known for her hands-on approach to
volunteerism in Sherman for the past 17 years on
Town Boards and Commissions as well as at the
Sherman School. Ashleigh had an outstanding
professional career as a product designer for several
major corporations.

Ashleigh has excellent organization and
communication skills. She shows her innovation,
dedication, compassion, and commitment for
getting the job done in everything she attempts.
Whether it’s helping seniors age in place, working to
help make the Sherman School a top notch
educational experience for Sherman children, or
protecting and promoting our Sherman character and
our natural resources like Candlewood Lake,
Ashleigh is there, making a difference.

For too long, people around town have been
asking for a number of changes in the actions of the
First Selectman’s office: better communication (whether it be getting back to people on inquiries or issues, or questions asked at Board of Selectman meetings); better efficiency in the operation of town
government to avoid costly mistakes, such as
maintenance mismanagement and non-completion of day-to-day projects; reducing high attorney fees; and relief from yearly rising taxes, to name a few examples.

We urge you to vote for Don Lowe for First Selectman and Ashleigh Blake for Selectman. They have the skills, the determination, and the courage to make the necessary changes, and preserve the qualities that we all love about living in Sherman.

Roger and Barbara Ireland,

Sherman

Citizen News, Letter to Editor, October 21, 2015.

To the Editor:

The people of Sherman need to elect a team on
Tuesday, November 3rd, who will respect our
volunteers and recognize the selfless contributions
they make to the Town of Sherman. We need a team
that will inspire the people to work on town boards,
town committees and town commissions. A team
that will cormnunicate effectively with the
volunteers. A team that will roll up their sleeves
and serve the people.

That team is Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake.

Being volunteers themselves on numerous boards
and organizations in town, they are aware of the
time and dedication volunteerism requires. Recently
we have had resignations by highly qualified,
respected and trusted people who do not feel
appreciated by our elected leaders. Respectful
leaders do not send out F acebook messages that
undermine the efforts of dedicated volunteers

Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake have volunteered
their services for many years at the Sherman School,
on town commissions, and in numerous town wide
charity activities. They truly understand the
importance of our volunteers and respect them
regardless of their political affiliation.

Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake are energetic and
willing to work hard for the community. They will
listen to the people, consider possible solutions
when problems arise, and, most importantly, pursue
actions to resolve these situations.

Lowe and Blake are right for Sherman. Their
election on November 3rd is important for the future
of Sherman.

Ginny Gamper,
Sherman

Citizen News, Letter to Editor, October 21, 2015.

To the Editor:

We have a very important election coming in
Sherman this year and voters should think long and
hard about who they support. Forget which
candidates are Democrats and which are
Republicans and focus on which individuals have
the work and life experiences necessary to lead our
town. Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake are deeply
committed to shaping Sherman’s future. They are
both super organized and can get things done. For
the past four years Sherman has survived without
true leadership and it has put us in a real hole. Clay
Cope is a very nice person but in my opinion based
on his record of inaction he is a very poor leader.
Leadership is much more than a nice smile and
friendly chit~chat. Our town is at a crossroads and
needs real leadership! Here are a few of the traits I
feel make someone a good leader and why I feel
Clay doesn’t match up:

Decisiveness – leaders must make tough decisions
staying within the guidelines set forth by the town.
It goes with the job. They understand that in certain
situations, difficult and timely decisions must be
made. Decisions which require a firmness, authority,
and finality that may not please everyone. Real
leaders don’t hesitate in such situations and they
play by the rules. They also know when not to act
unilaterally but instead foster collaborative decision
making. Clay has proven to be indecisive time after time. In my opinion he has clearly shown us he is incapable of putting cohesive thoughts and processes together to solve our issues/problems. It’s
always a delayed decision involving numerous other parties and advisers and key decisions continue to drag on and get put off to a future date. At some point a strong leader knows they have enough
information to make a decision and they do so. An overwhelmed individual trying to please everyone will just keep waiting and waiting until the decision makes itself. Abstaining from voting on senior
housing Clay? Really? You had no opinion on this
important subject or you just wanted others to make
the decision you can’t make? I saw in one of Clay’s
recent articles where he was taking credit for a “well
written RFP for the farm”. We all know that process
took far longer than it should have, involved
numerous outside distractions, and suffered from not
only a lack of a sense of urgency but a lack of
process understanding, organization and clear
direction… and it was a year late! This costs all of
us money.

Accountability – Leaders take responsibility for
everyone’s performance, including their own. They
follow up on all outstanding issues, check in on
employees, and monitor the effectiveness of policies
and procedures. When things are going well, they
praise. When problems arise, they identify them
quickly, seek solutions, and get things back on track.
They evaluate, act, and then move briskly to the
next task at hand. Do you remember when Clay sat
over the town vote to purchase that heavy
machinery… all the time not telling anyone that he
had already exceeded his authority and purchased it
prior to the vote? Once the possible expenditure was
voted down by the town as a “poor use of town
funds” Clay was forced to admit he had already
jumped the gun, exceeded his authority and bought
the equipment. He then had no alternative but to run
back to the vendor and hope to return it. What
happened there Clay? Forgot the rules? Blatantly
disregarded them? Or maybe just you didn’t know
the correct process in the first place? That was
totally unacceptable!

Focused – Leaders are organized and plan ahead.
They think through multiple scenarios and the
possible impacts of their decisions, while
considering viable alternatives and making plans
and strategies all targeted toward success. Once
prepared, they establish strategies, processes, and
routines so that high performance is tangible, easily
defined, and monitored. They have contingency
plans in place in the event that last-minute changes
require a new direction. The first selectman’s job
isn’t an easy one. Some tough decisions have to be
made and made quickly. This means you can’t
please everyone all of the time. If you spend all of
your time thinking more about trying to have
everyone like you and please everyone you can’t
make the tough decisions and tackle our town’s
issues. While you are living in your Facebook world,
we are all living here. In looking at Don Lowe and
Ashleigh Blake’s records of service, I see in them the
focus and organizational skills that Sherman really
needs. These are two highly focused, supremely
capable individuals who have shown their
dedication to our town by serving/volunteering/excelling on numerous
committees, boards, and offices. They both have
demonstrated through their actions they can think
long term, and still make the tough decisions
quickly.

Inspirational – A leader is someone who
communicates their vision clearly, concisely, and
often, and by doing so motivates everyone to give
his or her best all the time. They set examples and
then challenge their people by setting high but
attainable standards and expectations, and then
giving them the support, tools, training, and latitude
to pursue those goals and become the best people
they can possibly be. Almost four years after
coming into office I’m still waiting for Clay to
attend one of our Sherman Land Acquisition Fund
Advisory Board meetings (of which I am a board
member) to tell us his vision- for the fund and its
future. I guess it’s just not important enough for his
attention? Or maybe he doesn’t have a vision or any
ideas for the operation of the fund and is afraid to
address the board head on? So where do you stand
on the fund Clay? What is your plan either to fund it
or dissolve it? You have many town volunteers
meeting with no funding to do anything, worse yet,
no direction from the town’s top office. Why not
address this issue and tell the town how you really
feel about the SLAFAB and why you’ve been too
busy for the last four years to show up for even one
a meeting? I suspect you are simply pushing this
responsibility to the next administration? Don Lowe
‘was instrumental in putting that important board
together from its inception. He provided the vision
and clear direction on what his expectations were
and what the board should be working on. That
vision still survives in our board based on the
remaining memories of when our past town
selectmen who tackled issues head on and actually
planned for the future. Don has already shown the
town his leadership skills and his vision. Ashleigh
has shown she can handle numerous important tasks
at once and can make the difficult decisions to move
things ahead.

Four years later Clay has not provided us with an
actionable plan for Sherman’s path forward (not
having a plan isn’t a plan). I’d like to put two real
leaders with the right pedigrees for the job into
office. Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake have proven
track records and the organizational and leadership
skills to address our current and future problems
head on. They can make the tough decisions that
need to be made in a timely fashion. Let’s put the
capable people with the real vision in our town’s
highest offices next year. Vote for the people you
know can do the best job for our town and that will
lead you to casting your ballot for Don Lowe and
Ashleigh Blake!

Al Kenney,
Sherman

Citizen News, Letter to Editor, October 21, 2015.

To the Editor:

I write with enthusiastic support for Don Lowe
and Ashleigh Blake to be the new leadership team
that Sherman very much needs. I have known Don
and Ashleigh for many years and can testify that
their commitment to service has been amply
demonstrated by years of volunteerism for our town.
They have served on boards and commissions, both
public and private, and given selflessly for the
benefit of all Sherman folks.

I had the privilege of serving with Ms. Blake for 8 years on the Sherman Conservation Commission. She was Vice Chair for 7 of those years and was my invaluable partner in fulfilling our role advising the
Sherman Planning and Zoning Commission during a
very active period of land development here.
Ashleigh also played an important role in the
creation of the Sherman Natural Resources and
Inventory Report. Her ideas and design sense were
critical to the successful completion of this valuable
resource for Sherman. In addition, Ashleigh was the
prime mover in planning and hosting the very
popular Sherman Farm Tour Days and the Energy
Fair Day on the Sherman Green. As with all her
efforts, she brought dedication, enthusiasm and
focus in creating a fine and instructive visit to our
town’s still vibrant farm and bringing a variety of
energy specialists to town.

I am confident that, together, Don and Ashleigh
will bring the same dedication, hard work and focus
to the positions of First Selectman and Selectman.
As we have seen during the last 4 years, leading
Sherman takes more than appearances at photo-ops
and Facebook postings. We need the real leadership
that Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake will bring to Sherman government.

Joseph Keneally,
Sherman