Jason Lee's blog

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Jason Lee, Class of '88
President, WHAA

So I noticed my recycling truck this morning mixing the plastic and cardboard/paper together. He just grabbed the green recycle tubs and dumped them together.

I've been taking the time to seperate the plastics into 1 bin and the cardboard/paper into another. Now I'm either questioning the recycling or now going to bother seperating out the plastics from the paper.

Have others been seperating or just clumping all recycle into bins?

Journal entry: My personal campaign experience.

Over the past two campaigns I've heard other candidates make reference to experience. They reference town politics as the basis of their experience if you ask for clarity. Vote for EXPERIENCE. We hear these three words so often they've become meaningless to the general public. Has it become some other language understood by few?

Here is my personal interpretation of experience. Any argument based on experience doesn’t hold water. Each candidate brings personal and business experiences with them. Some good and some neutral. Regardless of the individual experience, you can not discount the collective experience, wisdom and direction of the ENTIRE 5 Person Planning Board or any other elected board. You are discounting the impact of the other members on the board by stressing a candidate’s individual experience.

My background in commercial development, technology consulting, and legislative lobbying allows for a deep and fresh perspective. I've managed large and small teams with project budgets in the $10+ millions. Daily interaction with Fortune 500 C-Level executives have fine tuned my long and short term strategic thinking. I've traversed the deep and intertwined political circuit on Beacon Hill. I represented a large body of small and independent business owners affording me the opportunity to understand the impact of their contribution to the local economy.

But yet, some believe I don't have the experience for a "VOLUNTEER" position on a town board. We can not continue to run a town in the ways of old politics. Even our current President of the United States has embraced change and a new way of governing. Good or bad, he is willing to make a difference by embracing the potential and a means of efficiency. We need people with clear long and short term vision for the town - with the BEST INTEREST of the town.

Especially now more than ever, we need people that are passionate and dedicated to improve the town. We do not need individuals going with the motion, being a puppet or simply "acting" on the will of the people. Which people are we referring to in Westwood? There will always be two sides on any issue in Westwood. There is no will of the people. That's simply politics.

I have kept my promise after every campaign to continue my best effort to be involved. I am committed, pasionate and dedicated to every appointed or elected position. I will continue to move forward with the Economic Development Advisory Board, Housing Authority, WestCAT and other committees.

I have no hidden agenda or ulterior motive. I am active simply as a resident concerned with the same fundamental issues facing all of us in Westwood.

/JL

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I have always been a proponent for volunteerism. In fact, I've been encouraging residents of Westwood to get more involved at all levels.

Therefore, I am excited to see a third candidate jump into the fray for the Planning Board.  The third potential candidate just pulled papers and I certainly welcome Mr. Steve Rafsky to the race.

More exciting than the candidate - all three candidates are from Precinct 4.  It's only last year we had two candidates from Precinct 4 running for Selectmen.  There's a statement coming from Precinct 4 - we want to get and be involved in town decisions!

In an uncontested race, the incumbent and other candidates are neither questioned nor challenged by the residents of the town.  We now have the opportunity to question and challenge each candidates positions and issues past and future.  Thus allowing the residents of Westwood to better make an educated vote.

Therefore, I welcome the third candidate and congratulate Mr. Steve Rafsky for running and volunteering his time.

/JL

I am seeking your support to spread the word and lead us to a successful campaign.  I have been very involved with the Town of Westwood this past year.  I am a Director for the Economic Development Advisory Board, member of Westwood Cable Access TV and have worked with many of the committees to implement rules and regulations regarding our new off-premise alcohol licenses.

My background lends well to the current and future development and growth in Westwood.  I am currently developing a commercial project that has been awarded a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) just outside of I-495.  In fact, the first ever TIF package awarded by the town that won by a narrow 3 votes at town meeting.

I understand the demands of being on the Planning Board as well as any board or committee.  I have consistently attended town and committee meetings and understand the state of affairs for Westwood.  I am strategic, forward thinking and always have the best interest of the town and its residents.

I know what it takes to be on the Planning Board.  I am asking for your support.

But wait there’s more!  There are currently two candidates for two seats on the Planning Board.  Doing the math, the ideal situation would be no other candidates pulling papers by the magical deadline of March 10th.  However, as an over the top Type A personality, I like to be organized and proactive.  So in the event there are more candidates in the next week, I am preparing you to hold signs, campaign and if possible donate.

The BOS have submitted Article 11 in response to I-Cubed and other state funding options for CC&F.

Article 11.  Westwood Station state funding – possible support for an application by the developer for state infrastructure funding.

Excerpt of I-Cubed:
For example, a developer would pay the debt service on infrastructure improvements through a betterment on the property until such time that the new space is occupied. The state would pay the debt service for the remaining life of the bonds once the project is occupied consistent with the expectations provided in a feasibility study. And the host municipality would absorb any shortfall in the debt service payments if the developer fails to deliver the project, or the feasibility study expectations are not met.  The local contribution may be enforced by the state by deducting the amount from that community’s share of local aid.

Click for I-Cubed definition.

Cause for concern: Westwood could be in greater financial trouble if CC&F fails to deliver. WWS is on hold for 2009 as posted in an earlier thread and reported by the BBJ.

We need to attend the FinComm Public Hearing and ask the tough questions related to I-Cubed and other funding options that has an immediate impact on Westwood.

 /JL

Mike Walsh, Dave Feyler, Greg Agnew have submitted petition articles for the next Town meeting.  Their petition articles can be accessed in its entirety by clicking the link below.

Petition Article 18:  Increasing the current 3 Board of Selectmen to 5 Board of Selectmen.

Petition Article 19:   3 Term Limit with 1 year hiatus for the Board of Selectmen.

Petition Article 20:  1st Saturday in May for Town Election and 3rd Saturday in May for Town Meeting.

Click for FinComm, Feb 23 Meeting - Articles and Petitions

I'd like to solicit your feedback and suggestions before the FinComm Public Hearing on Monday, Feb 23rd.

/JL