Town Committee
May 10th, 2006
Despite downpours lasting from noon through the evening and a significant conservative turnout against an operating override, Mitch Cohen was elected to the Board of Selectmen at the 2006 annual election. Mitch brings extensive experience from both the municipal and school sides of government, and is expected to be a very active member of the Board.
Mitch was the only Democratic candidate for Selectman. He joins Chairman Shirley Mosczynski, Vice-Chairman Paula Brouillette, David Furno, and other new member Michael Hughes on the board. The following morning the Worcester Telegram & Gazette lauded Mitch with the affectionate label “longtime town politico.” The story continued, “Mr. Cohen said he was grateful to voters and supporters who worked with him on his campaign. He said he plans on getting right to work on the board, and hopes to bring budget planning experience he has gained as a member of the Capital Improvement Committee to his role as a selectman.”
The occasional humor of election day revolved around the short tenure of President William Henry Harrison. Harrison’s inauguration took place in similarly foul weather. He took ill and died as a result one month into his term. Thankfully all participants on May 9th were better prepared than the late President Harrison and are reportedly in excellent health.
Other Democrats elected or re-elected in uncontested races: Tom Devlin, School Committee; Sharon Brotherton, Treasurer; Gail Swenson, Cemetery Commission; David St. George, Constable; and Joe Saster, Water/Sewer Commission. In the only other contested race, Republican Merritt “Pete” Tetreault defeated independent Brenda Roy for Library Trustee. Pete is well respected on both sides of the aisle and received the sactive support of many Democrats. We wish him well in his new position.
Both questions on the ballot were defeated. The first question would have granted permanent tenure to the current Town Clerk. The second was a $450,000 override to provide additional school staffing, one new police officer, and one new firefighter/EMT.
Many thanks go out to all those who stood in the rain supporting our candidates, and to Shirley Cooney who hosted the annual election night celebration and warm home cooking throughout the day.
Posted in Town Government Info |
Town Committee
May 9th, 2006
Mitch Cohen, along with Republican Michael Hughes, have won election to the Douglas Board of Selectmen.
More details once the Committee dries off from the rain and catches up on sleep!
Posted in Town Government Info |
Town Committee
May 5th, 2006
In its May 3, 2006 issue, the Blackstone Valley Tribune formally endorsed Mitchell Cohen for Douglas Board of Selectmen. The Tribune is the only publication that endorses candidates for local office. The surprise was not Mr. Cohen’s endorsement. Making waves around town is that the paper chose not to endorse either of the other two candidates for the other open position on the Board.
“On May 9, we encourage Douglas residents to cast a vote for Mitchell Cohen and elect him to a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen” the paper’s statement begins. “…We believe Cohen has the energy and perseverance to handle yet another important job - serving as a member of the town’s highest board, one that is charged with making some of the most important decisions facing an evolving community. Perhaps Cohen’s greatest asset to the Board of Selectmen would be his ability to gauge Douglas’ long-term capital needs and play for its growth.” The editor’s comments end with “He would be a most valuable addition to the board.”
To read the full editorial, please see the May 3, 2006 edition of the Blackstone Valley Tribune.
Posted in Town Government Info |
Town Committee
March 15th, 2006
Dear Neighbors,
I would like to introduce myself as a candidate for the Board of Selectmen. I have been nominated for this important position by both bipartisan nomination papers and my party. I have served on key town boards and committees for many years, gaining the experience necessary for this important position.
I believe our town’s taxes and fees can be managed best through long-term planning. As long-time Chairman of the Capital Improvement Committee I have been part of the effort to implement long-term planning of items such as trucks, roof repairs, and sidewalks. This process has proven very successful in managing the costs of those items.
We need to extend this planning model to our major expenses: salaries and insurance. Without good planning we will hear about tax increases and overrides year after year. Good planning must also include a dedication to our schools and services for our seniors.
I have owned a technology business for fourteen years, the past nine of which has been based here in Douglas. Prior to becoming involved in local government I was a very active member of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, where I served as a Committee Chair.
My wife Alysa and I are active members of the Douglas Historical Society. I also volunteer my time as the town’s web site administrator. I am a published photographer, with prints currently on display at the Wild Bird Gardens gallery in Northbridge.
Douglas is a wonderful place to live and, together, we can make it even better. If you have any questions please call me at 508-476-0125 or send an email to mitch@mitchcohen.com. I truly appreciate and look forward to your support.
Thank you,
Mitch Cohen
Posted in Town Government Info |
Town Committee
February 24th, 2006
Mark your calendars - an important Special Town Meeting has been scheduled for Monday, April 3, 2006. The main topic will be sweeping revisions to the Personnel bylaws, which have been in the works for at least two years. Kudos go out to Town Committee Treasurer Dave St. George who does a great job on the Personnel Board!
I suspect there will be additional articles as well, which the Board of Selectmen are still working on. But the Personnel bylaws are incredibly important. We’ll post more info here as it becomes available.
Posted in Town Government Info |
Town Committee
January 24th, 2006
The Douglas Democratic Town Committee will hold its caucus to elect delegates to June’s statewide convention on Saturday, February 4 at 10 am at the Municipal Center at 29 Depot Street. All registered Democrats residing in Douglas are urged to attend. The Municipal Center is handicapped accessible.
Douglas is eligible to send 4 delegates to the Convention to be convened at the DCU Center in Worcester on June 2 & 3 where the party will determine the primary candidates as well as who it will endorse for races like Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Auditor and Secretary of State among others. Young people are also urged to participate under the Rules of the Convention.
For more information, please visit www.democratsofdouglas.org or call 508-341-4876. For more information on the state races, visit www.massdems.org.
Posted in Town Government Info |
Town Committee
December 4th, 2005
Thank you for the tremendous interest in the Santa Club’s inaugural season. Santa has taken his last order for 2005. Please sign up for our newsletter to hear about other great events throughout the year.
If you did sign up, Santa will be in touch soon to confirm his visit.
Posted in Call To Action |
Town Committee
November 12th, 2005
Open Town Meetings are the purest form of Democracy, and we’re lucky to have this form of government here in Douglas. If you don’t go to Town Meetings you’re missing the ultimate opportunity - every voter is an equal. At your first town meeting you have equal say and vote as members of the Board of Selectmen. You have the right to speak your mind, ask questions, and even offer amendments to items on the agenda. Were you at the Special Town Meeting on November 7? If so, what did you think? If you didn’t go, why not? Continue reading and add your comments!
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Posted in Town Government Info | 3 Comments »
Town Committee
November 8th, 2005
There’s a new page on the web site, and we hope you’ll bookmark it and visit often. It’s called “News Headlines” (near the top of the menu on the right), and is a collection of news and commentary headlines from a variety of sources. Included are traditional news sources like CNN, Boston.com, and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette - plus commentary and Democratic-related information from Daily Kos, The Huffington Post, and the Democratic National Committee. The page always contains up-to-date information through a technical feature called “RSS.”
If you know of another site we should include, please let us know.
Posted in Town Government Info |
Town Committee
October 24th, 2005
CNN just announced the death of Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks. My wife Alysa and I toured the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama last year. The museum is at the same stop where she courageously refused to give up her seat to a white man in 1955. A few blocks away stands the church then led by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. He, Ms. Parks, and many others organized a bus strike which began the civil rights movement. Following is something I wrote while in Montgomery, reflecting on the incredible and uncomfortable history of this southern city.
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Posted in Beyond the Town |
