A stool, a fool, and a tool
One of the most entertaining things gleaned from last summer's batch of FOA email was the touching, starry-eyed admiration our town council and Prata have for one another. Directly below is a note that our favorite hard-hitting journalist sent to her fab councilors at the beginning of the Pennell firestorm. I'm sure all working reporters express such sentiments to the people they're supposed to be covering. Foster/Upham responses follow. I just love Andy's self-description at the very end.
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From: The Monument Newspaper
To: Skip Crane ; Denise Duda ; Gary Foster ; Andy Upham
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 6:09 PM
Subject: a supportive statement
Hello Council,
Congratulations on your first week of public life. It has been a busy one, I am sure, and one not without pressure.
It is a shame that the Pennell issue has already dominated the Council landscape, and so quickly. I wanted to mention, though, that the demarcation between old Council and new is very wide when it comes to Pennell.
The sad fact is that of Pam Wilkinson's 3 years of Chairmanship on the Gray Town Council, the Pennell issue dominated all Ms. Wilkinson had the opportunity to settle it two years ago but chose to litigate against the SAD. It could have been settled last year, but the MOU failed. This mess sits squarely on the ex-Chair's shoulders.
You did not create the Pennell mess, but I trust that you will do the very best that you can for the citizens to resolve it. You were, after all, decisively elected by a majority of the Inhabitants of the People of Gray.
Respectfully,
Elizabeth
From: Gary Foster
To: The Monument Newspaper ; Skip Crane ; Denise Duda ; Andy Upham
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 7:25 PM
Subject: Re: thank you
Dear Elizabeth,
Indeed, it has been a very hectic week, but I try to fulfill my commitments as best I can.
I am ever aware of the fact that we represent all citizens of Gray, and will treat all requests equally, including our local newspapers and others. Feel free at any time to ask for information or request documents, as that is part of our obligation to our community.
Best Regards,
Gary
Subj: Re: a supportive statement
Date: 6/29/2005 8:14:02 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: AJUPHAM
To: monumentnewspaper@yahoo.com, scrane@maine.rr.com, gpduda1@netscape.net, gfoster@securespeed.net
Elizabeth,
Thank you for the kind words. There is credence in the expression "trial by fire". The same thermal energy that could destroy a living forest can be harnessed to mold iron ore into bridge frames and temper steel into a fine tool. My strong preference is to build upon the core values of the wonderful People of Gray. I am their tool.
Andy
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Oy! I'm never, ever going to use a metaphor again.
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From: The Monument Newspaper
To: Skip Crane ; Denise Duda ; Gary Foster ; Andy Upham
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 6:09 PM
Subject: a supportive statement
Hello Council,
Congratulations on your first week of public life. It has been a busy one, I am sure, and one not without pressure.
It is a shame that the Pennell issue has already dominated the Council landscape, and so quickly. I wanted to mention, though, that the demarcation between old Council and new is very wide when it comes to Pennell.
The sad fact is that of Pam Wilkinson's 3 years of Chairmanship on the Gray Town Council, the Pennell issue dominated all Ms. Wilkinson had the opportunity to settle it two years ago but chose to litigate against the SAD. It could have been settled last year, but the MOU failed. This mess sits squarely on the ex-Chair's shoulders.
You did not create the Pennell mess, but I trust that you will do the very best that you can for the citizens to resolve it. You were, after all, decisively elected by a majority of the Inhabitants of the People of Gray.
Respectfully,
Elizabeth
From: Gary Foster
To: The Monument Newspaper ; Skip Crane ; Denise Duda ; Andy Upham
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 7:25 PM
Subject: Re: thank you
Dear Elizabeth,
Indeed, it has been a very hectic week, but I try to fulfill my commitments as best I can.
I am ever aware of the fact that we represent all citizens of Gray, and will treat all requests equally, including our local newspapers and others. Feel free at any time to ask for information or request documents, as that is part of our obligation to our community.
Best Regards,
Gary
Subj: Re: a supportive statement
Date: 6/29/2005 8:14:02 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: AJUPHAM
To: monumentnewspaper@yahoo.com, scrane@maine.rr.com, gpduda1@netscape.net, gfoster@securespeed.net
Elizabeth,
Thank you for the kind words. There is credence in the expression "trial by fire". The same thermal energy that could destroy a living forest can be harnessed to mold iron ore into bridge frames and temper steel into a fine tool. My strong preference is to build upon the core values of the wonderful People of Gray. I am their tool.
Andy
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Oy! I'm never, ever going to use a metaphor again.
posted 12/29/2005 LINK
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