Selectmen Candidate Opposes Controversial Town Meeting Date
Mike Brady says the meeting should be moved so it does not fall on the first night of the Jewish holiday Passover.
The date of the special Town Meeting has created a stir in Seekonk, with two of the five selectmen refusing to sign the warrant because it falls on the first night of the Jewish holiday Passover. The meeting will go forward on March 25, Board of Selectmen Chair Francis Cavaco told Patch, because a majority of the selectmen approved it.
Selectmen candidate Mike Brady says the meeting should be moved to March 27. He released the following statement to the media:
The selectmen have caused people to make a tough decision, namely do I attend the special town meeting or do I observe my religious beliefs. Although I do not believe that they intentionally scheduled the meeting on that date with the religious holiday in mind, once the conflict was brought to their attention they should have adjusted the meeting accordingly.
Elected officials must be mindful of all of their constituents and they must be flexible enough to acknowledge when mistakes are made, and more importantly, take the appropriate corrective action. The decision to keep the meeting on the scheduled date may cause the disenfranchisement of voters and that is unacceptable.
The selectmen should reconsider their decision and make the first item on their Wednesday, March 6 meeting agenda the fact that the special Town Meeting will be rescheduled for Wednesday, March 27 at 7 p.m. at Seekonk High School. The new warrant could be signed and then legally posted by 6:30 p.m. on March 6, thus the 21-day requirement would be met.
I commend the two selectmen who did not sign the warrant for taking a stand and doing the right thing. I have made respect and civility a central theme of my campaign and I believe it is time for our elected and appointed officials to make the responsible, respectful and moral decision to reschedule the meeting.
deb of see-attleboro
11:45 am on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Is there any reason why this meeting cannot be postponed until the June regular TM?
paul
11:47 am on Saturday, March 2, 2013
I agree with Mike Brady, but Paul Buckley still gets my vote.
Marc
12:45 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
I am appalled that they even considered having this meeting on the first night of Passover, as one of the highest holy days in the Jewish religion, shows the ignorance of those who schedule these meetings.
Wendy Wagner
12:57 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
I support changing the TM date as well. It's not right to have it on the first night of Passover. On holidays like Ash Wednesday, you can choose when to go to church services, but the first night Passover seder is a family tradition, and the time of the town meeting would clearly conflict with the time of the traditional seder. Sunset is at 7:03 on March 25, and the seder would begin after sunset.
deb of see-attleboro
1:03 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Maybe someday Town Meeting will evolve technologically and religious, family and work conflicts will no longer be an issue
deb of see-attleboro
12:59 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
You have a right to your opinion, Marc. But I think you are being unfair. Their misdeed has been pointed out and maybe they will make it right.
Marc
2:53 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
It speaks volumes about the qualifications of the many people that proof read the document, and didn't notice the date! That fact that there was more than one set of eyes just means ignorance is rampant! I am appalled!
Carol Bragg
3:31 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Marc: There are two different issues. The Special Town Meeting was scheduled for Monday, February 25. The date and location of the meeting, required by Mass General Law, were missing. On the January 23 agenda for the Board of Selectmen was an item "Consider and Approve Draft Warrant for Special Town Meeting." Although minutes are not yet available online, the Selectmen apparently approved the final warrant on that date because the warrant was signed by three of the five Selectmen on January 31, with no intervening meeting. It was signed by the constable on February 4 and posted the required 21 days in advance of the meeting. Until the final warrant is approved and signed by the Selectmen, it can be assumed to be in draft form. The Town Administrator has already said she accepts responsibility. Case closed and we move on.
When the Selectmen met on February 27, they discussed setting a new date for the Special Town Meeting. Apparently the Town Administrator pointed out that March 25 is the first night of Passover. The three Selectmen who signed the warrant on Friday either were not aware of the significance of the first night of Passover or didn't care. Dialogue on Patch and phone calls have made them aware. We're all guilty of ignorance of everything we don't know and often of things we think we know. The Selectmen have the opportunity to do the right thing and win our praise. Let's hope they do.
Joe
9:54 am on Sunday, March 3, 2013
It would appear that the 3 Selectmen that signed the warrent could care less because they have spoken. They are NOT going to change the date. One thing I must say is that the town election this year is on a very appropriate day. April 1st April fools day.
deb of see-attleboro
11:07 am on Sunday, March 3, 2013
If they do not change the date, the two selectmen who did not sign the warrant should not show up at the meeting. Furthermore, voters who believe the meeting date is inappropriate should not attend.
Carol Bragg
2:00 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
Monday night is the first night of Passover. Tuesday night is the second night of Passover. Thursday is Holy Thursday. Friday is Good Friday. Wouldn't common sense make Wednesday the logical choice for the meeting?
deb of see-attleboro
2:41 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
Isn't Wednesday the 3rd night of Passover?
Carol: I do not want to be disrespectful to anyone. But maybe the BOS should just do it on the Monday or postpone until June.
If they leave it for 3/25, maybe those who are PO'd about the controversy will show up and vote a resounding NO on Banna and the School security.
Jonathan Friedman
2:51 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
There is no special dinner or seder on the third night of Passover. Other than continuing not to eat unleavened bread, there is not much to Passover after the second night.
deb of see-attleboro
3:13 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
For the sake of the argument, can't you make an exception, Jonathan?
Please?:)
Carol Bragg
3:51 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
deb of see-attleboro: Wednesday is the third night of Passover, but does not conflict with family Seders held on the first and second nights of Passover. I just looked at Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jewish websites regarding the celebration of Passover. In Israel, Passover is seven days; in the U.S. an eighth day has been added. In the Torah, only the first and seventh days are full holidays and the commandments regarding the Seder are observed on the first night. Americans also have Seders the second night. Monday and Tuesday are the big problems, with Monday being the worst.