I am surprised there has been ZERO talk about this topic, which has now been voted on 3 times in 3 years. Every time this came to a vote --- a female member of the BOA voted against the name change (GI, MBMM, and MM) - this vote was he exception. Last night, several BOA members that previously voted against the change (JT, BB, MM) switched their stance.
The Appropriations Committee vote last night was 10-1 with Alderman Forbes being the lone NO vote. I actually thought his option to adopt the City of Woburn's government structure of a city council with individual Aldermen and his proposal of Alderwomen made sense. It was disheartening to watch that no other member of the BOA wanted to consider this scenario, since 9 members co-sponsored the order to make this change.
I know it is an election year --- and there is more pressure than ever take a stance on the issues. Surprised to see previous NO's change to a YES. I appreciate Alderman Forbes for standing his ground and offering a compromise that actually worked for people on both sides of the issue. It is never easy to be the lone vote - so I give him credit for that.
I always appreciate a lone vote because it takes courage. As you said it's an election year and nobody wants to lose votes in September.
I appreciate a lone vote, too. I have no use for someone like Frank Wright who doesn't even show up so much of the time. If he doesn't have the courage, doesn't want to do the job or won't make the commitment, he shouldn't run for office.
I was surprised by MM too. I would be interested in hearing her reasons. I know she's running for mayor but much of her base, would not want the change. I guess she thinks she may pick up some votes by showing how modern she is.
Anybody else interested in why this vote was taken in an Appropriations meeting instead of the regular BOA meeting....
Who cares? If they want to call themselves the Gaggle Of Cowardly Lackeys that would have worked too.
Yeah, yeah - I know. Words matter. But actions matter more.
I wondered that too. Why the appropriations committee. Not because I thought there is a conspiracy but to learn more about my local government process.
In another thread on here, someone is saying that alderman was confusing to people and that they might think we're a town with selectmen so the name changed not to confuse people. I think we can learn and not have things dumbed down.
ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH ALDERMAN FORBES COMMENTS! COMMENTS BEGIN AT 56:08 - A COMMON SENSE SOLUTION THAT BRINGS US INTO 2019 WHILE RESPECTING THE TRADITIONS OF OUR PAST AND HOW WE GOT HERE.... COULDNT HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER.
WELL DONE SIR!
Why have a subcommittee that has the same makeup as the full committee? Just have one vote.
Our mayor voted against this twice during her time as the ward 5 alderman. Yet the people during public comment seemed to put this aside because it didnt fit their narrative. Women have always voted against the name change in previous votes. Alderman medeiros changed her stance because shes running for mayor and thinks she needs to appeal to all of melrose instead of her base. Not impressed.
I dont always agree with alderman forbes, but i give him credit where credit is due. He has been consistent on the issue the entire time - that means something.
A foolish diversion of limited significance.
Wow...the force is strong with this one...🤣🤣🤣
Staying on topic would be nice. These threads always end with people going in a different direction and essentially killing the conversation.
Frustrating to say the least!
This entire thread is nonsense. Who gives a $hit what they call themselves?
What makes you think I wasn't? An anonymous troll who can't prove what they said....
Good heavens, if this is the most interesting thing to discuss, then we need another special vote, about anything!
Right? It's okay, though. In a couple of months they'll be in fourth grade.
TOTALLY AGREE .