Reference image selected by The Shrewsbury Post | (L to R) State Rep. Matt Beaton, Hannah Kane, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Shrewsbury Selectmen Chair Jim Kane / Photo courtesy of hannahkane4rep.comAnyone in Massachusetts that hadn’t heard of Shrewsbury a few months ago, certainly knows who and where we are now.
Karyn Polito has had an amazing impact in her short time as Charlie Baker’s Lieutenant Governor. She has been a visible and active part of the Governor’s office through snow emergencies, statewide business initiatives, community outreach… and more snow.
Beyond Karyn, our former State Representative, Matt Beaton, has taken a prominent role in many of the storm press conferences as the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, answering press questions about Pilgrim Nuclear and their ability to service customers and operate safely. Then Charlie Baker named John I. Lebeaux, former owner of the now-closed Shrewsbury Nurseries, as his Agriculture Commissioner.
It is nice to see Beaton and Polito behind the podium at press conferences, and it is convenient that they almost always now mention how many inches of snow Shrewsbury has gotten so far. Longer term, however, everyone except Shrewsbury residents will quickly forget exactly where they hail from.
A better example of the standards of conduct upheld by politically-active Shrewsbury residents is the race to fill Beaton’s now vacant seat in the 11th Worcester District of the State Legislature. Two articles have been run in the Boston Globe in the last couple of weeks covering or mentioning the race. Both articles treat the candidates fairly and call attention to their ability to oppose each other without losing their sense of propriety.
A February 13th article, All Roads to Baker Administration Lead Through Shrewsbury, includes feedback from town voters. “Kane and Palitsch, who worked together on a campaign for a tax override last year, are cordial, several Shrewsbury residents noted.”
Then on February 27th, Candidates Face off in 11th Worcester State Representative Race provided statewide readers with a fair assessment of the strengths of both Shrewsbury candidates, including quotes from town leaders and regular voters alike. The residents of Shrewsbury and Westborough, who will make the final decision on March 31st, seem to be following the respectful example set by the candidates vying to represent them. No one quoted had anything bad to say about either candidate, only the advantage they felt their own preference offered.
By doing so, Shrewsbury has set an example that the rest of the state – and even the nation – would be wise to take note of. Candidates can differ and compete enthusiastically without getting personal or losing their cool. Both Kane and Palitch seem to realize the importance of the democratic process, win or lose.
Shrewsbury can be proud of the political profile we have created for ourselves through our words and deeds.
Author: Kelly Barner
17 Main Circle
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
508-845-9190
[email protected]
Notes:
Stephanie Ebbert, “All Roads to Baker Administration Lead Through Shrewsbury,” Boston Globe, February 13, 2015, http://www.bostonglobe.com/
Jeremy C. Fox, “Candidates Face Off in 11th Worcester State Representative Race,” Boston Globe, February 27, 2015, https://www.bostonglobe.com/
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