An Education, an Experience and an Opportunity

The recent primary election was an opportunity for me to put myself out there and offer my service to the communities of Easton and Brockton. It was my way of stressing my lifetime of "commitment to community" that I have lived since I was a high school student back to 1975. The residents of Easton spoke loud and clear of their intent to have someone from Easton, not Brockton serve their community.

I accept your decision but know in my heart that despite the geography of my living in Brockton I would have served both communities proudly. At any rate I am wiser from the experience. It was continuing education in the political process and the power of money and a strong political organization that pushed one candidate over the others. There are many opportunities to serve and I will continue to do so on the Southeastern Regional Vocational School Committee and as a Library Trustee in Brockton.

President Theodore Roosevelt said it best, "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

I gave it my best effort. I thank my wife Teri, my small but proud group of volunteers, my friends and my family for allowing me the opportunity to pursue my dream to help others. It was a pleasure to get to know Easton better and to lose about 15 pounds. The long walks down the long streets and driveways was good exercise. The great discussions with many really nice people in Easton I will miss. Good luck to both candidates in November. It is nice to re-gain my personal life and get back to my two jobs and my family. I am better because of it and I hope to see many of you in the future. I thank you for what I have learned and the experience of a lifetime.