Letter To The Editor: Sherborn Selectmen, Resident Tom Twining Endorses DeRensis

First of all, and so there will be no misunderstanding, I’d like to say that I am writing this letter as a citizen and a supporter of Paul DeRensis. Secondly, as both of those things I’d like to present some facts and then state my opinion about them. Finally, and because I think this is an important election, I hope that you will bear with me and consider carefully what I have to say – I have, and I have no doubts.

To begin with I’d like to say that Paul’s qualifications are beyond question and if compared to his opponent leave little doubt concerning who is the better or more experienced candidate – especially given the nature of the issues we face as a municipality. Moreover, during this campaign, Paul has presented his record and future plans for Sherborn in detail while his opponent has presented very little of substance.  This election is not only about the future of the Town as a whole, it is about the future of the investment that you, the taxpayers, have made in Sherborn.

Furthermore, the opposition's assertion that this Board of Selectmen, under Paul’s leadership, is inefficient, discordant or in conflict is absurd on its face. You have only to look at the Board’s unanimous voting record, and what it has accomplished with that unanimity, to see the truth of the matter. It would be a naïve error to mistake debate, even heated debate, for disharmony or dysfunction. I hope that you, the voter, will see through the political hassle the opposition is trying to stir up. Furthermore, even in a difficult season this Board, under Paul’s leadership, brought Sherborn a Town Meeting that not only went smoothly but was done in record time. That’s hard to do and it was done well - even without a Town Administrator.

Another assertion that the opposition has made is that under Paul’s leadership this Board of Selectmen is acting irresponsibly by not appointing one of several well meaning citizens as an interim Town Administrator. Nothing could be farther from the truth, and in fact, I am having a hard time understanding why the opposition cannot seem to grasp Paul’s decision to conduct the search for a new Administrator according to a well established set of rules and procedures, freely, fairly, and openly as part of a public process.  Furthermore this opportunity to better understand the role of the Town Administrator, given the very public troubles we had with the last one, should not be overlooked.

As a taxpayer I am unwilling to rest my investment on a change in leadership to an administration that doesn’t value or understand the fundamental principles of fairness and ethics involved in seeking the broadest possible mandate of the people. The job of the Board of Selectmen is to assure that all of its Citizens are represented, not to exercise its power for the benefit of a few, no matter how popular or vocal they may be. I cannot believe that the Town as a whole would willingly support a return to such a heavy-handed model of government that virtually assures that some will inevitably be left behind. Paul DeRensis is an opportunity to correct that legacy and to set a new direction for Sherborn, a direction characterized by fairness, vision and an unshakable commitment to the good of the whole Town.

I urge you to vote for Paul in the upcoming election May 10. I will.

Sincerely,

Tom Twining

60 Brush Hill Road