I agree that there must be some guidelines that must be followed but not everyone can voice their thoughts in 5 minutes.There is obviously alot of disagreement about the process maybe there should be another town meeting to discuss this .i sense there are quite a few disgruntled residents amd if changes are not made .changes will have to be made.The go along to get along mentality has got to stop.Ther are many non life long residents and life long residents who are just not happy.In the future come elections times this will show to be true.

OK I gotta hurry up and say this...I only got five minutes and two men are coming for me. One has a white coat and one has a badge. Here goes...."Dear Father and Mother: July is the month I remember which brings not only your wedding anniversary but also Father's Day and Mother's birthday. I'm sorry I can't remember the exact dates, but I hope this card will take care of them all. I'm sorry again I cannot send you my address like I promised to last year. But the sensitive nature of my work for the government demands utmost secrecy. I know you will understand. I am healthy and well and making lots of money. I have been going with a girl for several months and I know you would be proud if you could see her. Her name is Betsy but I can tell you no more than that...I hope this card finds you all well as it does me. I hope no one has died. Don't worry about me. One day, they'll be a knock on the door and it'll be me. Love Travis."

maybe some of the selectman can also have a 5 minute window...sometimes they are long winded themselves.

I too agree .

Before I was elected to the Board of Selectmen, there was no forum for Public Comments. I remember attending many of these meetings and not being able to voice my opinions to my elected officials about items invloving the town in which I pay taxes. Mr McCoy states that under his leasership as chairman, he initiated Public Comments. I will state that for many years as s selectman in this town, to the best of my knowledge, Mr McCoy never brought up allowing Public Comments. It was only after former Selectman Sullivan asking at a Selectman's meeting that Public Comments be added to the agenda, did Mr McCoy agree.to add this to the agenda. I will say that people need to be civil on both ends of the conversation and focus on topic and stay on topic. The public needs a forum to give input to the decision making and noticiation of issues that the selectmen may not be aware of but need to have a civil discussion. I do not believe there should be a five minute ruling on each speaker as the topic may warrant more time - but let the chairman moderate the discussion and bring closure to the topic also in a civil way.

Frank you were a selectman. You have attended town meeting. You are familiar with the madness that is Kevin MacDonald. Tell me, how would YOU handle his personal attacks, mindless rants and offensive statements and accusations week after week after week? I know of folks, some of them seniors, who are afraid to go to public town forums and let their voices be heard because they are actually afraid of him. Is that fair???

"The days go on and on... they don't end. All my life needed was a sense of someplace to go. I don't believe that one should devote his life to morbid self-attention, I believe that one should become a person like other people."

Please read the 2 page letter from Mr. O'Reilly that I just posted as photos on this page.

Daniel- I am not "frighteningly out of touch". You yourself mentioned several people that you think are part of Mr MacDonald's following. Question, you state that you were at the Town Meeting I mentioned - did you speak out against Mr MacDonald? Have you publicly spoken out against Mr MacDonald at any public forum as you say you have been to many? Do you think that this BOS should limit all residents availability to address town concerns to five minutes and have to be told that they had to stand only in a certain spot because of the actions of one individual? I told you what I have done and what I would do - now your turn - what would you do?

Daniel- so your solution is to never personally speak out against people such as Mr MacDonald even though he has at least one time because of him your " little daughter became frightened" (your quote). You would then as a member of the Board of Selectmen "handle this particular situation by stationing the biggest uniformed police officer on the force at every meeting MacDonald is present" (again your quote). This is what you would do as a member of the BOS. Do you see any other solutions? Do you think by paying for a police detail for public meetings, this is a good use of tax dollars? Would you talk to someone such as Mr MacDonald off camera and try to have a civil discussion one on one? You still didn't answer my question, "Do you think that this BOS should limit all residents availability to address town concerns to five minutes and have to be told that they had to stand only in a certain spot because of the actions of one individual?" (my quote) Although a simple yes/no would suffice, I's like to know yes/no and why.

The selectmen are there to serve the community.They are there to listen to our concerns no matter how big or small.One person's opinion may not meen much much to the group but it does to that person I think this is what is missing from this whole debate.

The selectmen should not punish the whole town because of one person's inability to control himself .

First off, while MacDonald in my opinion almost always goes too far, he does actually bring up good points from time to time, and points that many others who are lions on the internet, but sheep at public meetings are afraid to bring up.

He is both an able advocate for the views of several in town, and his own biggest enemy. If he brought up many of his topics, and then sat down before he lost his temper, he would be better received in my opinion.

Regardless of the man in particular, the government, and the value of having the freedom of expression is far more valuable than the occasional breach of manners. I know that as a veteran, it is one of the fundamental rights I fought for.

Thank you all for taking an interest in this topic, but I do feel that I need to step in and just remind everyone that while at Patch we encourage to voice their opinion, we also require civility and do not allow personal attacks on individuals. It is absolutely OK for you to disagree with another reader, or another resident in town. However, please be respectful to one another. That being said, thank you for reading and actively participating!

Hey Jousting Chickern (aka Mrs C) - your comments in this thread about 4 billion stars, chickens crossing the road and wise men sound exactly like the nonsense you want to prevent Mr MacDonald from making at public forums. Here's the deal, Halloween is over and it's time to unmask or stay a chicken. How about you and I debate any of the above topics on this thread live on WCTV, You can wear your chicken suit if you want, I'll be in jeans. I'll make the arrangements through WCTV for a live show - before Thanksgiving - maybe Daniel can come too! Matt from Patch - interested in moderating (and bringing proof of Mrs C's identity)? Let's end the nonsense on this once and for all - are you game or forever chickem??

Frank,

I must say, that is a very adult and mature way to resolve this impasse. I would be very surprised if you received a positive response, as internet tigers are much easier to be then honest and upright citizens. From a nom de plume, a body can say anything, and not be held accountable. This appeals to some among us.

I for one would like to see that.

Hey Jousting Chicken (I like that name, it fits well) For someone who says "having a debate with you would be as boring as watching the paint dry at Gillette Stadium while watching the grass grow at the same time. Cluck Cluck" (your quote) you seem to be doing a pretty good job right now while hiding behind a computer. Why are you so afraid to talk to someone face to face. It has nothing to do with being a man, woman or child. It just takes the nerve to stand up and be counted. I think Matt would be the perfect moderator. Funny thing is this all started over someones right to free speech, no matter who that is, the topic remains the same. This country is supposed to be about freedoms, freedoms that men and women have fought and died over. Take advantage and DEBATE LIVE AND UNMASKED WITHOUT A KEYBOARD BUT INSTEAD A MICROPHONE AND A CAMERA!

Unfortunately ,I believe you are wasting your time.

And round and round we go what's next knock knock jokes?

Poll Question of the Day - who would like to see Jousting Clucking Chicken and Frank West at a live debate on WCTV over the next two weeks? Topics to be held within her posts on this thread. You want to talk about my time as selecteman - fair game, you want to talk about public comments - again fair game. Let's settle this like intelligent, rationale people live, on camera and stop your nonsensical posts once and for all. I have no problem defending my record and my opinions in a rationale format on camera - you obviously do. Let's set a date over the weekend and make it happen. I look forward to a debate with you instead of your mask!

Mr.West don't hold your breath.What braveheart doesn't seem to understand is that people are passionate about this topic and he is insulting or poking fun at the subject .Stand behind your comments it's a simple request

Poor Frank. The guy has been traumatized. He hasn't been able to stomach chicken since 2006. :)

Representing the peanut gallery party. i believe the offer was extended to you as well.

What am I going to debate? Whether I like my chicken fried or cordon blue? LOL Ok Shawn...let's go. You and me. Ill start. I think Col. Sanders was a war criminal in his relentless slaughter of innocent chickens. Guilty of poultrycide. What say you?

Now that 's a subject the chicken could go off on.

And make sense on i might add.

LOL I think he lost many family members in the Great Fowl Massacre of 1970-1985

I guess the respect of others opinions died with them as well.

But Shawn all hope for our fine feathered friends is not lost! I see Daffy Duck performing during public comments at every selectman's meeting!!

To whom would you be refering?

You guys are having a battle of wits with unarmed poultry. They have no integrity, or they would not be doing what they are doing.

Another former selectman was right. It is a waste of time to engage with these types. Even they admit it is silly to debate with crazy people, it only makes us have to lower ourselves to even enter the debate.

Well I am thinking of one person in particular but he seems to have attracted birds of a feather. :)

I agree Karl.

Au contraire Mr. Sagal...I have watched your meteoric ascent to the highest pinnacles of respect and admiration in our town. I am humbled that you deign to even address me, and I am forever grateful that you take even the slightest moment to insult me. For by merely addressing your attention to such a pedestrian as myself, I feel blessed. You are truly too good for the likes of us common people.

Yet again, sage counsel from Selectman Sullivan proves correct, and my tack inappropriate. Apologies to the readers.

I'm not afraid of you little man, and I've never posted such a statement.

And the word is tact, Rhodes Scholar.

Look it up,

tack
a course of action or method of approach intended to achieve something, especially one adopted after another has failed.

Tact. Well, I guess we all know you are unfamiliar with the definition of this word as well.

Has Michael Jackson's doctor administered a sleeping agent to our selectmen and manager?