To the editor:
I believe it was Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, the late U.S. Representative from Cambridge and Speaker of the House, who observed that “All politics is local.” In Lee, as in many towns in the Berkshires, this includes our local election for one of the three seats on the selectboard. However, unlike many other towns, Lee is the designated site for a new toxic PCB dump, courtesy of General Electric and against the expressed directions of the townspeople and their elected representatives. And as we know, elections, votes, and words have consequences.
Another wise and successful person once observed that “It ain’t over till it’s over.” In Lee, while just about everybody agrees that we don’t want a toxic dump, one candidate for selectboard seems resigned to live with it. Bob Jones, the other candidate and standard-bearer of the Democratic Town Caucus, is not one to just go with the flow, but rather is determined to fight for the cleanup of the Housatonic River without establishing a new toxic dump in Berkshire County.
Be assured that Bob is not just a political opportunist or one-trick pony. Bob has deep roots and multiple municipal experiences in the area, as well as proven entrepreneurial, managerial, and interpersonal skills that will be invaluable to those who expect and appreciate open, inclusive, responsive, and effective government. Bob encourages and values input and respects the collective wisdom of the voters. In short, (whether you’re a Dave Roberts or Yogi Berra fan), Bob Jones is the person to help Lee move forward and not be sold down the river in the process. Please vote for Bob Jones on Monday, May 17!
Respectfully,
Neil Clarke
Lee
