Troy Clarkson's Falmouth

A foray into the appellate process in Superior Court is, by its very nature, an adversarial proposition. When people look to the judicial branch to seek relief, it is often characterized as “seeking clarification,” or “ironing out some wrinkles” related to a particular issue. The politicians and pundits can spin it any way they want. It’s a lawsuit, and when the town sues itself, it is rarely a good use of the peoples’ money.

Caroline was wondering what life would throw at her next. Newly sober and ending her treatment program, she was committed to a life free of the gripping and powerful chains of addiction, but had no home, no job, and no direction. “I didn’t want a hand out, but a hand up,” said this vibrant and able woman as we chatted last week. Just when the gift of desperation that led her to her first days of sobriety was shifting into the curse of despondency and defeat, something happened that changed her outlook – and her young life.

So what now?
With the results of Falmouth's recent elections a muddled array of mandates and disapprovals, the challenge remains to move forward in the interest of progress and get to work.
But what now?
A review and analysis of the detailed ballot results reveals an ongoing deep divide in the local electorate clearly defined by geography. 

One of Neil Diamond’s greatest, but not-too-well known songs,  was the wonderful example of musical poetry, “Done too Soon.”  In the song, one of the entertainment world’s all-time great performers lists several  iconic figures in history, from Jesus Christ to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, from gifted wordsmiths H.G. Wells to Edgar Allen Poe, and laments their early passing. 
He notes that,
“And each one there
Has one thing shared:
They have sweated beneath the same sun,

I’ve often said that it takes a name to make a town, but it takes people to make a community.  Falmouth – with its bright and varied mosaic of a populace, is indeed a community.  I’ve been to many towns, but not every one of them is a community.  From our proud and storied heritage, to our varied ethnic influences, to the scientific hub within our midst, to our active and thriving business community, to our bountiful and diverse cultural opportunities, Falmouth is truly a community like no other. 

Hug your kid. If you don’t have kids, hug your neighbor’s kids. Hug your neighbor.

The events in Boston this week – the actions of a faceless terrorist who acted at the same time cowardly and brazenly, shook a city, stunned a Commonwealth, and jolted a nation. But clearly, these actions did not have their desired effect. Terrorism and acts of terror are designed to instill fear and to change the way people behave – to alter the lives and habits of the targets of terrorism. Note to the Boston Marathon bomber – you failed.