Bennett's Blog

"Journalists vs.Journalists" on Yesterday's Island

The Crisis in Nantucket's Government Part II-
"Journalists vs.Journalists"

It's always classic when old media (newspapers) clash with new media (the Internet). It's like two heavyweights fighting for the title of who controls the medium of information which flows to you and me: the public.

In a previous story written here, the Nantucket Town Government's Finance Committee had been attacked and threatened by a new Selectman because they had a different opinion.

Nantucket's local, weekly newspaper, The Inquirer and Mirror, responded by publishing a story and an editorial recounting how this event took place. Feeling great emotion, local Nantucket Internet journalist Grant Sanders (above right) spoke out on his internet chatroom, yackon.com, against the Inky's editorial board.

Believing in objectivity, I wanted to allow all sides an oportunity to tell their story. What you are about to read is Mr. Sanders statement of disagreement with how the The Inquirer and Mirror editorial board treated his friend, who happened to be the Selectman who had been criticized for making the threats to members of the finance committee, with biased treatment.

But, before you continue reading, ask yourself this question, "do I allow old media (newspapers) to shape my ideas or do I use new media (the internet)? "  Or in this case, whose side are you on?

Some of what Mr. Sanders said is more shocking than some of the facts that most Nantucketers and Cape Codders already know, and no, his statements were not in reference to public criticism that Marianne Stanton publisher of the newspaper (on right) sensationalizes, ignores many of Nantucket's real stories, and once was involved in a plagerism scandal. Instead, Sanders said the following:

To read the Inky's original article go here and the Inky Mirror here.
The complete text of Grant Saunder's deleted Blog Post is below;

^{According to yackon.com host Grant Sanders:
"I was off-island when this whole Kopko/Soverino/Mulcahy/Ulmer thing happened and I have a feeling, had I been on island, I might have been a first-hand witness to the discussion. Damn.}

^{If I had been in Mr. Kopko's shoes, I would have looked Tim Soverino right in the eye and said, "You're damn right I won't vote to appoint you. I thought it was a mistake for Mike Glowacki to push for your appointment only a couple of weeks after the voters overwhelmingly stated that they did not want you as Selectman any more. Your brand of politics is exactly what we need to eliminate from town government on this island and if there was ever a poster boy for not allowing town employees to be selectmen, or for having as many appointed boards as possible, it's you!"}

^{I loved the letter to the editor in last week's I&M. Oh, it was not at all orchestrated. Noooo. Not in any way planned or worked out with the paper. What a stroke of luck that the paper decided to put that letter first. Think they thought it was important? Think Tim laid it on thick for them? It makes me laugh.}

^{The other thing that really tickled me is that the editorial staff (Marianne Stanton and Josh Balling) of the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror is still looking at the world through heavily filtered lenses, or is still "smoking crack by the handfuls." Their editorial last week shows off the kind of unbalanced, mis-directed partisan blather we've all come to expect from them. I'm not sure who wrote the editorial, Marianne Stanton or Josh Balling, but whoever it is, they seem to have forgotten the dozens of Soverino misdeeds that has gained him a reputation for being the dirtiest player of the group. To take anything he says at face value is pretty darned silly. And to make this their lead story is just a dereliction of their duty to the public.}

^{Best of all, this was all on one page in the I&M. One single page. The page was so full of poo, I had to clip my nose while reading it, and I was forced to wash my hands twice when I was done. Please a folk, this squall is an attempt by the forces of evil to get one up on the forces of good..."}

^{**This statement was published on the internet by Grant Sanders this past March 2007.}

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Bennett looks to help rebuild Mass GOP in 07'

April 1, 2007

Life of the party drives Bennett

By KAREN JEFFREY  - STAFF WRITER

Doug Bennett made a name for himself by spending nearly a year standing at Cape Cod rotaries with a blue and white sign that read, ''Bennett for Senate."

A simple catch phrase for the Nantucket resident's first foray into state politics.

The Nantucket selectman lost the primary to fellow Republican Ricardo Barros of Centerville, but gained ''a lot of experience to put to good use," says Bennett, 31, now long past any disappointment over the loss at the polls.

These days, Bennett, who has opted not to run for re-election as a Nantucket selectman and county commissioner, can be found several miles off Cape putting those senate campaign lessons to use.

''I can't say I was glad to lose, but it created other opportunities for me. I decided after losing the primary to spend the next year of my life party-building for the Republicans," Bennett said this week.

Bennett was recently named campaign director for Doug Obey, one of two Republicans vying to become the party's candidate in a special election in the 11th Norfolk District. The state representative seat was held by Robert Coughlin until January, when Gov. Deval Patrick appointed the Dedham Democrat to serve in the state Office of Economic Development.

Obey, a Westwood resident, is running against William McKinney of Dedham, in the April 17 primary contest. The winner of that race will go up against the winner of the May 15 Democratic primary.

Before joining the Obey campaign, Bennett began volunteering on weekends at the Republican state headquarters in Boston: making telephone calls to registered Republicans urging active participation in the party and support for candidates in future races.

''We need to rebuild a farm team for the party, and you do that by getting involved in the local level," Bennett said. ''You have to have organizations in place with people you can rely on, particularly at the local level. The better organized we are, the better candidates we can produce and the more races we'll win.

''The biggest lesson I learned from that race (against Barros) was the importance of targeting your audience, or focusing on the people who will vote.

''I took sort of a shotgun approach in my primary campaign. I figured that name recognition was most important," he said. ''The trick is not a shotgun approach but a laser approach: focus on those people who are Republicans and get them to vote, preferably for your candidate."

Aside from persuading Republicans to run for local offices, state party officials are also looking for diversity in age and opinion on issues.

''People in this state are hungry for something more than a one-party controlled Legislature," Bennett said. ''It just isn't healthy, never mind democratic, for there to be one party exerting such control."

Karen Jeffrey can be reached at kjeffrey@capecodonline.com.

(Published: April 1, 2007)

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Bennett's Farewell Address

Some thoughts as I leave public office tomorrow April 4, 2007: 

• Housing: Housing was a top priority for me when I was elected and it has gotten even more important as I leave office today. It should be the top priority for the next Board of Selectmen. We, as a community, must come together and devise ways to produce housing for our residents. We must end the meetings, forums and arguing and get to work. Here are some ideas:
  

-The Housing Bank legislation should receive island-wide support. The housing issue needs resources-just as the issue of open space did in the 80's. The Land Bank was created to help other organizations protect island land and today about 60% of the land area of Nantucket is protected. We need to produce 200 housing units to achieve the 10% State required goal for low and moderate- income families-at least 30 units per year. The Housing Bank will provide resources to housing in the same way the Land Bank provides resources to open space.  

-The construction of multi-family apartments must be encouraged. Where? On Town-owned land at Fairgrounds Road and the Housing Authority property on Surfside Road. Smaller units are needed for single households, newlyweds and those downsizing. 

-Allowances for accessory apartments should be expanded on existing properties. Smaller efficiency units would provide needed housing with minimal impacts. Second dwellings must continue to be allowed. 

• Transportation: Nantucket's road system must receive more investment. Our budget of $200,000 per year is inadequate. The incoming Selectmen must address this issue, increasing the budget and seeing that existing through-roads like the Boulevarde and Monohansett become public ways. Dowtown traffic and parking must be improved. I support the upcoming traffic study and support the construction of a well-designed, historically appropriate parking facility as part of a downtown transportation center on the former electric company property.
  

• Alternative Energy: Nantucket is located in an area that has the most favorable wind conditions in the entire country. The harnessing of this resource should be overseen by and benefit the area in which it is located. We have an opportunity to explore the area known as "south of Tuckernuck" following a model set by another Massachusetts community, the Town of Hull, which could make Nantucket an exporter of electrical power. I urge the further examination of not only wind energy, but tidal and current energy in the general area of south of Tuckernuck.
  

• Expedite Important Community Projects: Several projects that represent tremendous new investment by private individuals or are long-term public projects remain stalled, in limbo or otherwise frustrated by some public officials. It is time for these to move forward. The Great Harbor Yacht Club, The Dreamland Theatre, Point Breeze Hotel, Stop and Shop Expansion, Community Safety Building are all important examples. Everyone needs to come together and finish these projects for the benefit of our Island. We'll be a better place to live in with these projects constructed and controversy behind us.
  

• Inclusion for all Citizens: Nantucket has many positive attributes, sometimes forgotten by those who bitterly complain about change. Nantucket has much to be proud of, protecting more open land, preserving community-wide historic character,  building miles of bike paths, keeping taxes low, seeing property values soar and employing all those who wish to work than most any other Massachusetts communities. We should focus our energy on the positive, welcoming new residents of different ethnic backgrounds, encouraging young people to be involved in political life and sharing the wealth of our island community. My campaign energized many to become involved and now the challenge is to step forward and be part of the community. My words to the people of Nantucket- Do not leave the duties of community to others.
  

It has been my honor and pleasure to be your public servant. I wish my fellow board members all the best. Please work with your new members in a spirit of openness and collaboration. I'll always be available to you or the incoming board members to share my advice or experiences.

The following is a list of  some of the accomplishments achieved while serving as both your Selectman and County Commissioner:

1. Chairman of the Nantucket and Dukes County Commissioners Summit (October 27, 2004)

2. Created an Energy Committee (2004 Nantucket Town Meeting Article 74).    

3. Negotiated and secured through an Oral Agreement with Massachusetts 10th District United States Congressman William Delahunt an additional 20-year lease of Nantucket's Brant Point Boat House in July 2004 on the Nantucket Lightship.

4. Managed and developed a compromise that balanced Nantucket's 2006 $60 million dollar budget.

5. Crafted a $35.5 million dollar plan (construction commenced six weeks ago) to help upgrade and expand Nantucket's Surfside Wastewater Treatment Facility (April 2005 Special Town Meeting Article 3). 

6. Fought to save 22 teachers' jobs (April 2005).

7. Helped pass a Non-Binding Resolution to study Fertilizer and Pesticide Usage in Nantucket County. (2005 Nantucket Town Meeting Article 54). 

8. Supported Major Change and Reform within Nantucket's Town Government to a Town Manager Form (change will take place officially in April 2008).  

9. Supported a solution to increase Affordable Housing in Nantucket County.

10. Put forward to the public a Capital Programs Compromise (Fall 2004).

11. Proposed Wind Farm in alternative energy site south of Muskeget Shoals. (January 2007).

12. Called for a Special Election to fill empty Selectman Seat (August 2006). 

13. Urged the Adoption of the U.S. Conference of Mayor's Climate Control Agreement (February 2007).

14. Brokered Peace within the Planning Board by issuing a public statement asking those Board Members to forgive each other and move-on with government business.  (January 2007).

15. Supported Several Major Changes to Island's Road Infrastructure to improve Island Traffic Circulation and the fixing of the Boulevard.

16. Helped lift the prohibition of the sale of alcohol on Sundays on Nantucket. (April 7, 2004).

17. Responsible for bringing Boston Red Sox World Series Trophy to Nantucket (June 2005). 

Your Public Servant, 

Doug Bennett

Nantucket Selectman and County Commissioner

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Crisis in Nantucket's Town Government

The following letter was sent to my fellow Selectmen and me by three of Nantucket's Finance Committee Members:

To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,

We are writing to bring your attention to an incident that occurred following the adjournment of the Finance Committee meeting on March 8, 2007.  Vice Chairman Michael Kopko (on right in photo from the Nantucket Independent) approached and engaged memebrs, Mr. Rick Ulmer, Mr. Matt Mulcahy, and Mr. Tim Sovertino in a discussion on various votes the committee had taken during the meeting.

Mr. Kopko expressed his disappointment in the way, we as members of the Finance Committee voted with respect to some of the Government Study warrent articles.  We as individuals, made an attempt to explain our positions hoping he would understand that these were very difficult decisions and people could disagree.  However, it became apparent that our explanations did not appease Mr. Kopko.  In fact, Mr. Kopko intimated that we would not receive his support when it came time for our reappointments to the Finance Committee.  Mr. Soverino stated he was sorry Mr. Kopko felt that way, but he voted his conscious and would have to live without Mr. Kopko's vote.  In addition, Mr. Kopko went on to state that by not voting his position, we are part of the problem with town government or the status quo and were not open to "reform."

The Finance Committee's mandate is to make recommendations to the people of Nantucket at the annual town meeting.  The citizens of Nantucket are expecting this committee to act as an independent body with no allegiance to influence from any other body.  Our concern is that a high ranking town official should no use his/her position as a mean to sway the outcome of issue that come before this committee.  Additionally, by behaving in this manner, Mr. Kopko has erred in his own argument in support at the appointed verses elected positions for certain town committees.  Mr. Kopko's action makes it very clear how an appointment process can be controlled by a few at the expence of many and undermines the committee system as a whole.

We regret to take this action, however, in spirit of full disclosure, felt we had no other choice.  We thank you for the opportunity to serve the people of Nantucket and look forward to continued service.

Respectfully submitted,

Tim Soverino
Matt Mulcahy
Rick Ulmer
 ------------------------------------

The following is my response to the people of Nantucket supporting these three Finance Committee members:

My Fellow Nantucketers:  

I received a letter in my mailbox this morning from three Finance Committee members.  They were upset because they feel they were threatened by Selectman Kopko.  These three members took a position that was contrary of that of Mr. Kopko and made a recommendation based on what they felt was the right decision for the people of Nantucket. 

Immediately following the meeting, Selectman Kopko went up to them, told them that he did not agree with their decision and threatened them as a consequence of their decision, that he will vote against their reappointment.  While it is in our power as Selectmen to appoint Nantucketers to committees, I ask Mr. Kopko to think rationally about his actions.  While some may point to Mr. Kopko's limited government experience of less than a year on the Board as his excuse, nevertheless, Mr. Kopko should be above politics and partisianship and understand the following:  In America, people are allowed to have their own opinions even if you may not agree with them, and remember the late Mrs Grossman use to say that "It is okay to agree to disagree, but that doesn't mean you should be disagreeable."

As the letter from these Finance Committee members states: "The citizens of Nantucket are expecting this committee to act as an independent body with no allegiance to influence from any other body."  This means that the Finance Committee should be allowed to make it's town meeting recommendations without feeling threatened by the Selectmen.

Mr. Kopko knows better than to use draconian, machiavellian threats to influence the Finance Committee's recommendations.  There is no call for it.  If Mr. Kopko, does not agree with their recommendations, he knows very well that as a Board of Selectmen, we have the power to make our own recommendations.  

As our local government transitions with the addition of two new Selectmen, I hope Mr. Kopko recognizes his misjudgement and thinks with a little more open mindedness next time.  I understand that maybe Mr. Kopko has never been in a leadership position before and that maybe this is just an example of his lack of experience, but as a leader, my wisdom to you is "think before you speak next time" and remember Selectman Kopko: "You get more with Honey than you do with Vineger."

These are lessons that even I have had to learn.  

Your Public Servant, 
Doug Bennett, Nantucket Selectman and County Commissioner  

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Cape Cod Times

September 4, 2006

Political Notes
Candidates are out in force this Labor Day weekend hoping to garner enough votes in the Sept. 19 primary to earn a place on the November ballot. One of them is taking the term ''run for office'' literally.

Doug Bennett, the Nantucket selectman who hopes to be the Republican candidate for the Cape and Islands state Senate seat, will be among the estimated 100 runners in today's Dennis Festival Days 5K race, slated at 10 a.m. at Johnny Kelley Park in South Dennis. The race will proceed down Old Bass River Road and end at Carleton Hall in the village of Dennis. The race is open to all runners; the $15 entry fee can be paid at sign-up. Bennett will run in full suit and tie, his only concession to the sport being running shoes.

''I want to demonstrate to voters that I'm in marathon shape,'' said the ever-enthusiastic Bennett. ''I'm a good runner no matter what kind of race you're talking about.''

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My plan to lower YOUR home insurance

Stop the Home Insurance Rip-off 

Massachusetts Insurance Companies are ripping off the people of the Cape and Islands.” Many companies are leaving the area because of the restrictions that have been put forward by the state government, and also because of scare tactics being used by insurance companies to convince people that they can no longer provide cheap coverage because of the threat of catastrophic hurricanes.

One woman who is particularly affected by the greediness of home insurance companies is Harwich resident Loretta Wertz of 52 Kendrick Road. She is frustrated because private home insurers are leaving the voluntary market and she desires “relief.” I will be meeting with Ms. Wertz today, Tuesday, August 29 at 1PM at her residence on 52 Kendrick Road to discuss her situation and to provide a solution to Cape & Islanders’ home insurance dilemma. See the map on right.

Solution to the Cape & Islands Home Insurance Crisis

Cape Cod and the Islands face a crisis in the home insurance industry today. I believe that Insurance companies are ripping off the people. Many private home insurers like the Andover Companies dropped 14,000 policies on the Cape beginning in 2004, and Shelby/Vesta who recently dropped 1935 Nantucketers and Vineyarders are pulling out of the area because of perceived threats of catastrophic hurricanes here on the cape & Islands. This leaves many home owners scrambling to find coverage. However, the most affordable home insurance available is the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (FAIR plan). The problem with the FAIR plan, which is the Cape & Islands largest home insurer covering 43,000 households, is that these rates are skyrocketing as well. Basing their rationale on the same reasons why private insurers are leaving, FAIR plan customers have seen their home insurance double over the past two years and will see an additional hike of 25% on October 1st, 2006. This rate increase will not stop there. Basing their claims off a hurricane model created by Risk Management Solutions in Newton California, Fair Plan officials claim that this 25% increase is too little and according to an August 12th, 2006 Boston Globe Article, they claim that a 60% increase is really what is needed in order to cover Cape & island home owners. I believe their assertions to be wrong and that this is a classic example of how special interests and the insurance industry is stealing out of Cape and Islanders’ wallets.

This needs to stop and as Senator I will file legislation that reforms the Massachusetts Home Insurance industry. The last nation-wide reform in this industry occurred as a result of the Watts Riot in Los Angeles in 1965. In 1968, the Massachusetts Fair plan was created for eligible home owners who were unable to gain home insurance through the voluntary private market. This system was successful for a while until events such as Hurricane Andrew struck Florida in 92’, the events of September 11th, 2001, and most recently, the barrage of hurricanes which hit the Gulf Coast last year. The following is my solution to reforming the Massachusetts Home Insurance industry. This plan of reform attacks this crisis from two different angles:

The first angle in solving the home insurance dilemma involves basic economics: supply and demand. Currently because there is a dwindling supply of private insurers in the voluntary market and an increase in demand for such coverage by home owners, rates have taken off naturally because of high demand and lack of supply. When elected Senator, I will suggest that such program would give tax breaks to any new company or current Massachusetts Insurer who covers the area to encourage them to stay. Additionally and most importantly, we must waive all insurance premium taxes that home insurers pay in order to cover their customers. Our current insurance premium tax paid by Massachusetts Home Insurance Companies is at 2.28% per premium. A big part of our problem here on the Cape & Islands is that currently there is too much restriction on the insurance industry here in commonwealth. Our own state government is not making it easy for these companies to be able to afford to stay in the area. If the legislature was able to provide such a plan that encourages the increase in the number of available home insurers to come back into Massachusetts through tax breaks and waiving the insurance premium tax, this alone would go a long way at keeping private insurers in Massachusetts voluntary home insurance market. Thus the supply of available private companies would increase causing overall rates to decline.

The second angle in reforming the Massachusetts Home Insurance Industry is through the creation of a “wind pool.” As mentioned earlier, private home insurers and FAIR plan officials both claim that because the threat of a catastrophic hurricane hitting the Cape & Islands, insurance companies can not afford to provide low affordable coverage any more, therefore rates are skyrocketing. These companies and state officials base their assertions on a projection of a hurricane model created by a California’s Risk Management Solutions. However, I believe that this model creates a scenario which is almost unlikely to occur. There are many reasons why. First, while the Gulf States and Florida are likely to be hit with catastrophic storms, the New England Coast is not. It is because of the warm waters down south are the cause of many of these big storms. In our surrounding ocean areas, our waters are too cold to produce anything that big. It is the temperature of the sea water which is the determining factor in how strong hurricanes are. The warmest the surrounding water temperature gets here is about 71 degrees Farenheight compared to 95 degrees Farenheight in the south. Second, it is recorded that the last hurricane we had in the region occurred 15 years ago with Hurricane Bob and according to records the last known super-sized hurricane occurred in 1938. Because of these facts, many are skeptical about why rates have been increasing. Even this past June, Attorney General Tom Reilly went on record stating this point. I believe this as well.

This leads to excellent solution: the creation of a “wind pool.” Specifically, home insurance companies claim that they can not afford to provide cheap wind coverage for home owners. According to the insurance industry it is because of this increasing cost to provide this specific coverage that is causing homeowners’ rates to go up. My solution is simple. Massachusetts should follow suit along with what was done in Florida after Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992. In order to drive down home insurance rates, policies were created without wind coverage. However, if you still desired to have coverage from wind damage, the home insurer would individually pay into a “pool” along with those others who also desired wind coverage. The result was a two-tiered system in which those who still wanted coverage from wind damage paid a higher amount than those who only wanted home insurance without wind coverage. This decision would allow homeowners the choice if they actually needed wind coverage or not, thus drastically lowering insurance rates for those who chose not to pay into the “wind pool.” Again, a “wind pool” is a sensible solution because the likelihood that we will be hit by a catastrophic hurricane is almost 0%. However, it is the insurance industry who desires that the people believe otherwise.

Thus to reform the Massachusetts Insurance Industry, I will file legislation when elected as Senator that attacks this problem two ways: first by making it easier to encourage Home Insurance Companies to either stay on the Cape & Islands or to enter Massachusetts Insurance market and by creating a wind pool which would relieve much of the cost to home owners.

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I don't need no endorsement, just your vote

My fellow Cape & Islanders,

It does not surprise me that my local Republican Committee is not backing the Bennett for Senate campaign.  In fact, it's been know for almost nine months that our local organized Republican Committes on the Cape & Islands were trying to recruit other candidates to run against me.  Let them.  These local republican organizations only have a total of 100 Republican active members across the Cape & Islands.  In fact, many members only meet for social purposes, not for political purposes. 

Moreover, these few "organized" Republican committes are not representative of the entire Cape & Islands Republican contituency of 26,000 Republican voters here in the District.  This group of individuals is made up of mostly those who are 60 years and older, upperclass, and male who represent less than 1% of the total Republicans in the district.  The fact that our local Republican Committees lacks diversity is the very reason why our local Republican clubs have had disasterous results in getting candidates elected to office over the last ten years.  The local organized Republican clubs here on the Cape & Islands along with our State Republican Party are near extinction. 

While they continue to age, many of these elitists because of ego and perceived threat try to push new young Republicans away.  Well, I say no more to this closed minded thought.  It's time that we as a party move past our own close mindedness and open our minds to what is actually the true reality of our current political state here on the Cape & Islands.  It's time for young blood and fresh ideas.  It's time for change and new leadership. 

Let these 100 individuals support who they want as their Candidate, and on September 19th the rest of the 26,000 Cape & Islands Republican will decide through their own free will who be their choice.  I believe on September 19th one thing will be clear.  This group of 100 that I speak about will go into extinction,  and the people will choose a new leader for the Republican party here on the Cape & Islands: Doug Bennett for Senate.

Respectfully, Doug Bennett 

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Dynamic Rotary Campaign begins

Family of Doug Bennett Supporters at the West End Rotary in Hyannis.

(from l to r) Elijah Williams age 9, John Williams, and Isaiah
Williams age 11.  The Williams family supports Doug Bennett
because he represents a vital change that is needed in Cape and
Islands politics.

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When elected Senator, this is how we'll get the homeless off the streets of Hyannis

 My Plan to get the Homeless off the Streets of Hyannis:

“Housing for Work Exchange Program.”

There are 3,000 homeless people on the streets of Hyannis and they are being treated as a separate caste.  Many on the Cape & Islands turn their eyes away at the ‘homeless’ man or woman sitting or laying on Main Street or Winter Street out of fear because many see that this as an ugly sight.  The homeless are human beings just like the rest of society, and many have a strong desire to get off the streets and do something beneficial for humankind. 

That is why when elected Senator for the Cape & Islands, I will call a summit of all the Selectmen and other town officials in the district and address how we can solve this problem.  I will then file legislation to open the barracks at Otis Air Force Base, allowing those homeless who desire housing to stay in the military barracks in return that they agree to participate in a work exchange program for towns all across the Cape & Islands.  This is an incentive program for homeless people who desire to change their lives.  Homeless people who sign up for relief with this housing program will in return perform work in the public works arena for local Cape & Islands’ towns.  An example of this type of work is cleaning litter off the sides of our roads and highways. 

Our state government opened the doors at Otis Air Force Base by providing relief and housing for Katrina victims from Louisiana and Mississippi last fall 2005.  This compassion was necessary after the wrath of that natural disaster.  Our compassion is necessary today in dealing with the homeless and there is great space and potential available housing if those barracks were allowed to be used.
There are many reasons why people are homeless: 

1. One out of five (20%) homeless people are U.S. Military Veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome who haven’t been able to acclimate back into society after returning home from service;
2. Many suffer from addictions to drugs and alcohol;
3. There are homeless people who suffer from mental illnesses who are unable to attain or refuse medical help;
4. Many can’t afford the high COLA (cost of living) and housing costs on the Cape and Islands;
5. Some homeless have been forgotten and neglected, and also some homeless people choose to be homeless out of choice.

These are just some of the many reasons why this homeless problem exists here on Cape Cod and the Islands.

In order to establish a progressive public works program such as this, a deal would be made to have the Massachusetts Regional Transit Authority provide bussing services transporting homeless people involved in the program from Otis Air Force Base daily to each town where work is to be performed.  Each town’s public works department would be responsible for assigning work to those in the “Housing for Work Exchange Program.

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Carrying a heavy load

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