“Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys,” said P. J. O’Rourke.
Fortunately in Medfield, we have a selectman in Pete Peterson who shows restraint.
He also dares to question the status quo, as the following two examples show:
- Medfield Day, while a wonderful community event, is principally a way for local businesses to showcase their wares. This being the case, Peterson suggested that MEMO (Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization) pay a portion of the public costs incurred by the event, such as police detail and cleanup. In essence, this would allow our property tax dollars to be directed toward more pressing needs. For this sensible suggestion, Peterson was roundly criticized.
- Similarly, when Peterson questioned the scope of the proposed DPW Garage, those in favor of the garage objected. And just what were Peterson’s concerns? Commonsense ones like: Is the size of the building justified? Do we need three repair bays when we only employ two mechanics? Does the garage really need a reception area? Can we repair the existing garage and build onto that structure? Peterson posed these and a dozen other sensible questions and had a hard time getting straight answers.
In my view, having a selectman who’s a gadfly – who doesn’t go along to get along – is an immense benefit. Since the majority of us don’t take the time to scrutinize every initiative, relying instead on a few words we read in the paper or hear from friends, I like having someone who’s willing to dig deep, mix it up, and ask the tough questions. With Peterson, I feel that my tax money has a fighting chance of being spent wisely.
What Peterson’s overall approach reflects is a desire for government accountability. If doors are closed, he wants to know what’s going on behind them. More important, he wants YOU to be aware of what’s happening. That’s why as a selectman, he’s led the effort to have selectmen meeting agendas available online, before meetings, and minutes of those meetings posted shortly afterward.
He’s also made sure that board meetings follow a predictable schedule – with meetings on the first and third Tuesdays each month – so that those wanting to attend can put the dates on their calendars.
With Pete Peterson, what you see is what you get. And what we as Medfield residents get is an honest, committed, and approachable selectman who deserves to be reelected.
Sincerely,
Jerry Cianciolo
Medfield
Medfield02052's Blog 
Jerry, I couldn’t have said it better. Pete is an enormous asset to our town. He is without a doubt the one selectman that goes out of his way to protect the tax payer, even if his actions draw ire from his fellow selectman and the town employees. He strives to be innovative and continually has the back of us taxpayers. I have thanked him on many occasions for doing this job. I will be thanking him again with my vote.
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