Category Archives: Elections

The Dignity Index

Posted on March 29, 2026 | Leave a comment

The Massachusetts Municipal Association had Tim Shriver speak to everyone at the opening of the Massachusetts Municipal Association annual convention this year in January about his Dignity Index, a way to lower the tone of disagreements in our political discourse. At first I discounted the value of the presentation, but after listening to him I think we all could do better by following his suggestions to measure our conversations against the Dignity Index and try to get ourselves to the Dignity Index 7 & 8 levels in our discussions with others:

Building Skills for Dignified Disagreement Honoring someone’s dignity can be difficult, especially when situations get heated. Follow these steps when stress rises – and join the movement with others working to ease divisions, prevent violence, and solve problems by choosing dignity over contempt. Be curious, not furious When there is a disagreement, approach it with curiosity, using language that invites dialogue. Regulate then debate When you start to get upset, pause and take a breath before speaking. Challenge ideas, don’t attack people Speak your truth but do it with dignity. Acknowledge knowledge When someone else makes a logical or interesting point, acknowledge their point. Build up rather than tear down Advocate, explain, and build up your idea rather than just attacking others’ ideas and/or dehumanizing people. Listen to understand, not to respond Really listen to the other person and consider summarizing briefly what you heard. Credit: R. Keeth Matheny Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity—no matter what.” “ We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don’t share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds.” “ We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share.” “ The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. They belong here too.” “ We’re better than those people. They don’t really belong. They’re not one of us.” “ We’re the good people and they’re the bad people. It’s us vs. them.” “ Those people are evil and they’re going to ruin everything if we let them. It’s us or them.” “ They’re not even human. It’s our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us.” “ Lea rn mo re at dignity.us Ease Divisions. Prevent Violence. Solve Problems. Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity—no matter what.” “ We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don’t share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds.” “ We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share.” “ The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. They belong here too.” “ We’re better than those people. They don’t really belong. They’re not one of us.” “ We’re the good people and they’re the bad people. It’s us vs. them.” “ Those people are evil and they’re going to ruin everything if we let them. It’s us or them.” “ They’re not even human. It’s our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us.” “ Lea rn mo re at dignity.us Ease Divisions. Prevent Violence. Solve Problems. Learn more at dignity.us

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Posted in Elections, Information, Massachusetts Municipal Association, Political

TOWN ELECTION – MONDAY – 6AM-8PM

Posted on March 28, 2026 | Leave a comment

Vote on Monday at The Center from 6 AM to 8 PM.

Community Corner

Medfield TV to Host Candidate Forums

Two Contested Elections Spark Interest; Forums Set for March 11 and 13.

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Election Results

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Posted on April 1, 2025 in Elections

Town Election Monday

Posted on March 30, 2025 | Comments Off on Town Election Monday

TOWN ELECTION MONDAY

Polls at The Center are open from 6AM to 8PM.

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Town Election Monday

Posted on March 27, 2025 | Comments Off on Town Election Monday

Specimen ballot –

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Election results

Posted on November 6, 2024 | Comments Off on Election results

Town supported Harris 2-1 over Trump, Warren by a substantial but lesser margin, Rausch, Civil, Vaughn and Tarsky.

Both Marcus Vaughn and Josh Tarsky won their state representative races by wide margins.

November 05, 2024

Town Clerk posts unofficial election results

https://www.town.medfield.net/2036/Election-Results
View it on website

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1/3 have already voted

Posted on October 31, 2024 | 1 comment

Email from Town Administrator, Kristine Trierweiler this morning –

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Medfield Registered Voters: 9,927

As of 10AM 10/31: 3,322 Ballots Cast (includes vote by mail and early voting)

1,030 Vote by Mail Ballots have not been returned yet. 

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Tarsky & Kalkut for State Reps.

Posted on October 31, 2024 | 1 comment

Please vote for the only two candidates who will work FULL TIME as Medfield’s state representatives. Both are also the only Democrats running.

KEVIN KALKUT

JOSH TARSKY – VETERAN, TEACHER, ATTORNEY, FATHER

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Senator Markey on his endorsement of Josh Tarsky for State Rep.

Posted on October 28, 2024 | Comments Off on Senator Markey on his endorsement of Josh Tarsky for State Rep.

L-R: Sen. Edward Markey, Josh Tarsky, and Medfield residents Susan Bernstein, Sioban Donovan, Nino LaFrancesca, Joanne LaFrancesca, and Osler Peterson.

Senator Edward Markey Headlined an Event for Josh Tarsky

Yesterday Senator Markey addressed those supporting Democrat Josh Tarsky to replace Denise Garlick as our state representative.

MAJOR POINTS:

Josh will be a FULL TIME state rep. – his opponent would continue his current RE job and work only part-time at the legislature.

Josh is a DEMOCRAT – former long time state rep. Lida Harkins noted that “unenrolled” reps just cannot get as much done.

Josh has the BACKGROUND to best get things done – Army Special Forces veteran, public school principal, attorney, educated at Harvard & Yale.

Sen. Markey said that Massachusetts needs Josh working for us in the legislature.

Josh is endorsed also by the Governor, the Lt. Governor, two U.S. Representatives, and both U.S. Senators.

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Please Vote for Kevin Kalkut for State Rep.

Posted on October 3, 2024 | Comments Off on Please Vote for Kevin Kalkut for State Rep.

Kevin Kalkut for State Rep.

Having met with Kevin several times over the last two years, I’ve found him to be well aware of our municipal issues, knowledgeable about the roadblocks we face to address them, and insightful in his rationale for tangible solutions. His experience as a Select Board Chair in Norfolk as well as his body of work on the Planning Board, County Advisory Board, and MBTA Advisory Board all contribute to his locally-focused approach to public service. Most importantly, I have come to understand that Kevin truly cares about making our towns work better for our residents. He’s approachable, he listens, and makes himself available whenever asked. Based on all this, I am confident that he would represent Medfield’s interests well in the legislature and I hope you will join me in supporting Kevin Kalkut for 9th Norfolk State Representative. – Osler Peterson, Medfield Select Board

#LocalEndorsement#MedfieldMA#9thNorfolk#KalkutCrew#48DaysToGo#Kalkut4Change#Kalkut4Rep

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Posted in Elections, Legislature, Political, State, Uncategorized