ClintonMass.com - Discussion Forums

Clifford Blake 2 · 03.31.09 9:26pm

Now is not the time for the same old same old. We cannot go back to the way of doing things that has gotten us into this financial mess. I care for my town too much to let this happen. The current boards of selectman need someone who can get in there and show them a better way of doing things. I believe I am that candidate. I have the proven leadership skills and the diplomacy needed to get things done. Our town is surrounded by towns that are running in deficits. We cannot let that happen here in our town. I have had to deal with budget situations that called for a sharp eye, a steady hand, and the courage to do what had to be done to make sure financial burdens were met without going into the red. My appoints in this race may have ways of helping our town but time is running out and I believe I am the best candidate to get our town on track again. Help me help our town and together we can get back on track.

Vote BLAKE for SELECTMAN on May 4th

Christine Q · 04.01.09 5:39am

Mr. Blake, do you have specific ideas for how you would accomplish the above? The economy is poor all over -- it's not just Clinton. How would you help us weather this storm?

Clifford Blake 2 · 04.01.09 7:43pm

Christine Q wrote:
Mr. Blake, do you have specific ideas for how you would accomplish the above? The economy is poor all over -- it's not just Clinton. How would you help us weather this storm?

"To get our town Economy ready for the coming inflation that will hurt our town we need to take the town budget and go over it line by line to find out where every penny is spent. I also would like to sit down with every Dept head in the town to find out the salary's and projects underway that cost the town money and to eliminate wasteful spending. I think just like with any other budget I have dealt with, The Budget can be streamlined to save the tax payers of the town a lot of money. I believe this can be done without hurting the operations of the town. We need to also Slash the town's Business Regulations so it will unshackle the entrepreneurial spirit of The people of the town and others. We need to put into place a supply-side tax cuts on a town level that will allow entrepreneurs to invest and increase productivity. I believe by doing this we will bring more business to our town and also have a surplus. We would have to set up a emergency savings for the town that could not be spent unless all the selectman voted yes to spend it, on only the operational running of our town. any surplus left would go back to the tax payers ( Its there money)."

This is taken right out of the 2008 budget and is why I am running.

"PROJECTED SURPLUS (DEFICIT) 0.00 (835,757.00) 0.00"

Last edited by Clifford Blake 2 (04.01.09 7:55pm)

Tom C · 04.01.09 8:20pm

Cliff, I do not know you other than what you have posted online and take you for your word that you entered this race for the reasons you stated and not to keep candidates like Bill out. For that, I respect you very much and hope to see a more active role within town in the future. You appear to have many similar thoughts and visions as Bill. I think votes for you, though, at this time will weaken your similar message and only strengthen the concepts of town government you both so strongly profess to change. I ask you consider the impact a three person race will have for the town and consider stepping down this election and throw your support towards Bill so that we, those who agree with the two of you, come together as a stronger more unified front. I imagine, that as a Marine, this would be difficult to do but a necessary step for us to be successful with the overall cause. The next election, should we be successful with this step, would be a perfect opportunity to stregthen what we create here today and you could play a larger part within that having allies like Bill rather than tackling issues as one person with a board stacked with four.

Tom C

Clifford Blake 2 · 04.01.09 8:48pm

I appreciate your enthusiasm, But I did not get into this race to back out or lose. I trust that the voters in our town will do what's best for our town. I also feel I am the best candidate for this position at this time. I have the diplomatic leadership skills that makes me confident that the current board will follow in my lead in fixing our economic troubles.

"Now is not the time for the same old same old"

Last edited by Clifford Blake 2 (04.01.09 8:50pm)

JRW · 04.02.09 8:48am

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:
I...I have the diplomatic leadership skills that makes me confident that the current board will follow in my lead in fixing our economic troubles.

"Now is not the time for the same old same old"

So, does that mean you would support a Prop 2 1/2 override to fix the structural deficiency that exists in the Town's budget?

Clifford Blake 2 · 04.02.09 7:31pm

JRW wrote:
Clifford Blake 2 wrote:
I...I have the diplomatic leadership skills that makes me confident that the current board will follow in my lead in fixing our economic troubles.

"Now is not the time for the same old same old"
So, does that mean you would support a Prop 2 1/2 override to fix the structural deficiency that exists in the Town's budget?

Thank you for your question.

I am not a fan of "Prop 2 1/2" I feel it should be either eliminated or re-written.

Last edited by Clifford Blake 2 (04.02.09 7:32pm)

JRW · 04.03.09 9:52am

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:
JRW wrote:
So, does that mean you would support a Prop 2 1/2 override to fix the structural deficiency that exists in the Town's budget?
Thank you for your question.

I am not a fan of "Prop 2 1/2" I feel it should be either eliminated or re-written.

Thanks for the answer, but it doesn't address the question. Prop 2 1/2 cannot be eliminated or re-written on a local level, and I highly doubt that any attempt to address it on a statewide ballot question would be successful. So, whether we are a fan of it or not, we are stuck with it.

So, I'll ask the question again. Given the DOR report from a couple of years ago specifically referenced the Town's lack of pursuit of overrides and the subsequent degrading in the town's services and the budget's continued growing reliance on state local aid (which has been on the downward trend for several years), would you support implementing the recommendations of the DOR report, up to and including the consideration and/or support for a override to address the fundemental deficiency that exists in this town's budget?

JRW · 04.04.09 9:02am

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:
I am currently looking into that entire situation. There are a lot of big issues facing our town. and I will tackle all of them within time. Thanks for the great question. Do I have your Vote?

Nope, not yet. I'd like to start hearing specifics from you, rather than generalizations that don't really mean anything. But I'll keep an open mind.

Ken · 04.04.09 10:41am

Cliff,

I've been following this thread, and at this point, I have to agree with John. I'm not feeling any compelling reason to vote for you. What are your specific plans for "big issues facing our town"?

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:
"Now is not the time for the same old same old"

Again, this is a vague claim, and quite honestly, very cliche.

Also, pretty much right out of the gate, you went on the attack. Yes, I know it's part of the politics game, but personally, I find it to be a turn-off. If you are truly smarter than your competition in this race, prove it to us, the voters.

AllisonBedard · 04.04.09 1:16pm

Cliff,

What Ever You Do Don't Back Down. That's What This Town Has Always Been About "who You Know" I Hate That. It Should Not Be About Who You Know , It Should Be About Who Can Do The Job.

Do You Know What Most Terrible Thing Is About The Word " Who You Know" It Is When You Child Comes Home From Clinton School Sad Because He Did Not Make The School Basketball Team Because He Said "mom I Know I Was Good But I Did Not Get On The Team Because The Coach Knew The Other Kids Parents" Now That Is What This Town Is About. Very Sad But True...

That Is Why I Hope That You As A New Face Can Make Changes, I Know You Can't Do Anything About "who You Know" Because Unfortunately This Is Clinton, But You Can Try To Bring New Ideas To The Table.

Unfortunately That Is Why These Other People Are Running Because They Lived In This Town And Know Everyone, But Do They Have What You Have.. I Can Answer That Question For You, Absolutely Not, They Are In It For Themselves And Not In It For The Town. I As A Voter In Clinton Want Someone In It For Me And My Family And Not For Themselves..

I Vote For You Clifford Blake And I Know All Of My Family In Clinton Have Your Back, And Granted They May Have Friends And Family In This Town, But As I Have Heard You Have A Lot Of People On Your Side.

Good Luck And Don't Let These Other People Get To You, You Are In It For The People!!!! Thank You!!!!!

Ken · 04.04.09 5:24pm

ALLY,

First off, your message is very difficult to read due to the capitalization of each word.

Second, are you saying that because we are asking Mr. Blake to be specific, that we are automatically rooting for his opponent?

ALLY wrote:
Unfortunately That Is Why These Other People Are Running Because They Lived In This Town And Know Everyone, But Do They Have What You Have..

And what is it that he has? That's what I'd like to know. Mr. Blake, you have an opportunity here to earn my vote. But you have to prove yourself worthy of it.

CET · 04.04.09 5:59pm

ALLY wrote:
Cliff,

What Ever You Do Don't Back Down. That's What This Town Has Always Been About "who You Know" I Hate That. It Should Not Be About Who You Know , It Should Be About Who Can Do The Job.

Do You Know What Most Terrible Thing Is About The Word " Who You Know" It Is When You Child Comes Home From Clinton School Sad Because He Did Not Make The School Basketball Team Because He Said "mom I Know I Was Good But I Did Not Get On The Team Because The Coach Knew The Other Kids Parents" Now That Is What This Town Is About. Very Sad But True...

That Is Why I Hope That You As A New Face Can Make Changes, I Know You Can't Do Anything About "who You Know" Because Unfortunately This Is Clinton, But You Can Try To Bring New Ideas To The Table.

Unfortunately That Is Why These Other People Are Running Because They Lived In This Town And Know Everyone, But Do They Have What You Have.. I Can Answer That Question For You, Absolutely Not, They Are In It For Themselves And Not In It For The Town. I As A Voter In Clinton Want Someone In It For Me And My Family And Not For Themselves..

I Vote For You Clifford Blake And I Know All Of My Family In Clinton Have Your Back, And Granted They May Have Friends And Family In This Town, But As I Have Heard You Have A Lot Of People On Your Side.

Good Luck And Don't Let These Other People Get To You, You Are In It For The People!!!! Thank You!!!!!

I am not a voter in Clinton, so I may have an unbiased view. Mr. Blake says that he is not an insider and that his ideas will improve conditions in the town of Clinton. But what are his ideas? He should state what his ideas are and how he will execute them. Be specific; don't generalize. I take an interest in all politics, local, state, and national. So I'd love to hear the specifics of Mr. Blake's ideas. Maybe he'll explain those in the debates?

I do sympathize with you and your son re the basketball team--that goes on in many schools. How many kids try out for these teams? If there are an excess number, couldn't they form two teams and give everybody a chance?

Clifford Blake 2 · 04.04.09 7:36pm

ALLY wrote:
Cliff,

What Ever You Do Don't Back Down. That's What This Town Has Always Been About "who You Know" I Hate That. It Should Not Be About Who You Know , It Should Be About Who Can Do The Job.

Do You Know What Most Terrible Thing Is About The Word " Who You Know" It Is When You Child Comes Home From Clinton School Sad Because He Did Not Make The School Basketball Team Because He Said "mom I Know I Was Good But I Did Not Get On The Team Because The Coach Knew The Other Kids Parents" Now That Is What This Town Is About. Very Sad But True...

That Is Why I Hope That You As A New Face Can Make Changes, I Know You Can't Do Anything About "who You Know" Because Unfortunately This Is Clinton, But You Can Try To Bring New Ideas To The Table.

Unfortunately That Is Why These Other People Are Running Because They Lived In This Town And Know Everyone, But Do They Have What You Have.. I Can Answer That Question For You, Absolutely Not, They Are In It For Themselves And Not In It For The Town. I As A Voter In Clinton Want Someone In It For Me And My Family And Not For Themselves..

I Vote For You Clifford Blake And I Know All Of My Family In Clinton Have Your Back, And Granted They May Have Friends And Family In This Town, But As I Have Heard You Have A Lot Of People On Your Side.

Good Luck And Don't Let These Other People Get To You, You Are In It For The People!!!! Thank You!!!!!

ALLY

Thanks for the positive comments, I will serve all the people of Clinton Honorably.

AllisonBedard · 04.04.09 8:19pm

To respond to the comments that were made:

1. I will make sure that I write in lower case so it is easier for people to read. But I just write in caps to yell to the people to vote for CLIFFORD BLAKE.

2. You had a great idea, maybe forming two teams would be good, but I was really just trying to stress that this town is about "Who you know" and the unfortunate part is that it effects our children. But again great idea..

3. Clifford you are very welcome for the comment I made. You deserve that seat as a Selectman in Clinton. I have not once met someone like you who knows so much about politics and that is what this town needs. I know that you will bring a lot to this town...

You got my vote and I will make sure that I make your name well know in this community since I have lived here my whole life and work in Clinton.

Good work, and again I will repeat myself over and over. Don't let them get to you because I know that you are in it for the people and not because you know people in this town.

VOTE FOR CLIFFORD BLAKE IN MAY..... ( sorry wrote in caps again)

Vote for Clifford Blake in May.....

AllisonBedard · 04.04.09 8:37pm

Clifford remeber these words

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

VOTE FOR CLIFFORD

Clifford Blake 2 · 04.04.09 9:22pm

ALLY wrote:
Clifford remeber these words

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

VOTE FOR CLIFFORD BLAKE may 4th

Ally
The one bad thing about politics is you have to take one side or the other. I am confident that when I am the selectman The critics on this blog will like how I lead our town out of this fiscal mess.

"Take action. Do things; Do not fritter away your time. Take a place wherever you are and be somebody, Serve your town , serve your country".
Theodore Roosevelt

Ken · 04.04.09 9:53pm

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:
The one bad thing about politics is you have to take one side or the other.

Not true.

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:
I am confident that when I am the selectman The critics on this blog will like how I lead our town out of this fiscal mess.

Voters are asking for specifics from you. Do you consider that to be criticism?

( Off-topic personal pet peeve: This isn't a blog, it's a discussion forum. )

Clifford Blake 2 · 04.04.09 10:04pm

Ken wrote:
Clifford Blake 2 wrote:
The one bad thing about politics is you have to take one side or the other.
Not true.

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:
I am confident that when I am the selectman The critics on this blog will like how I lead our town out of this fiscal mess.
Voters are asking for specifics from you. Do you consider that to be criticism?

( Off-topic personal pet peeve: This isn't a blog, it's a discussion forum. )

"Do you consider that to be criticism?"

No I do not Ken ,it makes me very happy that a lot of people are as concerned about our towns government as I am. I will address all the question's in the candidates night forum to the best of my ability. Ken you know a lot about politics and should understand why I am waiting till then. I hope I have your support after candidates night on the 27th.

(April 27th at the Clinton High school from 7PM to 9PM please attend)

VOTE BLAKE SELECTMAN MAY 4th

Last edited by Clifford Blake 2 (04.04.09 10:23pm)

Tom C · 04.05.09 7:35am

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:
No I do not Ken ,it makes me very happy that a lot of people are as concerned about our towns government as I am. I will address all the question's in the candidates night forum to the best of my ability. Ken you know a lot about politics and should understand why I am waiting till then. I hope I have your support after candidates night on the 27th.

(April 27th at the Clinton High school from 7PM to 9PM please attend)

This phenomenon of being asked a question and the inability to directly answer it at all with any specifics appears to be happening so often we must give it a name...A Blake Blank maybe?

You truly think that you can wait until Candidates night, a week before the election, to spread your message, vision and answers to specific questions from the voters and expect to win? Think it is time to change that strategy Cliff. Only two options come to mind as to why you are avoiding the questions: 1. You have something to hide or 2 (the one I am leaning towards) You have valid concerns about the town, as we do, but are not really sure how to fix them.

John and Ken, I know you as honest people asking questions for a purpose. I ask you this; have you ever asked Bill Connolly a question that you have not received an answer to? I know each time I have approached him or had a discussion with him, he clearly states his opinion or thoughts on a subject and is not afraid of avoiding topics. It is this leadership and function of government we need for Clinton. I ask you consider voting for Bill Connolly on May 4th.

Tom C

Christine Q · 04.05.09 8:12am

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:
I will address all the question's in the candidates night forum to the best of my ability. Ken you know a lot about politics and should understand why I am waiting till then. I hope I have your support after candidates night on the 27th.

(April 27th at the Clinton High school from 7PM to 9PM please attend)

VOTE BLAKE SELECTMAN MAY 4th

As a former candidate myself, the only thing I can think of is this: Are you concerned your opponents will "steal" your ideas? I know when I ran for School Committee all the candidates were pretty much on the same page for most of the issues. I see a similar thing here: We are all concerned with the fiscal state of the town, and how the deficit will impact town services and possibly our own pockets. The differences lie in how you gentleman will work to fix those issues. This is your chance to distinguish yourself from Mr. Connolly and Mr. Weeks.

Ken · 04.05.09 9:47am

Tom C wrote:
John and Ken, I know you as honest people asking questions for a purpose. I ask you this; have you ever asked Bill Connolly a question that you have not received an answer to? I know each time I have approached him or had a discussion with him, he clearly states his opinion or thoughts on a subject and is not afraid of avoiding topics.

Personally speaking, Bill and I are at the opposite ends of a lot of things, but I truly feel I could have a conversation with him and receive an honest opinion. I may not agree with it, but it's genuine.

JRW · 04.06.09 9:18am

I'm disappointed that Mr. Blake refuses to provide answers to our questions. Not everyone will be able to see the candidate's forum live or in person. While it will be replayed on cable, it is not always easy (or convenient) to watch it when it is on.

If you are going to run, I think you should have the courage to stick your answers and opinions out there for everyone to see, as much as possible. I'm not too interested in someone trying to hold their thoughts close to their vest until the very last minute, so that they can't be questioned or criticized for them. This isn't a poker game-a campaign should be based on the airing and discussion of opinions and thoughts.

And Tom, I agree, Bill has always provided me and others answers to our questions, whether we liked the answer or not.

Last edited by JRW (04.06.09 11:14am)

Clifford Blake 2 · 04.06.09 11:13am

ALLY wrote:
To respond to the comments that were made:

1. I will make sure that I write in lower case so it is easier for people to read. But I just write in caps to yell to the people to vote for CLIFFORD BLAKE.

2. You had a great idea, maybe forming two teams would be good, but I was really just trying to stress that this town is about "Who you know" and the unfortunate part is that it effects our children. But again great idea..

3. Clifford you are very welcome for the comment I made. You deserve that seat as a Selectman in Clinton. I have not once met someone like you who knows so much about politics and that is what this town needs. I know that you will bring a lot to this town...

You got my vote and I will make sure that I make your name well know in this community since I have lived here my whole life and work in Clinton.

Good work, and again I will repeat myself over and over. Don't let them get to you because I know that you are in it for the people and not because you know people in this town.

VOTE FOR CLIFFORD BLAKE IN MAY..... ( sorry wrote in caps again)

Vote for Clifford Blake in May.....

Once again Thanks

RickC · 04.06.09 12:10pm

ALLY wrote:
To respond to the comments that were made:

3. Clifford you are very welcome for the comment I made. You deserve that seat as a Selectman in Clinton. I have not once met someone like you who knows so much about politics and that is what this town needs. I know that you will bring a lot to this town...

Ally, do you personally know Clifford? I'm just curious because I haven't seen anything posted here which shows that he ".... knows so much about politics".

This whole thread cracks me up. I see some intelligent questions by posters, and Clifford either ignores them, or answers them in a very general way.

ClintonMass.com - Discussion Forums

#1 03.31.09 9:26pm

Now is not the time for the same old same old

#2 04.01.09 5:39am

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

#3 04.01.09 7:43pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

Christine Q wrote:

#4 04.01.09 8:20pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

#5 04.01.09 8:48pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

#6 04.02.09 8:48am

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:

#7 04.02.09 7:31pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

JRW wrote:

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:

#8 04.03.09 9:52am

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:

JRW wrote:

#9 04.04.09 9:02am

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:

#10 04.04.09 10:41am

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:

#11 04.04.09 1:16pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

#12 04.04.09 5:24pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

ALLY wrote:

#13 04.04.09 5:59pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

ALLY wrote:

#14 04.04.09 7:36pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

ALLY wrote:

#15 04.04.09 8:19pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

#16 04.04.09 8:37pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

#17 04.04.09 9:22pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

ALLY wrote:

#18 04.04.09 9:53pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:

#19 04.04.09 10:04pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

Ken wrote:

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:

#20 04.05.09 7:35am

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:

#21 04.05.09 8:12am

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

Clifford Blake 2 wrote:

#22 04.05.09 9:47am

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

Tom C wrote:

#23 04.06.09 9:18am

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

#24 04.06.09 11:13am

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

ALLY wrote:

#25 04.06.09 12:10pm

Re: Now is not the time for the same old same old

ALLY wrote:

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