It might have been helpful if he addressed his article to the voters of Westborough, not Watertown...

As i told the other challengers: this is a useless post, who has heard of the Governors Council? what have they done for us? Im sure they are all great guys who want to serve, but this is a hack position in a hack government, contribute locally in your own towns and cities.. your service will go farther and be appreciated

Parole board.....that seems to be working out well.

Just a brief note to respond to some of the comments:

SAT: The reason Watertown was specifically mentioned was because the incumbent is from Watertown. I'm sorry if I did not make that clear. Please Google for more info. This blog gets posted in many communities so it's difficult to customize to each town. Regardless, I'll try to be more specific in the future and I would appreciate your vote if you're a Democrat or Independent voter on Sept 6th.

To the folks who feel the GC should be discontinued: The odds of that happening any time soon are extremely low. It's a constitutional office. To give up trying to improve it simply because some feel it should abolished just doesn't make sense.My position is we should work to improve it while it does, in fact, exist.

To the Reverend: I agree that one-party dominance (regardless of the party) is deeply concerning. Checks and balances are important in all facets of government and life. Anyone who knows me is quite clear that I think independently and pragmatically with no re-training required. :)

Predator: The Parole Board topic is extremely serious. No community is more aware of the issues of the Parole Board than Woburn. I'm proud to have the endorsement of 2 Woburn Democratic and 1 Republican Aldermen. If elected, I look forward to striking the best possible balance between safety and compassion..

I would hope to see constructive comments and suggestions here and will respond as time allows.

Charlie Shapiro

I am impressed that Charlie Shapiro has made the effort to respond to the comments offered on this blog. I believe that should he be the successful candidate elected to the GC, that he will serve with the same thoughtfulness and respectability as he displays here.

Didn't the By-laws in Newton have to be changed because Mr. Shapiro was pocketing the Sponsors money for his cable show into his personal checking account?

Oh...google Charlie...see why he had to resign from the NEW TV....

So, it indeed sounds as if he'll fit right in.....welcome to the People's Republic. So Charlie any meaningful responses on your behalf?

wicked local newton in August 2011

Newton — I support the TAB’s “Thumbs down to Alderman Charlie Shapiro” 7/27. Charlie’s ethics and judgment are under fire again! Earlier this year, Charlie had to resign from the NEW TV Board of Directors. Charlie, a public servant, is no longer “just another” member of NEW TV. Hosting and producing his own public access news show is a conflict of interest as is running the nine minute reelection campaign ad he made with NEW TV assets on that same news show. Charlie has crossed the line: his show is really all about electioneering – establishing his name recognition, face time and getting himself reelected! It belongs on the municipal/government (Red) channel. Alderman Charlie is serving himself -- not the greater good! (By the way, Dr. Greg Schwartz, a physician with a legal education and children in Newton’s schools, is Charlie’s well-qualified opponent. Dr. Schwartz’s goals for Newton :

Read more: Letter: Tisk, tisk Charlie Shapiro - Newton, Massachusetts - Newton TAB http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/news/x1158634257/Letter-Tisk-tisk-Charlie-Shapiro#ixzz1xhL5ZjsM

Thank you to Tony (above) for mentioning the several awards and recognition Newton Newsmakers has garnered. We work hard on the program and are pleased that it has been so successful.

There was obviously political motivation in the above letter/post and there's not much anyone can do about negative personal slams. The writer seemed to ignore that local cable access is open to all. Surprisingly, the writer of the linked letter also produces a local cable access program which far pre-dates mine. Readers may wish to draw their own conclusions.

This posting from a former Newton Alderman may help put things in perspective:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/news/opinions/letters/x1049174734/Letter-Watch-your-headline#axzz1xiBH4Yxm

Bringing civility to a blog may be even more difficult than bringing it to the Governor's Council. But it's a challenge I look forward to.

Care to reply Charlie....or is the Ivory Tower liberal too good to entertain the questions and concerns of the little" people?

Charlie,

As a Democrat, it is given that you are all for more taxes and more spending. Could you give us a little color on these positions? For instance, there is a state in the middle of the country called Wisconsin. Have you heard of it? If so, would you comment on the recent governor's recall vote and how it might influence your seat on the much-esteemed Governor's Council?

Reverend E. Raleigh Pimpeton III

PS... Congratulations for engaging yourself here. The estimable Jamie Eldridge does not stoop so low.

Charlie....since you don't seen willing or able to respond to the tough questions....How do you feel about the one cent per mile tax?

This is one of those government jobs that should be cut for sure,
It was never intended to be a full time job or a Burdon on tax payers to support this, yet today it seems that more and more people find ways to latch onto the tax payers money and milk the system. It’s time to let go of the taxpayers teets and stop milking us for every dime.

Great question, as for public notaries and justices of the peace = local town halls, witness and letters of recommendation are required for this, why not deal with it in the local community where the person will do business.
For nominations of judges, just like any elected official , they start a petition for office, get the said required number of signatures, then run for election for the set term in their county. A judge after all is an elected position NOT a position to be passed around in the good ol boys club, Its an office seat, the people have the call as to who sits.

@MainStResident and @Earnhardt - if you believe that there's no need for the governor's council then by all means get involved and work to dismantle it. I don't personally know a lot about the governors council, maybe that's a good idea. I'd have to know more about it before making up my mind on that issue..

In the meantime though there's an election coming up. Just taking personal shots at any one who runs for the office doesn't help your cause.

Trying to besmirch Charlie Shapiro's reputation strikes me as a bit nasty. I actually voted for Charlie Shapiro's opponent in the last election. Despite that, I don't have the slightest reservation about Mr Shapiro, his ethics, his honesty, his character, or his hard work.

As best as I can tell from your posts, your only real point is "I don't like any one who runs for office, they're all hacks", so let's trash them all with personal attacks. If that's your only point then why post comments about any candidates?

@ Main St Resident, sorry about that. I went back and re-read your posts and I agree, you didn't take any personal pot shots. I was mixing you up with another poster. My apologies.

Stalin,

Predator is a perceptive observer with a good handle on Massachusetts politics. What would your mother think if she read your rude remarks?

Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

Stalin and Truman,

It is easy to see why you boys are getting tense and irritable. The 2010 mid-term election was a rout, Scott Walker survived a recall vote, Eric Holder may be held in contempt of Congress and Hiawatha Warren disapoints. The Messiah, The Chosen One, is suffering in public opinion. And November is still months away.

Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

Dear commenters --

This blog is meant to be a place to have a civilized, intelligent conversation about the topics presented in the post. The type of dialogue going on in this comments section at this point is not tolerated on Patch and commenting privileges will be revoked if this continues.

We understand everyone has different opinions, but Patch is not a place for you to post hurtful comments that have zero value to the conversation or subject presented in the blog.

Please try to focus on the issues and not on each other. And, above all, please keep this dialogue civilized.

Oh, and if you have a free moment or two, please make sure you read through our terms of use: http://newton.patch.com/terms.

Thank you.

Curious.....the racist comments get deleted as do the follow up comments denouncing racism.....yet the personal attacks against conservative live on. Does NBC own this site?

Mr. Turner:
I am so glad you wrote this---I consider myself a reasonable person and I very much enjoy reading this blog---I am so disappointed with the amount of vitriol and right wing partisanship in this blog and I think it refects the mood in the country, unfortunately. We certainly should find a way to turn towards one another instead of on each other---Reasonable people can disagree on issues, but I would hope we could find a way to discuss them without hurling insults and "labels" at each other.

Mr Shapiro seems like a reasonable person willing to serve the public on the Governor's Council---Unless, "Predator" (why would anyone use that alias?---Is your real name Jerry Sandusky) or "Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III" (clearly not someone interested in values beyond political) wish to run for said office or support another candidate, I would hope that they would save their unfortunate comments for another blog.
Harriet Myers

Yet the first thing the good doctor does is to hurl her own variety of insults and slurs....here is an example for you Mr. Turner. This is a fine example of intolerance for other points of views, you ask to come together and then liken me to a childmolester....mature....and lacking in sympathy for the helpless victims.

Sigh---Sorry Predator, You are living in an alternative reality. 63 percent of Republicans in a new poll believe that Saddam Hussein had WMDs when we invaded in 2003, despite even George W. Bush's acknowledgment that he didn't. 64 percent also believe that Barack Obama was born in a foreign country, even though we have the long-form birth certificate from Hawaii. This alternate reality is sustained by a 24 hour propaganda network, and hermetically sealed off from any external intervention.

We are reaching a democratic crisis of some sorts. One major political party refuses to accept empirical truths. It has become a hall of ideological mirrors.

While most posters here have wandered way off topic has any one noticed that Charlie has not answered a single question. I have. But I guess that's what zealots do...notice facts.

"Seventy-eight percent of statistics are made up."

Alden, most conservatives aren't hung up on weapons of mass destruction or birth certificates. They are concerned about the massive spending ramp begun by Bush and vastly accelerated by Obama - hence the spontaneous Tea Party movement.

A more provocative question might be, "What role did affirmative action play in the advancement of Barack Obama and Deval Patrick?" In any case, we've ended up with a weak President and a weak Governor... something the Governor's Council might influence.

If any group has been 'hermetically sealed off' it would be Massachusetts liberals. Several generations have been hypnotized under the thrall of the Dukakis, Kennedy, Frank, Kerry and the unions. For the new world dawning, examine Wisconsin, Indiana and New Jersey under Walker, Daniels and Christie.

Your spiritual advisor,
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

Hey gang- Just a freelancer and Newton resident here, but I must echo my excellent editor's excellent suggestion that we stay on topic. Perhaps Charlie (no relation, btw- he lacks my 'c') has chosen not to comment because the topics that are being discussed currently have absolutely nothing to do with the Governor's Council? If you (the royal you- not any you in particular) are interested in hearing his thoughts, a productive approach might be to bring up issues that actually pertain to the role of the Council, what Charlie sees as his potential strengths on said Council and how our area can be well represented on the Council. Just some suggestions...

Charlie, I noticed that you mentioned that the Governor's Council relates to public safety. Can you elaborate on how it relates to public safety and what related skills and experience you bring to the table? Thanks!