News

Gray's newest but most experienced Councilor
Former Councilor John Welch appointed to Council
By Elizabeth Prata

Gray--John Welch was appointed to the Gray Town Council on Tuesday, August 16. Each candidate had been asked to fill out a questionnaire so that the current Councilors could use them as a springboard to discussion and a basis for making their decision.

Candidates were to be invited to the Tuesday, August 16th Council Meeting for an interview. Councilors would then nominate one of the candidates and vote on the preferred candidate. Initially, Julie DeRoche had applied, but withdrew her name after learning that John Welch had applied also. Being the only remaining candidate, Mr. Welch was appointed Tuesday night. His term will end in June when his seat will be opened for elections. His questionnaire answers are below.

Q. Describe your experience working in a team or committee environment, and/or within the public sector environment; especially as it relates to your personal working style.

I have 9 years 3 months experience as a Gray town councilor. I was on the Planning Board. I served over 27 years in the military.
I have seen teams that were adrift (no leadership). I have seen teams that have had a very strong leader that became the only director of action and the only will within the team.
I don't care for either of these situations.
A team should consist of the independent parts (council members) that think, investigate
and communicate as individuals but for the most part should act as a single unit.

Q. What do you see the role of both the Town Manager …..

Per the Gray Charter: "The Town Manager shall be administrative head of the Town and shall be responsible to the Council for the administration of all departments assigned."

Q. … and a Town Councilor to be?

Appoint, remove and discipline the very few officers it supervises (including the town manager) and committee members, make, alter and repeal ordinances, inquire into the affairs of the town, oversee finances and listen to the needs of all the people.

Q. In your opinion, what are the top three issues facing the Town of Gray in the next year?

1. The town should have financial stability in the short and long term.
2. The town council and departments should provide ordinary care for Gray and its people and not try to do things to them.
3. The town council and the people should realize that written governmental documents (Charter, ordinances and day to day documents) should be as correct as possible, mean what they say and say what they mean. Getting the last little bit correct can be laborious and painful, especially for those whose hearts are not into the task but it MUST be done.
I must also say that we all must live by the binding documents of this government (Charter and ordinances etc.) for these give everyone an equal chance to know the rules of engagement and what is required of all parties.

Q. If you could leave a legacy of accomplishments from a term on the Council, what would that be?

A legacy to be left would be a town that is secure (financially and otherwise) and has its needs provided for in the short term and long term.

Q. What role should the Comprehensive Plan play as the Town Council develops its planning strategies for the future of the Community?

The Comprehensive Plan should be a guide to the community and the council. It should not be ignored but should not be slavishly followed without thought and reasoning.

Q. What is your vision for the Town of Gray in five and ten years? Please comment on where you see the town going, what is your vision of its direction? How do you plan to implement your vision?

We may have a bypass. It will not FIX the problems associated with growth. More and more people will want to drive their cars through Gray. It may give only a period of relief.

I want to see a Gray that can talk things out and its citizens can ask questions, receive answers (I know this can be tedious) without others feeling threatened when someone simply asks a question (I think it is called tolerance and respect). To make this happen each of us (me first) should not go on the attack when someone says something that disturbs us but listen, understand and find out what the person is saying and know why they are saying it.

The town will grow. We should not take action to force it to grow but should make the best of changes that happen; those changes may not all be good.

Q. What do you see as the greatest opportunities for Gray now?
Now is a chance to talk, to understand others and be civil because we want to be, not because it is in the council rules. It is the best for all. Civility is a two way street.

Q. What do you believe are the greatest threats that might prevent Gray from becoming what you have envisioned? Why do you believe those are threats?

The greatest threats are unfounded fear, intolerance and that asteroid hurtling toward Earth. We can do something about the first two right here in Gray. Two out of three can be a good thing!

Q. Where can the current Council improve?
I see a great diversity in this council in both interests and demeanor. That mix of personalities is a wonderful balance. Ask me this question again in October.

Q. How can you help this improvement?
I can try to act according to what I have written in the above answers to this questionnaire.