Monday, November 24, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Response to attacks in the Gazette/Bulletin
As the Select Board campaign draws toward a close on November 4th, the Gazette/Bulletin's endorsed candidate's campaign manager and supporters have descended to mudslinging tactics similar to those they used to drive Anne Awad from office.
Their candidate's big override and economic development platform has been destroyed by a financial tidal wave, so they are making charges against me they understand are essentially false.
Much of the school committee's work involves communication with the superintendent and others re implementation of school policy. My wife's illnesses and my doctors' unsuccessful efforts to control my diabetes during my last school committee term made it difficult to attend evening meetings. Nevertheless, I worked every day to make our school systems better for all students, more responsive to parents, and fairer to faculty and staff.
Present and former school committee members who wanted to repose all power in the school superintendent oppose my candidacy because they want to bring that top-down model to the Select Board.
My diabetes is now under better control with insulin. Amherst residents who believe we need more diversity and openness in government should vote for Vladimir Morales rather than an administrator from an elite college which refuses to pay its fair share for town services.
Vladimir Morales
Their candidate's big override and economic development platform has been destroyed by a financial tidal wave, so they are making charges against me they understand are essentially false.
Much of the school committee's work involves communication with the superintendent and others re implementation of school policy. My wife's illnesses and my doctors' unsuccessful efforts to control my diabetes during my last school committee term made it difficult to attend evening meetings. Nevertheless, I worked every day to make our school systems better for all students, more responsive to parents, and fairer to faculty and staff.
Present and former school committee members who wanted to repose all power in the school superintendent oppose my candidacy because they want to bring that top-down model to the Select Board.
My diabetes is now under better control with insulin. Amherst residents who believe we need more diversity and openness in government should vote for Vladimir Morales rather than an administrator from an elite college which refuses to pay its fair share for town services.
Vladimir Morales
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Michael Greenebaum's letter to the Amherst Bulletin
Vladimir Morales for Select Board
To the Bulletin: Vladimir Morales has been a local hero of mine for many years. His is a strong and eloquent voice for community and social justice. Indeed, the intensity of his passion can sometimes seem to overwhelm the strength of his compassion but I know him to be an advocate of the sort of inclusion that community leaders in Amherst have long striven to attain. A Select Board with Vladimir at the table will provide leadership that the whole town will listen to. I am proud to support his candidacy.
Michael Greenebaum
Amherst
To the Bulletin: Vladimir Morales has been a local hero of mine for many years. His is a strong and eloquent voice for community and social justice. Indeed, the intensity of his passion can sometimes seem to overwhelm the strength of his compassion but I know him to be an advocate of the sort of inclusion that community leaders in Amherst have long striven to attain. A Select Board with Vladimir at the table will provide leadership that the whole town will listen to. I am proud to support his candidacy.
Michael Greenebaum
Amherst
Vladimir Morales: Build fiscal and moral framework together
Vladimir Morales: Build fiscal and moral framework together
Published on October 24, 2008
I've been a resident of Amherst for more than 25 years and have been a committed member of the community, serving on the Amherst Town Meeting, since 1984 to present, School Committee for three terms, 1996 to 2005, and other various town committees.
I want the Select Board to be more open and accountable to the citizens it represents. Citizens should be more involved in town decisions. It is the job of Select Board members to encourage citizens to help make these important decisions, and to see that Amherst citizens' participation is considered a right, a responsibility and a top priority of the board. This means citizens' empowerment.
We all want Amherst citizens to reflect the diversity of our ethnic and income groups, which are America's greatest strength. The Select Board has a vital role to play in achieving this end. We need to start talking to each other more and cooperating more. Amherst has been changing, and we, as a town, must respond to these changes responsibly, imaginatively and with compassion. If we resist change while conditions change around us, we will do the citizens of our community a real disservice. We are in a position to improve our community through cooperation and understanding as we work together to develop realistic alternatives to address our problems.
We have reached a critical point in dealing with public funds. We can move forward by addressing problems as an all-inclusive community or we can allow discord, dissatisfaction and frustrations to stall our progress by dividing the community. We need to continue to look at, and take positions on state and federal legislative proposals that may affect town programs and finances. We should continue to support legislation to reduce the need for property tax funding of local education. It's important that discussions include those who feel we are spending too much or too little on our town. We need to include renters, students, people who are retired and living on fixed incomes, and members of all diverse groups that make up the fabric of our town. We need to obtain additional revenue from the colleges and the University of Massachusetts.
I decided to run for the Select Board long before it became clear that our approach to the town's budgetary process would be overtaken by events many levels above that of Massachusetts municipal government.
At this point we must toss out the plans and path we have staked out and focus on how to preserve the good things about Amherst. Any candidate whose platform still includes general Proposition 21/2 overrides or expensive commitments to economic development is someone the voters should reject out of hand.
We are going to have to fight to keep our schools decent and functional, to help our existing local small businesses and banks stay in business, and to prevent families from becoming homeless because of foreclosures.
Please join me in constructing a fiscal and moral framework that will preserve what is good about over town.
Be sure to get a national and local ballot on Nov. 4.
Vladimir Morales is a resident of Amherst and a candidate for Select Board.
Published on October 24, 2008
I've been a resident of Amherst for more than 25 years and have been a committed member of the community, serving on the Amherst Town Meeting, since 1984 to present, School Committee for three terms, 1996 to 2005, and other various town committees.
I want the Select Board to be more open and accountable to the citizens it represents. Citizens should be more involved in town decisions. It is the job of Select Board members to encourage citizens to help make these important decisions, and to see that Amherst citizens' participation is considered a right, a responsibility and a top priority of the board. This means citizens' empowerment.
We all want Amherst citizens to reflect the diversity of our ethnic and income groups, which are America's greatest strength. The Select Board has a vital role to play in achieving this end. We need to start talking to each other more and cooperating more. Amherst has been changing, and we, as a town, must respond to these changes responsibly, imaginatively and with compassion. If we resist change while conditions change around us, we will do the citizens of our community a real disservice. We are in a position to improve our community through cooperation and understanding as we work together to develop realistic alternatives to address our problems.
We have reached a critical point in dealing with public funds. We can move forward by addressing problems as an all-inclusive community or we can allow discord, dissatisfaction and frustrations to stall our progress by dividing the community. We need to continue to look at, and take positions on state and federal legislative proposals that may affect town programs and finances. We should continue to support legislation to reduce the need for property tax funding of local education. It's important that discussions include those who feel we are spending too much or too little on our town. We need to include renters, students, people who are retired and living on fixed incomes, and members of all diverse groups that make up the fabric of our town. We need to obtain additional revenue from the colleges and the University of Massachusetts.
I decided to run for the Select Board long before it became clear that our approach to the town's budgetary process would be overtaken by events many levels above that of Massachusetts municipal government.
At this point we must toss out the plans and path we have staked out and focus on how to preserve the good things about Amherst. Any candidate whose platform still includes general Proposition 21/2 overrides or expensive commitments to economic development is someone the voters should reject out of hand.
We are going to have to fight to keep our schools decent and functional, to help our existing local small businesses and banks stay in business, and to prevent families from becoming homeless because of foreclosures.
Please join me in constructing a fiscal and moral framework that will preserve what is good about over town.
Be sure to get a national and local ballot on Nov. 4.
Vladimir Morales is a resident of Amherst and a candidate for Select Board.
Something to vote for - Jim Oldham
Something to vote for
By JIM OLDHAM
Published on October 17, 2008
Here is an excerpt from the letter that Town Meeting member Jim Oldham had published in the Amherst Bulletin:
-
Select Board
Amherst voters will receive a second ballot to choose one of four candidates for the vacant Select Board seat.
This year, "change" and "experience" have become shallow alternatives for genuine ideas, but the leadership qualities that they represent are real. Both the ability to break from old policies and politics to offer creative new solutions, and the knowledge and competence to successfully deliver such solutions, are desperately needed to meet difficult economic, environmental and social challenges. This is as true locally as nationally. Fortunately, one Select Board candidate combines both these qualities.
Vladimir Morales' resume includes three terms on School Committee, and appointments to, among others, the Fair Housing, Joint Capital Planning, and Community Preservation Act committees. Yet he remains one of Amherst's most effective voices for those less involved.
Vladimir is committed to accessible government. As a School Committee member, he instigated public broadcast of their meetings - a service parents value, as recent news stories demonstrate. For nine years he was the one person many parents turned to for information, to share concerns, or for help navigating the system.
Vladimir's commitment to inclusiveness runs through all his work. He led a vote to abolish a rule limiting school club participation to students with a C-plus average or higher; aware that participating students are more motivated, while those excluded will continue to drift away.
In Town Meeting, Vladimir has educated fellow members and others about the value of extending local voting rights to resident aliens so that all our neighbors can participate in decisions that affect everyone. Although state legislative approval is still pending, his leadership has created a strong local consensus on this issue.
Vladimir is a leader and doer. From advocating for air quality improvements at Fort River School to working locally and at state level to protect public safety by prohibiting drivers' use of hand-held phones, he consistently works for the welfare of constituents and the town.
He is an independent thinker and one of few who can represent the concerns of taxpayers and those who fear the loss of services. He genuinely understands that the Select Board represents all residents - renters, homeowners, those with fixed incomes, families, students, retirees and all the diverse groups that we are. I look forward to voting for Vladimir Morales for Select Board.
Jim Oldham, a Town Meeting member from Precinct 5, does environmental justice work in Massachusetts and Ecuador.
By JIM OLDHAM
Published on October 17, 2008
Here is an excerpt from the letter that Town Meeting member Jim Oldham had published in the Amherst Bulletin:
-
Select Board
Amherst voters will receive a second ballot to choose one of four candidates for the vacant Select Board seat.
This year, "change" and "experience" have become shallow alternatives for genuine ideas, but the leadership qualities that they represent are real. Both the ability to break from old policies and politics to offer creative new solutions, and the knowledge and competence to successfully deliver such solutions, are desperately needed to meet difficult economic, environmental and social challenges. This is as true locally as nationally. Fortunately, one Select Board candidate combines both these qualities.
Vladimir Morales' resume includes three terms on School Committee, and appointments to, among others, the Fair Housing, Joint Capital Planning, and Community Preservation Act committees. Yet he remains one of Amherst's most effective voices for those less involved.
Vladimir is committed to accessible government. As a School Committee member, he instigated public broadcast of their meetings - a service parents value, as recent news stories demonstrate. For nine years he was the one person many parents turned to for information, to share concerns, or for help navigating the system.
Vladimir's commitment to inclusiveness runs through all his work. He led a vote to abolish a rule limiting school club participation to students with a C-plus average or higher; aware that participating students are more motivated, while those excluded will continue to drift away.
In Town Meeting, Vladimir has educated fellow members and others about the value of extending local voting rights to resident aliens so that all our neighbors can participate in decisions that affect everyone. Although state legislative approval is still pending, his leadership has created a strong local consensus on this issue.
Vladimir is a leader and doer. From advocating for air quality improvements at Fort River School to working locally and at state level to protect public safety by prohibiting drivers' use of hand-held phones, he consistently works for the welfare of constituents and the town.
He is an independent thinker and one of few who can represent the concerns of taxpayers and those who fear the loss of services. He genuinely understands that the Select Board represents all residents - renters, homeowners, those with fixed incomes, families, students, retirees and all the diverse groups that we are. I look forward to voting for Vladimir Morales for Select Board.
Jim Oldham, a Town Meeting member from Precinct 5, does environmental justice work in Massachusetts and Ecuador.
Amherst League of Women Voters' Candidates Night
The Amherst League of Women Voters presents a
Candidates' Night on October 29
Amherst Middle School Auditorium - 7pm.
Candidates' Night on October 29
Amherst Middle School Auditorium - 7pm.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
the Gazette's Article about Amherst Select Board Candidates
Select Board hopefuls address Amherst's future
By SCOTT MERZBACH Friday, October 17, 2008
AMHERST - Making difficult budget decisions that will not burden residents with higher taxes, but at the same time won't mean deep cuts to municipal services, is a theme echoed by all four candidates seeking a seat on the Select Board at the Nov. 4 elections.
At a forum Thursday at the middle school, sponsored by the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, candidates Vladimir Morales, David Keenan, Calvin Brower and Aaron Hayden discussed the challenges the town is facing in light of the economic woes in the state and on Wall Street.
Hayden, former chairman of the Planning Board, said he wants to keep town services intact, but also ensure that diverse populations can remain in the community. "We must not create a condition that will tax anyone out of town," he said.
Hayden stressed pursuing efficiencies in budgets, but noted it is too early to identify specific areas for cutting.
Calvin Brower, a six-year Town Meeting member, said Amherst should preserve what exists. "I support level services, which will require additional revenue," he said.
The schools, police, fire and public works should not see any cuts, Brower said. He suggested reducing spending in the golf course and town commemorations budgets.
Former Select Board member Keenan said he would oppose a Proposition 2½ override, which would lead Amherst toward becoming even more gentrified. Like Hayden, he wouldn't say where he would cut, though he expects the need to trim $2 million to $3 million.
Morales, a former School Committee member, said he too would oppose an override. Even so, he said he would focus on preserving and possibly expanding the good things about Amherst, including increasing library hours and maintaining the school budget. "We are going to have to fight to keep our schools decent and functioning," he said.
With grandchildren living in town, Morales said he would not cut teachers, human service funding, library hours or low-income assistance for recreation programs: "Everything else is on the table."
All four candidates spoke against Question 1, which would eliminate the state income tax.
The candidates addressed the so-called "Amherst factor," the complaint that the permitting and inspections process is too time-consuming and has prevented some businesses from coming to Amherst. Morales said he rejected the notion that this factor existed, but Keenan said Amherst's reputation was deserved despite the good work the building commissioners do.
Brower said streamlining permitting would help town revenues. Hayden said he worked to improve the relationship between the Planning Board and developers, and helped craft bylaws to allow for the development of projects such as New England Environmental's new headquarters.
Morales said his purpose in seeking the Select Board seat is to close the divide between those inside and outside the decision-making circle. "I am proud to live in this community, but I think we can do better," he said.
Quoting an old song, Keenan said he would work to eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive.
"My agenda is to build solutions by going out and calling up the president of Amherst College and see if he'll have coffee," he said.
Political activism has been important to Brower: he opposed the Vietnam War and nuclear power and supports environmental causes. "I've been an activist all my life for the people," he said.
Hayden said his agenda is to help all residents be heard. "I have worked very hard to engage the ideas and abilities of all the people I've worked with," he said.
The winner of the election will replace Anne Awad, who resigned in August, and serve until next spring's annual town elections.
http://www.gazettenet.com/2008/10/17/select-board-hopefuls-address-amherst039s-future
By SCOTT MERZBACH Friday, October 17, 2008
AMHERST - Making difficult budget decisions that will not burden residents with higher taxes, but at the same time won't mean deep cuts to municipal services, is a theme echoed by all four candidates seeking a seat on the Select Board at the Nov. 4 elections.
At a forum Thursday at the middle school, sponsored by the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, candidates Vladimir Morales, David Keenan, Calvin Brower and Aaron Hayden discussed the challenges the town is facing in light of the economic woes in the state and on Wall Street.
Hayden, former chairman of the Planning Board, said he wants to keep town services intact, but also ensure that diverse populations can remain in the community. "We must not create a condition that will tax anyone out of town," he said.
Hayden stressed pursuing efficiencies in budgets, but noted it is too early to identify specific areas for cutting.
Calvin Brower, a six-year Town Meeting member, said Amherst should preserve what exists. "I support level services, which will require additional revenue," he said.
The schools, police, fire and public works should not see any cuts, Brower said. He suggested reducing spending in the golf course and town commemorations budgets.
Former Select Board member Keenan said he would oppose a Proposition 2½ override, which would lead Amherst toward becoming even more gentrified. Like Hayden, he wouldn't say where he would cut, though he expects the need to trim $2 million to $3 million.
Morales, a former School Committee member, said he too would oppose an override. Even so, he said he would focus on preserving and possibly expanding the good things about Amherst, including increasing library hours and maintaining the school budget. "We are going to have to fight to keep our schools decent and functioning," he said.
With grandchildren living in town, Morales said he would not cut teachers, human service funding, library hours or low-income assistance for recreation programs: "Everything else is on the table."
All four candidates spoke against Question 1, which would eliminate the state income tax.
The candidates addressed the so-called "Amherst factor," the complaint that the permitting and inspections process is too time-consuming and has prevented some businesses from coming to Amherst. Morales said he rejected the notion that this factor existed, but Keenan said Amherst's reputation was deserved despite the good work the building commissioners do.
Brower said streamlining permitting would help town revenues. Hayden said he worked to improve the relationship between the Planning Board and developers, and helped craft bylaws to allow for the development of projects such as New England Environmental's new headquarters.
Morales said his purpose in seeking the Select Board seat is to close the divide between those inside and outside the decision-making circle. "I am proud to live in this community, but I think we can do better," he said.
Quoting an old song, Keenan said he would work to eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive.
"My agenda is to build solutions by going out and calling up the president of Amherst College and see if he'll have coffee," he said.
Political activism has been important to Brower: he opposed the Vietnam War and nuclear power and supports environmental causes. "I've been an activist all my life for the people," he said.
Hayden said his agenda is to help all residents be heard. "I have worked very hard to engage the ideas and abilities of all the people I've worked with," he said.
The winner of the election will replace Anne Awad, who resigned in August, and serve until next spring's annual town elections.
http://www.gazettenet.com/2008/10/17/select-board-hopefuls-address-amherst039s-future
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
1st Candidate's Forum in Amherst Oct. 17 at 7pm AMS
Dear friends, and supporters
Would love to see all of you on Thursday Oct 16 7:00 Pm
at the Amherst Middle School Auditorium
for the first forum for the candidates to share their views.
Amherst Chamber of Commerce is the sponsor.
Sincerely, Vladimir
1st Candidate's Forum in Amherst Oct. 17 at 7pm Amherst Middle School Auditorium
Would love to see all of you on Thursday Oct 16 7:00 Pm
at the Amherst Middle School Auditorium
for the first forum for the candidates to share their views.
Amherst Chamber of Commerce is the sponsor.
Sincerely, Vladimir
1st Candidate's Forum in Amherst Oct. 17 at 7pm Amherst Middle School Auditorium
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Kind words from Eileen Collins Viera
It may be late, I may be tired, but one thing is making me miss Amherst very much. I want to be able to vote for Vladimir!
I now live in So.Hadley. For five years I was neighbor of the Morales familia, we became great friends and remain so to this day. I have yet to see a day when Vladimir does not place the best interest of the collective, be that family or community, above his own. Always extremely dedicated to helping others because it is the right thing to do is a trait that has been with Vladimir since I met him a decade ago. Amherst is one lucky town to have him!!!
Sinceramente, Eileen Collins Viera
I now live in So.Hadley. For five years I was neighbor of the Morales familia, we became great friends and remain so to this day. I have yet to see a day when Vladimir does not place the best interest of the collective, be that family or community, above his own. Always extremely dedicated to helping others because it is the right thing to do is a trait that has been with Vladimir since I met him a decade ago. Amherst is one lucky town to have him!!!
Sinceramente, Eileen Collins Viera
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Upcoming Events
Activist Mel King's 80th birthday party
Oct. 20, 2008 in Boston: http://www.vladimirmorales.org/MHKing80th.pdf
Teatro Vida a project of the Latino Breakfast Club, is holding auditions October 14th at the Greater Springfield YMCA, 275 Chestnut Street at 6:30 p.m. in rooms B4 and B5.
Pre-registration to audition is required. Teatro Vida will be open to all youth of the Greater Springfield area, ages 12-24.
To pre-register for the audition, please send all of your contact information, and a 1,000 word essay or letter on a topic you are passionate about, or equivalent writing sample to: TeatroVida08@gmail.com or by post to: Teatro Vida, P.O. Box 80722, Springfield, MA 01138. If you do not have internet access, it is available free of charge at most local libraries.
DEADLINE FOR ESSAY AND TO PRE-REGISTER: October 6th, 2008. Early submissions encouraged. The audition will be stress free and
fun in a workshop style.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The 13th Annual Festival Latino in Lee, in celebration is next September 27, 2008 from 4:00 to 9:00PM, begins by joining the Lee Founder’s Day Parade in the morning, and at 4:00pm five-hour presentation by Latin American folkloric dancers who perform stunning dances in beautiful costumes. The program features folkloric dance companies from many Latin American countries. Through their performances and music, the dancers entertain the audience with the ceremonies, rituals, and stories of these rich cultures. Delicious ethnic dishes are available from local vendors. The festival is free of charge, alcohol-free, and open to the public. People of all ethnicities come together at the First Congregational Church Park, Main Street, Lee, MA Exit 2 from I-90)!
For further information please contact Gladis Rave at 413-329-0206 or Liliana Ortiz-Bermúdez at 413-243-3961. Please visit us on our website at www.festivallatino.org.
Oct. 20, 2008 in Boston: http://www.vladimirmorales.org/MHKing80th.pdf
Teatro Vida a project of the Latino Breakfast Club, is holding auditions October 14th at the Greater Springfield YMCA, 275 Chestnut Street at 6:30 p.m. in rooms B4 and B5.
Pre-registration to audition is required. Teatro Vida will be open to all youth of the Greater Springfield area, ages 12-24.
To pre-register for the audition, please send all of your contact information, and a 1,000 word essay or letter on a topic you are passionate about, or equivalent writing sample to: TeatroVida08@gmail.com or by post to: Teatro Vida, P.O. Box 80722, Springfield, MA 01138. If you do not have internet access, it is available free of charge at most local libraries.
DEADLINE FOR ESSAY AND TO PRE-REGISTER: October 6th, 2008. Early submissions encouraged. The audition will be stress free and
fun in a workshop style.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The 13th Annual Festival Latino in Lee, in celebration is next September 27, 2008 from 4:00 to 9:00PM, begins by joining the Lee Founder’s Day Parade in the morning, and at 4:00pm five-hour presentation by Latin American folkloric dancers who perform stunning dances in beautiful costumes. The program features folkloric dance companies from many Latin American countries. Through their performances and music, the dancers entertain the audience with the ceremonies, rituals, and stories of these rich cultures. Delicious ethnic dishes are available from local vendors. The festival is free of charge, alcohol-free, and open to the public. People of all ethnicities come together at the First Congregational Church Park, Main Street, Lee, MA Exit 2 from I-90)!
For further information please contact Gladis Rave at 413-329-0206 or Liliana Ortiz-Bermúdez at 413-243-3961. Please visit us on our website at www.festivallatino.org.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Documents from a history of political leadership in Amherst
The following posts document more than twelve years of dedicated political leadership from Vladimir Morales on issues important to the community of Amherst.
From letters written to the Amherst Bulletin and the Boston Globe, to leadership in trying to unite Amherst in solidarity with sister city Vieques during the struggle against the bombing of the Puerto Rican island, to a strong stance on the Amherst School Committee on many issues, to taking these issues to the town meetings: all this points to a dedicated citizen and activist who will be an asset on the Select Board of Amherst.
Vote for Vladimir Morales for Amherst Select Board on Nov. 4, 2008.
From letters written to the Amherst Bulletin and the Boston Globe, to leadership in trying to unite Amherst in solidarity with sister city Vieques during the struggle against the bombing of the Puerto Rican island, to a strong stance on the Amherst School Committee on many issues, to taking these issues to the town meetings: all this points to a dedicated citizen and activist who will be an asset on the Select Board of Amherst.
Vote for Vladimir Morales for Amherst Select Board on Nov. 4, 2008.
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