Robert Irvin Ash, R.I.P.

A few months back, Bob Ash decided to run for election to our community's Resident Advisory Committee. When he submitted his candidate profile, many of us had our first glimpse at his impressive industry experience and academic credentials. Bob, known to many as friendly neighbor and an affable golf partner was a man who had no need for boastful self-promotion. He simply let his record speak for itself. And what a record. After graduating from his beloved University of Virginia, he earned an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, acquired his C.P.A. credentials, and served his country in the U.S. Navy. There then followed a career of accomplishments with several prominent U.S. Corporations. More recently, Bob has been plying his trade through his firm, Ashworth Consultants, Inc. During this time, he also found time for active involvement in industry events and service as an adjunct professor at several area colleges. Needless to say, our community quickly elected him to the Committee and during the short time he was to serve, we marveled at our good fortune in having someone of Bob’s caliber to help with the task of overseeing the community’s management.

Last week end, only hours after playing in a community golf tournament, Bob Ash died peacefully at his home. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob, his wife Barbara and their family. We will miss seeing his distinctive U.V.A. golf bag on the golf course, but more importantly, we will miss Bob’s friendship, his wise counsel and his trademark welcoming smile that all helped make our little corner of the world a better place.

Click here to view Bob's OBITUARY and to learn the details of his memorial service scheduled for next week.

Never Forget

Earmarks, they're spending your money

While it is certainly important to take careful note of candidates' the tax proposals, it would also be wise to look at the other side of the coin and examine the trends in government spending that drives the seemingly insatiable demand for tax revenues that threatens to choke off economic growth. According to an editorial in this morning's Wall Street Journal, federal spending is expected to reach 21.5% of GDP next year, the highest since 1992. If this isn't a trend toward big government, I don't know what is.

One of the most flagrant contributors to this trend is the use of budget "Earmarks", to identify and provide money for pet projects located in the sponsors home state. The 2008 budget contained over 11,000 such items at a total cost of $17 billion. It's easy to understand the allure of such funding as it allows legislators to pepper their re-election speeches with a boast of all the pork they brought back home from Washington.

In this year's election, we have a clear choice. John McCain has pledged to veto earmarks whenever they cross his desk. This pledge is backed up by a long record of opposing such measures. His opponent is a consistent supporter of the legislative "old-boys" attitude of voting for each others pork. Since he became a Senator in 2005, he has asked for nearly $1 billion for special projects.

When we look at the second seat on each ticket, we find perfect symmetry. Joe Biden reliably ensures that Delaware receives a robust pork supply, while Sarah Palin has an established record of fighting wasteful spending, including the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere". According to Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina):

"Yes, she once supported the project, but after witnessing the problems created by earmarks for her state and for the nation's budget,......., she changed her position and saved taxpayers millions. Even the Alaska Democratic Party credits her with killing the bridge."

Interestingly enough, when the Senate had a chance to reallocate the bridge money to Katrina relief, Senators Obama and Biden chose to stick with the original earmark.

It is not hard to understand how some might become enamored of "free" money flowing from the government's largess. We rely, however, on our elected officials to take a higher point of view and consider the fiscal implications of their actions on the whole nation, rather than grabbing what they can and then demanding higher taxes to pay for it all. Comparing the two campaigns, based on stated positions and past performance, this issue provides a clear choice for voters.

Let's Get to the Issues

No one has ever accused John McCain as being a great public speaker. His speeches would seldom be called rip-roaring stemwinders. At the same time, what he may lack in slick glibness, he more than makes up for in his ability to speak straight from the heart in clear understandable statements. You may agree or disagree, but you know where he stands. His acceptance speech, Thursday night, might not have been full of flashy rhetoric, but it provided a clear picture of his beliefs and the policies we might expect from a McCain presidency. Amid the many points he made Thursday night, I was struck by his stated hatred of war. A military man from a miltary family, McCain knows of what he speaks.

McCain's opponent doesn't seem to be as detailed about his policies, and it takes a little digging to get behind the calls for hope and the "yes-we-can" chants. But I believe that this issue providess a clear choice for American voters. John McCain believes in a strong military and is not afraid to hold this option dear as he envisions his administation plying the treacherous roads of international diplomacy. And while he hates war, he also recognizes the stark necessity of having both stick and carrot available, especially when dealing with foreign dictators committed to policies of hatred. His opponent would have us believe that the threats posed by belligerent nations can be calmed by the power of his personality.

Over the next few months, much will be said about the Iraq war, and here again, voters have a clear choice between McCain's support, especially for the surge, and his opponents opposition. John McCain is not the only one who hates war. All people of conscience must satisfy themselves that war is the last resort before unleashing those particular dogs. Good faith debate regarding appropriateness of the Iraq war will occupy us, as a nation, for some time to come. But blindly branding it a mistake precludes much that can be learned.

I invite you to watch a VIDEO made by a young soldier named Joe Cook. I think the message he brings is as just as important to the ongoing debate as is the chanting from the anti-war crowd.

Hollywood East - More Details

In order to be in position to vote at its September 15th meeting as to whether or not to recommend the Movie and Entertainment Production Overlay District, or MEPOD to the October Town Meeting, The Plymouth Planning Board is continuing its marathon review process. Not only is time short, but due to the fact that Plymouth Rock Studio is seeking an "As-of-Right" approval rather than the more restrictive Special permit, there is added pressure on the developer to provide detailed plans for the project. To date, the review process has already produced a much more clear picture of what is planned for the current site of the Waverly Oaks Golf course.

Plymouth Rock Studios will be a very substantial development for Plymouth consisting of 2 million square feet of space configured in a variety of structures. With an estimated cost of $422 million, the complex will include a dozen sound stages, a back lot, an office building and a 300 room hotel. The site will also include 125 units of housing consisting of ten single family homes that will be for sale, plus 100 apartment units and fifteen condos that will be rentals. The sound stages are expected to be limited to 65 feet in height, except for one that will be allowed to 75 feet. The other buildings are expected to have a 45 foot height limit.

As expected, an investment of this magnitude has garnered a lot of support from Town officials and voters. While it is pointed out that 88% of those voting in the spring election (approximately 25% of the registered voters) voted yes on a non-binding referendum supporting a movie studio for Plymouth. At that time, however, the Waverly Oaks site was not identified. The expectation of up to 1,000 construction jobs followed by as many as 2,000 full-time jobs with an average annual salary of $70,000, would provide significant stimulus to the local economy.

The only fly in the ointment is whether or not a project of this size and scope can be situated in the quiet residential area along Long Pond Road. The developers are quick to reassure residents that the quality of life in the area will not be compromised by the studio. Many of the local residents are not so sure. One of the major concerns would be the traffic, estimated at 9,000 auto trips per day. The proposed solution, a new access road that would parallel Rte 3, south to Clark Road, would seemingly be a solution to the traffic concerns. The one caveat is whether or not the traffic engineers can sort out the stretch of Clark Road from Rte 3, west to the intersection of Long Pond Road. This area is already congested at the busy times of the day.

Plymouth Rock Studios is seeking the "As-of-Right" permit to protect its significant investment, but many are concerned that such an approval gives them a Carte Blanche to develop the site. A Special permit approval would provide more safeguards to the Town during the development process, but that is not what PRS is seeking. Final approval, to a great extent, depends upon whether Town Meeting members are satisfied with the detailed scope of the project.

Evolutions '08

What better way to take a break between the two political conventions than to motor up to the North Shore where Dick Buckley once again produced a jewel of an art show on scenic Marblehead Neck. Arrayed attractively on the grounds of a patron's home, the work of a dozen visual artists was presented amid the natural splendor. This year, Dick arranged for a several musical artists to add a pleasant melodic complement to the event. Musical Artists included: Barbara Alex and friends, Ted Sink, David Ward, Donald Tower and Lisa Walkins. Master sound engineer Jim Merritt applied his skills to ensure that the musical performances blended perfectly with the show's ambiance. If this isn't the best "12 Hours of Art" presented anywhere, I don't know what is.

Among the visual artists showing their work was our own, Mark Malloy with eight new pieces showing a new direction in his work. One of his earlier pieces is shown above; Dick Buckley, who's creative talents are a match for his organizational skills; Bob Bartlett presenting his graceful "kinetic constructs"; the hauntingly electric illustrations of Meghann Brideau; the crisp architectural illustrations of Winthrop's own Frank Constantino; American Impressionist Carol Dearborn; The realistic decorating talents Lena Fransioli; Meghan Gargano's abstract interpretation of natural scenes; Ceramic sculptor Richard Gilson's evocative work; the decorative finishes of Kasia Mirowska; Fran Morey's work “Capturing the grace, energy and majesty of a unique era of sail”; the exciting work of multi-faceted Mark Wholey; and the intriguing pencil sketches of Jesa Damora.

Also included in this year's show were two film pieces: "Tarrantino's Mind" by a pair of Brazillian Directors and a six-minute episode of "Undercover Cheerleaders" by Bryan Buckley.

For More Background on the show and its artisis, click HERE for the site of North Shore Artists. The site also includes links to individual artist websites.

Mark your calendars for next Labor Day week end and lets see if Dick Buckley can outdo this year's production which by all accounts was a grand-slam home run.

Sarah Palin for Vice President

John McCain has selected 44 year-old Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin as his running mate for the November presidential election. In what may eventually be seen as a bold political masterstroke, McCain has selected a running mate with: youth, strong conservative credentials and executive/gubernatorial experience. Moreover, as the mother of five, she is a strong advocate for traditional family values. Coming a day after the wrap up of the Democratic Convention, it is impossible to miss the supreme irony that it is the Republicans who are putting a woman on the ticket.

I am writing this with the TV on, awaiting the official announcement by John McCain in Ohio. The cavalcade of talking heads is already hammering away at Palin's seeming lack of experience, especially in foreign affairs and national defense. But if lack of experience is an important issue, we need to look first at the top of the Democratic ticket.

This choice is clearly a gamble for John McCain, who passed over several "safe" choices for VP in favor of Sarah Palin. It now remains for her to be tested by the fire of public scrutiny, which has been known to be an enormous stumbling block. But if she is successful, she just may win the hearts of the American people and help John McCain win the presidency. Several commentators have characterized this choice as being highly visceral, and knowing John McCain, this is probably true. After watching her impressive acceptance speech, The View applauds his decision and shares this optimism.