Diane DeNapoli
Has anyone else been rather perplexed by the high level of emotion surrounding the decision to purchase the water company? At first glance one could look at the issue to buy the water company as a simple business decision. There are a variety of issues that influence a consumer to purchase an item, including price, need, supply, and various psychological and cultural experiences that shape our choices.
Let us take a cultural selfie. Trust, or lack thereof, in government and big business are important factors to consider when we look at why there is such disunion among residents on the matter of the water company.
According to Pew Research Center, only one-third of Americans have trust in the federal government. Pew also stated that as of 2017 only 38 percent of Americans have some trust in big business. We are besieged by "fake news," partisan dysfunction, and on some days a general feeling of fatigue.
It is no wonder that in this age of disbelief when a significant decision needs to be made it can incite a good deal of passion from all sides.
Let us remember when we assemble at Town Meeting on April 22 that good people in a democracy will disagree. Our revered American forefathers thought it so essential to a healthy democracy that they guaranteed freedom of assembly and expression in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. I ask my fellow Hingham patriots to keep the wisdom of Ben Franklin in mind when we assemble to vote: “If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins."
-Diane DeNapoli
Dodging the issue. What is the point of doing that???
It is strange indeed for any Hingham citizen to make common cause with an out-of-state corporate monopolist seeking to make fat profits at our expense rather than with the leaders of the Town on such an important matter for us, our children and our grandchildren. To do so makes absolutely ZERO sense to me, and I don’t mind saying so. As Selectman Karen Johnson recently observed: “From day one, Aquarion’s objective has been to prevent the town from exercising its right to acquire the water company. I’ve found it distressing that their tactics have been to contest, confuse, delay, and to interfere with the town’s orderly evaluation of this proposal. Make no mistake, Aquarion’s sole concern in all of this is the best financial interest of Aquarion.” Indeed, Diane: “let reason hold the reins”, and if it does, we’ll be telling the corporate monopolist to GET OUT OF TOWN! (Oh, and don’t forget to keep your eye on the fire alarm!)
As I understand your position, its like saying it doesn’t matter whether the Red Sox win or lose, its just playing the game that counts.