I was pleased to see our town fund an America 250 event at our annual town meeting. I have fond memories of the America 200 celebrations as a child, and I believe today's children deserve opportunities to learn about and take pride in our nation's history.
Yes, I attended a Cultural Council meeting and filed an Open Meeting Law complaint. While the Attorney General's Office did not find a violation, that was because the meeting lacked a quorum—not because there was "no wrongdoing," as Ms. Vogel later claimed on social media. The AG's response still addressed several concerns and noted the seriousness of the allegations.
My complaint arose because I was locked out of the building, the ADA entrance was inaccessible, and the agenda being discussed did not match the posted agenda. Following my complaint, the entire council resigned. Subsequent public records raised additional questions regarding grant awards to council members, lack of documentation of votes, recusals, and conflict-of-interest disclosures. Those matters are separate from the Open Meeting Law complaint and remain unresolved.
My original purpose in attending the meeting was simple: to ask whether the town was pursuing any activities related to America's 250th anniversary and whether state grant opportunities were being considered. Many Massachusetts communities applied for those grants.
Former Cultural Council Chair Amie Vogel characterized my inquiry as political and later wrote that she had received "pressure to fall into line on the traditional/conservative agenda of certain people" and that she "thinks it goes without saying that we have plenty of flag waving and Christian Holiday observation out here." Those statements were made to state officials, but they do not reflect anything I said or advocated.
Ms. Vogel also publicly discussed my alleged "ideological views," despite not knowing me personally. Through public records requests, I obtained correspondence showing concerns she raised with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, including references to efforts to "protect" her work on an institutional level.
I never suggested replacing existing events with Easter egg hunts or other activities. Ironically, traditional egg decorating has deep cultural roots dating back centuries in Polish and other Slavic communities. My interest has always been in ensuring that a variety of community interests are represented.
Former Planning Board Chair Sharon Mahoney also submitted correspondence to the Massachusetts Cultural Council in which she accused me of "ongoing harassment." I disagree with that characterization. My concerns have consistently focused on transparency, public process, conflicts of interest, and compliance with procurement and ethics requirements.
Reasonable people can disagree about policy decisions and community priorities. However, public officials and organizations should be prepared for questions regarding transparency, governance, and the use of public resources. Asking those questions is not harassment; it is part of civic participation and public accountability.
No one pressured Amie or any other cultural board member to fall in line with a traditional agenda, but inclusiveness means including flag waving Christians too! Btw- proud to be a Christian and an American! Thank you very much!
It's not ideological to ask if there will be a 250th celebration for our country. I think Amie reveals more about her own agenda than anything else. What does this even mean?
For the record, I am not a member of Quaboag Church, or any church, but I think this is very telling. I mean- some people might be uncomfortable about a lot of things. An alcoholic might feel uncomfortable attending town events at a brewery. What exactly is Amie trying to say?
Well that's great news Amie. And very interesting!
Yeah- but you were and your husband IS... why didn't you mention that little tidbit?
I would be careful here Sharon. This could become expensive.
I was pleased to see our town fund an America 250 event. I believe today's children deserve opportunities to learn about and take pride in our nation's history.