20 Duxbury Clipper Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Election
Voter
Guide
Learn about the candidates

W
in their own words
elcome to the Dux-
bury Clipper’s 2010
Voters Guide. This
year, there are contested candi-
dates in three races, Board of Se-
lectmen,
School Com-
mittee, and
Moderator.
When: Saturday, March
27, 8am - 8pm.

We hope Where: Duxbury Middle

School

this guide is For more information, call

the Town Clerk’s office at
informative 781-934-1100 x150

and useful
as Duxbury voters head to the bal-
IMPORTANT: Please note the above is a sample ballot for information only and may not be used for voting.

lot box on Saturday. To read more,

including detailed responses from
the candidates for School Commit-
tee and Board of Selectmen, check
out our “Town Election 2010”
page at duxburyclipper.com.
Follow the election live!
Clipper Editor Justin Graeber will
be posting live updates and photos
from Saturday’s election. Follow us at
duxburyclipper.com, our fan page on
Facebook or at twitter.com/duxburyclip-
per.
I
Library trustee
have over 30 years of active involve-
ment in Duxbury. My local experi-
ence includes nine years as a library
trustee, as a member vice chairman and chair-
man and six years on the school committee, as
a member, secretary and chairman. I was for-
tunate to chair the first Solid Waste Disposal
Advisory Committee
which brought recycling
to Duxbury and the
original Town Manage-
ment Study Committee
which helped modern-
ize our town govern-
ment. I have served on
the Finance Committee
and the Bylaws Review
TED flynn Committee. I have also
been a coach in the chil-
dren’s recreation program, when the Flynn
“kids” were playing soccer, basketball and
little league.
Professionally, I am the president/CEO of
the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public
Accountants, a 10,500 member professional
association.
I believe I bring practical fiscal and
managerial experience to the job of Library
Trustee. I am currently vice chairman of the
Board of Directors of the New England Cen-
ter for Homeless Veterans. I am past chair-
man of the National Board of Regents, Center
for Leadership Development, US Chamber of
Commerce. I have served as a director of the
Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange
and am the past president of two business as-
sociations: the New England Society of As-
sociation Executives and the National CPA
Societies Executive Association. I am a re-
tired captain in the US Coast Guard Reserve.
These positions have helped me to learn how
to bring disparate individuals and groups to-
gether to work towards a common goal.
Why are you running for Library Trust-
ee?
Our library is the centerpiece of our com-
munity. We have an outstanding staff and a
strategic plan crafted by patrons, staff and
trustees to guide us and give us the vision to
make this a world-class library. The plan is
our benchmark from which to evaluate and
improve library services.
If re-elected, I have three immediate
goals: protect our core services, give our staff
the fiscal resources they need to continue the
outstanding job they do and continue the im-
plementation of the library strategic plan to
the degree possible, given our current fiscal
constraints.
I want to continue to be part of the change
that is taking place in Duxbury and I hope that
you will give me an opportunity to continue
to work on behalf of our town. Please vote on
Saturday, March 27.
Editor’s note: Mr. Flynn was the only un-
opposed candidate to return a statement for
this special supplement. He will be on the bal-
lot with Laura Sullivan. There are two open
seats on the ballot for library trustee.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 Duxbury Clipper 21

G
Board of selectmen

D OODRICH
uxbury’s citizens will soon be con-
fronted with demands that we ac-
cept enormous tax increases to pay
for what proponents, including former mem-
bers of the Board of Selectmen, claim to be
essential upgrades to or replacements of build-
ings allegedly already too
deteriorated for continued
use.
Yet we are in this situ-
ation only because the
Duxbury Board of Select-
men 1) failed to ensure
that our town and school
buildings were properly
maintained 2) failed to
support balanced operat-
Will Zachmann ing budgets with suffi-
cient surplus funds set aside for future capital
needs and 3) failed to meet its first responsibil-
ity under the Town Manager Act of 1987: “The
Board of Selectmen shall serve as the goal set-
ting, long range planning and policy making
body of the town.
We finally have a Town Manager willing to
do the hard work needed to repair the damage
of two prior decades of mediocrity and mis-
management. We now need a board of select-
men that will join him in that effort – not under-
mine his good work by pushing another round
of ill-considered spending paid for by huge tax
increases. In short we need the Board of Se-
lectmen, finally, to do its job, too.
Why are you running for Board of Select-
men? I am seeking this position to ensure that
the Duxbury Board of Selectmen supports and
enhances, rather than undermines or subverts,
Town Manager Richard MacDonald’s work to
bring real transparency, prudent planning, fiscal
discipline, and honest policy to Duxbury town
government. MacDonald was not the Select-
The Zachmann file
Name: William F. Zachmann (Will)
Address: 160 Standish Street
Family: Married to Elizabeth Ann Loftus Zachmann
(Betty)
Lived in Duxbury: 27 years
Prior offices/government experience:
Duxbury Economic Development Committee
(appointed), Member and vice chairman of the
Duxbury Planning Board (elected), Active Town
Meeting attendee and participant
men’s first choice when he was appointed, but
he was my pick from the start. I clearly said so
in my Duxbury Clipper column at the time.
Richard MacDonald is an intelligent, dedi-
cated, hard-working, independent-thinking,
capable leader who is doing an excellent job
for us. Yet some former office holders seem to
be more interested in a town manager who will
do their bidding than they are in one who will
do his job. They are more interested in a town
manager they can count on to promote their
own agenda and advance their own interests
than they are in one who honestly takes care of
all the people’s business. They see town gov-
ernment as a means to get special advantages
for a privileged few – not as an obligation to
serve all the citizens equally. They are not sup-
porting me in this election. I owe them nothing
– and I support the town manager.
LUMBER
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S
hawn Dahlen, 60 Long Point Lane, is
a candidate for the Board of Select-
men at the March 2010 town election.
A Duxbury resident since 1962, Dahlen has
been an active volunteer in town government
for more than 30 years, including 10 years as
chair of the Conservation Commission. He has
served on 16 different town boards and com-
mittees, lending his expertise as an engineer
PM
and businessman to a wide variety of town-
related projects. He currently serves on the
Duxbury Bay Management Commission and as
a member of the Town Manager Budget Work-
ing Group. He is also on the board of directors
of Jordan Hospital, the Duxbury Bay Maritime
School, and the Duxbury Beach Reservation,

sWWWSUESCUELACOM
Inc. Dahlen has been a local businessman for
40 years.
He has been particu-
larly active in coastal
planning and manage-
ment, overseeing all of
the maintenance and dune
restoration work at Dux-
bury Beach as a director
and vice president of the
Duxbury Beach Reserva-
Shawn Dahlen tion. His dedication to the
Duxbury Bay Maritime
School earned him the Starfish Award in 2009,
recognizing his “extraordinary volunteerism.”
Dahlen, a graduate of Duxbury High School,
holds a B.S. in engineering management from
Wentworth College of Technology. He is the fa-
ther of five children, all raised in Duxbury.
Why am I running for the Selectman posi-
tion? Duxbury needs knowledgeable, experi-
enced, and balanced leaders who will work to
protect our natural resources, champion fiscal
responsibility, and maintain the culture that
make the town such a wonderful place to live.
I believe the town faces the following chal-
lenges:
• Providing key community services, espe-
cially public safety, in a time of shrinking rev-
enue growth.
• Maintaining a premier school system ca-
s3MALL#LASSESSTUDENTSPERCLASS
The Dahlen file
s!LLOURTEACHERSARENATIVESPEAKERSANDGRADUATES
Name: Shawn M. Dahlen INTEACHINGFROMTHEIRRESPECTIVECOUNTRY
s5NIQUECURRICULUMTHATMAKESLEARNINGA
Address: 60 Long Point Lane.
second language fun, easy and fast
Family: Father of five; Shawn Jr., Brian, Jennifer,
Kevin and Timothy. OPEN HOUSE FRIDAY, APRIL 9th
Lived in Duxbury: 48 years
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Prior offices/government experience:
at our Cohasset Location
Summer World Explorers Program
North Hill Study Committee, Board of Health,
Budget Working Group (current), Town Manager 7EEKLYSESSIONSFROMAM
Search Committee, Duxbury Bay Management
Study Committee, Affordable Housing Committee, 2010 - 2011 School Year
Conservation Commission. Ages 2 - 7 Morning Classes
Grades K - 12 Afterschool 1 & 2 Hour Classes
pable of maximizing the potential of all of our
children. Call for a visit and registration details
• Exercising financial stewardship of the 
town budget while providing for residents of
all means.
• Having balanced, thoughtful, and expe-
rienced leaders who will inspire confidence in
town government.
To face these challenges as a Selectman, I
would strive to:
• Be accessible, willing to listen and ques-
tion, and committed to doing what is best for
the town.
• Provide services to our community on a
prioritized basis, within our means.
• Protect, preserve, and maintain the natu-
ral and cultural resources and environment that
make Duxbury such a wonderful town.
• Inspire the next generation of residents to
volunteer their time and skills to make a differ-
ence in our community.
• I would like a chance to give back to a
community that has given me so much. I want
to help our community deal with future chal-
lenges by making decisions in the best inter-
est of all residents. My knowledge of the town,
its finances, and its culture and my record of
public service have given me the tools to bring
balanced leadership to the Board of Selectmen.
I will be accessible, willing to listen and ques-
tion, and committed to doing what is best for
the town.
22
T
en years ago we moved to Duxbury be-
cause of the town’s rich history, recre-
ation, and commitment to high quality
public education. I care deeply about maintaining
and improving the quality of the education that we
provide to our children. We have a commitment to
our kids to strive for excellence,
and prepare them for success in
the 21st century.
I have spent almost 30 years
as a manager and a banker. My
work experience was built upon
leadership, integrity, communi-
cations, and analytical decision
making. I also have significant
nonprofit board and volunteer
experience with a variety of or-
Gary Magnuson
ganizations, including groups
that are focused on child and family issues. However
my most important and rewarding job has been that
of a parent. My wife Sarah and I have experienced
the Duxbury schools through our two children, who
are DMS and DHS students. This yielded first hand
knowledge of the wonderful programs that are avail-
able, as well as some opportunities for improvement.
Our schools should achieve award winning academ-
ics along with our athletic and musical achievements.
T
oday’s students are children of the 21st
century. They will not succeed by merely
learning content—for content is rapidly
changing. Our children need to acquire skills that
will enable them to learn, unlearn and relearn the
evolving subject matter. The skill set is familiar:
reading, writing, researching,
presenting, collaborating, creat-
ing and problem solving, but the
tools and methods are changing.
Teachers use the subject matter
content to teach these skills and
using technology becomes a
means to that end.
Since I have children at
multiple levels I have a broad
Mary Lou Buell perspective on Duxbury
schools. As a teacher I am in the
trenches of 21st century education every day. I ex-
perience first-hand the challenges and the solutions.
In my role as Chandler school council co-chair I have
witnessed how helpful it is to have a parent who is
also an educator collaborating with the principal on
C
olleen Brayer’s campaign is focused
around three platform points. Students first
is the top priority in her campaign.  Brayer
understands our district continues to have students
who are underachieving, and is committed to imple-
menting initiatives that meet the children where they
are, and guide them to achieve
their best.
Fiscal clarity has been high
on Brayer’s radar. She believes
that, “having a clear picture of
the total costs of running our
schools only improves the re-
lationship between the schools
and the community, and will
colleen brayer
lead to the best education for
our students.”
Accountability is the third
priority in Brayer’s platform.  She knows that open
communication is the hallmark of a good organiza-
tion, and that open meetings are the committee’s obli-
gation to the taxpayer.
Brayer says, “I am ready for the workload and re-
sponsibility that being a School Committee member
brings.  I am confident my experience on the Finance
Committee and background in accounting and small
business management will benefit the town.  There is
nothing more important than the hiring of the right
superintendent.  We need to make sure that this per-
son cannot only lead, but can also collaborate with
all the stakeholders.  Our new superintendent will not
only control the quality of our schools (which directly
effects our home values), but also more than half of
the town’s budget.  Our children’s futures rest upon a
thorough and thoughtful search, and I will be an asset
to that process.”
Why are you running for School Committee? I
am running for school committee because I am very
passionate about our children’s education and the fu-
ture of our town. I have been an active participant in
Duxbury Clipper
school committee
The magnuson file
Name: Gary Magnuson
Address: 10 Hidden Acres Drive
Family: Wife Sarah, two children (DHS and DMS)
How long in Duxbury: 10 years
Government/civic experience:
Duxbury Youth Soccer, Duxbury Youth Baseball, Pop
Warner, “Big Cheese” reading program in the Boston
Public Schools, former Treasurer YMCA of Greater
Boston and Hospice Care of RI
Using skills developed through my work experience
and nonprofit leadership I can help the School Com-
mittee face the challenges ahead and continue striv-
ing for excellence.
Why are you running for School Committee?
My agenda is simple – to improve the quality of
our schools for all students. The Duxbury schools are
facing many important and difficult decisions that
will have a lasting impact on our community. The
superintendent search, potential building projects,
ongoing budget struggles and the need for improved
communications represent significant challenges for
the School Committee. I am a candidate because I
can help address these issues, solve problems and
make difficult decisions while also striving for excel-
The Buell file
Name: Mary Lou Buell
Address: 721 Mayflower Street
Lived in Duxbury: Four years
Family: Husband Jeff, four children: Patrick (14),
Veronica (8), Nora (6), and Agnes (3).
Government/civic experience:
Teacher, Weymouth High School, Chandler School
Council Co­-chairwoman, Duxbury Start Time
Assessment Committee, Chandler PTA volunteer, Holy
Family Youth Ministry, Holy Family Confirmation I
teacher, Holy Family ARISE group member
school-wide goals; I am able to articulate the con-
cerns of both parents and teachers.
Why are you running for School Committee?
As a parent of four I have a personal commit-
ment to the Duxbury Public Schools. As a teacher I
recognize the educational challenges that face us. I
see three major themes ahead, and I want to be a part
of solution.
The Brayer file
Name: Colleen Brayer
Address: 116 Toby Garden Street
Lived in Duxbury: 19 years
Family: Husband Tom, children in fourth, sixth and
eighth grades.
Government/civic experience:
Finance Committee member, 2005-present; Chandler
School Council, 2007-present; Trustee, Duxbury Beach
Reservation; Beach Preservation Society member,
Alden and DMS volunteer; Founder, Alden Chess Club.
School Committee meetings over the last eight years
and a member of the town’s finance committee for
the last five years. I am confident that my municipal
experience will be an asset as we face the challenge
of hiring the right superintendent and the feasibility
of the school building project.
Students first is my top priority as our district
continues to have students who are underachiev-
ing. I am committed to implementing initiatives that
meet the students where they are and guide them to
achieve their best.
I will insist on fiscal clarity. By looking at the to-
tal costs of running our schools, we can improve the
relationship between the community and the schools.
Ultimately, this will lead to the best education of our
students.
When elected as a school committee member, I
look forward to being accountable to you – the tax-
payer.
I am originally from Connecticut and have a
bachelor’s degree in accounting and small business
management from Marietta College, Ohio. Tom and
I met in college. We were married in 1991 and have
been Duxbury residents ever since. We have three
children in the Duxbury school system (fourth, sixth
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
lence in education.
The selection of a superintendent will be one of
the most important decisions the committee will make
in the next few years. I want to ensure that we hire
a strong educational leader with the skills and ideas
needed to keep our schools on the path to excellence.
Today’s economic environment impacts our budget
and we need to operate efficiently, while also con-
tinuing to invest the resources required for academic
excellence. My financial expertise will be a valuable
asset as we develop a fiscally responsible plan to ad-
dress our aging buildings. I will bring experienced
leadership, level headed decision making, financial
expertise, and a commitment to collaboration to the
School Committee to help meet these challenges.
The School Committee will be hiring a new su-
perintendent. This person will be responsible for
creating the best possible conditions for cultivating
our children’s minds for future success. The new
superintendent will be expected to maintain quality
schools with limited federal, state and local funding.
Just as 21st-century skills are driving the curricu-
lum, they should also be the driving force behind the
budget. We need clear analysis on what works and
what doesn’t – and then we need to apply it. The most
important factor in whether or not our students learn
is the classroom teacher; the school committee needs
to commit to providing high quality professional de-
velopment opportunities for our faculty members.
In the next few months Congress will pass a re-
vised national education law. The School Committee
will likely need to adjust policies to comply with new
guidelines. Duxbury residents are educated, pas-
sionate and committed citizens who should be called
upon to share their collective wisdom with the school
department as we develop policies and practices to
promote our children’s success.
and eighth grade).
In addition to attending school committee meet-
ings and my appointment to the Finance Committee,
I am also a trustee of the Duxbury Beach Reserva-
tion, Inc., a member of the Duxbury Beach Preserva-
tion Society (former President), active in the Pilgrim
Congregational Church, a former Chandler School
Council member, founder of the Alden Chess Club,
and regular volunteer in the Duxbury Middle and Al-
den Schools.
Don’t forget to vote!
Where: Duxbury Middle School
When: Saturday, March 27
Who: Voters in all precincts
Time: 8 a.m to 8 p.m.
And check duxburyclipper.
com for live updates and results
after the polls close!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
M
y husband Mike and I are the proud
parents of four children, ages 11, 8, 6,
and 2 – who are all, or soon to be, in
the Duxbury School system. I grew up in Duxbury,
returned to raise my family, and have now lived here
for 20 years. I love the town,
and like many of you, Mike
and I chose Duxbury in large
part because of its wonderful
school system.
I am an attorney and have
taken time off from my ca-
reer to raise our family. Previ-
ously, I served as an assistant
district attorney in Plymouth
christine Mclaughlin County. In addition to resolv-
ing hundreds of criminal cases,
I served as the liaison to superintendents and school
administrators to ensure the appropriate disposition
of all pending juvenile cases.
I learned to be a strong and effective advocate,
to communicate respectfully, and to solve complex
M
y Duxbury service started back in
1988 when I became involved with
P.R.I.D.E. and the only true Prop. 2 1/2
Override approved in Duxbury. The town approved
a $1,000,000 override that was split 50/50 between
the schools and the town bud-
gets. From there it seems like a
twinkle until today. During the
intervening years I served three
years on the Finance Commit-
tee where I learned a great deal
about the town finances. That
was followed by two terms as a
member of the Board of Select-
man, and I enjoyed that experi-
ence immensely. I worked with
Friend weiler
some wonderful people and be-
came more aware of the strong Duxbury commitment
to conservation. I was on the negotiating team for the
acquisition of the Camp Wing parcel which directly
led me to serving for six years on the Conservation
Commission, chairing it for the last three years. I also
served for two years on the Town Government Study
Committee. I chaired the Town Manager Search
Committee, chaired the “get out the vote” committee
for the school renovation project and I have spent the
last three plus years on the Fiscal Advisory Commit-
T
hrough his 14 years of service, Greg has
gained a keen understanding of the inner
workings of town government. His dedi-
cation to serving the community is reflected through
the positions he has held on many town boards in-
cluding, Finance Committee, Capital Planning Com-
mittee and the Transfer Station Advisory Committee.
Greg was a strong proponent of the implementation
of “Pay as you Throw” and is
pleased with the success of this
program.
“Whether a member of a
town committee or as an indi-
vidual citizen, I have participat-
ed in almost every town meet-
ing for the past 20 years. Town
Meetings should and can run
more efficiently and effectively.
gregory hunter I believe that every registered
voter has the right to speak at
town meeting and have their opinions heard. I also
believe in limiting the time given for article propos-
als and for all rebuttal arguments, resulting in a more
inclusive and judicious process,” he said.
Growing up in Duxbury, Greg has developed a
strong connection with the town and its residents.
His knowledge of Duxbury residents and their re-
spective talents spans generations, providing him
with a large pool of candidates to make appointments
to boards and committees. “Moderator appointments
are a significant portion of this position. I will do my
utmost to fill these positions with the best candidates.
Representation from more age groups will ensure all
viewpoints are represented,” he said.
Greg received his BA from Northeastern Univer-
sity and his MBA from Babson College. Greg and
his wife, Betsey, have three daughters, Wells, Sarah
Duxbury Clipper 23
school committee
The McLaughlin file education that meets them where they are and carries
Name: Christine McLaughlin them as far as they can go. Success in these efforts
Address: 11 Ryan’s Lane requires the cooperative efforts of many parties.
We are fortunate. We already have many of the
Family: Husband Mike; 4 children — Annabel (11), needed pieces in place — talented and dedicated
John (8), Lauren (6), and Eleni (2)
teachers, passionate parents, enthusiastic children,
Lived in Duxbury: 20 years and a proud community.
Government/civic experience: Youth Softball Coach; Over the past few years, however, I feel that there
Youth Basketball Coach; Youth Basketball Board has been a disconnect between the majority of the
Member; Religious Education Teacher, Holy Family school committee and the community – a discon-
Church; Alden & Chandler School Volunteer; Member of nect that hampers our work towards excellence. My
Start Time Implementation & Assessment Committee primary focus, therefore, will be to bring the parents
voice back into the School Committee process. I will
problems while remaining sensitive to many compet-
be committed to representing the parents of Duxbury
ing interests. Additionally, I am trained in contract
in the important issues facing our district. I will work
negotiations and dispute resolution.
to ensure that the interests and concerns of parents
This background has come in handy as I’ve been
are considered before important decisions are made.
raising four children. Now, I would like to bring
Having been in and around these schools for 20
those skills to the School Committee and be an advo-
years, I understand the priorities and sentiments of
cate for the community and our children.
parents. I will work to achieve the standards of excel-
Why are you running for School Committee? I
lence that we expect.
believe that all students, from the academically ad-
vanced to those who are struggling, should receive an
town moderator
The Weiler file
Name: Friend S. Weiler, Sr.
Address: 7 Trout Farm Road
Family: WIfe Candy; two sons — Friend, Eric
Lived in Duxbury: Since 1978
Government/civic experience: Former selectman and
Finance Committee member, Trustee of Duxbury Beach
Reservation, Chairman of the Pavilion Committee, offers. I am familiar with the issues with finding
Director of the Old Colony YMCA, Trustee of the South qualified appointees from my days on the Board of
Shore Health and Educational Foundation Selectman when we had to fill some 40 committees.
I still know many people from the various commit-
tees I have served on and they will be a great source
tee. It has been a great experience serving Duxbury of new and old names to help fill the ranks. As far
in so many different ways and, amazingly, the results as presiding over Town Meeting, I am truly excited
are always pretty much the same: you meet some about the prospect. I relish the idea of helping cre-
great people, you feel good for giving back to the ate an atmosphere of open discussion, meaningful
town and there is  great satisfaction in helping keep dialogue and the efficient conduct of business. I am
Duxbury a great place to live. a strong supporter of Open Town Meeting and feel
Why are you running for moderator? The posi- that it has served Duxbury well for many years. It
tion of moderator appeals to me because it affords still offers all citizens an opportunity to be heard and
me the opportunity to draw from my years of service it requires discipline on our leaders’   part to speak
in filling one of the major roles of the moderator: openly to the community on matters big and small. I
committee appointments to six committees. In some would  respect the heritage of Town Meeting and do
cases I have served on the very committee in question my best to continue the standard of conduct that sets
and I know firsthand what the committee deals with, Duxbury Town Meeting apart.
the commitment involved and rewards that serving
The hunter file heard. I also believe in limiting the time given for
Name: Gregory F. Hunter article proposals and for all rebuttal arguments, re-
sulting in a more inclusive and judicious process.
Address: 90 Herring Way Additionally, there are 351 communities in the
Family: Wife Betsey, three daughters Commonwealth and we should analyze their best
Lived in Duxbury: Lifetime resident practices and determine if they can be used to make
Government/civic experience: Finance Committee, our town meeting more efficient, effective or more
Capital Planning Committee, Transfer Station Advisory timely. I honestly believe we can do a better job,
Committee, CFO of Plimouth Plantation. speed up the process, and hopefully attract more
townspeople. By engaging more people we will
and Kitty, all of whom attend Duxbury schools. have a greater pool of candidates to draw from to fill
Greg can be reached at 781-934-2245 or greg@ the many boards appointed by the moderator and the
hunterdux.com with any questions or comments. Board of Selectmen, a win-win solution.
Why are you running for moderator? I strongly
believe in our open town meetings and do not want
anything to happen to
change this form of
government. Town
Meeting allows ev-
ery registered voter
to voice their opinion
and vote for the im-
portant issues the town
faces. Unfortunately,
less than 2 percent of
the registered voters
attend. I have asked
people why they don’t
attend and the most
common answer is
“town meeting is too WATCH THE DEBATE AGAIN: Steven Dodrill of WATD FM, Clipper Reporter Susanna
long.” Sheehan and community member William Campbell listen during the Clipper’s candi-
“I believe that ev- date’s forum last Wednesday night in the Mural Room. The debate will be rebroadcast
ery registered voter several times on Channel 13 before the election: Wednesday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and
has the right to speak 11 p.m.; Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; Friday at 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.
at town meeting and and Saturday at 7 a.m., 12 noon and 3 p.m.
have their opinions
24
Candidate questions
School committee
Duxbury as a community demands a high level of academic performance
from its schools on things like college acceptances and MCAS scores. How
do you feel Duxbury performs relative to similar towns, and how would you
provide leadership on this issue if elected to the School Committee?
Gary Magnuson
T
here are many different cri-
teria to measure our success,
including MCAS results, SAT scores,
college placement, and other awards
and recognition. Our MCAS and SAT
results are good,
but they lag be-
hind the results
achieved by the
best school sys-
tems in Massa-
chusetts. While
Massachusetts
comparisons are
interesting; our
kids will be com-
peting with students from across the
country and around the world. As a
parent of a DHS senior, I have learned
that colleges and universities are very
competitive international destinations.
Our kids’ success will depend not just
upon their own abilities, but also on
the rigor and quality of our academic
programming as compared to other
schools. We owe it to our students to
help them be better prepared to com-
pete on the global stage in the 21st
century.
The School Committee should
provide leadership through a com-
mitment to innovation and continu-
ous improvement. We should estab-
lish quantifiable goals, identify a peer
group of high performing schools, and
track appropriate measurement cri-
teria. The School Committee and the
Superintendent should be accountable
for these goals. With the help of par-
Christine McLaughlin
A
ssessing the quality of a school
system’s academics is chal-
lenging. Objective measures, like stan-
dardized tests and college acceptances,
are tempting yardsticks. Love them or
hate them, stan-
dardized tests are
here to stay. They
exist across the
academic land-
scape through
graduate school
and beyond. We
should therefore
plan to improve,
excel, and pre-
pare our children. On the School Com-
mittee, I would focus on our role in
oversight – assessing options, evaluat-
ing success, and allocating (and per-
haps more importantly re-allocating)
resources.
So, where do we stand? Published
MCAS is the easiest to review. For
Duxbury, I would summarize recent
results as generally positive, but with
clear room for improvement. It is also
notable that recent results have been
better for our older kids (grade 7 and
above), than the younger ones.
A standard measure of MCAS
success is the combined percentage
of children scoring “Advanced” and
“Proficient.” By this measure, our
earlier grades are consistently 10-15
percent above state averages, but also
5-15 percent below some neighboring
communities (Cohasset and Norwell).
Duxbury Clipper
ents, we should identify new initia-
tives for development and funding that
will help us meet these objectives. Ex-
amples of potential new programming
include an outdoor science program/
classroom, Mandarin as a language
option, foreign language immersion,
global student programming, and in-
tegrated multi-discipline educational
programs. A renewed commitment
to math and science is needed at all
ages. We should empower the math
and science department heads to help
establish new science, technology, and
engineering programming in all of our
schools. One example might be partic-
ipating in FIRST, which is a national
mentor based program that builds sci-
ence, engineering and technology skills
for students K-12. We should leverage
our parents and community members
to help form alliances that could bring
innovative educational programs to
our schools in partnership with the
private sector. The new environmental
science course sponsored by Battelle
Labs is an excellent example of such
a partnership.
Duxbury is a community that un-
derstands the value of first-rate public
education. We have a quality school
system which compares favorably ver-
sus many towns; however we owe it
to our children to strive for academic
excellence. Our schools should have a
record of academic achievement that is
comparable to our athletic and musical
prowess. With leadership, collabora-
tion, and commitment to improvement
we can move our schools from good
to excellent.
Above grade 7, our kids do a little bet-
ter – consistently 15-25 percent above
state averages, and in a range similar to
our neighbors. Comparing results from
2008 to 2009, in the lower grades prog-
ress was inconsistent ... small improve-
ments in some areas, small declines in
others, while grades 7-10 showed mod-
est but consistent improvement.
Continued improvement requires
the complementary efforts of differ-
ent groups. I anticipate that our new
superintendent, along with the admin-
istration and teachers, will present us
with wonderful, innovative ideas for
academic improvement. They are pro-
fessional educators and I trust their
expertise. The School Committee, in
turn, should consider each of these
objectively and carefully, avoiding the
urge to cheerlead for any particular ap-
proach or trend.
More important, however, is what
we on the School Committee do after
a program is implemented – and it is
in this area that I think we sometimes
lose focus. In these days of rising stan-
dards and tightening budgets, effective
prioritization will be more critical than
ever. To be successful, we will need a
rigorous process of continual reevalua-
tion and reallocation of resources. We
need to identify what works and what
doesn’t. Making such decisions will
require defining milestones for success
before a program is implemented. We
then need to be willing to direct more
resources to those programs that are
successful and to pull back from those
that fall short.
Mary Lou Buell
W hen I told my principal at
Weymouth High School of
my plans to run for school commit-
tee in my hometown, he shared what
he had witnessed while observing a
class. Students
were asked to
describe a uto-
pian society.
The first answer
was, “Dux-
bury.”
On many
levels this stu-
dent is right.
Our students live and go to school in
a beautiful seaside town with open
spaces and playgrounds that attract
people from all over the south shore.
Our community has a high percent-
age of college graduates and we be-
lieve in the value of pursuing post-
secondary education.
Traditional measures for ranking
school districts, like MCAS scores,
place Duxbury in the top 15-20 per-
cent of all Massachusetts school
districts. Our overall rankings are
deceiving given the fact that our
lower grades perform in the average
range and get consistently better un-
til high school when MCAS results
place us in the top 5-10 percent. Our
scores—in addition to what I have
observed as an elementary parent—
tell me that Duxbury takes the “slow
and steady” child-centered approach
which fosters a love of learning that
sustains our teens during the more
challenging academic years.
Our high school offers 20 Ad-
vanced Placement courses—half a
dozen more than the average second-
Colleen Brayer
C
ollege acceptance is the
end result of our chil-
dren’s efforts in and out of
school, and is such a personal choice,
with so many variables. I don’t be-
lieve there is an effective measure
of this except to
ask our students
if they felt qual-
ified to apply to,
and were accept-
ed to, their first
choice school.
The Duxbury
schools have
been successful
in ensuring our
graduates are well rounded by giv-
ing our students a variety of oppor-
tunities to excel, whether academi-
cally, artistically, or athletically.
MCAS performance by the Dux-
bury Schools is not up to the stan-
dards that are being set by similar
communities. What we need to re-
member is that MCAS is a tool. This
tool determines if our children are
learning and our teachers are teach-
ing. The question is, “How are we
using this tool?”
As a School Committee member,
I would provide leadership on this
issue by continuing to review the
MCAS Analysis Reports, reevalu-
Read More: To read the candidates’ kickoff statements and answers to
previous questions, visit duxburyclipper.com
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
ary school. But what happens next?
Are these high performing high
school students successful in college
and the professional world? In the
highly connected world today it is
easy to find our recent graduates and
invite them to participate in a survey.
Only then will we know the true per-
formance of our school system.
The Duxbury Education Founda-
tion helps Duxbury teachers create
innovative learning environments
for our 21st century students. The
number of grants awarded each year
proves that Duxbury has a commit-
ted group of volunteers as well as
generous donors willing to support
our schools.
A quick search of the school dis-
trict websites in Sharon, Norwell,
Weston and Wellesley reveals all
include partnership with the com-
munity in their mission statements.
Duxbury’s mission statement puts
the onus on the schools providing
education as if students are passive
in the process. As a veteran educator
I know that a culture of entitlement
is the worst environment for high
quality education.
Elected officials act as role mod-
els and set the tone for the commu-
nity. As a school committee member
I would encourage more community
members to become partners in the
process. And I would work with the
other committee members to create
a board that encourages community
participation at meetings; that cre-
ates pathways for two-way commu-
nication; and that solves problems
together to provide the resources
that facilitate quality 21st century
instruction.
ate the goals, determine how we can
achieve these goals, and assess how
effective the improvement plan has
been.
There are four steps I would like
to take:
• Investigate successful pro-
grams and strategies in the school
districts we would like to emulate.
Use our professional development
to incorporate their successes into
our schools.
• Analyze the high scoring dis-
tricts end of year financial reports to
help us better understand where they
are spending their money, and possi-
bly help direct our future budgets.
• Implement project-based learn-
ing: a hands-on, practical application
of knowledge, ensuring a student’s
ability to process information.
• Evaluate MCAS scores to: in-
dividualize student instruction based
on missed concepts; and incorporate
best practices for teachers, so all of
our students can achieve a proficient
level or above.
Our community demands a high-
level of academic performance, and
as a School Committee member, I
will hold our administration account-
able for all students, and support ini-
tiatives that meet the children where
they are, and guide them to achieve
their best.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Candidate questions
Board of selectmen
Under Duxbury’s strong Town Manager Act, selectmen are somewhat removed from the day-
to-day operations of town management. If elected, how would you provide leadership from a
policy and long-term visioning standpoint?
Will Zachmann
B
y making sure the Duxbury Board
of Selectmen lives up to its respon-
sibilities – diligently exercising its
powers under the Town Manager Act. First of
these is that “the Board of Selectmen shall serve
as the goal setting, long
range planning, and policy
making body of the town.”
Since the Act was adopted
in 1987, the Selectmen
have set few goals, done
hardly any planning, and
made little policy.
It is not that the se-
lectmen have not worked
hard or done useful
things. They have dealt well enough with is-
sues brought before them. But they have not
provided the forward-looking leadership that is
the first duty of the Board of Selectmen. They
have been reactive rather than proactive. They
have not set priorities that ensure prudent use of
our financial resources. They have not planned
adequately for our capital requirements. This
is why we now face the specter of shocking in-
Shawn Dahlen
I
strongly support the Town Manager Act,
which the state legislature approved in
1987 at the town’s request. The act describes
the powers and duties of the town manager
and board of selectman, specifically for setting
policy and managing the
town. The motivations for
adopting the Town Man-
ager Act were to profes-
sionalize town govern-
ment and depoliticize both
the appointment of town
personnel and the day-
to-day operation of town
departments. Under the
Town Manager Act, “The
Board of Selectmen shall serve as the goal set-
ting, long range planning and policy making
body of the town, recommending major courses
of action to the town meeting, and adopting
policy directives and guidelines which are to be
implemented by officers, boards, committees,
commissions and employees of the town.” Ac-
cordingly, the board of selectmen has routinely
taken a leadership role on major warrant articles
at town meeting. It also has supported the Fis-
cal Advisory Committee’s work on developing
a long-range capital plan; appointed a Public
Safety Committee to review space needs in the
fire and police departments and recommend a
building program to meet those needs; and pro-
moted professional management by establish-
Teen events at the library
Middle School Philosophy Club: First and
Third Tuesdays of the month beginning on
April 6, from 3 - 4 p.m. in the Young Adult
Lounge on the Upper Level of the Duxbury
Free Library. Join in an exploration of the great
questions that face humanity. For example:
What is Truth, Is truth the same as honesty?
If I’m going to be honest, then I need to make
sure the truth is really the truth. But do you
ever know the truth once and for all?  Sign up
with young adult librarian, Ellen Snoeyenbos,
781-934-2721 x106 or show up for the first
session, April 6th at 3 p.m.
Evening of Teen Poetry and Music:  Fri-
day, April 9th 7 - 9 p.m. in the Merry Meet-
Duxbury Clipper 25
ALL YOU CAN EAT
Fish & Chips
Lunch & Dinner, Every day $10.99
A REAL MEAL AT A GREAT DEAL
The only thing we overlook is a pond
creases to our property taxes.
It does not have to be this way. The Board and a pristine golf course! - Joanne & Bill Russell
of Selectman has the responsibility and suffi-
cient authority to do its job properly. The act Cameron’s
puts day-to-day management in the hands of the on the green
town manager, but the Board of Selectman is
Cannot be used in combination with other promotions, no substitutions of any kind. Not available for takeout.
still the ultimate local authority, subject only to 436 Oak Street (Rt.14) East Bridgewater
781-447-7888
the voters at Town Meeting.
www.cameronsonthegreen.com
We are fortunate to have in Richard Mac-
Donald the capable professional manager we
had in mind when we adopted the Act. He and
Finance Director John Madden have made great
progress toward repairing the damage left by
two prior decades of mediocre town manage-
ment. Finally we have a town manager who is
truly doing an excellent job for us.
We now need the Duxbury Board of Select-
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equally excellent job. That requires construc-
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As your selectman I will see to it that the
Board sets clear goals and sensible priorities, Anderson Plaza Rte. 139 Village Landing Marketplace
develops prudent long-range plans that do not 95 Church St., Pembroke 170 Water St. (waterfront)
lead us to out-of-control tax increases, and es- 781-826-0669 Plymouth 508-746-8907
tablishes sound policies that benefit, impartially, www.fedeleschocolates.com
all the citizens of the Town of Duxbury.
ing the positions of finance director and human
resources director. We need to continue seeking EASTER DINNER
ways to consolidate, control costs, and obtain
other revenue sources. Hot Roast Turkey
New leadership brings new ideas about how
to maintain the services Duxbury wants at a cost with all the fixins!
it is willing to pay. I have several initiatives in
Now Offering Easter Hams
mind. First, I think the board should hold an
annual strategic planning workshop to develop
both yearly and long-range goals. These meet-
Place Your Orders Early!
ings would include senior management, board
and committee chairs, and the public. The work Open Easter Sunday
product should provide policy direction to the
9 am – 1:30 pm
town manager and department heads and help
to align their priorities with the board of select-
men’s goals. Second, Duxbury needs a full-time
facilities director to manage and oversee the
Bongi’s Turkey Roost
maintenance of all municipal and school build-
ings. This position would achieve substantial
cost savings by instituting a planned preventive
(781) 585-2392
www.bongis.com cRoute 53, Duxbury
maintenance program and centralizing mainte-
Tues-Sat 9am-6pm
nance and service agreements. The useful life
of our existing buildings could be extended con- Massachusetts Grown...and freshest
siderably. Third, the board of selectmen should
support the Planning Board in its efforts to
update Duxbury’s 11-year-old comprehensive
plan. Voted South Shore's
What expectations do we share as a commu-
nity? How will we pay for those expectations?
My experience and history of commitment to
Best
Duxbury will provide the leadership tools we
need to help answer these questions and address
Orthodontist!
our community’s future challenges.
COMPLIMENTARY
CONSULTATIONS
OPEN MON., THURS., FRI. 8AM-5PM
ing Room. Read your own work or someone
else’s that speaks to you. If you are a musical TUES. 8AM-1PM
group, please sign up in advance with Ellen
Snoeyenbos, 781-934-2721 x106 or e-mail,
esnoeyen8@gmail.com.
Anime Festival: Friday, April 30th 7 - 9
p.m. Cosplay and trivia contests will be fea-
tured and Japanese goodies and accessories
will be sold. The films shown are typically
newly released films in Japanese with Eng-
lish sub-titles. A variety of shorts are featured.  BRIDGING GENERATIONS OF SMILES
ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS
This event is free to the public.
Contact Ellen Snoeyenbos at esnoeyen8@
gmail.com with questions. 1510 Tremont Street Duxbury, MA 02332
Orthodux1@aol.com
P: 781-934-5583 F: 781-934-5018