(Editor's note: The following is an address newly-elected Board of Selectmen Chair Judith Whiteside read at the start of the Tuesday, April 19 board meeting.)

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, my fellow board members, Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Bowen.

Last week I spoke briefly upon my election as chairman of this board. It is now appropriate to share with all of you my vision, my expectations, and my management style.

Community: I believe in community, the community of Wareham. We belong to a community that cares: cares about our citizens. Think of our coaches of youth programs, and sports teams; community breakfasts for those in need; the various fraternal organizations whose goals is to provide for their members. Think of pancake breakfasts, silent auctions, donated Thanksgiving lunches and free clothes closets. Think of the parades with several generations of people honoring our veterans, and applauding our youth. Think of nights of hospitality, and our churches and synagogues joining to help those in need. Think of those who watch out for their elderly neighbors, or get their car washed for free and donate a fiver. Think about picking up someone else's trash, or cleaning our beaches. I do. I think about all those who give to our community and I am very grateful.

Communication: Communication is essential to success. Without clear communication we will not be able to work together for the good of all of our citizens. It is important that we speak with one voice, even if we have differing opinions on an issue. As we progress through the coming year I expect that all of our own employees, each of our many volunteer members of boards and commissions, as well as the public know what our goals are, and how we plan to get there. If there are issues, we need to communicate before the issues become major problems. To that end there will be some slight modifications to our published meeting agendas. I will also request that all boards and commissions post their agendas, as well as their minutes, to the Town Website, so that the public had access to that information.

Continuity: I look forward to the continuity of sound fiscal management, the teamwork exhibited by this board, the relationships we have developed with our re-invigorated boards and committees, as well as our positive relationship with many volunteers and organizations in our town. We are indeed a community. I look forward to festivals, and fairs, and parades, and enjoying the bounty that we share in this unique and gorgeous community. I look forward to others stepping up to take a difference, one task at a time, and one day at a time.

Nelson Mandela said “What counts in life are not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

And, as President Warren G. Harding told the 1916 Republican convention, “We must have a citizenship less concerned about what the government can do for it and more anxious about what it can do for the nation.”

That is what I would like to see in Wareham.

Judith Whiteside

April 14, 2016