The Speech of a Statesman – Councilor James Walsh of Gardner MA
For more than 40 years, James Walsh has served the City of Gardner in various capacities. December 18, 2023 was his last meeting as a Gardner City Councilor and he made quite the speech. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Councilor Walsh said, “I want to stand for this because back in February of 1981, it was the practice of councilors to stand when they addressed the Council because there were no microphones and there was no video. There was the radio and we all thought that everybody in the City was listening.”
Councilor Walsh’s speech was filled with great advice. “The voters of the city entrust us with the responsibility of looking carefully aftertheir tax dollars. It’s an important responsibility, one that we should take and do take seriously.”
“Things that I’ve learned, that I pass on for whatever value it might be, listen carefully, but remember that sometimes what isn’t said is more important than what is. I’ve tried to follow the rule of five Ps.Prior preparation prevents poor performance. It’s served me well.” —- “Don’t believe everything everybody tells you. Be skeptical.” — “Ask questions.Talk to people. Follow up on things. Do that before the council meeting arrives because as I learned as a young lawyer, you never ask a question to which you don’t already know the answer.” —- “Not all new ideas are good ideas.” — “Frugality is not a dirty word…. Sometimes it’s better to not spend money and to leave it in the hands of the people who provide it to us.” And Walsh finished with, “So I leave you with this and remember, a nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse.” For article on entire City Council meeting, CLICK HERE.