Not The Only City Councilor Toomey says removing Boy Scout collection boxes "had nothing to do with politics; this event was politicized by the media, not by the city." Imitating Bill Clinton Toomey suggests it depends on what the meaning of "politics" is. (Tim Toomey, "Soldier on, Boy Scouts," Boston Herald, November 20, 2007) He says, "I must remind those who are bashing Cambridge that we are the first city in the state - and to my knowledge the country - that is offering full salary and benefits to city employees who are overseas serving our country. NYC provides full salary and benefits along with their military pay to city employees. But they must repay (with hardship exceptions) the lower of the military pay or the City salary when they return. Councilor Toomey says removing Boy Scout collection boxes was "caused by an apparent lack of communication." (His resolution (October 22, 2007; Resolution 36 "Urge all residents to participate in the Cambridge Boy Scouts Troop 45 and Ship 45's Care Package Donation Drive to support our troops overseas.") carries no power. What was not communicated? It was not a City Council policy order. Toomey states "Cambridge always has and will continue to support the men and women from our city . . ." That allows them to ignore men and women for other communities as far way as Somerville who fight for freedoms for the moonbats in Cambridge. Councilor Decker reads the names of the Killed In Action to oppose the war. She exploits the deaths of men and women from other cities and states who fight for her freedoms. The City Council opposes the war because most of the Cambridge voters oppose the war. The Councilors pander to whoever and whatever the cause, solely to get re-elected. They have no beliefs other than getting re-elected.Roy Bercaw, Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Soldier on, Boy Scouts
Donation drive OK in Cambridge
By Tim Toomey
Boston Herald
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - Updated 18h ago
In light of recent events on Election Day in which Boy Scouts Troop 45 was asked
to remove donation boxes it had placed in Cambridge polling locations to collect
essential goods for local troops serving overseas, I think it is only
appropriate to clarify a few matters.
First, it is important to note that although over the past five years there has
been heated debate about the wars themselves, Cambridge always has and will
continue to support the men and women from our city who have bravely put their
lives on the line for our country.
On Oct. 22, I sponsored a City Council resolution in support of Troop 45 and its
effort to support the Cambridge military deployed overseas. The City Council
unanimously approved the resolution and went on record commending the Boy Scouts
on organizing the donation drive and urging all citizens to support the effort.
Resolutions like this one reflect the deep support Cambridge has for its
soldiers fighting abroad. The people of Cambridge understand that supporting our
troops and supporting the war those troops are fighting in are often two very
different things.
While this is an extremely unfortunate event, it was caused by an apparent lack
of communication and understanding rather than the malicious intent of any of
the parties involved.
Although the Scouts had informed the Election Commission of their intent and
received encouragement from the City Council, the individual polling locations
had not been notified in time and therefore had not granted the necessary
permissions to Troop 45. The decision had nothing to do with politics; this
event was politicized by the media, not by the city.
I must remind those who are bashing Cambridge that we are the first city in the
state - and to my knowledge the country - that is offering full salary and
benefits to city employees who are overseas serving our country. To say that we
do not care about the well-being of our troops is preposterous. The Home Rule
Petition that I sponsored on behalf of the City Council is one of the most
comprehensive benefit plans for our brave men and women.
Since the beginning of the military involvement in Afghanistan, City Councilor
Marjorie Decker has read the names of fallen soldiers from around the country
released by the Pentagon that week at each of our meetings. We do this to honor
and recognize the supreme sacrifice these heroes have made on behalf of our
country.
I encourage all those cities and towns looking down on Cambridge to examine
their own policies and see if they are on par with Cambridge.
While I am saddened by the disappointing outcome of the Boy Scouts’ donation
drive, I have also been extremely impressed by their resilience. While adults
have become entangled by the perceived politics of the situation, these Scouts
have served as impressive role models to us all by pushing forward unencumbered.
If any good has come of this, it has been the enormous outpouring of support
they have received from across the country.
I’m glad this incident has brought their admirable mission into the public eye,
and I encourage everyone to continue to show their support in this season of
giving by donating to the Boy Scouts of America.
Tim Toomey is vice mayor of Cambridge and a state representative.
