LAFAYETTE DICKENS Mayor of Blackstone
TOWN LEADER LAMENTS HIGH POWER BILLS, RESIGNATION
In what could be described as his first “test” as Mayor, Lafayette Dickens is publicly expressing frustration on Facebook about comments made by others in light of recent events.
On his Mayor of Blackstone Facebook page, Dickens posted Saturday that the past week, which included the Treasurer quitting and citizen complaints about high Town utility bills, “difficult for me…We’re seeing the first wave of reactions to high power bills and it’s not pretty. I have asked the Town manager to check our meter readers as well as a random sample of meters to make sure they are accurate. We will make sure that the issue is not on the Town’s side of the equation.
“But we won’t stop there,” Dickens continued. “We will pursue any remedies that are feasible to help out our citizens. This problem requires teamwork though. Citizens need to adjust their thermostat and check their home’s doors and windows insulation. We will get through this!”
Addressing the sudden departure of Karen Morris, Dickens wrote, “…The sudden resignation of our Treasurer was a shock to us. Personnel matters are private and cannot be discussed publicly. Please give us the space to address this matter and resist the temptation to pile on with criticism. After all, that doesn’t help resolve anything.”
Dickens received several words of encourage from some of his 586 Followers, including resident Tuckie Kile, who replied to Dickens, “Thank you for your continued positivity during trying times. You are definitely the Town’s Head Cheerleader, even during the tough games.”
Dickens said he’s “trying hard to stay positive. It’s a feeding frenzy right now, but this, too, shall pass.”
Resident Keith Schlosberg told Dickens that Town personnel matters should be addressed only by the Mayor and Town Council and only in private. Dickens replied, “that’s exactly right sir. I wish everyone understood but some people see this as an opportunity to fire up the rumor mill unfortunately.”
The diplomatic Dickens was a bit more testy on the Courier- Record Facebook page, where comments — some by those using fake names — suggested corruption.
Dickens told one commenter,
“There’s plenty of criticism when something hits the fan. Bring that same energy for our wins, too, and maybe it will even out.”
One Courier-Record Follower, Christin Mcconnell, Jr. posted a meme of what appeared to be staffers rapidly leaving a Town Hall-style building. Dickens replied, “That’s funny but extremely hyperbolic.”
On another Courier-Record “thread,” local resident Christen D. Johnson questioned the need for a working office for the Mayor — a request Dickens made during Council’s Jan. 26th meeting.
“Just a place to meet,” replied Dickens. “I had an office 18 years ago as director of Downtown Blackstone Inc. It seems appropriate for the position. I don’t know why there’s never been one before frankly.”
One reader called Blackstone “progressive,” to which Dickens replied, “Progressive is not to be interpreted as perfect but we’re going to continue striving. The biggest room in my house is the room for improvement. How about yours?”
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