By Clyde Younger
Publicly notifying a Watertown’s Manager that I no longer have respect for him is unprecedented on my part. I believe the action requires an explanation since it represents an unusual sentiment; especially, from a former elected officer of Watertown. I know it appeared to some it came from left field; however, this transgression was not the first time on his part.
Let me say bluntly, as a former elected official, I know the number of constructive and meaningful projects that I have participated in. Consequentially, I am not going to have someone come in the town and consider me irrelevant. Apparently, he has not taken time to know that I am not a Clarence Thomas.
Further, I strongly believe any resident, voter or not, who has written a letter to those elected or appointed deserves, at minimum, an acknowledgement of receipt of a letter.
I ask, how is it that the manager, who has two confidential secretaries, the Council a Clerk and a Secretary in the Planning Department does not have a few seconds to acknowledge a letter from a constituent.
Both my Mom and Dad told us (I was one of seven) You Are No Better Than Anyone; However, You Are No Less! In addition, I have been guided, in my professional and academic life by three little, but significant words; (LOL), Listen, Observe, Learn.
I admit I am aggravated. Over the years I have served the Community to the best of my ability culminating in being elected to the top elected Town Officer. In serving this community I have not experienced a measure of disrespect by any elected or appointed official until now.
I would have overlooked the lack of response were we had not a previous, quiet discussion with wherein I expressed my displeasure regarding how his staff ignored me at a meeting when I had a question.
A guiding principle for me has been to treat everyone with respect and do not demean them. My expectation is that you also respect me.
When I retired from the U.S. Public Health Service and became a Burger King Franchisee, in most stores, the philosophy employed by most restaurant managers was “My Way or The Highway.” We aimed to be different and our managers indeed would take employee to the side and explain what they did wrong.
I have raised expectations from elected and appointed city personnel.
I never speak about what I have done in service for the community. However, I now find it important to point out at least one important project that demonstrates collaboration is required to successfully complete anything. I have only been a participant with others.
We adopted this community, and in turn, it adopted my family and me. I know of no other city or town within the Metropolitan Boston, amidst the Anti-Busing furor that was occurring in Boston that would immediately accept an unknown Black Family entering their community as we were.
The first people to greet us at the Browne School PTA were Bob and Barbara Manzelli. We were particularly impressed by the fact that Bob at the time Bob was both Chair of the Board of Selectmen and President of the PTA.
I mention them because they are among the countless people who have come in and out of my life teaching me invaluable life lessons. Bob also influenced the outcome of following story. The story epitomizes that one does not accomplish anything alone. And, often things happen by happenstance.
The renovation of the Watertown Library represents a public – private undertaking in its truest form. It is one of my favorite community projects that I have had the privilege of participating in along with the other Councilors, Town Manager Mike Driscoll, Watertown Savings Bank and the vast number of folks in the community who stepped forward to establish a library that is the envy of surrounding communities.
Most people do not know how this undertaking came together. I have always felt that people come into your life for an asunder of reasons, and at the time you do not understand why.
I met John Airasian when he was appointed to the School Committee. When I initially ran for office in 1973, a member of my committee asked me to ask John Airasian for his support. I didn’t know John; therefore, I didn’t. However, we became friends while serving together on the School Committee.
John helped my wife Mary gain a position with Watertown Savings Bank and my son a job with Unitrode. When I returned in 1989 from Denver, John introduced me to Ronald Dean, President and CEO of Watertown Savings Bank. Eventually, Ron and I became good friends
I am uncertain whether John may have influenced Ron in “community charitable giving” i.e. a good corporate neighbor. Before I left Watertown, John mentioned that he did not understand why the bank did not reduce their taxable income by charitable giving.
Bob Manzelli, a close friend of the Mastrangelo family, introduced me to Richard’s family; his brother Joe, Sister Lucia and Niece Laurie who was married to Firefighter Tom McManus.
Several people within the community wanted me to replace Richard as Council President after his untimely death. Mal Whitney arranged for me to be selected as Man of The Year by the Watertown Chamber of Commerce. The principal speaker was Wayne Budd, the father of Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd.
Mal saw that this as a means of giving me a degree of credibility to serve in the Town’s highest elected office.
I had to compete in a Special Election and also within months the General Election.
I am not certain how later it was, but I was bitten by an insect and developed cellulitis on my right leg. Lucia and Laurie would pick me up at my home and drive me to Mt Auburn Hospital to get antibiotic shots administered.
Serving as Council President, one of the Trustees was unable to complete their term and under the Charter, the President participates in both nominating a candidate as well as a voting on a replacement. I recommended Lucia and the other Trustees agreed she would be an excellent choice.
Later, I was told that Lucia was the best Trustee that they ever had. Lucia became the Chair. During her tenure as chair, the Council took up the question of renovating and updating the Main Watertown Free Public Library. We had significant discussions with full public engagement. At least One or more residents said that one of their fore parents was a bricklayer or another trade that helped build the original building.
Sensitive to the communities ‘viewpoint, the decision by the Council was to preserve the original building. The Council voted to approve the renovation, construction and update the building contingent upon Public-Private Participation. We did not see anyone from the private sector stepped forward.
Michael Driscoll was interested in getting the project funded and felt that if I were to introduce Lucia to Ronald Dean, perhaps, requesting jointly, we may be able to receive a donation from Watertown Savings Bank.
Lucia and I met with Ron Dean and we felt we were favorably received. We hoped the bank would give us around $20,000.00; however, Ron, through his influence with the Trustees, provided $100,000.00.
These initial funds from Watertown Savings Bank kick- started the approval of the project by the Council without any contingencies. The approval led to an outpouring of support from the residents of Watertown, contributing cash, buying bricks and an asunder of items. It was a demonstration of Watertown at its finest.
I have told this story because no one does anything by themselves. Other unknown people also make a contribution either directly or indirectly, but invaluable just the same.
Circumstance brought me into the fold. Maybe the completion of the Library would have been completed over time without the people involved. All were not in an elected position or appointed position. However, the project reflected collaboration among a certain mix of Councilors, Town Manager, Library Trustees, Library Director and a community with a thirst and understanding of the important role libraries play within a community.
No explanation needed. If you’re not receiving the “respect” you feel you’re due, there’s something in your own communication which is causing that reaction in others. For example, I’ve noticed some old-school city residents peppering city officials with low-level detail questions whose answers don’t matter and will change nothing. I’ve also noticed some folks criticizing city officials for no apparent good reason. This is not collaborative.
Ms. Breen:
Your comment betrays “just world bias.” That Mr. Younger feels dissed is his fault? Good things happen to good people, and if something bad happens to you, you must have done something bad to deserve it. Poor people who work three jobs and still have trouble supporting their families are blamed for laziness and failure, despite facing systemic biases that are stacked against them, for example. Victim blaming is pernicious and persistent. Too many people hold the worldview that good will be rewarded and evil punished. Just world bias is routinely seen in any situation in which victims are blamed for their own misfortune. “If you’re not receiving the ‘respect’ you feel you’re due, there’s something in your communication which is causing that reaction in others,” you wrote of Mr. Younger. Instead indicting Mr. Younger’s behavior, it seems only “fair” that you ask more questions about why he feels disrespected. You devalue some residents for asking, what you baselessly categorize as “low-level detail questions.” Shame on them for posing questions that do not meet your standard of saliency. Clearly, most individuals who criticize city officials are not expressing gratuitous disapproval. They are sharing their perspectives and needs, which are the basis for collaboration.
Yes, Carolyn the comment above drips with rudeness. It is typical of the rude treatment that has lately been shown to Mr. Younger by folks who don’t know him at all.
Why do you continually berate, disrespect and look down on “old-school city residents” that have been living and working here for decades as if they didn’t know any better and need to be schooled by those that have yet to fully settle in and assimilate?
This isn’t the first time I’ve read similar comments from you posted here and quite honestly, I find them insulting.
It’s this kind of attitude why many of us are opposed to more housing and lab spaces that will only guarantee even more gentrification and disruption in long established values here in Watertown.
I happen to agree with much of what Mr Younger posted and I think it would be wise for all of us, both “old school residents” and new comers to listen to and respect what he has to say.
Donna, this is a symptom of the class conflict that besets Watertown at this moment in time. There has been an influx of a demographic that is somewhat new to Watertown. Some of these folks lack any sort of respect for those who already live here who they consider inferiors.
The irony is that many of folk who look down on those with less education and income would consider themselves “progressive”. Watertown has long been a comfortable haven for immigrants, the working class and middle class. Such residents don’t qualify for consideration in the thinking of many newcomers.
Ms. Breen I have been out of town since I wrote the letter to the Editor; however, shall we stipulate that my over a half century of service, in the evolution of this community, has contributed more than your pen.
Clyde,
Your story is an instructive one, and you are appreciated and respected in this community for your good heart and the many years of service that you have given to Watertown.
Please do not allow verbal bullies and indifference in government to dampen your spirit. As Elie Wiesel once said, “Action is the only remedy to indifference.”
Your action, this letter, speaks volumes about the standards that you hold public officials to, and who would know better what that standard should be than someone with your public service experience?
Thanks again for all the years of service that you’ve given to Watertown.
What does “I am not a Clarence Thomas” mean? Is it supposed to be a good thing? If so, why?
It means he respects the law and does not have a radical agenda to overturn decades of established precedents. It also means that HIS wife didn’t support the insurrection against the government. Clyde Younger is a honorable man who has won and lost elections and has never encouraged anything but civility and decency. That’s what it means.
That’s what you think it means (no surprise there), not what the writer may have meant. Perhaps not equating to another man of similar, brilliant intelectual capacity like Thomas Sowell was merciful.
To be clear, not being a Clarence Thomas or a Thomas Sowell is a very good thing.
Why not? Explain.
It would be an intellectual exercise. But just give it a try. Please.
The Chicago School to which Sowell belonged has been pretty much discredited as their ideas appear to have let to the gross inequality and social instability that we experience today.
“We”? Please speak for yourself, as many of us have prosperous, successful lives without socialist-inspired rancor and envy.
Glad to know that you are among the fortunate Erik. What about other people? There are many who work hard performing necessary functions who can barely afford the basics of life. You okay with that?
It’s not just me, but many economists are reaching the opinion that the tenets of the Chicago School, generally classified as neo-liberalism, were simply an excusatory rational for anti-social and irresponsible behavior.
These ideas have stoked the divisions that are currently tearing our country apart.
I wouldn’t toss around the word socialist so casually. There are few actual socialists these days. A lot of the rancor is justified.
Why do you always demand some kind of intellectual engagement without ever supplying a single argument of your own? Why would I bother? I’ll engage with Joe and others like him anytime whether I agree or not. Why? Because he actually makes an argument with backup. Try it sometime.
Because you said “not being a Clarence Thomas or a Thomas Sowell is a very good thing” without explaining why. As it stands on its own, your comment is gratuitous and petty.
This is how it works. You explain and an argument for, or against, your comment is brought forth. But you do not do that. You explain nothing.
To most folks, it’s self explanatory. A Supreme Court justice should not be accepting lavish gifts from parties who have an interest in the Court’s cases.
I think it means “I am not corrupt.”
So I guess he could have said I am not a Joe Biden.
Oh please! Totally false comparison.
You are so right.
Right. Thomas bad, but you are OK with this:
“Visiting Nantucket for Thanksgiving is a decades-long tradition for the Biden family.
Joe and Jill first came here for the holiday with young sons, Beau and Hunter, in the mid-1970s. As they’ve done in past years, the Bidens are staying at an expansive compound owned by billionaire businessman and philanthropist David Rubenstein, according to the White House.”
And this:
“I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled,” Hunter Biden wrote Zhao, according to IRS supervisory agent Gary Shapley and another agency investigator who has remained anonymous.” 10% for the big guy poses no problem for some, I guess.
Did Thomas break the law? Is he being prosecuted? No.
Precisely.
Joe, clearly Erik isn’t most folks. He gives Thomas a pass but accuses Biden of actions while he was NOT in office based on the words of his son. MAGA is exhausting.
No, I am not, particularly when your definition of “most folks” remarkably differs from mine. Hey, at least you got something right, finally.
Well done! Keep it up…
Yeah, it’s the epitome of whataboutism. Clarence Thomas has a miles long history of questionable dealings. And his wife advocated for overthrowing a free and fair election. Yikes.
It’s clear that Hunter Biden is a source of grief to Joe. And despite it all, Joe still loves his son deeply. That is an emotion that Trump is wholly incapable of. Going to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving dinner is not the same as Harlan Crowe buying and renovating Thomas mother’s house.
There is no comparison between any of this and Thomas’ transgressions, except in the minds of those fishing desperately for dodgy arguments.
Over and out.
Oh, yes. It can be.
Went to bed at 4:00 am after confirming the WH and Senate will be in good hands now. Cheers.
Forget it, Erik. They’ll never forgive a conservative black man (see dismissal of Sowell below), particularly one nominated by a Republican president. Never. Thomas passed the Senate on a 52-48 vote, 46 of the nays Democrats (Biden among them). To their credit, 11 D Senators voted FOR Thomas, 7 from below the Mason-Dixon Line. The 2 Rs who voted against Thomas’s historic nomination were northern party liberals from leftist states, Packwood (OR) and Jeffords (VT).
Similarly, 32 Rs supported Thurgood Marshall’s nomination in 1967 (1 against, 3 not voting). They were joined by 37 Ds (yay!), and opposed by 10 Ds, with 17 Ds not voting (boo!). Marshall was nominated by a Democrat President (Johnson), yet received overwhelming Republican support. Such support was not reciprocated 24 years later with Thomas. Sorry to set off exploding heads, but the record is what it is.
You are right, Josh. As I read Clyde’s letter, it seems clear to me that his reference to Clarence Thomas has nothing to do with corruption, as the tenor of said letter repeatedly states his displeasure for being ignored and disrespected by our City employees. I will defer to Clyde to clarify what he meant, but I strongly suspect he equates being treated as “irrelevant” as he may perceive Thomas may have been treated by others in such fashion. And that Thomas would have not protested in response to such treatment.
Those who immediately jumped to the “corruption” theme are strongly motivated by biased, radical reasons that have nothing to do with the “I am not a Clarence Thomas” statement. Taking things out of context like this is hypocritical.
I included Sowell in my comments to see what some would say. Of course, Sowell does not meet with their approval either. Surprise!
One meaning of ‘Respect’ in the dictionary is to admire (someone or something) deeply as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements. With the achievements of Clyde Younger alone, he deserves respect.
If you combine that with his love of this town/city over the years and his willingness to jump in where needed to help solve a problem or pose an idea worth listening to, his cooperative spirit, his willingness to reach out to others to get important things done and his constant thoughts about different ways to handle situations, he definitely deserves respect.
In the years I have known him he is always thoughtful in his approach to issues and considers the ideas of others with respect. He is a team player who aims to achieve a good outcome. He has shown that he can accept the other side of a discussion and change his mind if the ideas merit it.
Our public officials should consider the ideas and suggestions of all citizens and be willing to respond to them in a respectful and timely manner. The City Manager position is not an elected position, but this role is subject to contract renewals with the approval of the Council. The City Manager should be expected to display the willingness to listen and respond to a request. That is a basic courtesy that should be given to any of our residents.
Mr. Younger should be given that courtesy and he shouldn’t have to write an open letter to point out that is not happening. We have a lot going on in Watertown now and this will continue for some time. There will be pros and cons to all of the issues. Let’s be open to ideas of all and respond to each and every person who takes the time to contact our city officials. Everyone deserves to be heard.
Greetings,
Over fifty-five years ago, while still in high school, I was attending a function at the Hellenic Cultural Center with my parents. Amongst the crowd were Hope and Jim Tsacoyeanes. Little did I envision that their friends, and invited guests, Mary and Clyde Younger would cross my path in adulthood.
I can remember the striking presence that Mary and Clyde exuded. What a gracious and lovely couple!
Through the years; Clyde supported many East Watertown Betterment Assoc. endeavors; along with so many other worthy causes. We were colleagues on the Town/City Council. All knowing our goal was to serve the residents of Watertown to the best of our abilities.
Common courtesy in civilized society is an expectation to value others as equals. Opinions are not open to be demeaned.
Our roots run deep in Watertown. With respect and dignity, we learn from those who have given of themselves to the Town/City that we call “home”.
Thank you for your everlasting commitment to Watertown, Clyde. Your efforts are appreciated by so many who have reaped the benefits of your visions.
Best,
Angie
Angeline Maria B. Kounelis
Retired District A, East End, City Councilor
Thank you for your letter Clyde, a lot of very humble people mentioned here, along with humility as in yourself and Mary. Had the pleasure of running into one of the above mentioned people at the Supermarket the other day, and I’ll tell you that I’ll take a stroll down memory lane any day, a lot of laughs and better times. Got a Watertown Savings story for you, when we meet up in the future, it involves a little league team, a branch office, a manager and the President of WSB. No better community Bank to do business with. Yup, keep on posting the reminders of what got us to this point along with some pretty good people that lived here. Thanks again Clyde!
I stand with Clyde and his issues with lack responses from the city government and department officials. The man is right. I have experienced similar, and it continues. It is disrespectful and makes people feel they are not worthy of the effort to receive a direct follow up to their questions or concerns. The city organizations operate behind a firewall. No resident and taxpayer should be ignored especially when it is relating to core services, health and safety, or quality of life. The city organizations exist for the welfare and prosperity of the community and not the reverse. The questions that go unanswered are usually the ones the city wishes to deliberately sidestep and avoid conversation.
“10% for the Big Guy”? Of course there is no comparison.
Mary is absolutely lovely & my favorite teller at WSB, I always enjoying seeing her.
I don’t always agree with Clyde but he deserves to be treated with respect.
Yes and yes! I’ve known the family for almost 60 years!