Civility is Dead
by Bonnie Biocchi, Executive Director
Having recently celebrated Independence Day, I am wondering what our founders would say about the state of our nation today. With Covid-19 still surging in many parts of the country, protests continuing to simultaneously unite and divide our people, and an economy that is struggling to right itself, it is no wonder many folks are expressing anxiety and frustration over how to make America whole again.
While there is little doubt that America is undergoing transformation, it is impossible to predict what the “new America” will look like. Looking back on how this nation has previously healed after times of tumult, I have faith that the American people will indeed preserve this democracy. And yet, I believe there is at least one stark difference in this season of disenchantment. It is clear to me that civility is dead.
I live on a busy road in a small town. Across the street from my long driveway lives a family of Trump supporters. Every morning, when I open my curtains, I see a huge six-foot sign proclaiming this family’s allegiance. Their fence is emblazoned with flags, signs and other paraphernalia. This display was erected on New Year’s Day 2016.
When the sign first went up, given its size, many people in town called the police to complain. Some tried to tear it down and still others have defaced both the sign and the fence on which it stands with boldly colored slogans and epithets, sometimes badly misspelled. This damage did not make my neighbor change his mind – it actually had the opposite effect. He framed the sign and permanently attached it to his fence. In fact, after every act of vandalism, more signs went up! People have urged me to “sneak out in the middle of the night and rip that sign down”. Maybe it’s the former Town Clerk in me but I would never do that. To do so would be both a crime and bad behavior. My neighbor has every bit as much right as the next guy to display a sign. The framers of our Constitution (and subsequent Bill of Rights) guaranteed freedom of speech as a founding precept of our nation. I wonder if that is taught anymore.
Now, many times a day and into the wee hours of the morning, people drive by and lean on their horn for several seconds either hurling expletives or cheering this display. What does this rude behavior accomplish? It disturbs the sleeping neighborhood, exposes small children to foul language (and sign language) and startles people peacefully working in their yards. But those honking drivers don’t think about that. All they can think about is their own agenda and their own desire to be heard. It is another expression of the selfishness that is gripping our country and another sign of incivility.
If we are truly going to honor America’s principles, it starts with basic common decency. It begins with people understanding and respecting that each person has value. That even though we disagree, we can do so in a civil way. Disagreement shouldn’t engender hatred; rather it should invoke a desire to better understand each other. I believe that all people generally want the same thing, which is to live life to the fullest, pursuing happiness.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous Four Freedoms makes it clear: "We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression; the second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way; the third is freedom from want and the fourth is freedom from fear”. In 2020, we’ve still got a long way to go if we are collectively to attain those four freedoms.
I have never met my neighbor. I imagine him to be a regular guy, with hopes and dreams, joys and sorrows just like me. Maybe he is a grandparent or likes to fish. Maybe he likes to travel or play the saxophone. I do know that he is a veterinarian because he used to have a pack of loudly barking dogs in his yard, which have since been replaced by goats. I hate to admit it, but those dogs scared me and I never went over and introduced myself. And so, before this election year is over, I am going to walk across the street and say hello. Maybe I’ll learn something. Maybe we’ll have something in common, maybe not, but one thing is sure, it’s the civil thing to do.
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NEPPA's COVID-19 Resource Center
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Upcoming Training & Events
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Slate of Candidates for the Board of Directors, Terms Ending 2023:
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Mr. Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager, Village of Swanton Electric Department
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Mr. Jon Blair, Electric Light Manager, Ipswich Electric Light Department
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Mr. William Bottiggi, General Manager, Braintree Electric Light Department
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Mr. Jeffery Cady, General Manager, Chicopee Electric Light Department
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Mr. Scott Hallowell, CEO, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, Inc.
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Mr. Richard Hendershot, Director, Town of Wallingford
Slate of Officers, terms ending 2022:
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President: Mr. Justin Connell, Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative
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First Vice President: Ms. Patricia Richards, Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc.
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Second Vice President: Mr. Todd Shea, Kennebunk Light and Power District
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Treasurer: Mr. Michael Kirkwood, Pascoag Utility District
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Secretary: Mr. Michael Cloutier, Middleton Municipal Electric Department
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Succession Planning:
Keeping Your Future Bright!
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As a public power HR professional or General Manager, you know that a well-trained workforce is critical to your organization’s success. Are retiring employees creating a vacuum of experience and institutional knowledge? Are you having trouble developing pathways for your emerging workforce? Then this roundtable is for you! By actively pursuing succession planning you can ensure that employees are ready to fill every important role in your organization. Join us as we discuss the tools and techniques to enable your organization to implement a strategic game plan around recruitment, retention and professional development.
Panelists include Michele Dobson from North Attleborough Electric Department and Laura Robbins from Middleborough Gas and Electric Department who will help us explore the latest trends in workforce development and retention.
This is Complimentary to members, registation required!
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NEPPA’s Annual Lineworkers Rodeo features three-person teams competing in six different events. Each event’s primary purpose is to promote safe work practices.
The rodeo is designed for public power professionals to enhance skills and job knowledge, foster stronger working relationships, encourage teamwork, and provide a better understanding of utility work for families and other attendees. Visit www.neppa.org for a General Rules and Event Descriptions.
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July 21, 2020
(9:00 am EST)
Webinar
Registration required
August 2020 - TBD
(9:00 am EST)
Webinar
Registration required
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2020 Apprentice Lineworker Program
2020 Apprentice Lineworker Program dates have been updated with the virtual lectures. Please see the website.
Year I:
Sept. 22 - 25; Oct. 27 - 30
Year II:
Sept. 29 - Oct. 2; Nov. 3 - 6
Year III:
Oct. 6 - 9; Nov. 17 - 20
Year IV:
Oct. 20 - 23; Dec. 7 - 10
Apprentice Rodeo:
New Date:
October 21, 2020
Apprentice Graduation:
Dec. 10, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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**Annual Conference - CANCELLED August 16-19, 2020, Stoweflake Resort, VT
September 2; December 8
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
September 3; December 9
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
September 3
, 2020 (11:00 am EST)
Webinar
New Date -
September 15, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
New Date -
September 15, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
New Dates -
Sept. 15 - 18;
Sept. 29 - Oct. 2; Oct. 20 - 23; Nov. 3 - 6
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
September 24-25, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
New Dates
October 6 - 7, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Engineering Roundtable
*
October 6, 2020 - (Tentative)
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
General Foremen's Roundtable
*
October 7, 2020 - (Tentative)
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Crew Leadership
*
October 14 - 15, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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New Date
Session III:
October 27-29, 2020
New Date
Session IV:
April 13 - 15, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
New Date -
October 29, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
New Dates -
November 3 - 4, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
November 5, 2020 (11:00 am EST)
Webinar
New Dates
November 17 - 18
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
2021 E&O Conference
& Expo*
May 13 - 14, 2021
Doubletree Manchester Downtown
Manchester, NH
2021 Annual Conference *
August 22 - 25, 2021
Westin Portland Harborview
Portland, ME
Postponed Until 2021
(see website):
Advanced Lineworker Program
Metering II Program
Customer Service Leadership Program
Public Utility Accounting (APPA)
Work Order & Asset Management (APPA)
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Pandemic:
Panels hold hearings on COVID impacts and response, House passes massive infrastructure bill, Fed expands MLF
…
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Energy:
Climate Crisis Recommendations take aim at MOPR, Court strikes down tolling orders, Hydro bill reintroduced…
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Cyber Security
:
FERC Invites Comment on Incentivizing Cybersecurity Investments…
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Energy New England acquires Utility Services Inc. to add major NERC programs advisory capabilities
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Mansfield, MA, June 1, 2020 -
Energy New England LLC (ENE), the largest wholesale risk management and energy trading organization serving the needs of municipal utilities in the northeastern U.S., has acquired Utility Services Inc. (USI), a leading international services organization assisting energy companies with electric regulatory, reliability, and security standard obligations.
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Congratulations
to our very own
Jackie Campbell
for completing
NE/SAE
Emerging Leaders Program
NE/SAE anounced that the 2020 class of our Emerging Leaders program has been completed. This program is designed to provide both young and new association professionals the development and networking opportunities they need to advance their association careers and to have a positive impact on the associations they serve.
Jackie participated in six educational and networking sessions between October 2019 and May 2020, covering topics including technology, membership, management, professional development, and more. We are lucky ot have her on our team!
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Northeast Public Power Association | communications@neppa.org | www.neppa.org
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