Letters, June 22, 2023 – The Provincetown Independent

‘Find the Right Target’

To the editor:

Thanks to the Provincetown Independent for covering recent efforts to terminate the contract of Truro Town Manager Darrin Tangeman [“A Campaign Is Waged to Oust Town Manager,” June 15, front page]. I had been approached to support that effort but couldn’t follow the rationale of Mr. Tangeman’s detractors.

We apparently are to be concerned about “suburbanization” of Truro. Hilarious. Suburbanization is pretty far down the list of my concerns.

We live in a community of affluent, older part-time residents. It is increasingly nondiverse and economically out of reach for young families. That’s what we should be concerned about if we want police, ambulance personnel, and educators (and, less urgently, restaurants and retail). The Cloverleaf, housing at the Walsh property, and subsidized child care are modest initiatives to address an enormous problem, initiatives that achieved consensus after sometimes fierce debate. If those initiatives offend you, find the right target to voice your concerns.

I am happy to pay more taxes to live in a place that values diversity of all kinds. I am aware that other people have different views. But what the petitioners are objecting to is, broadly, the outcome of votes at town meeting. It’s depressingly on point these days to have a group of people inciting change while failing to bother to understand the dynamics of town government, censoring opposing viewpoints, and complaining about lack of adherence to New England traditions. It’s also hard to miss the irony that many of the complainers vote elsewhere.

Finally, I respect Mr. Tangeman’s military service and have personal experience working with leaders who effectively leverage skills learned in the military to private sector work. I have no idea whether Mr. Tangeman is a good manager. But disqualifying him for having served our country is both convenient and unfair.

Liam McElhone
Truro

The Role of Nonvoters

To the editor:

I want to express my disagreement and disappointment with your report about the town manager on June 15. The subheading reads “42 percent of the signers of an online petition are nonvoters.”

I have been connected with Truro for over 40 years. Some of that time has been as a nonvoter. Nonvoters are also taxpayers and have an interest in how this town is managed.

I do not have any opinion about our town manager. I am more interested in seeing Truro and its environs respected and appreciated by all who live and visit here. Nonvoters not only help to pay the bills, they support the development of housing and contribute to the life of this community in many ways.

The Independent is reinforcing an attitude about our nonresident residents, which some might see as a reflection of the “haves and the have nots.” To suggest that being a nonvoter doesn’t count in some ways borders on being insulting and perpetuates the attitude that nonvoters should not have a say. They are not second-class citizens.

I hope Truro will pursue an effort to include the thoughts and opinions of nonvoters in decision-making, especially at this critical time in our town’s development.

Al Gentle
Truro

In Tangeman’s Defense

To the editor:

In my time as a resident and homeowner in Truro, I have found Town Manager Darrin Tangeman to be approachable, measured, and thoughtful regarding the various issues facing our town.

I do not necessarily agree with Mr. Tangeman on all matters, nor would I expect to agree on all matters with anyone serving as town manager. Considering the several divisive issues facing Truro, I find it troubling that some seem unwilling to compromise or find common ground. And it’s especially troubling that some seem to blame Mr. Tangeman for the will of the residents in making housing options available for those who can’t afford to live and work here otherwise.

I wonder if those who are calling for Mr. Tangeman to be replaced have considered the challenges in finding qualified candidates when he was hired. Those challenges would be amplified in the event that Mr. Tangeman were to be quickly relieved of his contract.

I hope the select board decides to renew the town manager’s contract.

I also hope that the Truro summer concerts can somehow serve as a uniting element. We invite all to join us on Thursday evenings at 6:30 behind the library starting July 6 for our weekly free concerts.

Ken Field
Truro

The writer is cochair of the Truro Concert Committee.

Consistency

To the editor:

The real estate industry bears responsibility for pushing the price of homes beyond the reach of most people. Sales commissions depend on doing just that.

Doesn’t consistency dictate that, as editor of the Provincetown Independent and a vocal advocate of affordable housing, you should reject real estate ads for properties priced at a million dollars or more?

There are Congressional candidates advocating economic justice who reject campaign contributions from large corporations. That’s consistency!

Joan Holt
Truro

‘Vilified by a Minority’

To the editor:

I have worked closely with Truro Town Manager Darrin Tangeman as a member of various standing and ad hoc committees and have never witnessed behavior that could be characterized as “authoritarian,” “iron-fisted,” or “bullying” — words used by his detractors in emails to the select board. References to his military background perpetuate a stereotype that does a disservice to all veterans. It is particularly disheartening when he has personally worked for years to help improve the quality of life for servicemen and women.

The qualifications of a town manager, particularly one chosen to help implement select board policy in a town such as Truro, are multifaceted. It requires knowledge, certifications, and expertise across a number of disciplines. Mr. Tangeman has built upon the professionalism and enhanced the development of town staff and diligently ensured that the needs of the community are being met despite being vilified by a vocal minority.

Policy decisions recommended by the select board are approved and funded at annual town meetings. It is dissatisfaction with Mr. Tangeman’s duty to carry out the directives of the majority of the voters that has resulted in him being disparaged despite his every effort to collaborate and enhance communication. He has consistently held weekly office hours for community engagement that few if any have taken advantage of.

I believe the attempt to discredit Mr. Tangeman is intended in part to destabilize town management and further delay housing initiatives that some members of the community find unpalatable, creating a false narrative of “suburbanization.”

It is unfortunate that some members of the community unfairly disparage and misrepresent him. He and the town deserve better.

Robert Panessiti
North Truro

To Honor Josephine Del Deo

To the editor:

Over the decades I have lived in Provincetown and Truro, I have been fortunate to know Josephine, Sal, and Romolo Del Deo. They contributed in immeasurable ways to the life of our community. It is not an exaggeration to say they are woven into the very soul of the place.

Josephine especially played an essential role in the arc of our history, contributing as she did to the national park becoming the steward of the Province Lands and advocating tirelessly for the unique cultural value of the dune shack dwellers and their contributions to our towns. Her voice, both in the written and spoken word, was unfailingly clear, wise, and loving.

I have long thought that the Provincetown Municipal Airport, located in the Province Lands dunes, should be officially dedicated to her memory as the Josephine Del Deo Airport. This idea, which has recently gotten an enthusiastic response, seems especially timely considering the lack of local historical consideration with which the Cape Cod National Seashore has recently conducted its business. [“Sal Del Deo, 94, Is Ordered to Leave Dune Shack,” June 15, front page.]

I and others offer this idea to the Outer Cape community for consideration. As a first step, the email address [email protected] has been created to gather feedback. We look forward to hearing from the community as we prepare to bring this idea to the Provincetown Airport Commission for review.

Kim Kettler
North Truro

What Would Napi Do?

To the editor:

Thank you for your follow-up story about Napi’s Restaurant [“Napi’s Tenants Are Again Facing Eviction,” June 8, front page].

We stopped going there after your first story about the illegal and immoral behavior of the new owners. It is completely contrary to what I believe Napi himself would want.

Barbara Hill
Truro and Pawcatuck, Conn.