CLT's 2004 Annual Awards Brunch
November 14, 2004
Citizens for Limited Taxation held it
annual awards meeting on Sunday, November 14, 2004, this year a midday
brunch instead of its former evening dinner. It was well-attended by
some 100 CLT members.
Along with the usual awards ceremony,
CLT also convened a panel to discuss the future of taxpayer activism in
the besieged Commonwealth and the direction the organization will take
in the year ahead. Moderated by CLT director of operations Chip Ford,
the panel included political commentator Avi Nelson (the 2001 recipient
of the Warren T. Brookes Award), director of the Beacon Hill Institute
David Tuerck, and this year's recipient of the Citizen for Limited
Taxation Award, Ted Tripp, president of the North Andover Taxpayers
Association.
THIS YEAR'S AWARDS
|
Warren T. Brookes Award
Eric A. Kriss
Secretary for Administration & Finance
Warren T. Brookes (1929-1991) was the Boston Herald economics columnist who created the concept of Proposition 2˝ in 1978 and wrote many columns in support of the initiative law. In his book, “The Economy in Mind,” Warren wrote that “without the civilizing force of universal moral standards, particularly honesty, trust, self-respect, integrity, and loyalty, the marketplace quickly disintegrates. As Alexis de Toqueville suggested, the greatness of our economy can continue only as a reflection of the goodness of our people.”
The Warren T. Brookes award is given each year to a person whose service to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth reflects these qualities and encourages this goodness. |
|
In a news
release ("CLT awards 'Tell the truth and shame the devil" award,'"
Oct. 22, 2003) we cheered Secretary Kriss' recognition of the
diminishing ratio between "givers" and
"takers," an obvious observation that brought down upon
him the wrath of the Gimme Lobby. This didn't intimidate the
Secretary, for only two
months later he again spoke of the politically-incorrect
obvious, taking on the powerful public employees' unions: "Like any industrial monopoly, a labor monopoly creates a political imbalance. Massachusetts unions tilt civic life and the penalty is heavy, like a hidden tax."
With such refreshing candor and
daring, who better to receive this year's Warren T. Brookes
award?
His address and Powerpoint
presentation to the audience
again was a refreshing perspective on a new topic sure to
eventually get him in trouble with the PC crowd. The further
45-minutes of Q&A allowed for great participation and further
insights. |
Click photo for larger image
|
|
|
Citizen for Limited Taxation
Ted Tripp
President, North Andover Taxpayers Association
Awarded to a CLT activist
who has performed above and beyond the call of duty. |
|
Ted Tripp, last year's recipient
of CLT's David P. Wilson Award, this year earned the Citizen
for Limited Taxation. Ted has been singularly instrumental in
working with taxpayers in other cities and towns across the state
in launching local taxpayer groups and running effective campaigns
to defeat Proposition 2˝ override attempts. Through his
encouragement and efforts, local taxpayer groups are springing up
all over the Commonwealth, e.g., the Winthrop group, below. |
Click photo for larger image
|
|
|
David P. Wilson Award for
Uniting Taxpayers
Alex Mavrakos
Chairman, Citizens for Fair and Balanced Government
Awarded to a taxpayer-activist
for effectively organizing and uniting neighbors to promote and
defend fiscally-sound municipal policies. |
|
One of the most effective local
taxpayer groups was launched in Winthrop less than two years ago.
Already it has defeat two Proposition 2˝ overrides and a $4M debt
exclusion vote. Its activists also have defeated a two-term
tax-and-spend selectman and a proposed Pay-As-You-Throw trash fee. |
Click photo for larger image
|
|
|
Lifetime Achievement Award
Pauline A. Zywaski
Founding Board Member and Treasurer
|
|
This award was uniquely created
and presented this year to recognize Pauline Zywaski's thirty
years of volunteer service in many areas of taxpayer activism that
helped create and sustain our organization. Pauline was an
original member of CLT's board of directors and its founding
treasurer and served in those roles for decades. She remains an
active member of Citizens for Limited Taxation. |
Click photo for larger image
|
|
