The beginning of the Natick Forever Political Action Committee can be traced to the grass-roots efforts of groups and individuals supporting a 2008 initiative regarding the name of the High School’s mascot. To that end, the Redmen Forever Municipal Ballot Question Committee was formed.
Redmen Forever supported a “yes” vote, for Question #3, of the March 2008 Natick Annual Town Election Ballot. That election saw the largest voter turn out for a Natick town election in over 2 decades. Question #3 received support from 65% of those voting. (see article below)
Much was gained from the participation in that Ballot Question campaign.
It became obvious just how much the folks of Natick appreciated and supported our wonderful community. The Redmen experience enticed many individuals to join other organizations in an effort to continue to improve the health of Natick. To encourage that civic interest, the Natick Forever Political Action Committee was born.
Among other events, Natick Forever has sponsored an Ethics in Government Seminar, as well as forums exploring the costs and construction challenges of building a New High School and a new Community Senior Center.
The marquis events, sponsored by Natick Forever, are unquestionably the annual candidate debates and forums. This year, 2012, marks the 4th consecutive year that Natick Forever will sponsor those events. The candidate debates and forums provide formats which afford the voters the opportunity to meet, listen to, and better understand the qualifications of those candidates seeking election on March 27th of this year.
There are no “card carrying” members of Natick Forever. However, such an initiative is being considered. Natick Forever does have a very impressive contact list of individuals reaching across all demographics of Natick’s residents. Great numbers of these individuals are in continual contact with Natick Forever exchanging ideas and making suggestions for a better Natick. When appropriate, these questions are passed on to those individuals and town leaders who can best address them. This network is truly a wonderful opportunity to become involved with what’s happening in Natick.
At election time, Natick Forever decides whether to endorse candidates. A panel of about a dozen or so members, of the Natick Forever contact network, will be assembled for that purpose. Voting is by secret ballot. However, any member, whether or not associated closely with Natick Forever, has the right to support any candidate that he or she chooses.
If you would like to participate in Natick Forever’s contact network, or perhaps participate in future Natick Forever sponsored events, please send your Email address to: natickforever@gmail.com
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Redmen issue transformed Natick
By Charlie Breitrose, MWDN, Fri Jan 2, 2009
NATICK - The firestorm ignited by the push to change Natick High School's nickname did not start in 2008, but the blaze grew more intense this year and may well have a transformational effect on the town's political scene.
The School Committee's 4-3 vote in March 2007 to stop using Redmen as the school's nickname started the controversy, which spilled into 2008 with a ballot measure introduced by the newly formed advocacy group Redmen Forever.
Supporters pointed to the decades of tradition using the name for NHS's athletes, and also to the town's heritage as a home to the Praying Indians. Those against the name said the name is a racial slur and insults American Indians.
Voters approved the measure — by a vote of 6,085 to 3,291 — asking the School Committee to ``reconsider'' its decision to stop using the nickname, which has been in place since 1956.
``We probably ran the most successful losing campaign that Natick has ever seen,'' Jimmy Brown, co-chairman of Redmen Forever, said this week. ``What it did obviously do is pointed out many other issues in Natick.''
Following the election, the School Committee did take a second look at the nickname. To gather input and opinions the committee hired a law firm to examine the legal ramifications and held a public forum in Wilson Middle School's auditorium in May. Hundreds of supporters of the name and those looking for it to be removed showed up and spoke for hours.
In June, the School Committee gathered once again to vote and this time voted 7-0 to end the use of Redmen as Natick High School's nickname. The school now calls the teams the Red and Blue, the pre-Redmen name.
The Redmen Forever group considered pushing for another referendum, this time one which would be a binding vote, but that effort ended soon after the School Committee's vote.
Instead, the group went in a new direction, officially becoming a political action committee and named itself Natick Forever. Brown hopes to address other issues facing the folks who supported his effort to keep the nickname.
``The Redmen issue is the thing that kind of ties people together,'' Brown said. ``But I get a lot of questions - What can we do about this? What can we do about that?''
Natick Forever held a political ethics seminar in September, and Brown said the group plans to endorse candidates in the 2009 town election. He also hopes to see members push for more open and responsible town government.
``It's amazing when something comes in front of selectmen or Town Meeting and a question is asked about specifics and no one has answers,'' Brown said. ``That's seriously now what we are concentrating on, and (also) hopefully getting responsible people into office.''
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It was Redmen then, it's Redmen now, and it will be Redmen Forever!