To the Editor:
I am writing this letter in regards to the resignation of David Babson, former manager of The Trustees of the Reservations (TTOR) on Norton Point and Chappy. I have read the previous letters and I feel they were well written and each had good points on this matter. I have worked for the Trustees for five years, two years at Wasque and three years at Norton Point as a visitor service representative.
I worked for Dave Belcher the first two years before he retired. I don’t think it would be possible to replace Dave. He was a quality person, and he treated everyone with respect. He was the ultimate manager, and there was no one like him. We had a period the third year where the appointed manager didn’t work out, and after that season David Babson was hired to take over the manager’s job. At the introductory meeting with the staff, he impressed with his enthusiasm and energy. Speaking for the experienced staff, he came off to us as capable and willing to handle any task. He worked hard to establish himself and make TTOR a better organization.
This past 2010 season, he found himself with a 20 percent decrease in staff. He lost his accountant and part of his beach staff. It didn’t set him back from doing his best for the Trustees. David always seemed to do the best he could with what he had. He designated employees’ work, managed stock and permit sales, performed carpentry work, and was a problem solver on both beaches. David took one vacation day this summer to take his young son and daughter to the circus.
Thursday evening of that week, he was repairing a tire on a Trustee truck at Katama Farm. The next day he was issued an ultimatum to resign immediately or be fired the following Monday. He resigned reluctantly. The staff was totally surprised. What mistake could he have made that would cost him his job, home, and livelihood. He and his wife had to take their two children out of the Edgartown school system and move off-Island a month before the start of the school year. I think that the staff and supporters of the Trustees deserve an explanation of what caused this to happen. Management seems to be completely out of touch.
Richard Stanton
Edgartown
