Chris Walsh.. friend to Framingham
While we all knew it was coming, it's still very sad news of his passing. From early on, he always listened to what I had to say. He supported my advocacy of marijuana and hemp (he introduced the Mass Hemp Farm Bill) from the get go and was instrumental in helping Steph wade through Beacon Hill for her attempts to strengthen domestic violence legislation. Besides all that, he was admired and loved by so many in Town. His support of the history of Framingham, open space and historic buildings was always present.
I hope his spirit will live forever in our hearts and minds.
Rest in peace Chris.
posted by Jim Pillsbury @ 9:08 AM
6 Comments
6 Comments:
Chris was one of the good guys. It is a testimony to the character of both Chris and Jim that after running against each other for State Rep, they remained friends. They seemed to be on the same side on so many issues, but with very different styles for handling the opposing view. I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone who knew Chris who did not like him. That skill of being able to disagreee with an idea without belittling the person who has the differing idea was what made Chris so successful in politics. We need more people with that skill set in government, but they are very, very tough to find.
I wish I had been more like him in life.
Never too late to change
true words.
I have to share a conversation I had with Chris recently. We were talking about the task force working on pot and where Framingham would be with allowing retail sales. Any conversation on that topic in Framingham must include the name Jim Pillsbury, and this conversation was no different. We talked about Jim's email to the woman from outside of Framingham who stood up and spewed her reffer madness and Jim's response to her. Chris said very seriously that Jim just lets his passion get in the way of his best interests. Never thought of it that way myself, but after some back and forth on this, I ended up agreeing with Chris. Chris saw Jim as informed, educated, and knowledgeable on this topic. He saw Jim's questionable response to this woman not as being offensive or bullying, but as being too passionate. Chris saw the good in everyone, and was usually correct in his assements of others. We should all learn from that example Chris set.
Thanks for sharing that conversation. He was in my corner from the get-go. He arranged it so that he and I would come before the the Agy Committee hearing about hemp years ago. After my 5 minutes with all my hemp related products he told me I had done a good job. I'll always remember that and miss his loyalty to the cause. He did recognize my passion for sure.
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