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THE STORY OF PEMBROKE RISING
HISTORY
Pembroke Rising has its genesis in the summer of 2021. It was then that it became apparent that some on the Select Board were importing national leftist ideologies into local town government and affairs. The myth is that town elections are nonpartisan. While there might not be an R or D behind a candidate’s name on the ballot, the reality remains that Pembroke has a center-right history which some seek to move more and more to the left. With the Select Board’s decision to create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in resistance to the counsel of the Town Meeting not to do so, it became apparent that a grassroots movement to protect our history and values became necessary. Pembroke Rising is that grassroots movement - identifiable, present, and unyielding in its reliance upon the wisdom imparted to us through over three centuries of trials and tribulations that shaped a flourishing town with a future.
MISSION & OBJECTIVES
Our Mission: Pembroke Rising is a positive nonpartisan movement giving a voice and a network to Pembroke residents who support historical American ideals and to families who value the future of their children.
Our Objectives:
TO Provide a voice and a network for residents of Pembroke who support its historical American values, uphold constitutional values, and defend individual freedoms.
TO ENCOURAGE the support of candidates for elected boards and committees who align with these principles and values.
TO RAISE awareness of issues in our community by providing educational events and resources, as well as to help people connect and support one another.
TO PROTECT Pembroke from movements and models that infringe upon its educational mission and to engage and support School Committee members and administrators who share this concern.
TO INFORM voters of actions of Pembroke governing bodies that affect income, living costs, education, and social interaction.
*Through the efforts of Pembroke Rising a Bylaw revision was passed by the Pembroke Town Meeting to remove unnecessary boundaries that made the recall of elected officials virtually impossible. This revision was part of the beginning vision of Pembroke Rising in 2021.
**Through the efforts of a team that would soon adopt the name of Pembroke Rising the Town of Pembroke passed a resolution on October 19, 2021, to request the Select Board to disband the DEI Committee it had created. The Select Board ignored the counsel of Town Meeting and proceeded with appointments. In response Pembroke Rising contributed to the election of a new Select Board member which soon thereafter voted to disband the DEI Committee.
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TEAM
Don Bryant is the Chair of Pembroke Rising. He and his wife, Sharon, have lived in Pembroke since 1996 and raised two sons educated in the Pembroke schools, a superior experience. Don is a retired Pastor and a 25 year adjunct faculty at Eastern Nazarene College where he taught Philosophy and Ethics. Since retirement much of his time has been invested in supporting candidates at the Town, State, and Federal levels.
Karen Ames has lived in Pembroke since 1970 and raised a child who was educated in the Pembroke School System. She has been employed by three Pembroke businesses through the years including serving as the sales manager for Ritchie Navigation, a world renowned manufacturer of marine compasses. She has been actively involved with the Pembroke Historical Society since moving to Pembroke and is a member of the Friends of the Pembroke Library.
Mark Ames has been a resident of Pembroke since 1994. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce for four years and has served the town as a member and Chairman of the Conservation Commission, the Fisheries Commission, and was the founder of the Community Preservation Act of Pembroke. He is semi-retired and a veteran of the United States Submarine Service.
Norm and Donna Piche have been active in community support for many years during their three children's school years. Most people know Norm and Donna through coaching in youth community leagues.
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