b'C H A P T E R E L E V E NOnce John Sweeney went on the board, his outlook shifted. This was no power elite. Rather, these new colleagues were more the intellectual elite. Getting to know them better, he realized(1) how dedicated they were, and (2) how they were willing to work .They actually pitched in and did a lot of the work.Hence, his perception modulated into seeing fellow directors as sort of a grass roots effort. But there is some truth to the fact that (they are) a phenomenally capable group of peoplevery bright, with very interesting backgrounds and very good education.Time and again, FCW board members like Sweeney have transfused energy, brain power, hours of toil, penetrating voices, even big dollars into addressing and helping resolve town-wide challenges. Overall, then, has the Friends made a difference? Can it keep doing that? There are those outside its membership who will answer in the affirmative. They see places where, without doubt, FCW canOn FCWs board since 2000, John continue to be one of the agents for worthwhileSweeney has been active on changeon Pleasant Bay, or Chatham Harbor;various fronts, including the demanding efforts to alter along South Beach, or on the sands and dunesChathams Zoning Bylaw to where South Chatham meets the Sound better guide building activity. because stubborn problems are liable to resistHere hes with his grandmans solutions for decades to come. daughter.From John SrnenejOne among those who know that FCW can contribute is Ted Keon, director of Coastal Resources. Among his credentials on coming to Chatham in January 1998 were bachelors and masters degrees in physical geography and thirteen years with the Army Corps of Engineers in Philadelphia; his last title there: chief of the Coastal Planning Section.(To be accurate, he shares professional concerns for Chathams waterways with Bob Duncanson, Harbormaster Stuart Smith, Shellfish Constable Stuart Moore, who reports to Keon, and Conservation Agent Kristin Andres)As director of Coastal Resources, Ted Keon may not have trudged over every foot of Chathams 60-plus miles of shoreline, but hes come close. And whenever you see a dredge plunked down in a harbor or channel, you can be certain that he knows precisely what its doing, why, and how long it will be grazing there.208'