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Thursday, April 10, 2014

To the Voters who Always Vote No.

To the Voters in my Town Who Always Vote NO,

Hi.  I live in the Northernmost tip of this town, on the most beautiful street I have ever lived on, less than a minute from the town nextdoor.  I'm a newbie here, but I grew up one town over, in the North as well.  My kids go to school here, and will through high school because my mom and my mother-in-law were both teachers and I was raised with a great deal of respect for  the labor of love that was their work.   This town here, that I love, even as a newcomer, is falling to pieces.  Locally, people sigh and grimace when they talk about town politics.  Parents and confused newcomers like myself do not understand.  I've heard it blamed on the elderly, on fixed incomes.  Is that true?
Maybe we don't know what happened ten years ago? Maybe it doesn't seem relevant to us? Maybe.  Maybe I'd just like my kid to be able to learn Spanish or Portuguese in Middle School like I did.  (I took French.  not that useful to me, but thats in the past now... I think I had dreams of Paris in my little 12 year-old head)

We've now had two opportunities to vote for overrides since I've been here, maybe three. Each time? No.  The teachers are pleading, the selectmen are pleading, superintendents are telling you you're getting a substandard education, highway supervisors are begging for equipment, but still ?  No.  We're talking about less than 200 bucks over the course of the year, for most people.  less than a dollar a day.

What is going on here? Is this some new townwide 'philosophy of No' that I haven't caught on to? Angry pennypinchers? I read through all the comments on that big MasterPlan Survey that went out last year and so many people were worried sincerely that the Town was going to change.   Well, it is changing, certainly.  It is a laughingstock.  Its schools are becoming subpar.  Most who can afford it send their kids to the surrounding Catholic High Schools.  Saying No does not prevent change.  In our case, voting No is bringing the change in faster.  Great, our taxes are really low.  You get what you pay for, right?  Maybe the town will just disband.  That's cheapest, right?  All of the neighboring towns are bigger and more successful at governing themselves than we are, so lets do it.  Just give up.  Shout out the NO!  Lets make sure we do it in the name of debt reduction, otherwise people might think we don't love our town, that voting No is more satisfying than a healthy Town Hall, strong Fire and Police Departments, working plows.  (all of which serve the WHOLE town, stem to stern) ...


GAH!!!! -  should i fix it up, send it to a paper?! GAHHHHHHH.... my town, my town, what are you doing? ....

3 comments:

Forever Engaged said...

I think you should! Best case scenario it gets printed and your voice is heard. Worst case, they don't print it, but at least you would have tried! Right? I'm sure there are like minded denizens around! Do it! Do it! Do it! *chanting*

Jen said...

YES!! Send that bad boy in! Good for you for having an opinion and using your voice! Do it!

Kate Hall said...

i tidied it up a little, took out any direct insults and sent it... it'll be public in a week. can't decide if i hope noone will read it or if everyone will.