ARUNDEL — Going into May 24, 2011, many of the
residents in the towns of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport — and, indeed,
some in the town of Arundel — probably didn't spend a lot of time
thinking about how Arundel residents would vote when it came to the RSU
21 warrant.
By the time the day ended, though,
it seems like it's all anyone was talking about, as the Arundel voters
took to the voting booths to show their displeasure with the district,
voting down everything from the budget to the cost-sharing plan to a
proposed buyout of the Thornton Academy Middle School contract.
It was the district's decision to try to buy
out the TAMS contract, in fact, that appeared to wake a sleeping beast,
turning a group of unhappy Arundel voters into a force to be reckoned
with. The group created its own Facebook page, Concerned Arundel
Citizens, had signs made urging people to vote down the proposal, and
launched a public information campaign.
"I was
struck by how many people were willing to step up and get involved in
the last few weeks prior to the vote. It was truly a grassroots effort
if there ever was one," said resident Donna Buttarazzi. "Townspeople who
barely knew each other, from all different perspectives and
demographics, pitched in and sorted mailers, stapled signs and made
phone calls. The common thread seemed to be that everyone was tired of
being pushed around and ignored. Every voice, every person and every
vote mattered."
"It was a wonderful way to teach our kids that every person matters," agreed Fran Beaulieu.
Michele Gagnon Laverriere said the best part of the experience was that everyone rallied together and made a difference.
"It
felt so good to have a voice and to be heard. We are a small community,
with small town values and many of us were in fear that this would be
taken away from us," she said.
Arundel Town Manager Todd Shea said he's not surprised by the passion people feel for their town.
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