To the editor:
Last Wednesday evening, the town of Arundel held its annual town meeting and
a travesty truly occurred regarding Article 27.
Article 27 reads: Shall the town vote to raise and appropriate $5,100 toward
the operating costs of the Kennebunk Free Library? Last year’s appropriation was
$10,200.
Last Thursday morning the talk at the bus stop and on the commute to work
revolved around the failure to pass Article 27.How could this be? Why would we
not fund the library?
The ultimate culprit appears to be the economy. Really?
Then please tell me why voters decided to spend $25,000 for the Economic
Development Committee to hire a consultant to perform a branding study for the
purpose of attracting new businesses to the town? Per the town of Arundel 2012
Annual Report, “these consultants will examine Arundel’s economic strengths and
weaknesses, identify 21st century growth industries, and create an attractive
image and unique identity for Arundel as the best place to build a business, a
family and a life.”
Really? Hey, for free I will tell you that seniors, parents and children all
benefit from access to books, Internet services, educational programming all
offered at the Kennebunk Free Library, and in the past did so frequently and in
large numbers.
Effective June 30, Arundel seniors, individuals and families will have to pay
$35 for a library card. Now, for some that may not sound like much of a burden,
but let me gently remind you, it is not you that I am concerned about. It is
about the neighbor down the road who may need to make the decision about a
library card purchase or paying a bill.
What is even more tragic is that the author wasn't at town meeting, and **did not** voice her opinion, neither was her husband, and some of the other people who are complaining. Town Meeting is every year the same time, and same place, there is ample time to voice your concerns with the budget to the Board of Selectmen, and the Budget Board. Town Meeting is as important as a School Board Meeting. The Budget Board met as they do every year. By the looks of the minutes of those meetings, and the Board of Selectmen's meetings, interestingly enough the people who are upset never voiced a concern, and didn't attend the important meetings.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is time to adjust the way we vote in town. If 73 people can have such an effect on the lives of the entire town then something is just not right.
DeleteMaybe the extra money for the web site will allow the taping of all meeting to be placed so all can see them.
This town has worked in a vacuum for to long. Agendas are posted without much notice and minets takes months to be posted much of the time.
Maybe the meeting needs to be held on a Saturday morning. Then parents can show up. Something in this town has to change. Especially if we are so poor we can't fund the library
Be warned, the school is next. O. That is right. The only.reason.the.school is funded is because the other towns support education more than we don't. If we withdraw, the school is done!
So what are you saying, change Town meeting because people won't go out and vote? I can think of many reasons why some *won't* come out to vote on a Saturday morning. Parents can show up, I am a parent, and I show up at town meeting.
DeleteI like to think of the cup 1/2 full instead of 1/2 empty...the school won't be done, kids will get an education, and it takes people to stay involved in the education of *their* kids.
A mighty good lesson was learned at the meeting, and it didn't come to like the papers said it did. If you really care about something and you are pationate about beliefs, and care where your tax-dollars are spent, then stay involved, and don't count on 73 people to decide it for you.
That is my point. People like me want to be involved, but work and family comes first. Why not try a Saturday meeting and see if more people attend. 73 people from the entire town show up to vote. I was not there but my guess is at least a third were supporters of the fire department, much like in years past.
DeleteSomething should change, and I do not see any harm in moving to a weekend vote. Vote via referendum one day and spend the next night at.town meeting for 3 hours is very difficult for a lot of people. Try a Saturday morning and if it does not work go ahead and move it back the next year. I also think I'd the town tries to do a better job communicating there will be more participation.