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Old 12-02-2007, 10:38 AM   #55
Argie's Wife
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idigtractors
I think the biggest thing is the voting on the articles that appear for the town to vote on. I can almost guarantee that the tax rate would go down if seasonal people were able to vote.

Perhaps... but the problem with the warrant articles is that they're generally worded in a way that's so ambiguous that people have trouble comprehending what they're REALLY for. And there's generally too darn many of them - we had over 40 last year here in Alton and always have a bunch. Some have a $0 fiscal impact but most have a price tag attached. By attending the deliberative sessions, it's much easier to understand what you're voting for. Those deliberative sessions are televised but only on the local cable access. The warrant articles are in the papers, but there's also petition warrant articles that are presented at the deliberative sessions - and all the justification for them. (By the way, Alton is SB2 and I'm writing this from that experience - might be a bit different for your town.)

In short, I would welcome seasonal residents' vote - if they were INFORMED voters. I question how they would really be able to make a good, informed decision if they weren't as tuned-in to the local happenings like you are... I don't know how that would happen - perhaps that fodder for another thread, eh?
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