Laconia Daily Sun, Monday, Feb 4, 2008
letter to the editor
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Ask Moultonborough officials why they're so afraid of SB-2
To the editor,
SB-2 is good for Moultonborough, and yes, for Meredith, too.
Why is it that the general consensus among the "Powers-To-Be, (the Board of Selectmen, the School Board, the town Moderator, the Superintendent of Schools, etc.) in Moultonboro that SB-2 is a fiscal threat to the town and the school system? Why when given the opportunity to weigh-in they have condemned SB-2 by voice, signage, or action by standing silent. This condemnation of silence has by no means gone unnoticed by the electorate. But, the question remains...WHY?
If one were to listen to their scare tactics, comments and acerbic bombs, their cries have been loud but artificial. So for the sake of clarity and fairness and at the larger risk chastisement I will explain SB-2. First, you should understand there is no "smoke and mirrors". SB-2 IS A VOTING INITIATIVE...it is that simple.
Over a decade ago the State of New Hampshire recognized that not all eligible voters in the Town Meeting process were able to physically be there to voice their opinion and exercise their right to vote. In fact for various reasons, attendance at town and school district meetings around the state was periously low. This left the door open for very small but powerfully connected groups to overwhelm the process and control signifigant spending issues. The purpose of SB-2 is to allow all of the electorate to vote, by ballot and still have an opportunity to discuss and amend any of the warrant articles if they so chose. I will repeat that...IT ALLOWS ALL THE ELECTORATE TO VOTE.
Here is how it works. About a month before the second Tuesday in March (traditional Town Meeting Day) there is a "Deliberative Session" when those that can (and want to) be physically present, have the opportunity to discuss each article of he warrant. At this time, the various parts of a proposed budget item, wording and costs, may be amended. But the actual acceptance or rejection is done by ballot on Election Day...that second Tuesday in March. Since the expenditures of the warrant articles determine the budget for the ensuing year, if they are not passed, the previous year's budget plus any committed financial obligations becomes the default budget so that "life as we know it" may continue without damaging the town's rating or reputation. Simple, huh?
Before we hear the repeated clamor from those that say "SB-2 is dangerous" or worse "it is dangerous to allow all those uninformd voters to vote" (and sadly I have heard that very statement tossed around by our public officials) let me say that the news media is "on board" with SB-2. The local newspaper in nearby Wolfeboro (an SB-2 Town) prints out the entire warrant with check-off- boxes so that before Election Day you, the (uninformed) voter can take the time to become informed as to what are the issues and decide how you want to vote. Take the checklist with you in the booth.
The next time you have the opportunity to speak to one of the above mentioned "power brokers" in Moultonborough, ask them specifically what is so "dangerous" about SB-2. Ask them why they would promote and support the disenfranchisement of all the good folks that are out of state on retirement, away at college, out of state/country serving in the military, elderly, a working parent on second shift or those that are intimidated by voting against the crowd or speaking up in front of 200-300 people. Wouldn't you like to have more say in town?
As we approach the spring voting rituals, I urge you to learn about SB-2 and support it at the polls. For more information contact the Moultonborough Citizen's Alliance,
www.moultonborocitizensalliance@yahoo.com or call me.
Rick Heath
Moultonborough
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Laconia Daily Sun, Monday, February 4, 2008
letter to the editor
......