East Kingston Residents/Support SB-2
On Tues., March 12, there will be another attempt to return to the antiquated forum of town meetings, where a voter has to be in attendance for the reading, discussion and possible amendment of each warrant article, as well as voting on each article.
Current selectman, Matthew Dworman, is the sponsor of two warrant articles. The first would repeal SB-2, our current system of voting. The second, in the event that SB-2 is repealed, would require the town meetings to be held on Saturday mornings.
He has said “town meeting is the purest form of Democracy. Everybody has a voice – everybody’s voice is heard, and every voice counts”… but only if you can attend. I am of the opinion that depriving a resident of their right to vote by changing back to the town meeting format (which requires you to be in attendance to deliberate and vote on each proposed warrant article) is a far cry from true Democracy. He apparently feels that if you are unable to attend the deliberative session under our current SB-2 format, you will not cast an informed vote.
Simply put, if you want only the residents who can attend the town meeting to have control of the warrant articles (discussion, amendments, and voting on same date), then you should support the repeal of SB-2. But remember, there is no second chance to cast your vote if you miss this town meeting. Conversely, if you would like to continue to have the flexibility of voting via secret ballot regardless of your ability to attend the deliberative session, please vote down articles #9 and #10.
In other words, do not give up your right to vote solely because you may not be able to attend a town meeting.
H.F. Lewandowski, Jr.
East Kingston
