Bellicose Bumpkin

The wiki quote below comes to mind watching this process:

They came first for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a
Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a
trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up

While some might convince themselves of the overreaction
regarding the quote, they ignore that it has been a “select” few
who have monopolized the podium. It is only because that
“select few” suddenly risked exclusion from the process by
written policy that caused the fuss.

In the not distant past, Selectman Spataro verbally abused a
voter about the ‘Cheap Seats.’ Marsha condemned voters
here: Sick And Tired Of This Crap

No one spoke up when Marsha gaveled casino opponents to
silence. Few noted when Marsha refused to recognize
me after I stood at the microphone for more than 15 minutes
to ask a question — a QUESTION.

No one paid any attention when Marsha’s predecessor
duplicated the same policy.

This is not merely the fault of any single person, but the fault
of a 5 member BOS refusing the question authority they have surrendered.

Having the entire room filled last Monday night was a show of solidarity to the discussion of rights being taken away. It had nothing to do with a “select” few taking up discussion time in prior meetings. It had everything to do with “DEMOCRACY”.
Marsha had overstepped her bounds.
Many were appalled that people were ignored at such serious discussions, in the past, perhaps that is the reason why the room was filled. They were trying to save every one’s rights.
Those that have spoken at many meetings have been there for you and I. Transparency is being fought for by these individuals. Especially, Allin. I am certain that the audience can tell the people that need to be quiet and stop promoting their agenda and the ones that truely are there for us.
Marsha took up a great deal of time a few weeks ago to give a speech from her husband, from the audience, not her side of the table. That is what everyone should be complaining about. She implied that it was her democratic right to speak as an audience participant and than she tried to tell all of us, last week, that we could not speak in the same audience.
That was not right and that is why the room was filled.
Remember all of this in April when Marsha is up for reelection and vote someone else in.

As someone who attends all of the BOS meetings, the great thing about Monday was the unilateral support for the peoples right to attend and be a part of the discussion of all of the topics that affect our daily life in our home town.
There were 7 former selectmen present.
I thought that was a great response in itself.
This was about those in elected office forgetting that they are elected, by the people. One day they too will sit in the ‘cheap seats’.
The literal analogy that comes to my mind is in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. I could just see the rules being changed to ‘…some animals are more equal than others.’

This type of attitude comes from being in that office too long.

The ” I reserve the right to say ‘I told you so.’ comment is exactly the same belittling, I’m better than you attitude.
I will not forget this come April and I will do everything I can to make a change in the elections.

I sincerely hope I have company.