Opportunity to vote overrides all
Meredith News
March 08, 2007
To the Editor:
Regarding your front page article in the Feb. 22, 2007 Meredith News, about the SB-2 warrant in Moultonboro, I would like to suggest that all the arguments against this change do not seem as important as the chance for every citizen to vote.
As Moultonboro has grown, there are many voters who are snowbirds as well as residents who cannot make the town meeting for other reasons (illness, business, vacations, etc.). I strongly believe that SB2 would provide these presently disenfranchised voters with a chance to vote on issues that affect our town.
March 08, 2007
To the Editor:
Regarding your front page article in the Feb. 22, 2007 Meredith News, about the SB-2 warrant in Moultonboro, I would like to suggest that all the arguments against this change do not seem as important as the chance for every citizen to vote.
As Moultonboro has grown, there are many voters who are snowbirds as well as residents who cannot make the town meeting for other reasons (illness, business, vacations, etc.). I strongly believe that SB2 would provide these presently disenfranchised voters with a chance to vote on issues that affect our town.
The concern about the voters being uninformed, or backing up at the polls could be easily handled by including a voter handbook with arguments for and against each warrant with the absentee ballot mailed to all registered voters prior to the election, or a sample ballot and voter handbook, mailed to all voters prior to the election. In this way the voters could read and consider the arguments and make their choices before they enter the polls. Although this would cost a little money to produce, I believe it would cause the voters to be much better informed than trying to sit through a long town meeting and listen to confusing arguments and then vote on them without the time to thoroughly consider them.
As for the comments made that SB2 would cause the voter to vote their wallets I believe that is more democratic than a small group that can attend the town meeting voting my wallet. After all it is everyone's town and everyone should have a chance to participate in the decisions that affect it.
As for the argument that we would not need the five selectmen, I disagree, as frankly they will continue to have the same duties and responsibilities that they have now all year. Whether we vote on the issues at the town meeting or on the ballot, it has always been the voter's responsibility and has no effect on the responsibilities of the selectmen.
Times have changed from the days of the small town with most people staying close to home. The present system disenfranchises many eligible voters who are unable to attend the town meeting and that in my opinion is unfair and not the American way! I full agree with your editorial of the same date.
Richard G. Kaplan
Moultonboro
As for the comments made that SB2 would cause the voter to vote their wallets I believe that is more democratic than a small group that can attend the town meeting voting my wallet. After all it is everyone's town and everyone should have a chance to participate in the decisions that affect it.
As for the argument that we would not need the five selectmen, I disagree, as frankly they will continue to have the same duties and responsibilities that they have now all year. Whether we vote on the issues at the town meeting or on the ballot, it has always been the voter's responsibility and has no effect on the responsibilities of the selectmen.
Times have changed from the days of the small town with most people staying close to home. The present system disenfranchises many eligible voters who are unable to attend the town meeting and that in my opinion is unfair and not the American way! I full agree with your editorial of the same date.
Richard G. Kaplan
Moultonboro
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