SB-2 a needed too in battle against increased spending

One distinct advantage of SB2 is that it requires that budget articles, among other things, be voted on by paper ballot. This would eliminate the eleventh hour vote promoted by special interest groups, who curtail voting on an article until the elderly, and others tired by the long town meeting process, leave, allowing special interest groups, who vote as a block, to pass the article with little protest. Another advantage is that it eliminates the voice or hand vote on an article, which can pit neighbor against neighbor and cause hard feelings.

I have had occasion to discuss SB2 with Wolfeboro residents, who have used the process for several years. They wonder why we have not instituted the procedure before now, in that Moutonboro has spent money like a sailor on shore leave during the past ten years, or so. Consider the following:

• A Taj Mahal of a town hall with much wasted space.
• A publics work building, which belongs in, and is the envy of, Manchester.
• An abomination of a library relative to its architectural merit, where the parking lot side resembles row housing, and the Rte. 25 side resembles a contemporary Buddhist temple.
• A cap of the town dump, which ultimately cost five times (in millions) as much as it could have cost.
• And, the discussion of a multi-million dollar community center, because our children and elderly have no place to go for group recreation.

Another example of empire building? Give me a break! I am a New Hampshire native, born and bred. When I was a kid and wanted recreation there were the woods, fields, brooks, and lakes to explore. In the summer there was swimming, boating, camping, hiking, and the town park to enjoy, without planned group activities, except for Boy and Girl Scouts and church activities. In the winter there was skating and skiing, and reading, radio, and family games. I know it is hard to realize, but we also had no T.V. or video games. We crushed cans, and collected milkweed pods for Mae Wests and the war effort. We also did a lot of praying for those overseas, and those who would never return, I would suggest that the proposed community center as just another example of playing catch up with Meredith, another example of empire building.

Finally, I would suggest that those who have not done so, read a letter from the Rev. John Eaton in the March 1 issue of this paper. It is reasoned, well thought out, and insightful. It also points out that, "What once was pure democracy has become undemocratic. Town meetings vest control in a small group of people and deny the vote to whole classes of people who cannot be in a certain place at a given time." Well said, John!

David Riel
Moultonboro