Legislation takes away voters' rights

The Concord Monitor  January 21, 2009

While Betsy Patten of Moultonboro serves as a selectwoman and a state representative, she is working to remove the right of citizens who attend town meetings.  Her legislation, House Bill 72, would increase the number of voters required to request secret balloting and secret ballot recounts at meetings.

When I was in meetings with Betsy, when she chaired the House Municipal and County Government Committee, she said there was no need for SB 2. She wanted people to attend the town meeting and speak their mind. But what happens is this: The special interests want a quick meeting and don't want the ability of a secret ballot - so they can boo and hiss when someone doesn't give the special interests all they want.

Just Wednesday night here in Deerfield an elderly man told me he wouldn't attend the budget hearing and speak because his neighbor worked for the school. Although he called me about his taxes being too high, he didn't want to have a fight with his neighbor.

Is this what we call freedom of speech for everyone?

HARRIET E. CADY

Deerfield