SB2: Power to the majority

Letter to the editor

February 19^th 2009

The Citizen

I understand the concern of those who oppose SB2 for their town. It takes the power away from a few and hands it to the majority.
To suggest that people in the ‘90s did not understand SB2 because it was a new idea, then why haven’t they rescinded SB2 in those towns.
One does not really have to call their friends in SB2 towns – let’s just look at how many efforts there have been to rid that town of SB2.
I can save you some time – only Orange, Dorchester, and Enfield have gone back to the “traditional town meeting.”
In the past two years Epsom and Epping have found the question on the ballot to discontinue SB2. The voters said NO in a big way.
The fear of those who oppose SB2 is that once it is part of the town charter the people like the idea – and it is tough to return to the days of intimidation and allowing only those present to vote.
Sort of like the tax cap in NH cities – once it is part of the charter – the taxpayers feel a lot safer with city officials handling “our money.”

Neil Young
Laconia