SB2: January 2008 Archives
Back in December, Al had the opportunity to be on the Meet The New Press radio show and discuss the ramifications of SB2. You can either listen to the podcasts or watch Al on the MTNP Schlubcam recorded video
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Letters to the Editor - 3/27/07
Article Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Editor, The Citizen: Once again Moultonborough Town and School District Meeting decisions on spending and issues were made by a small group of voters. It was not participatory democracy at its best, with only 9 percent attending Town Meeting and three percent at the School Meeting.
The SB2 petitions gained strong voter support in spite of the aggressive disinformation effort by those protecting the status quo and opposing greater voter participation on town and school spending and issues. Their contradictory arguments and repeated fear of getting less tax money to spend under SB2 were misleading and denied voters the chance to be heard. Mr. Hume's successful effort to put SB2 on the Town and School District Ballots and his determination to defend the rights of all voters in spite of this opposition is admirable.
Continue reading SB2 is still the way to go.
Letters to the editor - 3/10/07 Part 3
Article Date: Saturday, March 10, 2007
Editor, The Citizen: The fear mongering that goes on by those opposed to Senate Bill 2 (SB2), the Official Ballot Referenda, never ceases to amaze me. Those opposed constantly mislead and try to scare voters away from change that would allow the elderly, those who are ill, military service members, pilots, truck drivers, those with small children, those who work second or third shifts, and other business/busy people the right to exercise their constitutional right to vote without having to sit for 3, 4, 5, or more hours in a meeting many of them currently can't make. NH Department of Revenue Administration literature on SB2 defines it simply as a form of town meeting with two sessions. Not so scary.
Editor, The Citizen: The fear mongering that goes on by those opposed to Senate Bill 2 (SB2), the Official Ballot Referenda, never ceases to amaze me. Those opposed constantly mislead and try to scare voters away from change that would allow the elderly, those who are ill, military service members, pilots, truck drivers, those with small children, those who work second or third shifts, and other business/busy people the right to exercise their constitutional right to vote without having to sit for 3, 4, 5, or more hours in a meeting many of them currently can't make. NH Department of Revenue Administration literature on SB2 defines it simply as a form of town meeting with two sessions. Not so scary.
Continue reading SB2: Nothing to be afraid of.
Citizen of Laconia
Letter to the Editor printed 3/9/2007
Time to switch to SB2 format
Editor, The Citizen: On the March 13, Election Day Town and School warrants, Moultonborough voters will have an opportunity to vote on the adoption of deliberative sessions followed by separate official-ballot voting on all issues before the Town of Moultonborough and the Moultonborough School District. This alternative to the existing Town and School District meetings is referred to as RSA 40:13 (SB2). It's been attacked by some as not allowing for the voters to be properly informed, but the lack of information has really come from its opponents.
SB2 makes it possible for more registered voters to participate. It's opponents dismiss this reality, arguing that voters will somehow be less informed and may even "vote their wallets" to reduce spending and lower their taxes, as if this is wrong. The fear of SB2 demonstrated by those angry Town and School officials dominating the public meetings is apparently based on their worries of greater control by voters and reduced support for spending. Voters are portrayed as uninformed and must be required to attend the annual Town and School Meetings in order to vote on the issues. This requirement prevents people who cannot attend from voting.
Letter to the Editor printed 3/9/2007
Time to switch to SB2 format
Editor, The Citizen: On the March 13, Election Day Town and School warrants, Moultonborough voters will have an opportunity to vote on the adoption of deliberative sessions followed by separate official-ballot voting on all issues before the Town of Moultonborough and the Moultonborough School District. This alternative to the existing Town and School District meetings is referred to as RSA 40:13 (SB2). It's been attacked by some as not allowing for the voters to be properly informed, but the lack of information has really come from its opponents.
SB2 makes it possible for more registered voters to participate. It's opponents dismiss this reality, arguing that voters will somehow be less informed and may even "vote their wallets" to reduce spending and lower their taxes, as if this is wrong. The fear of SB2 demonstrated by those angry Town and School officials dominating the public meetings is apparently based on their worries of greater control by voters and reduced support for spending. Voters are portrayed as uninformed and must be required to attend the annual Town and School Meetings in order to vote on the issues. This requirement prevents people who cannot attend from voting.
Continue reading Time to switch to SB2 format.
Meredith News
March 01, 2007
To The Editor:
On Election Day Moultonboro voters will decide whether to adopt SB2.
I am a New England native. I began attending town meetings as a young adult and have fond memories of them. I have also lived where all voting is done by ballot, and served in the military when, by necessity, I voted by absentee ballot.
Despite the tradition and my emotional attachment to town meetings, I am in favor of SB2. SB2 places all warrant articles on a ballot for voting while still allowing citizens to debate and amend articles.
Town meetings are an archaic holdover from the days when there were limited means of communication and an agrarian society. Many people never traveled more than a few miles from home and died of old age in the house where they were born. March was chosen, in part, because most winter farm chores were completed by then and spring chores had not yet begun. Almost everyone could attend town meetings and, after months of winter, appreciated a reason to get out of the house to be with neighbors.
March 01, 2007
To The Editor:
On Election Day Moultonboro voters will decide whether to adopt SB2.
I am a New England native. I began attending town meetings as a young adult and have fond memories of them. I have also lived where all voting is done by ballot, and served in the military when, by necessity, I voted by absentee ballot.
Despite the tradition and my emotional attachment to town meetings, I am in favor of SB2. SB2 places all warrant articles on a ballot for voting while still allowing citizens to debate and amend articles.
Town meetings are an archaic holdover from the days when there were limited means of communication and an agrarian society. Many people never traveled more than a few miles from home and died of old age in the house where they were born. March was chosen, in part, because most winter farm chores were completed by then and spring chores had not yet begun. Almost everyone could attend town meetings and, after months of winter, appreciated a reason to get out of the house to be with neighbors.
Continue reading SB2 could replace archaic Town Meeting.
Meredith News
March 08, 2007
To the Editor:
I have followed the debate on SB2 with much interest. I enjoyed your March 1 editorial. On the one hand, you state that, "SB2 gets more people involved in the process makes us believe that the system has merit." On the other hand you state, "based on the comments we heard last week during the towns hearing on the subject, we don't believe that Moultonboro is ready for SB-2." Your position is somewhat confusing, however, it seems that you attempted to present a middle of the road position regarding the process.
Relative to the comments you heard last week, it must be remembered that this position was presented by administrators and department heads of both the town and school districts. These are persons who would be deeply affected by change, and would be uncomfortable with change, as it threatens the status-quo. SB2 requires that they would have to scrutinize, and take a sharp pencil to future budget increases.
March 08, 2007
To the Editor:
I have followed the debate on SB2 with much interest. I enjoyed your March 1 editorial. On the one hand, you state that, "SB2 gets more people involved in the process makes us believe that the system has merit." On the other hand you state, "based on the comments we heard last week during the towns hearing on the subject, we don't believe that Moultonboro is ready for SB-2." Your position is somewhat confusing, however, it seems that you attempted to present a middle of the road position regarding the process.
Relative to the comments you heard last week, it must be remembered that this position was presented by administrators and department heads of both the town and school districts. These are persons who would be deeply affected by change, and would be uncomfortable with change, as it threatens the status-quo. SB2 requires that they would have to scrutinize, and take a sharp pencil to future budget increases.
Continue reading SB-2 a needed too in battle against increased spending.
Meredith News
April 12, 2007
To the Editor:
I would like to thank the voters of Moultonborough for your support of SB2 on March 13, 2007, Election Day. With over 39 percent of the voters supporting SB2, it is obvious there is concern over the inability of more voters to participate in the deliberative meetings. Your effort to help them is appreciated. Contrary to the critics, with SB2 in Wolfeboro, 46 percent of the voters voted and being well informed, they even voted for all the articles. In Moultonboro, the turnout was again disappointing, with only 28% of the voters voting on Election Day.
Only 9 percent of registered voters voted at town meeting and only three percent attended the school district meeting to vote on all the spending issues. The numbers have really not changed since last year. Contrary to the critics of SB2,it was in the Moultonborough Town Meeting that included the very manipulation by special interests that they had warned SB2 would allow. As for their claims of educating the public, the school district meeting had almost no public discussion at all, with only one person asking any questions. Judging from the continued low turnout, it is clear that town and school meetings are a relic of the past. They no longer represent the majority of the voters. SB2 would allow more voters to vote and be heard, even by absentee ballot.
Al Hume
Moultonborough
April 12, 2007
To the Editor:
I would like to thank the voters of Moultonborough for your support of SB2 on March 13, 2007, Election Day. With over 39 percent of the voters supporting SB2, it is obvious there is concern over the inability of more voters to participate in the deliberative meetings. Your effort to help them is appreciated. Contrary to the critics, with SB2 in Wolfeboro, 46 percent of the voters voted and being well informed, they even voted for all the articles. In Moultonboro, the turnout was again disappointing, with only 28% of the voters voting on Election Day.
Only 9 percent of registered voters voted at town meeting and only three percent attended the school district meeting to vote on all the spending issues. The numbers have really not changed since last year. Contrary to the critics of SB2,it was in the Moultonborough Town Meeting that included the very manipulation by special interests that they had warned SB2 would allow. As for their claims of educating the public, the school district meeting had almost no public discussion at all, with only one person asking any questions. Judging from the continued low turnout, it is clear that town and school meetings are a relic of the past. They no longer represent the majority of the voters. SB2 would allow more voters to vote and be heard, even by absentee ballot.
Al Hume
Moultonborough
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.
Continue reading Opportunity to vote overrides all.
Meredith News
by Alec O'Meara
March 22, 2007
MOULTONBORO — Just prior to the adjournment of Thursday's School District Meeting, Town Moderator Mel Borrin rose to comment on the evening's proceedings in light of the town's vote earlier in the week to not adopt an SB-2 style of government. Borrin said that the district had held "a great meeting" that night, and went on to say that Gilford, an SB-2 town, had voted down the school budget earlier in the week. Citing a Laconia Citizen article, Borrin said that Gilford would be cutting its football program and that "many teachers will find no jobs to come back to" next fall.
"I believe that SB-2 is the fastest way to destroy a school district," said Borrin, adding that he believed that in SB-2, residents "blindly vote on the budget and do not understand the intricacies involved."
The moderator's public comments regarding Gilford's school budget were inaccurate. While the Gilford
by Alec O'Meara
March 22, 2007
MOULTONBORO — Just prior to the adjournment of Thursday's School District Meeting, Town Moderator Mel Borrin rose to comment on the evening's proceedings in light of the town's vote earlier in the week to not adopt an SB-2 style of government. Borrin said that the district had held "a great meeting" that night, and went on to say that Gilford, an SB-2 town, had voted down the school budget earlier in the week. Citing a Laconia Citizen article, Borrin said that Gilford would be cutting its football program and that "many teachers will find no jobs to come back to" next fall.
"I believe that SB-2 is the fastest way to destroy a school district," said Borrin, adding that he believed that in SB-2, residents "blindly vote on the budget and do not understand the intricacies involved."
The moderator's public comments regarding Gilford's school budget were inaccurate. While the Gilford
Continue reading Comments made on Gilford incorrect.
February 22, 2007
To the Editor:
I have attended the deliberative sessions of the town warrant Feb 15th and the candidates night of Feb 18. The message that the elected officials give is of impending gloom and doom. Chicken littles, the sky is falling! The sky is falling!
They all stated that they do not trust the voters to be informed and their judgment to take the time to read all the warrants, and make a valid educated vote (their participation in the process).
I believe just the opposite. I trust the voters to make the best decision for their pocketbook and the towns.
At candidates night it was run by "Borrin's rule of order." Every candidate talked about what they would do for their offices, except Laurie Whitley. She took advantage of being unopposed, to give her rendition of "the sky is falling" when SB2 and the elected budget committee petitions are voted in by the voters. As discussion started on SB2, Moderator Borrin's "rules of order" applied again. I always thought a moderator was unbiased in his position, but not only begin to give his version of the "sky is falling" but he refused to recognize my hand first, opting to ask for anyone else to speak.
Finally, after there were no hands left, he let me read a prepared explanation of SB2, as I initiated that petition. If you want an unbiased explanation of how SB2 is working, talk to a voter of Wolfeboro, Alton Bay, Gilford, or New Hampton. They have told me all SB2 has done is give the power back to the people.
Please attend town's session on SB2 at the Town Hall Feb 22 at 7:15pm.
Al Hume
Moultonboro
To the Editor:
I have attended the deliberative sessions of the town warrant Feb 15th and the candidates night of Feb 18. The message that the elected officials give is of impending gloom and doom. Chicken littles, the sky is falling! The sky is falling!
They all stated that they do not trust the voters to be informed and their judgment to take the time to read all the warrants, and make a valid educated vote (their participation in the process).
I believe just the opposite. I trust the voters to make the best decision for their pocketbook and the towns.
At candidates night it was run by "Borrin's rule of order." Every candidate talked about what they would do for their offices, except Laurie Whitley. She took advantage of being unopposed, to give her rendition of "the sky is falling" when SB2 and the elected budget committee petitions are voted in by the voters. As discussion started on SB2, Moderator Borrin's "rules of order" applied again. I always thought a moderator was unbiased in his position, but not only begin to give his version of the "sky is falling" but he refused to recognize my hand first, opting to ask for anyone else to speak.
Finally, after there were no hands left, he let me read a prepared explanation of SB2, as I initiated that petition. If you want an unbiased explanation of how SB2 is working, talk to a voter of Wolfeboro, Alton Bay, Gilford, or New Hampton. They have told me all SB2 has done is give the power back to the people.
Please attend town's session on SB2 at the Town Hall Feb 22 at 7:15pm.
Al Hume
Moultonboro
by Alec O'Meara http://www.meredithnhnews.com
February 22, 2007
While sitting in on the Moultonboro Board of Selectmen's warrant recommendations, we heard our least favorite argument against SB-2: that making it easier to vote somehow deludes the democratic process. The argument takes on many faces, but it generally says that because Town Meeting forces everyone present to hear all sides of an issue before voting, it makes for more informed voters. In SB-2, anybody with a free 10 minutes on a Tuesday can vote, and the person who steps into the voting booth may be the most uninformed, apathetic, borderline anarchist in town. As a result, SB-2 may result in the downfall of civilization as we know it, because the unwashed masses may gain too strong a voice.
February 22, 2007
While sitting in on the Moultonboro Board of Selectmen's warrant recommendations, we heard our least favorite argument against SB-2: that making it easier to vote somehow deludes the democratic process. The argument takes on many faces, but it generally says that because Town Meeting forces everyone present to hear all sides of an issue before voting, it makes for more informed voters. In SB-2, anybody with a free 10 minutes on a Tuesday can vote, and the person who steps into the voting booth may be the most uninformed, apathetic, borderline anarchist in town. As a result, SB-2 may result in the downfall of civilization as we know it, because the unwashed masses may gain too strong a voice.
Continue reading Voting is a right, not a privilege.
