Keith and Mary Turner each had a letter in the Jan. 27 edition of the Press. They both feel very strongly that the Town Hall renovation and repair should include performance and community space. They said that two of the selectmen are defying the will of the people and are rejecting the agreement which was reached at the last Town Meeting to include such space.
Mr. Turner concluded in his letter, “To which I say, if you don’t believe in the concept of community and the joy of providing for others as well as yourself, then move to Maine. Build a cabin, avoid any contact with community and revel in the knowledge that your efforts are benefitting no one but yourself.”
I find his suggestion to be anti-democratic and demeaning of the process and the voters who may not agree with him. There are many vocal citizens in favor of the projects as championed by the Turners. It is safe to assume that there are also many voters in town who may not be as vocal, but are just as dedicated to their community, yet do not want to have their taxes increased significantly to pay for the extra space in the renovations.
We’ll have to wait for the Town Meeting to learn the final impact on tax rates, and which group is the majority of all voters.
Anthony J. Marolda
Jacob Gates Road
