There was much talk at the recent Representative Town Meeting about “sending a message” to the School board and Selectboard.
One clear message was that people are reaching a breaking point with tax increases. We heard repeated stories of fixed incomes, dropping salaries, and rising costs making it increasingly hard to get by in our hometown.
Another clear message is that budgets were approved as presented. Attempts to cut budgets failed, and Representatives approved all expenditures.
Which message was sent, and which was heard?
I’d like to suggest that Town Meeting Representatives join with other citizens (see MRaymond’s piece about trying) and keep sending a message to the boards. It will require a little bit of effort and probably some minor coordination to do well.
A steady drumbeat of well-reasoned stories and letters would be a good start, but that effort needs to be combined with attendance at board meetings and interaction with the boards.
Go to a Selectboard meeting, for example, and your comments will be broadcast live and during repeats of the meeting coverage. Your statements will also be picked up in stories about the meeting. This can lead to additional discussion and more letters and conversation.
When the boards work on their budgets, make sure someone goes to those meetings and pays attention to the proposed cuts. We heard warnings that the library, recreation, arts, and college credit programs were likely to be the first cuts to be considered. Capital projects were not mentioned.
The Phillips resolution, for example, asks the Selectboard to keep next year’s tax increases similar to the 1.9% increase of the coming year. The expectation is that this would come from limiting the Police and Fire Project, but there is no guarantee. Resolutions are easily dismissed as “advisory only” when the need arises.
As an outside observer of Representative Town Meeting, I saw some political willpower among some of the representatives that had been missing in previous years. Things do change, and this energy can be tapped to make changes that taxpayers want to see. The boards invite and encourage the public to come to their meetings. Go, and make this the town you want ti to become.
Getting the message
I suspect that we saw some visible political will at town meeting because the message that was sent there was communicated, refined, pondered, and heard in forums other than offical town meetings, like ibrattleboro. So, although it is tempting to remind citizens of their responsibility to physically attend more and more and more meetings of several Brattleboro boards and committees in order to be heard, we need to be thinking and talking more about the Brattleboro SB’s responsibility to LEARN what citizens are thinking, feeling, and saying in any way we can/will/ and DO communicate it and, more importantly, acknowledge it.
Brattleboro SB members recieve $3,000 – $5,000 a year to attend their own meetings – the rest of us do not. We have many other responsibilties after working all day, raising kids, volunteering, stocking the larder and writing out the bills, not to mention health problems or disabilities, etc.
So, although the notion of responsible homespun citizens gathering in a common hall in a town to discuss the issues (for hours and hours and hours and hours) is quaint and nostolgic, it does not provide opportunity for those citizens without the flexibility and advantages that allow those who can often show up for more and more and more meetings. Might we also expect that the new Brattleboro SB members LEARN what the people who elected them are thinking and feeling, so THEY can represent them – in the 21st century. Entire political campaign victories and successful mass revolts have been effectively organized upon communicaiton via technology.
Great, but...
It’d be great to hear more of your ideas on how you think this representation can actually happen. Social media? Online surveys? Sitting outside the Co-Op?
There are many ways that the Selectboard proactively reaches out to the Brattleboro citizenry. If you have more ideas, don’t hesitate to throw them out here…
There were 47(!) regular and special Selectboard meetings in 2012, which is obviously more than other boards and committees. The salaries actually can enable some folks to be able to serve, as Selectboard members too have other responsibilties after working all day, raising kids, volunteering, stocking the larder and writing out the bills, not to mention health problems or disabilities, etc.
Maybe I am just misinformed
Maybe I am just misinformed but-other than announcing when the SB meetings will be and what the potential agenda might be -in what other ways does the SB proactively reach out to the community? This is not a sarcastic question- I’m actually interested in what outreach the board does. I have to say from my own somewhat limited experience that at the few SB meetings I attended there was not a very welcoming attitude towards citizens who wanted to speak or ask questions. That’s not to say that all SB members acted in that manner but it certainly wasn’t evident that community input was either appreciated or welcome.
I was very happy to see your attempts to introduce social media/ internet technology to the meetings. I’m sorry that your ideas were shot down. I think, for many people,particularly elderly or disabled citizens who can’t make SB meetings-being able to participate in the public forum and ask questions and voice concerns via their computers would go far in not only increasing the ability of the SB members to know what was on people’s minds but would help to alleviate the feeling that perhaps the SB isn’t interested in anyone’s opinions but their own. Again, Ken, I am not being snarky or attacking anyone. Just looking for some clarification of your statement above.(and I apologize for that very long sentence above!)
More specifically, Ken and Frank
Regarding the many ways on how the Brattleboro SB “reaches out” to citizens, I was referring to the many times I have had some SB members mention to us over the last ten years specific comments made on ibrattleboro, but never acknowledging publically that they actually read it. I was also talking about the several PRIVATE e-mails and phone calls I have received over the years from Brattleboro “leaders” about comments being made on ibrattleboro (including many private e-mails from you, Ken Schneck, and the former Chair of the Brattleboro Schoolboard, who wanted to meet me privately in a town park to discuss comments on ibrattleboro, rather than publically at the school itself, or at the next Brattleboro School Board meeting), and how publically televised decisions and statements suggest that what is said on here (or privately) does not exist, or is not important enough to be considered in these highly valued staged folksy town discussions.
Don’t get me wrong, I get your point, and I appreciate face to face communications (noting here how many times I actually have them every day, and how I have offered to meet and talk with folks in town in person (including you) and how I’ve suggested closed caption communication of these precious meetings so more hearing impaired could participate and was told by a SB member “There are amplification devices available.”) Is that how it’s done, Frank? As a profoundly hearing impaired person living in a tiny town with the Austine School and a significant deaf community, I would like to know how it is done, ya’ll.
I was also referring to the many electronic e-mails and letters (some of which I have shared with you at your request, Ken) that I have sent to our “leaders” which never got a response (Dick Degray’s forceful reply telling me he will not acknowledge ibrattleboro being an exception, here), until I went to the Vermont Attorney General and Governor. Do you remember those, Ken? If not, I will be happy to send them to you again.
Then there is how the Brattleboro public has often actually been treated when they do take the time to appear before the SB (on camera, remember). I see limitations to the value of such televised pretense, so much so that I often view them as locally televised hooey, because so much of import actually occurs outside of them and the television camera, in private discussions behind closed doors, e-mail, and, possibly, even in public parks?
Is there a way to parse out
Is there a way to parse out “not responding to you” with “disagreeing with you”?
Because it would seem to me, from what you wrote above, that the issue is more with the latter. I have responded to every single one of your communications, and indeed, we even worked together on a great project.
Instead, you write that you “never got a response” and “never acknowledging publically” other things said on here. Neither of those is actually true.
taking the bait
Ken, I believe you fell for the trap. You are making an effort to connect with an individual whose intention appears to keep the cycle of complaints, unfairness, victim going on a never ending loop.
If the governor and attorney general cannot solve the problem, how could you?
Well, best of luck in your future endeavors. Hopefully they will be fruitful and exciting.
Hope this helps
Ken, please note that I actually wrote “some” SB members and wrote “suggests” before attempting to publically assert here what you believe is “actually true.” Please re-read my actual words. I am not sure how you viewed this as all about you?
I smiled to myself when I noticed you ask if we might “parse” my comments, while not mentioning anything at all about the content of our many private communications on this very topic, or that a Chair of a Town committee privately contacted me with a request to meet her privately in a park to talk about discussions taking place on ibrattleboro. History and context are so very relevant when trying to look at the bigger picture, much more than “parsing” out an isolated variable (e.g., word) or two.
You are correct, Ken. We have worked effectively on a project together (all of our effective communication and good work was done electronically, not in any official town meeting, however). And I am sincerely grateful, so much so, that I publically thanked you several times in writing for “reaching out” to Kevin and I on that one singular issue. In addition to thanking you, we wanted to openly acknowledge that in a town so often wrangling in heated disputes, people can find common ground and values (again, in our case, not in a televised official public meeting). So, it is not clear to me what you actually mean when you say that what I wrote here suggests to you that it is about SB members “disagreeing with you”?
However, please remember, Ken, that we came to work on that project together when you (yet, again) wrote to me privately asking me to produce documentation that supported my comments on ibrattleboro regarding SB members (and other town leaders) being unresponsive to citizen concerns (mine). My communications TO THEM (that were largely, if not completely, ignored) were over:
1) dogs being left in hot cars in town and what we might do about that
2) the escalating tensions and fears in the community around the skatepark plans
3) the behavior and public statements being made by some members and supporters of an “official” committee of the Town of Brattleboro (which you later privately wrote the SB was responsible for overseeing)
4) citizen fears of further gun violence in town (now, that would be an interesting analysis in itself).
All of these were supported with particular details, and revealed that Kevin and I were not alone in our concerns and/or fears. ONLY AFTER I provided you with SOME of those communications (which showed clearly just how many “leaders” had actually received them and not responded, and which included the one from the former Chair of the Brattleboro Schoolboard asking me to meet her privately in a town park), did you then offer to join me in the effort to protect dogs in hot cars, a precious concern we share. At the next SB meeting, as I recall, you made a comment to the entire SB and the Town Manager, that citizen communications sent “to” the SB should be made available to ALL members, suggesting that they aren’t.
Now, why did you, or the other town leaders, not respond BEFORE it was made clear that the Brattleboro SB does, in fact, NOT reach out to some citizens who take the time to write to them (many, many, times)on issues many people are concerned about?
So, in parsing out the content of the comment you wrongly rephrased above: I would not know if “some” of those to whom my communications were written disagree with me. How could I if I don’t get a response that says they disagree?
Lastly, all of the private communications and discussions referred to here (mostly inspired by citizen commentary on ibrattleboro) further underscore the limitations of public participation in televised official town meetings and the power, influence, and value of social media as a means for examining a larger truth. Additionally, to get things done isn’t always a product of “official” meetings. The very work of our own (completely electronic) collaboration on dog safety, Ken, also suggests that individuals in positions of authority and influence (e.g., you) holding private discussions outside of televised and recorded official meetings, cannot be ignored when talking how things often get done. In other words, private micro-poitics can be much more influencial than drawn out public meetings where “open” discussion (in front of a camera) can conceal as much as it reveals.
Ken you are a good man. I
Ken you are a good man. I thank you for all the effort you have made to first and most importantly keep this town in operation. You and the other officials of this town have shown worth in working hard to address the multitude of multiple issues needing attention here in our community.
Brattleboro is still a functioning town and even though it may seem that this goes unnoticed it does not. The efforts of you and the many other elected and appointed officials of our town must be quite consuming of time. Brattleboro is a town with empty pockets and yet it still has available to its residence a vast amount of services in full operation.
This is only because of people like you who dedicate themselves to keeping our town running.
Thank you. And thank you for your efforts to hear the voices of us, the town folk. You will be missed.
Yes, he is, but...
“This is only because of people like you who dedicate themselves to keeping our town running.” – MRaymond
I think it is not “only” because of all these dedicated “officials” that keeps our town running. I hope we (including our town officials) will focus more closely on why the town seems to always have empty pockets in the first place (especially with the tax rates in Brattleboro) and that there are many, many dedicated citizens in town who also contribute to keeping the town running and who often chip in to cover the gaps created by the town’s perpetually empty pockets.
Zippy
Thank you for this added input here. In no way was I trying to exclude anyone’s efforts. I was simply saying thank you to all the town appointed and elected officials who keep our town going forward. No matter how the chips fall these and the many other contributors of the operations of our town tend to place much effort in trying to keep Brattleboro operational. There are many variation in efforts and motivations for efforts yet it is the effort I find to be a notable thing. If no one was willing to take on these positions then how would this town function?
Every person who makes an effort to get things done in my opinion is a person worthy of being thanked. Ken has been a hard working selectboard member. I am sorry you feel he or the others who work far more then they are paid if they are paid at all are not worthy of being appreciated.
You are correct in saying all people of this town are responsible in making this town a livable and functioning place. No matter if I agree with all, some, or none of the things a person tries to do to make this town a better place as they see it, I feel they deserve respect and at minimum a thank you for the effort they have made. Opinions are words. Action and effort is what keeps things operational.
Thank you for reading my words.
I agree...
that everyone deserves thanks. You must be aware that I have also thanked Ken sincerely in writing, publically. I was clarifying your use of the word “only”.
But, please, do not wrongly suggest publically what it is that I “feel”, especially that people (including, Ken) who work far more than they are paid are not worthy of being appreciated.
That is the exact antithesis of what I feel, and believe.
Thank you Zippy for
Thank you Zippy for clarification of your position.
I only hope for more people
I only hope for more people to understand many of the elected figures on our local level give far more then they receive. It would seem that as a community if we each pay closer attention to our town needs and help each other out and give more effort to resolve issues our town can only gain.
I do not am not directing this to you Zipp.
This is mostly to the 70% of voters who choose to not find out more about the needs of our great town and be participants. I hear far to many critical comments empty of ideas for resolution by many town folk. I hear very little praise or encouragement for the people who dedicate some of their life towards building and keeping our town going.
I guess this can be accepted as the way of things by many. For these people who wish to remain stagnant in a place of complacency and maintain polarization of issues with no desire to make compromise to problem solve, one can only hope motivation to live in a functioning town will be found……
I relish when folks can agree
I relish when folks can agree on here (without needing to remain silent as a means), and I agree with what you are saying. However, my own experience is that for years many folks in town have brought forth suggestions while partipating; in the media and at numerous public meetings, including those organized by motivated citizens themselves (where no “officals” bothered to attend, either).
I just can’t see how we can examine or address public apathy, in Brattleboro, without looking at how the public is effectively disuaded from participating, including exclusion and being encouraged to remain silent? It takes leadership to make a town work, not simply management. By leadership, I mean the ability for public figures to effectively persuade and convince those they are charged with leading, or at least a significant number of them. Trust is essential to persuassion and, thereby, effective leadership. That is so clearly missing in this town. Consequently, we just do not see the products of astute leadership in this town (e.g., measures that reflect people are following a vision vs. ongoing calamities). That would be helpful in understanding apathy, which is a huge problem in contemporary social life. Then we have to assume that those managing the town welcome the contributions of the citizens.
Solution?
Is it time for a mayor in Brattleboro? Boston’s Mayor Thomas Menino is stepping down after years of effectively reaching out to a very large and diverse citizenry (vs. marginalizing them) and, across classes, races, and myriad competing interest groups, the city is united in an apparent display of public mourning.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/29/us/politics/thomas-menino-boston-mayor-wont-run-again.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0)
Can an effective, astute individual persuade and convince the people of Brattleboro to work together while following a clear vision and end the distrust and perceptions of recurrent bumbling’s of the Brattleboro Selectboard? I think this is a possibility worth considering.
what are you trying to say?
I don’t understand your point.
Really
I guess even iBrattleboro is not a open forum, since my last posting was deleted.
It said something like: responsible homespun citizens gathering in a common hall in a town to discuss the issues (for hours and hours and hours and hours) is neither quaint nor nostalgic, it is in fact how it works.
and: Entire political campaign victories and successful mass revolts have been effectively organized upon communicaiton via technology sounds ridiculous.
It was hard to tell if the zippy comment was serious or a joke.
[let’s see if this get through the censors]
Sending A Message #2
I concur with Chris’s submisssion here. Please also consider getting involved by standing for one of the boards or committees, most appointments are made in June and there are nearly always vacancies. I hear time and time again that “I don’t know enough to do that”, this really is never the case. If you can read! and can put in the time to contribute you will learn a lot and the town will benefit from your knowledge gained from just living here. Taking on a little bit of civic responsibility is suprisingly rewarding.
2ndly.. Turn up.. Ask questions.. and offer opinions. Many meetings have NO public attendance. Adoption of Dora Bouboulis’s resolution that the school board provide coverage of all school board meetings, is a really significant step forward. However, there is nothing better than being able to ask “Why”? directly and get an answer.
3rdly.. The RTM Finance committee looks at financial matters affecting the town. There is ‘way more’ to consider than the committee can address in any given year. The Moderator (Lawrin Crispe 254-4441) at RTM asked for anyone interested in joining the committee to please step up. We’ve lost one member and gained one member so far this year. Interested? Please talk to Spoon Agave or Lawrin Crispe if you would like to be a part of the committee.
Vigilance
There is a sense in this post that citizens need to be watchdogs, and rattling the cages in order to get the changes we desire. As if electing officials is not enough. Those in power do not pursue reform, they perpetuate the status quo, and it’s up to the people- as adjuncts- to push positive movement.
That sounds like a systemic problem. Not a way of governance to be proud of.
In the old days, and in the future
… we set up the system of representatives so that the citizenry could attend to their business, and representatives could go represent their constituents interests.
Increasingly, the idea of elected officials seems a bit dated. In a day and age when we could, say, have our 30% (our turnout) of voters responding electronically with votes on all issues, we allow a handful of people to make the decisions that many could be making as a group.
For example, Bernie Sanders asks us to sign a petition and gets hundreds of thousands of signatures. The system could just as easily be that he sends us a ballot, and we vote rather than sign a petition.
It would be easy to create a mailing list of voters to send the Selectboard agenda to, and have those who want to to vote on upcoming issues. Even if only 20 people participated, it would be more voices making the decision that our current arrangement.
A way to get this going would be to do it on an advisory basis for a while. Set it up, send our the agenda, and gather the feedback. Announce results as part of the meeting discussion.
I think it would be great if everyone could vote on everything. It’s certainly possible to do. As it stands, we’ll have to ask our reps if they’ll let us. : )
You have to ask why
You can vote electronically for American Idol, or your ending of choice for the lastest CSI episode, or players on All Star teams…but things that directly effect our lives are out of bounds.
Why are public institutions that are insulated as the church, such as education, military, health care, banking…able to run their numbers without oversight or close scrutiny? $500 hammers, $50 q-tips, drugging kids to raise test scores, bailouts that are bonuses for the most venal..What does it say about us, that oligarchical orgies, private agendas, and pop star party news trumps our essential needs and future viability?
Communication requires
Communication requires someone to hear and someone to offer. It would seem that for some it is easier to shout out discouraged words and express anger over the way things are run then to invest themselves to help find solutions. If you are unable to attend town meetings as I most often am sending a letter is a great option.
Many of the town representatives and selectboard members have email addresses for town business. If you have a desire or idea that you wish to share why not let your elected officials know.
As town residences it is our responsibility to inform our elected officials of our desires. If you feel that your concerns are being ignored then let them know. If you have an idea to resolve some of these very difficult financial issues then share them with not only readers of ibrattleboro but also with your elected officials. I know I need to be more proactive in this way. Maybe just maybe if we all start helping these voted officials out in problem solving then more issues will be resolved.
If my memory serves me well only just 30% of eligible voters here in Brattleboro voted this last election. One third of the town voters voting for town officials just says to me that most people are not vested in how town issues are resolved. It is no surprise that the school board can write their own check no matter how it affects other needs of the town.
This all just says to me that the voice of the general population of this town is not being listened to. Yet, how can anyone listen to a voice that is out of ear shot. If we continue to not express our concerns to our elected officials then things will continue in the same direction.
I for one shall be taking some time to write to all my town elected officials shortly after i finish this comment. I will be asking for all effort to be made to not raise town taxes in anyway. I will also be asking for establishing long term plans to promote a strong and healthy community which will promote an increase in businesses that will serve to increase the towns tax revenue. Also, I shall be asking for my elected officials to look hard at how the continued rise in local and state taxes is making it impossible for people to afford to live here. These are some of my word I shall be sending to my elected officials so that they may have access to my point of view. How they choose to act on my and many other ideas being offered to them shall be my determining factor in how I vote in the next election. I hope all voters would do the same.
We as a community must work together as a community to bring Brattleboro back to a place that promotes business and affordable residency. There are no easy answers, yet we can bring this town into a livable place if we are all willing to work towards doing so. This means making compromise and life adjustments for the overall good of our town.
Thank you Chris for sharing these words. You truly are a asset to Brattleboro.