With no newspapers or local media to promote Eddington, how does this community expect to attract new business or find buyers for the numerous homes for sale? Websites help local people know what's going on in a community. Websites offer local businesses opportunities to become known to newcomers and advertise. Websites promote community activities, etc.
Eddington's percentage share in last year's school budget increase was less than Clifton's because we are experiencing a reduction of children in the school system. While that may be good in the more immediate property tax sense, it's also an indication that the town is becoming older in it's demographics. That means the town is dying.
A website is a way to promote Eddington.
Of course, we have to get the Selectmen to decide to move into the mode of promotion and transparency- something they seem reluctant to do. But it would be good for the businesses that are here. And what's good for businesses is good for the tax base because it takes some of the burden off individuals on fixed incomes trying to keep their homes while facing increased property taxes.
There was an individual who made a presentation at a Selectmen's meeting last year. He showed how a website could be developed and maintained for the town and the costs. When I shared those costs with professionals in Bangor who know that business, I was told the costs were low. But Selectman Bake thought the town could send one of the town office staff to a class to learn how to do the job for less money. Nothing happened. When I asked Mr. Baker about the status of the Website this past Fall, I was told "We've been busy." So busy, they've reduced their monthly meeting from twice a month to once a month. And there's still no website.
Seems to me, whatever is good for building the town, helping businesses in the town, and keeping Eddington vital should be a priority of the town's elected government. That's what gets the bills paid.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Next Year's Budget - Conservative?
Reading the Bangor Daily News the past few days (and thanks to Glenna for the promotions to this blog!) I've seen where several small towns are proposing 2009-2010 budgets that will be lower than the 2008-2009. It will be interesting to see what our illustrious group has come up with. I certainly don't expect it to be lower.
Public Hearings are scheduled for March 3 and 17.
Of course if this year is like last year, they'll use a different format to track the budget at the Public Hearings than the format that will be used at the Town Meeting where folks will vote on the budget. Makes it more difficult to follow what is discussed and disputed (and errors, too) at the Public Hearing. Of course, even noting errors at the Public Hearing (and receiving guarantees that they'll be corrected) is like talking a foreign language at a Town Meeting where the format and public has already been printed.
Maybe that's why so few people show up at the Public Hearings. They know any input or discussion or disagreement (not to mention errors) will fall on deaf ears. That's probably why the Chair stated at the Jan. 2009 Selectmen's meeting that she hoped this year's Town Meeting wouldn't be a repeat of last year's - when yours truly stood up more than once to ask questions and challenge what was being pushed down our throats - a $100,000 contract for snow removal and sanding for 11 miles(!) guaranteed regardless of how much snowfall. (See earlier blogs.)
The first vote was successful at least. By the third vote, people had left or given up. Interesting that the person who put up the motion was somehow related to a Selectmen (what she later told me).
But with the attempt to have NO discussion even at the Town Meeting, it's no wonder people have given up on this town. Just rubber stamp votes is all that's wanted/expected.
Public Hearings are scheduled for March 3 and 17.
Of course if this year is like last year, they'll use a different format to track the budget at the Public Hearings than the format that will be used at the Town Meeting where folks will vote on the budget. Makes it more difficult to follow what is discussed and disputed (and errors, too) at the Public Hearing. Of course, even noting errors at the Public Hearing (and receiving guarantees that they'll be corrected) is like talking a foreign language at a Town Meeting where the format and public has already been printed.
Maybe that's why so few people show up at the Public Hearings. They know any input or discussion or disagreement (not to mention errors) will fall on deaf ears. That's probably why the Chair stated at the Jan. 2009 Selectmen's meeting that she hoped this year's Town Meeting wouldn't be a repeat of last year's - when yours truly stood up more than once to ask questions and challenge what was being pushed down our throats - a $100,000 contract for snow removal and sanding for 11 miles(!) guaranteed regardless of how much snowfall. (See earlier blogs.)
The first vote was successful at least. By the third vote, people had left or given up. Interesting that the person who put up the motion was somehow related to a Selectmen (what she later told me).
But with the attempt to have NO discussion even at the Town Meeting, it's no wonder people have given up on this town. Just rubber stamp votes is all that's wanted/expected.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Upcoming elections
Well, looks like there'll be no Candidates' Night this year.
That doesn't surprise me since the Selectmen Chair was in opposition to the one I pushed for last year (and only succeeded in getting because I was a candidate). This year there do not appear to be any challenges to the two incumbents - one for Selectman and one for the School Board - and anyone who does vote (March 23) will be expected to be a sheep and mark the solitary box without question. (BTW, have you ever questioned the total lack of information on ballots here - on any issue? It is appalling!)
However, I have a few questions in the spirit of an informed vote.
Remember, there is NOTHING on the ballot regarding any candidate except his/her name. Think about someone who might have moved here in the last three to five years and works full time. Most of them don't get home from work until after the Town Office has closed. For sure they don't attend the Selectmen or Planning Board meetings! They may or may not be a member of the Community Church. Perhaps they don't have school-age children so maybe they don't know anyone via the school. What are they supposed to know about these candidates for office with the authority to impact their property taxes and set new ordinances?
What about the younger people who have recently come of voting age? What do they know about any candidate's qualifications. Are they just expected to vote how their parents tell them to vote without question...like lemmings? Are we not teaching our young people to think for themselves? If not, we are doing them a disservice these days.
SO: For Selectman - What does Chip Grover stand for? What are his qualifications to be an elected representative of the residents and taxpayers in Eddington? I know from attendance at numerous Selectmen meetings that he doesn't appear to be opposed to having their meeting agenda posted on the government access cable channel - BUT he never makes a motion that it be done. Could it be because the Chairwoman consistently vocalizes her resistance? Will none of the other men stand with him if it means opposing Joan Brooks?
Mr. Grover is the Vice-Chair of the Selectmen but he never takes the lead in any issue. The Vice-Chair position must be something like "always a bridemaid but never a bride." In fact, I know of only one time he has stood up to the Chair. That was a year ago when the Chair wanted to begin the Budget Public Hearing a half hour before the posted time on the government access channel. I had to point out to the illustrious elected representatives that the channel stated the hearing started at 6:30pm. The Chair wanted to begin at 6:00pm anyway. Fortunately Mr. Glass and Mr. Baker stood with Mr. Grover in waiting for the public to show up (which it did by 6:30).
But, other than being an incumbent, what ARE Mr. Grover's qualifications? What is his platform? Does he believe it is acceptable to have contracts awarded without going out to competitive bid? Does he believe it is in the taxpayers' best interest to pay contractors when they go over the contracted amount without approved change orders? Does he believe it is acceptable to allow single bids before awarding large contracts - or should the town extend the advertising request for bid period in order to obtain multiple bids? Does Mr. Grover believe that it is acceptable for ANY Selectman to participate in any aspect of a contracting process when that Selectman has a personal or professional relationship with a competing contractor?
Maybe Mr. Grover could explain why he stood in opposition to allowing the taxpayers to submit THEIR opinion for over six months re: a pilot program that might reduce the town's recycling collection costs by possibly $8,000.00 to taxpayers. On the other hand, maybe he, too, favors the cronyism that "is the way" of Eddington government services.
As to the re-election of the incumbent to the School Board - don't we need to know more than a person's name when it comes to being one of our three representatives to the SAD63 School Board? Look at the fine mess the last two years have cost us. Notwithstanding the fact insurance will pay any legal costs for the still pending legal action(s) involving certain Board members, we taxpayers pay for the insurance.
Voters have a right to know the qualifications, relevant previous positions held and educational degrees achieved by anyone who will be in a position to supervise and criticize teachers who are required to hold a minimum of Bachelor's degrees and teacher's certificates not to mention the Superintendent (full-time or part-time) with a minimum of Master's degrees and sometimes hold a PhD. The last thing we need are School Board members with personal agendas against individuals in the school district and/or are more educated and professionally experienced.
Since Candidates' Night is the ONLY time we, the voters, get a chance to call those who work for us to accountability before we anoint them with the authority of the offices they seek, it is not an occasion voters should be denied - especially by the body of remaining Selectpeople. By denying the voters a Candidates' Night, the very appearance lacks transparency needed by those already sitting as Selectpeople. Only through transparency can credibility be achieved. And these Selectpeople prioritize the avoidance of transparency.
On the other hand, out of 1600 registered voters in Eddington, does anyone believe there will be even 115 who will actually show up to vote at the Town Office on March 23? If there is a low vote does it indicate a lack of interest - or a lack of respect for the office holders? And whose responsibility is that? What with the lack of promotion of Selectmen meetings throughout the year and the discouragement of people to attend and participate in those meetings one can only surmise the answer.
That doesn't surprise me since the Selectmen Chair was in opposition to the one I pushed for last year (and only succeeded in getting because I was a candidate). This year there do not appear to be any challenges to the two incumbents - one for Selectman and one for the School Board - and anyone who does vote (March 23) will be expected to be a sheep and mark the solitary box without question. (BTW, have you ever questioned the total lack of information on ballots here - on any issue? It is appalling!)
However, I have a few questions in the spirit of an informed vote.
Remember, there is NOTHING on the ballot regarding any candidate except his/her name. Think about someone who might have moved here in the last three to five years and works full time. Most of them don't get home from work until after the Town Office has closed. For sure they don't attend the Selectmen or Planning Board meetings! They may or may not be a member of the Community Church. Perhaps they don't have school-age children so maybe they don't know anyone via the school. What are they supposed to know about these candidates for office with the authority to impact their property taxes and set new ordinances?
What about the younger people who have recently come of voting age? What do they know about any candidate's qualifications. Are they just expected to vote how their parents tell them to vote without question...like lemmings? Are we not teaching our young people to think for themselves? If not, we are doing them a disservice these days.
SO: For Selectman - What does Chip Grover stand for? What are his qualifications to be an elected representative of the residents and taxpayers in Eddington? I know from attendance at numerous Selectmen meetings that he doesn't appear to be opposed to having their meeting agenda posted on the government access cable channel - BUT he never makes a motion that it be done. Could it be because the Chairwoman consistently vocalizes her resistance? Will none of the other men stand with him if it means opposing Joan Brooks?
Mr. Grover is the Vice-Chair of the Selectmen but he never takes the lead in any issue. The Vice-Chair position must be something like "always a bridemaid but never a bride." In fact, I know of only one time he has stood up to the Chair. That was a year ago when the Chair wanted to begin the Budget Public Hearing a half hour before the posted time on the government access channel. I had to point out to the illustrious elected representatives that the channel stated the hearing started at 6:30pm. The Chair wanted to begin at 6:00pm anyway. Fortunately Mr. Glass and Mr. Baker stood with Mr. Grover in waiting for the public to show up (which it did by 6:30).
But, other than being an incumbent, what ARE Mr. Grover's qualifications? What is his platform? Does he believe it is acceptable to have contracts awarded without going out to competitive bid? Does he believe it is in the taxpayers' best interest to pay contractors when they go over the contracted amount without approved change orders? Does he believe it is acceptable to allow single bids before awarding large contracts - or should the town extend the advertising request for bid period in order to obtain multiple bids? Does Mr. Grover believe that it is acceptable for ANY Selectman to participate in any aspect of a contracting process when that Selectman has a personal or professional relationship with a competing contractor?
Maybe Mr. Grover could explain why he stood in opposition to allowing the taxpayers to submit THEIR opinion for over six months re: a pilot program that might reduce the town's recycling collection costs by possibly $8,000.00 to taxpayers. On the other hand, maybe he, too, favors the cronyism that "is the way" of Eddington government services.
As to the re-election of the incumbent to the School Board - don't we need to know more than a person's name when it comes to being one of our three representatives to the SAD63 School Board? Look at the fine mess the last two years have cost us. Notwithstanding the fact insurance will pay any legal costs for the still pending legal action(s) involving certain Board members, we taxpayers pay for the insurance.
Voters have a right to know the qualifications, relevant previous positions held and educational degrees achieved by anyone who will be in a position to supervise and criticize teachers who are required to hold a minimum of Bachelor's degrees and teacher's certificates not to mention the Superintendent (full-time or part-time) with a minimum of Master's degrees and sometimes hold a PhD. The last thing we need are School Board members with personal agendas against individuals in the school district and/or are more educated and professionally experienced.
Since Candidates' Night is the ONLY time we, the voters, get a chance to call those who work for us to accountability before we anoint them with the authority of the offices they seek, it is not an occasion voters should be denied - especially by the body of remaining Selectpeople. By denying the voters a Candidates' Night, the very appearance lacks transparency needed by those already sitting as Selectpeople. Only through transparency can credibility be achieved. And these Selectpeople prioritize the avoidance of transparency.
On the other hand, out of 1600 registered voters in Eddington, does anyone believe there will be even 115 who will actually show up to vote at the Town Office on March 23? If there is a low vote does it indicate a lack of interest - or a lack of respect for the office holders? And whose responsibility is that? What with the lack of promotion of Selectmen meetings throughout the year and the discouragement of people to attend and participate in those meetings one can only surmise the answer.
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