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.