UPCOMING LOCAL EDDINGTON ELECTIONS

The candidates papers must be in; they were due February 4.

There are two three-year positions for the Board of Selectmen. We can expect Don Goodwin and Joan Brooks are running again for the positions they have held for years. If they have no opposition, no reason to think they won't both be re-elected. Just as there's no reason to believe Joan won't be made Chair again. The earth turns.

Then there are two vacant School Board positions: One three-year position and one two-year position to represent Eddington on the more-or-less AOS 63 School Board (the two-year position is to fill out the one previously held by Karen Clark who moved out of town and is no longer eligible). The three-year position has been held by Pam Dorr who chose not to run for re-election.

This writer has heard there were two, and maybe three, individuals considering running. Their names are unfamiliar. All three appeared to be men.

Tomorrow night, March 1, will probably be the last Selectmen's meeting before the elections scheduled for March 21 (the Town Meeting is scheduled for 7:30 the following night at the Eddington Elementary School).

Unless the candidates for any of the positions plan to put out some kind of mailer, which is unlikely, what will be the basis for any votes cast?

*Has anyone seen any information regarding the qualifications of any candidate posted anywhere? Perhaps the government access channel (cable channel 7), which is prepared and posed by staff at the Eddington Town Office? Could be done, but doubtful it will be.

*Has there ever been anything printed on any ballot regarding any candidate other than his/her name and the office which s/he is seeking? It's done in other states, but I've never seen anything here in Eddington.

There was one candidate three years ago who mailed out postcards to over 300 registered Eddington voters. That same candidate successfully argued with the Board of Selectmen to hold a Candidates Night so candidates could present their qualifications and interest in running for the positions being sought. People who attended were able to ask the candidates questions and hear the candidates' positions on relevant issues. It wasn't a perfect solution but it was better than nothing, which is the norm.

The average School Board member in Eddington, where there are over 2,000 registered voters, is elected with less than 50 votes. Sometimes significantly less than 50 votes. The election of Selectmen don't fare much better. And yet, of the property taxes collected, 56 percent (a higher percentage will be the case in years to come) goes to pay for the School District budget.

This writer is a witness to the fact that the people who vote for the town's representative to the School Board NEVER attend School Board meetings and NEVER observe how their School Board members represent the town's voters and property owners.

There will be some who will argue the School Board members are there to manage the school district. They are wrong. That is the function of the District Superintendent.

The responsibility of the School Board is to hold the District Superintendent accountable for adhering to the District's policies and procedures - and to represent the best interest of the district's taxpayers. That is why each of the towns in the district has its own representative(s) on the Board. (It is the duty of the District Superintendent to supervises the District Central Office, which includes the District's Business Manager, and the District's school principals. The school principals supervise the teachers.)

But how do we, the voters, know which, if any of the candidates running from Eddington for the School Board are qualified or capable for the positions they are seeking?

*Do we know them? I don't.
*Do we know their educational or professional backgrounds? I don't.

Maybe they are good and honest people. That doesn't tell me anything about their abilities to do the job.

*Have they reviewed the requirements of the positions?

Do they know they will be required to participate on at least two committees, in addition to attending School Board meetings?

Are they willing to learn AND CHALLENGE, if need be, each and every line item in the monthly budget and finance reports, even if they are not on that committee?

Are they willing to hold both the District Superintendent AND the Business Manager accountable if (A) the monthly budget and finance reports are not produced and submitted on time? (B) the expenditures and explanations are not acceptable, logical or understandable? and (C) the Annual Audit documents are not ready for the Auditors by September 1 of each year?

The Bottom Line: The Controlling Bodies in Eddington (the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Board, and the three representatives on the School Board) have never shown any interest in finding out why there is a declining interest in voter participation in local issues. Surveys are resisted, but what else do we have?

*There is no local newspaper.
*A lot of people live in areas where they don't receive cable television (or can't afford it).
*Many of the older people in town don't have (or don't want - or don't know how to operate) a computer.
*The Post Office will only post legal and official notices.
*Notices are posted at the Tradewinds and the Eddington Store but many residents don't frequent those businesses on a regular basis.

Other than for national or state elections with high profile issues or candidates, there is a low voter turnout in Eddington.

Look at the number of people who turned out overall for the two Public Hearings regarding the proposed Wind Ordinance that will be voted on at the March 22 Town Meeting (see previous posting for more information), or the Public Hearings on the grant request for the Fire Department.

The lighted sign in front of the Town Office/Fire Department is blank most of the time. The Fire Department uses it more than the Town Office (other than for birthday greetings).

Last year there were fewer than 200 people at the Town Meeting. There may not be more than that number this year. The voting for these four offices on March 21 will probably generate fewer than 100.

In truth, how can anyone cast a vote for a name when the voter doesn't know what the name represents? Does a responsible citizen vote for a NAME when the citizen knows nothing about what is behind the name?

This citizen doesn't.