Some, but not all, members of the Town Meeting received a postcard without a name and signature or return address. The card said,
Dear town meeting member,The bold and italics are in the original. I don't know what...
As you know, the Dartmouth fall town meeting is upon us. This letter asks for your attendance at the meeting. The town meeting is public and any citizen can attend. The votes on town policy at the town meeting will not be secret, and your fellow citizens, neighbors, and friends will know how you voted due to the public nature of the town meeting.
Because it is important to communicate how you vote to your fellow citizens, neighbors, and friends, I plan to attend the meeting and record your position on the votes taken at the October meeting. Even if the votes are controversial, I will publicize these votes. Following the meeting, I intend to mail your vote positions to all citizens in the town of Dartmouth. However, if you are unable to attend the town meeting, I will not publicize your vote positions to your fellow citizens as you will not take any public positions. I hope you can attend so that your neighbors, friends, and family will know exactly how you voted.
Sincerely,
A concerned citizen
...to think about this postcard. The wording is a bit odd and vaguely threatening as I read it. After stating that your vote will be recorded and publicized, what is the "if you are unable to attend" statement supposed to convey. Maybe I just need another layer of tin foil in my hat. Of course, Town Meeting members are your friends and neighbors. If you would like to find out who they are, look here on the town website. I have not found any members to be shy about their positions, our votes are taken by show of hands. There is no secrecy involved in the process. As the postcard notes, anyone can attend and observe the proceedings and they are televised on DCTV Channel 18. Why do you think someone felt it necessary to write to some members with this anonymous card?
Posts
9 comments:
Bill,
I got one of those post cards too and saw it as an attempt at intimidation. Stay home is what it was telling me. Other TM members that got one felt that way too. Given the impossibility of identifying and tabulating the votes as quickly as would need to be done I realized the person had no clue. This made me think further that it was in fact an attempt to scare people away who may not take the time to think through the logistics of what he was trying to do. Stupid waste of time from a coward is what I've concluded.
At the coffee shop yesterday, we were discussing this postcard thing. It was mentioned by many present that the postcards were sent by the Dartmouth Heritage Presevation Trust (DHPT).
Im wondering why? (I even asked them..why?)
It was told to me this group was concerned members of the Historical Commission would stand at town meeting and attempt to "squash" the Akin House article. The idea (allegedly) was that those members would be identified by their vote against the project (thats assuming they stood up and made any motions to "squash"). sounds odd to me....it still makes me go back to ....why?
I don't think it was the DHPT people, if anything that project seemed to garner the most passionate support second maybe to the Pasky land purchase. I can't figure it out. Wonder if they'll follow through with their 'threat' to mail the voting results out to every citizen in Dartmouth.
i personally assumed it was someone who comments at this blog who is trying to demonstrate that the Town meeting doesn't represent their vote. i think they intended to intimidate town meeting members. i personally would like to ask all to calm down and realize, that despite the differences in opinion we are all attempting to do well for Dartmouth and its residents. however, if this post card was sent by DHPT, i am apalled.
The author of this postcard clearly has no idea who any of the town meeting members are other than obtaining the names and addresses. There was no rhyme or reason to who got those cards (not everyone did). Heck even Joe Michaud received one. Was the select board chair supposed to be scared into not attending town meeting? This person has way to much time and money on his/her hands.
The mailing did not come from the DHPT. That is the fact of the matter. Allegations that it did are rumor and innuendo and are not true.
There was a second version of this postcard sent out to TM members. Ours said "As you know, the Dartmouth fall town meeting is upon us. This letter asks for your attendance at the meeting.
It is very important for you to attend along with your neighbors and fellow citizens. I think that attendance at the town meeting is critically important. Following this town meeting, (in bold) I intend to mail the attendance list from the October town meeting (including whether or not you attended the meeting) to all citizens in the town of Dartmouth. (end bold) I hope you can attend so that your neighbors, friends, and family will know whether you attended or not. I hope to see you at the fall town meeting!
Sincerely,
A concerned citizen"
Nothing here about recording and sending out HOW you voted.
That's interesting too. Wonder if any distinction was made between who got which post card and who got no post card. Again a coward with too much time on his(her) hands.
I also recieved a postcard asking simply for my attendance at the meeting but my wife did not. Very odd indeed
Post a Comment