Framingham Votes on Tuesday
For those of you who live in Framingham, tomorrow we go to the polls to elect a few Town Meeting members, two school board seats and everyone else is running unopposed. Turn out is expected to be low, but it's our only way to participate in the process. Keep in mind, the Town Meeting members are those who will approve this years budget, legal fees paid to defend the Town against SMOC and a wind turbine by law, among other things. I've long thought that Framingham has grown out of Town Meeting and would do better with a Mayor.
posted by Jim Pillsbury @ 11:04 AM
7 Comments
7 Comments:
Voting is the only tool we have. Don't waste it. Good practice for the elections in November 2010 that will REALLY matter!
Every single one of us should vote. It is the only way we can make a statement. We have to let the politicians know we are paying attention to what they are doing, even the local town politicians. Maybe with a decent voter turnout the reps will get the message that their free ride is over and they had better start paying attention to what their constituents are asking for. We have to start somewhere, and voting today is as good a place to start as any other.
Seems like a waste of time to me. What the heck good are the people up for election today going to do for any of us? Town meeting members, what type of say do they have in anything that really matters?
Fred,
The Town Meeting Reps are those who will decide many things that will effect out lives... the budget, more money for the SMOC lawsuit defense, wind turbine by-law, etc etc.
For some it's a social event and some others aren't smart enough to understand the issue's, but they are the people who will decide our local fate, school budgets, infrastructure repair and replacement and even overrides are approved by Town Meeting.
We goota vote.. or we can't bitch.
Quick response to the comment about what say do Town Meeting members have. Jim is right on target on this one. Remember, they, more than any state house politician, are one of us. And they have the final say on the Framingham town budget. In my book, that gives them a lot of importance. Can’t complain about who gets voted in if you don’t participate in the process, so I am with Jim, get out and vote.
What a shameful turnout we had. Looks like less than 1000 people actually went to the polls. The democratic process at its finest, don't you agree? Those of you who did not bother to vote, don't bother to come her to complain either.
So the numbers are in and it's bad. But in defense of the lackluster turnout... how would anyone know? Did you see any sings or posters or anything that would indicate their was a vote? Did you get any fliers from candidates?
Most people care, but most people don't see it important to engage at a local level. Civic involvement is time consuming and thankless for sure. And even when there is competition, the one party ruling elite and media do their best to ignore the competition why? because they can.
Let's hope in 2010 we have more interest as I believe, the Town and State will be faced with even more problems that will effect our daily lives.
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