We need more from our town leaders
By GuestDear Editor:
I was dismayed, to say the least, to read the article informing the random citizens of Canton that the public comment period is being suspended at Select Board meetings. I was dismayed for two reasons: Firstly, the Select Board has opted to hide from public ire to the greatest extent possible. It is clear that they find our comments to be deeply annoying and their contempt for the voters of Canton is on full display. To that, I say get over it!
I owned a business for 27 years. When a client came to me with a complaint, the first thing I did was thank them for bringing their concerns to me. Why? Because I can’t solve a problem that I don’t know exists. I would then listen thoughtfully to what they had to say, reflect, and gather all the facts before responding.
Unfortunately, the Select Board members would prefer to dismiss us as raving maniacs. They seem to think that of the many citizen requests that were made, the one concession they offered — changing the meeting time — should be sufficient. I assure you; it is not!
Secondly, I was dismayed to see this article buried under “News Notes” section on page 3. (Side note: John Connolly’s tepid and wholly inadequate letter of apology for his inexcusable remarks was similarly buried.) Is this how democracy dies in Canton? All democracies depend on a free and independent press. I am calling on the Citizen to step up its game.
Canton is in crisis and public trust in town government and our police force has never been lower. Hiding from the public is not the answer! I and others have repeatedly called for an open forum meeting where voters can ask questions of both the Select Board and Police Chief Helena Rafferty. One-on-one meetings are not acceptable. We need leadership now!
Sue Harrington
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Editor’s note: The Citizen agrees with the author’s position regarding the newsworthiness of the recent Select Board decision. However, the announcement was received several days after our weekly submission deadline and after the majority of the paper had been laid out. Given the compressed timeframe before our printing deadline, we opted to fit it onto page 3 at the top of the ‘News Notes’ section rather than waiting until the following week to run it on page 1.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=119009
Posted by Guest
on Sep 29 2023. Filed under From One Citizen to Another, Opinion.
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