Residents Seek to Revise Town Charter

The town budget session could arguably be considered one for the history books.

On May 5, the Town Council's budget failed on referendum vote. On May 9, residents turned out in droves at a Town Council meeting held at Farmington High School. During the public comment period, a motion was made to restore the Town Council's budget to its original amount. The motion passed and was voted upon. Passage of the motion allowed the budget referendum to be voted upon, once again, on May 19. After much hard work and advocacy, the budget passed. 

Now approximately a month later, some residents are exploring the possibility of revising the town charter; specifically the provision which allowed for the public motion and subsequent vote. While is it the right of every citizen to become involved in the civic actions of our community as well as question what may appear to be a flawed system, my own reaction to this attempt to change the town charter comes from an angry populist upset of the restoration of the town council's original budget.

Although the referendum was not passed on May 5, the ability afforded to the residents of this great town conferred by the charter, enabled those resident seriously concerned by the impact further reductions would have on our town services, education and overall quality of life, was a call to action. Residents came out to express concern that additional reductions would negatively impact the quality of town services and education as well as the potential affect to property values and overall town rating. A democratic process allowed the residents who fulfilled a majority requirement to allow for a motion to restore the budget to its original amount and a subsequent vote.

Whether or not some residents feel this was in some way unfair, unscrupulous and some how catered to the objections of a few, the fact remains that voter turn out at the second budget referendum on May 19 did still not reflect even a majority of registered voters or eligible voters.

Proponents of the budget focused on facts, not rhetoric, and worked hard to educate residents of our town as to the ill effects further budgetary cuts would have as a whole.The budgetary process is not one veiled in secrecy. It is a public forum in which residents are allowed to voice their opinions from the time budget proposals are crafted through town hall meetings right to the voting process itself. To suggest or imply an impropriety with this process, in my opinion, should require more than the annual opponents of the budget to seek to make changes to the town charter. The charter affords every resident the same opportunities, ability and protections, not just a chosen few. Before the arduous task of revising the charter is taken up, I would ask that serious consideration be made to the possible negative realities that could occur. As Mike Clark stated, "it's like changing the Constitution."

As a reasonable alternative, voter apathy should be addressed. In addition, accurate distribution and dissemination of facts and education regarding the future proposed budgets, processes, and advocacy should be focused upon. I would ask both proponents and opponents alike to concentrate on voter education and ways to reduce voter apathy and increase voter turnout. Unfortunately, the process this year became akin to "us vs. them", which is not an accurate reflection of the citizenry. Before we look to affect civil liberties, should we not first address ways to mobilize and engage residents on the pertinent issues?In a perfect world, every person would get everything they want and live in a utopian existence.  That's in a perfect world, not the real world. 

In a democratic society, the people are afforded the right to free speech and a voting process which establishes a system of trust through elected officials.  Those elected or appointed officials then have the duty to realistically represent the needs of their constitution-ency both with fiscal and ethical responsibility.  Therein lies the rub.  As with many social issues facing our society, not everyone agrees on everything.  Instead of villifying or placing blame, time would be better spent educating town residents. 

However, accountability and responsibility also falls to town residents.  If you don't know what's going on you cannot be expected to make an informed decision with regard to issues up for vote.  It is the responsibility of every registered voter in Farmington to not only avail themselves of the information regarding town issues and politics but also to vote on the issues.  I would also go as far as to say the responsibility goes to educate friends and neighbors and mobilize those whom you feel share your point of view. 

Changing the provisions of the town charter should be reviewed with great circumspect and concern as to the potential negative connotations.  I end this blog with a point to consider - why seek to change the provisions of the charter instead of working to educate and mobilize our own residents and remind them that they already hold  the power to affect change.