An open letter to the residents of Milton NH,
‘We the People of the Unites States…’ begins the Constitution of the United States. Though not the earliest example of democratic principles, the Constitution of the United States is one of the oldest such documents used in the world. However, the dream of a citizen-run government depends upon citizens who care about issues and vote on them accordingly. Why is it then that many voters today don't seem to care?
The low turnout in recent Town Meetings in Milton does not seem to be a result of voter alienation, but rather the outcome of voter apathy due to the fact that some believe they cannot make a change.
When very few people vote, the people we have elected cannot represent the beliefs and values of the general population.
The major cause of voter apathy is a general lack of agency: people may doubt their ability to make a difference.
In a recent poll, conducted on Facebook, 55 people voted that they would either support reducing the Budget or vote to close the schools in Milton and send the pupils elsewhere. Albeit it was not a scientific poll, it gives a sample of the population in Milton that have strong feelings about the spiraling costs of education. At the Deliberative Session that was held on Saturday 2/6/15 2016
I made a motion to reduce the School Budget of $9,444,248.84. The motion failed 18 to 16. That is democracy and I have accepted defeat. My concern is that there appeared to be support for this when it has had been discussed and rehashed for weeks, but not enough of the people that had voiced their concerns showed up.
What is a vote worth? Well in Milton on last Saturday a vote was worth $328,141.63. That is 1/3rd one third of the votes needed to have had the amendment pass, which would have reduced the budget by 10%. ($984,424.88). So yes your vote does count.
There are some Milton who are deeply concerned about the voter apathy and lack of participation in making Milton a better place for all. I do not have the answers. I am not always right. I am concerned and willing to work with people to help. But it will take more people to commit for anything to happen. There is power in numbers. Last year when Milton was threatened by a proposed landfill, Milton voters came out in droves to support a proposal and amendments to stop them. Milton won! So how do we wake up the silent majority who sleeps between catastrophes? How de do we get people involved? How do we make Milton a better pace place for us, for our children and for anyone who would entertain the idea of moving here? Change the dates and times of meetings?
That can’t happen if no one gets involved. This poor turnout appears to be indicative of Milton in general. Everyone wants change, but it appears that no one wants to work for the change.
In order to move forward and make changes we are going to need more people to make a Sacrifice for the change.
Without participation from the people in Milton, everything -- actually it will get worse -- not stay the same.
There are several groups who are trying their best to get the information out to the residents of Milton. Discussing the issues and the candidates is important information for people to make educated decisions.
We cannot change the past, but looking forward, we can. Things would be drastically different going into this election if only an additional handful of voters had turned out to support the change they had voiced.
Les Eder
Milton NH
