BRATTLEBORO-I’m writing to urge a “yes” vote to continue Representative Town Meeting. And to encourage those who wish to discontinue it to instead run to be a representative!
It is a truly democratic process, one of the very few we still have. Issues are thoroughly discussed — sometimes at great length. There have been times when through those discussions, I learned enough new (to me) facts or a different perspective to convince me to change my vote.
However, I can understand the frustration of those who may feel their voices are not being heard. I would like to suggest a new protocol for RTM: that at least one representative from each district be chosen by their fellow representatives to hold at least one gathering before Town Meeting, to garner sentiment on articles to be voted on.
The result of those meetings, notes, and maybe straw votes would be distributed to all the town reps to consider when voting. There would be no guarantee that a rep would vote a particular way, as you may wish, but reps would have a better sense of the sentiment of their constituents.
A completely open Town Meeting would, I believe, be too chaotic to allow for informed debate.
It is so rare, these days, to have open, respectable debates — we should value those that still exist. Institutions such as RTM is what democracy is about. Let’s not consign it to the past.
Arlene Distler
Brattleboro
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