Dear Editor:

There has been a lot of talk this year about town meeting, largely because of the decision by Boothbay voters to use referendum ballot to decide the warrant, doing away with town meeting. I guess it was too inefficient a form of government for these fast paced modern times. I don’t know what was on the warrant or how it was worded. I’ll have to take Mary Brewer’s word for it that it was not the same. The voters of Boothbay must be the best informed electorate on the peninsula to have approved the budget with nary a question. If there were ordinance changes I hope they were. There’s no telling what you can wind up with.

News flash folks: democracy was never meant to be easy, efficient or quick, most things worth doing seldom are. Democracy borders on chaotic, which is why Winston Churchill called it the worst form of government, until you looked at all the others. The concept of one person standing up and asking questions of elected officials is the backbone of our nation. Once we start hearing things like: “The time for debate on these things is over,” self governance is soon to be a thing of the past.

Six years ago we heard that: “One person shouldn’t be able to stand up in town meeting and nullify the work of the budget committee and selectmen.” I know they work hard, but we, the people, are the checks and balances in this case. We need to be very careful when things like that start being said.

I grew up watching from the balcony of the Opera House as people stood up in town meeting and questioned practically everything. The cry of “Mr. Moderator” still rings in my ears and I watched as men and women had their say and participated in their own destiny. Those same people inspire me today as they should everyone, to be actively involved in our town’s affairs. We will get the government we deserve if we remain silent.

Linc Sample

Boothbay Harbor