A Bow Selectman Plans on Heading Down the Slippery Slope by Putting up a “Straw Man” Alternative to SB2
At the very poorly advertised SB2 public hearing SB2 hearing on April 23 Selectman Harry Judd slipped and revealed that he planned on bringing up the possibility of a Charter Commission (RSA 197:b and RSA 49 B and 49 D). The Charter Commission is not new to Bow it was used successfully in 2002 to siphon off enough votes from SB2 to prevent SB2 from getting a super majority of votes (60%)… The Charter Commission “straw man scam” was hatched when SB2 got 59% of the vote for School and 58% of the vote for the town in 2001 (60% majority needed).
Since the last SB2 vote, Bow has experienced several more years of soaring property tax bills. Town meetings have repeatedly failed Bow with poor attendance, dominating special interest, chaotic and confusing town meetings. Because of this SB2 is getting a second thorough and favorable look. The fear that the hard strapped Bow Taxpayers are starting to see the light with SB2 has caused that proverbial bag of dirty tricks to come out of the closet.
People should ask why wasn’t the topic of the Charter Commission brought up when SB2 wasn’t on the ballot. The clear answer is that there is no interest in switching to a Town Charter. There is only interest in stopping SB2’s momentum. This is a clear bait and switch ploy saying that there is something better out there and switching it back so that we end up with the same failed status quo. This is exactly what happened in 2002. What is that old saying? If you fool us once, shame on you. If you fool us twice, shame on us.
One must wonder: What if the slippery slope of putting up competing “straw man like” warrant articles at town meeting, became the norm? The likelihood of articles like SB2 (bond articles) that requires super majorities will become very difficult if not impossible to pass. Is that a path Bow wants to go down? Bow should demand that the bag of dirty tricks be thrown in the trash heap.
Vote for Tom Keane
Sunday, April 26th, 2009To the BCC Editor,
As the May 12th Bow School board race between Selectman Tom Keane and School board member Steven Elgert comes into focus it is my hope that the race will be decided on the issues and not decided on a popularity contest. The race pits two public servants whose respective public record is diametrically opposed. These differences in service to the people of Bow couldn’t be more apparent than at the SB2 public hearing. Selectman Keane presented the facts in favor of adopting SB2. One of those facts was that Town Meetings are restrictive and prevent voters, who can’t make it to the meeting, from voting. While SB2 in inclusive and allows everyone who is eligible the opportunity to vote. Mr. Elgert supported the status quo and that status quo impacts a vast majority of Bow voters.
In fact Mr. Elgert’s status quo affected me personally. Two members of my family were restricted from voting for school district warrant articles because they were out of town. My best friend showed up at the meeting but because his oxygen tank malfunctioned he had to leave the meeting and forfeit all his voting rights. Another friend could not make it because his spouse was sick and he would not leave her. All these people wanted to exercise their right to vote but were prevented by Mr. Elgert’s status quo.
Last year Mr. Elgert supported the very unpopular IB program which was targeted to a very small percentage of elite Bow students at a huge cost to the Bow Taxpayer and most Bow Students. While Mr. Elgert was trying to raise Bow taxpayer’s taxes Mr. Keane was successful in lowering Bow’s taxes.
Earlier this year Elgert stated that he was not interested in seeking another term but changed his mind. Every voter in Bow should question whether or not Elgert is really running to serve the people of Bow or just to serve as a place holder for the school board to pick the next school board member.
The School Budget makes up approximately 70% of Bow property taxes please support a candidate who is a friend of the Bow taxpayer. Please mark your calendar for Tuesday May 12th and vote Tom Keane for school board.
Van Mosher, Bow
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