News and Views

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.