BELLOWS FALLS — It is utterly astounding the number of negative issues impacting Rockingham these days. These are aside from our everytown woes on any given day.
In Rockingham, we are faced with a merger, a jail, and the continuing destruction of our historic buildings. (Or do they call that “development”?) The lack of transparency, last-minute presentations, and forced actions on the part of local and county officials is all part of an orchestrated effort to limit citizen participation, to obstruct citizen control over harmful long-term changes to our community, and anesthetize citizen partnership to prevent building a brighter future for ourselves and our children.
We are offered presentations, public hearings, and debate over article issues. A non-binding vote on a “justice center”? Two public hearings on merger? An article to allow the town to spend $100,000 on tearing down the TLR? The Robertson Paper Mill is already being slated for demolition.
At what stage here do we see the public affecting the outcome of these events? We are being placated with an opportunity to speak on matters, not an opportunity to be heard and heeded!
Only by voting - and voting strongly in support of our future - will we change the outcomes of these serious issues.
Speak against articles that will damage our town for years to come at Rockingham's Annual Town Meeting on Monday, Feb. 29. Then, by changing the composition of the current Selectboard on Tuesday, March 1, we will positively support projects and expenditures that brighten our community for everyone.
Economic development should serve us, as should our elected officials, not lead us into an abyss of poor choices, unhindered by voter input, from which we cannot rise.
Please come out to vote, both on Monday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Bellows Falls Opera House and again on Tuesday, March 1 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the polls.