There are weekly get-togethers in Stockbridge. A mutual concern brought folks together. It was about declining involvement in local politics. (“Opting Out,” SU, April 15) Fewer people are running for office, attending meetings, or speaking up when they do attend. We wanted to find out why and fix it. It is a serious purpose discussed in a fun and friendly atmosphere. If this issue interests you, come.
At the first meeting, the first reason suggested was that national politics – with all the divisions and invectives – cast a pall over local involvement. We agreed it might be true, but that we should move beyond it. We are spectators of national politics, but at home, we can do things. We can think of warm and welcoming ways to involve folks. Maybe as simple as offering a ride to a meeting or inviting someone to explain an issue or issues up for a vote.
“All politics is local” is a saying that belongs to us. It was coined by Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill (D, MA), member of the US House of Representatives for 35 years and Speaker from 1977 to 1987. For many years, “All politics is local” shaped politics and political campaigning. It meant that what voters care most about is what affects them the most – local politics.
Stockbridge has a history of involvement, of coming together, and offering differing opinions. We didn’t take differences personally; actually, we thought we benefited from hearing different points of view. We thought the best solutions came from an amalgam. The idea that there was only one right answer and that only one person had the best idea was just plain silly. That the smartest guy in the room knew what to do and should shove it down everyone else’s throat was repugnant.
Today it seemed as if a lot changed while maybe we weren’t looking. At our get together, we got down to work and got specific. We made a list of changes to encourage neighbors to join in self-governing. The list got pretty long. Here are three examples from the list of changes that might encourage more people to join in:
- No more two minutes to speak and 10 minutes total for public comments. Nope. Instead, make it clear that we are curious about what our neighbors think. We want to hear it. We trust our neighbors to keep comments focused and to the point, because they know that “the mind can absorb no more than the seat can endure.” We trust them to keep it short.
- So called work sessions are a way to work around Open Meeting Laws (OML). Keep closed meetings to a minimum. Voters need to know what’s going on, what the issues are, and how issues are being resolved. (See section on OML below).
- In the same way, Zoom recordings of our government meetings need to be posted within 48 hours. It is not a time-consuming task – in fact there is nothing to do. Other towns just connect the Zoom to CTSB-TV. It records and transmits to CTSB simultaneously. Many of us are older and don’t go out at night; many of us still work and cannot get to meetings, and many of us are part-time residents and are out of state as meetings occur. Regardless, we all want and deserve to be informed.
- We all wanted to keep in mind the Norman Rockwell painting of the man standing and speaking out at a Town Meeting – one of the Four Freedoms. We agreed to approach the task with a positive attitude, and rather than complaining, to plot a path around the obstacles.
The door is open and all are welcome. Come because it is a job worth doing. Just call (3952) or email first carole@stockbridgeupdates.com .
Carole Owens
Executive Editor
