My town, West Tisbury, has a little over 2500 inhabitants. Like many small towns across America you'll find some people holding more than one political office. This is due, I feel, partly to the officeholders' ability to get out their vote. But, another reason is the lack of people willing to challenge the incumbent or run for offices even where the incumbent is a 'newbie' (or "wash ashore" in Martha's Vineyard parlance). Last year there was only one contest - for Tree Warden; all other races were uncontested.
This year is different. The controversies that have arisen have finally spurred a rash of competition, which I think is great. However, animosities generated over the past year(s) have also resulted in a warrant article forbidding anyone from holding more than one elective office.
Now, I don't have a problem with this article, although I fear that it may not result in more competition. However, the article does not include all elective positions, it does, however, include each of the three positions held by the selectman whose term is up this year. Interestingly, the selectman had no opposition for the other two positions he holds. With the way things have been going this year, I suspect the article, most likely after being amended to include all elective offices, will pass.
1 comment:
DOES IT REALLY MATTER THAT A JOB GETS DONE AND THAT A BUSY QUALIFIED PERSON WITH COMMON SENSE GOT IT DONE, AND THEY GOT IT DONE ON TIME, FAIRLY, HONESTLY AND OPENLY?
IM NOT CONVINCED THAT ELECTED, APPOINTED OR OTHERWISE MATTERS...WHAT I DO THINK MATTERS, IS THAT THINGS GET DONE PROPERLY, EFFICIENTLY AND THAT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE AFFECTED ARE PLEASED WITH THE END RESULTS.
IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT IT HAS BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO FIND REASONABLE PEOPLE TO RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE, AND THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO FIND THE REASON WHY.
WHEN PUBLIC OFFICIELS BECOME HAMMERED IN THE LOCAL PRESS WEEK AFTER WEEK,IT IS NO SURPISE THAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC SERVICE.
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