by Barbara Smith,
Blogger, social activist and advocate for Democracy
https://www.facebook.com/HWdemocrats/
Tom Myers, candidate for Select Board wrote on his Campaign page:
“Let’s talk about voting for a second….. last election we had a 17% turnout. That is horrifyingly low. So what’s the deal? Why do people not want to vote? The most common reasons not to vote are: 1. People don’t feel their vote matters, 2. People don’t feel that voting for a particular candidate will make a huge impact on their daily lives, and 3. People lack information about election and the candidates. “
Barbara’s Response:
The November 2021 election to replace state representative Brad Hill was very unusual since he only announced in September 2021 that he was leaving office to take a job at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. This left only a seven week window to have a primary and general election that many people were not even aware was happening. Brad Hill won re-election in 2020 in an uncontested race. However, there was huge interest in the Essex 4th district state representative race between Brad Hill and Democrat Allison Gustavson in 2018.
“Turnout in the November ( 2018) general election was 60.17 percent in Massachusetts, the highest percentage turnout in a midterm election since 1994, according to Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin.” https://www.masslive.com/politics/2018/11/final_2018_midterm_voter_turno.html
Tom Myers data seems misleading to me…..
Lets take a look at Tom Myers other statements:
We have two major contested races right now-school Committee and Select Board. If you have kids in the school system or soon to enter the school system, then that election is absolutely going to affect your life.
Barbara’s response:
I have to agree with Tom that this election is critical. The Hamilton-Wenham Schools have been increasingly failing our students over the past 5 plus years as our school district sinks in ratings.
“Hamilton-Wenham Regional High is ranked 32nd within Massachusetts. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High is 78%. The total minority enrollment is 10%. Hamilton-Wenham Regional High is the only high school in the Hamilton-Wenham.”
and, according to Tom Myers, then there is the Select Board:
which he believes “operates as the governmental body for the town. Tom thinks that decisions about bylaws, our water supply/quality, affordable housing, senior services, open space, tax rates and revenue, etc. all fall under the the Select Board’s jurisdiction in some capacity. ”
That’s not true, Tom:
The voters in Hamilton and Wenham exercise their voice and make governing choices at the Annual Town Meeting (ATM). This functions as our legislature and has the sole power to enact bylaws. Bylaws, for example, can only pass with 2/3 of the Legislature’s vote or it doesn’t pass and CANNOT be enacted by any other body. These are all critical functions of our Legislature-not the Select Board.
The 5 members of the Select Board just execute ATM mandates as efficaciously as possible. Please learn how your government works before running for office, Tom Myers!
Are you worried about your wallet?
According to Tom, “here in Hamilton, 95%+ of revenue comes from the tax payer-this means that almost every decision requiring funding is going to have a direct impact on you. So if you are concerned about your wallet then you should really be looking at what each candidate is offering. Do they want to diversify our tax base to increase revenue and ensure our taxes aren’t rising every year? Or do they want to remain status quo? Do they represent all community members to ensure equal treatment for all? Or cater to a select few?“
We all worry about our high taxes, Tom!
“PARTISAN POLITICS HAVE NO PLACE HERE. THE SELECT BOARD SERVES EVERY SINGLE DEMOGRAPHIC!
To clarify for Tom, diversifying the tax base and increasing revenues are also functions of our ATM. ATM passes our budgets and approves revenues….
I’ve been living in Hamilton for 25 years, 15 of those years post my only child’s high school graduation. I live in a split level house, walking distance to town and pay over $800.00/month in taxes. I have often considered moving but continue to enjoy the rural nature, bike trails, proximity to beaches and the many caring people in this town. People, like me over age 65 years make up 30% of the population. In addition, about 20% of households include school age children. Therefore, motivated, voting parents have a high influence on how monies are collected and spent.
Some of the current School Committee candidates want to pay attention to fiscal responsibility and improving academics. Other candidates want to continue pouring unlimited money into the schools while our Town Hall crumbles and is in violation of the American Disabilities Act. The lack of concern for bringing the Town Hall to meet code may end up with Hamilton being sued….Its a huge problem.
Lack of Information
According to Tom, “there is no perfect way to engage with everyone. No matter how much we try and engage, whether it’s social media, in person, or mailings, we will not capture everyone. I encourage you to talk to your friends and neighbors over the next several days. Ask them if they are planning to vote. Ask them which candidates they like and why…..
We need Transparency!
I agree with Tom that there is a lack of information. The Hamilton-Wenham area lost the TriTown Chronicle print newspaper last winter creating the current local news gap.
I hear that many residents are requesting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) assistance to learn what political discussion is happening on on the private Hamilton Wenham Human Rights Coalition facebook page. Select board member Jamie Knudsen is married to Coalition leader Katie Knudsen, so there is not only obvious conflict of interest, but much that the public needs to learn about the relationships between some elected officials and the Hamilton Wenham Human Rights Coalition, political lobby group…. Only Coalition members can read on-line what Coalition members are doing as they influence candidates and policy and where their money goes. I was banned because I stated that I did NOT support pledging candidate, Anna Siedzik ally, Jamie Belsito for state representative. The Coalition is a 501 (C) (4), faith based, dark money taking group that has zero transparency.
Vote for the Incumbents:
The Select Board incumbents running for re-election have done a fantastic job over the past 3 years, bringing diversity training to town employees, working with legislators to protect the vulnerable coastline and our water supplies and bringing a voice of reason to the 5 person board dominated by men and a town administrator who often do whatever Anna Siedzik tells them to do. If the Coalition chosen candidates win, we will have all 5 board members beholden to do Anna’s bidding whether it means
- involvement in removing covid test kits from Hamilton behind the backs of the Select and Health Boards to distribute via faith-based charities or
- Continuing her bullying tactics of calling all voices of disobedience (to her) “racists”, “bigots”, “TERFs” or worse, or
- Demands that candidates and elected officials answer to the Coalition and NOT the VOTERS!
- Development without checks and balances that ignores density, traffic, safety and the environment because all Anna cares about is building….the more the better until our town looks like Newburyport. ….And don’t forget that she gets her paycheck by selling units for Harbor Light!
Vote April 7th like your wallet and environment depend on it…
Because they do!