In this series of articles, I explained how the Wareham Board of Selectmen has a plan to grab power in April through their handpicked Charter Review Committee.  If successful, this consolidation of power will take from you, the Wareham voter, the power to enact legislation and the power to control your tax dollars.  The proposed charter change will limit information, limit debate, and place all real power in the hands of just a few individuals.

 In this final installment, I will describe how we can use our understanding of the Charter Review Committee's failures to suggest changes to improve both our charter and our government.  To do this, we need to think of all the ways we might increase citizen participation, increase citizen interest, improve communication, improve our ability to access information, and distribute power.  I strongly recommend this approach be undertaken as a community effort.  Here are suggestions for possible things that could be done.  I'm presenting this only to start readers thinking about a process that might result in charter changes that would strengthen our democratic ideals.

1) Town Meeting would function much more smoothly and quickly if we elected a fair, ethical, courteous, and skilled moderator to run town meeting. We, as voters, have some responsibility in carefully selecting individuals who are appropriate for elected positions of power.

2) Town Meeting could well be only a quick formality if citizens who present warrant articles did their homework, held public forums on the issues that are being brought before the town, and gained public support through education and dialog that took place before town meeting. Instead, we often have a situation where, even when the Selectmen are legally required to hold public hearings, they fail to do so. For example, there were several articles on the Warrant for two town meetings that tried to amend the charter. The Wareham Board of Selectmen was legally required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 43B: Section 10 (b) to hold a public hearing on those articles prior to town meeting. They failed to do so both times the articles were before them. This is an example of the Board of Selectmen violating their oath of office by violating state law. As a practical matter, the action created conflict, misunderstanding, and a chaotic and unsatisfactory town meeting.

3) Wareham Selectmen have tried to consolidate their power by taking over various commissions: the Sewer Commission, the Road Commission, and at one time, even the Cemetery Commission. They also have interfered with the day to day operation of the town, contrary to the requirements of the charter.

Take a look at the videos that show the Board of Selectmen trying to set speed limits at their May 13, 2008 meeting or parking requirements that involve public safety at their August 15, 2006 meeting.  Here you will find no clearer evidence that the Selectmen are incompetent Road Commissioners.  Yes, they can act quickly and decisively, the same argument we hear when a representative form of government is compared to a town meeting form.  But quick decisions don't necessarily mean better decisions.

If the opposite tact were taken, then the Selectmen would give up power to groups of competent individuals who had the interest, training, and experience needed to do specific tasks.  That would empower people, bring involvement and enthusiasm to the jobs required to run a town, and decrease the work load on the Administration.  With a more reasonable workload, there might be more qualified candidates interested in running for the office of Selectmen.

 I'm sure there are more examples to be considered that follow this general approach to improving municipal governance.

 I hope we eventually have a full and complete public discussion about the kind of local government that would be best for Wareham.  However, before this is done, we have the immediate and urgent problem of a plan to grab power and move Wareham in a dangerous direction.  If you are a registered voter, please attend town meeting April 26, 2010, and vote against the proposal currently being offered by the Charter Review Committee.

Why you should fear Political Power Consolidation - Part 1

Why you should fear Political Power Consolidation - Part 2

Why you should fear Political Power Consolidation - Part 3

Why you should fear Political Power Consolidation - Part 4

Why you should fear Political Power Consolidation - Part 5