Why would anyone think that citizens are losing interest in selectmen meetings in Paris?
Citizen's phone call to Paris Town Office 9-22-09: "Where will the next selectmen's meeting be held? People are asking me." Response: "At the Town office." Citizen: "Why there, in such a limited space?" Response: "Well, the number of people attending is beginning to dwindle."
Dwindle...
Last selectmen's meeting, 9-14-09, at a brand new location, Paris Elementary School on High Street, 60-65 people attended. That is less than 80; however, it is significantly more than 39 (plus selectmen, interim town mgr., cameraman and 2 reporters), the number that fits in the Town Office meeting room, the number that, back in July, left 23 people, including the Fire Chief, outside in the parking lot, their participation limited to looking in through the windows.
Why would the administration in this town come to the conclusion that citizens have lost interest in what they might be up to? How is it that the responses of town clerk and interim town manager are, without exception, "I haven't heard from the selectmen yet." Or a variation on that theme, "I'll be meeting with the selectmen later today."
Consider: What is it the selectmen do not want citizens to notice? What do they have to hide? Why aren't they excited, even pleased, to know they have such an aware and responsive citizenry?
And, since there are at least two selectmen kept in the dark about any planning whatsoever, which selectmen are making the decisions referred to in the previous paragraphs?
Who is running the town of Paris? Are you happy about that? An increasing number of people are not....
Don't be fooled if you thought the last meeting you attended was not exciting enough - that controversial decisions weren't being made in front of you - it's a real possibility that decisions were, and still are, being made behind your back and out of your sight; decisions that could be costing the taxpayers money and effecting the town's future.
Find a way to come to the
Paris Selectmen's meeting Monday 9-28-09.
Call (743-2501) to confirm where - last word was at the Town Office.
Although, you may want to bring a sleeping bag, at least a lawn chair; because if you don't get there early, you may not be welcomed inside for the meeting....
