Is My Voice Being Heard ... And Will Anything Happen?

It doesn't matter if the topic is the Wing School, School Budget, Beaches, Waste Water, or revitalizing the community.  It's the process of communicating, providing a channel for the exchange of ideas and perspectives that enable us to reach consensus and take action.   

As an example, residents felt they weren't being heard when it came to saving our Beaches.  They rallied around the Beaches issue because it got to a crisis stage; and they weren't being heard.  They organized; and at Town Meeting they brought a clear message to our then Board of Selectmen that it was time to act and not delay further.  

A good friend of mine said recently, "I chose Sandwich because I thought it was the size where people could get involved and make a difference.  People start with enthusiasm, get burned out and frustrated, and give up."

As your Selectman, I will continue to the support the effort that's begun to open the lines of communication in government.  Wherever possible, we must have transparency and be responsive to citizens that have issues that have been neglected.

What can we do?  Here are my thoughts ...

Set up communication channels

• Occasional neighborhood forums on hot topics, with a selectmen present
• Insure that community stakeholders participate in committees and studies
• Follow thru after a forum with a joint committee of residents and appropriate Town staff; but not rely only on the Town staff to always have to lead
• Form a Residents Issue Board representing a broad base. On a regular bases provide topics the Selectmen will be addressing and get feedback.  Request pick topics of concern & invite speakers.

What are your thoughts?  What can the Board of Selectmen do to foster better communication?  I welcome your thought.  Please send them to wburbs@comcast.net