|
Back in March, we called for councilor James Mageau to resign. Of course, you and I both know that he would never consider such a proposal seriously. And with no recall provision in the town charter, the citizens of Charlestown don’t have much recourse against his questionable dealings and rude behavior. Remember the hate mail incident?
Now, the only thing the citizens of Charlestown can do is to turn out in droves to council meetings, write letters and viewpoints to the local papers, and generally try to influence the council into voting the will of the populace on hot button issues.
So far, that technique has been somewhat effective. But members of CCA are worried about the deals and decisions that go on behind the scenes and the lack of democracy.
It seems James Mageau is changing the rules for everything from securing consultants for the town to making appointments to town boards and commissions. His latest push is to have Planning Commission members appointed rather than elected. He certainly seems to have more control than your average council member does.
Town boards and commissions are set up to encourage public participation and promote discussion in a democratic process. When you circumvent those processes and stack appointments, someone has too much control.
Citizens of Charlestown need to make sure someone like James Mageau isn’t appointed again by adding a recall provision to the town charter (this may be difficult with several Mageau appointees on the charter revision committee) and by paying more attention to who they vote for.
Next time, don’t just vote straight party because you are anti/pro Bush, anti/pro war, or just like to vote straight party. Do your homework and think about your choice or you may pay the consequences. Listen up, citizens of Richmond and Hopkinton – your towns don’t have recall provisions either.
America is a democracy the last time we checked and the underhanded dealings in Charlestown need to stop. People have a right to speak at council meetings. People have a right to speak out without being subject to idle threats and lawsuits. Planning Commission member Ruth Platner was cut off at a recent council meeting and Mageau has filed a criminal complaint against her in regard to e-mail she sent at work.
Unfortunately, until next election, Charlestown is stuck with James Mageau. We encourage the citizens of Charlestown to keep up the pressure and limit the damage he can do.
Yes, there will always be two sides to every issue (or more) but there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. Public participation and public debate are the rights of a democracy and with Mageau in office those things are in jeopardy.
And we have barely touched on civility.
|
