On April 28, 2011, I had the honor and privilege to present a lecture on town government to Mr. Don Cormier's 8th grade civics class at Catholic Memorial Middle School in West Roxbury. Mr. Cormier and I had met recently and when he learned I was the Walpole Town Moderator, he asked me to come in and speak to his class. Many students are from the suburbs of Boston, and the town form of government is part of the curriculum. This was an advanced class, and the boys were very attentive and asked challenging and interesting questions. The 45 minutes passed in the blink of any eye. During the lecture, I stressed the value of a Town Meeting form of local government. I specifically used the first of the three quotes below, and I believe the lecture conveyed the spirit of the second two. I have posted these in the past, but fresh from my meeting with these young students, and fresh from a very productive Town Meeting, I believe it is worthwhile to post them again:
“It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” Sir Winston Churchill, Speech in House of Commons 1947.
“We were all friends and neighbors before this meeting; after this meeting we will still be neighbors; hopefully we will still be friends.” Reginald C. (Reg) Brown, Boxborough Town Moderator 1977 to 2005.
“Civility at Town Meeting is not an option.” Various and sundry Town Moderators in Massachusetts
I think the first quote goes without saying.
The second will be up to Town Meeting members to decide.
The third quote is the responsibility of the Moderator. Lack of civility is rarely an issue for Walpole Town meeting, and our Spring Annual Town Meeting was no exception.
Let's hope for better weather soon!
Jon
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