Pettiness Has No Place In Norton Charter Process

Keep Pettiness Out Of Norton Charter Process
by Bill Gouveia for the Sun Chronicle

 Over a year ago, Norton voters overwhelmingly elected nine of their own to a charter commission. That body has now unanimously supported a proposed new charter.

Their new preliminary plan has been released, calling for major changes from the present governmental format. It would eliminate both the select board and open town meeting in favor of a seven-member elected town council, as well as make other important changes.

That will lead to some spirited debate from those who favor change as well as those who cherish the current format and want to preserve it. That discussion includes both the details of the changes as well as their philosophical impact. The commission has held two public hearings on the preliminary document thus far — one virtual and one in-person, socially distanced outdoor session.

Most of the public debate thus far has been respectful and based on facts and strongly-held opinions. But it is clear as it leaves the fact-based portion of the process and heads towards the political voting part, there will be a nasty undercurrent aimed at personally attacking those who seek to modernize government.

At the hearing on the library park grounds, lifelong Norton resident and political activist John Freeman expressed his opposition to many of the proposed changes, but didn’t stop there. He also once again pushed the tired, old story that Norton is being overrun by those who move here, sap the bountiful town resources, and have no real concern about the community itself.

Addressing the commission, Freeman stated, “You people don’t care about the people that live in this town. You only care about the people you talk to, probably on social media.”

And as the hearing closed, he addressed chairperson Laura Parker saying, “And I don’t know why you need that mask on, you’re under there I think social distancing, like a good little communist.”

It’s sad that arrogant comments like this have to even be discussed here, but they highlight the need to focus on fact and not fiction, common sense and not emotion when determining the future of a town.

Freeman’s ignorant, demeaning and rude statements were not only wrong, but completely opposite the truth. It is in fact those who share his narrow, self-serving viewpoint on government reform who “don’t care” about people.

He and some others cling to the current system they fully admit is imperfect, but suits their individual purposes. But they not only reject change, they assign nefarious motives to those studying it. They believe unless you have lived in town for several decades or commit to doing so, you are merely a nuisance to be tolerated — even if you pay taxes and make up the majority of residents. Your rights and opinions are inferior to theirs.

Change is hard, and this upcoming decision is important. All honest viewpoints and opinions must be heard and are welcome, but baselessly impugning the integrity of others is not. The cheap, petty politics so prevalent in the Norton of years gone by should not infect this critical process.

But of course, it already has. And wearing a mask can’t stop the spread of that particular sickness.

Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and longtime local official. He can be emailed at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook.

Freedom And Responsibility Not Always Friends

We Talk Better Than We Listen

by Bill Gouveia

(This column appeared in the Sun Chronicle on Monday, August 24, 20200 

Perhaps more than anything else, Americans hate being told what to do.

And frankly, it doesn’t much matter who is doing the telling. Other countries, our own national political leaders, local elected officials, health experts, teachers, our parents, and even our spouses — although we might be hesitant to admit the last one publicly.

Sometimes Americans associate independence with stubbornness, and freedom with the right to act irresponsibly. Those can be admirable traits, but can also lead us into trouble. Not just the “good trouble” the late Rep. John Lewis so eloquently spoke about, but the kind of trouble that leads to bad decisions for the wrong reasons.

And nothing brings that out in us more than a global pandemic, apparently.

We look to our government for help in keeping us all safe and healthy, and for good reason. That’s largely what government exists to do. And we are more than happy to have them make suggestions like washing our hands, socially distancing, wearing masks, and getting vaccines for illnesses like the coronavirus and the flu.

But making those things mandatory? Whoa, that’s a different story. Many draw the line right there. Hey, we might be willing to do the right thing to protect ourselves, our families and our neighbors. But it has to be our own idea, and done on our terms. Because as Americans, our right to do as we please is often considered greater than our duty to act responsibly.

Is that part of what has made America great over the last 244 or so years? Absolutely — no doubt about it. We have never been a meek people, doing what we are told without questioning both the wisdom and authority of those doing the telling.

And in a debate as old as democracy and freedom themselves, we often disagree on whether the rights of society or the individual wins in case of a tie. You know, that old argument often summed up by the saying “Your right to swing your fist ends just where my nose begins.”

Do the overwhelming majority of Americans truly believe wearing a mask during the pandemic greatly helps contain and prevent the spread of the disease? I believe they do (though no doubt others disagree).

But making it a requirement to wear these simple cloth implements in public for the good of all? Well, wait a minute. That’s a different question. Because — freedom.

Sure, we require seatbelts. And yes, you have to wear a shirt and shoes into a restaurant (remember going into those?). But today, in this divisive political environment where “winning” is more important than doing the right thing — it becomes a great debate.

We regularly require kids here in Massachusetts to be vaccinated for various formerly deadly diseases. But now throw flu shots into that mix? Well, that somehow crosses the line. The government can’t do that, even if it is safer and an example of common sense.

Americans should never stop being stubborn, or cherishing freedom and independence. But we have to understand that just because something is mandatory doesn’t make it wrong.

And we sometimes have to listen more than we talk.

Bill Gouveia is a Sun Chronicle columnist and longtime local official. Reach him at billsinsidelook@gmail.com; follow him @Billinsidelook.