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RFH 2010, Cover Stories, Editorials

Editorial: Big Week Ahead for Town of Hamilton

Sun, Nov 06, 2011

Election and budget hearing are major milestones for the Town of Hamilton. Here's hoping for an improved outlook.

The past year or so made it abundantly clear that public service -- especially if you serve as an elected official in the Town of Hamilton -- is a thankless job. And, that is putting it mildly.

More to the point: it has sucked.

That's what makes this week so important for the future of the town. On Tuesday, there is an election and on Wednesday there is a meeting to discuss the town budget. Both will give a good indication to what the future holds.

Tuesday's election may well be remembered as the most contentious in recent memory. That may well be because of several reasons:

  1. The two slates of candidates are so distinctively different; no one can say there are no clear choices this year.
  2. There have been several major issues on which there has been disagreement.
  3. Finances -- both town and personal -- have been at center stage, and in these hard times, money is a flash point.
  4. And, each side -- and there are very distinct and very vocal partisan sides -- has blamed the other for all of the ills bestting the town and for ones that will come in the future.

Tuesday's election may also be remembered as one of the most important too. Clearly, whomever is elected will have a full plate of problems to solve:

  1. Budget.
  2. Capital projects.
  3. Gas drilling/fracking.
  4. Assessment and taxes.
  5. Openness.
  6. Inclusiveness.
  7. Accountability.
  8. Leadership.
  9. Town operations.

It is no understatement to suggest that this is a pivotal moment in the history of the town. Tuesday's election gives voters clear choices. 

It is likewise clear that the winners will have many fences to mend and olive branches to hand out. It is doubtful that regardless of the outcome, Tuesday's vote will end the debate over issues facing the town. Therefore, once the votes are counted and certified, it will be time to put away the yard signs, stop sending letters to the editor and not just start the transition in town government, but also begin thinking about what is in the best interest of the town and not the two political parties.

This might also be a good time to begin rethinking those as well. Neither party has lots to be proud of this fall. Each side spewed its fair share of venom. Fortunately, for the most part, the candidates themselves did not over-indulge in the nastiness. It was the party, um, faithful(?) who gave playground nastiness and name-calling a bad name. 

Just as town government needs a fresh start, so does the election process. Otherwise, we will have another perfectly good autumn spoiled by another perfectly awful urination contest.

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