To the editor:
It became very obvious that the following remarks were unnecessary at the close of the Town Meeting on Saturday. Jennifer Glass graciously closed the meeting for all of us. As a thank you to everyone at the meeting I wanted to share what I had planned to say.
When I sat down to write my closing remarks I thought of the “choose your own path” books popular in the ’80s and ’90s where the reader, as protagonist, could chose the plot’s outcome. I focused not on the outcome of the votes on preferences expressed here today, but on the quality and nature of the conversation at the table. I chose to imagine the story of a large family gathering where the topic concerned money and the design for a new or renovated house. While the family members had their chance to air their frustrations and share their ideas and concerns, others listened and learned to see things from another’s point of view. At some point they sat back and realized that in order to preserve the family they better find common ground. And they did. They debated and voted and accepted the outcome.
Today we debated and voted. For some it may be too soon to accept the outcome as it was not their preference. When there is choice that is always the way. In a democracy, that is the way it is done. Now we all must continue the dialogue so we can learn and so we are able to come back to the table in December where the final chapter will be written.
I thank the boards and committees who have devoted uncountable hours to develop the concepts discussed today, the numerous staff providing support, the volunteers who have helped to run this meeting, and all of you. You came, you listened, you contributed, you voted. We did it. The long-awaited June 9 Special Town Meeting is now behind us. Let us take a few moments now together to show our appreciation for one another even as we know that some very hard work is ahead.
Sincerely,
Sarah Cannon Holden, Town Moderator
Weston Rd.
Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.