I believe that now is the time for changes in our government in Windham. These changes must include removal of politicians who feel that the average voter is too stupid to make a reasonable decision at the ballot box and some significant changes to the Windham Town Charter.

When a member of any council or board makes a statement that we, the citizens, should not be allowed to vote on a budget proves to me that it is time for a change. To effect this change is not easy as Windham’s Town Charter only favors two groups of people, and that’s those who are either elected or appointed.

To recall a person or entire board is difficult because the charter only permits a council or board to punish itself and leaves the voter out of the picture unless one looks at Article 1 of the Maine Constitution. Article 1 is the Declaration of Rights of which Section 2 states all power is inherent in the people; all free governments are founded in their authority and instituted for their benefit; they have therefore an unalienable and indefeasible right to institute government, and to alter, reform, or totally change the same, when their safety and happiness require it. Waiting for an election day seems a long ways off when we cannot recall people from office.

A couple of the School Board members last week stated that it was time for a charter change in Windham, and I fully agree. The first thing that must be changed is that we, the people, must be in charge and have full authority to recall elected and appointed officials when such times exist. That authority must also be made part of any contract with appointed officials.

We must also phase in a set of term limits. It is obvious from the joint meeting of the council and school board last week that several elected members have been entrenched in office so long that they have the mistaken belief that they, and only they, are smart enough to run this town. These term limits can be flexible enough so citizens can serve our community, but not in numerous consecutive terms.

The citizens of Windham should also look at doing away with the annual town meeting. Town meetings certainly are a tradition in Maine but I feel that in a large community like Windham the process is now outdated. Too few people participate in the tremendous decision of deciding the budget. If we kept the town meeting format and voted on all matters by secret ballot on Election Day, would the meeting even have a purpose?

There are other changes that should take place in Windham. Some of things I will mention in future columns are the Planning Office and Planning Board being overwhelmed by the tremendous growth in Windham and should we slow it down. Another thought is that subdivisions are popping up seemingly everywhere. Should their growth be slowed and a high impact fee be imposed?

“I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious.” Thomas Jefferson.

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