I hope some of the folks who have said that the Historical Society “is a mystery” and “not very active” and that they don’t really know anything about it, take time to attend the June 26 program.
Talented and creative Windham native Jon Miele will present a program on how the performing arts have changed in his lifetime. This is another in a series of free cultural programs for the community and there’s no fee plus the Society serves free refreshments! We look forward to seeing lots of people in attendance!
The program begins at 7 p.m. Monday, June 26 at the headquarters on Windham Center Road next to the superintendent’s office. Come a little early and take a look around at what your historical society, founded in 1967, is all about.
Along with most of you, I didn’t attend town meeting this year. Although for dozens of years, I was always there, this year I was at the historical society and greeted several out of state visitors who were doing research. But I must say I’m ashamed that so few – less than 100??? – showed up to cast a vote on the budget for school and town government for the coming year.
As little bursts of development occur throughout my hometown and the new hometown for many of you, I expect we’ll hear about how development will impact our way of life. We’ll hear about the good old days. We’ll hear about how the town has changed since you moved here and we’ll hear loud and clear, too, if you’re not happy with something that was approved by the minority who showed up to vote.
A few years ago, young people wanted desperately to be allowed to vote and the voting age was lowered. Are they now enthusiastically involved in the operations of Windham?
I can’t understand the apathy which shrouds this town. Does everyone who has moved here in the last 10 or a dozen years think that town government has nothing to do with them? And how about all those “old timers” who voice their opinions? I know there are more than 70 to 100 people who don’t hesitate to speak up when they hear an athletic program might be cut, or see an excavator within view of their home.
You all must know that you are the town government. We are a community which has more unpaid volunteers making decisions than we have municipal employees. The public input is vital in making these decisions which affect the future for each of us. Town meetings have historically been the first way a town was governed. I hope that in the future, we can see more people at public hearings, council meetings and at town meeting.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want 100 people deciding the future for 15,000. Is that representative of each segment of our town?
See you next week.
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