Letters to the Editor
Voters asked to think about votes at town meeting

To the Editor,

As we approach another town meeting and more spending, I ask the voters to please be mindful of the consequences of our votes when it comes to municipal spending. It is easy and popular to support spending on all sorts of "worthy" things at town meeting, but when we make that "easy" vote, we should remind ourselves that we also vote to take money away from someone's family budget. We are voting to sacrifice some quality of life for that household. To some it may be just giving up a weekend away, to others it may mean giving up new tires for the family car, to others it may mean cutting back on Christmas gifts for their children, and for some it will be the last straw that drives them out of their homes.

I have recently been given the opportunity to serve on the advisory board. I thank the town moderator, John Bowen, for graciously allowing me this privilege. I will try to carefully weigh the sacrifice we are asking of our taxpayers against the benefit of proposed spending.

Please come to the special town meeting on Nov. 14. It is a great place to meet friends, listen to positions, and enjoy the privilege of participating in the process of your own government. Be mindful that this is a government of the people, or more correctly, of the people who show up. If you want your government to represent you and your family, you have to be there. Join me in letting your vote be counted and showing your support for the power of the people.

Keith Harding

Westminster Retired soldier sorely disappointed with Kerry

To the Editor:

Sen. Kerry, I am a recently retired Army soldier who resides in the great state of Massachusetts. I am a Bronze Star recipient who fought in Iraq. I was personally offended by the comment you made Monday (Oct. 30), saying "You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq." I am an educated person. I served my country out of love, honor and respect and I did so for 23 years. I also would never and I mean never make a statement against my brothers and sisters in arms because they execute what our country asks. I have formed a bond which could never be broken (this bond is only understood by Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airman). I really don't care why the statement was made, if you botched up a joke, or what you were referring to. The bottom line - you referred to our military as being poorly educated and not smart and the only hope for uneducated people is going to war in Iraq. Let me tell you something sir, we have the most educated Soliders, Sailors, Marines and Airman today than ever in the history of our Great Military! Finally, you being a former military person making a statement like that is totally unprofessional, unethical, and unforgivable. You don't have a clue about America's Military! Your actions reflect both directly and negatively towards the Democratic Party and I think it is disgraceful and as a constituent I think it would be better for Massachusetts and the Democratic Party if you resign!

Keith M. Jackson

US Army Retired

Townsend