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Disheartened

I attended the budget meeting at Guilford High School on April 2 to hear the discussion regarding how our money is being spent. I knew there would be attendees prepared to offer not only opposing views but also unpopular views. I was disheartened, to say the least.

I was checking people in, so I entered the room a few minutes late to the arguing about the moderator and procedure. I almost left but decided to stay in case there was something, as a taxpayer, I would want to hear. I found a seat in a sea full of people and hunkered down for what I expected to be a spirited debate and discussion. What I experienced was the opposite. Without recapping every moment, the biggest disappointment to me was the silencing of voices. Motions and some comments were made, but many people in the room clearly did not want to hear opposing viewpoints and invoked "call the question" from Robert's Rules. I learned that this means no more debate, no more discussion, no more hearing opposing views.

It saddened me that two-thirds of those in attendance voted to silence discussion. Whether you agree or disagree with the information being presented, in a town meeting such as this, everyone's voices should be heard. If you didn't want to hear them, you didn't have to be there. Where are people to go if they don't agree with what's happening in the town? The town committee meetings should be places where all are welcome and where all will be heard. It has been clear over the past few years that this is not what we can expect —especially if people have opposing views. April 2 was a perfect example of that. I hope in the future, voices will be heard and people respected.

Mari C Mariano

Guilford