Almost six years ago I came across an article that ranked my little conservative town in the northeastern corner of Connecticut as the fifth-worst place to live in the state, something that I assumed to mean that 263 of the other 268 towns were better places to set down roots. I’ve only lived here since 2006 but I still took quite a bit of offense to that, arguing that this is a perfectly lovely place to live with plenty of peace and quiet and nice hiking spots.
Not everybody in town agrees with me with on that topic but it seems that there are quite a few that since that election have come to hold negative opinions of our current Board of Education. I hesitate to criticize people doing a very hard, thankless job in service to my child that I’m admittedly not willing to sacrifice my time and energy to do but considering one of those members stood on my front porch and told me that I hadn’t lived here long enough for my voice to matter I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting to hear me defend them either.
These negative opinions have led to the creation of a Facebook group, a spin-off of a much larger school-centric forum that serves as a place to ask and answer questions, complain and praise and share information. The intention of the new group is that like-minded individuals can sometimes bring about actual change when motivated and organized.
I’m not familiar with all of the details but one of the things discussed in these groups was the school budget for next year. There was an ask for 2% increase, a denial of that, a town council vote to restore the increase, and then a town-wide vote on whether or not to pass it, increase intact. I’ll say again that I don’t fully understand the process but I will always support as much public money as possible going towards the education of my kid. I try to vote on the town budget every year but know that turnout for these is abysmal and was encouraged that there seemed to be so many more parents that would have an increased awareness of when and where to vote.
As often happens when I approach something with cautious optimism, I was disappointed. The budget did pass, 2% increase included, but by a count of 416-391, a pathetic showing for a town of over 17,000.
Participation percentage aside, twenty-five votes is a pretty slim margin. I know of several people that don’t usually vote that did this year partially based on how many times reminders came across their feed so considering how few people I actually talk to it stands to reason that were it not for these Facebook groups we would be going to back to approve a smaller education budget sometime in the next few weeks.
It was a good reminder that every vote really does matter, that it takes more than just posting your opinions on social media to influence politics on any level. Even if you don’t think it’s a good thing the direction of this country is currently being shaped in large part due to the efforts of Stacey Abrams to recruit and give access to voters in Georgia that don’t always use that voice. Whether it’s on the national stage or in a small town budget battle you have a voice and a means of influencing outcomes. Use it.
—
Previously Published on thirstydaddy.com
—
