Does anyone remember who was on the last Windham Town Council? How about the council of 10 years ago? How quickly we forget.

Sometimes it’s helpful to have lived here long enough to remember other councils and even the days of selectmen, who got together a couple of times a month to conduct the town’s business. My business. Your business. We are the town.

The current town council isn’t unique. I don’t remember any council where all members agreed all the time, and it seems there was always a dominant voice, as there is today. There have always been disgruntled residents who thought when things didn’t go their way it was the council’s fault. And of course the town manager, whoever it has been, has been a handy target for laying blame over the years.

What’s different about the sitting council, in my opinion, is the preponderance of time spent trying to figure out what went wrong, when it went wrong, and who was responsible. This valuable time could be spent seeking a solution, rather than going over plowed ground (to use a good old Maine country saying.)

I am absolutely dismayed with the manner in which town employees and management actions are questioned. It’s not that they should not be questioned or their actions clarified; it is the manner in which it is done. If I were working at a company where I felt every action or decision I made was suspect to some and would be scrutinized to the nth degree, that feeling would permeate the whole job performance. The innuendos, the veiled hints and personal characterizations are uncalled for and do nothing to make anyone work more efficiently. Employees who have received commendations in the past, as well as recognition from peer groups and organizations, are then called to task for continuing to do their job the way that has worked. They should not have to worry about being asked questions out of context or report on actions taken years ago.

We need to face the fact that the economy is in a downturn and we in Windham are not exempt. Some of us are already dealing with this. But residents who have complained about poor financial management by “the town” need to understand the reduction in excise taxes paid to the town and used to fund town operations is a direct result of residents not paying as much excise tax because they are not purchasing new vehicles. This cannot in any way, shape or manner be blamed on town management, which in my mind includes the town council, past and present. No plan could have been in place to accommodate this issue.

Windham is feeling the effects of the economy, there is no doubt. At this time, it would be most reassuring to know that our elected leaders are working on shoring up the future, not dwelling on who is to blame and second-guessing actions of others and hinting that they, personally, could have prevented this.

There have been councilors in the past who have left the council before their term was completed, for varying reasons. Some moved, some resigned for personal reasons, and it seems there were a couple who missed too many meetings. Offhand, I can’t remember anyone who was actually voted out, but the result of a six person (or less) council could mean another election, or operating with a less that full council.

Probably there are a few residents who can remember a six person council and know what happens when a vote is 3-3.

I understand enough people have signed a petition to make it possible to vote out an elected councilor, and voters will now decide whether this will be added to the town charter.

I have not seen this petition and don’t know what the wording is (or reasoning behind this), and it appears that the instigators are not forthcoming to the press or other media so for the majority of Windham residents, this big brouhaha will be a Christmas surprise.

See you next week.