It never ceases to amaze me when people are elected to a position, whether national, state, local, and yes, even road and condo associations, they all of a sudden think they are smarter than the people who elected them.

They all say they want to hear from the voters, but in reality they don’t. When voters speak out in opposition to the agenda established by the council they are called negative. They are treated as though they don’t know what they are talking about. I have seen this happen too often since I have moved to Windham. Some very intelligent and knowledgeable people have expressed very valid ideas and suggestions and yes, criticism, to this council and have been treated rudely and as if they are stupid. I believe that some of these folks have studied and researched the issues even more than those on the council. I, for one, am very tired of this, and it goes against the very idea of public participation.

This council is looking to spend a great deal of money on a sewer. This will have a huge impact on our property taxes. Some figures that have been tossed around add perhaps $200 per year to our property tax bill. This amazes me as several years ago when debating a million-dollar bond issue, Councilors Hayman and Noel bemoaned the fact that if their taxes went up by $10 a year they would no longer be able to do certain things. But a $200-a-year hike in taxes, which is what they are talking about, could mean essentials like food, heat and clothing are cut for many in this town. Are they even looking at alternatives to a sewer or at different ways to pay for it?

The council has also spent approximately $55,000 on consultants to assist businesses and a firm to produce educational information on the proposed sewer. Yet they have not restored services that the public needs. The Town Office is still open only four days a week and none of the Public Library hours that have been cut have been restored. So who does the council really represent? Not the people that is for sure. And most folks don’t dare express their opinions for fear of being called negative or being humiliated in public.

Get real people and show some respect and listen to your constituents! You might find that they have some very real and valid reasons to speak to you.

Priscilla Payne

Windham