To the editor:

Signs are nice (Preserve the Monastery), petitions add some gravitas (Save Sowams School) and demonstrations can make it more personal (teachers’ redshirt rally). 

But votes matter.  

If you really want to preserve the monastery. If you really want to save Sowams School. If you really want to improve communications between the faculty, the school administration and the School Committee. And if you really want to add some transparency and a little more “of the people, by the people, for the people” to our local government, please vote for the Independent and Republican candidates on the ballot.  

Regardless of the outcome, the Democrats will still have the majority, but we can not only send them a message, we can also turn two echo chambers into forums for real discussion and public input. Please support the Independent and Republican candidates on the ballot. Thank you.

Bill DeWitt

Barrington