To the editor:

Last week's letter by former Town Council member (2004-20) Kate Weymouth reflects two troubling trends that have become increasingly commonplace in Barrington governance. Both should concern voters.

The first is the tendency to dismiss the judgment of ordinary residents. Ms. Weymouth characterizes the 1,700 voters who stood in line to participate in the FTR as “uninformed residents who think they know better.” That sentiment seems to be shared by the current Town Council who has unanimously supported four proposed FTR reforms that each reduce direct voter influence - one increases the signature requirement from zero to 300 for budget amendments under $50K and another limits voters to only one amendment. (I plan to vote No.)

Whether one agrees with the FTR results or not, 1,700 residents taking the time to participate in local government should be celebrated, not disparaged.

The second troubling trend is the tendency to characterize dissent as disrespect or harassment. I experienced this personally when I was publicly scolded by the Town Council for comments I made during a meeting. Their behavior was subsequently criticized by this newspaper's Editorial Board.

Ms. Weymouth similarly characterizes the hundreds of residents who spoke against ShineHarmony's proposal for the former Zion property as people who “harassed the Barrington Planning Board and Town Council.”

I strongly reject that characterization. For seven months, hundreds of residents have attended meetings, submitted testimony and made their voices heard. I am proud of the ongoing work of B.R.A.D. and the many other residents who participated.

Most troubling is her suggestion that these residents, “frustrated by the process,” later voted to cut the municipal budget in retaliation. Does she think so little of the voters of this town to accuse them of abusing their right to vote?

Democracy requires us to respect voters even when we disagree with them. Good government requires leaders who welcome dissent rather than dismiss the people providing it.

Addressing these troubling trends is just one of the reasons I am running as an Independent for Barrington Town Council.

Neile Hartman

Barrington

Note: This letter was published in the Aug. 19 Barrington Times.