In a democracy everybody has a voice, even when you don’t like what you hear

It seems the Chelsea City Council has been put on notice.
Townsfolk unhappy with the council’s handling of city finances have banded together in a grassroots effort to form “Chelsea Citizens For Accountability.”
On one hand it’s unfortunate that people like Jeanne Olinyk and Rod Anderson felt such a move was necessary, and I find myself in agreement with Mayor Ann Feeney:
“They didn’t really need to form a group. This is America, and they are free to speak their minds.”
On the other hand, it’s not such a bad idea after all, and I find myself agreeing with CCFA's basic argument:
“The Chelsea City Council does not appear to be strongly motivated to cut costs before raising taxes as a last resort. We hope to provide additional motivation.”
I don’t mean to suggest, not even for a millisecond, that there could be anything untoward or illegal going on behind the scenes.
I’m convinced the council members are honest and sincere in their belief that they are acting in the best interest of the city’s residents.
But isn’t it at least possible that there were a few more cost-cutting avenues to explore before deciding on a tax increase?
This is a tough one.
After years of covering municipal governments and school boards, I’m about as well-versed as anyone in the financial difficulties they face.
People in this state are struggling economically, and so, as a result, are their local units of government.
Mayor Ann Feeney and the council members defend their actions, saying that they are trying to live up to obligations to the retirement fund, contract negotiations and so on.
That’s good news. It’s exactly what they SHOULD be doing.
However ‑ and this is one of CCFA’s main arguments ‑ how did we find ourselves in such a hole in the first place?
Here’s the thing: When you get right down to it, all of that is really irrelevant.
What’s done is done, and anguishing over what could or should have been decided differently in the past is a frustrating waste of time and energy.
Instead of thinking of what went wrong, I would encourage the CCFA, the council, every city employee, indeed every city resident to concentrate on how to make things right.
And it just so happens that we are at a unique point in history that provides this opportunity.
Within the past year or so the city has hired several new department heads and a new city manager; administrative decision-makers who are relatively unburdened by the baggage of the past.
The residents should to make their needs and desires known to their elected representatives on the council.
The council should work with city staff to prioritize those needs and desires.
And city staff should try to find creative, innovative ways to make those needs and desires a reality at a minimum of expense to the residents.
If nothing else, the formation of CCFA reminds us that in a democracy, the voice of the people should be heard the loudest.