I am writing regarding the letter to the WestfordCAT News, the May 8 edition from Buz Gillogly.
The writer laments that because only 24 percent of registered voters cast votes, the process and local government is not democratic. According to statistics dogma, 24 percent is far more than enough of a representative sample to project the intent of the whole. And in fact, 24 percent is much greater than the usual percentage of voters who turn out for strictly local elections. So, yes this is representative democracy in action.
The writer also laments that now local town government will be run by a cadre of progressive minded individuals, versus a responsible combination of conservative governing persons. Considering what those “responsible, conservative” persons did, it seems to me that the voters:
- rejected officials who put tax rates before people;
- rejected “governing people” who questioned if all black lives matter, expressed unfounded concerns about transgender persons, who rant about drug abuse and opioid addiction but were silent on the very successful elimination of the DARE program in Westford;
- rejected a cadre of extreme conservatives who governed by secrecy and disregarded the will and the concerns of the general populace;
- rejected “governing people” who, at their pleasure, selectively adhered to, or ignored, Massachusetts state laws, and flat out lied about CPA funds;
These newly-elected “governing people” are far from a “cadre of progressives;” they are actually much needed moderate voices. These newly elected members will be a welcome addition to town government. For this I laud Westford voters – this time they surprised me. — Paul Cully, Patriot Lane
