Town meetings are attended by special interest groups who demand that their pet projects be funded and enlist support from other groups. People are unable to attend night meetings due to health issues, baby-sitting, job commitments, or the weather. Taxpayers seeking a true democracy are circulating a petition to have the Old Saybrook town meeting on Feb. 2 - for the purchase of a police boat totaling $361,570 (using a Homeland Security grant) - then adjourn to a referendum.

I was shocked to learn Fire Chief J.T. Dunn is urging residents who signed the petition to call the Town Clerk and have their name removed. Dunn and other firefighters receive a pension and tax abatements funded by Old Saybrook taxpayers. Here is an example of the fire department acting to protect its own interests as well as the police department's, but not the interests of the taxpayers.

Fifty-five percent of my Social Security pays my taxes of $7,455.50. I am demanding that all taxpayers have equal access to vote. I am urging taxpayers of Old Saybrook to sign the petition, vote their conscience, and put an end to the Old Saybrook's oligarchy.