I’m seeing “vote yes” signs for the Groton charter referendum around town. Checked out the details of the “new” charter on the Town of Groton website. What a scam!

A yes vote imposes new, mandated, yearly expenses for a potentially unlimited number of budget votes. And a yes vote:

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[naviga:li]Takes away our right to vote for local, volunteer representatives for the representative town meeting by abolishing the RTM.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Takes away our right to vote for the Town Council every two years by switching to four-year terms.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Takes away our right to hold the council accountable by creating an “advisory only” board of finance rather than keeping a “check and balance” RTM with real authority.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Takes away our right to hold a board of finance accountable by giving them four-year terms and only allowing us to vote for one of seven district members.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Takes away our right to elect the council members of our choice because “minority representation” rules will mean a member of one party with fewer votes will be elected over a candidate with more votes to provide party representation. [/naviga:li]

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A yes vote is a bad deal. Vote no.

Charles Stevens

Mystic