Rumford has seen positive change during the past year.

The most important change is that Rumford Selectman Mark Belanger spearheaded a drive for citizens to vote by secret ballot on the town budget.

Second, a small group of citizens began to look closely at the operation of local government. The group discovered that the majority of the selectmen had violated the town charter on a regular basis for years. The result was that a majority of citizens voted to maintain the law of the town charter, or “honest” government. A Maine judge supported those citizens.

Third, many more citizens have appeared at selectmen’s meetings this past year. Citizens have taken such an interest in government that meetings were moved to larger rooms on more than one occasion.

It is unfortunate that the majority of the present selectmen, with the support of a small group of citizens, continue to defend violations of the town charter, publicly opposing the majority of citizens and the decision of a Maine judge, maintaining “the end justifies the means” type of government. This brought the town very bad publicity.

I believe in the coming year that the majority of Rumford citizens will continue to show an interest in their government, support the law of the town charter, “honest” government, demand change, and will create a more vital economy in the town.

Tom Fallon, Rumford