On June 12, the voters of New Gloucester have the opportunity to create a new kind of town government by electing Jean Couturier as selectman — a town government operating under clearer rules, with more communication, timelier public information, and decisions that are not predetermined.
For years, the board has been dominated by a circle of people who have recycled through positions and closed ranks against new ideas. The past two elections, that brought Josh McHenry and Mark Stevens onto the board, cracked open discussions to include more points of view. But the vote balance has remained 3-2.
With Couturier, who has attended more town committee meetings in the past two years than most of the selectmen, there will be honest debate, and public input will be heard.
If party primaries don’t get voters to the polls, this vote should.
Open government, by the book — isn’t it time?
Penny Hilton, New Gloucester
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