Dear Editor:

We the undersigned are writing to our Alna friends and neighbors.

Over the years each of us was entrusted to serve as one of your selectmen. When faced with important decisions like the one before us in December, each of us took the position that the town needs to follow an open process that allows for respectful public debate and dialogue. 

We believe strongly in the Town Meeting as a very effective deliberative body. We need to wait until our next annual Town Meeting in March to discuss changes as significant as the ones proposed in Article 4. We need to do that to restore civility to our town.

A Town Meeting provides a forum that allows all voices to be heard, and it is a decision-making framework that has served our town very well for over 200 years. 

Change may be needed but let's slow down just a bit and follow a public process that is inclusive and leads to an outcome that is in the best interest of Alna and all its citizens. We desperately need to a restore a sense of trust and mutual affection in our little town.

Please join us and vote No on Warrant Article 4 so that we can have the thoughtful, respectful, and robust discussion that a decision of this importance requires.

David Abbott, Selectman for 20 years, 1st Selectman for 18 years

Doug Baston, Selectman for 8 years

Butch Brown, Selectman for 4 years

Chris Cooper, Selectman for 12 years, 1st Selectman for all 12 years

Forrest Faulkingham, Selectman for 7 years

John Green, Selectman for 7 years, 1st Selectman for 6 years

Paul Lazarus, Selectman for 5 years

Greg Shute, Selectman for 2 years

David Seigars, Selectman for 2 years

Melissa Spinney, Selectman for 6 years, 1st Selectman for 3 years