Dear Editor:

On Dec. 14, the citizens of Alna will be asked to make changes to the structure of our town government that has worked well for over 200 years. This very important decision should not be rushed! It should be made at a Town Meeting, not by secret ballot! We have lived here 55 years and seen many major issues decided at our town meetings … often after long and heated or sometimes short and humorous face to face discussions:

To purchase Alna’s first computer

To approve Land Acquisitions

To purchase a new school bus

To approve a Comprehensive Plan

To make new or change ordinances

To move our town office from Puddledock School

To build a new town office

To make changes to selectmen terms

To Deorganize Alna!!!

One argument for this change is that Alna needs to be more forward thinking, more like some of the surrounding towns with their forms of governments. Alna is not like the surrounding towns in many ways … it is a unique little town and I think most of us want it to remain so.

Alna, with its rich and colorful history, with a past of shipbuilding, lumbering and farming.

Alna, with its beautiful river, its open space, its working railroad, its historic buildings and its rural character.

We all share a love for Alna. Let us come together as a community in March to openly discuss and decide if we want any changes. Please vote no on Article #4, vote Yes on Article #5.

David and Linda Abbott

Alna