A response to Steve Lake's Question

At the last Select Board Meeting, Fran Newton made a presentation about the Coalition for Action. After the presentation, Steve Lake asked whether Pam Heidenreich could be a member of the Coalition since she is a Canadian citizen. Since Steve asked his question in a public forum, we felt it was appropriate to respond to the issues he raised by the question.

Steve asked a "loaded question," a question which contains a controversial assumption. In this case there are several assumptions. The first is that people should not be allowed to belong to a local organization if they are not American citizens, and the second is that the organization is not legitimate because it accepts people who are not American citizens.

If Steve had only been interested in the Coalition's membership criteria, he could have simply asked for the criteria. Fran had just stated that anyone could become a member. The fact the he singled out Pam on the basis of citizenship, however, made his question a personal attack. It should be pointed out that Pam is not a Canadian citizen. She is a British citizen with a green card. He also did not consider the fact that Pam is a resident of the town, a property owner, a business owner, a tax payer, and an active participant in town affairs. She is also a founding member of the Coalition. Clearly, she has a vested interest in the community and has demonstrated her interest by attending town meetings, serving on various committees, and taking part in town events.

The Coalition has a right to exist, and it has a right to establish criteria for membership. The right to assemble is guaranteed by the constitution. The Coalition is not a political organization; it is a community organization. Our desire is to build an organization that supports our community. A true community is inclusive, accepting, democratic, supportive, caring, understanding, and tolerant. Anyone can be part of a community. We have common interests even if we have different backgrounds, beliefs, and values. In a true community, people can discuss their differences and learn from them.

Steve's question implies just the opposite. It implies that we should exclude Pam on the basis of citizenship, even though she has a green card and is entitled by law to live and work in America, and even though she contributes a great deal to the town by paying taxes, bringing people to the town to visit, and participating in town activities. But, Steve's question implies that we should take her money and her contributions to the town but not let her have a voice in town affairs because she was not born in America. That idea is as wrong. It violates basic democratic principles.

The Coalition for Action would not exclude Steve Lake from membership. We simply disagree with the implications of his question. We also think that the Select Board meeting was not the proper forum to raise his concern. The Coalition provides a online form where anyone can ask us a question or make a comment. Steve is also free to comment on this blog article so that we and others in the town can understand his position.