Small Town Politics: You're Bigger Then You Think

I started reading Patch in October on a regular basis and became involved with the local "Question of the Day." I was amazed at the passion people would show. Being a city kid born and raised I always took this town as a laid back everybody knows everybody kind of place I was wrong. As someone who reads a number of other Patch sites I truly was surprised and impressed with not only with the volume of comments, but the content. But this raises a question. Many posts that I have read talk about voter turnout or lack there of, yet I read such passionate posts some which lead me to think would come to blows if this were a same room conversation and if i didn't know better I would say that couldn't be true, yet it is. I do believe the economy and the fear of the unknown has forced many of us to become more vocal then we would have in the past and this is a good thing but we can never have a viable point of view if we were not part of the process. I have read about the turnout in nearby towns and for the most part they are down, who do we blame ?The lack of qualified politicians or the process the town,etc. Small town does mean that your vote doesn't matter that it will go the way the town wants it to go. Get out and vote,voice your opinion, be heard you never know.This town has a major decision to make don't sit back and think there is nothing you can do because ther is, stand and be counted. Expect nothing but the best from your elected officials and remind them that you put them there to represent you and your best interests.