Government Works Best When All Voices Are Heard

As Election Day nears, I would like to remind those of us who pay taxes in Merrimack that we are part owners of the town. Often, we allow others to decide our fate because we forget that we are stakeholders and that we ultimately pick up the tab for every tax dollar the town spends. The problem lies in the fact that although everyone is paying their fair share, through property taxes, only a small percentage of our population actually gets involved in shaping our town. At the last town election, only a small percentage of registered voters actually voted.

As citizens we need to voice our input to the town government (municipal, school and library) so that the will of all the people is served and not just a small minority. Unfortunately with the hectic pace of life a lot of us just don’t feel there is time to attend to town issues and instead become silent partners in the way the community is run. We pay the bill but do not get involved in how the money is used. The fact is that it is not only our right to vote and get involved with town government but it is our obligation as well. Government  works best when all voices are heard.

As great as Merrimack is, imagine how much better it could be if all the stakeholders started voting and sharing their ideas of how to improve services while keeping taxes down. We budget how much we can afford to pay for our house, car, groceries and entertainment, but when it comes to property taxes we just open the bill and pay whatever the town says we owe. As voters we hold all the power in determining who our elected leaders will be and the amount of the yearly town and school budgets. If we give up our right to vote as a majority chose to do in the last town  election we forfeit that power and the input that comes with it.

 This Tuesday, besides choosing new Town Councilors, School Board members and Library Trustees,  Merrimack citizens will be voting on budgets and warrant articles, which will ultimately determine our yearly property taxes. You may not be able to control the cost of gasoline but you can certainly have a say in how much you pay in property taxes. You don’t let your neighbors decide how much money you should spend on a new car.  Likewise, you shouldn’t let them decide, without your input, what your tax bill should be.

As stakeholders the biggest decision we must make is whether to take the time out of our busy lives to make a trip to the polls. The choice is yours to make, but one thing is for sure; no matter what you choose, the tax bill is still going to show up and have to be paid. If you’re going to pay the piper, at least decide which songs are going to be played. See you on Election Day, April 10, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.