I recently read with great interest about a petition that would be circulating at the Easton annual referendum, asking residents to take a position against an item that was not actually on the ballot.
This information was shared on social media and in a newsletter by the majority ruling party in town, the Easton Democrats.
Rumors work to divide and disenfranchise voters on a topic that has universal support. Did this rumor contribute to low voter turnout at the polls? Will it deter someone from initiating a future petition? Did it fall short of the civility standards we have just established? These are questions worth asking.
However, they are secondary to what is most important.
Misinformation around our local elections is irresponsible and dangerous, especially when it is perpetuated by one of our political parties.
As our new Republican Town Committee chairman, and a longtime member of Easton’s EDIT Task Force, I am personally committed to embracing diversity — in all its forms. I commit that the Easton RTC will be a forum for anyone who feels disenfranchised or wants to work toward the betterment of our town. Moreover, we welcome anyone, of any political or religious affiliation or background, who feels their point of view has been silenced or threatened by uncivil words or actions.
We will be intentional in embracing diversity of thought and freedom of expression. And while we may not always agree, we will find strength in our differences rather than publicly target those with whom we disagree.
Easton is a small, tight-knit community of people who serve and volunteer together. We all want the best for our town and our families. For that to be a reality, we must be able to engage in civil discourse without resorting to threatening tactics, rumors, or the public labeling others as ‘obstructionist’ forces.
It is not lost on me, or any member of our Republican Town Committee, that our town recently accepted the recommendations of the bipartisan Task Force for the Protection of Town Officials and Civility in Governance. When rumors of a fake petition are perpetuated a few weeks later, are we truly living up to our own standards?
Now is the time for us to build civic engagement and move toward our shared civility goals, not away from them.
I hope you will join me.
