Letter: In Praise of Volunteers

To the Editor:

I’ve been asked to serve in Town government but need to age a few more decades to handle the compromises democracy requires. Meanwhile, I can’t help but admire those who step up.

Our town functions entirely on unpaid volunteers — neighbors who serve on the Boards of Education, Finance, Lachat, Planning & Zoning, and more. When I see harsh criticism on social media, I’m reminded that these are the same people we see at the grocery store, worship alongside, and whose children play with ours.

They sacrifice evenings with family to attend meetings, tackle complex issues, and make difficult decisions that inevitably won’t please everyone. They do this because they care about our community.

Disagreement is healthy, but let’s remember the humanity behind each decision. Consider offering constructive suggestions or, better yet, volunteering yourself.

Our town thrives when we remember we’re neighbors first, even when we disagree.

(And if we ever switch to a monarchy, I’ve already picked out my crown!)

—  D. Keith Johnson

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