GREENSBORO – The Hardwick Gazette is sponsoring a public forum “Strengthening Local Democracy: Exploring ‘Both/And’ Ideas” at Highland Center for the Arts, June 22, 5 p.m., to consider questions about ways to strengthen local democracy.
With support from the Hardwick Equity Committee and Greensboro residents, the forum will be led by Susan Clark, author of several books examining local democracy, including “Slow Democracy” and “All Those in Favor,” a book about Vermont town meetings.
Greensboro has a special town meeting scheduled for June 30 to consider moving all Town Meeting Day voting to Australian balloting,
Hardwick held a special town meeting, May 19, to consider the same question and deferred the decision while the select board appoints a task force to study the issue.
Craftsbury recently worked with Clark as they considered moving a portion of Town Meeting Day votes to Australian balloting, and explored a number of options to strengthen democracy throughout the year.
This forum will feature informative content and opportunities for conversation.
Clark has worked with towns throughout the region by helping them explore ways to improve both democratic access and local engagement, valuing both the breadth and depth of community decision-making.
Free dinner and free child care will be provided.
The event will begin at 5 p.m. with snacks before Susan Clark’s presentation on community values around strengthening local democracy, traditional town meetings and Australian balloting to make town decisions.
There will be a break for a light meal with more ideas to consider, followed by a presentation by Clark about what is being tried in Vermont with some time for comments, thoughts and discussion
The forum will adjourn at 8 p.m.
For more information contact editor@HardwickGazette.org. Those needing child care should email editor@hardwickgazette.org with “June 22 Childcare” as the subject.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
