A Message from Faye Cristoforo
Hi all,
Next Tuesday, June 10 communities across Maine will be heading to the polls to vote for their representatives and ballot initiatives. While not every community in Maine has their municipal elections on June 10th many do and Bethel is among them!
As I have been talking with friends and family about the role of the selectboard I have been inspired to dig deeper into the governance model we have here in Bethel. The New England Town Model dates back to the early 1600s when English colonizers established new towns in this region. Each town that was established governed itself through town meetings, where eligible citizens gathered to make decisions about budgets, laws, and public projects. The system emphasized local control and civic participation, these values are all still present in the system we use today. There is much to be learned from studying this time in history, from the rejection of kings, the exploration of self governance, and the dire outcomes of the genocide and displacement of the indigenous peoples who had been living sustainbility on this land for generations.
At a time when our federal democracy is in question by both sides of the political spectrum and there is an attempt to erase and rewrite the mistakes and dark parts of our history, the power that we have as individuals in a direct democracy in our town is that much more important.
I am running for Selectboard in Bethel because I believe in the power of everyday citizens shaping our communities. We have the power to be heard at board meetings, participate in the annual town meeting, and hold seats that make a difference in our community. This is your call to action to Vote next week on June 10th and attend the Town Meeting on the 11th.
Actions you can take today:
Make a plan to vote! Vote early (info below), or add it to your calendar for June 10th. Review the sample ballot here.
Text, call, email or visit 5 people to ensure they have a plan to vote. If anyone needs a ride to the polls or to vote early just email faye.christoforo@gmail.com to coordinate a ride.
Put up a Faye for Select Board yard sign at your home and/or business! Just respond to this email with your address and we will drop one off for you.
Forward this email to help spread the word!
Plan to come to the Town Meeting on June 11th to participate in our direct democracy.
Voting information:
Where and when: June 10th 8am - 8pm at the American Legion Hall 85 Vernon St, Bethel.
Register to vote at the Bethel town office or online at: registertovote.sos.maine.gov
Vote early!: any eligible Bethel voter can vote early/absentee at the town office from May 12 - June 5, Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm. All absentee ballots must be returned to either the town office or, if on election day to the polling location by the closing of the polls.
For more information, such as how to request an absentee ballot by phone or by mail go to: bethelmaine.org/pages/elections-voting
Onward and Upward,
Faye Christoforo
Candidate for Bethel Select Board