In this year of possible large-scale Town Meeting Representative turnover, electronic voting, and a race for the Moderator’s seat, this is the year to think creatively. So I bring you my proposal of a”waiver priority system” for speakers at TM. In brief, this will be a way to fairly and objectively choose the order in which speakers come to the microphone, while cutting debate time way down. With this system used in concert with electronic voting, we may be able to dispatch an entire warrant in two nights. The 21st century is here.
Statement of the Problem
In my short two years as a precinct 5 TM representative, I have found the following annoying at best and a hindrance to the quality and efficiency of TM at worst.
- TM takes too long. The Fall 2011 session clocked in at just under 24 hours total. There’s no reason we can’t get that done in half the time.
- The Moderator must arbitrarily choose who speaks and in what order. After an article is presented, TMRs begin raising their hands. With the TV lights in his face, it can be hard to see people, especially in the back under the balcony. I have even seen TMRs in the fifth row waving their arms like crazy people when the Moderator appears to be looking right at them. Additionally, the Moderator will always say that he takes hands “in the order that he sees them.” But when 20 TMRs all put their hands up at the same time, who gets to go first? Who goes last? This can be critical because one good speaker can sway a vote on way or another. (We have had some close votes as you know.) We have seen speakers passionate on an issue left out because they are down on the list when the question is called.
- Too few voices are heard on the TM floor. In the Spring of 2010, there were a total of 192 trips to the microphone made by TMRs. Of those, 50 — over a quarter — were made by just four TMRs. Only 68 TMRs spoke at least once. There are 242 total seats. Interestingly, only 16 women spoke for a total of 52 times. Precinct 3 was only heard from 3 times. A body as large as TM only works well if we hear from as many different people as possible. If just a few TMRs are dominating “air time” at the microphone, other TMRs don’t get a chance. (See my full report.)
- Too many frivolous questions and comments. Some TMRs take full advantage of their right to comment on any article or budget item. It does not matter if the TMR makes an invalid point or asks a question that has already been answered. He or she has three minutes, even if it is a waste of time, and these add up. The Steve Wetzel Show last spring is just one example.
The TM Speaker Waiver System
In brief the Speaker Waiver System is a virtual queue in which all TMRs are always waiting to speak. Once a TMR takes a turn at the microphone, he or she goes to the end of the line.
