"Secret" Elections (1 Viewer)

[Rich Conway]

Town I live in has referendums like many others. Usually, these are held on election day, although some are held with the primaries or even scheduled separately. All of these are held in the usual election locations with poll workers, voting machines, etc. The elections last all day, 6am to 8pm.

This time, there is an "election" being held at a board of selectmen meeting. It is not at a polling location. No poll workers, no voting machines. It does not appear on the front page of the town website. To vote, you must show up at the board meeting at 7pm.

The vote is on whether the town will ban cannabis.

I find this to be a gross abuse of the public trust.

 

[moleculo]

Sounds like the city counsel trying to ban something but not take the political heat for it. "Don't look at me, it was a public referendum."

 

[Rich Conway]

Sounds like the city counsel trying to ban something but not take the political heat for it. "Don't look at me, it was a public referendum."

Most definitely. Abuse of the public trust, though. Also can't help but notice that it's being held a couple weeks after college kids left for school and there's no option to vote absentee.

 

[BladeRunner]

Sounds like the city counsel trying to ban something but not take the political heat for it. "Don't look at me, it was a public referendum."

Most definitely. Abuse of the public trust, though. Also can't help but notice that it's being held a couple weeks after college kids left for school and there's no option to vote absentee.

I agree with you hear. This stuff needs to be decided out in the open where the sun can shine down on it.

And I'm against legalizing marijuana.

 

[moleculo]

Sounds like the city counsel trying to ban something but not take the political heat for it. "Don't look at me, it was a public referendum."

Most definitely. Abuse of the public trust, though. Also can't help but notice that it's being held a couple weeks after college kids left for school and there's no option to vote absentee.

It's slimy for sure.

 

[dkp993]

And I'm against legalizing marijuana.

1955 called and says hello.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Pffft. This is nothing. Imagine your city having a virtual meeting that ran crazy late. And then bringing up a previously stalemated issue up for a vote after one of the council members that had previously voted against had logged off from the meeting because she was in a time zone two hours ahead due to work travel.

And so the project got approved 3-2.

The only good thing there is basically it means they will all not get re-elected. Since in my experience with smaller cities one controversial issue like this is usually enough for somebody to bury them with in the next election.

 

[BladeRunner]

And I'm against legalizing marijuana.

1955 called and says hello.

You kids and your marijuana and rock-n-roll!

 

[Mile High]

Town I live in has referendums like many others. Usually, these are held on election day, although some are held with the primaries or even scheduled separately. All of these are held in the usual election locations with poll workers, voting machines, etc. The elections last all day, 6am to 8pm.

This time, there is an "election" being held at a board of selectmen meeting. It is not at a polling location. No poll workers, no voting machines. It does not appear on the front page of the town website. To vote, you must show up at the board meeting at 7pm.

The vote is on whether the town will ban cannabis.

I find this to be a gross abuse of the public trust.

Is this for sales of legal marrajuna? They banned sales in the town I lived in as well. Problem for my town is, sales weren't banned in the country. After a few years of the country getting the tax revenue and none for the town they started allowing sales.

 

[Rich Conway]

Town I live in has referendums like many others. Usually, these are held on election day, although some are held with the primaries or even scheduled separately. All of these are held in the usual election locations with poll workers, voting machines, etc. The elections last all day, 6am to 8pm.

This time, there is an "election" being held at a board of selectmen meeting. It is not at a polling location. No poll workers, no voting machines. It does not appear on the front page of the town website. To vote, you must show up at the board meeting at 7pm.

The vote is on whether the town will ban cannabis.

I find this to be a gross abuse of the public trust.

Is this for sales of legal marrajuna? They banned sales in the town I lived in as well. Problem for my town is, sales weren't banned in the country. After a few years of the country getting the tax revenue and none for the town they started allowing sales.

Think so. It's legal in the state. I'm at a loss as to why a small town would want the tax revenue to end up going to all the nearby towns instead. We allow cigarettes, vape, and alcohol sales.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

When is the meeting?

 

[Rich Conway]

When is the meeting?

Tomorrow night.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

In justifying the move, Biden invoked the 2003 HEROES Act. Passed in the wake of the September 11th terrorist and at the height of the War on Terror, the law allows the Secretary of Education to waive or modify student financial aid programs in times of war or national emergency.

The law stipulates that the authority applies to active duty military personnel, individuals residing in an area impacted by a national emergency, and those who have suffered "economic hardship" as a direct result of war, military operation, or national emergency.

Thanks for making me do my homework on this. Learned quite a bit.

First, the "national emergency" does not need to be in place to use the law Biden actually cited. Just that people suffered economic hardship during an emergency. So Rachel Walensky's got nothing to do with it.

Second, and this is what I had wrong, the Supreme Court didn't exactly rule what I said they did above. Practically they gave the go ahead by refusing to block it (Trump moved the money), but because the Biden Admin withdrew the remainder of the spending when they came into office the SC never ruled on whether Congress has standing to sue in such a case. I think?

When is the meeting?

Tomorrow night.

This is the part of the movie when you go all over town rounding up all the stoners for a giant cannabis festival at Town Hall the night of the vote.

 

[Rich Conway]

This is the part of the movie when you go all over town rounding up all the stoners for a giant cannabis festival at Town Hall the night of the vote.

I'm outsourcing that work. I informed the most vocal MJ supporter and most social person I know. Told her to get her social network on it. I'm actually really curious to see how this goes.

 

[massraider]

I'm outsourcing that work.

How big a town, how many residents?

 

[Godsbrother]

Seems like there should have been a grassroots effort to get the word out on this secret election.

I would ask all my friends to go, even if they don’t live there, and make the board weed through who gets to vote and who doesn’t.

 

[Van Dyman]

This is the part of the movie when you go all over town rounding up all the stoners for a giant cannabis festival at Town Hall the night of the vote.

I'm outsourcing that work. I informed the most vocal MJ supporter and most social person I know. Told her to get her social network on it. I'm actually really curious to see how this goes.

Good luck. Pulling for you.

 

[dkp993]

This is the part of the movie when you go all over town rounding up all the stoners for a giant cannabis festival at Town Hall the night of the vote.

I'm outsourcing that work. I informed the most vocal MJ supporter and most social person I know. Told her to get her social network on it. I'm actually really curious to see how this goes.

My $.02, I would not invite @BladeRunner

 

[FairWarning]

I'm against pot in my town. The more concerning issue is the people voted it in, and this secret referrendum is trying to eliminate the voters wishes.

 

[Rich Conway]

I'm against pot in my town. The more concerning issue is the people voted it in, and this secret referrendum is trying to eliminate the voters wishes.

In this case, should the secret vote ban sales, it's not like pot would become illegal. It's going to be legal either way. This is, ultimately, a vote on whether the town wants to keep the taxes sales of a legal product will generate or ship that tax revenue to the neighboring towns.

 

[Van Dyman]

I'm against pot in my town. The more concerning issue is the people voted it in, and this secret referrendum is trying to eliminate the voters wishes.

In this case, should the secret vote ban sales, it's not like pot would become illegal. It's going to be legal either way. This is, ultimately, a vote on whether the town wants to keep the taxes sales of a legal product will generate or ship that tax revenue to the neighboring towns.

How big a PITA is it for townfolk to get to the next town's dispensary? Tax stuff aside, the primary goal here might be to influence people's behavior by making purchases inconvenient. I mean they could be thinking "fewer people will smoke pot here if they have to go an extra N minutes." Just guessing. IMO that logic probably doesn't work out in the real world, plus it's a generally crappy way to govern.

 

[E Street Brat]

How did you hear about this "Secret" Election?

 

[Rich Conway]

How big a PITA is it for townfolk to get to the next town's dispensary? Tax stuff aside, the primary goal here might be to influence people's behavior by making purchases inconvenient. I mean they could be thinking "fewer people will smoke pot here if they have to go an extra N minutes." Just guessing. IMO that logic probably doesn't work out in the real world, plus it's a generally crappy way to govern

Depends where one lives, of course. From the center of town, figure 10-12 minutes in any direction to get to another town center.

 

[Rich Conway]

How did you hear about this "Secret" Election?

Saw some yard signs saying "Vote yes on Sep 7" and looked it up online.

 

[Rich Conway]

This election doesn't impact me in the slightest as I don't partake. I do think banning sales would be poor economic policy, as well as hypocritical, given that tobacco, alcohol, and lottery sales are all fine, and all arguably much worse for the buyer.

Mostly, though, I just find the secretive nature of the election a very shady practice.

 

[Rich Conway]

So there were about 250 people there. Judging solely by looks (mostly age), I'd guess the ban will pass. I'll keep looking for results...

 

[massraider]

By the way, in terms of

So there were about 250 people there. Judging solely by looks (mostly age), I'd guess the ban will pass. I'll keep looking for results...

These small town old f***ers wait for local referendums the way I wait for NFL season.

 

[AAABatteries]

Someone should open a store selling baggies full of air - "Buy one baggie and we'll give you some free weed to go in it."

 

[Rich Conway]

77% - 23% in favor of banning.

Apparently, 77% of those who showed up lack a fundamental understanding of economics and basic human behavior.

 

[Sabertooth]

Town I live in has referendums like many others. Usually, these are held on election day, although some are held with the primaries or even scheduled separately. All of these are held in the usual election locations with poll workers, voting machines, etc. The elections last all day, 6am to 8pm.

This time, there is an "election" being held at a board of selectmen meeting. It is not at a polling location. No poll workers, no voting machines. It does not appear on the front page of the town website. To vote, you must show up at the board meeting at 7pm.

The vote is on whether the town will ban cannabis.

I find this to be a gross abuse of the public trust.

Is this for sales of legal marrajuna? They banned sales in the town I lived in as well. Problem for my town is, sales weren't banned in the country. After a few years of the country getting the tax revenue and none for the town they started allowing sales.

Same here. City banned sales. So the local Native American tribe set up a dispensary right in city limits but on their land. It literally changed traffic patterns so much that most people living on this street have sold or as selling their homes. This sleepy little two lane road is now one of the busiest in town.

 

[The Z Machine]

It literally changed traffic patterns so much that most people living on this street have sold or as selling their homes. This sleepy little two lane road is now one of the busiest in town.

Oops, weed

 

[Snotbubbles]

Town I live in has referendums like many others. Usually, these are held on election day, although some are held with the primaries or even scheduled separately. All of these are held in the usual election locations with poll workers, voting machines, etc. The elections last all day, 6am to 8pm.

This time, there is an "election" being held at a board of selectmen meeting. It is not at a polling location. No poll workers, no voting machines. It does not appear on the front page of the town website. To vote, you must show up at the board meeting at 7pm.

The vote is on whether the town will ban cannabis.

I find this to be a gross abuse of the public trust.

It's not really secret if you know about it ahead of time.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Sounds like the city counsel trying to ban something but not take the political heat for it. "Don't look at me, it was a public referendum."

Most definitely. Abuse of the public trust, though. Also can't help but notice that it's being held a couple weeks after college kids left for school and there's no option to vote absentee.

I agree with you hear. This stuff needs to be decided out in the open where the sun can shine down on it.

And I'm against legalizing marijuana.

Of course you are.

 

[BladeRunner]

Sounds like the city counsel trying to ban something but not take the political heat for it. "Don't look at me, it was a public referendum."

Most definitely. Abuse of the public trust, though. Also can't help but notice that it's being held a couple weeks after college kids left for school and there's no option to vote absentee.

I agree with you hear. This stuff needs to be decided out in the open where the sun can shine down on it.

And I'm against legalizing marijuana.

Of course you are.

Well no ####. Just like you're in favor of drugs and all that nasty business that comes along with it.

You shouldn't act like that's some noble cause.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

Well no ####. Just like you're in favor of drugs and all that nasty business that comes along with it.

You shouldn't act like that's some noble cause.

We might be thinking about different kinds of nasty business.

 

[ekbeats]

Another hilarious set of posts from this guy. So here’s the deal - it’s a well-to-do Liberal town in a very Liberal county (Fairfield) in a very Liberal state (Connecticut). The voters in the town voted for Biden 2-1. The First Selectman is a Democrat, and the Board of Selectmen is a Democrat majority. It wasn’t a “secret election”. It was publicized in local newspapers. The Ordinance was passed in April and the Democrat BOS decided not to put it on the May referendum. The public was free to petition for a referendum. But guess what? No one wanted it. That’s why it got shot down at this week’s meeting by a 144-43 vote.

And you know why this Liberal town, run by Democrats, didn’t want marijuana sold in town? They wanted to “preserve the town’s quality of life.” Translation - keep property values high, aka “not in my backyard.” And if you want your pot, CT’s cannabis law allows for delivery right to your door.

The democratic process worked just fine here. But because someone didn’t get their way, let’s go right to the voter suppression card.

 

[Rich Conway]

Stop. Your constant conservative anger is distorting your sense of reality and eating away at your rational thought process. Every single one of your posts lately is dripping with anger. You really, really need to take a break from politics before you turn into something you'll regret.

This is not a liberal town. Before Trump, this town voted reliably red for as long as I can remember. The town's state rep was red for more than a decade until he retired. Due to the red candidate supporting Trump in 2020, that vote went blue. Ditto the state senator that covers this town. Red forever until 2020, when the incumbent lost due to supporting Trump. More importantly, it doesn't really matter to me which "team" did this, I'm criticizing the process. As you'll note, I didn't mention party above at all. This isn't a red/blue thing, it's a politician/civilian thing.

As for "secret", all I can tell you is that it was not well publicized. I spoke to about 20 people the week of the vote and not one knew about it. As you noted, the total tally was fewer than 200, in a town of more than 25,000 people. Normal elections garner 5000+ turnout. As I wrote, this doesn't impact me at all, I just don't like way it was done.

 

[ekbeats]

Stop. Your constant conservative anger is distorting your sense of reality and eating away at your rational thought process. Every single one of your posts lately is dripping with anger. You really, really need to take a break from politics before you turn into something you'll regret.

This is not a liberal town. Before Trump, this town voted reliably red for as long as I can remember. The town's state rep was red for more than a decade until he retired. Due to the red candidate supporting Trump in 2020, that vote went blue. Ditto the state senator that covers this town. Red forever until 2020, when the incumbent lost due to supporting Trump. More importantly, it doesn't really matter to me which "team" did this, I'm criticizing the process. As you'll note, I didn't mention party above at all. This isn't a red/blue thing, it's a politician/civilian thing.

As for "secret", all I can tell you is that it was not well publicized. I spoke to about 20 people the week of the vote and not one knew about it. As you noted, the total tally was fewer than 200, in a town of more than 25,000 people. Normal elections garner 5000+ turnout. As I wrote, this doesn't impact me at all, I just don't like way it was done.

I’m not angry. I just think you are a very disingenuous poster who thinks you’re entitled to having politics always go your way. You also have a habit of butchering the English language to suit your politics. Once again, this vote wasn’t a “secret” election. The issue was thoroughly vetted through the normal legislative process in the town. It was in all the local news sources for a year. Here are just a couple of articles:

From the Ridgefield Record: http://www.ridgefieldrecord.com/pot/

After five public hearings and passing a Town Policy banning businesses that grow and dispense cannabis on April 13, 2022 Ridgefield's Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a Town Ordinance that now must be adopted at a Town Meeting on September 7. This is because the Planning and Zoning Commission refused to update its existing Zoning Regulation that already banned both medical and recreational marijuana businesses that was approved in 2015 to comply with new State statues and the guidance provided by the Board of Selectmen.

From the Ridgefield Pess: https://www.theridgefieldpress.com/...No-to-cannabis-establishments-in-17415871.php

The Board of Selectmen (BOS), after numerous public hearings at which substantial, peer-reviewed evidence was submitted, determined that Cannabis Establishments should be banned.

BOS has decided that its decision to “opt-out” and ban Cannabis Establishments should be subject to public vote. The decision will be made at a BOS Special Town Meeting scheduled for Sept. 7, 2022, at 7:30 PM, at the Town Annex, 66 Prospect St.

From the NewsTimes: https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Ridgefield-votes-tonight-at-special-town-meeting-17425248.php

At a special town meeting tonight, residents will vote on an ordinance that would ban cannabis sales in town.

The vote will take place at 7:30 p.m in the Town Hall Annex in the conference room at 66 Prospect St. (next to Yanity Gym).

And it was also on the Town’s website as well: https://www.ridgefieldct.org/board-selectmen/events/120281

Notice is hereby given that a Special Town Meeting for residents will be held on Wednesday September 7, 2022 at 7:30pm in the Town Hall Annex located in the conference room located at 66 Prospect St. Ridgefield, CT 06877 (next to Yanity Gym) to vote on the items pertaining to the following:

 

[Rich Conway]

I’m not angry. I just think you are a very disingenuous poster who thinks you’re entitled to having politics always go your way. You also have a habit of butchering the English language to suit your politics. Once again, this vote wasn’t a “secret” election.

Your posts are angry, over and over again. In all seriousness, you should probably seek some therapy. You yourself have noted, on multiple occasions that you've gone overboard in your posts due to personal issues. The anger is way over the top and you have a habit of turning things personal.

Regarding this election, you'll notice I put the word secret in quotes. Again, what I can tell you is that almost no one in town knew about it. Whether that's due to actual intent on anyone's part to keep it secret doesn't really matter to me. Referendums such as this should be held on election day. That was my entire point of the original post. Holding them at a specific time of day with no mechanism for absentee is wrong.

 

[ekbeats]

Your posts are angry, over and over again. In all seriousness, you should probably seek some therapy. You yourself have noted, on multiple occasions that you've gone overboard in your posts due to personal issues. The anger is way over the top and you have a habit of turning things personal.

Regarding this election, you'll notice I put the word secret in quotes. Again, what I can tell you is that almost no one in town knew about it. Whether that's due to actual intent on anyone's part to keep it secret doesn't really matter to me. Referendums such as this should be held on election day. That was my entire point of the original post. Holding them at a specific time of day with no mechanism for absentee is wrong.

Angry? Therapy? Last I checked I wasn’t the one throwing around insults.

But while we’re giving unsolicited advice… If you do feel compelled to name-call, I’d suggest “annoyed” would probably be a better choice of words. I do get annoyed when I see elitism, entitlement, and hypocrisy. You are one of the most Liberal posted on this board, and you live in one of the wealthiest, whitest towns in the state. I believe the black population in Ridgefield is less than 1%. And this is relevant here. One of the goals of CT’s cannabis distribution strategy is to give priority to disproportionately impacted areas. And that would not be Ridgefield. That’s the hypocrisy I’m talking about here. Make the 10 minute drive to Danbury and support that community. Your town doesn’t need the revenue.

 

[BladeRunner]

Your posts are angry, over and over again. In all seriousness, you should probably seek some therapy. You yourself have noted, on multiple occasions that you've gone overboard in your posts due to personal issues. The anger is way over the top and you have a habit of turning things personal.

Regarding this election, you'll notice I put the word secret in quotes. Again, what I can tell you is that almost no one in town knew about it. Whether that's due to actual intent on anyone's part to keep it secret doesn't really matter to me. Referendums such as this should be held on election day. That was my entire point of the original post. Holding them at a specific time of day with no mechanism for absentee is wrong.

Angry? Therapy? Last I checked I wasn’t the one throwing around insults.

But while we’re giving unsolicited advice… If you do feel compelled to name-call, I’d suggest “annoyed” would probably be a better choice of words. I do get annoyed when I see elitism, entitlement, and hypocrisy. You are one of the most Liberal posted on this board, and you live in one of the wealthiest, whitest towns in the state. I believe the black population in Ridgefield is less than 1%. And this is relevant here. One of the goals of CT’s cannabis distribution strategy is to give priority to disproportionately impacted areas. And that would not be Ridgefield. That’s the hypocrisy I’m talking about here. Make the 10 minute drive to Danbury and support that community. Your town doesn’t need the revenue.

Just remember, he USED to be a conservative so now that he's switched he has work twice as hard to show his loyalty to his new party whereas a normal liberal would go here, he MUST go there and go the extra step to prove his loyalty to the party dogma.