Our platformWe believe effective government solves problems that individuals cannot solve on their own and functions best, for the benefit of all, when there is broad citizen participation. As a result, the Barrington Democratic Town Committee has outlined the following objectives for our elected officials to pursue:
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Responsible Governance:
"In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility." — Norman Cousins
Environmental Stewardship:
"From space, earth is just a small, blue dot. That's our home. That's all we have.” — Carl Sagan
Support for Social Justice:
"If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?" — Abigail Adams
Economic Stewardship:
"The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all and incorporated into our common life." — Jane Addams
"In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility." — Norman Cousins
- Encourage responsive, courteous, transparent and affordable public services
- Provide and maintain dependable public safety services (fire, police and rescue)
- Promote responsible firearms regulation
- Engage in responsible and economically sound municipal planning
- Make decisions through consensus-building and respectful and informed conflict resolution
- Engage proactively with neighboring municipal entities and state government to share information and collaborate on policy-making and fiscal decision-making
- Support and enable sound fiscal management
- Support and enable local economic development
Environmental Stewardship:
"From space, earth is just a small, blue dot. That's our home. That's all we have.” — Carl Sagan
- Expand walking and biking paths
- Maximize efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle
- Include consideration of the effects of climate change when making policy decisions
- Protect active and passive recreation and open space
- Protect water access, water safety and water quality
- Support the green economy, including solar, wind and water power as well as sustainable building and business practices
Support for Social Justice:
"If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?" — Abigail Adams
- Support initiatives to provide assistance to those impacted by poverty and those in need
- Promote inclusion and honor diversity in age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin and ability
- Support quality public education, including health and sex education, responsible citizenship and lifelong learning
- Support reproductive justice and reproductive choice
- Promote diverse housing stock including single and multi-family, historic, affordable, elderly and accessible structures
- Promote wellness, elderly outreach and services for community members dealing with drug and alcohol abuse
- Ensure access to quality health care including mental health care and reproductive health services
- Provide community support for children, working families and older adults
- Encourage community involvement in the town activities, schools and community organizations
Economic Stewardship:
"The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all and incorporated into our common life." — Jane Addams
- Support a vibrant and diverse local business community, including professional and service businesses, retail, specialty shops, restaurants and marine industries
- Encourage common sense preservation of historic buildings and landmarks
- Support community farming and farm markets
- Promote a vibrant arts community