Plymouth resident Sandy Pierce volunteered to resurrect the town’s newsletter in 2006 because she hoped it would get people involved in the community.
“I think people in our community need to get involved in our local government,” said Pierce, pointing out that voter turnout and attendance at public meetings has been historically low in Plymouth. “If you’re not going to do anything, don’t complain.”
She says she envisioned the newsletter, sent out quarterly, as a medium for residents and elected officials to open up dialogue on local issues outside of regular town meetings.
“I wanted to get people talking to each other,” she said. “I wanted to get them interested.”
But in November, just six issues into her stint as volunteer editor, Pierce quit. The newsletter hasn’t run since.
She says she quit because the town’s elected officials, for the most part, weren’t willing to contribute to the newsletter – by way of availing themselves for interviews or offering “state of the town” updates. She claims they also refused to answer taxpayers’ questions and concerns in print or allow public information, like the annual budget, to be published.
“People need to have a voice. All those things need to be in there,” said Pierce, a farmer and retail farm store owner on Pierce Road, located just of county Rt.16. “Otherwise it becomes a social calendar. I’m not a social secretary.”
Plymouth supervisor Jerry Kreiner, who ultimately had the final say on what went in and what didn’t, says the newsletter, funded by town tax dollars, was intended to cover community events, not political issues. Furthermore, he argues that the content was slanted toward Pierce’s own views.
“I couldn’t in good conscience use taxpayer money to publish that content taking the kind of stint she took when the newsletter was going,” Kreiner said.
Kreiner referred to several issues with the final newsletter – he didn’t specify – which was scheduled to be mailed out this past winter, but to date has not been released.
Overall, Pierce admits Kreiner was helpful in pointing out areas where her reporting could’ve been more objective, and that it was corrected. However, she said the information that was removed from the newsletter was all requested by residents, not conjured by her.
“Everything that’s been censored have been legitimate requests from the community,” said Pierce.
As for printing and mailing copies of the budget in the newsletter, the supervisor believes it would have only created confusion.
“It’s not that we’re trying to hide anything,” he said. “We want to be able to be there if people have questions. In a document like that, there’s so much that can be misread.”
Instead, Kreiner encourages residents to get free copies from the town clerk and come to town meetings.
“We have open meetings and by all means, please come and ask questions of the board,” he said.
Plymouth resident James Monday says that budget information and regular updates on town issues need to be included in the newsletter, if it is to ever continue.
“I do feel that should be reported,” said Monday. “As far as the town budget, it’s what the town is spending money on. (Publishing that) gives you a chance to read what’s going on and go to a meeting if we don’t agree with it. We can know in advance and bring that up.”
Monday added: “A lot of us have families and it’s hard for us to get time to go to the meetings. It makes it easier if we know in advance what’s going on at a meeting.”
One Plymouth resident, who asked not be identified, said she felt the newsletter was informative, but wasn’t sure if local government issues should be included.
“It’s hard to say on something like that,” she said. “In a small community, I don’t think so. I think the people in there do a good job... I couldn’t honestly answer you. I don’t know. I don’t take an active part in local government.”
Pierce acknowledges that she’s happy with the services the town government provides, and that she appreciates the work elected officials do. However, she also feels they could do a greater service by putting information out there and contributing their own articles, which was done in the past and isn’t happening now.
“As far as public opinion, they’re doing themselves a disservice,” she said. “It makes them look bad.”
Monday agreed. “Yes, I do” think it reflects poorly on the town board, he said.
When asked if he thought not allowing certain government related articles in the newsletter, or not contributing an article, made him look bad, Kreiner responded, “I don’t think so.”
“It depends on how she wants to write it up,” he added.
If the newsletter comes back, town councilman Robert I. Brown says “Anything that’s news ought to be in there.”
“Not many people go to the meetings,” he said. “(The newsletter) would be one way to find out what’s going on.”
As for publishing the budget, and other information on official town business, “I couldn’t see where she was doing much harm,” said Brown, adding that he’d be willing to be interviewed by Pierce “anytime.”
New councilman Gary Simpson said he wants to see Pierce bring the newsletter back, but admits he’s not sure if it should contain political content.
“That’s a discussion that has to be thrown out there,” he said.
Councilmen Lewis Somers and Robert Baker did not return voice messages seeking comment.
“I would do the work as editor again in a heart beat if a majority of the board wants it and will commit to be responsive to the requests and concerns of the taxpayers,” stated Pierce in a recent e-mail.
As for taking an active role in her community and her short stint as newsletter editor: “Now I’m finding out more and more how government works at the grassroots level” adding that, “I’ve gotten to know and talk to a lot of people in the community. It’s been fun.”