Thursday May 28th

Greetings Fellow Citizens of the World,
I'm honored that some of you still care about my mildly interesting life. There has been one major development since my last TDR post and it is [drumroll] www.thedailyroutine.net. Yes, that URL is now property of ME. Currently, the website is under construction and that URL will forward you to this one (you have to use www. I don't know why). Hopefully, if I find nothing better to do this summer, the new website will be up and running soon. But let us move on to even more important matters. Over the last couple nights, I have been doing my duty as an American and playing a role in the purest form of democracy still existent in the United States. And this brings us to our Daily Topic: THE ANDOVER TOWN MEETING



As the name suggests, Andover Town Meeting is a congregation of the citizens of the Town of Andover, specifically the registered voters. Every year, a "Town Warrant" or a report by the town finance committee is sent out to all the residence informing them of the articles that have been proposed for that fiscal year. At the town meeting, the articles are reviewed one by one and arguments for both sides are presented. Then, all those voters present may vote aye or no on each article. There are no representatives or elected officials to cast votes on behalf of the people. Each voter has an individual say in what is truly a democratic process. Voters may also express points of order or interest, argue for or against an article, or call for a vote. So what, you might ask, is so important that every citizen is allowed to cast their votes for it? How about whether to renew the Federal Aviation Administration lease on land for their Compass Locator Antenna? We voted a resounding yes. Or what about the alottment of $10,000 from available funds for a fireworks display on the Fourth of July? Again, the ayes carried the vote. The highly debated request for $100,000 to examine and build plans for a renovated Ballardvale Fire House also passed, though with many voters opposed. On the slate for tonight: Water Treatment Plant Roof Repair, New Ballfields on Blanchard Street, and Temporary Moratorium on Wireless Communications Facilities. It should be wild. But not only did the town get to vote on important issues such as these, but they also became acquainted with some of the town's most active characters. Frank Pasquale, for instance, had something to say in support of almost every article while Mary Carbone was able to voice opposition in many regards. One woman confronted the moderator on referring to men by Mr. _____ and women by thier first names and demanded that she remain consistent. Overall, scintillating issues and a great celebration of democracy.
Go USA,
-ROF

Daily Food: Pretzel Bites

Daily Activity: Music Downloading

Daily Song: Ants Marching - Dave Matthews Band

Daily Attire: Green Boat Shoes

Daily News Everyone Should Care About: Obama Meets Abbas, Presses Israel on Settlements

Daily News No One Should Care About: Anything from Andover Town Meeting

Daily Life Goal: Demand a Point of Order that the Moderator say the Name of Our Town Manager Correctly

Daily Complaint: Job Market

Daily Drink: Coca Cola

Daily Studies: Democracy

Daily TV Show: Entourage