In fact, he said, attendance is down in public hearings and deliberative sessions across the state. School board Chairman Bob Kent concurred citing the drastic drop in attendance at Milford's meeting after voters adopted SB2. In Milford, maybe 50 or 60 people showed up for the deliberative session. Actually, in Milford's school and town sessions, approximately 150 people attended. Galan said he felt that voters in Amherst were less informed under SB2 than they were under district meetings.
People are more disenfranchised and removed from the process.
It was supposed to get them more involved. Ryder observed that under SB2, fewer people were making intelligent decisions because fewer people were attending meetings at which issues were discussed. Galan agreed and added his disappointment that none of the petitioners attended Monday's hearing. Town hearing In the later town hearing, selectmen decried the fact that while more than 30 people signed the SB2 petition none bother to attend the hearing. Things get discussed and then we vote on them.