Ghost of Midnight

Best of FPF: Democracy and a Folding Chair

Anyone looking for Democracy on Monday night could have found her
at Woodbury Town Hall, sitting on a folding chair among a group of
residents meeting with the Select Board to discuss the proposed
Woodbury Mountain Wilderness Preserve.

She sat attentively through the presentation, learning about
“belt and suspender” conservation easements, forever-wild preservation,
saw-whet owls and fingernail clams; use value appraisal program,
red spruce-cinnamon fern, carbon, fishers, American beech;
transfer tax, linkage, Worcester to the Kingdom and Eagle Ledge,
watershed divide — Lamoille, Winooksi — meeting again in
Lake Champlain; black cherry, perpetuity, blue warbler, yellow—
bellied flycatcher, pink lady slipper, Huge Meyer and E.B. Hyde,
one Mountain, four Towns, and a Family that cared for its land…

As the agenda proceeded to comments and questions,
she edged forward in her chair. The public body raised its
hands representing voices ready to speak; in turn the
moderator signaled and they spoke: proponents citing
water, wildlife, habitat, views — protecting the roots;
opponents citing hunting, logging, traverse, tradition —
protecting the roots. Strong pleadings, disputes,
assertions, rebuttals; yet civil, forbearing, keeping the
ground fertile for seeds of concession and fruits of consensus.

Democracy herself said nothing, but nodded in agreement at
points well-made on both sides. She noted the solemn and eager,
with hands raised awaiting to speak — such restraint effecting
the orderliness required by Open Meeting Law, and
the neighborliness needed to build a community.

Discussion ended, residents folded and returned their chairs to the
corners, then milled about mingling and chatting. The Chair of the Board
carefully not too soon, at last reminded his garrulous neighbors that,
although discussion on the agenda item had ended, the meeting had not —
therefore please remain, seated, or say goodnight. Then the Board
on its bedrock of creaking wood floor and folding metal chairs
resumed the essential works of democracy.

She stayed through passage of the motion to adjourn, then donned her
frayed coat and walked out the door. She passed the Firehouse, Post Office, then
crossed the bridge at the stream, and hiked the hill toward the Library and School.
On this cold, clear, starry night Democracy took heart — for though now she feels
in some parts unwelcome, she finds enduring an unlocked door, an open floor,
and a folding chair at the Town Hall in Woodbury.