On one hand, we empathize with the desire of Damariscotta town officials to revisit the SmartCode with an eye toward bringing it back for another vote. A lot of time, effort and money was spent developing the ordinance language and bringing the issue to a vote June 14, the outcome of which was a stinging defeat for the code’s supporters.
On the other hand, while we understand the desire, we couldn’t disagree more with the discussed course of action.
No matter how it’s sliced, a 70/30 margin is a pretty convincing decision. We’re quite confident that had the ordinance passed by the same margin June 14, some of the same people urging reconsideration now would scoff at the concept of re-voting. Why wouldn’t they? They could always point to the results and say the people have spoken.
Well, when they got their chance at the polls, the people did speak, and they spoke loudly. Those who want to continue the debate now just don’t like what they heard.
At this point, it doesn’t matter whether the SmartCode was a good or bad idea, whether the voters did or didn’t read the ordinance language; whether they did or didn’t understand the concept.
The time for hashing all that out was before the vote. What matters now, the only thing that matters now, is that the issue was brought before the annual town meeting for a decision and, for better or for worse, the town decided.
The wisdom of that decision and/or the need to reconsider it will become known in time. If and when the latter possibility becomes apparent, that will be the appropriate time to revisit this issue.
Until then, while town officials and SmartCode supporters may truly feel, down deep in their hearts, that Damariscotta residents have made a terrible decision, how they feel about it is quite beside the point.
All that matters now is that they get a grip and move forward in accordance with the expressed wishes of the people.
