Free speech, opinion or propaganda

    I have had numerous inquiries as to whether I was going to write an article regarding secession. As you know, I normally don’t write articles unless I have all the facts and figures to support what I say. That understood, this article is based strictly on my opinions unless otherwise stated.
I am not a social media person, but I obviously have many friends and acquaintances that are, based on the number of links to these sites that have been emailed to me over the past weekend.  Against my better judgment, I decided to take a look. Isn’t freedom of speech a wonderful thing? What a great country we live in when you can say whatever you want, and the actual truth doesn’t have to be a consideration.
It would probably amaze me to know how many people believe what they read on these sites. On second thought, I guess it really isn’t a great example of freedom of speech when whoever controls the site, controls what is allowed to be published on it. I suppose you could start your own site and exercise your freedom of speech for everyone who agrees with you.
I did read that the City Manager was given a new half ton. I wonder who gave it to him, because it certainly wasn’t the city, and I wonder where he’s hiding it because I haven’t seen him driving it yet. Is it a Ford or a Chevy? What color is it? I guess I’m just jealous that no one gave me a new pickup. The mayor’s wife did get a new car but unfortunately I had to pay for that.
I want to make it perfectly clear so everyone understands; I am not against the process of secession.  I do have an opinion on splitting up the city of Caribou, which I’m sure everyone who reads or listens to the news realizes. Unlike some of the postings on social media who feel that is not an opinion but claim I am spreading  anti-secession propaganda, I thought everyone had a right to their opinion. I don’t know if my opinion is right or wrong, but it is my opinion.
I also believe that when people are going to make a decision about something as serious as this, they should be given all the facts that are available. I know how I would do it if I ever felt the need to take on a project like this. I would call a public meeting to get input and have a group elected by the citizens to represent the citizens. Once their investigation was completed I would issue a report that showed how the proposed mil rate was determined, what services would be decreased or no longer available, and how it could affect their lifestyle. I would then call a public meeting to review the findings and to determine if anything had been overlooked. Then I would petition the people to decide if they wanted to proceed. Obviously everything would be done in a public venue with full transparency.  But, of course, that is just my opinion.
Caribou is certainly not unique compared to 99 percent of all the other cities across this great country of ours. They are all made up of urban and rural areas. It’s called a community.
I just realized that I could spend the next two days writing about my thoughts and questions on this issue, but I think I would rather spend that time enjoying my new granddaughter. I’m sure there will be lots of time to share my opinions and perhaps even a few facts and figures in the ensuing months.
In closing, I agree with the process and the right for people to engage in it. I do not feel it is beneficial for anyone to engage in the process by casting disparaging remarks about other individuals. This is democracy at its finest and we all have to be able to accept that. Hopefully this will not have any long-term effects on the relationships of people on both sides of this issue.
“What have you done today to make Caribou a better place to live?”
    This column is strictly the opinion or view of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Caribou’s administration staff, its employees, or other council members. Gary Aiken may be reached at garyaiken@hotmail.com