Basic issues of democratic process sometimes arise in the most apparently mundane proceedings.
The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates recently held a hearing on an ordinance proposed by the Cape Cod Commission — our regional land use planning and economic development agency — to redefine the process for citizen-petitioned amendments to its policy plan. It included one significant and controversial change. The number of voters’ signatures required on such petitions has been 100; the commission proposed increasing it to 750.
Such a change would likely lower the number of citizen petitions. Don’t we want to hear all voices instead of stifling alternate perspectives? I was initially inclined to maintain the current 100-signature requirement.
The petition process has been invoked only once, two years ago, with the result being an amended plan that gives far more attention to the climate emergency — a good outcome. Why change the rules now?
A vigorous discussion ensued in the Assembly. The lower number was supported as enhancing citizen access to government. On the other side was the observation that substantially higher numbers of signers are required for countywide election candidates. A consistent standard would make sense.
A more troubling concern, however, is that in our current political climate, a significant number of voters believe that government is always “the problem,” and that regulations of any kind are unjust impositions on our “freedom.” Such libertarian tendencies drive efforts intended to disrupt governance.
Setting the standards by which we live together must be done democratically (with a small “d”), embracing diverse approaches to planning our collective future. A petition to amend our regional plan sets in motion a long public review process. When such a petition and its required reviews get in the way of governing, it can become more than a simple expression of opinion. Instead, it hamstrings our ability to act, consuming the commission’s time and resources and discouraging those who do this work.
Those who want to stop the commission’s regulatory work can easily gather 100 signatures — that’s an average of fewer than seven from each of our 15 towns. It’s a tempting target: use the amendment process to frustrate progress.
Real political change involves countless conversations in the community, building understanding and engagement. Changes that will affect the entire Cape must be grounded in widespread support. Such a vision requires work. It should not be subject to sabotage by small interest groups, which may well have nothing more than disruption as their true intent.
We know that, even here on Cape Cod, we have a small but vocal contingent of far-right sympathizers. Giving them a tool for sowing disruption feels like offering a weapon.
In the end, the proposed ordinance did not pass. It will return to the Cape Cod Commission for another round of discussions. This is an opportunity to adopt uniform requirements for citizen petitions. Government needs to hear from the people. Every individual must have a voice. But we must also be aware of the potential for small, determined groups to threaten the necessary functions of government.
The lessons of January 6 are a powerful reminder.
Brian O’Malley, M.D., is Provincetown’s elected delegate to the Barnstable County Assembly. Write him at [email protected].
