We stand for you and your interests. We stand for government of everyone, not just an active and vocal minority. We stand for the silent majority that may not keep up on local issues, may not vote in local elections.

We stand for listening to every voice. We stand for involvement. We stand for the right to dissent. We stand for honesty, integrity, intelligence, reason, fairness and accountability.

We believe that an "interest" is not necessarily a "conflict of interest."

We believe in advancing informed, reasoned, factually based opinions, even if in opposition to our own. We believe development means change, which is inevitable. We believe development includes not only downtown buildings and neighborhood homes, but also parks and sewer improvements, and other public works.

We believe change is an opportunity for improvement. We believe good development is beautiful, appropriate and has regard for its neighbors. We believe in preservation of historic structures and areas representing cultural significance.

We believe our town is lucky to count among its citizens many accomplished architects and designers. We believe our town ought to enlist them and draw on their talents.

We believe downtown is the heart of our city, to which our neighborhoods owe much of their strength.

We oppose hidden agendas. We oppose assumptions, hyperbole, ignorance, shallow thinking, empty rhetoric, innuendo. We oppose misrepresentation of others' opinions and the dissemination of misinformation.

We support open meetings and deliberations. We support a code of ethics for town officials. We support good development. We support a vital downtown. We support the 2016 Plan, respect the process that created it, and understand that it is a living document.

Our goals are to inform and involve you.

We will attend city meetings. We will populate official and quasi-official city boards. We will publish a regular newsletter and deliver it via email.

We will post a website full of information and resources. We will profile the people who affect our quality of life. We will report on topics of interest to you. We will be skeptical, curious watchdogs.

We will not accept votes, appointments and policy decisions on their face. We will ask how and why they are made. We will express our opinions, and invite you to contribute.

We will assist in the formation and strengthening of neighborhood associations. We will bring balance and credibility to the Presidents Council of Neighborhood Associations.

We need your help.

We need your email addresses. We need your time and your expertise. We need you to get out the word.

Please subscribe.