Our Platform
We believe effective government solves problems that individuals cannot solve on their own and functions best, for the benefit of all, when there is broad citizen participation. As a result, the Barrington Democratic Town Committee (BDTC) has outlined the following objectives for our elected officials to pursue:
Responsible Governance
"In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility." — Norman Cousins
Encourage responsive, courteous, transparent and affordable public services
Provide and maintain dependable public safety services (fire, police and rescue)
Promote responsible firearms regulation
Engage in responsible and economically sound municipal planning
Make decisions through consensus-building and respectful and informed conflict resolution
Engage proactively with neighboring municipal entities and state government to share information and collaborate on policy-making and fiscal decision-making
Support and enable sound fiscal management
Support and enable local economic development
Support for Social Justice
"If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?" — Abigail Adams
Support initiatives to provide assistance to those impacted by poverty and those in need
Promote inclusion and honor diversity in age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin and ability
Support quality public education, including health and sex education, responsible citizenship and lifelong learning
Support reproductive justice and reproductive choice
Promote diverse housing stock including single and multi-family, historic, affordable, elderly and accessible structures
Promote wellness, elderly outreach and services for community members dealing with drug and alcohol abuse
Ensure access to quality health care including mental health care and reproductive health services
Provide community support for children, working families and older adults
Encourage community involvement in the town activities, schools and community organizations
Environmental Stewardship
"From space, earth is just a small, blue dot. That's our home. That's all we have.” — Carl Sagan
Expand walking and biking paths
Maximize efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle
Include consideration of the effects of climate change when making policy decisions
Protect active and passive recreation and open space
Protect water access, water safety and water quality
Support the green economy, including solar, wind and water power as well as sustainable building and business practices
Economic Stewardship
"The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all and incorporated into our common life." — Jane Addams
Support a vibrant and diverse local business community, including professional and service businesses, retail, specialty shops, restaurants and marine industries
Encourage common sense preservation of historic buildings and landmarks
Support community farming and farm markets
Promote a vibrant arts community