During the public comment section of the Jan. 13 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, (at the 2:10 mark) Selectman Mitch Goldblatt made the following statement:
It has been one week since the violent seditious attack on our Nation’s Capitol, and it is one week prior to what we hope will be a peaceful transfer of power to President-elect Joe Biden.
Every single state, individually and in a non-partisan manner, certified the votes of their electors, and attempts at recounts and countless legal appeals, including to the United States Supreme Court, failed
to change even a single electoral vote. Yet, some felt that the election was stolen and resorted to violent means to try and overturn those results.
We must condemn in the strongest terms the actions of those involved in this attack on our democracy, as the institution of the Presidency, is larger than any individual.
I am thankful that none of the Members of Congress or the Vice-President were injured in this coup attempt. Unfortunately, and tragically, though, some people were injured and others died as a result of this violence, including capitol police.
The events that unfolded last week were an affront to all law-abiding citizens. We serve as members of the Board of Selectmen as a result of an election — a fair election. An election by our constituents. Some
of us have lost elections. It is not easy to accept defeat, but after the people have spoken and after the shock and dismay, we realize that the vote is final.
Yes, we scrutinize the results and sometimes a recount is necessary. But in the end, we don’t call for insurrection, we don’t storm the State Capitol or Town Hall, but rather politely congratulate the winner, call for unity, and govern-together.
Schools may say that this is a teachable moment. Let this Board and all of our elected and appointed officials in the Town of Orange stand in unity to condemn this insurrection, and let us pledge our own
allegiance to each other, and that no matter what our differences, that we carry out our duties respectfully and for the betterment of our community.