If you are looking for some politically correct dialogue here today – look elsewhere.  This columnist is ticked off, and it is time for some plain talk to the good citizens of Norton.

I am tired of listening to certain complaints from Norton voters. So many of you (and I know it is not all of you) are just so full of yourselves. You want what you want in this town, but you don’t think you should have to work hard or get your hands dirty to get it. You want things done, but you don’t want to stoop to “politics” to accomplish them. You somehow think you are entitled to certain things, and seemed surprised and insulted when they aren’t handed to you.

Well, get over yourselves. It is time the voters of this community got off their lazy butts and started truly working towards their alleged goals. And if you aren’t willing to do that, then do us all a favor and just accept things as they are.

I’m talking to many constituencies here, but particularly those both for and against the pending proposition 2-1/2 debt exclusion coming up at Town Meeting June 6. Let’s start with many of the good folks who want the high school project to pass.

A lot of you are guilty of pointless whining. You want better teachers, better facilities, better equipment and better management. But you seem to believe it should just be provided for you because you want it. You seem so put out, you must actually get involved in the political mechanics of the Town Meeting process. 

You think if you somehow put up a sign and maybe sign a petition, you have done your part. Maybe you’ll go out and vote at that special election on June 11 because that only takes a few minutes. But attend Town Meeting, have to get a babysitter and devote three or four hours to a boring political event? Surely that isn’t necessary just to get something you should be entitled to, is it?

And some of you hardcore “No” folks – I’m talking to you too. You can be just as bad. Your answer to all our problems is simply to say “No” to anything that involves increasing your taxes. It doesn’t matter if the project is worthwhile or not, only that it is going to cost you more. You say you just want to rein in out-of-control spending, but it is more than that. You don’t want to spend another dime on anything that doesn’t directly benefit you.

You’ll gladly accept the things local government does for you – provide police and fire protection, fix your roads and educate the children in your families and surrounding you. But you want them to do it for whatever they are getting now. How they accomplish this is just simply not your problem. 

You like to sit aback and point out how inept local government is, how they will spend whatever you give them. But you have no answers when it comes to providing the services and facilities needed. You give town officials no credit for going almost 30 years without any type of override, an accomplishment few towns can claim. You are willing to vote occasionally, but you don’t want to have to actually get involved. You’ll let the vocal minority do that for you.

Kudos to school supporters and override opponents who have actually put themselves out there and worked hard to accomplish their goals. You are at least honestly participating in the system. You are putting your time and effort where your complaints are, and trying to make a difference.

The rest of you – on both sides – need a wake-up call. Town Meeting and town government are participatory activities, not spectator sports. Get off the sidelines and get yourselves to Town Meeting on June 6 and vote however you think is best. This isn’t politics, it’s just being a community. And it is high time you started pulling your weight.

Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and the Norton Town Moderator.  He can be reached at aninsidelook@aol.com.