The buck stops here

"The buck stops here" was popularized by President Harry Truman, who had a sign (a gift of a friend) with this phrase on his desk.

It is the corollary of today's quote of the Day, "Democracy is a process by which people are free to choose the man who will get the blame."

Last night, Falmouth's Board of Selectmen, Town Meeting Moderator and the High School Building Committee entered into an agreement that would increase public participation in the management of the project by giving the selectmen - the elected executive board of our town - a visible role in the process that has, thus far, pretty much excluded them.

I have mixed feelings about the arrangement. There are checks and balances in government, and the selectmen's role in school affairs is limited for that reason.

However, there is merit in having the selectmen involved, not the least of which is direct accountability to the public. The Building Committee is appointed by the Town Moderator, who himself is elected by the people, but "appointed" is the operative word here.

Accountability is a good thing, but it is but one piece of the puzzle.

Aside from accountability, we need answers. However, in spite of various attempts to get answers, we still don't have much. Most of the town meeting representatives I've discussed this with understand that some answers won't be had until after the litigation with the former architect is settled, but the selectmen could at least assure us that those answers will be forthcoming.

Finally, we need assurances - beyond words - that the money requested is exactly what is needed, and not a penny more. However, again, we've been brushed off.

As I've recently opined, I do believe they need additional funds to complete the high school. However, I don't believe they're going to get it without these additional assurances.