Mark Hounsell: If you intend to abstain, why did you run for office?

To the editor:

The responsibility for those who have been elected to represent us on boards includes voting either yes or no on the motions before them. Only in the rarest of circumstances, such as a personal conflict of interest, should one abstain. The excuse, "I need more information", is not proper. Votes that extend the contracts of the school administrators is one of the most important considerations a member of the school board is expected to make all year. Knowing this vote is made each May allows every member of the school board to be prepared beforehand. Personally, I see the excuse of not having enough information of as a cop out. The abstentions by members Joe Mosca and Cheri Sullivan served no positive purpose save to let certain administrators know that that they do not have the support of Mosca and Sullivan. After seeing the enthusiasm of our excellent administrators surge over the past few years it is sad to see the return of "unexplained abstentions" that negatively impact morale. In this case, where there were no conflicts of interest, the only reasons to abstains would be political gamesmanship, laziness, or cowardice...all of which are unacceptable reasons or excuses. If you are not going to vote, why did you run for office?