從一個山區小鎮政府的運作看建立美國的先驅們的前瞻性
我們先隨便找一個小鎮。
坐標:BETHEL，MAINE， 人口兩千六百。
就是這麽一個小鎮，人也不富裕，平均家庭收入隻有三萬多，靠林業和旅遊為生。但是，你看它的政府，麻雀雖小，五髒俱全。
Ambulance
This department is responsible for the administration of ordinances and local regulations which are related to emergency medical services and the public health, safety and welfare.
Animal Control
Contact Animal Control with questions about pet licenses.
Assessing
The Assessing Department is committed to making sure that your real estate and personal property are valued fairly and equitably. Updated valuations may be made periodically to stay as current with market value as possible.
Bethel Regional Airport
Read important technical information about our airport and the contact information for the Bethel Regional Airport and local taxi service.
Code Enforcement
Find a list of downloadable forms and contact information for the Code Enforcement department.
Finance Department
Learn about Town budgets and vendor guidelines.
Fire Department
Our fire department is dedicated to saving lives and property with pride and integrity.
General Assistance
This department is responsible for the administration of ordinances and local regulations which are related to general assistance.
Library
View library hours and location.
Planning & Development
Contact the Planning and Development department for information about code enforcement and subdivisions.
Post Office
Contact the Bethel Post Office.
Public Works
The Public Works Department is responsible for the handling and removal of solid waste and recyclables and construction and maintenance of related facilities.
Recreation Department
Join a local sports league.
Solid Waste & Recycling
Contact the department of Solid Waste and Recycling.
Town Clerk
The Town Clerk is responsible for official Town records, voting, and licenses.
Town Manager
Discover the duties and responsibilities of the Town Manager and how to contact the office.
Transfer Station
View the policies and fees associated with the Transfer Station.
Waste Water
The mission of the Bethel Waste Water Treatment Plant is to collect and treat the wastewater that is generated in the Town of Bethel.
這些工作，大都是民選的公民業餘來做，沒有什麽報酬的。政府的工作是公開的，每一個事項都有一個幾個人的委員會來做決定，而這個委員會是在一個不長但是很全麵的章程指導下進行的。大家請花點時間來看一下其中一個委員會的章程:
https://www.bethelmaine.org/DocumentCenter/View/297/BPB-Rules-of-Procedure-adopted-071210
這裏麵包括了人員的選擇，職責，任期，除名辦法，以及議事的程序，居民怎樣向該委員會申請許可。。。
那麽再去看政府工作的時候也是公開的。我們再來看一下，村委會一個例行的會議的記錄:
https://www.bethelmaine.org/DocumentCenter/View/2114/07062020
每個委員都說了些什麽，做了什麽決定，比如如何決定一個一千美元的工程項目，和雇一個每月一千元津貼的公園保安。。。
這種基層民眾參與的民主才是美國最堅定的柱石。這個體製是美國初創時先民們建立的，不是說到現代富有了才有的。非常有前瞻性，先進性，四百年來保障了人民的權利和公平。
我把這些東西給老婆大人看了，她說，我們說中國有幾千年文化，其實差遠了。她老家那個村子，也差不多有這麽大，哪有這麽些政府服務，更沒聽說過有什麽民選委員會和章程。
我們這些移民，不光是每到四年一次去選總統，還應該積極地去參與當地政府的工作。我想在這裏有不少人已經到了事業成功的年紀，有管理的經驗，應該到當地政府裏去做議事的委員，最不濟的，也去做個抓狗的吧。。。
