In the runup to the April 5 Town elections, one phrase heard about town was:  Politics have no place in Reading town government. True enough, given our Town’s form of non-partisan, semi-direct representative Town Meeting.   

However, when some go the next step to suggest that major political party politics have no influence on how Reading town government runs, the assertion becomes questionable—if not naïve or at least a bit disingenuous.

If one were to look at the roster of the local Reading Democratic Town Committee or the Reading Town Republican Committee, one is likely to find the names of individuals who are either deeply involved in, or most vocal about the running of Town government.

Who would have guessed that people interested in politics would also be interested in government?

To be crystal clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong or inappropriate with an individual belonging to a political party’s local town committee and participating in the operation of town government. In fact, local government probably wouldn’t function at all if these dedicated individuals didn’t step up and volunteer their time and energy to the benefit of the entire community. 

With that said, the notion that an active member of a political party can successfully avoid directly or indirectly bringing their party’s view and influence to the operations and policies of local government, as is periodically asserted in Reading, not only ignores the entire purpose of a political party, it defies the laws of human nature.

Take a look at the following quote from a press release from the Reading Democratic Town Committee: “The Reading Democratic Town Committee (RDTC) is the elected body shaping Democratic Party activity in the Town of Reading. Activities include public discussions of policies and candidates of interest to the broader community.”

Now, before anyone rushes to judge the Democrats, here is what the Town Republican Committee has to say for itself: “The mission of the Reading Republican Town Committee is to advance the principles of the Republican Party.”

Based on the statements from town political committee’s on both sides of the aisle, it’s arguable that anyone who is a part of one of these committees sees it, at least in part, as their purpose to infuse local decision making with party perspectives.  

Hopefully, dear reader, there is nothing shocking about the idea that both of the major political parties view local politics as a way to cultivate new members, develop future candidates for higher office and influence local policy making to match their objectives at higher levels of government.

Reading has a truly wonderful stubborn streak of independent voting but that does not mean it is immune to the influence of political parties. If Reading is really interested in maintaining transparency in the operation of its' government, it is important to recognize that both of the major political parties are, at least indirectly, very active in Reading’s government no matter what anybody says to the contrary.

And, that is totally ok, so let’s not pretend otherwise.