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Sunday, October 16, 2016

Town Meeting – by Norman Rockwell

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Town Meeting – by Norman Rockwell

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In 1943, Norman Rockwell created four oil paintings to illustrate 
the Four Freedoms that President Franklin Roosevelt spoke about
 in his 1941 State of the Union Address.  The image Rockwell 
chose to exemplify the Freedom of Speech is inspired by 
Rockwell’s impressions of Town Meeting in Arlington, Vermont. 

 According to legend, the person central to the work represents an 
individual who was the lone voice of dissent on an issue before 
Town Meeting.  Rockwell portrayed a proud man, a free man,
 speaking his piece at a New England Town Meeting. Rockwell 
managed to capture the best of Town Meeting.  Rockwell also 
portrays, Town Reports in hand, the voters of Arlington. They
 listen respectfully to the man expressing a minority view.  Maybe
 he changed some minds, maybe he did not.  But from this painting,
 we get a sense that he was not subjected to catcalls, was not 
demonized and was given a fair hearing of his views by his fellow 
citizens and taxpayers. 


We Templetonians should strive to live the ideal portrayed in 
Rockwell’s Freedom of Speech.   
Listen like the folks of Arlington 
while others are speaking. 
Refrain from personal attacks. 
Remember that people can be civil despite disagreeing on an 
issue.  And do not feel intimidated about attending Town Meeting. 
Do not feel shy about expressing your viewpoint and voting your 
conscience in an open public forum. 

Do not neglect your right and duty to participate.

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