By Ray La Raja

In a new commentary published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, political scientist Ray La Raja argues that the town’s challenge is not a lack of public participation, but an overgrown system of procedures that makes effective governing harder, not easier.

Drawing on the Charter Review Committee’s final report, the piece examines how well-intentioned rules can slow decisions, exhaust volunteers, and erode accountability—and why reform should focus on strengthening the town’s capacity to act. Read the full commentary in the Hampshire Gazette here.

Amherst resident Ray La Raja is Professor of Political Science at UMass and co-director of the UMass Amherst Poll.