The Rants of the Monday Morning QB
Posted by The Truth | Filed under Uncategorized
The elections are now over, so it seems to be the time to start on the Monday morning quarterbacking view of the elections. This morning there was an article about the voter turnout and possible reasons, http://tinyurl.com/dj33o5. A simple illustration to show the turnout of the elections would be the BOMA meeting and swearing in ceremony this past Monday the 20th. Did anyone find it odd that parking spots were full and the courtroom buzzing with many people during the swearing in, but when the agenda moved forward to address business, the cars were gone, seats became empty, and, just a stretch, you could count the number of CITIZENS on both your hands and toes? So, we all know that there is a problem with apathy, but just maybe the apathetic ramblings need to be met head on and we roll up our sleeves to create a real buzz; a real partnership between government and community.
Looking at participation, what mechanisms do we have in place to include more of the citizens to interact in the government? That is a rhetorical question, at best, because there are no real plans in place to include people. After the forums, it was hilarious to hear all the comments from those in government stating that they were great for the community and we should do more of them. Well, elections are over and there hasn’t been a real buzz about holding more community interactive forums with our elected officials. When you have the platform to make personal comments as an elected official at BOMA meetings then spread some enthusiasm toward gaining more participation from the citizens and advertise Town Hall type meetings. If there were a real effort to create change and have events to where each Alderman can actually meet with their ward, maybe we would be getting somewhere to get more people involved and energized. Quick question, how many actually know the real person who represents their ward on the BOMA? Ask the same question in a month and then ask it again in six months. It would seem to behoove each Alderman to get to know their constituents as they get to know them. In the end the interaction and encouraging of participation will bring about those who are new to the community with those who have been here for awhile and spark greater interest in the on goings of the city.
Are we in a culture of soliciting participation of our citizens and valuing their expertise and knowledge of certain things? Are we in a culture where if it doesn’t come from this or that entity or board, then it is not beneficial? Ask these questions and perhaps there will be more of an understanding of why people don’t get involved in the elections or the dealings of the city. One would think that new and fresh ideas could only be in the best interest of everyone involved. It would surprise some that people in our own community who want to lend support from their own backgrounds and having a little time on their hands could solve some of the problems we face today and in the future. Chief Smith said it best that the city needs someone dedicated to writing grants to benefit the city. Funny thing is that where there are people in our community with the know how and eagerness to do it, there has not been active solicitation for their support. Again, maybe it was campaign rhetoric or just he opportunity to receive votes, but so many spoke about hat being a need, but there has been no call for help. Did you receive a lot of phone call prior to the election for your ideas and now that the campaigns are all over there is a certain silence of the ringing or the mail? There is a place for everyone who wants to help regardless of whether they have an appointment or belong to a certain group. If you want to garner more support and have better election turnout and have better participation all around, lets start to be a little more inclusive of ideas and bring all people together who have the same goal of donating time and effort to make our great city greater. Too many have experienced the stigma of going against the grain because they are not part of a certain faction when all they are trying to do is to really give back to the city. Many ideas shared and implemented together can only bring about better results toward the common goal.
Going back to the questions of know about your own personal Alderman, let’s take a look at which candidates won their own respective ward based upon the actual voters of that ward. Wait, sorry, those numbers are not tallied so that question cannot be answered. It was a question that was brushed aside during the radio Mayoral debate, but there is some validity to moving toward actually having an Alderman being the voted representative of their own specific ward. Right now, it is an at large position based upon where the candidate lives. Wouldn’t it behoove us all as we are a fast growing community to actually have representatives that answer to their specific ward? People may be more inclined to get involved in the voting and further participation if they know they can count on someone to represent the values of their own specific community. Right now, it is a popularity contest. WHAT IF a person voted into office won the at large vote, but not the will and vote of their own ward? How can you measure that person as being the true face and go to person for that ward? As the calls and promises went out for more accountability and transparency of our government, then lets move toward the future and think about ward specific voting for their own representatives. It allows for more active participation voting because the avenues are there to get to know your own representative and it allows for better communication and liaison for issues facing that specific ward. If you are basing seats on the Ward then let the voice of the ward be heard. As well, as the city grows and we seek for more interaction between the citizens and government, maybe the Planning Commission needs have changes in which each ward is represented so that planning issues for a specific ward have a representative for those to seek and get to know. Again, active participation results from having people accountable to their specific constituents and allowing for better communication across the board.
Opening up the avenues to participate increases participation. Apathy is always going to be pointed out for any election, but once you can identify certain specifics as to why and how to react to it, good things will come about from it. If people know, both their elected officials and what is actually going on, then there will be a greater focus given from those who normally may not participate in the overall governing of our city. People want to help and be included and strive to make their community greater. The effort and will of those wanting to make a difference for positive outcomes are there, it is just time to tap into that and create better access to make that difference and make our community greater, AND THAT’S THE DOUBLE TRUTH RUTH!
