The TRUTH…Unmasked
Posted by The Truth | Filed under Uncategorized
There is always a face behind those who write. They are just like everyone else that you come into contact in daily life, with the exception that they choose to write or blog on just about anything. Much like introducing yourself to someone you meet at your favorite restaurant or simply out and about at the mall or what have you, I haven’t formally introduced myself to you. My name is Jonathan. I am a middle aged single father raising my two teenagers. I work, have my own business, am a die-hard football fan (sorry, I bleed burgundy and gold), love my children, love my neighbors, love my community, and think of myself as a person who tells it like it is. Hence, when I decided to write about my community, I thought that my writings from a point of view of integrity, honesty, and community unity would allow for discussion and debate toward reaching positive solutions. My mother always told me that if you gripe, at least have a solution; at least be able to solve a problem; at least do, not talk, do. Through this blog some solutions have been discussed and one or two even implemented in order to enhance the quality of life here in Spring Hill. This is my way of giving back to my community and enhancing the quality of life for my children, family, friends, and even those that I don’t know. Never have I been one to ask for anything in return, except for a moment of time to discuss and learn with those who agree or disagree with what I write. We may never agree; we may never see eye to eye; however, I leave with a respect and appreciation of that person who talks to me. In this day and age, be it political or not, we can always learn something from one another. This is who I am and this is what the Truth is all about; Real People, Real Vision…Moving Mountains.
Father’s Day 2009 for me started out as great day. Smoking ribs, family time, and neighbors; the things that make our great city of Spring Hill great. The weather was a little too hot, but it seemed to be the perfect day. That was until after giving my daughter permission to go see friends in the neighborhood and then go to the Rec Center. After some time she was gone, I got a pit in my stomach. You know the kind that a parent has when they sense that their child is in trouble. In vain, I began calling her and calling her unsuccessfully. Then I decided to search the city to find her and making that decision to report this to the police if I didn’t find her soon. After hours of not being able to find her, she returned home bloodied and beaten. Sparring the details, my Father’s Day consisted of my daughter violently attached in close proximity to my home while going to enjoy the Rec Center. Let me state that the Spring Hill Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Smith, has been incredibly supportive of my family and neighborhood regarding these issues and they are to be more than commended. Remember, Chief Smith took the initiative to file for grant money successfully to benefit the department and ultimately the residents of Spring Hill, but also has an officer position removed from the new budget. Where is the level of commitment from our elected officials regarding our public safety? Deleting a police position, while justifying it as it wasn’t filled in the year prior, is ludicrous. There weren’t other ways to make up for the shortfall in the budget. Oh that’s right, we taxpayers still need to pay for the dependants health insurance for our elected officials. Taxpayers have to make the sacrifice and not the elected officials. Go figure!
In the days afterwards, I had time to reflect on the incident with my daughter. I went through the helplessness, guilt, anger, anguish, etc. My little girl was hurt and I wasn’t there to protect her. Those feelings still fresh on my mind, but mostly heavy on my heart, all of the pros and cons of living here in Spring Hill came into play. Tuesday, I spoke to a lot of people in the community; both community activists and regular Joes. It became all too apparent that we had a problem with the safety of our children at the Center. We had a problem here in Wakefield of traffic and undesirables loitering in the neighborhood due to the center. In further development and updates since, we have also had home broken into causing some dire safety concerns because of what was taken during the burglary. It was funny, well not actually funny, that I hear from people looking to buy homes for sale on my street asking me to tell them the truth about traffic and safety here in Wakefield. It is no secret of the one entrance serving the center and the school and the potential traffic and safety concerns brought about, but people from the outside ask the questions about what we here actually go through everyday. With all of the advice that I had received, I sent a personal email to the entire BOMA. I understand that we have many issues that we are facing here in Spring Hill, but public safety is the most pressing concern to me and my family because of how close to home an issue came to be. At the very least, I would be able to shine some light on a situation that is rarely talked about or discussed. When I used to talk about the traffic issues, I think that even though some of the elected officials listened, they had to take it with a grain of salt. Its just Jonathan being Jonathan.
When I wrote the email, it wasn’t from the point of view of the TRUTH. It was personal; it was a confused and scared father who needed some bit of support and encouragement from his elected officials. There was a public safety issue and it affects me and other that stemmed from a facility here that has been touted as a safe haven and positive enclave for our children. As the final reading of the budget was to be voted on, wouldn’t the BOMA at least like to know that a place to where a significant amount of money is allocated yearly by the city to the county for the Center, that there are real public safety issues and that it has become real to a resident? All the email asked was for me to engage in conversation via voice and not email; a concerned resident and father seeking guidance while frustrated. I will give you that; I was and still am very frustrated.
The most alarming thing happened after I sent the email. I had not heard back from ALL of our elected officials. I know we lost out to Orion; I know that we were faced with a budget shortfall; I know that I am only but one person and they receive emails upon emails each day. However, this one would be different. It is a child who was hurt on the way to what we are quick to point out as a benefit and the consummate location highlighting good quality of life here in Spring Hill. For those who took the time to speak to me, my level of appreciation of you cannot be expressed with words. For those who had better things to do than to respond to me, my hurt cannot be described in words. I stay active in this community because I believe in my city. I have never been active for personal gain, nor financial reward. I get frustrated like everyone else, but at the end of the day want to make a positive difference for all. Yes, maybe because I am not an elected official myself, what happens to me and my family and neighbors is inconsequential to you. Maybe because I didn’t contribute to your campaign, my issues are less than the next. Perhaps one of the most heart warming and most appreciated responses was, “Jonathan, I can’t call you, but I share your concerns and hope your daughter is ok.” However when those who did not respond could not even do that, what I am to think? Is it because I look differently than you, I am not good enough for response? Is it because I talk differently than you, I am not good enough for a response? Is it because I don’t agree with you, I am not good enough for a response? A simple acknowledgement would have sufficed, however none was given.
In talking to one elected official who responded, I was told that all of you were my alderman and not just the two from my ward. However, that is not true because I am not good enough for a response from all of our elected officials. My daughter is not good enough for a response. As I wipe away my tears in thinking about this, what is it that I have done to not have someone acknowledge that the BOMA is here for you and thank you for bringing this to our attention? I guess when I made a significant donation to ensure the candidates’ forums that introduced some of you to the community, where for some that opportunity wouldn’t have happened, isn’t good enough nor show my commitment and dedication to my community. I am sorry! Next time tell me what the price is that I have to pay to be heard like others that you choose to respond to emails with.
Without stating the obvious, a serious issue has now clouded my judgment about the integrity of some of our elected officials. Perhaps if some had taken the time to read my email, maybe a police officer’s spot on the force would not have been sacrificed to balance the budget. Spare me that it wasn’t allocated this past fiscal year so we can do without it next year. WE HAVE REAL PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY! My faith in your dedication to actually serving the community is nil, yet I am told by some of our elected officials that one person needs a bunch of corroboration and meetings in order to rectify some of the issues we in Wakefield experience. As stated earlier, we have had a home burglary and numerous issues with people loitering in the neighborhood since being told this. I guess that crime is supposed to cease until a meeting happens because without a meeting, no solutions can be discussed. What I have been taught is that if I need to protect my family and neighbors, then I must do it myself and not rely upon nor waste the time of our elected officials. I had all the faith in my government to always protect, above and beyond anything else, the children and families in our community. Perhaps that is apropos for some, it is all but apparent that it is not for me.
Perhaps I should not have called out in an open meeting changes to the BOMA salary and benefits. I stand by what I said about that then and surely stand behind it now. Does that leave my family and me not as important as the next? If so, then it is what it is. I cannot, nor will not, be forced to keep my ideas to myself. If that means that I become an outcast, then so be it. I stand by my upbringing from a strong family in order to ensure that my children and family are safe. I will do that by all means necessary because this father’s love and support for his family and community is unconditional. I make no apologies for who I am in my fight for better quality of life for all here in Spring Hill. My sacrifices have now been proven to be real because in speaking out to the BOMA, I am now ignored. By speaking out, it doesn’t matter that my daughter was assaulted. By speaking out, I am made to feel second-class. Can any of you who spoke about your personal sacrifices to be an elected official and how you should be compensated adequately compare to my sacrifices to yours? Remember, I don’t get paid a salary, nor receive free health insurance. Yet, in order to better substantiate my concerns, I have had to go out of pocket for expenses to prove my point better. Again, this was another suggestion from one of our elected officials.
Perhaps if my daughter’s attack were more brutal or fatal, then I would be heard differently, but I can’t take that chance to wait for that to happen in the future. I have the right to be afforded the same safety and pursuit of higher quality of life as those who are in agreement to the vision of the BOMA, elected officials, political confidants, or those who make financial campaign contributions. I have that right to ask these questions because the truth of the matter is, I came to the BOMA for help with open arms and was turned away at the gate. With heavy heart and deep sorrow and broken faith I must say, AND THAT’S THE DOUBLE TRUTH RUTH.
One Response to “The TRUTH…Unmasked”
-
Megan Hawkes Says:
August 4th, 2009 at 11:20 pmHoly cow, Jonathan. I’m so sorry to hear about all of this. I know first hand how it is to watch your baby suffer (even though they are no longer babies, and remind us of that all the time). I also know how troubling it is when you believe your elected officials aren’t prioritizing you and your family’s well-being and safety. I would urge you to revisit this with the officials who didn’t respond (if you haven’t already). I’ve always said that there are certain things you just don’t mess with-our abilities to provide, our sanctuary (homes) and our kids. I hate hearing that two of those three are in turmoil for you guys. Not what anyone in Wade’s, or Spring Hill for that matter, signed on for. Praying for you guys.
