Glue Paste Tape & Other Things that help us stick together

OK, as a former Mayor, I will say this. It is painful to watch this community coming apart and dividing itself in this manner.

In my tiny little circle I have been drawn into conversations with folks who do not understand the "black box" part of local government. Of course, there are the critics. My standing response to those (and you anonymous bloggers) is there is no documented record of any of these folks having taken City Hall by force or coup. These folks are your choice. You did not distrust them when you elected them. Maybe you did not really even listen to what they said as candidates. It's a problem for which the corrective steps can begin now.

There need to be ten groups who schedule candidate forums so that you KNOW what to expect from the folks in the five seats.

I speak now, to the issue that really matters. We simply are an anxious and understandably inpatient community now. The global economic implosion has everyone frightened and economically suppressed communities such as AC may really suffer.

Anxiety, or fear, can bring out the worst in people. We attack. We distrust. We divide. But, in doing so, we almost assure ourselves that "WE LOSE!!!"

It is a turbulent time. The answer cannot come from City Hall exclusively or from government exclusively. It can, however, come from grassroots efforts and neighbors pulling together and looking out for each other.

Survival comes from efforts such as Citizen Advocate Kanyon challenging bad policy or practice and exploitation of struggling families.

This is a time when we should replicate that behavior. That is not to say we need to protest at City Hall. It is to say be driven by the same concern for others that has kept her going.

We have become mean, in the eyes of outsiders. We are desperate and that desperation is pioneered by two recent proposals that were clearly predatory.

There was a measure of hope indicated in the passing of the two sales tax proposals. I for one thought two at once would never fly. Yet, the citizens, through the democratic process issued a mandate to grow and build and move forward.

Diligence and scrutiny are the order of the day. WE cannot afford, like Congress, to mishandle astronomical sums of cash. However, the brightest facilities and the soundest infrastructure will not over-ride the impact of people tearing at one another's throats.

There is a group coming forward with a desire to foster healing and congealing dialog. I strongly encourage any and all of you to grab a neighbor or family member and sit in on one of these.

Finding the common ground was the theme presented by a group of respected ministers in this community. They will be taking action soon. That, my friends and neighbors, is the better use of your time.

Yes, some need your scrutiny. But more need your help. People needed Kanyon's help. There are hundreds more in this community who need a caring person to offer a helping hand and a compassionate ear.

Well, I put this here but I am going to copy and paste it onto my blog. At last, I have something to post there! Yea!

What an interesting time in life

Sandy Staton is a former ConocoPhillips, Inc employee. She taught several personal and career development courses during the early years of my career. A precious thing she freely shared in her classes was a little bound booklet entitled "Things I have heard all my life and wish I could Remember".

I look through the pages of that booklet every so often. A saying that appeals to me right now: Do you see problems in every opportunity or do you see opportunities in every problem?"

I suppose this has appeal as I watch the bio clock ticking away. Fast approaching the age where we begin to circle the runway and posture for a smooth landing, it's time to stop wasting time. Stop wasting time being anxious about things that don't deserve attention. Stop wasting time trying to remember why there is a grudge or time hanging on to the bitterness from one. Stop wasting time being critical of people trying to do something.

Instead, this is the era of life personally and in world history where we must keep our eyes on the metaphorical fuel gauge and begin estimating how much time remains to accomplish personal goals. How many more times will I be able to hug my grandchildren and let my children know how proud I am of what they have become.

This is the era where I immerse myself in the things that God has designed for my life and seek to fulfill His mandate to serve others, even "the least of these." It is time to celebrate the wonderful memories of spontaneous moments. It's time to relish the memories of my mom, my dad and my in-laws. The one poet wrote about "what will you do with your dash?"

I guess it is time to evaluate the current worth of my dash.