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!