Give Democracy a Chance to Work!
September/10/2009 18:57
Dr. Jan Pemberton penned the following thought provoking piece expressing her opinion on the benefits of signing a recall petition. As she points out, signing a recall petition indicates your desire to have the matter placed on the ballot, so that all voters can participate in the democratic process.
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Neighbors,
As the recall petition drive nears, residents are becoming more vocal about what to expect, what to do. Some of the discussions I've had with residents include the desire to "just get rid of the mayor...then the rest of the Council will fall in line."
This concerns me. I think Dr. Rahi said it best at Tuesday's Council meeting...the community did not vote for a "slate" at the last election. The voters clearly sent the message that they wanted independent thinkers who have the right priorities....the taxpayer and financial solvency for the City. The voters placed two such people on the Council to do just that.
To allow the incumbents "a pass" when they have voted (together) for the millage tax increase, when they have voted (together) for the Master Plan with no resident adaptations, when they have voted (together) against the Charter and placed Brian Hunt as Mayor Pro Tem instead of the highest vote getter - Ted Kedzierski - just to name a few of their (together) transgressions....would be irresponsible. This lack of character to stand up for what one believes, this belief in "strength in numbers" instead of "strength in doing what's right", this disrespectful silence that they show when a fellow Councilman is belittled/chastised by a Mayor and/or other Council person are all despicable and ALL the incumbents need to have an accounting in an election of their peers - all the voters of this city.
I certainly don't want Council people who vote "lock-step" with a Mayor...no matter who that mayor may be. I want every Council person to question, to listen to "experts" - whether they are on the Council or outside experts. In these times, we need all the creative and thoughtful resources we can get....and that means allowing ALL the Council people an opportunity to make the best decisions they can - without anyone withholding information, without anyone shutting out another's opportunity for information, without anyone showing disrespect for another's expertise and knowledge because it runs "counter" to another's plan. I want this City to allow every registered voter to have a chance to decide for themselves if the incumbents should remain on the Council. I don't want "a few" to determine if there is to be a recall or not. That's the democratic process that a ballot provides.
If a resident doesn't want to sign their name to the recall petition, that's a choice they can make but they must know that to make such a decision is NOT being democratic. It's telling their neighbors that they are the ones who will be making the decision on who won't be held responsible. That's just unfair, it's not right. Every resident, when faced to sign the petition for the recall should sign because they want to let the residents decide this and not prevent others from having a voice about the governance of their city. Everyone should sign and let the people of this city decide if the incumbents will be recalled....that's what a democracy is all about. This, neighbors, is what a recall petition does. It gives ALL the voters a chance to say WHO should serve on their City Council....WHO has earned the privilege of serving the taxpayer....WHO will govern and lead this City to sound fiscal health and....WHO has the taxpayer and the resident's needs at the forefront of their decisions.
We are fortunate to live in a city that has such a wealth of intelligence and ability in its residents. I'm sure each of you can think of reasons why our City Council will be stronger if the incumbents are voted to not be recalled....it will send a strong message that the city is behind them....no shadow of "what if" on their service. It will also send a strong message to those who are recalled as well as to future council members. Serve, with respect, the PEOPLE of this city....do not serve YOURSELF....do not make "follow the mayor" decisions....DO think for yourself as to how you can help govern responsibly with strong fiscal sense. This could very well set the precedent for great candidates in the 2010 council election! And, whatever the recall "election" decides....it will be a decision by the majority of this city...and will be the right decision for this city.
So, please, sign the recall petition...give democracy a chance to work in our city!
Dr. Janice Pemberton
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Neighbors,
As the recall petition drive nears, residents are becoming more vocal about what to expect, what to do. Some of the discussions I've had with residents include the desire to "just get rid of the mayor...then the rest of the Council will fall in line."
This concerns me. I think Dr. Rahi said it best at Tuesday's Council meeting...the community did not vote for a "slate" at the last election. The voters clearly sent the message that they wanted independent thinkers who have the right priorities....the taxpayer and financial solvency for the City. The voters placed two such people on the Council to do just that.
To allow the incumbents "a pass" when they have voted (together) for the millage tax increase, when they have voted (together) for the Master Plan with no resident adaptations, when they have voted (together) against the Charter and placed Brian Hunt as Mayor Pro Tem instead of the highest vote getter - Ted Kedzierski - just to name a few of their (together) transgressions....would be irresponsible. This lack of character to stand up for what one believes, this belief in "strength in numbers" instead of "strength in doing what's right", this disrespectful silence that they show when a fellow Councilman is belittled/chastised by a Mayor and/or other Council person are all despicable and ALL the incumbents need to have an accounting in an election of their peers - all the voters of this city.
I certainly don't want Council people who vote "lock-step" with a Mayor...no matter who that mayor may be. I want every Council person to question, to listen to "experts" - whether they are on the Council or outside experts. In these times, we need all the creative and thoughtful resources we can get....and that means allowing ALL the Council people an opportunity to make the best decisions they can - without anyone withholding information, without anyone shutting out another's opportunity for information, without anyone showing disrespect for another's expertise and knowledge because it runs "counter" to another's plan. I want this City to allow every registered voter to have a chance to decide for themselves if the incumbents should remain on the Council. I don't want "a few" to determine if there is to be a recall or not. That's the democratic process that a ballot provides.
If a resident doesn't want to sign their name to the recall petition, that's a choice they can make but they must know that to make such a decision is NOT being democratic. It's telling their neighbors that they are the ones who will be making the decision on who won't be held responsible. That's just unfair, it's not right. Every resident, when faced to sign the petition for the recall should sign because they want to let the residents decide this and not prevent others from having a voice about the governance of their city. Everyone should sign and let the people of this city decide if the incumbents will be recalled....that's what a democracy is all about. This, neighbors, is what a recall petition does. It gives ALL the voters a chance to say WHO should serve on their City Council....WHO has earned the privilege of serving the taxpayer....WHO will govern and lead this City to sound fiscal health and....WHO has the taxpayer and the resident's needs at the forefront of their decisions.
We are fortunate to live in a city that has such a wealth of intelligence and ability in its residents. I'm sure each of you can think of reasons why our City Council will be stronger if the incumbents are voted to not be recalled....it will send a strong message that the city is behind them....no shadow of "what if" on their service. It will also send a strong message to those who are recalled as well as to future council members. Serve, with respect, the PEOPLE of this city....do not serve YOURSELF....do not make "follow the mayor" decisions....DO think for yourself as to how you can help govern responsibly with strong fiscal sense. This could very well set the precedent for great candidates in the 2010 council election! And, whatever the recall "election" decides....it will be a decision by the majority of this city...and will be the right decision for this city.
So, please, sign the recall petition...give democracy a chance to work in our city!
Dr. Janice Pemberton