Woodstock Politics 102
In response to "Torch" from Woodstock Politics 101...
I would like to think that there are those who get what's going on and will come out and vote but I'm not exactly holding my breath...we've seen it over and over again- despite the facts (and these are NOT gray), the status-quo holds, which suits the "old politics" you speak of and you say you would like to get away from.
In the days of the Breen DTC, it was the platform to unseat the Old Guard (not the tripe you hear about 46 and Margie) and we actually got it done. However, a combination of factors undermined all of it, including, but not limited to: Mitch Eaffy being under the control of the Old Guard in undermining Margie at every opportunity, the absolute hatred of Margie by the OG that continues today for attempting to do the right thing in the Town Hall amongst the rest of the clan, and of course, Breen losing his mind, just to name just a few.
As far as the RTC, I think there is a group within that is as sickened by the obvious mismanagement of our local government and finances as I am and are doing what they feel they can to get out in front of it but cannot for various reasons. I've heard some of those reasons and views and they are weak. The "leadership", in my estimation, only seems sensitive to what protects the status-quo. If I were them I'd probably do the same thing, and of course they have jobs to protect. Think about it, who has the most to lose? Isn't it just a little suspect that Mrs. Monroe and Mrs. Rich work together a lot and Ed Monroe is one of the more vocal defenders within the RTC? Mrs. Monroe's integrity has never been questioned. I'm not questioning Mrs. Rich's integrity either; however, when mistakes of this magnitude are made, you are currently watching a tutorial on how NOT to manage and address them...do you think the sub-committee was her idea? Not a chance. Do you think that the sub-committee members were chosen without purpose? Not a chance. Moreover, long discussions were had and the Republicans were given multiple opportunities to get out from under this mess cleanly and they declined.
The Dems had a gift presented to them that they couldn't accept for fear of offending?...themselves possibly? It's pretty incomprehensible to me considering the recent history that they need to overcome that now is who knows how long into the future. In my mind they have become somewhat irrelevant for some time to come sans a change in course.
I think you also miss, that for me, it is not about who is too far right or "not right enough" as you put it, but simply right and wrong. This is about the public's business that is run poorly. It is not Red and it is not Blue. It is not about "getting" anyone and it is not about bragging rights or any other such nonsense- it is the public's business.
Here's something you probably don't know- I won't name names, but there have been overtures from the Republicans to a number of folks who know more about what goes on in this town than ANY of the elected officials, asking us to support the upcoming bond referendum. The answer they got was a fair one in my view- come out and inform the public on at least the obvious math mistakes (which currently total ~$1.7 million) and we might be able to get behind that. Well, guess what? Nobody heard back and now we have the McCoy, Cass and Cabana sub-committee, which I assume is desperately trying their best to figure out a way to keep it quiet. The bad news for them is that the right people are showing up to observe that sub-committee...it's not that we don't trust them, because after all, what's a few million between friends, right?
I didn't get into this arena to make friends, but to stand for what is right- maybe not popular with the status-quo folk, but I'm sleeping very well.
I would like to think that there are those who get what's going on and will come out and vote but I'm not exactly holding my breath...we've seen it over and over again- despite the facts (and these are NOT gray), the status-quo holds, which suits the "old politics" you speak of and you say you would like to get away from.
In the days of the Breen DTC, it was the platform to unseat the Old Guard (not the tripe you hear about 46 and Margie) and we actually got it done. However, a combination of factors undermined all of it, including, but not limited to: Mitch Eaffy being under the control of the Old Guard in undermining Margie at every opportunity, the absolute hatred of Margie by the OG that continues today for attempting to do the right thing in the Town Hall amongst the rest of the clan, and of course, Breen losing his mind, just to name just a few.
As far as the RTC, I think there is a group within that is as sickened by the obvious mismanagement of our local government and finances as I am and are doing what they feel they can to get out in front of it but cannot for various reasons. I've heard some of those reasons and views and they are weak. The "leadership", in my estimation, only seems sensitive to what protects the status-quo. If I were them I'd probably do the same thing, and of course they have jobs to protect. Think about it, who has the most to lose? Isn't it just a little suspect that Mrs. Monroe and Mrs. Rich work together a lot and Ed Monroe is one of the more vocal defenders within the RTC? Mrs. Monroe's integrity has never been questioned. I'm not questioning Mrs. Rich's integrity either; however, when mistakes of this magnitude are made, you are currently watching a tutorial on how NOT to manage and address them...do you think the sub-committee was her idea? Not a chance. Do you think that the sub-committee members were chosen without purpose? Not a chance. Moreover, long discussions were had and the Republicans were given multiple opportunities to get out from under this mess cleanly and they declined.
The Dems had a gift presented to them that they couldn't accept for fear of offending?...themselves possibly? It's pretty incomprehensible to me considering the recent history that they need to overcome that now is who knows how long into the future. In my mind they have become somewhat irrelevant for some time to come sans a change in course.
I think you also miss, that for me, it is not about who is too far right or "not right enough" as you put it, but simply right and wrong. This is about the public's business that is run poorly. It is not Red and it is not Blue. It is not about "getting" anyone and it is not about bragging rights or any other such nonsense- it is the public's business.
Here's something you probably don't know- I won't name names, but there have been overtures from the Republicans to a number of folks who know more about what goes on in this town than ANY of the elected officials, asking us to support the upcoming bond referendum. The answer they got was a fair one in my view- come out and inform the public on at least the obvious math mistakes (which currently total ~$1.7 million) and we might be able to get behind that. Well, guess what? Nobody heard back and now we have the McCoy, Cass and Cabana sub-committee, which I assume is desperately trying their best to figure out a way to keep it quiet. The bad news for them is that the right people are showing up to observe that sub-committee...it's not that we don't trust them, because after all, what's a few million between friends, right?
I didn't get into this arena to make friends, but to stand for what is right- maybe not popular with the status-quo folk, but I'm sleeping very well.
Exceptionally well said.
No one has ever questioned the integrity of any of the people involved (Treasurer or BOF members) in this mess, but if we continue down the road we are on, it will inevitably be the outcome that the lack of action by these people in not addressing and correcting the mathematical errors will create even bigger problems that we all will pay for...but what the hell, just elect them again.
You understand that to remove an elephant from a room requires that some pull from one end and others push from the other. While those pushing and pulling may not see eye to eye all the time, their goal remains essentially the same.
I understand and hope you are right. The fact remains that more knowledgable pushers and pullers will be required to remove it.