Tuesday night Richard and I sang at a Grassroots Democratic dinner in our county. What fun! Met lots of candidates, sat next to our Representative at dinner, and we got to sing all our favorite songs from The Beatles, The Everly Brothers, Simon and Garfunkle, The Indigo Girls, and some fun tunes from the 40s and 50s. Even though I'm a very post-modern girl, I love that old music. You?
The next night I attended a town meeting with the City Council. Ugh.
The short story:
Seven years ago a group of community-active individuals decided to pursue the idea of a bike trail that would connect us to the local State Park (folks from all over the country tell us they know of this park -- it's amazing) on one end, and the Mississippi River on the other. Quite an undertaking, to say the least. But ever inspiring! After getting the go-ahead from the City Council with the absolute admonition that the City would NOT contribute ONE DIME to the cause, the team spent the next seven years getting over a quarter of a million dollars to complete the project in three phases. Not one penny came from the City. In the meantime, some political rifts have infiltrated the community. And while no one can be absolutely certain that the rifts are connected to the ultimate decision on the trail project, it's certainly in the mix. Three of the five current council members have adamantly turned against the project and have decided to put and end to it. And they did.
On Wednesday evening over a hundred citizens of our fair town gathered in the community center gym to share concerns and hopes for the trail project. Only one person declared her absolute opposition to the trail. Most who had opposing remarks did so in the form of opposing additional taxes from their own pockets, and asked about liability and other logistical concerns. Many, many individuals (myself included) rose amid applause to speak about the benefits of such a community addition and tourist attraction, their excitement and desire for the trail, and perhaps most pertinent -- a reminder that not one copper cent would come from the City budget. All funds have come from donations and grants, and all additionally needed funds would come from the same sources. "Please! Just give us a chance!"
In the end, the vote was 3-2 in favor of "terminating the project and sending back all grant money."
Sigh.
I was shocked. Not just at the ruling (which is unbelievable -- what rural town with a declining population of 1400 people turns down one-quarter of a million dollars? For anything?! The chance will likely never come again...), but at the strong, unkindly-spoken words of some of the council members. To be sure it was a tense setting. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. Yikes.
Now.
Where. Do. We. Go. From. Here? How does a little community like ours move forward after such a loss?
I'm not sure.
When my husband was in seminary a few years ago one of his co-students said that politics is all about relationships.
In the last four days I've had two new-to-me experiences in city and state politics, and literally rubber shoulders with some amazing local politicians (some of whom I will tell you about later). Each time I feel this longing inside myself to Do Something. To join them.
I think it has something to do with relationship.
I've decided to write a letter to the city council as a whole. I need to voice my disappointment in their final decision, while cluing them to the fact that I will continue to explore ways to bring this to fruition - even with the return of the grants and donations. AND I need to address each council member and the mayor in a personal note: acknowledging their service, recognizing the difficult decision they needed to make, thanking them for making choices toward the betterment of our new sewer, the maintenance of the water tower, our gorgeous new downtown sidewalks, etc.
One member is especially important: my neighbor a few houses up the street who vehemently voted against the project as if his very life depended on it. Maybe it did. In my letter to him I wish to make a special note of thanks for his neighborly friendship and the warmness I feel knowing we can wave and make neighborly small talk as I pass by his house with my dog. I don't want that to change. (I don't want to be at odds with my neighbor, for heaven's sake.)
Then I'm going to start talking. Not in gossip or vindictiveness. I want to see if the folks in town know what they've lost. Do they even know the trail project existed? If so, do they know it got voted down? I broached the subject with Sammy's teachers this morning. One didn't know about the meeting, the other said this was the first she'd even heard anything about any trail at all.
Granted, I'm coming into this as the newbie on the block. I've only been here for 2 years. Maybe it's a liability. Maybe it's just that sort of young, post-modern, excited energy that is needed right now.
Is it possible that simple community members can overturn a ruling? Regroup and go again? Educate the community? Raise enough funds?
Boy, I'd sure like your input. What do you think? What stories of hope can you tell me? Any ideas on how to navigate the local political system?
And hey. If you're ever in town with your bike wishing you had a trail to get you to the state park, please write a letter or stop in at City Hall to express your desires. I'll get you the address.
SM,
What you plan on doing to foster relationships (and it's ALL about relationships ... at least that's what the man I'm married to would say!) sounds like pure gift and I respect you ... and thank you for it. I have never done anything much in any political arena - in fact I have very much avoided it. We need more examples of love, humanity, and relationship building -- everywhere!
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne Loehnis | June 30, 2006 at 04:53 PM
The world is run by people that show up!
It is sad that trail plans did get turned down but it also demonstrates the point that the world (at least the democratic world) is ran by people that show up at meetings. If you did not show up at your last local government meeting you must be very satisfied with the way things are done in the community you live in.
Sounds like the towns people need more information on what issues are before the governing body so more will show up at the meetings.
Posted by: Art | July 02, 2006 at 05:04 PM
Jeanne,
Thanks for your vote of confidence! I have still to draft the letters. I've been thinking about them as I walk my son to school in the morning. I'll keep you updated!
Posted by: Story Midwife | July 05, 2006 at 10:11 PM
Hello Art! Welcome here! Yes, this has been a big lesson for me, and I like how you say it: "The world is run by people who show up." In a democratic government one would hope this is the case. I can't help but think it is also the case in a spiritual sense: when we "show up" inside ourselves we are more fully present to and for ourselves, and to and for the World. How are you showing up in your life these days?
Posted by: Story Midwife | July 05, 2006 at 10:14 PM