I received the following comment that someone posted to an April blog entry (All Lost In The Supermarket). The comment came today, and I think the author just attached it to the wrong entry. Whatever, I like the comment not just because it is good criticism (calls me out), but also it is well-written. The point is, with the election past, will we as a community of new-comers lapse back into complacency, or will we get involved and play ball? Anonymous makes an excellent point of bringing business to this area not just tourism. That is a subject bantered about within the hull of this vessel a lot, and I agree. Now we need to figure out which businesses and how do we accomplish that? Until businesses locate to our mountain, tourism is what we have. It's what pays the lions-share of the bills at many a local business, and is not to be taken lightly, especially since I have invested all of our savings into this coffee shop. Without further ado:
Anonymous said...
Just to set the record straight, I know for a fact that more than 30 people have voted in our municipal elections. In fact, the numbers are much higher. When it comes to local government's decisions, the town people have come out in numbers to voice their opinions when it concerns their town and changes that could be detrimental to them. In 1985, the town people were so upset with their governing body that they voted all of them out. It has nothing to do with locals or nonlocals, only with what is good for the community as a whole, not a select set of people. Our Mayor and Council have gone over and above to accomplish whatever needs to be done to encourage jobs that pay decent wages, not minimum wages that people have to work numerous jobs just to survive. We encourage businesses to locate here, not just promote tourism. You say that the local people aren't concerned about what goes on, but you are sadly mistaken. If you and your friends who ran were so concerned, why didn't you attend council meetings to find out what was going on (before you ran and after you filed for office). I have yet to see any of you attend any meetings. Maybe you ran to accomplish your own agenda. People in this town have accepted you into their community and have even patronized your business and yet you feel such low esteem for them. Maybe that is why you weren't elected.
HypnoBlog said...
I think your points are valid. Why did you attach them to this post that neither mentions the election and was written in April? Oh well, I haven't figured this blog thing out entirely either. Sometimes getting people to think of their town as something that they have a voice in, and are allowed to participate in was my personal goal, which was one (1)reason I personally didn't run. Plus, I have no patience for compromise, but appreciate those who do. As for my "low esteem" for others I think you misunderstood (as others have). I judge people on how I am treated by them, and my family and I haven't been entirely welcomed or patronized by everyone, but that doesn't matter. I don't expect to liked by everyone, but I do expect to be treated impartially by my government, and that hasn't always happened. If I have offended you, anonymous, than allow me to take this moment to apologize, say I hear you loud and clear, and appreciate you holding up the mirror to me.
Man, I must admit, I'm glad to be past the election. I really have no stomach for this much attention, especially since I'm no expert. Not to mention, I'm way better at cracking jokes than discussing politics...or taking criticisms for putting my foot in my mouth...again! Now have fun with that visual...again.
2 comments:
Congratulations and respect to the brave "outsiders" who ran in the Davis municipal elections. Thanks to you and the Mayor's door to door campaign to get out the vote, the number of voters quadrupled from two years ago. At the very least, the prospect of an actual election versus the usual unopposed annointing of the same old tired faces has energized the voting population. Point well taken about getting involved and going to the council meetings. I went to a few myself during the reign of Ladd Jasper before my voter registration card mysteriously disappeared from the municipal voters registration book. Thank you to the Tucker County Clerk and the WV Secretary of State's office for assuring me that my vote would count after I was told it wouldn't by city officials...it did. Don't give up hope for "change" even though that tired slogan fooled millions of voters in the last presidential election. "Change" starts at home in our local environment and will spread out to occupied Amerika. Long live the revolution!
I agree with Anonymous' point regarding the new candidate's not demonstrating their interest in town governance. However....If the town has "encouraged business to locate here" its leadership would have to agree that it has not succeeded. I can happily say that the town has been my friend in my efforts to bring people and businesses to Davis. What Anonymous refers to as "tourism" is not just tourism, but second home owner economic activity. Don't discount the value and importance of people who earn their money in urban areas and spend it in Davis. And the alternative to low wage service jobs is....what? The type of business that doesn't exist in that empty building built by the Development Authority? Don't hold your breath for a shoe factory or a cabinet factory to locate in Davis. The exciting reality for Davis is that it is not a typical town. It is the downtown for a mountain resort area, and probably the most beautiful area in West Virginia.
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