I must have touched off a nerve here with the mayor's supporters. Let's
face it, citizens want the dialogue to include their elected officials -
anything less is just air in space. The absence of the mayor's voice except
in re-election years is a big issue in my neighborhood.
And for the record, I supported the mayor vigorously in two elections, but
her absence from community dialogue as demonstrated by her absence from this
list is part of the reason I have decided not to support her for a third
term.
But let's get past this. Part of the reason I participate in this list is
because of the diversity of opinions. I disagree with many of the posts.
I'm sure many of the people here disagree with mine. And many other issue
lists I participate on tend to be one subject or political bent focused.
That to me is not forward thinking or progressive - it's an illusion in
security of similar thought. I'd much rather be challenged to re-think my
positions by posters such as Carol Becker or Annie Young or Tom Connolly or
Barbara Nelson or Catherine Shreves or Mark Engebretson or Erik Riese or a
host of other excellent participants (sorry I know I missed many names and
by the way, where is Andy Driscoll of late?) than to get into a place where
everybody believes the same thing. Diversity of opinion and belief is part
of what a great community is about. And if you believe the discussion is
one-sided, than get out and challenge it. Spread some light on it and
illuminate the discussion for the hundreds of others who are members of this
list. You might just motivate somebody else to participate and change the
tone of the discussion.
We should all be thankful for David Brauer's vision, moderation and
tolerance. This list has given me a chance to learn and grow in ways that I
might not have ever had. And I'd like to grow and learn even more by having
more of my elected officials participate as well.
Russell W. Peterson
Ward 9
Standish
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