Editor:
Regarding Kim Lawrence’s letter of April 5, it is always correct and proper to question city officials, just as it is always correct and proper to question the product from anyone offering a service or commodity for a fee.
That is, it is OK to thump a melon before paying for it. In doing so however, it is discourteous and presumptuous to question or impugn the motives of individuals proffering information without first seeking clarification.
The issue concerned confusion over Craig Martin’s comments about not having an estimate of the cost of the Weedle Bridge repair in a recent council meeting and a comment indicating a $70K to $120K estimate in a previous meeting. The conclusion appears to be that an untruth is being propagated. I suggest otherwise.
First, the the broad stroke “estimate” appears to me to be a guess, not an estimate based on submissions from contractors and others indicating what they would be willing to contract for.
Therefore, the two statements are not at odds with each other but statements that were made with words that in our language can have varied meanings. Regardless of the source, sometime it does matter what the meaning of “is” is.
The bottom line here is the willingness of people to assume the worst rather than the best. Some attribute it to a lifetime of experience where their youthful optimism has been pounded into their senior pessimism. My wife puts me in my place when I show these tendencies with the simple but true revelation of, “you’re just a grouch.”
We need to keep in mind that the people that work for the city are our fellow citizens. There is no magic event that occurs when someone is hired to a public sector position, or elected, or appointed. They are still your friends, your neighbors, the people you go to church with. And their motives should be accorded the same assumption of honesty and compassion that you hopefully feel yours should.
The way to resolve apparent conflicting statements is to ask. Our city is not so big that the officials are unreachable. I know Craig is often present and working alongside volunteers doing things in the community. His office door is open and phone often answered. He also responds to e-mails (my favored form of contact). And he is willing to clarify his meaning and intent.
Going to a person directly and discussing the matter with them is a Biblical principle. It is also a simple application of the Golden Rule and basic decency.
On another matter, Councilor Gourley’s comment about Planning Commission members not attending City Council meetings due to a conflict of interest was questioned.
I believe Jim was referring more to the responsibility for full disclosure of ex parte information that is required by law for Planning Commissioners. Jim offered these comments in a seeming defense of why I would not have attended City Council meetings yet have the audacity to think that I should be appointed to serve on it.
While I thank Jim for this attempt, I also believe it was a bit of a stretch. There is no reason that I am aware of why Planning Commission members should not attend City Council meetings as long as they disclose any ex parte information they gather when applicable to their commission duties.
However, I do find it a bit disingenuous to make mention of my response of not attending City Council meetings for the previous year without placing in context that during that time and for the past 10 years I have regularly attended Planning Commission meetings as well as having regularly attended and served as a SHEDG Board member for six of those years. People need to accommodate priorities in their lives.
A proper balance between family, work and civic duty is paramount to a successful, contributing life. One of the most mature understandings a person can achieve is realizing that they are not capable of doing everything, and that it is unreasonable for anyone to expect them to do so. My tenure as a Planning Commissioner for our fair city has afforded me an opportunity to contribute in a small way to its growth. The volunteer nature of this contribution is my way of saying, “Thank you”, to Sweet Home for the wonderful town it is and the wonderful city it is growing to be. My service as a member of the City Council is also proffered in the same vein.
I apologize for the length of this response. However, sometimes it is necessary to fully explain things so that the matter can be truly understood. We have a wonderful town. By and large it is being served by excellent people.
Craig Martin, Carol Lewis, the recently retired Charlene Adams and Joan Gerke, Mike Adams, Joe Graybill, the list goes on. These are quality people, concerned citizens, caring parents, neighbors, parishioners, etc. Their contributions need to be applauded. And when as can so often happen, they seem to make conflicting statements, cut them the same slack that you would ask for. If possible, approach them in the more hospitable environment of their office and explain your quandary; affording them the opportunity to clarify their statements.
As honest Abe said, “If you look for the bad in people, you will surely find it.” We owe it to our neighbors and community to look to the good and savor the frequency with which we find it.
City Councilman Rich Rowley
Sweet Home