This budget season has certainly hit an ugly point. It isn't going to go away either, at this time nothing can possibly put out this fire; unless every problem we face suddenly has a solution and proactive, civil communication moves in the forefront at every meeting, in every article, and every conversation on the topic. Though this would require some form of miracle, it's never too late to start. The best and first thing that should be done before we move any further is to work to restore trust and the sense of that tight knit community we so covet.
Officials, here is what I ask:
- Transparency is key. Be as transparent as possible and allow for the public to be informed of the latest information with as complete details as possible.
- Set an example for the Town to follow. With all due respect, every word that comes out of your mouths is dissected and is used as insight into the thoughts and possible outcomes of the budget. Across the board, there have been things said that shouldn't have been, or were meant one way and understood another. Not anyone's fault, we're only human.
- Listen to the people. When I hear the calls for complete trust of public officials, I have to be completely honest, how can we trust you? After years of cuts and political games, can we completely trust you? Listen to the people and hear what we have to say, remember we are the ones who vote in the end, give us something to vote on that we all can agree on.
- Support your budget. Regardless of your position or your political affiliation, support the budget you present vigorously and publicly. Otherwise, what's the point in presenting a budget that you do not view as adequate? What public opinion does that set?
With that also said, Residents and other Town Leaders, let me ask this of you:
- Act respectfully and with a purpose. Sometimes we have to remember who and what we are fighting for, we are fighting for the growth and prosperity of Monroe in the future for you and your family; don't forget that, and don't distort that. Public arguments and flaring tempers do more harm than good and detract from what we all wish to accomplish.
- No more arguing. Sorry, flat out its non productive any more. Fight for what you believe the future should be, but when someone of an opposing opinion wishes to support their opinion don't knock it before you think about it. Respect their views and they'll hopefully respect yours. That's how good communication occurs and how things get done around here.
- Get involved and educate yourselves. I don't know most of how this budget works. I know others know about the same as me, more than me, or less than me. However, by asking questions and by doing the research, its easier to come up with ideas that can work and also decipher what's true and what's false.
By just improving the communication and the way in which we fight this battle, we can get so much more done. I don't know if we all notice at times, but it gets downright ugly around budget season. Never have I or many of my family and friends who live outside of Monroe seen such a gruesome (in the nicest possible sense) budget battle than the one we are waging now.
That's not a good thing. Needless to say, we need to tone it down, all of us. Also remember, it's not just numbers we are fighting all of this over; it's kids and families and businesses and schools, it's our lives here in town. Remember that we are one town, we are going to be living here presumably all of us next year. We have to live with each other after this cycle and the cycle after that, and so on and so forth. Let bygones be bygones and let's be one town, one community.
This is not about property values or tax increases, it's about our livelihoods. It's about the country we want to be in the future. This entire issue is not about a budget at much as it is about the fact that nowhere in our daily lives today can things get done in a fully cooperative and constructive manner. Every issue is battled along lines that are drawn in the sand of right and left, right and wrong with little to no compromise.
If our country was like that 240 years ago there would be no United States of America. Our country was founded on compromise among many points of view from a variety of states that were not united. If we were able to create a country then we should be able to solve budget issues and address education problems without having a civil war.
With that said, I have a proposal to make. I know after the meeting Wednesday night there was a lot of animosity in the air. I noticed that there were many sides to the spectrum. However, by observation I noticed how many people were in support of Education in this town and how many groups they represented, it was absolutely astonishing to know how many people support Education in that room and throughout the town, whatever the fraction.
My proposal is for all of these groups and individuals to work together proactively under one "flag" as it were, to have the largest impact. Consider it creating an Educational Congress, but I suggest that all advocates for Education and for the future of this town join forces together to brainstorm and to combine resources, to aim to show the officials the truth about what this town's priorities are. Pooling together creates the largest impact and will get the largest bang for the buck (no pun intended). If anyone is interested, I will leave my email address open at
MasukADV@gmail.com.
I know time is quite short, but together we can all make a difference. If we are persistent, if we fight with a well educated and reasonable argument, if we are bold, if we are united, we can and we will make an impact. If we all come together, instead of constantly pulling apart, we might actually make it through this mess in good shape.
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