Disillusioned

I am back to our beloved isle. I took a business / fun trip to the A-town.
Once business was outta the way I manged to get the wife over and we enjoyed a great weekend. We spent the solstice at our good friends housewarming/barbecue and caught up with some old friends. I also got to meet some new folks that I hope to see again.
I was lucky enough to take my buddy's '78 R60 for a spin in the hills and enjoy some good ole riding time on the bike.
So now I am back. I had hoped that one disillusioned voter would start the recall petition while I was gone. I have not been able to locate one, so if anyone knows where it is at, please clue me in so that I might sign on.
I have had several comments, since my last post, on "throwing my hat in the ring". News flash folks; my hat has been in the ring for some time now. I do serve in an elected position and several other volunteer positions.
The point I have been trying to get across is this: community involvement. The government that serves us is only as good as we citizens expect. Sure, we can bitch & moan all we like. That is the beauty of our constitution. The downside is that the only change enacted is enacted by the voters.
Plain & simple; if we do not step up, then we get what we asked for. The question is this: are you willing to accept the actions of our government when it listens? If only a handful of voters speak up then the government will only listen to that handful. Do not be shy, we all have the right to speak. Unfortunately, the professional politicians, and gold diggers are using this option.
Sure, I could start that petition tomorrow; but so could anyone else. That's my point. Maybe today you will call in and voice your disappointment, desire, or outrage; maybe not. This I know, if the voters do not change the way they approach the issues, do not expect elected officials to act as if public desire matters, if you are not willing to speak up.
Please, let democracy rule once again.
I will not start this petition, perhaps I will step up to fill a seat, perhaps not.
Personally the time is not good for me. I would reconsider if if I thought that the neighborhood was willing to become an active part of the process.
When i cautioned the assembly to "reap what you sow', I realized that it is a double edged sword.
Not only do we reap, we also starve for lack of planting. There is a reason change is often begun in a "Grass roots" movement. The seeds of dissension are started in the neighborhood.
Perhaps I am currently disillusioned.
If anyone out there actually believes their voice, their vote does not matter than I would remind them of this.
In the 1700 hundreds a handful of neighborhoods overturned the strongest nation in the world. In doing so they set a precedent that has continued to change nations worldwide.
I have run my rant, and I am spent.
Peace
Griff

Local news catches up with the public.

Believe it or not, our local news hounds have actually caught up with local opinion and starting addressing this island's swelling tide of ire.
Friday's fish wrap has not one, but two items concerning the great borough assembly debacle.
This weeks poll asks about the recall. Some , all, or none are the choices. There is currently a small lead in the "all" over the "some" bracket, but "none" is far behind.
Then there is a wonderful opinion article co-written by the three main powers at the Mirror. Basically it starts with a short, sparse history of what led us into this quagmire, and follows with some surprisingly honest thoughts on the matter. I love the challenge to "put your name on the ballot". Although I do not agree with the opinion, this may be one of the best pieces that has been printed for some time. There weren't any misspellings either!
After doing some research and making some calls I have some thoughts on a good way to clean this mess up. If you call 486-9310 you will talk to a very nice borough clerk and then she will e-mail you the recall paperwork and rules. Very informative stuff. Next you can go to the Borough web site and peruse the records. I chose to look for any worthwhile resolutions or ordinances that were introduced by one of the three dissenters. It was a lot of clicking and reading, but no real results. I did not come across anything introduced by one of the three that did not appear to benefit the triad in some way.. but please, look at it and judge for yourself.
So here's the deal. Oswalt,Abell, and Jeffrey cannot be recalled because there is less than 180 days left in their term. That means if we recall the entire assembly then those three will remain. Not enough to vote as the quorum would not exist. Not really an effective approach.
How about this folks?
Let the election this fall weed out the money seekers. If they have reached their magical ten year mark they will walk away with medical benefits for life, which was at least one of the the triads goal anyways.
Sure that irks me a little, but hell I help pay retirement checks to a few ex- presidents, senators, and congressman I don't much care for also.
So lets recall the last remaining member of the triad before she can do any more harm. I have no sympathy for the "I'm just the poor new girl who got misled" defense.
By recalling this assembly member we would also be sending a message to the remaining members. A clear message that we will not tolerate any elected official who takes punitive action against our neighborhoods democratic process. It will also send a similar message to any seat seekers who have any other goals other than honest public service.
In my conversations at the borough building I got some good news. Now when you call the assembly number it actually goes to six, count 'em, SIX lines. Lets burn 'em up at the next meeting. Rant and rave for your 2 minutes and tell the assembly what you really think about this. Maybe the triad will resign rather than take any more taunting from the public. Actually I kinda like that idea, sometimes falling on your own sword is the honorable thing to do.
Thats all I got for now. Tonight I'm gonna watch a little Monty Python. I will probably replay the little Frenchman saying "go away or I shall taunt you some more" a few times and laugh into a cold glass of my favorite local brew.
Peace
Griff

ARRGH!!!!

I hope that the three readers of my rant will forgive my absence. After reading the headlines and checking in at the KoKon I felt it necessary to consult my lawyer prior to any further entries. I had reason to be cautious as apparently you can now be sued over a difference of opinion or worse yet, taunting.
"This will be remembered", was that not the quote from the dubious Reed Oswalt at the last meeting? I considered that a veiled threat, and it proved true. No matter what the outcome we voters can look forward to one thing. This fall Abell and Oswalt's seats will be on the ballot. Never,ever forget that.
Is anyone going to pursue the legality of the resolution that Jerome Selby vetoed? I mean if an assembly member can introduce, vote and bully through a resolution that pays borough funds directly to them, is that not the epitome of CONFLICT of INTEREST? That lame attempt at rewriting the definition of ethical is no different than me getting on the board and voting on a resolution that makes my house tax exempt.
In case one of the triad is reading this, I'll make it simple. It is OK to put a resolution on the table, even if it benefits you personally. It is NOT Ok to vote on any resolution ,ordinance, or amendment thereof, which directly benefits you personally or financially.
If the resolution cannot be voted on due to the fact that the assembly is split, it should go to a general public vote or die on the floor.
Heres a thought, and forgive me if it sounds redundant, but I have said it before.
RECALL the entire board. Let those still interested run again and we can vote this fall on the ones we deem worthy. Now this radical approach at cleaning the kitchen will only work right if two things happen.
We ,as a neighborhood must go down to the clerks office and start filling out the recall paperwork. Then we must follow up by listening to the seat seekers this fall and VOTING. That's right if you don't vote and someone slides on in with the apathy vote, then we get what we deserve.
Thats all I have for now. Today I will be at the borough building getting information and starting the paperwork to clean up the cesspool that our assembly has become.
If this lawsuit wins out and our entire community is punished for the hurt pride of a few dissident elected officials, then we should consider a few lawsuits of our own.
1. Copy write infringement for rewriting Roberts Rules of Parliamentary Procedure.
2. Pain & suffering for being forced to listen to the triads whining and drivel over
over the past several months.
3. Fraud, after all did not the three dissenters run for office under the pretense
of "for the good of the community"?
4. Lastly, damages caused as a direct result of non-consensual sex. After all, if we
have to pay these bullies, that is what is happening to our community.
This may seem far fetched, but really, this entire sideshow has been from the beginning.
Stay strong Chris,Pat,Sue, and Jerome, you are on the right path. While you walk that path, do us a favor. When you come across Jerrol sitting on that fence, either pull him onto the right path of knock him over to the other side where he belongs.
Peace
Griff