It's a brand new day.

I watched the inaugural speech this morning and I must admit that President Obama is quite the orator. Rumor has it that he spent two days writing it, and I believe it. At least I believe someone spent two days writing it. It was a great speech. It promised something to everyone, without being specific. It paid homage to every ancestor and the founding fathers of this nation. It referenced Scripture once, God six times, and our founding fathers twice. Powerful stuff, but then again it was meant to be.
My favorite quote from the 44th president? This one, "This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny."
Wow, if one of his competitors for the crown had said this, during the run for the gold the media would have crucified them. Oh yeah; they did and they did.
Did you hear the occasional preacherisitic lilt in his delivery? Did you see him nodding with affirmation at the benediction? This new president will rally this nation with words, hopes, and promises of mending broken dreams.
Please do not misunderstand my intentions here folks. I think that this man is quite capable of changing our nation dramatically. Not with extraordinary political prowess, or amazing gifts for solution finding. It will be with his ability to rally the citizens of this nation like the old time tent covered revival meeting orators rallied their congregation.
I hope it works. I have longed believe that we must maintain our own neighborhoods, we must help each other., we must volunteer our time ,not just our money. We must do all these things if we want to prosper as a nation.
So before you join the church of Obama, think on this.
There is a lot of "we" in his speeches. No one person can solve our problems, it will take all of us, working hard and sacrificing.
So do we jump in and or work ? Or just jump on the hope bandwagon?
Do we honestly expect one person to solve all of our problems and then cry FOUL when they fail an impossible task?
Good luck Mr. President, your biggest challenge went unspoken. That is the challenge of overcoming a sense of entitlement that has fertilized the blossom of American apathy for far to long.
We got a lot of work to do.
Peace ya'll.

A great weekend

I had the privilege of coaching the St. Mary's Saints boys basketball team this season. The season culminates at the ACSAA tournament.
This year the tournament was intense. Every team fought hard for their place and I am grateful for the level of competition that was there.
The boys team played six games in two days, placing third out of 10 teams overall and securing a trophy. We lost our first game by one point and battled all the way back up to lose by five in the semi.
The girls team also finished 3rd overall, losing both their games in overtime!
My thanks to a team that never gave up. The Saints made their opponents pay for every inch of the court. They put the D in defense and gave 110%.
The hosts of the tourney were awesome, the players and coaches amazing. I am blessed to have have participated.
My gratitude goes out to all who made it possible. My personal gratitude goes to a team of young men that did not give up. They played until they could no longer play, overcoming injury and exhaustion.
My offensive/assistant coach, Culen, could not come over to Kenai, but his spirit and training was there. This young man was the conscience that got me to step up 3 years ago and coach this wonderful group of players. It was my last season with my son as assistant coach and I will miss that.
Thanks to Kenai Christian Church for giving us a place to stay.
Coach Dan; it was your first tourney and I pray it will not be the last. Reagan, Dorise, and Sam, thank you for all the hard work and support.
Shout out to Josh Lewis, the parents, and supporters, who in various ways made this trip possible.
As for me; well I am going to sit back and start getting ready for next season.
GO SAINTS!!!!

What assembly is this????

So there I was, in the garage, listening to the borough assembly meeting. A cold brewsky in one hand, and a handful of skepticism in the other.
Why the garage? The terrain of my compound makes reception a challenge, and I just didn't feel like sitting in the house listening to it on the 'puter, (I love the KMXT live streaming). Besides the kids gotta get his homework done. Oh yeah, if you do check out local radio on the web, click on the Donate button and help support the best media on the rock.
Is me or was that the shortest, most jovial borough assembly meeting in history? I actually had to double check the tuner to make sure I had not tuned into some other borough meeting. I felt like I was standing at the edge of a funeral party for the town bully. You know, where everyone stands around trying to say nice things about a person very few actually liked. I suppose it is never good to speak ill of the dead, or of the departed.
The high lights for me?
1. Apparently the ambulance Mel Stephens was chasing passed by the borough building, enabling him to drop by and put his 3 cents in. His gratitude for the departing assembly matters was tear jerking, (tears of mirth, that is). After all the pain you have suffered trying to hold the assembly accountable it is too bad your covert write-in campaign failed so miserably. I guess we'll have to listen to your comments from the floor for a while still.
2. The news that our community will be receiving a kickback from the 700 billion dollar bail-out. It could be as much as 400K for the next 3 years. Hopefully the assembly won't piss it away on studies and plans for the desperately needed borough administrative building. BTW, didn't I hear something about our school lunch program being short about 292K this year? Maybe they can trim some of the waste, as they are planning, and the assembly can now afford to fork over the rest. For that matter, why don't we invest some, and then give the rest to our school district?
3. Mr. Abell went out with some class and I really did like his suggestion that everyone should give public service a try. Thanks Tom, now move on and enjoy that lifetime of medical benefits you take as a parting gift.
4. Mr. Oswalt : that was the most eloquent & intelligent statement of your career and I will follow your lead.
With two legs of the triad removed, I am curious to see how the remainder will stand without their support. Its gonna be a fun winter, so pay attention folks. Ask hard questions, and demand real answers.
Peace
Griff

Election aftermath.

Tuesday has passed and both props on the ballot didn't. Not a big surprise to this blogger.
Prop one would have shielded our local seat holders & seekers from public disclosure.
it seems the local neighborhood wants full disclosure from it's elected officials, and with all that is going on in the big ring, I was not surprised by the outcome.
I did read one thing in our local fishwrap that caught my attention. It was the comment from Betty Odell.
Her statement would lead the average citizen to believe, that out of respect, we should not expect disclosure from our local elected officials. Balderdash!
I, for one, do respect anyone bold enough to step up and represent our neighborhoods. Well Ms. Odell ; our nation was founded by a group of folks that did not "respect government". I think that our inherent ability to question government is what makes this nation what it is.
That said; the majority of our local elected officials are exempted from the requirement. I would recommend that Ms. Odell actually read the rules before she comments. I will never trade "respect" for carte blanche or accountability. The lawyers and doctors who cross the threshold that requires such disclosure are covered by client attorney privilege and HIPA. All they have to do is pursue the rights they and their clients are protected under. If Ms. Odell is not able to find the time to protect her interests, then perhaps she does not have the time to represent our community.
Prop 2 got voted down, not only because of the local economy. Granted it may have been a major factor, but that was not the only factor that turned voters away. In my opinion Prop 2 was a sirloin steak served with a side of horse manure. The 8.7 million tack-on for the addition of a borough facility and the destruction of the old did not belong on that proposition. Nice try though. If memory serves me, a short time ago the original pool vote involved water slides and other extravagant add-ons, we decide not necessary. The borough brought it back, in a more economical and practical presentation, and we voted it in. I am fairly certain that will be the case for our badly needed new high school. BTW Juneau is building a Shangri-La of a facility for a round 80 million.
As for the elections, well no real surprises there. Those that ran, for the most part, got voted in. I am glad to see that write in vote for borough assembly went to Dave Kaplan. Did anyone else notice the other three contenders? Yep, there was a Stephans. and a couple of Arndts in the mix. I am glad there was enough voter turn out to prevent that from happening.
Petal Ruch won a much deserved school board seat, and this voter believes she will bring a much needed new perspective to the board.
Lastly, HATS OFF to all who ran and doubly so to all who showed up to vote. The power of government truly rests in our hands.
Check out the KoKon, rumor has it the comments section is coming back, that and his spin on Uncle Ted vs. Hobo Jim is hilarious. The Kodiak Perspective is keeping us posted on his travels and is enlightening as usual.
As for me; I am off to the Rondy for a burger and a brew,(or two).
Do the right thing tomorrow ya'll, regardless of the effort.
Peace.

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

Last weekend

Isn't it great that spring has sprung? The weather was good and we got a lot done.
I was able to start the annual yard clean-up. The family spent Saturday prepping the St. Mary's booth for Crab Fest; along with several other volunteers.
Over the past week I noticed many volunteers doing the same for their respective booths.
Hat's off to all the volunteers taking the time to make this Crab Fest an event to remember! In a time when so many are just trying to get by, it is heartwarming to see how many folks realize that labor can offset monetary donations.
I did get a chance to swing by the Rookery for it's grand opening. Great place! Local art and an open, airy atmosphere really made it a nice experience. We were able to purchase a beautiful basket at a very reasonable price,; a gift for someone near and dear that is departing our island.
That said; Crab Fest tends to bring out the best in this community. Why not carry that desire to volunteer and get things done? Remember the feeling of accomplishment when you are done and seek to find it in a new endeavor. If we continue this desire to volunteer this community could resolve a lot of its problems.
Maybe if we carried the same desire to accomplish community activism as the four new Eagle Scouts did, honored on Sunday, we could fix many of our neighborhoods problems.
Just a thought.
Enjoy the weather, enjoy Crab Fest. If you want to experience Kodiak's finest poets, make sure you attend the event at Tony's Thurs. night.
Thats my rant, I am spent.
Peace ya'll
Griff

My spin

It seems that my last entry has sparked some commentary.
Excellent!
I misnomered a part of my commentary on the current legal frivolities of our assembly.
The other litigants are not co-plaintiffs in Mr. Stephens suite. They are also plaintiffs, but in separate suites. Hence the tense discussions at the last meeting.
Their law suites are separate, but equally inane. That tidbit on the table, lets magnify it by the fact that those assembly members suing also expect us to pick up the tab for their legal costs. Are you serious?
Commentators on my last blog entry have pointed out that the records are public knowledge. They are correct. My point is simply this. Most folks will not go through the hurdles involved in obtaining that information. This is magnified by the fact that most of us are not aware that such litigation exists.
Second point: why not publish this in the local paper? Surely any litigation against the borough is newsworthy. Again the local pulp avoids being controversial.
Nuff said on that.
In response to a few other comments. I have thrown my hat in the ring. I will not say that a run at an assembly seat is not on my agenda. However; I have been active in this community on several volunteer boards. It is my desire to understand the processes that drive this community before I try to step in and help manage it. Too often people run for an office with a personal agenda, or even with no agenda, and do not understand the procedures and work that is necessary to function as an asset to the community. Listen to the meetings; how many times do board members need direction on what is allowable and what is not?
That said. I will continue to work on various boards and committees until I feel that I understand how this convoluted borough / city government works. There are plenty of folks doing the same thing.
One last answer to another comment. Active duty military are restricted in what public service they may seek. It must be non-paying and usually non-voting seats. This no longer applies to me personally, but does apply to many people who live here.
So the answer to the challenge that some of you have thrown is this.
I am grateful that you are reading my rant. I am grateful for your confidence in my ability,(although it may be misplaced).
I will retreat to my original tenet. Give back!
There are numerous service boards, fire departments, and advisory boards that continually have vacant seats. Act! Get on one. You might not think that it matters, but the assembly listens to these boards regularly, as does the mayor. Perhaps you will come to understand the processes that are involved in governing our community. Then we can grow a group of citizens that can walk into an assembly meeting, or even step onto the board with a working knowledge of what needs to be done.
Seem like a commitment? It sure is. Maybe start smaller. Try being a youth coach for the numerous seasonal activities that are around. It is an intense but short term commitment.
My experience has shown me that a few folks step up, and in doing so, become the workhorse that pulls the buggy for the entire neighborhood. Wouldn't it be better if we had a team of workhorses that pulled the load? Too often I have seen members of this community trying to close the barn door after the cows have gone. We need to be informed and fore-warned so that we can act as a preventative rather than a band-aid.
I am spent, thanks for reading.
My last question.
What have you done lately, that made this world a better place?
Peace,
Griff