Archive: Opinions

EditorialIt is easy to grouse about lack of participation in community.  There are two school board seats open, and only two candidates.  Last year there were two openings and only one candidate.  In the Village of Lansing and the Lansing fire district contested elections are almost unheard of.  Less so in the Town, but still not a huge number of candidates.  I can't remember a public budget hearing that was really well attended.  The meeting rooms get really empty when these meetings are held.

So I don't know why I was surprised when almost nobody showed up at the school budget hearing and 'Meet the Candidates Night' this week.  Wherever you fall on the budget issue, some significant cuts are being made, and the fact of that has been controversial.  And worrying.  I just thought more people would have questions stemming from fear if nothing else.

I know people are busy, but I did the math on how much more of a big whole lot that I already pay I'm going to have to ante up this year if the budget passes, and I am scared.  I want to know that when I pay that rather large sum that I agree it is being put to the best use, and that is the best way to educate our kids in these bleak economic times.  I really thought more people would show up to see the presentation and maybe ask some questions.

At 'Meet the Candidates' night the two candidates were asked why there aren't more candidates.  The answer was more or less that it's a lot to take on, more than most people have the time or desire to commit to.  I absolutely understand that.  But at the same time I wish we had more choices.  That's not a reflection on the two people who have stepped up to serve.  Actually they are both heroes merely because they have stepped up.

It's just that I think a democracy is supposed to be about choices, and we don't have any in Tuesday's election.  Two positions, two candidates.  Gee, I wonder who will win?

As for the budget, with this kind of money at stake I don't want us to vote it down or approve it without knowing why.  Without each voter knowing why they are casting whatever their vote is.  This isn't some obscure philosophical thing.  It's real money out of our pockets.  And it's our kids.  That's pretty important, and it's vital to know the issues to make an informed decision.

The people who ask me why more people don't participate in local government are the people who do.  I remember being annoyed by people like that when I was in college and just wanted to do college.  Today I'm not so sure -- I think I was wrong and the annoying people were right.  We live in a reasonably small community where we all have buy-in to what our local governments do for us.  Statistically I'd have thought more people would want to run.  Even when we can't or don't want to serve it doesn't take that much to be informed.

At 'Meet the Candidates Night' one of the candidates said he thinks the school district is already doing all it can to reach people.  I thought long and hard about that, and I have to say he is right, especially now with the outreach Superintendent Grimm has been doing on top of all the notices, newsletters, and meetings that are open to the public.  The Village of Lansing had this discussion two weeks ago.  They have tried various ways to reach their residents, including a Facebook page, an email list, a newsletter... if people don't care about being reached there is not a lot you can do.

But when people take the time to be informed and when some of them step up to serve it really makes a difference.  I really liked the last Town election.  Five candidates stepped up for two Town board seats.  One was eliminated in the Democratic caucus, and the general election gave us four different candidates to choose from.  The campaign was civilized, and focused on the issues.  It was a model of the American democratic process.  When there are choices the community literally drives the policies and actions of its government.  And in these perilous times, it is especially important to keep our eyes on the road.

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