Local Elections

As I think about local elections I remind myself that this is all about local people caring enough about their community to get involved and take an active role for the benefit of the community. We may not fully understand what they think about all of the issues we face together, but then they don’t understand what I think and feel about those same issues. Actually, we are in this governance thing together. We rely on each other to get things done for the benefit of the community. And we rely on the good will and sense of our elected representatives that they will do the right thing.

The right thing. It is not always well understood by any of the participants. The right thing emerges out of a hail of data and needs and moving targets of other public business all needing to be done at this very same moment. The right thing takes shape before our eyes, the same way it takes shape before the eyes of our elected officials.

I think we need to give them space on this. We want the best from them. We have to give them time and data to determine what best is. And when to deliver it.

When I served on local City Council I was surprised by a few things. First, that the work unfolded very slowly. Inch by inch agenda items arose, were discussed, staff directed to do something about it, then more feedback from staff, and more definition of the agenda item. Still more discussion. Reading and writing about that discussion. Finally an agenda item that posed a question for us to decide on. What did we think about that issue at that exact time? And would we think differently later on?

Second, I remember citizens loudly demanding why we were in such a hurry to change the town? In reality we were not in a hurry. And changing the town was a given. It is constantly changing. The real question: what change do we want and what change do we hope to deny from happening? If change is to be managed we have to get our hands dirty and wrestle for changes that are more desirable than others.

Nothing was hurried then or now. In four years we developed good policies and took action that would be helpful in future decision making. But quick happenings? Not at all. Slow. Maddeningly slow.

Today we talk about a roundabout at a busy intersection. It is a new idea for our town. NOT! Roundabouts were talked about in 2005, 2006, and 2007 from my memory. Imponderable questions were posed and discussed. No decisions made then. Still not today. But the nearby bridge over the river is going to be replaced by the county. Why? Because the bridge is dragging its bottom in the river’s water when water levels are high. And that drag causes water flow sluggishness and upstream backing up a bit and rising water levels along the banks of the river. In times of high water. Action is needed to attend to those high water moments.

And the bridge is one of those matters requiring action. The county asked for bond money, got it, and the bridge will be replaced. Within two years.

With this bridge comes height over the river; height means bridge approach roadways that are longer than what we have today. Higher bridge and longer approaches means it will be difficult to get into the auto repair shop, the auto body service center,  the storied local bar, the pizza joint and the gas station. The intersection of will need to be different.

How can we adapt to these changes in the best manner? Three options exist: do nothing and let the compressed space struggle with growing traffic; align the roadways into a four-way intersection; or blend them altogether in some sort of roundabout design.

To do anything means land has to be used differently. The gas station land will be needed for a roundabout or a four-way intersection. No four-way or roundabout means a local art co-op is cut off from the world; so too Al’s Pizza parking lot. Phoenix Auto Body won’t be visible let alone accessible. Voegtele’s repair shop access will be different but manageable.

So what to do? I think the process of citizens inputting, and elected officials thinking, and consultants posing technical solutions, will all come together to construct a solution that will work out for all of our benefit.

It’s what this crazy thing called democracy is all about. It isn’t always pleasant or smooth. But it is wise. It does manage change. It requires our involvement. I have faith the right thing will happen. Whatever that is.

Remember that as we approach elections. And hope that good people get involved. That means you, too! To be a candidate or a knowledgeable voter. This is our community. Let’s all take responsibility for it.

March 13, 2013