I used to think I was not much for politics. It drove me nuts when opposing sides talked over one another on Meet the Press. They seemed just flat rude.
Now I realize that one side was just wrong. No matter what side you favor, the other side is just wrong. I actually meant that as a weak joke. Each side of most arguments have valid points that the other side would do well to consider.
But what we want, especially on a local or hyper local level, is to move ahead and improve our quality of life right here in our own little town.
What makes life better is subject to much discussion. I think we could all agree that less crime, fewer drugs being sold illegally, better streets and water facilities are all good things, unless you are selling illegal drugs and in that case you probably don’t read the paper.
I think we would all like to see the town cleaner, and by that I mean less actual garbage blowing around as well as fewer derelict buildings and overgrown lots. And don’t forget cleaning up the burned down buildings scattered around. We’d all probably like to see a blossoming downtown.
Then what? How do we get there? What if my overgrown lot is actually a pollinator sanctuary? If someone is using a Main Street building for storage, they probably don’t want a business there.
The issue is balancing the rights of property owners with the needs of the city and the other citizens.
To do that, we need a deft handed city council. To elect them, we have to understand what it is those candidates want.
The question we must ask our candidates is “What is your vision for Watonga?” and “How do we get there?”
My hope is that when those questions are asked, we become able to weed out the candidates who are only running because they have an axe to grind. They have a giant grouch on at someone or something and want to use a council seat to smack that someone around.
It could be the city manager, it could be the form of government, it could be the dog catcher. Maybe they’re mad because of all the money being spent to upgrade the water and sewer systems. Maybe their Aunt Millie got a jaywalking ticket in 1972 and they still hate the cops because of that.
We can’t afford those people on city council. Our new council must present a unified front to address our problems. They must share a vision of what the town will look like in five years, in 10, in 15.
One trick ponies will spend far too much time, energy and mental capital on fighting for that one trick, no matter what it may be.
They will trade whatever goodwill and cooperative spirit for that one thing they want done, like getting rid of the cop that ticketed Aunt Millie.
I don’t advocate that every candidate have a five-year plan carved in stone, because that creates inflexibility. But each one should have a strong idea of what needs to be accomplished during their term in office, ways they hope to meet the mark and how they want to see the town grow and change.
So when you see one of the candidates around – these are your neighbors, remember – don’t be afraid to ask them questions. Please come out to the candidate forums this newspaper will hold soon and listen to what the candidates have to say.
These folks are your neighbors, but they are also applying for a job working for you. The time to find out if it is going to be a good fit with the vision the voters have for the town is before the election. These politics impact and effect the quality of life in this town of ours.