Round One . . . . Scrap the Poll

I reminded myself last night why I don't like going to meetings.  If there's passion in the air, I feel it.  If discussion gets hot and heavy, my blood pressure rises and my Irish self shoots off her mouth.

Passion was palpable.  Discussion was hot and heavy.  I shot off my mouth a time or two.

So did a lot of other people (young and old) who attended last night's informational meeting about the county figureheads targeting the fairgrounds, 4-H and Extension services and the local museum as possible major items for their cutting board. 

Well, after a lot of discussion,  one county commissioner, who turned into a target himself last night, stated emphatically (based on what he heard from the group) that he would be making a motion next week scrap their idea of polling the public about these three entities when they send out county property tax statements next month. 

Attendees found numerous holes in how the proposed survey was worded, like incorrect numbers and gross potential for misinterpretation.   

The legality and fairness of the polling measure was questioned, since it would go out only to property owners.  And, of course, the question resounded throughout the night: why these three items, why not other aspects of the budget?

Two of the three county commissioners attended the meeting.  It didn't take long to see that these two (the same two who will go through mediation in hopes of resolving their differences) gentlemen hold diametrically opposing views on what's important to the people of Bonner County.

One commissioner believes strongly in leaving the budget-cutting tentacles off from 4-H, the fairgrounds and the museum.  

The other one says he believes in all three, but said repeatedly that we've got to find ways to fund them in the future.  I'm not sure everyone in the room took him at his word.  One young lady essentially asked him to prove his support  through future public actions over the remainder of his term.

I'm wondering if his own personal,  political and pet agenda supersedes any sense of fairness to the broad base of his constituency.  Politicians need to learn that, once elected,  they represent all the people, regardless of political affiliation.

The meeting room at St. Joseph's Catholic Church was full, and folks had plenty to say in support of these three institutions that reflect the culture, the history and the very soul of our county.  

I don't know how much was accomplished last night, but I'm guessing one commissioner experienced an eye-opening taste of how galvanized locals can get when you start messing with traditional entities which they consider as sacred.

And, yes, I shot off my mouth on a few topics, but I consider my contributions pretty tame compared to others who came armed with facts and heartfelt eloquence in expressing the need to reconsider what seems a downright draconian idea.  

When you attempt to rip the soul from a rural community, you can count on a good fight.  Last night's opening round of this discussion was electrifying and spirited.  It  definitely appeared to be a round that went to the audience.

I wonder now just what the next step will be, if the survey is scrapped, as promised.  

I do feel very confident that the folks who showed up last night will effectively pass the word to larger numbers and that they will remain vigilant and vocal on these issues in the future.