07-26-2008, 06:09 AM
I caught the last 45 minutes of last night's gathering so I only have part of the picture.
Whatever Emily's true intentions are, the perception seems to be that she is not representing our district in good faith, not to mention disrespecting all the hard work that went into the plan. We all know that perception is everything, especially if a politician hopes to be (re)elected. I did not participate in the planning, but I know that nothing is more demoralizing than asking for someone's input then ignoring it.
Rob made the point in another post that people resist change. As someone who works in the field of "introducing change" I have a slightly different take: people don't resist change as much as they resist change being FORCED on them. When you educate and guide people to be part of the change process (as Rob has done with the FoPf and the planning committee, etc) then change becomes a GOOD thing because they OWN it. Then folks get excited and enthusiastic about making the changes happen. My point is that even if the proposed amendments are the best ideas in the world, it won't change the perception that change is being forced. If the plan is scrapped, well, then that is being "forced" as well.
That said, I have some constructive criticism for a few of the folks who spoke in support of "pass it now, amend it later": a little less emotion would have helped make the testimony more credible. Still, I appreciate the passion!
I'm trying to keep an open mind, but...if elections were held today, Emily would NOT get my vote.
Tim
Whatever Emily's true intentions are, the perception seems to be that she is not representing our district in good faith, not to mention disrespecting all the hard work that went into the plan. We all know that perception is everything, especially if a politician hopes to be (re)elected. I did not participate in the planning, but I know that nothing is more demoralizing than asking for someone's input then ignoring it.
Rob made the point in another post that people resist change. As someone who works in the field of "introducing change" I have a slightly different take: people don't resist change as much as they resist change being FORCED on them. When you educate and guide people to be part of the change process (as Rob has done with the FoPf and the planning committee, etc) then change becomes a GOOD thing because they OWN it. Then folks get excited and enthusiastic about making the changes happen. My point is that even if the proposed amendments are the best ideas in the world, it won't change the perception that change is being forced. If the plan is scrapped, well, then that is being "forced" as well.
That said, I have some constructive criticism for a few of the folks who spoke in support of "pass it now, amend it later": a little less emotion would have helped make the testimony more credible. Still, I appreciate the passion!
I'm trying to keep an open mind, but...if elections were held today, Emily would NOT get my vote.
Tim
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius