October 07, 2005
Representative Government in Action is Beautiful to Behold
I hope anyone who was at the or watched last night's Planning Commission will offer their interpretation of what they observed. Something important changed at some point in that meeting and I'm hoping that we can identify it and replicate whatever it is at every level of City government. Some dynamic or specific action began to move the direction of the meeting from antagonism and frustration on both sides to what feels like the beginning of a true collaboration between citizens and representatives.
Was it Pat Gaston's well crafted speech explaining why she thought Planned Unit Developments were not a good idea? Was it the sheer number of letters the Planning Commission had received that spoke unanimously against PUDs in the CBC? Was it Jim Glas breaking the barrier of convention and directly asking citizens what they wanted? Was it Pat's admission of guilt in not participating in the Master Plan revision? Was it Sandy Fenske's honest statement of how she feels dismissed and belittled by some Council members? Was it Ken Manley's finally saying that we have a real problem of trust here in City Government and having his fellow Commission members willing to consider that possibility and address it? Was it Don Bemis skillfully conducting a meeting that allowed all to speak while insisting on respectful exchange?
Was it something else or was it all of the above working in an effective synergy? Whatever it was it was a beautiful example of citizen volunteers hearing what perhaps they would rather not have heard about a document that they had worked diligently on and truly believed was finished. It was government alive and responsive. Everyone who participated deserves the thanks of the South Haven's citizens. I hope we can identify the action or process that opened the door to effective communication and action. If we can we will continue addressing the many changes South Haven faces in the same energetic and thoughtful manner as we saw last night at the Planning Commission.
Posted by Julie at October 7, 2005 08:46 AM
Comments
See below for good advise for us all... maybe it really is possible for us to minimize the taking "sides" and work for a more unified vision of what development in South Haven could be.
From Don Bemis:From my biased standpoint, it appeared that people were willing to talk when they believed that others were willing to listen, and they would listen if they felt the other person was telling the truth.
I have a cautionary note, though. Nearly everybody in the audience (and certainly everybody who was willing to speak) seemed to be in agreement. It is much easier to think you have achieved consensus when that is the case. The folks who don’t agree may have stayed home because they did not feel their presence would affect the outcome.
There is still way too much “us versus them” thinking on both sides. I have heard a lot of it since the meeting. Neither side seems willing to accept that the other side may have some valid points. Hardly anybody gets up in the morning and says, “What nasty thing shall I do today?” We accomplish nothing by reading evil intent into everything somebody does. Don’t just listen when you’re among friends. Try to get into the other person’s head. Encourage your usual opponents when they happen upon something good. That makes it harder for them to automatically write your ideas off, too.
Don
Posted by: Julie Ludwig at October 10, 2005 03:50 PM