Have you ever had the desire to poke your local politicians with a stick? If you think about it, we are “their game wardens” and sometimes they need some encouragement. Want to know what I think? Read on.
On Monday January 9th, 2012 at 7:28 pm, I remembered the Mountain Home City Council was meeting for the 1st time this year. Ooops! (Go LSU) Too late to attend at that late hour so now I'll have to wait at least 7 more days to read the official meeting minutes. Seven more days before I can learn what our new City Council decided and discussed. My bad...
Challenges, Visions, and Expectations
A lot of the people of Mountain Home may not care what our city government will do in 2012. But that doesn't mean our elected officials should get a free pass. Shouldn't “we the people” have some insight into what each member of the City Council, and our Mayor expects to accomplish? How else will “we the people” know if they have our best interests at heart? I think “the people” really expect a government that is proactive rather than reactive.
A proactive official would already have a good idea of what challenges Mountain Home faces in the next year and beyond. They would also have a vision of where the city is headed in the future, and hit the ground running making that vision a reality. And the truly proactive official should already know what “the people” expect of them and what they expect of themselves. But sadly, our elected officials are not required to share these important (in my opinion) ideals with us.
That's Where the Stick Comes into Play
I lay down a friendly challenge to Mayor Rist and Council Members Anderson, Isaac, Urquidi and Schipani. This challenge is to individually inform, educate and publish the answers to the following:
1. What are the 3 biggest challenges you think Mountain Home faces in 2012?
2. What are the 3 biggest challenges you think our city faces in the next 2-4 years?
It's been said that Mountain Home is a vibrant rural community of 15,000 with strong agricultural ties. We are also the home of Mountain Home Air Force Base and Marathon Cheese.
3. Using “your vision” of what Mountain Home should look like in the future, rewrite and expand upon the above statement in order to reflect what you'd like people to say about our City in the year 2024.
Citizens have certain expectations of their elected officials but these expectations differ greatly from person to person. So...
4. As a City Council Member or Mayor, what do you expect to accomplish in the next 2-4 years?
While I doubt we will get answers to any of these questions, they are questions that truly need to be addressed. So if you think your Mountain Home elected officials should answer these questions, head on out to a Council Meeting and poke em with a stick.
Farewell, Welcome and Thanks from one of the Game Wardens
Thanks,
PS: I'd also like to thank Guns N' Roses as this article was partial based upon one of their songs.
On Monday January 9th, 2012 at 7:28 pm, I remembered the Mountain Home City Council was meeting for the 1st time this year. Ooops! (Go LSU) Too late to attend at that late hour so now I'll have to wait at least 7 more days to read the official meeting minutes. Seven more days before I can learn what our new City Council decided and discussed. My bad...
Challenges, Visions, and Expectations
A lot of the people of Mountain Home may not care what our city government will do in 2012. But that doesn't mean our elected officials should get a free pass. Shouldn't “we the people” have some insight into what each member of the City Council, and our Mayor expects to accomplish? How else will “we the people” know if they have our best interests at heart? I think “the people” really expect a government that is proactive rather than reactive.
A proactive official would already have a good idea of what challenges Mountain Home faces in the next year and beyond. They would also have a vision of where the city is headed in the future, and hit the ground running making that vision a reality. And the truly proactive official should already know what “the people” expect of them and what they expect of themselves. But sadly, our elected officials are not required to share these important (in my opinion) ideals with us.
That's Where the Stick Comes into Play
I lay down a friendly challenge to Mayor Rist and Council Members Anderson, Isaac, Urquidi and Schipani. This challenge is to individually inform, educate and publish the answers to the following:
1. What are the 3 biggest challenges you think Mountain Home faces in 2012?
2. What are the 3 biggest challenges you think our city faces in the next 2-4 years?
It's been said that Mountain Home is a vibrant rural community of 15,000 with strong agricultural ties. We are also the home of Mountain Home Air Force Base and Marathon Cheese.
3. Using “your vision” of what Mountain Home should look like in the future, rewrite and expand upon the above statement in order to reflect what you'd like people to say about our City in the year 2024.
Citizens have certain expectations of their elected officials but these expectations differ greatly from person to person. So...
4. As a City Council Member or Mayor, what do you expect to accomplish in the next 2-4 years?
While I doubt we will get answers to any of these questions, they are questions that truly need to be addressed. So if you think your Mountain Home elected officials should answer these questions, head on out to a Council Meeting and poke em with a stick.
Farewell, Welcome and Thanks from one of the Game Wardens
- It is much regret that I say farewell to an excellent City Councilman. Geoff Schroeder “did his 4 years” serving Mountain Home, Idaho. I thought he brought a level-headed, no nonsense attitude to the job while occasionally offering a few humorous zingers to each meeting. Geoff also seemed to be the only “on-line” personality of this City Council. I want to publicly thank Mr. Schroeder for making Mountain Home a better place to live, work and play. I'm glad you made it out of the jungle in 1 piece.
- A warm “Welcome” is in order to the newest member of the Mountain Home City Council. Jimmy Schipani should bring a fresh new outlook to our local government. There are many challenges to face in the coming years. So Jimmy, “welcome to the jungle” as “they” call local politics. Do a good job for us.
- For the rest of them? Mayor Rist, Alain Isaac, Rich Urquidi and Russ Anderson? I've watched you guys at council meetings for the last few years. My opinion???? You guys have done a great job. I have great respect for you and the extremely tough job you have taken on. So...Thanks. But don't let it [the job] bring you to your kn-kn-knees, knees.
Thanks,
PS: I'd also like to thank Guns N' Roses as this article was partial based upon one of their songs.
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