From the inbox:
It's Not About Muir - It's About Us
Maggie was far more than a member of the City Council. She was the
most beloved person in this town. She understood Encinitas is much
more than a city; it's a community.
Cities are about general plans; building codes; infrastructure;
pseudo-roundabouts; land development; commerce; projects; programs
and policies. Communities are about common values and social norms.
Maggie knew the difference.
I loved Maggie. Still do. Always will. More important than her
position on issues was the person she was: caring; passionate;
honest; decent; and devoted to the people and animals who live here.
Maggie exemplified integrity. She was pro-neighborhood;
pro-environment; pro-family; and pro-human dignity. She was one of
us - independent; individualistic; intelligent; inventive; and, when
her principles were at stake, immovable. How like Maggie to care
about us until the very end - leaving us the gift of a beautiful,
thoughtful video message shared with us after her death. Although
she looked thin and frail, the full force of her larger than life
presence was still there.
Far worse than the puerile political machinations in which Council
members Bond, Stocks and Gasper engaged was the indecency and
insensitivity with which they treated Maggie and the thousands who
voted for her. They could have given her the honor she deserved by
appointing the extraordinarily capable person she'd designated as
her choice to succeed her. Or, they could have appointed any one of
the several highly qualified civic leaders who stated they'd not run
for election in 2012. It would have been an act of kindness and
generosity with no cost to themselves - they'd remain the majority
on the City Council.
Instead of honoring Maggie's wishes, Bond, Stocks, and Gaspar used
their majority to appoint the only controversial, divisive, and
politically-compromised candidate - an act sure to exacerbate
community conflict. They knowingly, and negligently disenfranchised
the thousands of people who shared Maggie's vision for Encinitas.
The greatest measure of a community is how we treat each other. Most
of us would prefer that to be with respect, courtesy, caring and
decency. We must make it absolutely clear that the Council
majority's actions do not represent our values or interests.
For some of us, it feels like Encinitas lost its heart. But, it
hasn't. Maggie left hers to us to preserve and protect. With all
the energy, passion, perseverance and determination in her, Maggie
forged a pathway for us to follow; and bequeathed to us a priceless
legacy.
It is time for us to act.
Are there 500 people in Encinitas willing to write a check for $250
to further Maggie's legacy? Are you?
Bob Aronin
Reform Encinitas
infor@ReformEncinitas.com
Thank-you Bob for such a well written reminder that we can make a difference. That we need to start now to elect people who care about ethics, intergrity, honesty and open transparent government. People who are genuinely respectful, kind and caring. People who care about Encinitas, not just what Encinitas can to for them. I am glad that we do have such people who have said that they are going to run in 2012.
ReplyDeleteP. S. I urge you to meet and talk to Lisa Shaffer and Tony Kranz.
ReplyDeleteWell stated. I concur.
ReplyDeleteThe next appalling event will be the passing up of Barth, for the third time, as mayor.
ReplyDeleteThere was not doubt the first two times that it was proper for her to be appointed in the customary rotation.
It is even more appropriate for Barth to move into the mayoral post in 2012.
It won't happen.
Who will the council supper majority favor?
To some degree it matters who's in office, but it matters more how much pressure they're under from the public. - Noam Chomsky
ReplyDeleteMark your calendars - Dec. 13th special meeting and write posts, letters to the editor, comments and commentary. Barth must move to Deputy Mayor at stark minimum. There's work that can be done from that position.
ReplyDeleteForget it. That council is so divisive.
ReplyDeleteGreat commentary. Contribute what you can, if you have cash great, in any amount but not over $250, and if you are tight right now keep your eyes and ears tuned to the city agenda for each council meeting. Now that there is a super majority I expect to see some controversial issues piece-mealed through. It was great to see new faces at the rally and the Council pays attention when new people speak up. Attend council meetings and speak, you don't have to use all three minutes, just state your opinion.
ReplyDelete$250 is nice but it's not going to win.
ReplyDeleteThe majority uses PACs and shady deep-pockets organizations to do third-party mailers.
We're going to need our more affluent friends to form PACs and donate thousands to fight back.
How about a rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock elimination?
ReplyDeleteLast two standing would be Mayor and Vice mayor.
That concept would probably escape four out of the five.
At least the process would be pure chance as opposed to cronyism.