It is the privilege of the people to address their concerns to their city councilperson. When addressing myself I am now establishing a rule. It is a small town and there are people who like to stir the pot just to stoke a fire. Everyday I have people telling me their "horror" stories from the past about virtually all City officials. Know this, I would never expect any elected official of mine to make a judgement off of here say. Neither should you. If you have a story to tell from 2011 clear back even thirty years, I don't want to hear about it. It is here say because I wasn't there and I can't prove it. So please stop trying to influence my judgement by degrading the character of an official from an instance in the distant past.
The following are my comments in response to community remarks.
What the community has witnessed in our local government can only be summed up with two words - an egregious atrocity. I think there is often a natural disconnect between the people and government, but the events plaguing us over the past couple of weeks within the government, have widened the gap and exacerbated the wound with salt. What I report is the overwhelming people's view. It is the perception that the people have entrusted me with. They see the dissolution of City Hall's integrity by fear, distrust and what they see as apparent collusion with private residents of Shenandoah, Iowa. No, I don't believe this was the intended result but it is a suspicion directly from the perspective of the people. As everyone knows I may be among the most accessible Councilperson on the panel because of my occupation. This has been a blessing and a curse. For as long as I've been in Shenandoah there has always been people disgruntled with City Hall. City Hall being elected and hired officials as well as City employees. Again, as in any community, you can't please everybody so this is normal to a point. With a sigh of frustration I announce that this is not what I anticipated serving for.
We are not the federal government!
My aim has always been and continues to be to serve the people of Shenandoah. Scores are upset with decisions and comments I have made in the past. Scores approve. It's normal, it's fair and it's the American way. But you've elected me to stand with a council of your representatives to make those decisions affecting the City of Shenandoah as a whole. No government can always hold hands and sing "Kumbaya", but we can do our best to make it a goal.
Let me tell you a brief story. Overwhelmingly, the residents of Shenandoah are unaware that many of the basic deep roots of this community were laid first not on this specific piece of land. Many of the original residents first took root about four miles to the southwest of here in a thriving place they called Manti. Yes, this is the same as is now known as Manti Park. It grew and flourished in the mid-1800s as the crossroad of stagecoaches. Yet, when the railroad was laid just to the north, the town quickly dried up and many moved to organize along those tracks in what is now known as Shenandoah.
Now let me take you back to ancient times. There was a grievous war. The bloodshed was difficult to get an accurate count on. Eventually one army found favor over the other and defeated them. For a short time they pursued the enemy as they fled into the deep woods. The chief of this army sent out three individuals to go and make an accounting in secret of the plans and preparations of the defeated army. Obviously without guns, telescopes or evasive tools they risked their lives doing this for the chief captain of the army.
The three made their accounting and returned and reported what they had seen. The enemy joined up with a separate faction and both were preparing to make war on them. Without going into detail much further, suffice it to say it was a bloodbath war. So terrible was the carnage that the numbers of the lost even altered the course of the river they fought at the side of. So what does this have to do with us right here and right now?
These three men served a noble purpose. They came forth when called upon to serve the people. They, even at the expense of their lives if necessary, strived to protect and defend the integrity, prosperity, rights, freedoms and the unity of their people. The name of one of these men was Manti.
Let's use the example of this man as a foundation of who we are or aught to be. Especially as elected and hired officials and employees of the City of Shenandoah we ought always see our post as a privilege to serve the greater good. Though it may be our paid livelihood among most of the City employees, it should still be considered a unique privilege to serve instead of just another 9-5 or beyond job in the workforce.
Shenandoah is a great place to live! We have huge potential of industry which becomes the machine for growth, education, employment and the induction into wider fields of opportunity. At all times, we should be willing to make even painful and personal sacrifices of pride for the greater good of this people and their future. With humility and professionalism we should take up the scepter of the mantle the people have entrusted us.
In conclusion I offer a few brief directives for all elected and hired officials as well as employees of the City of Shenandoah. We have discussion coming up about the use of City vehicles. I make no judgement, but remember to always be aware that people are watching and taking note. Though you may be operating within the parameters of the law or policy, just evaluate your every action with City property and discern if that action can or may be misconstrued as misuse. Just a suggestion.
Second, and this is directed to all city officials across the fruited plain and globe, those directly attached to City Hall will and do at various times feel attacked. As everyone knows, I deeply understand the need to protect and defend oneself through the professional use of the written word and even video if necessary. As one who was almost falsely imprisoned last year over a disgruntled taxpayer's hatred for my remarks over the water rates issue, I offer this bit of advice to anyone venturing into the realms of video addresses. One, do not use specific names. Two, never produce a video that shouldn't be the information for the entire world to see. We have local media for the purpose of local news. Third, if video is deemed necessary never never never never post a video under the online personal account of a private citizen. This does and has produced the perception of collusion and the absolving of objectivity of City Hall. Again, this is just a suggestion directed to all city officials in the world now serving. I offer this advice with love for my neighbor and as counsel for future steps.
I want you to know that outside of these chambers I hardly see or communicate with the other Council members. I trust the same with them. From my perspective there is no corruption or smoke and mirror combinations among us. The public may or may not like the decisions of your elected officials but our operation is as clean as it gets.
Let all attached to City Hall do some self-reflecting and ask yourself "Am I like Manti?" If there is doubt then ask yourself what sacrifices may need to be made for the greater good and the integrity of City Hall. The next step is up to us. Each of us needs to do some serious self reflecting. If our place as Councilperson or any other position is not helping to unite the people then is it not our duty to step down in order that the greater good can be established? If I am wrong please tell me I'm way off base and I shall consider my own removal.
The following are my comments in response to community remarks.
What the community has witnessed in our local government can only be summed up with two words - an egregious atrocity. I think there is often a natural disconnect between the people and government, but the events plaguing us over the past couple of weeks within the government, have widened the gap and exacerbated the wound with salt. What I report is the overwhelming people's view. It is the perception that the people have entrusted me with. They see the dissolution of City Hall's integrity by fear, distrust and what they see as apparent collusion with private residents of Shenandoah, Iowa. No, I don't believe this was the intended result but it is a suspicion directly from the perspective of the people. As everyone knows I may be among the most accessible Councilperson on the panel because of my occupation. This has been a blessing and a curse. For as long as I've been in Shenandoah there has always been people disgruntled with City Hall. City Hall being elected and hired officials as well as City employees. Again, as in any community, you can't please everybody so this is normal to a point. With a sigh of frustration I announce that this is not what I anticipated serving for.
We are not the federal government!
My aim has always been and continues to be to serve the people of Shenandoah. Scores are upset with decisions and comments I have made in the past. Scores approve. It's normal, it's fair and it's the American way. But you've elected me to stand with a council of your representatives to make those decisions affecting the City of Shenandoah as a whole. No government can always hold hands and sing "Kumbaya", but we can do our best to make it a goal.
Let me tell you a brief story. Overwhelmingly, the residents of Shenandoah are unaware that many of the basic deep roots of this community were laid first not on this specific piece of land. Many of the original residents first took root about four miles to the southwest of here in a thriving place they called Manti. Yes, this is the same as is now known as Manti Park. It grew and flourished in the mid-1800s as the crossroad of stagecoaches. Yet, when the railroad was laid just to the north, the town quickly dried up and many moved to organize along those tracks in what is now known as Shenandoah.
Now let me take you back to ancient times. There was a grievous war. The bloodshed was difficult to get an accurate count on. Eventually one army found favor over the other and defeated them. For a short time they pursued the enemy as they fled into the deep woods. The chief of this army sent out three individuals to go and make an accounting in secret of the plans and preparations of the defeated army. Obviously without guns, telescopes or evasive tools they risked their lives doing this for the chief captain of the army.
The three made their accounting and returned and reported what they had seen. The enemy joined up with a separate faction and both were preparing to make war on them. Without going into detail much further, suffice it to say it was a bloodbath war. So terrible was the carnage that the numbers of the lost even altered the course of the river they fought at the side of. So what does this have to do with us right here and right now?
These three men served a noble purpose. They came forth when called upon to serve the people. They, even at the expense of their lives if necessary, strived to protect and defend the integrity, prosperity, rights, freedoms and the unity of their people. The name of one of these men was Manti.
Let's use the example of this man as a foundation of who we are or aught to be. Especially as elected and hired officials and employees of the City of Shenandoah we ought always see our post as a privilege to serve the greater good. Though it may be our paid livelihood among most of the City employees, it should still be considered a unique privilege to serve instead of just another 9-5 or beyond job in the workforce.
Shenandoah is a great place to live! We have huge potential of industry which becomes the machine for growth, education, employment and the induction into wider fields of opportunity. At all times, we should be willing to make even painful and personal sacrifices of pride for the greater good of this people and their future. With humility and professionalism we should take up the scepter of the mantle the people have entrusted us.
In conclusion I offer a few brief directives for all elected and hired officials as well as employees of the City of Shenandoah. We have discussion coming up about the use of City vehicles. I make no judgement, but remember to always be aware that people are watching and taking note. Though you may be operating within the parameters of the law or policy, just evaluate your every action with City property and discern if that action can or may be misconstrued as misuse. Just a suggestion.
Second, and this is directed to all city officials across the fruited plain and globe, those directly attached to City Hall will and do at various times feel attacked. As everyone knows, I deeply understand the need to protect and defend oneself through the professional use of the written word and even video if necessary. As one who was almost falsely imprisoned last year over a disgruntled taxpayer's hatred for my remarks over the water rates issue, I offer this bit of advice to anyone venturing into the realms of video addresses. One, do not use specific names. Two, never produce a video that shouldn't be the information for the entire world to see. We have local media for the purpose of local news. Third, if video is deemed necessary never never never never post a video under the online personal account of a private citizen. This does and has produced the perception of collusion and the absolving of objectivity of City Hall. Again, this is just a suggestion directed to all city officials in the world now serving. I offer this advice with love for my neighbor and as counsel for future steps.
I want you to know that outside of these chambers I hardly see or communicate with the other Council members. I trust the same with them. From my perspective there is no corruption or smoke and mirror combinations among us. The public may or may not like the decisions of your elected officials but our operation is as clean as it gets.
Let all attached to City Hall do some self-reflecting and ask yourself "Am I like Manti?" If there is doubt then ask yourself what sacrifices may need to be made for the greater good and the integrity of City Hall. The next step is up to us. Each of us needs to do some serious self reflecting. If our place as Councilperson or any other position is not helping to unite the people then is it not our duty to step down in order that the greater good can be established? If I am wrong please tell me I'm way off base and I shall consider my own removal.
