(Op-ed by Peter Children)
I offer my best wishes to all who participated in this process of getting to the finish line in this council election. It wasn’t easy but it is still the best system in the free world. It is what it is, and I accept the will of the people who took the time and effort to vote.
With that said I want to offer a quote from an unknown author; who said; “Bad politicians are elected by good citizens who do not vote.” One of the greatest privileges in the world is to have an active voice in governing your own life, yet it goes begging at each election. And this is not a secret, it is well known and counted on by candidates running for office. As a citizen living in a community, impassioned as you might be, you silence your own voice by not taking the time to vote. And to you who took the time and still not achieve fulfilment, I applaud you for your effort and encourage you to retain that passion until the next opportunity comes along, and to always be mindful as to the management of the city you live in.
Personally I would have liked to see Max Weaver serve another term; while I realize he does not fit the mode many expect, he none the less is a proven advocate of fair play. He is very through and spends hours and hours on reserch until he knows everything about the issue before him. I think he has more than proven that on several occasions. Max did not lose because he is incompetent, he did not lose because he does not love this city, he lost because his followers stayed home and did not vote. Many mistake his tenacity at the table with new perspective developers as negative, if you looked deeper you would find he will not buy a cat in a sack or a pig in the poke, he wants to protect your tax dollars by taking time until he is satisfied that there will not be problems down the road. When we have another fifty years left at the land fill, you need not be in a hurry, when you find out that these gasification people have been turned down in eleven other communities, you had better understand why. That is what Max did, but as we all knew, he seemed to be the only one who dug deeper and as a result of his effort was piled upon by those with not enough courage to sign their own name. Let me remind you that your sorry excuse for a mayor is supported by his wife. In my presence I stood witness to Weaver turning down cash contributions for his campaign when people would walk up to him and offer folded money….go figure. I think Max will remain a force in city affairs for many years to come….at least I hope so.
I was very impressed with the turnout for Sandra Servantez, about a thousand people voted for her, quite commendable and nothing to be ashamed of. She is an example of someone who loves her city and wants to serve; she proved that by serving two years as a intern on the HRC board. If you were to look in the dictionary for the definition of someone who embodies goodness and fairness…her picture would be there. She is still young and has tome to prepare for her next run for the coming Fourth Ward seat two years from now. She personally told me this race was good experience for her and I agree. She has a great attribute buried inside her chest, its called a heart that cares for everyone.
I wish the winners great success during their term, and hope they consider the circumstances of every citizen living here, not just those who play golf and tennis.
Peter J. Children
