Crabgrass does not have to call all the shots for our future. It's not an inevitability. We can compel being listened to if we have a unified voice. We must find a unified voice and RAMSEY3 and this separate meeting can foster or splinter reaching the goal. So ---- Let's keep our eyes on the prize. That's common sense.
I believe there will be at least one RAMSEY3 citizen-sponsor there in the audience, perhaps a few of them. They will listen, and I expect crabgrass will be there in person or via running dogs. (How you judge a running dog is for you to decide.)
This post is about Solomon's choices and Ben Franklin. Or however you would say it. What could get lost in factionalism with differing agendas or non-consensus arising over agenda details is the general consensus "It's broke and needs fixing."
Ben Franklin said, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." He said that at the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
INDEPENDENCE WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST WITHOUT SOLIDARITY. LEADERS THEN WERE EXCEPTIONAL. IN RAMSEY WE CURRENTLY HAVE "EXCEPTIONAL" ALSO, THE DIRECTION DIFFERING FROM THE FOUNDING FATHERS, AND THE RESULT BEING THE TOWN CENTER FIASCO AS IT STANDS AND THE EVER ESCALATING TAXES IMPOSED TO COVER FOR RECENT PAST DECISION-MAKING AND THE ADVANCING OF FAMILY LAND INTERESTS FROM THE COUNCIL TABLE IN WAYS THAT ARGUABLY DIFFER FROM OBJECTIVELY PROMOTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
Solomon said, "Split the baby," and looked to see who would concede rather than see a disaster.
Hang together, Franklin said. Be willing to concede something to avoid further dictated disaster, Solomon said. Both are viewed as wise men.
Ramsey is a small community. Crabgrass has grassroots in Ramsey. There are individuals who find it cordial.
Unanimity and vigilance will hold it at a tolerable level. Indifference or divided attention could mean splintering of the hoe handle. That will make the policing of crabgrass, weeding it out, harder on the hands. There are 900 ways to say it. The last thing we need is a civil war among the opposition. If there is not a coherent and strong voice against business as usual, as it's been with unanimous council votes before the last election, then the future of all residents and taxpayers in Ramsey will be dictated by a majority of the council without fear of recall or ouster in 2008. Business as usual. If there is a coherent counter-plan to what's been done and failed, and what's planned west of Town Center and around Brookfield and the gun club, and reprecussions of that, then accept a future of escalating taxes and very costly connection fees for most of us with a very few individuals prospering greatly.
In fighting crabgrass, pragmatism and consensus will trump ideology, every time. Enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend pragmatism and inclusiveness will be needed, so that emphasis on core ideologies that might be in conflict between pragmatists must be curtailed. People have to lift together. The rock's that heavy.