Every day brings a new and pleasant surprise in the garden. Tulips and daffodils let us know the chill of winter was gone. The celestial blue of forget-me-nots mirrored the clear skies of spring and now the bold colors of blooming lilies tell us summer is almost here.
Of course, flowers are ephemeral and many have gone to seed. But even collecting and harvesting the seeds of alyssum and love-in-a-mist link us to the timeless cycles of nature.
In contrast, the political sowing and reaping at City Hall lately does not feel so uplifting. The cabinet still lacks that energy that one sees even in something as small but vital as a growing plant. The budget process revealed to close observers that some top officials who should be demonstrating a kind of vibrancy in their work are actually kind of dull and unresponsive. The fact that a whole host of past cabinet members have been tossed onto the compost heap of politics does not ameliorate our ongoing need for new and real vitality to address the city's issues.
We have had a taste of "green fuse" power in our budget consultant and in at least one department head, but we need it in more of our directors and managers if the city is to flourish.
OK, end of flowery analysis from this writer. What do you want from those in City Hall who decide how to cultivate your tax money for the best return? Let us know.
--Bernice
I would like to see intelligence and true civic minded people in city government.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately... there's only Rebecca and Annie right now...and it will be down to only Rebecca next year.
The weeds on the city council whether it's the bumbling trio suckling on the Mayor ( talk about holding onto the Titanic as she's going down )to the UnDynamic Duo Storch and Mapp who can't see pass ideology to support what's right for the city but beat their chest repeatedly it's their only purpose for being there are choking the city.
I do not fault the Mayor. She's a hot mess... She's knows it... She's in your face about it.. City Council ??? Not a full set amongst the group of them ( Rebecca and Annie excluded ).
Thank you for this apt analogy, Bernice. Recently elected Ms. Brown, who doesn't have an original bone in her body, won't help things. I hope I'm wrong. We have Reid, Rivers, and Greaves, who couldn't think themselves out of a wet paper bag. We have a mayor who must be the laziest person to be in that office in many, many years, and we have voters who are too lazy to vote their conscience and help our city. It is depressing, but we must press on, or should I say, I feel I must press on.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob, I'm with you. I will keep pressing on until the stars align, and Plainfield once again is in the hands of intelligent people who care about Plainfield.
ReplyDeletePeople must remember that having this new collection of council members is more the norm in Plainfield. For the past 4 years we have been fortunate to have people who understand politics, understand business workings, and vote by logic not by gut.
This new crop is exactly the same as previous councils. They don't think, they don't take the time to understand the issues, and they don't care about Plainfield, just staying in power through our questionable politics. They vote by who is their friend, what they are told or what they feel.
Look on the bright side, Coundil meetings won't last for more than an hour.
We have no choice other than to press on. It seems almost futile since the people who run for office seem to think it is a chance for them to massage their egos. "Public service" is something that seems far from their minds. It's more of a game to see how much notoriety and (?) they can gain. Unfortunately it is not only local but we see the same in State/Federal politicians.
ReplyDeleteWe citizenry must bear the fault also. We follow the "Pied Piper" without first investigating his/her claims. Plainfield will survive but in what shape? Perhaps we may see an unusual occurrence in the November election.