Well now! Looks like we’ve got elections just around the corner (again?). Even though I’ve never cared much for politicians (professional ones, who get paid anyway). I do enjoy the political process.
Because of “politics”, civics have been a passion of mine (especially since I started paying taxes). If they don’t interest You? Either you’ve not been payin’ taxes or you’ve got enough money that you don’t care or you simply don’t realize how much it’s costing you. Local politics is one of the few areas where you get the most “bang for your buck” by joining in the fray.
One of the topics being talked (argued) about in one local township caught my eye. Seems folks up there are lettin’ off steam (blowing a lotta smoke?) about a somewhat tired subject again (still?) “Comprehensive Plans”.
From what little I’ve read in the papers (or heard from some directly involved) is, many who are doin’ the “talkin” reflect an old quote (that I love) from Mark Twain: “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure..., that just ain’t so!”
Happens I wrote a scholarly (my opinion) treatise on this very subject (comprehensive plans) that was published in The Wayne Independent in May, 2007 (musta been along about election time then, too?). I thought I did a pretty fair job of explain’ what these “plans” were..., and weren’t ? Apparently folks either didn’t read it (no surprise) Or they forgot what it said (again, no surprise).
How ‘bout a suggestion? If you’re talking about these “plans” And you actually want to sound intelligent when you do it? E-mail me (since the archives of my columns on the papers web site doesn’t extend back that far) I’ll send you a copy . Otherwise here’s a suggestion. When discussin’ the subject of “Comprehensive Plans” at least remember this much: the word “Plan” is Important, while “Comprehensive” is Not.
Next race I’ve been kinda watchin’ is for “Magisterial District Justice”. Kinda long moniker for a J P, don’tcha think? Must be important though, it carries a pretty good (taxpayer funded) salary, from what I understand.
If you’re interested in my opinion? It’s pretty simple.
This is one of the last frontiers where “we the people” actually get to have a “say” in our justice system. By that I mean not only do we get to elect who we want, but that person can be an “ordinary” citizen. I know, I know, we get to elect some other judges too. But they’re almost always either judges (or lawyers) to start with (where’s the justice in that?).
For this one “judgeship” the candidate doesn’t have to be a judge or lawyer. Did ya git that? We can elect a regular citizen! One who isn’t bound to meet out justice solely from a “scholarly legal standpoint”, but from a common sense viewpoint! Wow! What a concept! Justice..., without all the legalese to tangle it up. Sure, the person is bound by rules of law, but since the cases aren’t (usually) life or death, common sense can actually play a part.
So who might I be planning to vote for? Gee, I can’t say. But I might lean towards that ordinary citizen. One who’s simply been a working guy or small business owner. Someone who starts out with little more than common sense and good judgment. My choice would be anyone who’s not already a lawyer (or judge).
Meanwhile, in my own little neck of the woods (that’d be Texas Twp.). There are folks running (all around) wanting to “run” the township. Some are new(er), some have prior experience. Most seem actually interested in the welfare of the township. I guess I don’t see too much wrong with most of ‘em?
But I do kinda lean towards experience. That is, if the experience I’m lookin’ at hasn’t already shown me things I might not agree with? Not that that would preclude me voting for someone. After all, just ‘cuz I might disagree with something someone's done, doesn’t make them wrong (or me right). But I do believe if you know the history of some thing or some place, you’re more likely to not make the same mistakes (more than once).
So when I look around considerin’ who deserves my vote? I generally look for the most experienced person. That and a long history of not makin’ too many mistakes (least not the same ones).
I Don’t Know About You..., I’m thinkin’ I’ll vote for the planner, then the plumber and then old guy (oops, the planner’s not even in my votin’ district).
Cal Teeple, Observational Cogitation Consortium founder, is often found three stools down, where he may be ignored, accosted, or contacted. Also At: http://www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com.
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Well now! Looks like we’ve got elections just around the corner (again?). Even though I’ve never cared much for politicians (professional ones, who get paid anyway). I do enjoy the political process.
Because of “politics”, civics have been a passion of mine (especially since I started paying taxes). If they don’t interest You? Either you’ve not been payin’ taxes or you’ve got enough money that you don’t care or you simply don’t realize how much it’s costing you. Local politics is one of the few areas where you get the most “bang for your buck” by joining in the fray.
One of the topics being talked (argued) about in one local township caught my eye. Seems folks up there are lettin’ off steam (blowing a lotta smoke?) about a somewhat tired subject again (still?) “Comprehensive Plans”.
From what little I’ve read in the papers (or heard from some directly involved) is, many who are doin’ the “talkin” reflect an old quote (that I love) from Mark Twain: “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure..., that just ain’t so!”
Happens I wrote a scholarly (my opinion) treatise on this very subject (comprehensive plans) that was published in The Wayne Independent in May, 2007 (musta been along about election time then, too?). I thought I did a pretty fair job of explain’ what these “plans” were..., and weren’t ? Apparently folks either didn’t read it (no surprise) Or they forgot what it said (again, no surprise).
How ‘bout a suggestion? If you’re talking about these “plans” And you actually want to sound intelligent when you do it? E-mail me (since the archives of my columns on the papers web site doesn’t extend back that far) I’ll send you a copy . Otherwise here’s a suggestion. When discussin’ the subject of “Comprehensive Plans” at least remember this much: the word “Plan” is Important, while “Comprehensive” is Not.
Next race I’ve been kinda watchin’ is for “Magisterial District Justice”. Kinda long moniker for a J P, don’tcha think? Must be important though, it carries a pretty good (taxpayer funded) salary, from what I understand.
If you’re interested in my opinion? It’s pretty simple.
This is one of the last frontiers where “we the people” actually get to have a “say” in our justice system. By that I mean not only do we get to elect who we want, but that person can be an “ordinary” citizen. I know, I know, we get to elect some other judges too. But they’re almost always either judges (or lawyers) to start with (where’s the justice in that?).
For this one “judgeship” the candidate doesn’t have to be a judge or lawyer. Did ya git that? We can elect a regular citizen! One who isn’t bound to meet out justice solely from a “scholarly legal standpoint”, but from a common sense viewpoint! Wow! What a concept! Justice..., without all the legalese to tangle it up. Sure, the person is bound by rules of law, but since the cases aren’t (usually) life or death, common sense can actually play a part.
So who might I be planning to vote for? Gee, I can’t say. But I might lean towards that ordinary citizen. One who’s simply been a working guy or small business owner. Someone who starts out with little more than common sense and good judgment. My choice would be anyone who’s not already a lawyer (or judge).
Meanwhile, in my own little neck of the woods (that’d be Texas Twp.). There are folks running (all around) wanting to “run” the township. Some are new(er), some have prior experience. Most seem actually interested in the welfare of the township. I guess I don’t see too much wrong with most of ‘em?
But I do kinda lean towards experience. That is, if the experience I’m lookin’ at hasn’t already shown me things I might not agree with? Not that that would preclude me voting for someone. After all, just ‘cuz I might disagree with something someone's done, doesn’t make them wrong (or me right). But I do believe if you know the history of some thing or some place, you’re more likely to not make the same mistakes (more than once).
So when I look around considerin’ who deserves my vote? I generally look for the most experienced person. That and a long history of not makin’ too many mistakes (least not the same ones).
I Don’t Know About You..., I’m thinkin’ I’ll vote for the planner, then the plumber and then old guy (oops, the planner’s not even in my votin’ district).
Cal Teeple, Observational Cogitation Consortium founder, is often found three stools down, where he may be ignored, accosted, or contacted. Also At: http://www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com.
