Re: "Subject or Citizen?" -- Liberty For All

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Subject: Re: "Subject or Citizen?"

Author:
Ray Isaman

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Date Posted: 17:57:18 01/13/03 Mon
In reply to: R. Lee Wrights 's message, "Re: "Subject or Citizen?"" on 15:05:42 01/13/03 Mon

It isn't just elected representatives who are masquerading as resident nursemaids. Neighbors whose aesthetic sensibilities are offended show up at public meetings and - because they do show and are vehemently vocal - are responsibile for many of these initiatives. A call-in radio program today out of 50,000 watt WHAM in Rochester, NY devoted a large portion of a three-hour program to this subject. The host was pro-property rights and pro-freedom and most of the calls agreed with him. One related a pending law on storage of boats, RVs, motorcycles etc. which originated based upon a SINGLE complaint. This same town is very wealthy and a while back there was a major controversy because the McDonalds color scheme did not blend in with the appearance of Main Street. McDonalds caved. Another call from the town councilman of another town defended a similar law, and when his "good intentions" defense had been translated by the host it amounted to the argument that freedom had to be regulated. Surprisingly he agreed with this interpretation.

I emailed Lee about the previous column from my vantage point as an elected town board member. I have just about concluded that members of the public - irate and en masse - have more impact than a minority-viewpoint member of the public body who does not have the necessary votes to carry an issue. Members of the public on a crusade can face that public body meeting after meeting - and if they refuse to accept an occasional temporary defeat - may after a while prevail.

The higher the level of government, the more numbers that are required.

Working to elect like-minded public officials is an option but the opportunity arises only every two or four years. Interest must be sustained in the interim.

If ever a victory is achieved, savor it. It may have to last a while.

Ray Isaman
observer@eznet.net

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