The third option: Step up to the plate

As most of you know, the last several months in Verona have been highlighted by two events: the release of the revaluation’s effects on homeowners’ property taxes and the adoption of the 2010 municipal budget. Attendance at the last two Town Council meetings was sky-high, with resident after resident coming to the microphone and complaining loudly about the effects of perceived excessive spending, the lack of communication from the Council during the process, the “unfairness” of the huge post-reval tax increases for some, and more.

It struck me that people chose one of two options to express their concerns — either (a) they spoke up (with proposed solutions, to point out problems with the system or just to vent about their personal situations) or (b) they stayed silent, but applauded loudly when each speaker was finished.  But there was a third option that was not exercised by anybody — GET INVOLVED BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I ran for a position on the Town Council in May 2009, and when my campaign started in March of that year, I highlighted four critical issues that — to me, anyway — were problems that needed to be addressed.  They were, in order:

1. The need for improved open, clear communications from the Town Council to the  people.

2. The need for fiscal discipline and close accountability, to get the maximum value for every dollar spent by the town.

3. The need for clarity and frequent informational updates throughout the entire revaluation process.

4. The need for improved traffic safety.

You can fact-check this just by looking at one of my old campaign cards; I still have plenty left over 🙂

I was able to notice the top three critical issues facing our township 18 months before “the pot boiled over” and decided to step up to the plate, got involved and tried to make a difference back when it was possible to make that difference.   I did not succeed, which is OK (there were five people running for three spots so two people were bound to be disappointed), but what really bothered me was the VERY low voter turnout, about 14%.  If only a few more people in May 2009 had paid more attention to the issues and voted for someone who spoke to those issues, perhaps there would have been a better result for the people of Verona right now. I truly thank the 530+ people who voted for me and all of the others who did vote that election day in 2009, but sadly there were not enough people at the polls overall, and that’s a true shame.

Therefore, before we are faced with a public outcry of discontent in August 2011, I urge everyone in Verona to vote in the next election — and EVERY election thereafter — to make your voices and your feelings known while it still matters and can change things for the better.  Even better, please volunteer your time for a township committee or commission, please come to the Council meetings, and please be an active participant in the community.  You will not be disappointed and you WILL make a difference.