Cambria’s situation is unique in many ways. But an unspoken assumption seems to lurk beneath the plans and decisions of Cambria’s leaders: Cambria is an island unto itself, alone in the universe – not a town located in a beautiful county, nor a village of the great loony, loving state of California, nor a plot of property for which the federal government is responsible, nor a citizen of this unlikely and amazing planet.
We Are Not the First and Won’t Be the Last
In our isolated little burg, it’s easy to forget that we are not really isolated and definitely not cut off from the culture and resources and support of other people. We can learn from other communities our size, from many people in communities everywhere. The actions and plans of our leaders seem to imply they’d rather re-invent the mousetrap and have a new thing than buy off-the-rack. Cambria’s mouse, the argument runs, is unique. The problems involved in trapping a Cambria mouse are not like any other mouse anywhere and Cambria’s chair-standers demand only the best for ourselves.
But the Information is Out Here
In the last century, before the explosion of the “information age” and the internet, information was available, but seeking it out could be next to impossible. Educating yourself about anything even vaguely technical could mean weeks of gathering periodicals, books and other documents – and weeks more to find the relevant information. Local leaders were dependent on paid experts and whatever published information was available from university centers and the state or federal government. The explosion of information available online combined with the digitization of public records and greater understanding of source valuation means no community is restricted to its own knowledge and that of the experts it pays. Without a single phone call or face-to-face, anyone with a connection to the internet can gather information quickly, distill the relevant stuff with ease and still have time to check eBay for anything irresistible to bid on.
Leadership is More than Waving and Wearing the Crown. Sometimes You Have to THINK.
We are living in a culture that doesn’t accept the word of our leaders without question. We are unlikely to take it on faith that our government and the people in it have our best interests at heart. The same, of course, likely applies to our leaders also. If they are convinced they are doing what is in the best interest of the community, then they should share that.
So What’s my Point? What’s my Problem?
What am I looking for from the CCSD? What do I need before I will support their plan for my town’s future? How can we solve the problems and enjoy our beautiful home?
1. I would like a real answer to my questions about our water supply shortage and the solutions the CCSD is proposing. “Because we said so.” or “Because in 2000 some Cambrians said so.” are the answers I’ve gotten so far. I was 6 years old the last time I accepted “Because I said so” to the question “why?” I find it insulting as an answer from a local elected official or government employee. Lack of answers is likely to make me more troublesome rather than discourage further questions. I don’t question to challenge, I question to learn.
2. I would like to feel sure that our leaders are making decisions using accurate, timely information and that they scrutinize the quality of the source before acting on it. In other words, I expect my elected leaders to think critically and consider not just the information, but its source. In a way, each decision they make for the community, they are making on my behalf. I definitely want anyone taking action in my name be cognizant of that fact. Personality shouldn’t enter into it. Whether or not you like me or agree with me shouldn’t affect your recognition that you make decisions on my behalf.
In high school, when I too Algebra 1, there were dozens of equations to be solved each week for homework. It was a requirement that we “show our work”, not just write the final answer. Mr. Peters probably didn’t ever do more than make sure I’d written more than just an answer – he’d probably done the math on how much longer it would take to grade those dozens times 180 students. I don’t blame him. Just like in Algebra 1, I want my representatives on every level of government to “show their work” on a decision, not just tell me the answer. And just like Mr. Peters, most people will only be checking that you DID the work of thinking before you decided. One way to “show your work” would be to verbalize the process you went through to get to an action taken (or not taken). In other words, what information, specifically, lead you to the outcome. I may be comfortable supporting your position because you’ve clearly THOUGHT about it, given it due consideration, not just flipped a coin or worked the politics.
One specific example was seen during the discussion of the Fire Safety Ordinance a few meetings back. Director Funke-Bilu explained that in figuring out whether or not to support a draft of the new ordinance, he’d attended the Fire Ordinance Committee meetings, but also spoke to CalFire and some CCSD firefighters and other stakeholders – the folks on the ground with the real-life experience and who would be affected most by the changes. He didn’t go into exhaustive detail, but left no doubt in my mind that if we were to sit down together for a few hours, he could and would share those details that led to his decision to not support the ordinance. Not that difficult, just requires actually processing information and a pinch of meta-cognition.
3. I would be more likely to support anyone open to my active participation in the decision-making process. Sure, engaging the public is time-consuming and can slow things down, but that’s part of the point. Anything accomplished or planned in my community is done with money from my pocket. I want to feel I am heard by the people spending that money. Active participation is more than sitting in silent observation or being allowed three minutes at a meeting for a monologue or sitting at a presentation of information where questions are left unanswered. Active participation requires give and take. It requires information and dialog. It requires effort and builds trust.
4. Accountability is more than electability. I would like a responsive Board and staff that understand we mean no harm when we check up on what they’re doing from time to time. And I’m not implying I don’t trust you. I’m just asking what’s up. Like a parent who asks the teen behind the closed bedroom door, “Whatcha doin?”, we’d like the door to open when they tell us they’re working on homework – just so we can check. When the door stays closed, even if they say “Doin’ Homework.” we feel compelled to ask again, because when a teen tells us something through a closed door, our imagination can get the better of us as we think about all the awful things they could potentially be doing. For everyone involved, the better move is to open the door so it is crystal clear homework is being done.
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