May 13, 2002

 

Editorial - The Daily News

Taking part in community

We hope that those who participate in the citizen-city councilor open meeting in Newburyport last Thursday evening do not hope for too much, too soon, because this is but the beginning of what should be a continuing dialogue.

People are busy and not always able to attend regular City Council meetings when business at hand can hardly provide for the time to interact in the manner of so-called "town meeting".

And yet, input from citizens is essential if elected officials are to have a sense of what is important.

These are obvious risks involved.

Those with specific interests may be activists for a point of view not broadly shared. That does not mean they should not be heard. It does mean that elected officials should listen and then investigate to balance suggestions against other information.

To note that is not to denigrate input. Those who spend time in public office become aware that one of the most time-consuming efforts is that connected with broadening their awareness of all the facets of issues. They find that, often, proponents or opponents of whatever the issue are likely to present only a part of the information involved.

But the conscientious public official will develop listening skills and invite input without too hastily agreeing with those making their presentations.

That having been noted, it's equally important for citizens in each of our communities to take stock of where we are in terms of the challenges at hand.

In the first instance, and despite what is expected to be a momentary downturn, we are living at a particularly fruitful time in terms of the economy.

Budgets are tight, but they are at one of the highest comparable levels in the history of our region.

Many are unaffected by the downturn. Some, because of layoffs and cutbacks are devastated by it. They may live side by side in equally valuable dwellings, with no outward appearances of the differences.

Those at the bottom of the economic ladder are, as is always the case, in desperate conditions. Those in agencies designed to aid them watch with great frustration as funding dries up.

Local tax revenues become ever more important, as does the cost of government services to those elected to manage the cities and towns.

Understand these conflicts and their reasons requires more study than the average citizen finds time to give. Elected officials simply have to find the time and to take it. To the extent that private citizens seize opportunities to communicate with them, the more likely a better outcome.

Community involvement is the only avenue open to those who hope for a better outcome, and that is why this experimental meeting was important. But it should not stop there.

Those interested enough to have attended should broaden their base of concerns with others who were not there and then continue their contacts with their city councilors and the mayor.

As for those in other communities, they may want to take a leaf from Newburyport's book on this issue, because each has problems with budgets, with revenue and expenditure concerns, with issues related to education, public safety and the environment.

Opportunities at a time of blanketing bureaucracies and uncertain revenues are as plentiful as ever. What they lack is sufficient participation.

That, at the very least, is in everyone's hands. We have only to grasp it.

 
 
(This article replicated online with permission of the Newburyport Daily News, an Eagle Tribune Newspaper.)
 
 
 
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