Few things are more disturbing for a commentator than to learn that a phrase 
meant to be simply provocative turns out offensive. So it was with “too busy to attend” in last week’s comment about two Northwest Park & Rec commissioners who were not at the 11/17 meeting. Commissioner Terry Johnston, shown at right, did explain that Ted Morris was called away for a state parks meeting, but to my knowledge said nothing about Richard Sturgill, who--I soon learned – had suffered a heart attack the previous weekend. Naturally, he and his family are angry even though I did not name Richard as absent.
“Too busy to attend” at the time was not meant as a pejorative. The phrase was meant to express that many concerned people are not able to attend some meetings as in, “The mother with three children busy with homework and a husband resting before the night shift at the refinery is too busy to attend a meeting.” My purpose was to convey that the commissioners and their consultants should find ways to inform those affected about the commission’s activity. (Of course, now I realize that wasn’t how the message was received.)
I certainly didn’t want to offend Mr. Sturgill or his family. At the first Park & Rec brainstorming meeting at Semiahmoo, he greeted me, then a stranger, warmly. At subsequent meetings, I have looked forward to seeing him.
Along with feeling remorse, I’ve been pondering how concerned citizens of the community can be informed about significant meetings when they are, indeed, too busy to attend. Such processes need more people to be watchdogs as well as participants.
An analysis of the Obama campaign pointed out that its success was in the use of technology and old-fashioned grass roots organization. Few meetings in Birch Bay – and most other communities – are well attended. In many cases, those attending have a personal interest rather than concern for the community as a whole.
What if the presidents of the various homeowner associations informally chose interested members to attend meetings and report to their constituents via e-mail? Along with Park & Rec, I am thinking that the Steering Committee and its various sub-committees, the fire district, the school board, BBWARM and even water and sewer could benefit from more active community involvement. That is, involvement by more members of the community; I applaud those who have faithfully attended innumerable meetings over many years. Representatives of the Steering Committee were originally elected by neighborhood, but only some of the chosen representatives attend regularly.
Participation is a duty of citizenship – isn’t it?
meant to be simply provocative turns out offensive. So it was with “too busy to attend” in last week’s comment about two Northwest Park & Rec commissioners who were not at the 11/17 meeting. Commissioner Terry Johnston, shown at right, did explain that Ted Morris was called away for a state parks meeting, but to my knowledge said nothing about Richard Sturgill, who--I soon learned – had suffered a heart attack the previous weekend. Naturally, he and his family are angry even though I did not name Richard as absent.“Too busy to attend” at the time was not meant as a pejorative. The phrase was meant to express that many concerned people are not able to attend some meetings as in, “The mother with three children busy with homework and a husband resting before the night shift at the refinery is too busy to attend a meeting.” My purpose was to convey that the commissioners and their consultants should find ways to inform those affected about the commission’s activity. (Of course, now I realize that wasn’t how the message was received.)
I certainly didn’t want to offend Mr. Sturgill or his family. At the first Park & Rec brainstorming meeting at Semiahmoo, he greeted me, then a stranger, warmly. At subsequent meetings, I have looked forward to seeing him.
Along with feeling remorse, I’ve been pondering how concerned citizens of the community can be informed about significant meetings when they are, indeed, too busy to attend. Such processes need more people to be watchdogs as well as participants.
An analysis of the Obama campaign pointed out that its success was in the use of technology and old-fashioned grass roots organization. Few meetings in Birch Bay – and most other communities – are well attended. In many cases, those attending have a personal interest rather than concern for the community as a whole.
What if the presidents of the various homeowner associations informally chose interested members to attend meetings and report to their constituents via e-mail? Along with Park & Rec, I am thinking that the Steering Committee and its various sub-committees, the fire district, the school board, BBWARM and even water and sewer could benefit from more active community involvement. That is, involvement by more members of the community; I applaud those who have faithfully attended innumerable meetings over many years. Representatives of the Steering Committee were originally elected by neighborhood, but only some of the chosen representatives attend regularly.
Participation is a duty of citizenship – isn’t it?
ak
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