Ward Referendum Voting Meeting - Patrick Beaver Library - July 28, 2012

This was a open meeting held on July 28, 2012. The public was invited and a diverse group of citizens attended the meeting. This discussion was an open discussion where Joe Brannock and Myself (Thom Shell) spoke to the issue of why we support the direct ward system. Jay Adams, a former Mayoral and City Council candidate and supporter of this issue, was asked to make an impromptu address of the group. Billy Sudderth, the discussion facilitator for the Citizens for Equity in Government also made some important points of discussion.



The Hound: We talk about the lack of participation.... Taking ownership of your personal lives and governance... The dynamics of the local governance... Ward Dynamics... The Dilution of your vote and influence in the ward you reside in... Gaining a voice for citizens... The Dynamics of the current City Council and City council meetings... Empowering Neighborhood Associations... Moving Citizens Requesting to be Heard to the front of the Agenda at City Council meetings... Wealth should not control the Power of Governance... Diverse people coming together for common interests... shedding the labels... term limits... 2,707 reasons for signing the petition... problems with the City Management form of Government.

*** We are the only city our size in North Carolina that has the Modified At-Large electoral system with Primaries in Wards leading to an At-Large General Election.

The following comment is about the meeting this past Saturday and a response to the Letter to the Editor in the Hickory Daily Record by Mr. Paul Byrd,  in which he labels those supportive of the Direct Ward Voting Movement as "Radicals." If believing that government belongs to the people, all of the people, and people should have input in their governance 365 days per year and people should be able to state an opinion for the record to their government. If that is "Radical," then I am 100% guilty.

This was a great meeting and I was encouraged by the diversity of those in attendance - black, white; republican, democrat - casting aside political and racial labels and coming to together to talk about an issue.

And this meeting was open to the entire public - as advertised. I'd wish Mrs. Fox had publicly advertised her little get together at the library instead of personally calling a hand-selected few people.

I certainly don't know what it is, but our City Council members are hell-bent against sitting down in a public setting and discussing this issue.

Hopefully, Mr. Guess will man-up, and accept the Greenpark Neighborhood Assoc's invitation to speak at a forum they are holding in August.

As with so many other things, only time will tell. I guess the only refreshing thought is that here lately, the chips have been falling in a manner independent of the City's control.

I can only imagine what the City will look like on September 19th - but I am very much looking forward to it!

DON'T FORGET TO GO VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!