Breaking down the Referendum Statistically
All of the 400+ vote precincts were the traditional block precincts; Ranked 1) Falling Creek - Lakeview Baptist 2) Oakland Heights - First Assembly 3) Viewmont 1 - St Luke's 4) Oakwood - Holy Trinity 5) Northwest - Neil Clark. Viewmont 2 - Mount Olive, the sixth largest voting precinct, fell just below the 400 vote threshold (378).
What the numbers show is that, we outsiders to the system are definitely making strides against the local political machine. When one looks at the percentages, the Yes advocates only got walloped (66%+) in three precincts; Viewmont 1 - St Luke's, Northwest - Neil Clark, and Oakwood - Holy Trinity. Those are the traditional blocks that the outsiders have faced in this community, but in this election those precincts represented 29.1% of the vote, where in the past they have represented 40% to 50% of the vote.
It is easy to talk about could of, would of, and should of, but when one looks at the vote totals of the non-traditional areas, one can see the road map to future voting endeavors in Hickory. Besides Mountain View, the Status Quo was walloped everywhere south of the tracks. These people hear and understand the Citizens for Equity in Government's message loud and clear. If Kenworth, Ridgeview, and Green Park had matched the traditional power base's numbers (400+ voters), then we would be talking about a different result of this referendum today.
The numbers don't lie; Kenworth (338 - 89%), Ridgeview (250 - 98%), and Green Park (190-78%). If you take those three areas alone and increase the voters to 400, you get Kenworth (62*.89 = 55 = +47), Ridgeview (150*.98 = 147 = +144 ), and Green Park (210*.78=163 = +117). As you can see, if the south side of Hickory takes ownership of their governance and starts getting out to vote on municipal issues, then it can make a difference. We are talking about a net of +308 votes, in just three precincts, that would have flipped this outcome.
I spoke about taking ownership of your governance at the SALT Block meeting that the CEG held in late July. That is a conservative principle of government that should be practiced across the political spectrum. What is done is done and we move forward on the precipice of making substantive changes that can move this City forward and we welcome all, from across the political spectrum, to take back the municipal government for the people and away from the vested special interests. It is time that the local government starts doing what is in the best interests of the whole of Hickory!
The CEG is not going anywhere. We have had further dialogue since the loss on the referendum and over the next several days, we will be unveiling steps that we feel are vital to move forward in the community. Unlike the idea of Unity, our mindset is to take into account and celebrate diversity of Ideas, Culture, and Socio-Economics.
Unity is defined as the state of being one. We are not and never will be one. We are individuals and each and everyone of us are unique. Usually, when leaders talk about being one, they mean falling in line and compromising principles under the goals and aspirations of a leader or leadership. The CEG has no interests in such an endeavor. Let's cut to the chase, such endeavors are totalitarian in nature and it is not, never has been, and never will be our goal to implement or participate in any such system. We want to disperse power, not consolidate it.
What have we learned and what are we learning? That some people just don't get it. Did they learn anything from this process? Can you see who really respects your rights and liberties? Does Hickory leadership really think that we go forward "business as usual?" as though nothing has happened?
The CEG goes forward in the interests of the people of Hickory. We have no interest in telling people what they should think. We are here to listen, learn, and educate ourselves and the people of this community about the issues we face and how we can move forward through compromise, consensus, and commitment. That is not Unity. That is Liberty.
Liberty - (Dictionary.com)
2. freedom from external or foreign rule; independence.
3. freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice.
Unity - (Dictionary.com)
1. the state of being one; oneness.
2. a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one.
3. the state or fact of being united or combined into one, as of the parts of a whole; unification.
4. absence of diversity; unvaried or uniform character.
5. oneness of mind, feeling, etc., as among a number of persons; concord, harmony, or agreement.
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