By Carol Harper
Editor, Amador Community News
I recently attended the Amador County Supervisor Candidates Forum, hosted by the Amador Citizens for Responsible Government and the Amador County Association of Realtors. After sitting through the forum, I was stopped by friends and familiar faces claiming they “love ACN, keep up the great work” – and by those I had never met before, wondering why I was even there. I guess the latest gossip going around was that ACN was a “liberal, Democrat” site. I’m actually pleased that ACN is being talked about, but wow…being defined as a liberal was news to me!
Okay, for the record: I’m neither a Democrat, nor a Republican. I am actually non-partisan. I’m affiliated with no political party, and vote my conscience, left, right or everything in between. I don’t put myself under the influence of party campaigns, promises, or marketed hype. How much a candidate talks or spends does not impress me. In fact, it really makes me wonder about all the money being wasted on the campaign trail, the dinners, rallies, debates, etc. Money and time that would be better spent doing something in finding solutions to the problems that plague our little villages and regions, our country, instead of as a means of self-validation. Politics? Just another gerbil wheel…
Does campaign funding qualify you to be a leader? Is “electing experience” the answer? Is the possession of an Amador County history/pedigree the answer? Do years of simply residing here, or even the countless years of serving in the local government seats qualify you to shape the future of Amador County? Is re-election the answer, especially given that the county is now faced with some large issues regarding traffic and circulation, growth, economics, casinos, water and wastewater? These problems didn’t just happen overnight, voila, “oh no, whatever shall we do?” Let’s think about this: why is everyone scrambling to update the general plans and land use elements…now? Why are people caring about DEIRs…now? Who’s been asleep at the wheel all this time? It seems the status quo band-aids just aren’t holding like they used to. But rather than creating bigger band-aids, maybe it’s time for citizens to realize just how much power they really have with their voice…and their vote.
I’m not saying that our existing governments are at fault (or am I?). I just wish there were candidates that would actually get out there and prove themselves. Quit debating and telling us what you plan on doing. Roll up the sleeves and show us, put your philosophies into action. We’ve had enough hemming, hawing and debate on the issues; we want to experience your vision first-hand. After all, we’re your boss, right? Most companies give new employees a 3-month probation period, to see how they perform. Perhaps “we the people” should require the same.
It makes me wonder why there isn’t a candidate who, instead of buying expensive advertising and signs littering neighborhood yards and the green, hilly countryside, would actually get up and say, “Hey, everyone, I want to do something a little different: I’ve decided to use my funds, time and energy towards making things right in this county. Instead of this campaign being all about me, I want it to be all about you the people, the voters.” Now that would impress me. At a near $100 per campaign sign, hey…that’s a lot of money!
If the candidate wants to do something about local hunger or homelessness, I’d love to see their money going towards the Interfaith Food Bank, spend time volunteering a few hours in the warehouse, or at the local homeless shelter. If a candidate is concerned about crime/drugs, I’d love to see their money going towards establishing a volunteer unit for the Amador Sheriff’s department, like Calaveras County has done. Or spend a day in the probation department to understand the mentality of these teenagers who’ve actually grown up around and have been impacted by meth labs and pot. Tour Mule Creek Prison or the Youth Correctional Facility—not as a media op, but as a bona fide educational experience. Put your money where your mouth is. Show us you care, that you know what you’re talking big about. Don’t give us lip service, then drive away in your Lexus and designer clothes. Join all of us little guys down here, holding out our votes for someone who doesn’t care for the lights and cameras, but cares about action!
Perhaps the biggest red flag of the evening’s forum was the watershed issue. Every single candidate at the forum claimed to “not know much” about it. Okay, hello…that was just a little freakin’ scary. It makes me wonder why each candidate seemed to be all for this “managed” growth and development, but had no idea where the water would come from for developments such as Jackson Hills or Wicklow Way, or whatever projects might cross their desks. A typical response for a forum hosted by the Amador County Association of Realtors? Ah, who knows, but the water has to come from somewhere, right? Quite interesting that not one candidate knew where. Nice.
I’m all for responsible government, left or right. I get it all from both camps; however, one thing I have a real tough time with is ignorance. I’m no neon crayon, but I’m not stupid. So a message to candidates, regardless of party affiliation: Don’t think you’re better or smarter than your constituents because you have experience or longevity in local government, have endless funds, or are retired and have nothing better to do with your time than to grace us with your presence at public meetings. Don’t think we vote on a whim, or on a wing and a prayer. Don’t assume your constituents are uninformed. We may not completely understand, but we are becoming more aware. So if you find yourself voted in, be ready.
To the voters: Your vote is so valuable. Educate yourselves; find out as much as you can before casting your pearls, and understand on the most basic level the crucial issues we’re faced with. Don’t be bought, biased or swayed by the pretty colors or promises, or the political pendulums. Get involved. There is too much at stake in the world we live in today. I know it’s tough; there’s a lot of red tape, there’s a lot of confusion that make us wonder…
Theres a lady
who’s sure
All that glitters is gold
And she’s buying the stairway to heaven.
When she gets there she knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for.
Ooh, ooh, and she’s buying a stairway to heaven.
Theres a sign on the wall
But she wants to be sure
’Ccause you know sometimes words have two meanings.
In a tree by the brook
Theres a songbird who sings,
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it makes me wonder…
(From Stairway to Heaven, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page)