Right way, wrong way?

I am very much in the camp that believes that doing the right thing will always mean that you win in the end. Even when the short term road looks harder going as a result. ~ Gary Bembridge

There are some people who think the idea of a recall is wrong. I've heard how it is disruptive to the city, a vendetta against the councilors, a personal grievance, illegal, shameful..........you name it. It doesn't seem worthwhile, certainly not effective, to argue with these people or these statements. Early on I tried to respond to many of them with calm, reasoned statements -- facts about why it isn't illegal and is in fact constitutionally guaranteed; how it is actually a sign of a healthy democracy; how little my personal feelings, good or bad, about Barlow and Morten affected our decision to file for recall. I tried hard to be reasonable and fair and while acknowledging their right to voice their opinions just like I'm voicing mine, I still tried to present the facts.

I've come to the stunning realization that "facts" are shaped by each person's personal view and don't necessarily have anything to do with the truth! I know that sounds naive, and it surely is. Of course people form their opinions around the "facts" they choose to believe. I know that, intuitively, but it took this recall effort to show me just how true it is that people don't always know or care to know the truth and just how much they hear only they want to hear.

I don't claim to know or have all the facts, and I certainly am just as guilty as anyone else when it comes to hearing and seeing just what I want. But, in this case, working at City Hall has provided me an up close view of what goes on behind the scenes. I honestly thought that people should be privy to that, that people needed to get more involved, watch the council in action, and make more informed decisions.

Worse yet, and here's my naivete in full swing, I think I have some sort of moral obligation to help make people more aware. If I don't even live in St. Helens and I'm concerned about the things I see and hear, maybe it is my obligation to share information. You know? It is kind of my m.o, if you will. I'm a life-long do-gooder who champions what I think is right. I try to live by the golden rule I learned when I was so young, and I still try to make my mama proud.

Well, guess what. For the most part, so does everyone else. The person who called me devious? She believes that. The councilor who said we were disruptive to the city? He believes that. The person who told me that Doug "walks on water" (yup, a quote) believes that! One of the recall councilors believes there was no need to bother hearing or reading the Charter Review Committee's recommendations after a year of their hard work. The other believes in creating more parks (admirable, agreed) without needing to staff up the Parks Dept. And, they both believe there are no concerns about the budget and how they are spending money. And, you can't fault any of them!

Seriously. They believe those things and they act and speak accordingly. So, cheers! We all have to do what we believe or none of us will sleep at night. And, it's part of my "do what is right" thing that makes me say it: We all live what we believe.

And, that's why Sally and I and Jim and Bob and all the silent partners will stick this out. You have to do what you believe is right. And, for us, this is right.

Right way, wrong way? It's just a two-mile loop! The only difference is which way you head around the loop. What's important in the end is that you choose a direction and go -- don't just stand by and watch. Do what you think is right and trust that no matter how bumpy the road, you will win in the end.