Attitudes are contagious

In about 48 hours this recall will be all but over. We'll have finalized the petitions and we will have had our day in court.

It's been a great learning experience, for Sally and for me. I learned (mostly from Sally) that it takes a bit of moxie to take on a couple of elected officials, even in a little town, and it takes a lot of gumption to stick it out! I got to know Sally better through this and never cease to be amazed at her upbeat attitude, her calm demeanor, and her genuine concern for people. She's one in a million.

I'm hoping there's still much to be learned. I hope to find out that elected officials can't get away with suing a citizen for expressing her concerns about the job they are doing. I have to admit that I'm a pessimist. (Sally's opposite!) I'm convinced the judge will hear all this and side with the sad, put-upon councilors. Sorry, it's just the way I am.

I'm also reasonably sure that Doug will find a way to remove my back end from my job, without ever touching the word "retaliation." There are umpteen different ways to accomplish this....downsizing is just one that comes to mind.

I hope, against hope, that the citizens of St. Helens, who may not in the end recall Doug and Phil, will at least give some serious thought to what we've said during this campaign, the fact that we've tried to keep it clean, honest, factual. I hope that they will choose to re-elect Randy, leaving Doug, as the Spotlight pointed out, still on the council and able to express his views.

I also hope voters find it in their hearts and minds to boot Charles Grant and elect Pat Martyn. I may disagree with a good deal of what Doug and Phil do, and I certainly take issue with the way they go about the job, but I have no room left for Charles Grant who in 29 monthly Arts & Cultural Commission meetings over the past couple of years, has made it to only two or three. He is a waste of space on the council; despite the fact that he's more educated than the rest of them put together, he also suffers from a great weakness: the inability to think and act on his own.

I have a button on the bulletin board above my computer that reminds me to think positively now and then, and I try, I really do. It says, "Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?"

Most times mine is probably not and I just do a really good job of covering that up! I'm lucky to have a steadfast husband who truly believes you must do the right thing, always, even if it's difficult, as well as the support of many of you, and Sally's constancy--all amazing examples of the goodness in people.

This has been an incredible experiment in first amendment rights, right here in our faces, right here in St. Helens. I believe that Sally and the rest of us have the right to our opinions and have the right to let others know those opinions. I believe we have the right to proclaim our disappointment with elected officials, if only to get their attention, make them realize that they are just that: elected officials, public servants, representatives of the citizens. If we want better representation, then we need to let them know and the first amendment gives us the right to do that. In fact, as Americans, I think the first amendment requires it of us.

I believe that everything we've said over these weeks is true. I made a concerted effort to keep my personal dislike of Doug out of the recall statement against him. I based that statement on facts.

I believe that if there was any harm done to Phil and Doug's reputations, they must take a full measure of responsibility for that. They were out of line to file a suit and, as many people have pointed out, the suits only served to advertise the recall. As always, they are often their own worst enemies. They too frequently act without thinking and just as frequently fail to remember that they are representatives of all the people.

I believe that people are good and usually mean well, and if given the chance and the facts, will make wise, educated, thoughtful decisions.

I believe, in the end, people will come to see this as a good, legitimate exercise in democracy, one mounted in good faith.

And, I believe that whether we fail or succeed at the recall, and whether we are held responsible or exonerated in court, we have done the right thing.

My fingers are crossed, and my attitude is positive. Hope it's contagious!