Recently the President of a local not-for-profit board that I was a member of walked into my business and asked me to make a decision. This person asked me to either quit speaking out on local political issues or resign from this not-for-profit board. I immediately told this person that she would have my resignation that afternoon as I could not quit speaking out on issues that I felt would shape our community profoundly and for some time to come. Instead, I approached the GDN about writing a local political scene opinion article and this is the result. The above example is a type of blacklisting that I would like to talk about today.

Blacklisting doesn’t just happen on a local level. It also happens on a national level as has been witnessed by the Presidential election. When has any candidate been painted as black as what has happened to VP candidate Sarah Palin with the personal attacks on her, concerning private family matters?

Where am I going with all of this? Well, I feel in the past there have been many good people of our community that have been blacklisted for their participation and trying to stand up for what they believe in politically. When this happens, we the taxpayers are the ones who lose. Why, because normally the people who are resisting the system are the ones who are trying to represent we the taxpayers.

I feel we have some of this going on right now with two of our local city councilmen. I have been in attendance of all the city meetings. I am hearing the whispering around town that these two are just trouble makers. They are causing problems for no reason. ……Is this true OR are they being blacklisted because they are a threat to the system? Are they being blacklisted because they are standing up on issues that are of great importance to our community and want what is best for our community ? Are they standing up because they feel fiscal responsibility and the best investment of the taxpayers money is important?

Rather than believe the whisperings and rumors……I want to encourage each and every taxpayer to do their part. When you hear a whispering…..when you hear a rumor…..and it concerns you and may sway your opinion of this officeholder and how you may vote….pick up the phone and call these people and ask them where they stand and why? It may be the best investment of your time and your dime that you will ever make.

Personally, I am tired of seeing intelligent, hard working, dedicated people go by the wayside as mere victims of politics. Just Imagine, if we as taxpayers do this little bit of homework, what a difference it might make on the water issue, the airport, Lincoln St., the Freeland Road Connector and our future development and impending taxes. Make that difference! Call and ask….don’t assume…..or we all lose!