Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

2-13-2003
I am writing in regard to the recent closed meeting held by the CommUNITY First group. (a group who?’s membership and intentions I respect) My hope is to convince you to re-examine your approach, and the perception it?’s created.

I understand that you have the near impossible task of attempting to impact the actions of those who are willing (anxious) to work in secret...through backroom deals and legal posturing. I understand how tempting it must be to ''respond in kind''. I also know it's easier to gain initial consensus without the distraction of public access.

With that said, you can't expect those who have been the victims of Council's policies to trust that you are acting any more in their best interest than Council has. I am sure by now you've seen the ''bad press'' in the editorial section of the Pickerington paper. By conducting this meeting in private, you've opened yourself to criticism, even earned yourselves the nickname...''shadow government''. All of this appearing in the same paper with an article titled ''Council is taking a look at options to help slow city's residential growth''. To someone not closely following these issues (most people) it wouldn't be hard to get the perception that Council has seen the light, and that you all are trying to circumvent public input on these issues.

Given what I know about this cause, and the outstanding citizens who are pursuing it with great energy and sacrifice, it's unconscionable to open the door to that perception...regardless of your reasons for doing so.

I trust you all, but why, at this critical juncture, would you risk losing public trust by holding closed meetings? It's a bad idea, and it shouldn't take much of a politician to see that. I strongly encourage you to end this practice immediately, and to acknowledge that it was an error to keep the public out of the first meeting.


-By Gary Johnson

Yup!

Wrote it...believed it...and for once, was right about it since that well intended effort didn't amount to much.

Also though, will be voting for Lisa Reade, like most everyone else since her name has been most associated with those willing to act to control growth. Funny, that widely held perception will really be all that matters next Tuesday.

Seems quite a fair perception. While I was critical of the Community First (not) approach, I also recall watching her stand before council, often, and preach to them about how their policies were killing the schools. She was a private citizen doing what our school board should have been doing...and what I want them to do in the future. I don't know what candidate you all support, but none of them have been there.

As my earlier e-mail (which you were nice enough to dig out of the archives because it suits your very limited avenue of criticism) demonstrates, I am not an active supporter of all of Lisa Reade's efforts, just someone who wants change.

I know it's scary, especially when ''our heads are still above water''. (slightly) But, in the end, there is no ''status quo'' to protect. It's not an issue of the ability to pass just one more levy, it's an issue of developing a sustainable plan. The policies that Lisa Reade advocates are the long term solution to all of our problems, ironically, even the problems of those who currently dispariage her.

Thank you for your attention, and if you prefer, you can re-exit reality and go back to the rose colored area...

Wise Choice Required

Gary,

Your statement about Ms. Reade is slightly inaccurate. She is not the ''only'' school board candidate to do what you mentioned.

''She was a private citizen doing what our school board should have been doing...and what I want them to do in the future. I don't know what candidate you all support, but none of them have been there.''

Jim Brink has addressed the City Council and School Board numerous times regarding issues crucial to our community.

I am casting my vote for Lisa Reade and James Brink

Agree

I heard that Jim Brink was also active in his opposition, but had not personally met him or seen him at the meetings, so I couldn't confidently comment.

I have seen some if his writing, and, not that it's anyone's business or they care, but he is the other school board candidate I intend to vote for as well.

I am more concerned about him getting elected. I suspect he's just as committed, and has acted as aggressively as Ms Reade, but for whatever reason, her name has been more publicized in regard to the efforts to control growth. You'll see that pay dividends for her (and all of us) on election day...it's harder to recognize growth control candidates that aren't already known when all of the candidates are saying the same thing. (even the ones who don't really believe it) I hope the voters of this community sort that out effectively...I think they will.

I wish Mr Brink luck, and intended no disrespect in my ommission of his efforts.