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Let me state upfront, I haven't heard all the facts. But, I have a
decent
idea of the storyline and some of the island's history.
May I preface by stating this: "THE MISSION OF GOVERNMENT
SECTORS IS TO STEER THE BOAT, NOT ROW THE BOAT; THE MISSION OF THE
PRIVATE SECTOR IS TO MAKE A PROFIT; THE MISSION OF THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT
SECTOR IS TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT THE OTHER TWO DO NOT."
IF it is the intent of the mayor & council to take over functions
provided by the TI Historic Society, our local government has already
lost its sense of mission. Government stinks when it tries to play
business, just as business stinks when it tries to play government.
IN my opinion, for local government to overtake what decades of
devoted, selfless citizens defined as a common goal is simply wrong,
especially in this case, where the epitome of good stewardship is at
work for the good of the community. Where the dickens was
government when the lighthouse and surrounding bunkers looked like we
lost all the wars?
The TI Historic Society (TIHS) has proved itself stellar stewards of the
public trust. It doesn't beg for money. It's been fiscally
conservative.
It has a following and donors from all over. The TIHS has
developed a good name for itself and Tybee -- from the federal
government, to the state, county and municial ... every tier of
government has given to them and listens to them. This earned
trait is pricelesss these days.
FOR a government to hijack a good work ever in progress makes me want to
heave. That's how governments get big, fat, forgetful and
expensive. Under the stewardship of TIHS, my property taxes have
never gone up.
Property taxes will go up of the city tries to absorb maintainence,
preventive maintenance and properly staff the oversight and care of the
lighthouse.
Volunteers are doing it practically free. They have a collective
knowledge in years. That's worth a lot of money. Why break
what is not broken?
Someone passed on rationale of why the city would be the better keeper:
Local governments have soverign immunity and could handle a lawsuit
resulting from an injury.
GUESS WHAT REP. TOM BORDEAUX, NEW CHAIRMAN OF JUDICIARY, PASSED THROUGH
THE HOUSE A FEW WEEKS AGO?
-- A bill stripping that priviledge from local governments.
It's in the Senate. His argument was about fairness. If you
hit a city vehicle, you must pay for all of it. If a city vehicle
broadsides you, even if the city employee is impaired, they pay nothing
(in most cases). BAD RATIONALE.
A standing agreement, as I understand it, is likely broken if changed.
MY BET: I see it all the time in state government. Divided
houses fall and it's on to the next one requesting something.
BREAK THE STANDING AGREEMENT AND WE ALL LOSE THE LIGHTHOUSE.
Our state delegation has invested a lot of time making such a transfer
possible BY LAW.
CHANGING NOW gives TYBEE a severe blackeye in every tier of government.
The feds will never forgive it; the state will will never forget.
I'm confounded by the nagging question of "Why?" I owe
it to those mentioned to ask why. There may be some supernova
legal reason that drives the logic. They owe us reasons and
explainations. It's our government, not theirs. But I owe
them the opportunity to convince me, as a citizen, on WHY -- and WHY
NOW? Where's the clammering for this change coming from?
If it's not legal, it smacks of being personal and vengeful to me.
I'm sick and tired of government induced neighbor hating doctrines.
Barring a compelling, legal and logical reason, I'll predict this:
THIS WILL BE THE NEXT CAMPAIGN ISSUE, especially of the bickering is
personal or vindictive.
On the other hand, perhaps there are good reasons. Personally, I
do believe the city has a duty to ensure its citizenry's saftey and well
being. As a former one year member of the TIHS's board, it's hard
for me to fathom the city desires to take over the operations of
what pros and/or semi-pros have already mastered. But, what if the
board I know changes in 5-10 years to one that simply disappears?
As a councilmember twice elected, I'd want to know, say, "Can you
pledge or collateralize this structure that, should the TIHS dissolve,
fall on the city to handle? " I'd probably have many
questions, especially as a new councilmember. We'll see
Thursday.
If government wishes to hijack every successful, citizen created
expression of volunteerism, they might as well get Apache attack
heleicopters, conquer and contain the Legion Hall, and take over the
bingo operations. It'd be just as anti-American, in my book.
I truly hope most of what I've heard is distorted. Maybe the
city officials and TIHS need to back off a month, sit at a table like
reasonable folks, and agree to let reason prevail if some details need
hammering out. If this council can't do that, they can be
assured voters won't forget just how quickly they can snatch the power
LOANED them in the form of a vote. I'd be one of them,
barring extraordinary circumstances and compeling reasons.
If it is personal, get over it. Move on. Help build a
respectful community by demonstrating respect to those you now work for
-- voters. The TIHS might have to be flexible in a new way -- I
don't know the details. To me, it's like a real estate negotiation
where everyone pauses and reads and agrees to terms. No biggie.
As I type, the Tybee Lighthouse belongs to all Americans. Soon, it
can be local. It's been locally run for decades. I'd like to
think both parties will use this as an opportunity to create a new
covenant between government and the volunteer sector, one that makes us
proud to see that Tybee light from afar, and not a beacon of a disaster.
Let's be a neighborhood again. Better yet--good neighbors.
We'll see who the public servants are, and who the stereotypical
politicans are, Thursday evening. Ciao.
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Recommended Reading
How to Run For Local Office Winning Local and State Elections How to Win Your First Election The Campaign Manual Inside Political Campaigns Get Elected, Make a Difference Republican Books Ronald Reagan, American Hero All the Best, George Bush Abraham Lincoln - Speeches and Writings Top Recommendation Running with the Dolphins and Other Tybee Tales
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