Jack Reacher said:
Apparently there aren't enough people patting him on the back in his opinion. Like you said, Fox, you have to have a thick skin. When he said that people gripe, then go home and do nothing for Paulding County, I take a little exception to that. Our $$$ do our part for Paulding County. What exactly would he like us to do while we're sitting around the house with our thumbs up our rear? (like that happens since the majority of us live in homes where both the husband and wife HAVE to work) Maybe Mrs. Reacher and I will go pick up trash on the roadway on my one day off with her this weekend....
NOT!
I think what he was referring to was the lack of participation in being vocal with ideas to help improve the county's posture economically and infrastructurally. He communicated it poorly, I'll admit, but he does make a valid point. Too many people sit around and complain the BoC makes wrong decisions, but how many of those who complain actually attend a meeting or communicate with their commissioner to express their ideas for solutions? I would be willing to bet that less than 1% of those who constantly complain never do anything but complain. Most of us here had participated in another forum at one time where it didn't matter what the BoC approved, the vast majority just complained the BoC couldn't get anything right.
Prior to the BoC making the decision to construct a new government complex, they had discussed it at their public meetings for many, many months. How many people went to the meetings and voiced opposition to it? The issue was discussed by people on both sides of the issue at the other forum, but is that the same as contacting your commissioner or attending a meeting to express your opinion? Heck no. However, many at that forum expressed their opinion the commissioners should participate on that site as if it was a requirement to be a commissioner. Good grief. There's a reason why the BoC has on it's agenda a place for residents to express their opinions.
The former county chairman used to participate on that other forum, but look at how childish and rude members there treated him when they disagreed with him. That same behavior was expressed towards many of us and that's why this site was created.
There's an old adage that goes, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." When people don't participate in their local government by letting their voices be heard, then they leave that government entity to their own devices. Government will fail the people if the people don't get involved.
