Community Connection -- The Right to Remain Silent

Posted Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at 2:21 PM

One of my favorite comedians is Ron White. The first time I listened to the Blue Collar Comedy Club CD my son was attending Linn State Technical College and I had stopped by to visit him on my way home from Jefferson City. As I waited on the parking lot I popped the CD in and within a few minutes I was laughing so hard I was almost crying. To this day I still imagine a few teachers and students at Linn wonder who the heck that crazy lady on their parking lot was.

Anyway, one of White's punch lines has stuck in my head all these years. He tells the story of visiting New York City and while he's there he proceeds to get drunk in a bar, offend the bouncers and get thrown out. The police are called and as he says "At that point I had the right to remain silent……but I didn't have the ability."

I so relate to that statement. Countless times in countless situations I have had the right to remain silent but just didn't seem to have the ability to do so. I tell myself to be quiet, don't get involved, remain calm, let someone else lead that charge. The next thing I know my mouth opens and out comes every thought in my head -- well, almost every thought. I do exercise judgment and discretion many times every day, but when things need to be done rather than continually discussed, when there needs to be action rather than talk, my ability to remain silent goes out the window.

This is especially true on community matters. Folks, we do not have the luxury of remaining silent. We all feel at times that we don't have a say in local, state or federal government, but we do. Our say starts with our vote and regardless of the outcome of the total vote, our say to elected officials never ends.

So, what would you like to say to our elected officials? Now, let's play nice. And for now, let's keep this on a local level. What are three questions that you would like to ask our local elected officials? Also, what are three questions that you would like to ask candidates who are running for a local elected office?

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Couple of things:

KC, I heard that the deal on the "no parking" along Hwy 25 is that as long as the driver is in the vehicle, the Hwy Patrol does not consider them "parked". Maybe it should be "no pausing".

tchr, I checked with Mayor Wheeler and he said "dog pound".

BTW, the date and time shows some weird date and year until it actually posts.

-- Posted by Jan McElwrath on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 12:46 PM

FYI...

The date and time of my question is completely wrong. I posted my question on February 22, 2008 at 10:40 a.m.

-- Posted by tchr on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, at 10:51 AM

Excellent article Jan.

My question is specifically for Mayor Wheeler. Is the city going to build an animal shelter or a dog pound?

Thanks.

-- Posted by tchr on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, at 10:49 AM

I would like to know what the status is for the animal shelter and how much money has been raised thus far? and what is the citys part in the shelter ie, matching donations or what they are willing to contribute? I am not a part of the community anymore, but I have donated to the cause, because I think it is a great cause, I am a animal rescue and I am also a foster mom to bichons who have been mistreated by their business owners.

-- Posted by minicoopergal on Wed, Feb 20, 2008, at 6:54 PM

Thanks, everyone!

And bbaker - no limit on POSITIVE input!

-- Posted by Jan McElwrath on Mon, Feb 4, 2008, at 1:12 PM

Oops, I asked five questions. My apologies. :)

-- Posted by bbaker on Fri, Feb 1, 2008, at 11:20 PM

In whatever issue you are concerned about:

1. Will you do the proper research to help determine the best solutions? What have other towns done? Was it successful?

2. Who do you wish to emulate? Why?

3. What contacts will you make with universities and other municipal officials addressing the same issues?

4. What books have you read concerning that issue?

5. Are you able to communicate your proposals clearly and not take offense to dissent? Can you argue effectively and persuasively with the intent of solving real problems and not simply wanting to win an argument or a medal?

If you can, my hats off to you, and I wish you the best.

-- Posted by bbaker on Fri, Feb 1, 2008, at 10:49 PM

Clean up the city yes, that does not mean shut down business? Do you expect wilson salvage to pick up shop and move to cooter? Do you think that people who are parking there, like parking there? Maybe people who see the long lines of parked cars should slow down and proceed with caution, like the state law says? Maybe they are going to double in size to make a parking lot for drivers to get off the road?

-- Posted by silly on Sat, Jan 26, 2008, at 10:23 AM

Mmm...Do you think the Republicans pad their own nest? Interesting thought, though hardly new.

-- Posted by goat lady on Sat, Jan 26, 2008, at 9:28 AM

Ah, who cares. Dunklin County will continue to vote Democrat no matter what. I mean look at the prosperity the Democratic party has brought to places like Kennett, Holcomb, Clarkton, and Malden. It has taken since 1821 for the Democrats to build this place. Republicans like Kinder want to change us to be like those nasty Republican strongholds like Springfield, Cape, Mountain View, Joplin, gross.

-- Posted by Joec on Sat, Jan 26, 2008, at 12:52 AM

Ha! Good one Regulator! I'm for Kinder but I'm not sure Tom Todd will be!

-- Posted by tdjakes on Sat, Jan 26, 2008, at 12:46 AM

My question would be to Tom Todd. Will you support Peter Kinder for Governor please??????

-- Posted by theregulators on Sat, Jan 26, 2008, at 12:32 AM

1. Last summer our elected officials ask the people of Kennett to vote for a tax increase to help clean up the city, now they appear to be allowing a salvage yard on Hwy25 inside the city to double in size. Isn't this counterproductive?

2. Why are the no parking signs on both sides of Hwy25 in frunt of the above business not enforced by city & state police? It is a hazard!

-- Posted by KC on Fri, Jan 25, 2008, at 3:34 PM

Here are my three, to current or candidates:

1. Why do you want to serve as an elected official?

2. What specific issues, concerns or problems do you hope to resolve or address during your term?

3. What is your vision for Kennett and the surrounding area? (a 1-yr, 5-yr and long-term plan, please)

-- Posted by Jan McElwrath on Thu, Jan 24, 2008, at 4:35 PM

Amen Jan! Off top of head, just one today:

1) Is the Milton Tate Memorial Animal Shelter ribbon-cutting on the schedule?

-- Posted by conovox on Thu, Jan 24, 2008, at 12:52 PM