Monday, February 16, 2015

Close it down

CLOSE THE MESSENGER CLUB DOWN !

I have a confession to make. I want to close the messenger club down. I want to turn my attention to spending time in the wood shop making birdhouses and wooden toys for my grandchildren.
It would be a lot more relaxing and enjoyable than being mired in controversy and arguing the pros and cons of issues in the village.
Alas, I am a prisoner of my own social conscience, community activism is the rent I pay for the privilege of living on the planet.

The Messenger Club has assumed the task of giving a venue to opinions for those in support or in opposition or those who criticize and are denied the right of open access to the community newspaper, the cable TV channel or participation in village affairs, many are vilified and feel disenfranchised. Some are of the opinion that The Messenger club is a group of trouble makers who have only destruction in mind and are composed for the most part by anarchists. A view that is espoused frequently, not only by the current leaders but also by those who are taken in by the hyperbole or have an interest in the status quo.

Recently a groundswell of support for the club has indicated a growing concern about the way the village is being governed and the way the finances are being handled. Criticisms and questions are shouted down at meetings and denounced in the various media in the village. Obstructionist tactics are commonly employed against opponents of initiatives in an attempt to deny participation in village affairs. There is a fear among residents that opposition brings retribution in one form or another.

Having no way to effectively state a point of view has led to the institution of the Messenger Club of Century Village. I can't say that I agree completely with all the opinions expressed on the Messenger Club blog, but I  firmly believe that the right to express them is sacred.

On one end of the spectrum of governance is a benevolent monarchy, where the monarch truly has the interests of his or her subjects at heart, on the other end of the spectrum is fascism where the administration believes that the government is more important than the people. Beware of administrations that preach benevolence and practice fascist behavior.

In reviewing the activities of any administration it is up to each and every person to draw their own conclusions about the administrations position on the spectrum .Without access to information in the form of objections or questions about activities it is an impossible task to make an informed decision.

Therein lies the task at hand. To enjoy an administration that is positioned in a place that is satisfactory to all. Where every question or objection is given equal consideration without retaliation. A difficult and frustrating task indeed.

There are ways to accomplish this task, the first is to point out areas of dissatisfaction with the hope that  the administration  takes heed and behaves accordingly. The second is to inform the electorate of deficiencies and hope they take heed. This is the function  of the Messenger Club

In either case, once the task is accomplished I will be more than happy to close the doors on the Messenger Club and spend my golden years in the wood shop. Till then my grandchildren will just have to wait, I have rent to pay.


Neil J Moore

4 comments:

  1. Well put, Neil and that is exactly what we want, an administration that is open to questions, that works with civility and attentiveness. One can never satisfy anyone all the time, but we can be civil and serve the residents, as UCO is supposed to do.

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  2. ci·vil·i·ty
    səˈvilədē/
    noun
    formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.
    "I hope we can treat each other with civility and respect"
    synonyms: courtesy, courteousness, politeness, good manners, graciousness, consideration, respect, politesse, comity
    "he treated me with civility"
    antonyms: disrespect, rudeness
    polite remarks used in formal conversation.
    plural noun: civilities
    "she was exchanging civilities with his mother"
    synonyms: polite remark, politeness, courtesy; formality
    "she didn't waste time on civilities"
    Above is the definition of CIVILITY. While I agree with what Esther says in her statement above, I have not seen the same from her or anyone else that has been labeled a "malcontent". There hasn't been civility in the Delegate Assembly meetings or any other meetings. I am not just saying that it is all on the "malcontents", it has been on both sides of the coin. While I may support many of the things that David Israel brings to the table, there are some that I do not.
    I wholeheartedly supported WiFi, as did many who now claim NOT to support it.
    I do not support taking my money, collected for WiFi and moving it elsewhere. Instead I want a refund of the money collected. That breaks down to $48 per unit for the two years my money was collected and taken. To me that amounts to stealing it.
    As for Neil and his opinions sanctioned by the Messenger Club, I only have one question, when did you buy a unit?
    The same people that made issue of having a renter volunteer time in UCO and the Reporter, are now using one for their propaganda... I guess a little hypocrisy goes a long way.

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    Replies
    1. Since when is it necessary to be a unit owner to express a opinion?

      About Civility. Good thought. But when the chair at a Delegates Meeting yells at a Commenter is that not considered Uncivil?. Or when the people on the left side Boo a Commenter. is that conidered Civil. Civility goes both ways

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  3. Bob, there is yelling on both sides, I agree, but it is very difficult to keep one's tongue under restraint when the presumed dictator for life is standing up there and shouting, foaming at the mouth, spittle flying. I generally take a dead tone with that but have raised my voice if necessary. Civility is a two way street, reciprocated or not there at all. When the presumed role model and leader will exercise that virtue so will the rest of CV. The tone is set from the top and this top is a pathetic role model, but if he wants, so be it. This is what he dishes out so we dish it back in return. Loud voices and threats and nastiness, etc. do not scare me. Nor is yelling at me. Only my father could yell at me, no other man and since my dad is no longer here, that leaves no man allowed to yell at me so David needs to shut his mouth or come out of his hidey hole and debate like a person! But he is too chicken and too incapable to do so. As soon as he shuts his claque on the left and forbids them to boo automatically when one who opposes him stands at the mike, then there will be no "disruptors" any longer - for it is they who are disruptive.

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