Tonight was the fifth (and final) time over the past half-dozen years that I was rejected as a volunteer for the St. Albans City Planning Commission.
I’ve gotten used to the drill by now. All of the candidates are called into the City Council meeting to be interviewed before a vote is taken to fill however many seats are vacant. This time there were two seats and four candidates.
I always know that the other candidates will get soft-balled with easy questions, but when my turn comes up I will be pummeled with questions around whether or not I have an “agenda” in volunteering.
As if the real estate agent with developers in the family is unlikely to have an agenda; or the Main St. restaurant owner who is transforming his physical premises couldn’t have an agenda.
But no, those questions are reserved for me because no one has an agenda more dangerous to the public good than someone who consistently advocates for sustainable planning policies.
It’s always been irritating; but this time took the cake.
Why was I the only candidate who was asked for my position on eminent domain?
I answered that I thought it was never a good idea and should only be resorted to in the most extreme circumstances of essential public need, because there is nearly always a way to negotiate your way around an impasse.
In other words, I was honest. It’s unlikely the other candidates would think differently, but we’ll never know because THEY WERE NEVER ASKED.
One council member even asked me if I would make decisions based on my opinions! That’s right; this guy actually thinks there is no place for opinions in the decision making process. Maybe he favors a ouija board or the I Ching?
No one seemed to even be interested in whether or not the other candidates had “opinions.”
After the interviews were concluded, when it was time to take a vote, one of the Council members actually said that I probably had more knowledge than everyone in the room, BUT…
Then there was a lot of rationalizing about how Sue would always be there; always show up for meetings, no matter what; always lend her perspective from the sidelines, etc…
They lavished high praise on me for my school spirit, scholastic achievement and perfect attendance…or the municipal equivalent there of. Then they said again that I would ALWAYS BE THERE!
In short, they didn’t need to give me a place at the table because I would always be lurking on the perimeter, willing to accept the crumb of opportunity extended for “public comment.”
So, they voted to seat the two least objectionable candidates, rejecting another; and never even put my name to a vote. Neither new planner has any experience whatsoever with planning issues or even a familiarity with the system.
The City planner told me before the vote that, if I wasn’t chosen, there would always be another time, another way to serve.
‘Heard that one before, too. Four times.
But that’s it for me. I understand now how little value the Council members place on my participation.
For years I’ve read editorials imploring people to volunteer to serve on City boards and commissions. Often it seemed they were beating the bushes to find people to volunteer.
Some of the “volunteers” I’ve sat with for interviews didn’t even seem to know what the job entails. Even tonight, one of the candidates wasn’t absolutely certain he had the time to serve.
But he’s in and I’m out…once again.
I can’t say I’m heartbroken. Indignant, for sure; but heartbroken? Certainly not!
If the City Council doesn’t realize that my time is valuable, I certainly do. I told them that they could strike me permanently off of their lists because I am through with interviews for voluntary positions for which I will never be deemed suitable.
That will make many people happy, I am sure; and it will leave me with a whole lot more liberty to say and write exactly what I think.
Win-win.