This publication was created to be an open forum for all residents to provide their unique insights and ideas on the local issues that matter to them. This publication believes that the publishing of the opinions of our readers provides a great service to our community, as these voices are added to the rich conversations that are taking place.
Today, this publication is proud to present this guest editorial that was provided by Troy resident Bruce Clingan.
After four and a half years, we’ve made it a whole two days without controversy in our community, stemming from our city’s administration targeting citizens and organizations based on their views.
This is a harsh take on what’s happening, but it accurately reflects what our community is experiencing right now here in Troy. The messaging from our leadership is targeted and pointed at not just the previous target, which is a community non-profit organization and its members. Now the target of the city’s vitriolic comments is the owner of this publication, who is at this point a regular private citizen. Think carefully about that, a private citizen was publicly criticized for a disagreeing view with our city’s leadership on both city operated social media and individual social media accounts held by elected officials. This is a dangerous and slippery slope, and one that we as a community must be incredibly careful about. Allowing this behavior unchecked opens up to what are really more and more pervasive actions from our community’s leaders.
The sitting Mayor in our community posted to social media the following statement:
Let this sit with you. The Mayor is saying that not only should you not accept commentary from others, but that you shouldn’t as a community discuss issues related to this matter at all. And if this feeling exists for this certain instance, it must then exist for all issues and concerns of citizens? This leads to further questions. Is the city going to make public comments about all commentary from the media or citizens, or just the individual that they’re currently targeting?
In our nation, it is our inherent right to be able to agree or disagree with our government. The right to petition, which includes the right to redress the government, is firmly grounded in the freedoms of speech and press directly identified in the Constitution as a core civil liberty. So important to the framers was this particular right, that it was the first amendment added to the constitution after it was passed. Targeting individuals, or even individual publications by a government entity because of their commentary on government operations, is violating a core civil liberty that we have. And for any citizen of this community, these actions should serve as a stark reminder of the power that our government has the ability to abuse.
Actions like this often don’t face appropriate consequences because litigation is expensive, and while our elected leaders have shown an appetite to spend tens of thousands of dollars litigating issues that they don’t personally agree with, most of our residents wouldn’t have the budget in either time or money to support this fight in court even if they did think it was worth the investment. The actions by this city government put our community at risk financially and civically, and all of our elected local representatives bear responsibility for what is happening.
A Better Path Forward
What is disheartening about this entire situation is that it can be solved rather simply. Communication is all that is necessary to fix this problem. It is not new information that our city has had a communication problem for some time, and it certainly is not surprising if you read how they attempt to communicate to citizens.
Communication is a two-way street though, and when used effectively it hinges not only on the ability to communicate but the ability to receive feedback and communication. This second part is where our leadership is failing. Critical feedback is how we get better, it is how we improve, how we get things right, and how we do what is best for an entire community, not simply the desires of a select few.
We should not come into a conversation with just criticism though we should come in with thought out answers or solutions, so below are action steps our city could take today that would improve our community’s communication and provide a better path forward. With that in mind, I proposed the following actions:
No to Little Cost
Turn on comments on social media channels
The city government doesn’t have to reply to comments, the government doesn’t have to even read them, but it is flat out wrong to suppress these comments.
Create more open town hall setting discussions with elected leaders and the safety and service director.
Our leaders don’t have to agree with the feedback, but it should be accepted with an open mind.
You can not take the feedback personally, it is not a reflection of you, and if you believe it is a reflection directly of you, then maybe you’re hiding your true intentions from yourself.
Conduct regular community surveys and publish the results.
Trends will appear, work to resolve the trends.
Create a service focused government.
City services shouldn’t be a chore, it is what the government is here to provide.
Take public comment at all commission and council meetings
Be genuine, you don’t have to agree, but people notice your body language during public comment.
Respond to citizens responses with grace.
Instead of “well no one showed up” try “We didn’t get the attendance we expected we’re going to regroup and do better in our second attempt”.
If you wish to provide a guest editorial, please email your ideas and insights to the publisher at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com
Thank you for reading today’s Civic Capacity Newsletter. Please feel free to share these ideas with your friends and neighbors. Also, please consider supporting this publication by becoming either a free or a contributing subscriber.
Excellent suggestions for improved communication. I agree whole heartily.
Ironically, I think the current administration's campaign touted "transparency" and "communication" at the top of their platform.
I think when an administration creates a culture of combativity with their citizens, they're creating an environment where they discourage community involvement and input. Of course not enough people show up for meetings, everyone knows their thoughts, ideas, and concerns are being brushed under the rug.
There is a LOT they could do to foster more community involvement and a better back and forth dialogue. BUT, you have to be open and willing to receive that information!