When UCO decided in its imperial manner to not have a forum or presentation of candidates this year, it was a very poor decision. The question remains as to why this was done. I believe and have so stated before, that David Israel was playing Chicken David, afraid to come out in public and face the music as people demanded answers, as people peppered the candidates with questions, including the Exec. Bd. candidates.
People who deal in misinformation, who generally deal in secrets, in faulty financial dealings and budgets, people who have much to defend themselves need a place to hide and an open forum is certainly no such place.
I salute all those who showed up yesterday to the forum of the people, introduced themselves, and faced the music, some of it not comfortable, but at least they were brave enough to be there. That says something about them and says something else about those who did not show without good reason.
There were strong questions about our money and where it is going or indeed, where it is right now? Why have we budgeted $14,000 for beautification and then want to pay for a sign of $44.000+. The exorbitant cost of the pool, the length of time taken to fix facilities, some of which are STILL not open - guess there is always a season next year! - all these and more were asked and answers proposed. Almost to a one, all the candidates wanted more efficient, more reasonable, more open, more thrifty, more financially sound and balanced decisions and we certainly do not have it right now in the present UCO.
These elections will only go a very short way towards improving the situation, but at least we can demand answers as part of the Executive Board, whether we are in a minority or not. No more runner stamping and half hour meetings. AS such, we can force thought before presentation and make progress that way. We can report from the inside as opposed to being shut out, illegally, from the workings and books of UCO.
The real crux comes next March when we have to get rid of the garbage we have right now and the first step is to elect people next week. The second step is to keep up the pressure. The third step is to reinsert the rule for term limits. These people who answer demands for reform with the answer, "that is the way it has always been done," are the same ones who ignore the fact that we ALWAYS had term limits - and rightfully so. People who are in office too long get stale, get to be past their sell by date and the consequence is bad judgment, poor decisions, and ruination of the Village and its financial soundness.
Once a new UCO administration is totally in place next year, a balance will begin to form. Questions will be answered as books are opened, past decisions rescinded as best we can, contracts will have to go thru a process, and indeed, process and procedure, principles of management will be the rule of the day.
Let us begin with March 6. Make sure your delegates get instructions and vote what the associations want. Make sure the delegates vote and not scheming alternates who wish to vote contrary to the wishes of the associations. Let us make sure that the elections are reformed and purified. and let us make sure, beginning next week, that we are well on the path to
NO FOURTH TERM NO FOURTH TERM
but whatever happens -
WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY!
Put that in your pipe and smoke it, David.
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