Interesting day yesterday. Besides the fact that the weather in the AM was yucky, to say the least, at least it was nice having an opportunity to enjoy wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt for a change! I will hope the sunny climes do return though.
Whether we will have sunny climes in the political arena is more questionable. An explanation as to why is easily seen in the appearance of three candidates for UCO office at the Wellington Federation monthly meeting. Phyllis Richland, a candidate for the office of President of UCO and a multi yeared and varied experienced candidate had already spoken at one meeting and spoke well, briefly, with no bashing of any other candidates, a lady, vested in fair and decent campaigning.
Yesterday was not like that. David Israel spoke first and while he maintained equilibrium for the first five minutes, he did not say much. Yes, he brought in email to UCO. So would the other candidate if he had won. Email and techie stuff was becoming more useful and common so , so much for the big advance. Good, yes, but earth shattering? Not quite, particularly as he then used his knowledge to block out any officer who displeased him, shutting down their computer or blocking their link to the "cloud" or any other informational source so again, so much for progress.
He then took credit for the increased use of RFPs for purchases and contracts. Wrong again. The use of RFPs, good RFPs , has been led by Jack Adams and G-d bless that man, but he kept coming, thru all opposition and we finally have a semi acceptable format with much room for improvement. So much for that. And finally we had the electronic balloting that is finally making its way into the Village.This is being done reluctantly, though it is about time! because there have been too many shady dealings and questionable methodologies employed in counting the ballots and even in setting up the voting system. Far too many, and even if some was not purposeful, too much gray and even black in the whole deal. So now, finally, after voices have been raised and calling for it for years, too many years, we have this company. Hope it all works out well.
In the Q&A session David did not explain why he made such a drastic reversal of favoring term limits to plumping for president for life for himself. His only reason - past is prologue and I say huh? Or better yet, his past gives rise to the awful present and future we are and will be facing with him at the helm, with no letup. But the best is yet to come. When I challenged him to explain his reason and justification for the sign debacle, why he used religious twisted logic to excuse his behavior, he ranted that he was raised in Jamaica and went to synagogue there. So? I will give him a medal for that if he wishes, but what does that have to do with the question? He then ranted on about snipe signs, cheerfully and conveniently forgetting, disremembering, his OWN SNIPE SIGNS IN the Village for his first campaign. Goose and gander, my not such good friend. And finally, he gave me such power that I am flattered. He said I could cause things to happen here in the Village. "YOU could do it." Really? I think not. Yes, I hope to make a difference, but hey, I make no overtures to be dictator nor to cause mass events and actions. Done with those protest days but not the spirit of them so please, try to go back and find better answers for me, for Ed, and any other questioners and do so without the Phyllis bashing that you so eagerly and nastily engaged in. Shame on you.
Next up? Joy Vestal and all she found to talk about was her health and the fact that she can and should be both VP and co editor of the RAG and how well it is doing. I wonder where she is as she never seems to walk around the Village. We have been going on daily walks, pretty much, and marvel at the bundles of the Rag that sit there, plastic binding never cut, papers not taken and huge bundles and bundles being tossed in the recycling after a few weeks. The Village paper? I think not. David Israel's paper? I think so and all her denials and all her refusals to explain how it is that she violates all principles of journalism, how she breaks her own promise in the paper to print all sides, how she continues to do this in the face of the truth is amazing. And still, she pleads for copy at meetings and then refuses copy from some of the best writers in the Village. Weird!
And then the surprise. Ed Black spoke last and spoke well at his introduction, praising both candidates as excellent (have my doubts on that) but there was no bashing and when it was my turn to ask a question as he went directly to Q&A, I suggested that he sit as I was going to say something nice to him and the shock of it might knock him off his feet. He still could not answer Ed's question satisfactorily and David butted in from the peanut gallery, but I was surprised at Ed's demeanor and words. After the session I had an interesting and calm and friendly discussion with some good answers and some still leaving me wonder, but - he did acknowledge that there is truth in the statement that I made that David Israel is a nasty person. He said he is trying to calm him down in that sphere and has made some progress - but, brother, I am telling one and all there is much room to go. But....progress and a bit of truth entering into the fray.
By the way, David, a question. Is the fact that email is now such a big deal, does that explain why you do not know how to talk and interact with others in a human and humane manner? Are you like the kids of today who will sit next to each other and text, rather than talk? Is that why you confine yourself to your lair in the back of UCO though what with your running scared in this election, you have come out into the light of day and speaking to associations? Progress?
There will be many new candidates being announced by Feb. DA and some will be good and some not. We will all have to choose carefully, not by bombastic statements directed at us and hopefully, not by selfish clinging onto positions. Think broadly and in terms of the future of the Village. Think kindness and care for the residents. Think open mindedness rather than obsessive attention paid to one's desires even as the opposition of the residents is clear - no Wi Fi as a unit - they prefer what we have available and possible - as well as maintenance of the DA'S voting power on issues and on and on. Hiding one's head in the sand does not make things disappear, And certainly the issue of free speech, a free press approach, a true paper of the residents, freedom of assembly and an honest and sane leadership - all must be calculated and entered into the equation. Do you like being dominated and ruled over or do you wish to take pride in our American heritage and rights? Simple choice.
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