WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

     So what does it all mean, this fuss and bother, this hullabaloo about so many things in the papers and media? Do we make a difference at all or is it the same old same old no matter what one individual does?
     I believe in the power of the individual. That power, that influence, is clearly seen throughout history and even if one does not totally change the path of the world, one might make it budge a bit and who knows what that means down the line. For example, look at the individuals who detested the ideas and principles of Nazism and went against family, country - and yes, unfortunately that also meant other countries, not just  Germany - and rescued so many from the maws of horror of the camps and ghettoes. It makes me wonder what would have happened had the world stood up and shouted, had the media of the world written and written and written some more and forced people and governments to do something, to open gates, to stop the slaughter, perhaps even to have stopped the seemingly inevitable path to war.
     So hence the posting of yesterday and all the days before. The other day I was told that I was spitting into the wind and there was no benefit from this. Well, besides the fact that I happen to like to write and this blog helps me release tension and feelings, I do believe that I have made a difference. I do know that certain positions in UCO have had to change, questions that were asked and asked again and again demanded answers, and we must continue to use the power of words to force more answers and actions and even to stop others.
     We no longer have a man shouting from the stage that he will call PBSO on those who oppose him. He no longer shouts "out of order" all the while banging that gavel of his. We no longer have the threat or presence of armed guards hovering over the assembly. We do have people finally moving in a faster manner to do something, anything, to improve the waterways though Heaven knows we have a looooonnnnnggggg way to go! But at least we have made a start, way late, way too little, but finally, a start in all earnestness. The questions that remain now are a reasonable answer as to why it took them so long, why they let this build up for ten or more years, why they have not made contact with national concern about algae in the water. If the Wall Street Journal can have a sizeable article re algae in waterways and the dangers it poses and the reasons why it has built up, then surely we can pay a tad more attention to this issue and reach out for new ideas, think out of the box and shut off that pipe into our waterways. What is the point of having "full" lakes if they are disgusting and smelly? There is none!
     What is the point of belaboring other issues when there are so many more pressing ones in the offing and even in existence right now. Why are we harping on this ridiculous and unnecessary duplication of Wi Fi here in the Village when it already exists, already is in use, requires no huge outlay of money we do not have and even if we did have is so needed elsewhere as our infrastructure decays around us. Why were there no plans to address this dire need to amass funds for necessary repairs and projects rather than pipe dreams? Why were games played trying to look oh so good to the electorate as fees were not raised in a reasonable manner but instead kept unreasonably low and now we have a looming deficit that needs to be made up, and very painfully so.
     Why do we keep playing games with wording when we keep raising the bar on contracts and spending that need delegate approval? For example, what has been approved in the assembly re the rehabbing of the UCO building? I dunno, because the bar has been raised so high that piecemeal the contracts have been given out, under the fees that must be justified and would someone please give me the total figure already of this business? Prepare to say ouch!
     Why have we neglected to help associations in need rather than allowing them to sink into despair and financial ruin? Why has UCO not reached out to them until attention was called to the problem, especially by an ever alert CV Messenger paper? Why has the motel at Sheffield O been allowed to remain in operation and why are there transient rentals going on in the Village? Why has UCO not called in association boards and read them the riot act as to the consequences of certain poor decisions? Why have there been no programs to help with empty units, those walked away from, unless it would benefit Levy? We went another way and we now have the unit fixed up and sold to a lovely lady. Why is there no compassion to associations who are begging for someone to help them man the shovels to dig their way out of a mess? We are constantly being told by UCO that we are all a family so hello, where is the family help?
     Have we finally learned a lesson and put a hold, a stop on the dreams of Eva and WPRF? Yes, some results are lovely but when weighed and balanced with their cost, with the unnecessary frills such as murals, when rated against items that needed that wasted money to be spent upon these items such as finally fixing the chillers and stop throwing good money after bad, finally realizing that stop gap measures do not work, that things must be fixed, not taped up with the figurative plumber's tape!
     I love my home here. I love living here. Would that other people loved it in the same way. Would that some others would stop looking upon it as a way to gain whatever power they feel they need to validate themselves. Would that selfishness did not rule the day for some people. Sad that some people who should know better do not see what the future holds if we do not step up and fix what needs to be fixed.
     I asked the other day which path do we choose, which way do we go. I believe the choice is clear. I know we will win some and lose some, but this is not a game, not a world series of any kind, and people's lives are in this with great consequences to them depending on what is done here in the Village. Opposition voices have forced the acknowledgement of past faults such as the crappiest road job ever and has forced more repair work to be done, but is this the way? Do we want to always be behind the eight ball rather than ahead of it or even shed of it?
     I hope that some people pay attention. You know the people at the Regal Royal Palm did not pay attention when I said that those new recliner seats would change my life - so they went ahead, refurbished half the theater with them and are working on the other half now. And sure as shootin', there I was watching a movie, complete with sound effects that could wake the dead and off I went, nice little doze. So now any movies at nite are verboten for what a waste of money - to pay for a nap when I can do it for free at home! But I can live with this and by the way the theaters are beautifully redone - and piggies are stilling spilling stuff all over and leaving it - but can we live with the mess here in the Village long term? I think not. Even as we struggle nationally with serious issues and a very important choice of roads via this upcoming election, let us remember our immediate environs and make some choices here as well.