Dear John,
Your current rebuttal contains a specific political criticism, but the
message I responded to was your statement, addressed to "silly" (?) Bill,
"I think, ultimately, that you are negatively influenced by the local
politicians (can I say Blackwell on this list?) lack of concern towards
constituents' voices..."
In your latest post you claim, "I spoke to my experience, without any
name calling. Not my style."
"Silly" is name calling. "Blackwell" is a name.
Unintended? maybe.
But Done? yes.
Is your latest self image contradicting the earlier post?
Many of us our guilty of this.
Today you gave a good example of a political flip.
It is even one that highlights a difference I also had with a Blackwell
choice.
But, my post was about her process.
I have found her to be generally accessible and responsive and usually in
line with my thinking.
I gave a specific example.
My post was not to describe her as "amicable" or "nice".
It was to state that over the long haul, and through both the good and
the very tough times she is someone who has had the stamina, discipline,
concern and will to be available and present and visible; to listen to
one of the most heterogeneous constituencies and to try and find common
ground or at least the best solution from sometimes weak options.
You write, "Their <politicians> niceness has more to do with their
eagerness to be voted for again."
This statement strikes me as both sad and cynical.
I may regret going all Pollyanna on your note, but ... I believe that
some people have a decent moral compass. I'm pretty sure Jannie has a
Master's Degree. My experience is she is giving 60-80 hours per week,
week in and year out to her job / constituents. A true cynic could find
a more profitable outlet for her time, energy and talent than a
Councilmanic District. But, I believe that there are many under
compensated workers and many true volunteers in this community. I am
grateful to them (including you when you provide great links and good
info).
If I were to see a truly better candidate, my vote might follow, but
Jannie Blackwell presents a package of talents, experiences and energies
that will be hard to match, let alone beat. Since she is not being
challenged in any imminent election, this is not so much an endorsement
of her as a it is a "finger in the dyke" of your recent cynicism.
Best!
Liz
On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 13:39:24 -0400 (EDT) John Ellingsworth
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> Liz
>
> Just some comments ...
>
> > >I often agree with you, but your message, attached below, was
> just one of
> > >a trend by many on this list which contains an attacking remark
> that runs
> > >counter to everything that I have experienced from our "local
> > >politicians".
>
> An attack? I don't think so. A political criticism.
> It was my response to William Magills' suggestion that policiticans
> don't
> listen to constituents, wherein I suggested SOME of them do (I was
> referring to Mayor Street and his veto of 629).
>
> > >All the feelings of friendliness and admiration that I feel for
> Jannie
> > >Blackwell and Jim Roebuck result from their behaviors as
> politicians and
> > >choices as neighbors. I met them, separately, when I pursued
> needed
> > >"constituent" services. I haven't always gotten what I've
> wanted, but
> > >when I don't, and I have time to listen, I get a thoughtful
> explanation
> > >not a simple dismissal.
>
> I am not really interested in a politicians amicable ways, althoug
> I like niceness. What I am really interested in the actions they
> take as
> a representative of the people. Their niceness has more to do with
> their
> eagerness to be voted for again.
>
> > >I don't always agree with her choices, but I do believe that she
> has a
> > >process that includes:
> > > researching facts,
> > > polling opinion and
> > > examining choices through a highly refined moral lens.
> > >I believe we get significantly more than 40 hours a week from
> her.
> > >Jannie starts working early and continues past 8 PM most days.
> She is
> > >probably taking calls at home late into the night. I have no
> personal
> > >experience of this, but I know that clients track me down at
> home, and
> > >assume her constituents outnumber my clients. Jannie is always
> > >impeccably and appropriately dressed and her demeanor is always
> one of
> > >service (not arrogance).
> <snip>
> > >So, John, I believe that Bill 629 has some constituents.
> > >I believe you (and, maybe after some research, I) are not among
> them.
> > >But, I do believe that you (or I) would be listened to if we
> voiced
> > >question or complaint in an appropriate manner.
>
> Okay, a quick 'research' of Bill 629 reveals the following:
> (here is a google cache link of devbobs facts:
>
http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:gmXTwDG5v1AJ:www.devbob.com/bill629/
scorecard+blackwell+%22bill+629%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
> http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/msg00377.html
> http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/2754413.htm
> http://www.devbob.com/bill629
>
http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2001/10/05/3bbd5d98
62b06
>
> My impressions:
> I was very concerned about the billboard bill. So I followed its
> movement through council. I attended the UCCC meeting on the issue,
> attended by Councilwoman Blackwell. The UCCC held a vote of all
> present.
>
> All voted against the bill but one person (Carl Primavera, lawyer
> representing the billboards).
>
> From the City Paper (
> http://www.citypaper.net/articles/101101/news.hallmon2.shtml ):
>
> "Councilman Angel Ortiz said he has never seen a bill come before
> City
> Council that was "so rejected across the board by a huge majority of
> civic
> associations."
>
> From the DP
> (
>
http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2001/09/07/3b9870c7
64d1d
> ):
>
> Only Councilman Frank Rizzo has come out against the bill. At last
> night's meeting, Blackwell said that DiCicco "expects Council's
> support" for his decision to delay the vote.
>
> She would not say whether she was for or against the legislation,
> only
> that she would convey the residents' concerns to DiCicco.
>
> When a straw poll at the end of the meeting revealed the entire
> house was
> against the proposal, Blackwell said "that's what I'm going to tell
> [DiCicco]."
>
>
> I guess it is nice to tell DiCicco her constituents' feelings, but
> to vote
> against them? Hmmm . . .
>
> > >I do have a strong opinion that we should each speak to your own
> > >experiences, and that the name calling and innuendo shown below
> are not
> > >constructive or worthy arguments against our local politicians or
> the
> > >Bill.
>
> I spoke to my experience, without any name calling. Not my style.
> My argument, I believe, is quite sound.
>
> > >We should use our political voices to ask for what we want.
>
> This is my political voice.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John Ellingsworth
> http://ellingsworth.org/john/
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