What a week!

Well, for those of you out there that like to correct grammar, and give quotes to all of our fellow readers, I am sure that they appreciate it...which brings me to a few of MY personal favorites.

First of all, regarding achievement (and some other things):

All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.
-Benjamin Franklin

I think in our city this is very much the case. Ms. Pickard, Mrs. Cantrell and Mr. McCulloch are very fine people. I would love for them to lead Sunday school or participate in their local PTO. Their failure was in not moving when the ground beneath them moved, and not listening to the CITIZENS when they did in fact speak. Instead of "moving" and rethinking a position, they chose to dig in and isolate themselves amongst those that thought like themselves. They chose to fight battles and anger citizens with actions and decisions that a VAST majority in our city do not support. Those decisions do not make them bad people, but it does speak to their credibility as elected officials.

What you will find out if you read this site for very long, or pay attention to this "movement" in our city that was brought to light for everyone on Thursday, is that our young city is starting to get involved in our collective future. WE are not afraid to try new ideas, we are not afraid to work for change, and we are not afraid to unseat very "nice" people if they refuse to listen to us (and by us I mean the community, not the gorillas). WE are about finding solutions to the problems that face the city right now. The aldermen that were unseated were not capable of seeing beyond their own fog of influence to find the answers that this city needs to find to succeed.

As an example, I love my mother-in-law. She raised my wife, who is an exceptional young woman (who also did a little singing in New York City I might add) and has an incredible family, such that would make most families jealous of their knowledge, accomplishments, and generosity. Having said all of that about my fantastic mother-in-law, I would probably never vote for her to hold ANY elected position in ours or any other city. Being nice, being accomplished and being a good solid christian family woman does not mean that she should be handling city issues. That is exactly the case with those that have been unseated. In this election, you are welcome think what you want, but in EVERY race, the candidate that deserved to win did in fact win. Michael Dinwiddie, Eliot Mitchell, Rick Graham, and Bruce Hull all outworked each and every one of their competition and were much more "in tune" with their city than any of the incumbents that lost. This opinion is not mean or degrading, but an absolute FACT.

So, here is a mask for you! I think that you will see quite a few "gorillas" up at the mic on Monday evening. Thankfully, you now may also see quite a few behind the bench! And, here is a quote (if you give me the author by Monday night, I will give you a cookie.)

The extent to which you are able to transform your "self-concern" into "other concern" will determine your effectiveness in getting others to follow along.

See you all Monday night! Come see you city at work, and your new board installed.