Early this morning I read this post and watched the video of the Tuesday Carrboro Council meeting. I was stunned by the arrogance and yes, disrespectful behavior of council member Danny Nowell toward his colleague Randee Haven-O’Donnell. This is not a good start for the new council.
The issue at hand was to rename Carr Street to honor Mr. Braxton Foushee's long service to the community. This was not in dispute.
The issue was the demand by the council that this happen immediately despite the concerns of those directly affected by the change. The town failed to have community engagement for this transition The residents were notified that they had 30 days to change ALL their documents to conform with the change. Their concerns were ignored. This event should be a celebration not contentious.
The council’s primary responsibility is to address and solve problems for the residents of Carrboro. This is the scope of their responsibility which requires that they provide timely and appropriate oversight for the staff to accomplish those responsibilities.
What I have observed here and in previous actions by the council is ideological bullying which leads to the kind of polarization that sadly has come to define current-day polity. To see this happening in our small town is disheartening and unnecessary.
The council was elected by 29.5% of registered voters. This is not a mandate to ignore the concerns of those who live within the boundaries of Carrboro.
Respect, inclusion, and humility are good guides for public service that might garner better results and community spirit.
Early this morning I read this post and watched the video of the Tuesday Carrboro Council meeting. I was stunned by the arrogance and yes, disrespectful behavior of council member Danny Nowell toward his colleague Randee Haven-O’Donnell. This is not a good start for the new council.
The issue at hand was to rename Carr Street to honor Mr. Braxton Foushee's long service to the community. This was not in dispute.
The issue was the demand by the council that this happen immediately despite the concerns of those directly affected by the change. The town failed to have community engagement for this transition The residents were notified that they had 30 days to change ALL their documents to conform with the change. Their concerns were ignored. This event should be a celebration not contentious.
The council’s primary responsibility is to address and solve problems for the residents of Carrboro. This is the scope of their responsibility which requires that they provide timely and appropriate oversight for the staff to accomplish those responsibilities.
What I have observed here and in previous actions by the council is ideological bullying which leads to the kind of polarization that sadly has come to define current-day polity. To see this happening in our small town is disheartening and unnecessary.
The council was elected by 29.5% of registered voters. This is not a mandate to ignore the concerns of those who live within the boundaries of Carrboro.
Respect, inclusion, and humility are good guides for public service that might garner better results and community spirit.