Noel Pinnock, MPA
There was a man walking down a dirt road and he heard a hollering scream that sounded like a wounded animal. As he continue to proceed down the road the sound became louder and louder. He finally reached the source and it was an old dog sitting on a porch next to his owner. The man asked the dog’s owner, “Why is your dog making so much noise?” “It appears as though he is in terrible pain!” The dog’s owner said, “Well, he is lying on a nail.” So the man asked, “Why doesn’t he just move or you pick him up and remove the nail that is apparently hurting him so bad?” The dog’s owner replied in a screeching voice, “Weeeeelllllll, it doesn’t hurt him as bad, just yet.”
Well, like the animal in this story, many residents in Missouri City are in a very similar situation as it relates to voter apathy. Our city’s turnout for every election cycle since I have been a resident, over 10 years, have been one of the lowest in the Fort Bend County (w/exception – Presidential Election 2008). I am not sure why? But when I circulate around the city and visit with neighbors and friends, I don’t hear the hollering dog in my parable but I do hear the moans, groans, and pains from those who believe that enough is enough. I do hear the cares and concerns of all the diverse communities of taxpayers, young and old. They are tired of the same ole…same ole. They are more concerned about our local economy and quality of schools as well as access to amenities that support their day-to-day livelihoods. More importantly, they feel as though they have no one to address their concerns. In a recent FortbendNow article it was recorded that a 76 year old lady with two knee replacements could not get a city vendor (paid with taxpayer’s dollars) to respond to question regarding sidewalk repair in First Colony. The city vendor abandoned the project at the request of city official, until the heat in the kitchen (obviously spawned by the 76-year old taxpaying resident) dropped a few degrees below boiling. http://www.fortbendnow.com/2010/08/25/47466
You know, my city…our City just have too much potential to continue to be led by those who don’t have the creativity and synergy to make a good city Great! I am infamous for quoting Albert Einstein in that we can’t solve yesterday’s problems at the same level of thinking we are at when we created them. Not only are we diverse demographically but we are most diverse generationally. We have such vast opportunities to bring a renewed sense of vitality and energy back to our city but we must first start with the ones that matter the most, every citizen, business partner, and civil/classified personnel.
We must give Missouri City constituents something to be excited about and something that they can hold on to and talk about. But to get there, we need to look carefully at our elected bodies at all levels in our local landscape. Ask yourself these ‘are’ questions:
- Are they supporting the issues that they said they will support during the campaign cycle?
- Are they accessible to hear your concerns or listen to your suggestions?
- Are they willing to take on challenging issues that encroach on the status quo?
- Are they thinking outside of the box and seeking innovative and cost-effective/efficient ways to do more with less?
- Are they totally inclusive in a proactive way?
- Are you involved in the decision-making process (for real)?
- Are you receiving the best (not simply good) output from your hard earned tax dollars?
- Are they visible in off-cycle election debates, issues, and concerns in your neighborhood, respectively?
- Are they active in the organizations they receive awards from and tout?
If you can’t answer “yes” to all of these questions, then you know that the time to act is not tomorrow but today. Yeah, I know, we all have other things on our plate and sometimes it seems like you can’t even see the bottom of the plate but it comes a time when we have to stand up for what is right even if it takes us out of our comfort zone. We must increase the level of accountability and not get side-washed or suckered in believing that only a finite group of individuals can make a difference in our community…in our City.
Reliable governance is coming soon to Missouri City and a neighborhood near you. But first, we must not find ourselves in positions where the pain isn’t bad enough for us stand up and remove the nail.
I’m sure most understand where you are coming from Mr. Pinnock. There are those that get out and do like you and those that sit back and point the finger, obfuscate, twist, lie and play games.
Keep getting the word out. There are many that would like to see genuine improvement and a move away from the status quo being repackaged every election cycle.
Good luck
RonEarl;
You idea that we need better planners, RonEarl? Thn, thats where you must step in as a new planner, to bring in your own voice of plans or ideas to share with the public and our elected officials during
regular officials meetings(city, FBISD BOT, commissioners, & others).
” We need better planners and implementers and less politicians.”
“Well, that is simply the sentiment of many city-goers…they saw the MoCity trailer, bought their ticket {home} and began to watch the show and the jury is still out.”
““The minute you try to communicate anything that is mildly, respectfully critical, people get defensive,” said Babb. “I feel the concerns of the community are not necessarily being received or considered as much as they should be by some.”
Something to ponder. What are you doing to make things better, what are your solutions?
Want to help? Roll up your sleeves and help push the wagon. Finger pointing and complaining doesn’t contribute.
Too many are riding and not enough are pushing.
@RonEarl,
Again, your sentiments are received but I am a true conservative and have been that way since the origin of my existence. Not sure about you but being raised below the poverty line has a tendency of helping one become a keen conservative and encourages others to find creative ways of doing more with less or nothing thus those of us who experienced this in the 40s, 60s, 80s and even in today’s time know it when you see it…not much room to point or blame because we are spending our time not only pushing the wagon but trying to perform maintenance while it is in motion.
Ron, et al. that’s what this discussion is all about…energizing and taking action, which has to follow planning (in that order).
Remember, for some…the pain doesn’t hurt too much yet but we know the reasons why…don’t we?
Noel with all due respect I was born at night, just not last night. The majority of conservatives do not belong to the dem party, or support the policies of the present administration.
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck it probably is.
I’m not saying there isn’t common ground, maybe we can find it for the good of our community.
Once again I encourage all to get involved, get informed and vote.
I would like to see leaders taking MoCity forward who really can communicate with their constituents. Every meeting I’ve attended with the City Staff and Council present, I’ve heard very critical comments incicating largely,”where are we going? Is there a plan out there?”
I don’t think all of the responsibility for the lack of leadership and vision lies with the politicians either. What we have now in Missouri City is a very tight budget, a golf course that loses half a million dollars a year (incl bond interest), crumbling infrastructure, a very understaffed police force, and runaway crime. We need better planners and implementers and less politicians.
@DosCentavos,
Point taken…when was the last time you went to see a movie that had a powerful trailer but 5 minutes in the movie, after the butter slowly descends down the beautifully popped kernels, you realize that you just wasted your money.
Well, that is simply the sentiment of many city-goers…they saw the MoCity trailer, bought their ticket {home} and began to watch the show and the jury is still out.
Are we a progressive city and are we competitive? You are correct…we don’t need politicians at the local level albeit you can’t separate all the politics out of the equation. We need public servants that are willing to selflessly give of themselves and steward the public trust because those city-goers, like the movie-goers in my analogy, can’t get a refund if they don’t like the show {The Show Me City Movie}…well, it is hard to get a refund with the recovering housing market.
In either case, your point is well taken but I encourage you like the many I meet, don’t just buy your ticket and sit back and watch the show…rather buy that ticket and become part of it {show} b/c there are many roles yet to be filled.
In other news…
But to be transparent…as you mentioned, this works both ways. I know personally, the city doesn’t allow many people to participate in boards and commissions, especially if one doesn’t sing from their note page.
They always make an excuse and say, they already have enough representation from you area and when you attend maybe the Parks or P&Z and many other committee meetings, the body is mostly a construct of…well you know where I am going.
Sadly, apathy does seem to be the prevailing attitude in our city. I attended several functions before the last election that provided an opportunity to meet many of the candidates, and was actually surprised to see the attending candidates outnumber my friends and neighbors.
While some of the events received little or no attention in the local news, I would still think that more folks would have heard of them and made an effort to hear “from the horse’s mouth” exactly how the candidates felt about pressing issues.
Then there were the meetings regarding the new community center. Once again, the city personnel and those involved in the planning and future development of the center seemed to outnumber the attendees from our community. Our tax dollars at work – and no one seemed to care!
I am certain that many people have an attitude that they must simply take care of their own problems first, but failure to be involved in the areas that cause all concern reflects poor citizenship. We ultimately get exactly what we deserve, and the past will continue to influence the future if we allow it to continue.
I can only speak for myself, but my intention is to stay as active as possible in local affairs, and to take the time to drag a neighbor (possibly kicking and screaming) to attend with me.
That’s good for you but most are just tired of the same ole…same ole. I probably attended some of the meetings you referenced but when the same message is re-packaged then you won’t fill the room…but as I suggested…this will change too. Accountability flows both ways…upstream and downstream. We are not settling on re-gifts…people want more and deserve better.
“I can only speak for myself, but my intention is to stay as active as possible in local affairs, and to take the time to drag a neighbor (possibly kicking and screaming) to attend with me.”
Good idea Tommy given the very few monied Houston developers count on the apathy of the public to maintain control through their politicians of this region. Just follow the money. It answers many questions. We witnessed a public event a few years ago that gained exposure through the local cable station. It seemed to worry the powers that be so much that they never held it again. -Can’t have an informed public before local elections now can we.
Noel: are you planning on running for council in 2011?
Yes, 2080 Pct 1 voters hammer took action to hammer the nail(Pt.1 commissioner) out tobe replaced! Low voter turn out, will continue to addup for misleadership to continue, when the public holds back an just waits to speakup!
@Ron,
Everyone has a right to own their perception and I respect yours, that’s the American way. My point is directed at those of us who are tired of the nail and the complacency that comes from comfort.
Key adage:
Comfort comes in your home as your guest, remains as your host and eventually becomes your master.
I am of the persuasion that we have been comfortable with the notion that only a select group of people can add-value to our city…This is a farce and I believe this should serve as a catalyst to encourage us to remove the nail!
thanks
You are most welcome…thank you for sharing your comments and thoughts.
Mr. Pinnock, these are excellent questions that I’m sure many will have to answer for themselves. I think in recent years I would say no. More often than not they represent the interests of the companies that give them money for their campaigns. Let’s hope our neighbors and friends in this county do wake-up and smell the coffee.
Are they supporting the issues that they said they will support during the campaign cycle?
Are they accessible to hear your concerns or listen to your suggestions?
Are they willing to take on challenging issues that encroach on the status quo?
Are they thinking outside of the box and seeking innovative and cost-effective/efficient ways to do more with less?
Are they totally inclusive in a proactive way?
Are you involved in the decision-making process (for real)?
Are you receiving the best (not simply good) output from your hard earned tax dollars?
Are they visible in off-cycle election debates, issues, and concerns in your neighborhood, respectively?
Are they active in the organizations they receive awards from and tout?
Very good questions and I agree Ron (above) it is too bad they did all that contracting with only one city bid/provider. They really should try to do more to seek competitive bids but I guess that is how politics and business are done these days.
as you insist on addressing me.
Do you competively bid your homeowner’s insurance every year?
Do you competively bid you auto insurance every year?
Do you competively bid your electricity rate every year?
Do you change grocery stores every week?
Do you change auto mechanic every 6 mos?
Why not?
Because it doesn’t always guarantee the best price and service. Competitive bids is only one tool of many.
Actually I do call several firms when these expenses come around. I think it is prudent action and something public taxing entities should always do or have a very good reason for not seeking true open and competitive bids. I think in many cases it is required by law for public agencies. I think they call it due diligence. I also believe that when some politicians accept campaign gifts from companies they should recuse themselves from voting on these matters or acting as company agents.
Noel, the answer is yes to all your questions.
Our city administration overall is doing a good job. My councilman and I differ on a few things, but they work themselves out.
After the election I asked Mayor Owen why he felt the city need to take over garbage pick-up and he said “unfortunately the burden falls to 85% of the citizens.”
My question to you is, who’s the pain question directed to the 85% paying or the 15% with the entitlement attitude?