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Editorials Land Use |
Editorial Entitled "...And Reason, Not
Emotion, Shall Prevail" As a member of the Kerrville City Council, I recently spoke these words when council authorized the Economic Improvement Corporation (EIC) to proceed with a bond issue which might include a low water crossing. At no time during that meeting or subsequently has a single individual asked me under what conditions would I support the construction of a low water crossing on the west side of our city. In similar fashion, not one citizen has contacted me about potential improvements to the Scott Schreiner Golf Course. Some have erroneously assumed that I wholeheartedly support immediate action on the bridge while others inappropriately assume that I will authorize any and all improvements--regardless of cost--at the municipal golf course. Lack of communication, which I have addressed in council, and unchecked emotion are governing the actions of the few. Council should accept responsibility for failing to adequately communicate with the public about the city's short and long term traffic objectives. Equally the city has failed to communicate with golfers about the need for short and long term improvements to the golf course. However, the public wholeheartedly has failed to attend EIC meetings or initiate communications with all members of that governmental entity, and the "no improvement" golfing faction has steadfastly refused to call certain, individual council members. Both the "anti-bridgers" and "no improvement" golfers assume the worst and presume that a majority of council already has made decisions to proceed, regardless of the interests of the public. Democratic government operates under the assumption that those chosen to govern receive the collective opinions and wisdom of the public. However, input appropriately should occur before the fact, rather than afterwards. That is why we in government welcome public input. That is why we have telephone answering machines and voice mail. We do not want to exercise responsibility without adequate public input. So then what shall we do when such input is not forthcoming? A councilperson votes his/her intentions, hoping that good judgment based on reason rather than emotion shall prevail. My fellow citizens, please note--in the case of the bridge, further study is necessary, given the recent decision to move the Post Office and Peterson Hospital Outcare south of the river. And importantly, the construction of a low bridge should be done only after a viable southside link to a reconstructed G Street bridge is completed and done only after we all see if a pending school bond election passes. Why? If the school bond passes, the likely site of a new high school will necessite the immediate construction of Holdsworth Drive on the northwest of the city. This will push a possible low bridge down the EIC priority list. In addition, logic dictates that the high bridge should be built and traffic patterns studied before a low bridge is constructed. However, some of our citizens care little for such reason and emotionally charge that the City is immediately preparing to build a low water bridge. As far as this councilperson is concerned, that charge is simply not true. Likewise, some "no improvement" golfers would have you believe that the council automatically will accept all architectural suggestions for improvements and that council cares nothing about the economic impact on individual golfers of such potential changes. That charge is also erroneous. However, until a competent study of potential improvements at Scott Schreiner Golf Course is completed, unchecked speculation and emotion governs. This councilperson must, and will, make decisions based on reason rather than emotion. Wouldn't it be interesting if a study of the river bottom in the Guadalupe Street area revealed that a bridge could not be constructed at a reasonable cost? And wouldn't it be interesting to find that improvements to the golf course could--or could not--be made in a manner compatible to golfers' pocketbooks? We will not know if we continue to talk "at each other." What is needed is for council and staff to talk "with" the public, in a true dialogue, and equally for the public to address council. Perhaps the time has come to televise council meetings and for the mayor's radio program to be reestablished. Our Hill Country President Lyndon Johnson loved to cite the biblical admonition to "come and reason together." Communication and logical reasoning would strengthen democracy and negate the need for coffee shop gossip, irrationality, alienation, and yes, even recall petitions. I believe in democracy but a democracy rooted in the law of reason, not emotion. Shame on us all. We could all do better.
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