posted by Mike Madison at 6:07 PM /
The pace of commenting on this blog seems to have picked up in the last couple of months, which is good thing. Thanks!
Some of the commenters express the hope that our local politicos read the blog and, presumably, the comments.
While I'd be delighted to have any and all of those folks as readers and/or as occasional posters, don't rely on this blog as a sole means of communicating with the School District or the Municipality. Anonymous venting has many useful purposes, but effective policy change is usually not one of them. There are lots of ways to make change happen. Dialogue can start the process, even blog-based dialogue, but it rarely brings that process to a conclusion. Write, call, show up.
There are also ways to make dialogue more effective. One way, I believe, is to surrender the cloak of anonymity. Here and at my other blogs, I post under my own name. I've thought about the "retribution" issue that some commenters have raised, and I've concluded that it's not a problem. At least, it hasn't been a problem for me or my family, and I've been posting about Mt. Lebanon both here and elsewhere since the Margery Sable situation first burst into public view. People disagree about big things and small things, but I've been impressed by the level of civility I recognize in just about everyone who I've encountered in conversations about the blog. Be civil, and most of the time you get civility in return. Putting your name with the opinion makes the opinion more than just gossip. Now you're a constituent with a complaint. And, a la Spartacus, there is strength in numbers.
Thoughts on a cold evening. Anonymous comments, of course, will still be welcome here.
Some of the commenters express the hope that our local politicos read the blog and, presumably, the comments.
While I'd be delighted to have any and all of those folks as readers and/or as occasional posters, don't rely on this blog as a sole means of communicating with the School District or the Municipality. Anonymous venting has many useful purposes, but effective policy change is usually not one of them. There are lots of ways to make change happen. Dialogue can start the process, even blog-based dialogue, but it rarely brings that process to a conclusion. Write, call, show up.
There are also ways to make dialogue more effective. One way, I believe, is to surrender the cloak of anonymity. Here and at my other blogs, I post under my own name. I've thought about the "retribution" issue that some commenters have raised, and I've concluded that it's not a problem. At least, it hasn't been a problem for me or my family, and I've been posting about Mt. Lebanon both here and elsewhere since the Margery Sable situation first burst into public view. People disagree about big things and small things, but I've been impressed by the level of civility I recognize in just about everyone who I've encountered in conversations about the blog. Be civil, and most of the time you get civility in return. Putting your name with the opinion makes the opinion more than just gossip. Now you're a constituent with a complaint. And, a la Spartacus, there is strength in numbers.
Thoughts on a cold evening. Anonymous comments, of course, will still be welcome here.
Labels: municipality, school board, school district
7 Comments:
Mike:
I think the "retribution" issue is over played. I have no concerns and have found both the School Board and Commission to be approachable and respectful - no matter how many times I talk about TIF.
Although the School Board gets better marks for responsiveness. The Commissioners are best one-on-one for some reason.
The Municipality's Boards and Authorities are very good however - you can usually have a constructive dialogue with these neighbors.
Blogging is a growing part of Community participation & awareness. Kudos to you and Joe for the effort you put in to keep it going. Anon blogging is fine with me. Besides - your blog readers have to take us for who we say we are anyway.
Mike:
I'm not sure I agree with your thinking on "retribution". It can occur in many ways.
A couple of elections ago, a neighbor told me a young women stopped and yanked out our yard sign endorsing a candidate and stomped on it angrily. We replaced it and several days later, our car was egged in the driveway. Could be unrelated and egging could have been kids, but all the same, retribution can take many forms. I don't think the school board would go after a commentor per se, but a teacher might as an example... grade your child slightly harder, if you took a stand on teacher salaries!
I've posted comments as anonymous on the blog, yet also contacted the board members identifying myself when I thought it was necessary.
As for the spartacus analogy, that was the reason I asked in a post if anyone knew if board members viewed this blog. Its tough for one person to organize a group, especially if they are opened minded to opposing opinions. I use the blog to run it up the flag pole and see if I'm a party of one or many.
Along that line, it would be helpful if board members put people together on an issue.
Mike--
I will give you an example of how reprisals can occur.
As a youngster I was offered a job at the SP county skating rink, all the people knew me, that's why they suggested I apply for the position.
As I was completing the application, the manager said, "I have to ask you a question, and if anyone ask, I'll deny asking it, but since you're too young to vote-- which party did your parents register with?"
I replied "republican--why?" His answer, "don't even bother filling out the application, you'll never get the job!"
Registered as an independent ever since!
Its not a perfect world!
Ask former school board members Graclyn Ratay and Beverly Marhouf
about teacher-union retribution.
When a teacher missed 60 teaching days at Jefferson Elementary last year the first words from the speaker at the school board meeting were, "We're not here to complain about the teachers."
Translation: I am more concerned about retribution than I am about my kids.
You don't have to worry about any retribution if you do the following:
1. Register as a Democrat.
2. Be a vocal supporter of every union in the State. (benefits and salaries for any union members are obsurdly low, and they should always be raised) Never ask to look at how they spend the money, just state that if they don't have enough of it to cover their expenses, the only answer is to raise taxes.
3. Give money to the School Board. Everything they say, you must agree with. Make sure it is known that the happiness of the teachers is much more important than the kids learning.
4. Always talk about how you like paying your share of the taxes.
Do all of the above and you may get your home assessment lowered!
Interesting comments on this thread. To answer some questions, first, people who are on the school board or running for school board do read this site. I have brought up conversation a few times to some politicos in Mt Lebanon and most, if not all, are aware of it and the voice that it has.
The internet and places like this blog make the world and politics a different place. In my opinion, its all for the good when civil people can have a dialogue on issues and understand that there will be differing viewpoints. That just comes with having critical thinking skills.
I do keep up with the site and hope to become a more frequent poster to your articles. I enjoy the site.
Good comments from everyone. First, I will say that I am running for school board and I do absolutely check this site at least a few times a week. I do also know that people that are in my political circle are all aware of the site and its influence. It truly is the only place I have found that is a sort of clearinghouse for issues that are facing Mt Lebanon.
As far as retribution goes, my opinion is that if we are all civil (and I have only seen civil posts on this blog which is one of the things that makes it great) then there really should be no reason for retribution. If people express opinions, that is what they are, opinions. They are formed by experience and study. Because each person has their own life experience and their own course of study, opinions will have differences. The fun and challenging part is finding the common ground.
Keep up the good work on the site. I hope to become a more frequent poster.
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