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Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive March 2004: Are you politically active?
Our DS and DIL are always complaining about policies, laws, etc. of their local government. I tell them to get active in their town's politics. I suggest attending citizen forums or City Council meetings...working to help a candidate, or running for minor offices. They aren't interested. They rarely even vote in local elections. I'm very active here and wondered if it's a generational thing or just me.
My mom always said that if you aren't active in politics (as in voting (even local), attending public meetings and so on) that you have no right to complain.
As active as possible. I try to make our town meetings, but it is difficult, as they 'start' at 7p but they can't officially start until the official quota of people show up, which could be hours, and then they go til 11p-12a.
My husband just ran for our town board this year. He lost by 30 votes. We're very active politically, here. We've met a lot of great people and we really feel like we're doing our part to help our town.
I always vote and I have worked for the presidential campaigns before. I live in Louisiana which is notorious for its crooked local and state politics, but I do at least always vote. Since I live in the state capital I am very much "in the know" of what is going on and have lots of friends working in state govt. I really don't think its a generational thing.
I don't think it's generational either. My mother was incredibly active..precient chairman, convention delegate ect. I was taught also that if you don't vote, you lose your right to complain. For various reasons lately, I have been rather apathetic about local/national candidates, and haven't participated. It makes me feel awful too.
Walmart wants to build a super Walmart a couple of miles from my house, in one of the towns surrounding Sheboygan. There already is a Super Walmart 10 miles away, plus our current Walmart which is only about a mile away. The people in that town don't want the Super Walmart because they like the rural feel of their community and feel that WM would take that away.
The bigger the store, more employees, the more it brings in (sells) the higher the tax back to the community. The powers that be are looking in their pockets not at the big picture. And I don't think it is a generational thing. I think it has been this way forever. You have the people that make waves and the ones that complain about the ripples...
Dawn, this happened in Hagerstown (regarding the Walmarts). However, what happened in the end is they closed the regular Walmart (leaving a big empty store for years now) and moving into the Super Walmart. It probably would happen to your Walmart.
I'm not typically political but lately I've been watching closely. Rumor has spread that another Walmart is creeping up in my backyard this time. I do mean literally in my backyard. There is an open field right behind us and that is where the rumor has them looking. Our neighborhood has already started organizing for when and if this becomes a reality.
Amanda, what side of Hagerstown are you on? Is it still the Walmart proposed near the Martin's on 40?
I always tell people, *if you don't vote, you have no right to complain*. I am registered and I vote regularly, and I used to be politically active locally, but now have too much on my plate to do anything other than follow all the news and vote.
Apparently, there are plans to build TWO Walmart Super Centers in Sheboygan, one on the south side and one on the north side.
I hate politics! Can't vote but will speak up and/or do whatever I can when I disagree with something. For example, there was a proposal to put up a cell tower on the lot directly behind our house. We signed a petition against it.
If you don't mind my asking, why can't you vote Trina?
Vicki, I'm not an American citizen. I'm a legal, resident alien from Canada. Another reminder to get my naturalization paperwork going...
We vote, we go to town meetings, etc. Involve the kids in the voting process, discuss with them age-appropriate debates and let them make their decisions about the matter. Then after the vote, we let them hear the results and why...
Marg, We live right behind the sheraton Four Points on Route 40. I guess since they couldn't build the Walmart in Funkstown this was the closest they could get to their original plan.
I think it's crazy Amanda, why don't they put one between Frederick and Hagerstown down 70 somewhere?
Because that might make too much sense. Sometimes, I think they come up with these ideas to just see if they can get away with it. Besides, there is still the empty building where the old Walmart was. They should have had to do something with that rather than just let it set empty.
Oh we have empty stores all over our town. When Walmart came in the department store on this side of town couldn't compete and went under. Then they had a five and dime across town and it went under. So we have two huge buildings that have been empty for years....... And then Krogers but out the mom and pop store in town and it went under and it sits empty too... There are more little store fronts that have gone out because of not being able to compete.. And now that the other stores are out the prices have gone up at the stores that remain. They got everyone to shop there for less and put the other stores out. Now they have no competition they hiked them back up... Nonsense.... Agreed.
This is the issue: Historical Site in danger!!!!! Attend Newport News Council Meeting MARCH 23, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. 2400 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA Without preliminary studies regarding the historical preservation, environmental impacts, economic impacts, or marketing analysis, Newport News called for developmental plans for Endview Plantation, a well known historical and Civil War reenactment site. Newport News is planning to select a contractor behind closed doors after the open council meeting on March 23, 2003. This is the only opportunity that the citizens will have to speak out against this unnecessary development. More information www.dontdevelop.org Call your councilman and state your opposition. Better yet, attend the open meeting to be sure your concerns are heard. Coalition for the Preservation of Historic Properties of Eastern Virginia This is what I said before the City Council that night. What do you think? Mayor Frank, Members of City Council. Thank you for this opportunity to speak before you. On the website for Endview Plantation I found this Mission Statement: The Civil War At Endview is dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and interpretation of the Endview Plantation house and grounds, and the explanation of the role of the Civil War in altering American culture, lifeways, technology, and humankind. Our commitment is to an understanding of past material culture and events that have shaped and influenced every American citizen’s present way of life. On Sunday March 21st I spent the day in a beautiful part of this city. My husband and I attended the Battle of Mechanicsville re-enactment on the grounds of the Endview Plantation. We are not now, nor have we ever been re-enactors ourselves, nor do we personally know many who are devoted to this pursuit. We are simply citizens of this city who appreciate history and the chance to spend a spring afternoon where trees and wild life flourish. While watching the battle, I had the opportunity to speak with several other spectators. Some were locals, but many were from out of town or out of State. Two families were from the DC area, Burke and Fairfax to be exact. They had traveled to Newport News to allow their children to witness, what one father called a non-boring and enjoyable history lesson. One family was looking into moving to Newport News in the near future. Being retired military, they were looking to find a place close to military health care, and with a good standard of living. Much as I have grown to love Newport News, I felt I couldn’t honestly recommend their relocation here, as that standard is fast disappearing. Since our family moved here over a decade ago, I’ve watched the few green spaces left, being gobbled by development. When private land owners succumb to the lure of big bucks, there isn’t much that we can do or say about the sad situation, but when our own elected officials are the agents, that snatch this green space from us and our children, we can not sit silently watching. There are so many potential ramifications of the destruction of this historic and rustic area. Historic re-enactments, a blossoming tourist attraction, will be lost, an attraction that not only brings revenue to the city, but draws attention to our historic legacy, and attracts folks who have been drawn to the Historic Triangle that sits on our doorstep. What happens to our drinking water when this vital part of our watershed is destroyed? Will that become yet another compelling reason why Newport News needs to build a new reservoir? .... and the existing reservoir, will that become simply another area ripe for development as water-front properties? And so I beg you to consider what we, your constituents are asking. Preserve the grounds of Endview Plantation. Allow our children and our grandchildren to enjoy the benefits of this green and verdant expanse. Guard our heritage. If we lose this space, we will lose a terrain that can offer healing and peace to our stressed lives. Protect our watershed. Our drinking water is too important to jeopardize. As public servants you are required by conscience to listen to those who placed you in these offices. Please listen now to us.
This happens in our town also. A small strip mall grocery store or drug store decides to pull out and buy new property for their own free standing building.
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Very sad, people come from the city moving here, building $500,000+ houses and up the road a mile is a house worth less than $40,000.