In recent discussions with several wonderful people from our community, the topic of a more civilized School Board came up. Note I did not say unified. If we do not expect our community to always be in constant agreement, we should not expect our representatives, if they are truly representing all/most of us, to always be in constant agreement. They should be able to at least pretend to get along if only for the respect of the position they have been graciously given by the community members they serve, and if only in the Board Room.
I was asked if I can work with certain Board Members whom I will refrain from naming. Can I work with other Board members? YES!
I am a firm believer that can't means won't. It was part of my military training and it stuck. I do know there are at least a couple of Board members who have said, in one way or another, that they can't work with me. I say again, can't means won't. They won't work with me because they seem to have a problem with people they do not automatically agree with or who do not already agree with them. Their loss.
The word "can" indicates physical ability. Remember when you would ask your teacher, "Can I go to the bathroom?" Often, your teacher would reply, "May I go..." because most certainly you were physically able to. Can any School Board member get along with any other? Yes they can, if they choose to.
"Won't" indicates a conscious choice. Board Members that set their minds to dislike people that disagree with them or expect others to see their side of issues without extending the same courtesy are making the choice not to work with others. Often the finger that is pointing to the "contrarian" Board Member ought to be pointing back at the owner.
Will I work with other Board Members? YES! Of course that will be limited to the level in which other Board Members are willing to work with me. Life is full of choices. Choices made by Board Members should NOT be about their own interests.
I will make decisions based on solid scholarly research and information presented to me. I will weigh that information against what community members present at public forums or by comments community members give me by telephone, mail, and email.
I will work with other Board Members because I choose to. I wonder what they will choose.
Monday, January 21, 2008
"Can" versus "Won't"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Michelle.
Being able to work with people that you don't like and don't share views takes class.
Reading your post here shows you have class. I wish you the best!
Mrs. Monte. I agree with 9:37. Show that side of you in the debates, and I think you'll achieve what you have set out to accomplish!
You're the only female in the race. Show everyone the nurturer in you and it will pay off.
Michelle. I see that "hypocrite Hentz" is up to her tricks again. She's upset with the League of Women Voters for not having a debate televised, but she can't seem to have you or Mr. Schneider on her show. That woman is such a hypocrite!!
I wouldn't worry about it though, I think only a half dozen people even bother watching that pathetic show, and her and her sidekick make up 1/3 of the audience.
Good luck in April, I'm voting for you!
Just to be accurate about a couple of things...
I left the opinion of the previous comment as it is also a quote from another blog. I am sure the host of the local cable show is mature enough to take an opinion with a grain of salt.
I do know that Mr. Schneider was asked to be on the show in question but apparently was unable to free his coaching schedule to arrange to tape an episode.
I was not asked to be a guest on the show. While we started on good terms, my husband became acquainted with an adversary of the host. Basically, I am guilty by association and not welcome on the show. Had I been invited, I doubt the reception would be equal to the other candidates.
It is ironic though that this host would publically criticize the League of Women Voters for not televising District 14 of the Winnebago County Board. Her "concern" was that the voters would not get all of the information they need to cast their ballots. Apparently the "concern" for a County Board District is far more pressing than concern for the entire community's need for complete information to vote for School Board Members.
Mrs. Monte: I have to agree with 1/27 5:49. I wasted ½ hour of my life tonight and watched Cheryl Hentz’s show. It was embarrassing. They had on Gordon Hintz and half of the show was messed up. The show “froze” then started, then “froze” several times. And when you could actually watch, Cheryl/Dan again provided softball questions, and NEVER challenged Gordon on anything. Now I like Gordon, but I would hope that the media would hold him accountable! Not Cheryl Hentz, just more softballs. And the second half of the show was John Daggett! They’ll have him on but not you and Mr. Schneider? Good choice Cheryl/Dan!
Oh and by the way, Cheryl had a boo-boo on her left hand. She had a bandage that was about the size of a bowling ball. It went quite well with the rest of the embarrassment of the show.
Don’t worry about not being on the show Michelle; you would lose credibility!
I received a comment for this thread and have chosen not to post it in it's entirety and the reason why.
The first part of the comment was about my breasts. That is what will be deleted. If anyone wishes to discuss the body parts I nursed four children with, feel free to check Teresa Thiel's blog. She seems to like to post threads attacking my breasts, breath, and children.
As for the other part of the post, here it is:
From Anonymous, today at 4:02pm:
"Wise choice to forego her and her walking cane [on Cheryl Hentz's show]. Guess Michele's got a boo-boo of her own."
First of all, my name is spelled MICHELLE, two L's. If you choose to insult, at least address your target appropriately.
I have to wonder how much courage it takes someone to anonymously attack someone else's physical disability. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis. It is an autoimmune, degenerative joint disease that also attacks soft tissue. It does not affect the mind except that the mind eventually becomes trapped in a frozen, painful, and useless body. In my case, it is most severe in the hands, spine, pelvis, intestines, lungs, and causes migraines. There is no cure only a future of medications and surgeries to free fused vertebrae, God forbid.
I give myself shots of an immune suppressant that costs $2000 per month and take a muscle relaxant. I could probably take out stock in Motrin, Aleve, Excedrine, and Tylenol.
I probably won't dance at all of my children's weddings. Even now, I am limited as to how much I can play with them though a new medication has helped keep my cane in the corner most of the winter.
I enjoy the good days to include gardening, walking, and even riding a bike. I have also been known to careen down a snowy hill on a sled with one or more of my children.
When I have a flair up of stiffness and pain, or walk long distances, I use a cane. One has to wonder if the anonymous who seems to be trying to defend a biased host in this disgraceful manner (possibly said host) is the same type of crass individual to kick the cane out from under a disabled person. You, Anonymous, have MY pity.
I choose to live my life for all it is worth. God gave me this body and I do not plan on saving any of it for the afterlife. I do not feel sorry for myself and live my life to the fullest. I believe in being an active member of my community and my disability has not slowed me down, just given me other opportunities.
Let's see if I understand this. It's okay to post comments about other people's health, but not yours? You are a hypocrite's hypocrite and the only one needing pity in this discussion.
Anonymous 9:01, please go back and read my recent comments. I DID post the comment about my health. I am hardly the hypocrit here. I, however, did not write the comment about Hentz's apparent injury so do not feel my health has any part in the original commentary. You seem to think differently. So be it.
I also suggest you read the criticism of the episode. You seem to have missed the point in focusing on something that was more a statement of fact than anything else. So someone does not like the show. Big deal. If I were Cheryl or an "Eye" supporter, I would be more concerned with the accusations of "softball" questions and the problem with the taping/airing of the show than someone pointing out a bandage comparing it to how broken the show seemed to be to them.
Let's get back on topic shall we? Or "can't" you?
Post a Comment