Village Board members give a great deal of time in the work of managing our community's affairs and I often wonder way they do it. Few citizens appreciate the time that it takes away from their families and businesses. I'm sure that many other citizens would also want to show their appreciation for their efforts.
I've been a citizen who has watched the Village in process for some time and marvel at all the work that gets done. Now that we have a vacancy after an annouced resignation, I hope that it is left open until the next election so we can get some people to run for the office in opposition to each other and voted for by the people.. There have been too many who have been unopposed for local political positions. An appointment at this time would re-enforce the trend of the unelected.
The Village should encourage people to run for office and find ways for getting people to meaningfully participate in government and get them interested in elected office.
Meanwhile, with only five members and a presiding officer, the Board can act with more informality, inviting the citizens who are attending meetings to participate in discussions when recognized, in the same manner as the members are recognized, getting citizens used to the process of decision-making and during the time the decisions are being made, as long as their comments are not disruptive and do not interfere with orderly proceedings.
Let's take advantage of this opportunity to bring citizens into the governing process. I'm sure we can be quite innovative about this. Let's give it a good try. In this way we may even get some of these citizens sufficiently interested to run for office.
