We live in what is considered a rural community with population probably not even 1,000. An election last week resulted in a new mayor and most of the alderman seats having new persons. In this small town most people just don't want to put up with the barrage of complaints that such service brings for an unpaid position. I can understand and share that sentiment. There were only three persons who even filed paperwork for any of the positions, and ultimately more write in votes were cast for others over the one that had taken the time to qualify for the positions. How would you view this, or is it even that unusual for small communities?
Small town government issues
- Thread starter TennVet
- Start date
dilettante
Well-known Member
- Location
- Michigan
In my experience it isn't unusual even in somewhat larger communities. It is hard to compete with political party carpetbaggers paradropped into small communities armed with a massive warchest and access to a large campaign support organization. Of course that's also going on at the State level as well.
Aunt Bea
SF VIP
- Location
- Near Mount Pilot
IMO it’s not unusual.
Life has become so complicated and politics seems to have become more of a popularity contest than a search for the best qualified individual for the job.
Many small towns are left unequipped to deal with the complex decisions required in today’s world.
The local barber or third grade teacher just can’t compete with the legal team of a McDonald’s or prepare bid packages for sewage treatment plants, float bond issues, etc…
IMO it might be better to hire professional city managers and allow the local politicians to act as.goodwill ambassadors.
Life has become so complicated and politics seems to have become more of a popularity contest than a search for the best qualified individual for the job.
Many small towns are left unequipped to deal with the complex decisions required in today’s world.
The local barber or third grade teacher just can’t compete with the legal team of a McDonald’s or prepare bid packages for sewage treatment plants, float bond issues, etc…
IMO it might be better to hire professional city managers and allow the local politicians to act as.goodwill ambassadors.
fuzzybuddy
SF VIP
- Location
- The Sticks, Northeast PA.
Even at the point of a gun, I wouldn't consider running for a town official. It's long boring hours mulling over insignificant details. And no matter what you do or don't do, there's always somebody who won't let it go and will dog you forever about it.
I think you're correct in that just because someone wins the election, they may not be the best person for the job. But considering we're semi-intelligent , somewhat neurotic apes, it works for us.
I think you're correct in that just because someone wins the election, they may not be the best person for the job. But considering we're semi-intelligent , somewhat neurotic apes, it works for us.
HazyDavey
Western Exposure
- Location
- Northern California
Reminds me of back in the day when our kids were small and going to school. Mrs. Hazy decided to get involved and went to her first ever PTA meeting. When she came back from the meeting she told me she was elected president! Wow, I thought she must have really impressed everybody..
Nope, as it turned out to me, it looked like nobody else wanted to get stuck with all the trappings of the position.
Nope, as it turned out to me, it looked like nobody else wanted to get stuck with all the trappings of the position.
VaughanJB
Scrappy VIP
I won't go into detail, but I was recently asked if I would be a person responsible for taking local concerns to local government. My answer was simple and direct, hell no! Can you imagine all the crying and whining you'd face? Can you imagine the number of people who complain simply because they can't have their own way? Sheesh.
With things as they are, who would want a role with responsibility for such things?