I have spent a great deal of time lately responding to personal attacks and questions about my motives. There is a definite change in tone since I have decided to reveal that I use the pen name Thomas Paine. What used to be discussions about policy and ideas has now become a free for all for anyone who would like to invalidate this blog because my name is attached. It is blatantly obvious that it is not the content of the blog that bothers you but it is the author. To those of you who feel the need for this type of behavior please email me at goneright@live.com.
For those who would like to continue to discuss the issues and have a productive conversation, please continue to post here. I am very excited about the amount of hits on the site and the increase in the level of involvement. I am glad to be able to help in any way that I can. I apologize that the use of my name has distracted from the discussion lately. Please forgive me.
Thank you to all of you for enduring this personal post. I look forward to discussing the real issues facing Duvall once again.
Rob
Rob,
ReplyDeleteFor someone who freely accused our council members of illegal activities you sure are in a hurry to run from controversy involving yourself! I don't know how much of what Lance wrote is true, but it certainly seems to have struck a nerve. To quote Shakespear, you "doth protest too much, methinks."
It seems you found it more fun when you could attack our city officials (who, by the way, I think do a good job for the citizens of our town) while hiding your identity. That you do it as an out-of-towner makes it all the more contemptable. And Lance seems to be correct that you don't mind spending other peoples' tax dollars, in your case for billable hours by Duvall's city attorney. Ever consider the possibility that he may be capable of making a more correct interpretation of the municiple code than you? Are you an attorney or do you just pretend to be one?
As far as I'm concerned you do nothing of constructive benefit for Duvall. Harassing the public officials who serve our town and wasting my tax dollars is the hobby of a little, little man.
Hillary
Hillary,
ReplyDeleteYou have made the point of this post beautifully. Thank you.
I am very concerned that someone would use my actions to denigrate the character or motives of my church or any other church. This is why I protested.
I have asked for you to provide me with ways that you think I can be more beneficial to the town of Duvall. Please let me know.
In the future if you choose to personal attacks to make your point please do so to my email address goneright@live.com or please find another place to post them.
Thanks
wow!To attack someones faith and the christianity and integrity of millions seems pretty sub-human. Rob, can you block their posts so we can get back to a decent conversation?
ReplyDeleteSeriously Hilary, an out-of-towner? Because he lives just out of the city limits? Get over it. Rob please keep speaking up - that is what America is all about (even for you out-of-towners) LOL.
ReplyDeleteAmy
Thanks for the support.
ReplyDeleteHillary -
ReplyDeleteNo matter how miniscule the point, the fact of the matter is that the city council did violate the municipal code, and when questioned on it, has made statements that appear to be in effect 'so what - we'll just change the law to suit our actions, and why do you care?'. This should concern every citizen, because left unchecked this path most certainly leads to dictatorship styles of governments.
If the only thing that you can contribute to these types of discussions is to continually remind Rob that he is not a citizen in Duvall (yet), or accuse him of cowardice for using a pseudonym, or of having a hidden agenda because he reacted to outright lies as any man of integrity should then I suggest that you might want to go elsewhere.
This is Rob's blog, and he can discuss anything he wants here. If you don't like it and can't contribute in a positive manner, then leave. It's really that simple.
Who knew we had such hatred in our midst: hatred for Rob/Thomas, hatred toward mormons, and a hatred toward the political process. Blogs like this, minus a few personal things that don't belong, is what the political process is about. As far as I know the public has the right to question its government and to assemble together to do so. Blogs are an amazing way to "assemble" or protest. I think the problem is that local government has been able to slide under the radar without any scrutiny for a long, long time. As the local population grows, becomes more involved and dare I say educated, things are changing for their private little governmental "club" is being questioned. It will be uncomfortable for them for a while but they can either live with the statements or questions or make room for those that can- whoever that is. Politicians need to take the good with the bad. They should be a servant of the people and not slaves to their own agendas.
ReplyDeleteHillary,
ReplyDeleteLife is much too short to be concerned about Rob Millard's influence in our town. Everyone at city hall is familiar with him and his methods. Even though he is not a Duvall resident he could have had a constructive voice in our town, but he has succeeded instead in marginalizing himself by being a relentless nuisance. The Council doesn't take him seriously because he is not a constituent. The staff doesn't take him seriously because he does not contribute to paying their salaries. This blog is simply his response to the disappointment of his candidates losing in the last election. We should be grateful that he provides the handful of loyalists to his blog a means of feeling empowered. Realize that if they don't engage their city officials directly they aren't taken seriously either.
As to the above comment, that refers to a "private little government club" and politicians being "slaves to their own agendas", at the local level the writer is badly misinformed. Duvall's Council members are just ordinary citizens who devote time, energy and considerable skill to the often complex job of allocating limited and restricted government resources in the best manner they can to the needs and wants of the citizens. Few of them have political ambitions for higher office or specific ideological agendas. Those who do arrive on Council with agendas and try to promote them too aggressively--as is the case with just one current member--are eventually marginalized by their more pragmatic colleagues.
I, for one, think Duvall is fortunate to have a majority of exceptionally qualified individuals who DO SERVE THE CITIZENS on our Council, and I appreciate the work they do on my behalf. If the writer of the above comment took the time to familiarize his- or herself with our local government and the people who choose to serve, I think he or she would come to see the truth in that statement.
JP
JP,
ReplyDeleteIt is intersting that in your post you say that this person is badly informed for saying council members are not slaves to their own agendas but then you say that there is a council member who is doing just that. Perhaps you are not as informed as you think.
Also it seems a lot of you feel the need to tell Thomas that he could have been helpful to the city but when asked no one gives any ideas of how you think he can do this. Why not?
Perhaps the fact that so many of you are reading and commenting is showing that Thomas is much more influential then you give him credit for.
Just a thought.
Mike
Jp,
ReplyDeletePerhaps a re read of the comment above would help you to see that the comment did not say that this city council were slaves to their own political agenda, but the comment said politicians in general should not be slaves to their own agenda.
But thanks for pointing out that there is a council member who is acting this way. It would appear that the post is a little more on point then it originally seemed.
JP - Care to elaborate on whom you believe is pushing their own agenda a little too hard in city council?
ReplyDeleteRob, This whole discussion about your identity seems to show an insecurity and immaturity of those who disagree with you. Rather than defend the Council and leave it at that, Hillary feels the need to put you on the hotseat and then say you protest too much. Why do your oponents feel so threatened and annoyed that important questions are asked?
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of Socrates who said that he was a gadfly, pestering others to think. Thank you for being a local gadfly. Regardless of where you live, your activism in Duvall helps those of us not on council to be better informed. Like Jimmy Carter, who helps oversee elections in countries where he doesn't live or pay taxes and who donates his time to build houses that he will not live in, you offer a service to help others.
Thanks again. - Carolyn Durant
I agree with Carolyn. I think it shows much insecurity and immaturity with those who disagree with Rob. Being informed is so important and Rob is one person willing to help spread the information. Service.
ReplyDeleteIn addition... Thank you Rob!
ReplyDeleteFolks, enough is enough. I complement Rob on the changes that he is trying to make. While the initial postings were not up to the standards of the mission statement that Rob provided, he has made an effort to redirect the conversation. The issue is that the respondents can’t seem to stick to the topic without getting their little jabs in. Full disclosure, I live just outside of Duvall and am an elected official. I have been a public servant for the community for nearly 30 years. In that time, I have seen a lot of change and misadventures. Many people have served in elected office for the City of Duvall and other local governmental entities over that period. All have had their good and bad points. Yet, each did effect change. So, if you want to bring about change, you need to get involved in a collaborative way and make your point. I have not seen that in this blog. All I have seen is opinion, much of it based on assumptions or perceptions of what is going on. We all know what happens when you “ass u me!” something.
ReplyDeleteRob can’t, by himself, turn this blog into a meaningful discussion that would provide another point of view to our elected leaders. The respondents have to be honest and express themselves without jabs, threats, and opinions based on perceptions of what reality is. If you want me to document this, I suggest you take the filters off and re-read the posts. Anyone with knowledge of how local government works knows the truth of my statements. If you don’t see it, then you do not have knowledge of the workings of government. No matter how hard elected officials try, there is little that they can change at the local level. Much of it is dictated by the State. That includes taxes. I suggest that when Rob gives you an opportunity for constructive and informative input that you do so. The elected do monitor this blog but they will not take you seriously until you begin to provide meaningful and worthwhile comments.
If your mission is to provide meaningful points of view and effect change, then you must change and do so. If your mission is to provide trivial misinformation and tear down the government in the eyes of the citizens, then remember this: “you reap what you sow.” How will you lead when no one trusts the government anymore? People do not change opinions on a dime. The choice is yours!
Louis
Louis,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
I don't think anyone is denying whether or not the council serves the community, it is a matter of how well they serve the community. I think they have done some nice things. But sometimes I wonder if they are considering the budget. Just because you can get a grant that reduces the price doesn't mean the city should do it. The city's portion could still be too costly. Even my mother would say, "just because its on sale doesn't mean you should buy it," or, "do you need that right now, is this the best time?"
ReplyDeleteThanks, JD. You put it all in better perspective.
ReplyDeleteHillary
In most of the cases, a governing body like a city council has a long-term master plan called a comprehensive plan that has been prepared with citizen input (required by State Law). When funds become available - read grants - the opportunity presents itself to accomplish desired projects by leveraging the money. There are two ways that a government can leverage money. One is borrowing it which means property tax increases if the voters approve or services decrease if the legislative body chooses not to go to the voters. The other is to use available capital funds and grants. Not all the money that an entity receives can be used for operations. Some of it is restricted for capital purposes. The capital money either sits there or can be leveraged with grants to construct the things that the people and businesses want. We have to remember that there are two constituents, residents and businesses. These two sometimes are at opposite sides of the spectrum and the legislative body has to find the compromise point which does not please everyone.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, the legislative bodies of every local governmental body are very aware of the budget and where the entity is at. They pay close attention to the budget and do not like to waste the money. We can complain about the wisdom of a singular expenditure but we have to be aware of the role that expenditure plays in carrying out the long-term master plan.
Louis
Louis.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the insight but am a little bewildered by what the post is relating to. Please enlighten me.
Thanks
I am responding to the post before Hillary's last post regarding the consideration of the budget by council when building infrastructure and the use of grants.
ReplyDeleteLouis
I see. Thanks
ReplyDeleteBart,
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read my comment.
I will decline to name the Council member who is widely known (not just my opinion) to be marginalized by his/her colleagues for pushing an agenda based on his/her political ideology too hard. Here's why: 1) Had you happened to attend the last Council meeting you would have observed an opportunity to be able to easily recognize the individual for yourself. 2) My point was not to single out one Council member but rather to highlight the six out of seven members who were more pragmatic and nonpartisan, as best fits the office they hold. This is part of the reason why Duvall has such an exceptional Council for such a small town. 3) Guess which INDIVIDUAL Council members have the trust and respect of their colleagues, and thus the greater influence on the direction of policy--the one or the six? The answer is obvious.
So let me go a step further and challenge you with this question: As a small town Council member, is it better to use your office to push a hard right or a hard left political agenda?
The answer is neither.
This can be a difficult answer to accept because we each view government with our own political bias. But the practical reality of a nonpartisan office dealing with local issues is that those with a more center political view best serve the interest of the citizens. A good working City Council is composed of a mix of independents, moderate Republicans and moderate Democrats, likely with a fiscally conservative lean because revenues for a small municipality are so limited.
It may surprise you to know that I share the same political "side" as the Council member I recognize as marginalized and ineffective. But I have observed that more is not necessarily better when it comes to political bias applied to local government.
JP
P.S. Thanks to Louis for the valuable comments.
JP,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the change in tenor of your posts. While I disagree with some of your assumptions you seem more credible when you leave out the personal attacks.
Thanks for taking the time to explain JP. I work from 10AM to 6PM in Redmond, so my ability to attend city council meetings is pretty limited. As such, I rely on news articles, the council web site, and to a much smaller degree blogs like this one to help me understand what it happening in the community.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to thank you for the change in tone - it's easier for me to maintain my objectivity when I don't feel like something important to me is under attack. In fact, I find that I agree with much of your model of the most effective government model being middle of the road with financially conservative leanings. I also think there is room for a few hard right or hard left voices to challenge assumptions and the status quo in order to keep people from getting complacent or settled into their comfort zone.
JP,
ReplyDeleteyour post is just like a politician. It seems like you are running for office with that comment. You want to make a stand to point out a council member but you don't want to call them out on it. Are you worried about getting a future endorsement?
It is obvious that the council members have agenda. some are just better at hiding it than others. For me I would rather have my council members actually say what they really mean that have them claim one thing and do another.
Don
Don,
ReplyDeleteMy post simply explains that our Council members are ordinary Duvall citizens like you and I, rather than professional politicians. Most of them are motivated only to serve the best interests of our community, not pursue further political ambition or push a specific ideological agenda. Those few who attempt the latter, I've observed, end up becoming ineffective in their elective role and fare poorly for themselves in the Council experience. It's your choice to take my post at face value or miss it's point.
If you suspect that a particular Council member is hiding their agenda from you, why don't you just pick up the phone and have a conversation? Each Council member is very accessible; their phone numbers are listed on the city's website.
JP
JP,
ReplyDeleteI am taking it for face value. Notice the dodge and weave and not answering the actual concern. I disagree that I am like the council members or that they are like me. Perhaps you can relate to them more. Have you ever ran for office?
Barry
Barry,
ReplyDeleteNo "dodge and weave" here, but I sense that my little knowledge of local government makes you and Don uncomfortable for some reason. Why should that be so? Council members are our neighbors, they live and raise their families in Duvall just like you and I do. Some reside in Old Town, others are scattered through the newer neighborhoods. From my backyard I could throw a ball to the homes of one current Council member as well as two former members. I know each of them, which is how I know something of the workings of our local government.
With the recent exception of Rob Millard (revealing himself as Thomas Paine) I have refrained from naming names in any of my past posts. You will note above that Rob commented in appreciation of the tenor of my post that you find uncomfortable. Also, Bart seems to have appreciated my explanation of why I think Duvall has a good working City Council, as well as why some members have more influence than others.
Our Council is nothing more than seven of our neighbors who have earned our votes to make policy decisions for the betterment of Duvall. I like that the fact that it is the least partisan and most accessible level of government that influences our lives. You and I certainly have the right to disagree with them on specific issues, but I think the work they do is worthy of appreciation.
JP
JP,
ReplyDeleteTalking points, talking points talking points. I see that you still have not answered any questions that are asked of you.
And it is true you have not named names. not even your own.
I suppose I am uncomfortable because you tout yourself as so in the know but you are afraid to answer any questions. Why?
Barry
Jp,
ReplyDeleteJust to be clear I appreciated that there were no personal attacks in your post. That should be the only thing you should assume from that comment.
Some posters here have an obvious agenda: skirt the issue and deflect any comments about what happened at the last council meeting. They lob a personal attack, then run and hide. How noble. Quit mocking the purpose of this blog, grow up and say something worthwhile. Andrew
ReplyDelete