Reality Check

It always helps to hear from folks who don't live in the midst of our current turmoil. It gives us a sanity check - are we really as crazy as Bradley says we are? This comment was posted last night and let's us know we might be sane after all...

I was following the story that mentioned Don's Ruston Market as The Seattle Traveler Top 5 Posts for January 2008. I wanted to say Best regards and way to go to the Torbets for working to keep Ruston special! I for one have parked myself at their counter many a time for old fashion fountain drinks! As I read the Seattle Traveler … I was happy for Ruston to be on the list … one thing lead to another and I came across blogs, clicking here to there, following links I kept reading and even listened to a meeting.

Now I am so sad for this little town that has brought my family special memories through “5” generations. At 54 years old I still love the feeling that just entering Ruston brings. I sit here at my computer shocked as if I just learned news of an old friend fighting to live on while being abused by the ones entrusted with their care.

Reading about this newly appointed Ruston council member #5 Bradley …~ OH my goodness, he sounds like a dictator and very full of himself. Good leaders connect with individuals, motivating them by listening with a true desire to create a socially productive community, this is not accomplished, by name calling and a command that the people have no voice … or saying things like, “I am tired of this Bull” referring to them as caged animals, and saying they are not that bright.

This is one of their leaders …?! I am shocked, how could this happen in a country with freedom of speech,... well unless you live in Ruston! How can it be that members of the town are not allowed to have any say so as to who sits on the council as well as, not being allowed to talk at the council meetings …?

Referring to: Ruston Town Council has a Council position open… There will not be a public interview process, no public comment will be taken at this council meeting or any other regarding this process or the appointment. What kind of a town council is this that the town folks are not allowed any say as to who serves the community … hmmm I wonder if there is any connection as to the problems…

As far as filling a position without the members having any say so … it appears to this reader that if the council could hand pick members to fill the vacancies then they (the council) could have anything the ‘Ruston Council’ wanted with no regard to what the town members have to say.

Here are quotes from an article in TNT, pleases NOTE this readers interpretation in parenthesis: Bradley stated, I deal with rich, crazy people all day, ( hmmm, wonder how his clients will respond when they read how he feels about them?), and I’m not going to deal with crazy people all night, (is he referring to the town folks that he is suppose to serve?). There’s nothing in it for me, (isn’t a council member there to serve the community and the good of the people). The only reason I ran for this office is to get something done (note, a lot of “I”, “I”, “I”). I’m not going to sit with a bunch of psychos in the evening under fluorescent lights and hash over crap, (wow sounds like a hostile take over).

Bottom line, the image received from reading about Bradley as to how he wants this town to respond during town meetings is: all members sitting with gags over their mouths, shaking their heads agreeing with everything the counsel members have to say ~ however, from what I gathered it sounds like they will have to put ‘something’ in the water of Ruston to get the towns people to be quiet, and agree!

Who would want to stay home and watch reality TV when one can attend a Ruston Town council meeting in person! (Just remember not to upset council member #5 because it sounds like he is full of #2).

Robin

(Just a reminder, there is a council meeting tonight at 7 pm at 5219 N. Shirley)