No, you missed the whole point. The discussion on the absence of the proposed budget on this site that has been used for a blue million topics was begun politely and positively, but all that resulted was (1)no proposed budget, (2)excuses on why not, ("come to the meeting if you want to know," (3)sarcasm by the mayor ridiculing those requesting that the proposed budget be posted in a timely fashion.
And, may I politely correct you when you say you are not attemting to censor remarks? To tell someone that that it is ok to complain as long as it is done "politely" is censorship. It is also demeaning which is certainly not polite within itself
The REAL POINT is that if the mayor and the city commissioners were more forthcoming than has been the case forever in Bellemeade, there would be no need for these residents and this former resident to complain. I am in full agreement with the residents who say that there has to be more communication between the city leaders and the residents than can
occur in just one meeting per month that is already cut and dry before it starts. Were you at the meetings when a room full of residents (somenot so polite) came out against the Beautification Ordinance which passed over the wishes of the residents who cared enough to come to a City Commission meeeting?
And might I ask why you two have not responded to hwaldridge's posts complaining about spending money for beautification and not for safety? I think he referred to beautification as a "croc" which should have set off your thin-skin meter big time.
Her use of the term, Tories," is very scholarly correct. With the exception of a few Spaniards, French, Dutch, and Germans most of the white residents on this continent were indeed British, hence, the term Tory used to define one loyal to the Crown of England during the turmoil starting roughly in the 1670s and finally culminating with the Adoption of The unanimous Declaration of Independence of the thirteen united States of America in 1776.
Sir, many scholars contest the term "American Revolution" on the basis that very little changed in the ensuing governments under the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union which constituted a very loose alliance of 13 States following the Declaration of Independence in 1776 (note that united is not in upper case in the title; whereas States is - that was done to show the sovereignty of each State). Socio-political systems remained intact just with different leaders. There was no strong central government. It is for that reason that some scholars prefer the term "War for American Independence. I prefer that term myself. The Articles were in effect until the Constitution of the United States of America was adopted in 1787 and finally made complete in 1791 with the addition of the first ten amendments (Bill of Rights). Note that now the U is upper-cased denoting the supremacy of the national government.
Now, to your scolding of those who you say were impolite. Sir, I am a VERY PROUD veteran. I served alongside people who shed blood and lost their lives in the service of this great nation. My service does not grant me any more rights that you have, and I don't expect any more. However, I highly value the freedoms stated outright in the Bill of Rights and I side with anyone who who has courage and concern enough to speak up even if their opinion is 180 degrees opposite from min; I support their right to voice it, and to say it rudely if that's what it takes to gain an audience. .And to those who say the way others happen to say something seems impolite or makes it hard to sell a house, I say get used to it or get over it. The bullets that earned us the freedoms and continue to keep us free were impolite as hell, but they surely worked..
Nowhere in the Bill of Rights can I find any stipulation that the exercise of free speech must not interfere with the selling of houses. A house would sell well in a community that has an open, receptive, progressive government that decisively deals with the issues like public safety, speeding, and proper expenditure of tax money. And, if we are going to continue to be a separate, incorporated city, then we have to have a good reason to stay that way. A vulgarly low tax rate is NOT a good reason. Doing things better, keeping the residents informed, and insuring the safety of the citizens ARE good reasons.
Thank you and my acceptance of the challenge to discuss issues in person seems to have fallen on bare ground.
