Complacency is a trauma response. We are so overwhelmed, we do nothing. In the City of Espanola, I see the same. Too many of us thinking, that there is no other way to do things and accomplish things.
People enabling misguided, power-hungry behaviors because it’s the “only” way to get ahead — being a lambe. Our governing body has too long looked the other way. Either they don’t have the will to fight corruption, don’t care or are profiting from it. Why sit back and do nothing?
It wasn’t long ago that I posted on our Facebook Group my views, as a constituent, regarding the homelessness issue. There was a comment from a City of Española staff member that no one complained about. They didn’t threaten to develop a social media participation policy. Why? Because said employee commented that he found me hypocritical for being a professional when meeting with the city and then having an opposing opinion as a city resident.
In our small community, personal, professional, and political are intertwined. The city manager didn’t threaten that employee with an ethics committee, didn’t threaten his livelihood. Such behavior is only applicable to those who post, like, comment with an opposing opinion.
For City Councilor Sam LeDoux, his comments merit immediate retribution, punishment, and retaliation. I find that a tad hypocritical. I didn’t demand the dismissal of that city employee. I never submitted a complaint to his city manager. He can disagree with me personally and that isn’t about his “job.” Professionals don’t threaten a person’s livelihood for a political difference of opinion.
I’ve often expressed, strongly, that the performance of our Governing Body is awful. I’ve wondered why, some of these very capable people aren’t doing more to mitigate some of the horrible damage that has been done at City Hall during the Vigil tenure. However, considering how Councilor Sam LeDoux is being treated for speaking openly … I see things a bit differently for some of the council members.
Intimidation, bullying, retaliation, passive/aggressive behaviors are something councilors, do to councilors. I don’t always agree with our elected city councilors but, I have a different level of understanding now on why some councilors, simply nod their heads and agree. It comes with a very high price to put your foot down and speak your truth.
The price is higher still when you choose to run for office, to be elected to speak on behalf of your constituents and say something the Mayor and his enablers won’t want to hear. (The Mayor is not the boss, the constituents are.) To the governing body, if your constituents can take the risk of being retaliated against for speaking, so can you.
It should be OK to be friends with people even if you disagree on the “politics.” We can be colleagues, we can be professional liaisons, we can be collaborative partners, we don’t have to be friends, and we can disagree when it comes to politics. When did acknowledging friendship, association, collaboration and integration become a crime in Espanola?
When did honesty, integrity and accountability become dirty words? When did it become OK to retaliate against someone because they oppose you or have a different opinion than yours? When did it become a crime to debate, discuss, meet in the middle, hold accountable and collaborate? When did having a different opinion and voicing it, become an act of aggression?
There is no “I” in team, strength in unity and all the other catch phrases used at City Council meetings are empty words. Those who oppose this governing body are labeled enemies. I think its long past time, the elected officials of the City of Espanola, do the job they were elected to do, swore an oath to do and claimed they were qualified to do.
It is time to speak up on behalf of all your constituents, not just the ones that donate to your reelection campaigns. Get the house in order first, then you can disagree on legislation. Legislation is your job, not personal vendettas and threats of retribution. Overseeing our city manager and ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the city can be carried out is your job not supporting and enabling a temper tantrum disguised as city manager comments. Holding each other accountable, is your job, not sitting back and chastising one councilor for speaking to his constituents while ignoring the giant elephant in the room known as multiple sexual harassment claims against the Mayor (to name but one issue.)
Get it together governing body, it’s time to govern.