The people spoke; without retribution

On Sept. 16 a beautiful thing happened and for me, it came at a good time.

Dozens of people, senior citizens mostly, jammed into a cozy small meeting room in Imlay City to share strong feelings with the city commission.

Imlay City’s Mayor, Barbara Yockey, made it clear. This meeting – dubbed a Town Hall meeting – was a fact finding mission. To get feedback on what people thought of an idea.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, there was great respect. People were courteous. People were kind.

And, differing opinions were allowed, without having to have a fear of reprisal if it wasn’t in line with what others were thinking or wanting.

City officials had pitched the concept of city hall offices and the Senior Citizen Center (in the upper floor of the Lamb Steele building) swapping facilities.

Officials claimed the relocation would allow for a more seamless operation of city services, with the police department already housed in the lower level of the Lamb Steele building.

For the seniors, and many of their supporters, there was no silver lining for them to make a possible move to the city hall building.

They said it was a smaller space than what they needed for current activities. There was not space for chair volleyball, a pickleball court, an exercise room, a medical supply room and more. All of which they currently have at Lamb Steele.

Of the people that addressed the commission, they all spoke clearly, respectfully and made themselves very clear.

There was NO interest in any kind of swap, switch, change. Call it what you want.

They weren’t having any of it. And good for them!

They felt strongly about something. They unified. They came to the meeting in strong numbers. They shared their thoughts and feelings and were able to do so without persecution.

While taking notes of all those that spoke to the commission, I stopped for a moment and just looked around the room.

It was great to see local government and taxpayers being civil with each other. To see people standing lined up along the walls of the room nodding their heads in agreement when fellow seniors addressed the commission.

When it came time for commission members to speak on the topic, Commissioner Al Ramirez kicked things off by saying this was a terrible idea and something he would never support.

The crowd applauded when he shared his feelings. Other commissioners shared similar feelings and resolve to not support the concept. All were met with applause.

It was local government at it’s finest. Two sides being able to debate and discuss a topic respectfully.

A lot of people in our nation could sit up and take note.

To me, our country, and the world in general, are at a point where many people are afraid to speak their minds for fear of retribution or being attacked. Or worse, being killed by an assassin.

In my opinion, one should not be slain for his or her beliefs just because you don’t agree with someone. Or feel their message is somehow potentially going to negatively impact you, so a decision is made to harm a human being.

Lines have been drawn in the sand by many factions. It seems like fighting amongst Americans, on their own soil, is at an all time high. It’s sad.

Charlie Kirk did not deserve his fate. Nor should anyone else have similar consequences for sharing their opinions.

Can’t we all just get along? I hope and pray we can.

Contact Dave at editor@pageone-inc.com