[Vision2020] why does she do it?

[keely emerinemix]

My goodness.  If I had a buck for every time someone's asked me, with 
varying degrees of either annoyance or admiration, why I'm spending so much 
time Vision-ing, I could probably fund the new high school myself.  So it 
seems as though now is a good time to explain what I think will become more 
evident as you read through this.

Most Visionaires know that I have posted before, usually on matters 
involving religion and theology, especially those that arise from the 
continuing adventures of the Kirk.  I began posting on January 1, 2004, and 
have continued off and on.  Again, I generally have kept my comments to the 
areas I know the most about.  Perhaps the least well-kept secret in Moscow, 
or so I hope, is that I am a committed Christian -- pretty conservative 
theologically, more than a bit liberal politically -- and that means that I 
have not only great interest in but some knowledge of Scripture, theology, 
faith and public policy, and the like.

I am also a committed member of the school board.  I don't consider being a 
trustee any more or less noble than anyone else's occupation, but in the 
course of my two years on the board, all of which has included time on the 
facilities committee, I have acquired quite a bit of knowledge, perhaps even 
some expertise.  It seems to me, then, that if there is a public forum on 
which I've appeared in other areas -- Vision 2020 -- I should also "appear" 
when the topic switches to something that I am unusually familiar with.  
Part of that is just plain ol' "community" -- you offer what you've got to 
your neighbors and hope that it helps.  But a critical part of that is the 
belief I have that those of us who choose public office have an obligation 
to involve ourselves in public, rigorous, even ugly debate about things that 
we're responsible for.

I helped craft the bond, I made the motion that the board follow Dr. 
Donicht's recommendation that we approve it, I voted for it, and I've now 
spent a couple of months campaigning for it and defending it against its 
detractors.  It seems to be an obligation of public service, and it would 
be, FOR ME, unconscionable to sit this one out.  Please remember that after 
Bill Goesling left the board, I was and continue to be the only trustee on 
the FPC, so I do have an edge there that the other trustees don't have.  
Still, their decisions to campaign a lot, a little, or not at all, on- or 
off-Vision 2020, are theirs.  Everybody working on this has a niche, and 
this appears to be one of mine.  I hope I've handled it effectively and, 
more important, kindly and honestly.

For those of you who are annoyed by my continued participation, please 
understand that it would be wrong for me to just sit this one out, duck 
behind someone else, or decide that some questions are too dumb or 
belligerent to respond to while some are OK.  My time is valuable, but it's 
not to be parceled out on the basis of my guess at the author's sincerity or 
intent -- I'd rather err on the side of accountability than drift towards 
arrogance.  Believe me, I have an arrogant streak that needs constant 
minding!

It's not my intention to keep stirring the pot or to gleefully provoke some 
folks into spending long hours arguing with me, but I think you can 
understand that it's important for me, as I understand my duty to my job and 
to my community, to be available to answer questions and to fight for 
something I believe in.  If it's gotten ugly, I hope I haven't contributed 
-- but I can't be blamed for making angry people behave angrily.  My answers 
are my own, I take full responsibility for them, I have much respect for the 
District, Dr. Donicht, and the other trustees, and I will continue to fight 
what I think is a good fight.

If you've read this far, know that I appreciate it.  If you still think I'm 
an idiot or a troublemaker for continuing to respond to some questioners, 
that's OK -- but at least you'll know where I stand on the bond issue, and 
that seems a reasonable expectation of a school board member.

Phil's worries about the fence and the funding of non-bond operations are 
concerns that he'll have to work through, and I wish him well in finding 
answers and hope that I've provided him information that will help.

Time to cook dinner and open up a lovely bottle of Pinot Grigio,

keely

_________________________________________________________________
On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to 
get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement