Vote thoughtfully for what the town really needs

Recently, The Star held a Coulee Dam forum. Three of the six candidates actually participated. We had hoped to have “actually” seen and heard and exchanged between the good, bad, and the disagreeable...with all six. It was a fair and open discussion for the three candidates. Some of the other candidates chose to present their separate issues via a letter to The Star (October 21, 2015) and I suspect that it was a pretense as a substitute for “balance?”

During a campaign, the people want to know more than just silence and/or a litany of honey and sugar. We need more than some of the self-aggrandizing we’ve expected in the past. We need more than a whisper, more than a rumor — or just a plethora of innuendos. It’s not “just” good people; our leadership needs more.… We need thoughtfulness, balance, openness, and more than just a touch of understanding analysis.

When you vote, remember that some are close friends, some are employees and brothers, others acquaintances. Many of us know and love our friends, but we need more than that. We need to grow a new-age paradigm … to grow and reshape. It’s not about that we “grew up” from Coulee Dam … instead, we should “grow up!”

When you think about some of the sugar-coated accomplishments, ask our council members for the reasons and details. Ask about the reality for our ambulance from the Department of Health; ask about the Fire Department from state OSHA/WISHA; ask about the effect of/for the E911 emergency services; ask about the details about our utility rates, and so much more.

When you vote, mark your choices from your own minds … vote pensively and thoughtfully. Some are fighting for change, others are just fighting.

F. Gregory Wilder