Viewpoints
Growing Pains of Change
By Steven G. Booth
February 10, 2008
Sunday PM
In dealing with the affairs of tribal government, there should
never be a reason to be threatening or rude. We all have our
differences and our own opinions and goals for the future of
our community, and that is the beauty of the democratic system.
If anyone has to use underhanded tactics, threats, disrespect,
illegal activities and promoting hate to achieve their goals,
then in these things what you sow is what you will reap. The
goals are or should be a common ones, and that is to understanding
how to combine our culture with the success of economic development,
to bring organizational structure, loyalty and employee development,
and to develop the MIC of the future into a community that is
outstanding and accountable to all its members. These things
should be common goals for us, and the means to achieving these
goals are to allow our differences and make debate and compromise
our strength. There is no place for the common good of our community
to have threatening or disrespect for our brothers and sisters
who are all in this together. We are a proud people who will
show the world our resolve and unity in our community. For the
people who express their hate and not their debate, we as a community
shall say "we do not know you and away from us you evil
doer".
We make mistakes; we stumble and we may fall and when we do we
need to pick each other up and learn from our mistakes or we
may fall again. The actions of this council in not giving Mayor
John Scudero the opportunity, as a citizen of our community,
the rights of a person given under our very own constitution,
an explanation, an employee evaluation, or as little as a goal
for his performance, is a dereliction of council duty, and a
deliberate act of disrespect. , In the face of this dereliction
and disrespect, your alleged good intentions and justification
for the betterment of the community are hollow rationalizations.
Believe it or not there are good and professionally respectful
methods for bringing about a change. The Mayor of Metlakatla
was elected by the voters of this community and it is a slap
in the face of democracy that twelve members have the ability
to undo what the electorate has done. The tactics of this council
are not how we would want to be represented as a people, and
this action by the council is viewed as gross misconduct. We
will learn from our mistakes. We will move on and things will
change.
Growing pains and mistakes are a part of growing up and there
comes a time when the childish ways and power plays need to be
put away and the business of the community needs to be addressed
in a responsible and legal manner. The membership elects the
council and puts their trust in the men and woman who run for
these seats, that they will represent them in a dignified, intelligent
and respectable manner. The membership puts their confidence
in the elected to make the decisions that are in the very best
interest of the community as a whole. The membership trusts
that the elected will perform their duties honorably, legally
and in such a way that reflects the proud traditions of our people
by nurturing the Government to Government relations in the rebuilding
of our Nation and by fostering good working programs. Threats
and intimidation only strengthen our resolve to push ahead and
give even that much more importance to the protection our community
from the people who use their position and authority to force
their political ideology and agendas upon our community. Their
sickness will affect the whole community. The people who act
out their hate only bring shame and disgrace to our Native people.
Do not be discouraged by their actions; do not let their hateful
action bring you down, that would only be giving in to their
actions and giving them power in their methods. Find strength
and encouragement from the majority of the membership who share
in our goal to grow, find it in the love of our people.
Respectfully,
Steven G. Booth
Metlakatla, AK
About: " Private citizen
Of Metlakatla"
Received February 09, 2008
- Published February 10, 2008
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