tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11700422.post260372981001333455..comments2023-05-24T08:31:01.030-06:00Comments on Denver Direct: Further reflections on the election of Paula Sandoval to Denver City CouncilUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11700422.post-59313299914756460092010-05-27T17:36:27.513-06:002010-05-27T17:36:27.513-06:00The race is over and NW Denver has a new City Coun...The race is over and NW Denver has a new City Council representative. Although the special election was a plurality vote, Paula Sandoval’s election was by no means a mandate of the people. Regardless of who wins we must make sure that our voice be heard and hold our representatives accountable. <br />There were two things about this special election that should be addressed. First and foremost was the lack of participation of the electorate. 17,000 people in NW Denver did not vote. In other democracies such as Australia, compulsory voting is the law, even with the choice of “none of the above”, and those who do not vote are fined as much as $60. It is astonishing that only 7700 voters cared enough to make their voice be heard and yet an overwhelming cluster did not. If we had a law similar to Australia, those who sat back would be paying the tab for this election special. At a time when our city is struggling to make budget , when our recreation centers, libraries, fire stations, police, hospitals and other vital services are closed and cut, those non-participates are likely the first ones to scream in objection. Shameful.<br />I shared these comments with a friend of mine and his feeling was that if my comments are published, those non-voters are likely to be non-readers too. I hope my friend is wrong. <br />If you did vote, and the election did not turn out as you had hoped, remember not to give up.<br /><br />In 1996, E.L. Doctorow’s novel “Ragtime”, was adapted for the musical stage. It tells the stories of the racial, immigrant and social divide with a song “Make Them Hear You”. We should take these words to heart. <br /><br />GO OUT AND TELL THE STORY.<br />LET IT ECHO FAR AND WIDE.<br />MAKE THEM HEAR YOU.<br />MAKE THEM HEAR YOU.<br />When our Recreation, Youth, Senior and Special Needs programs are cut.<br /><br />HOW JUSTICE WAS OUR BATTLE AND HOW JUSTICE WAS DENIED.<br />MAKE THEM HEAR YOU.<br />MAKE THEM HEAR YOU.<br />When our Police, Fire Fighters and public employees take salary cuts and yet Mayoral, Council, City Managers and Appointees do not. <br /><br /><br />AND SAY TO THOSE WHO BLAME US<br />FOR THE WAY WE CHOSE TO FIGHT<br />THAT SOMETIMES THERE ARE BATTLES <br />WHICH ARE MORE THAN BLACK OR WHITE.<br />When City Council Members vote in favor of measures in clear violation of the City Charter and their sworn oath and award contracts to companies out-of-state, when local companies and the locally unemployed can do just as well a job. <br /><br />AND I COULD NOT PUT DOWN MY SWORD <br />WHEN JUSTICE WAS MY RIGHT.<br />MAKE THEM HEAR YOU.<br />MAKE THEM HEAR YOU.<br /> When our city adds user fees on taxpayers to use our parks and public amenities instead of trimming the fat from the top.<br /><br />GO OUT AND TELL OUR STORY<br />TO YOUR DAUGHTERS AND YOUR SONS.<br />MAKE THEM HEAR YOU.<br />MAKE THEM HEAR YOU.<br />When City departments outsource their work instead of doing the work themselves.<br />PROCLAIM IT FROM YOUR PULPIT.<br />IN YOUR CLASSROOM WITH YOUR PEN<br />TEACH EVERY CHILD TO RAISE HIS VOICE<br />AND THEN, MY BROTHERS, THEN<br /><br />WILL JUSTICE BE DEMANDED<br />BY TEN MILLION RIGHTEOUS MEN.<br />MAKE THEM HEAR YOU.<br /><br />The question then asks, are “they” listening?Michael Kadovitzhttp://travelvitz.comnoreply@blogger.com