Give us Your Money, and Trust Us....
I have been advised tonight that we have actually been raising money for two organizations: Incinerator Free Mason County, who I am informed exists to educate the public in connection with the dangers of biomass (how's that going?), and Concerned Citizens of Mason County, who is raising funds to wage a legal battle against ADAGE and the local governmental officials who think ADAGE is a swell idea.
Friday's court battle did not involve either of these organizations. It was was a recall petition brought to recall a public official at the Port of Shelton. However, following Friday's loss and the loss today, it feels that we air-breathers have just been slapped down two times by judges in connection with our efforts to "save our air".
Because of these back-to-back defeats, there is much confusion out here in citizen-land.
We citizens have helped get signatures on petitions; we raised money at the fair this summer for the legal defense fund (Concerned Citizens); we raised money on August 9th at Xinhs (Incinerator Free Mason County); we attended the October fund raiser (Concerned Citizens) and raised more money; and yet we have no "standing" (today's word of the day is "standing"), in this matter, and we are not provided with information concerning how legal matters are proceeding.
We are clients, in the sense that we help raise the funds to support the legal defense of our air, but we are not clients, in the sense that we are given an inkling about what is going on.
All we know is that we help raise money, and then we attend a hearing where that money is "spent", and we see that we lost (again).
There are lots of questions out here in citizen land and I am thinking that the incinerator free folks and the concerned citizens do not want their "base" to start feeling taken advantage of and excluded from information. Kind of like the feeling we get from a Jay Hupp or a Tim ShelTon, give me your vote and then go away. In this case, give me your $5.00, $10.00, $25.00, $100.00 and $500.00 donation, and trust me to know what is the best use of your money.
The citizens are also feeling confused and left out of the information aspect of things. Early on in this process, say last April, we were told that December 31, 2010, was a deadline. If ADAGE does not "break ground" by December 31, 2010, they won't get their giant federal check and they will go away.
Since then, we have heard that it is January 31, 2011, by which time they must "break ground". And now, because we are not informed, we are hearing and repeating that the simple act of buying a boiler will allow Adage to claim the golden ring.
We have many questions and very few answers.
While we want to be good foot soldiers, and keep supporting the organizations that have sprung up to help protect us, we are also a sceptical and suspicious lot (after putting up with Tim ShelTon for decades), who require data and information.
A way needs to be found to keep the citizens tolerably informed.
SUBMITTED BY BECKY PENOYAR
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. The problem is that the rules keep changing for everyone almost on a daily basis. This is an ongoing learning process, and unfortunately we don't make the rules. Yesterday I was informed that the EIS will not hold because the county made a "mistake" and ADAGE will be allowed to resubmit their modified SEPA again. The definitions of "Breaking Ground" are subject to change by those making the rules. They are not written in the law, but defined by the organizations that administer the law, and are therefore open to interpretation. The legal process is long, but it has not ended till we have a decision from the Supreme Court. The question is " Do the citizens of Mason County have the resolve to hang in there and demand our rights?" We will see.
Becky,
ReplyDeleteIn your comment you mention that you were informed about the "mistake" yesterday. This doesn't seem to be common knowledge yet but should be. One of problems that has to addressed is our inter-cliche communications. I think this is an example of the problem.
Thank you John, this is exactly an example of the problem.
ReplyDeleteDo we have the resolve?
In my opinin, if we felt included in the process in some fashion, other than simply as a cash cow; if we saw results that showed the existing leadership was on track, rather than results which make us question what the existing leadership is thinking; I would say sure, we have the resolve.
However, if we are continuously excluded from information-sharing and decision-making, then I would say there is a good chance our resolve will falter, at least as that resolve supports the existing structure created to save our air.
Absent some feeling of being part of the process, it is likely we will splinter off into groups who are willing and able to keep their members informed, groups who seek input and suggestions from their members, and who use their members with special skills to further their agenda.
One Article, Two Comments, all surrounding the term “Communication” and the seemingly lack thereof!! Rather than add another Comment, I’d rather ask an open question to all it might apply to:
ReplyDeleteThe Question: How does the Spokesperson communicate appropriate knowledge to the members of the group or groups? Thereby giving the members the ability to make informed decisions and/or provide the desired/necessary support, albeit fiscal or physical?
It is realized that all groups/organizations Must have defined structures in order to function without chaos. Much like the attorney from Seattle said that he needs to talk with only 1 Spokesperson --- not 3,000+! Likewise, that Spokesperson must be able to get and receive knowledge and information from the group or groups --- probably through structured levels of responsibility -- Team Leaders.
The Second underlying Question is: How does the Spokesperson effectively communicate with the BULK of the Members (i.e., the Public)? The email tree can be used with limited success. Therefore, the Question before us is: How to reach the Public ---- with the local media, KMAS and the Journal, appearing to lean support toward ADAGE. What do we have left? We have the Shelton Blog and other Blogs (?), but how many know to read them for information? We have Incinerator freemason county – but they have only certain types of Limited information. These are questions that Need Answers and Very, Very Soon!
The Bottom line is: If the Spokesperson(s) and Team Leaders decide NOT to communicate with all the members, then ALL responsibility and Liability Must fall on their shoulders! Everyone MUST remember that this is an organization of the Concerned Citizens of Mason County (CCMC) and Incinerator Free Mason County (IFMC) --- the PUBLIC!
Now an OPEN COMMENT: With relation to the above: 1) The attorney said he could have used the hard data that 2+ Sale of Homes fell through due to the possibility of the ADAGE construction. This was “Concrete Lose or Injury” that the Judge was looking for in our legal filing. 2) Property values are difficult to officially estimate due to, in part, the potential construction of an ADAGE plant nearby. Utilized Collectively, this information could, quite possibly, have swayed the Judge to a different decision.