By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Michael Rodriguez
I find the practice of prayer, of surrendering control to the will of another, to be beautiful. Perhaps it’s ironic that we’re at our wisest when admitting to inadequacies, granted, but there’s also something deeply moving about witnessing a man or a woman with their heads bowed, eyes closed and hands clenched together, praying for assistance in matters that they cannot resolve on their own.
Still, regardless of what you believe, it’s important to consider the concept of humbling yourself before that in which is greater than you, if for nothing else to acknowledge a simple and universal truth: We don’t know everything.
This is an idea that I’m all too familiar with, and after years of making my fair share of mistakes, I feel that I’m finally at a place in which the acknowledgement of my errors – while at first difficult to admit – has now become one of my greatest strengths. The arrogance that once clouded my judgment is gone, and with it the propensity to accept my own ideas as gospel.
It would be a better world if our elected officials could do the same. After all, I’ve witnessed first-hand men who were once honest and sincere turn paranoid and cynical when elected. Some have commented on my appearance in a derogatory manner, others have lied (not a big surprise there), a few have even fabricated improprieties and many have attempted to intimidate. On one occasion, someone was a few inches away from becoming physical. In response to coverage of issues pertaining to them, either directly or indirectly, these were the reactions of your elected leaders.
Don’t feel bad if you’re not surprised by this. God knows I’m not.
What’s amazing is that rather than conducting themselves professionally, their first inclination when confronted with adversity was to insult a reporter. I could have easily exposed them and, in doing so, quite possibly have ended their political careers. I only practiced restraint in the majority of these cases because they later apologized for their actions. If thinking clearly, without prejudice and unafraid to humble themselves, these men would have never reacted in such ways.
Therein lies the problem. When making decisions that affect the community and constituents in which they serve, how do I really know that they made the right choice or if they acted on impulse?
Take, for instance, the property tax hike that the San Benito City Commission recently approved. On a matter of importance such as this, there is no room for error, and yet the sentiments of those who opposed the increase fell on deaf ears with the commission.
To put it simply, I feel as though the decision had already been made to increase the property tax as a means to fund street repairs before any of the public hearings were held and regardless of the concerns that were expressed. I realize that only a handful of citizens attended the hearings to oppose the proposal, but they’re not representative of the entire community.
I understand that all procedures were followed in order to impose a property tax increase, but this was one of those moments in which the commissioners, in my opinion, should have put more effort into seeking the opinion of the people than just scheduling a couple of public hearings. One idea that was presented to me on Wednesday was that city officials should have made the preliminary plan for street repairs available to residents at city hall, much like the budget. Another loyal reader commented that the commissioners and the mayor should have spent as much money in producing and distributing brochures with literature relevant to the proposed tax increase as they did with their campaigns. My favorite thought belonged to a woman who stressed that city officials should have explained how they planned to fix the streets when all previous attempts failed.
To humble themselves before those they serve, admitting that they don’t have all the answers, and seeking the approval of that in which is greater than they, our leaders would have definitely benefited from the counsel of the people. And maybe the outcome would have been the same, but those with reservations could have at least been appeased.
Do not misunderstand. I admire the aggressiveness of this commission and respect that they’ve decided to address an issue that’s nearly a century old at the risk of sacrificing their popularity. My concern is that mistaking an almost willful indifference for fortitude can be detrimental. A real show of strength and wisdom, as I mentioned earlier, would have been to acknowledge their inadequacies and surrender to the will of another. This shouldn’t be the case for all city business, quite clearly, but it ought to at least be considered for matters that cannot be resolved by the commission and city officials alone.
Read this story in the September 30 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
4 comments
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I have not had Kool Aid in years. I should try some soon , there’s alot of flavors to choose from. What flavor do you recommned? Yes it is possible to have a Toyota Factory in SB although it will have to be built maybe some of the machines that built the cars can be located. The mayor will he’s stil the mayor and there is not much I can do about that .
Good writing Mr. Rodriguez you’ve expressed the sentiments of many SB citizens. And good calll Mr. Crane , you hit the nail on the head. They pushed a taxe raise ,they have the funds now comes the fiasco. I’m sure the Sb newpaper reporters have their pens ready. If it weren’t so serious it would be funny. Let’s see what streets are repaired a year from now and how much money is spent. Will we still be talking about street repairs in five years.
I.m waiting.
Mr. Howard Johnson, what type of Kool Aid have you been drinking? Are you really serious believing that Toyota would relocate a Toyota Factory to San Benito? The only reason the mayor is pushing repairing the streets is to pad his ego. He has been in public office for what, ten years, as a commissioner or mayor and he finally decides to fix the streets, yeah right! His only legacy will be as the mayor who did not pay his property taxes until he was discovered. Honesty and good will is not what comes to mind when the city will not abide by the Texas Public Information Act.
Most elected officals have nevered worked outside the city to know how to act in a professonal manner. All they ever known or spoken is themselves and have never spoken to anyone else besides themselves. If they’ve made mistakes we hope they have learned from them and will not make the same mistakes or any new mistakes again. Many eleced officals have the desire to improve there commumities and serve it’s citizens. This new administration is makeing decisons that will improve the city and the citizens must continue to back them up. I for one realize we’ve been asked to pay higher taxes but how else will we improve our city? I still think city drainage problems need to be fixed befeore addressing potholes. At this point the citizens have only surrendered thier will to another whom they have elected to run city goverment. I trust our citiy officals will continue to act on honesty and good will. Yea what ever became from the vist to China? Is there still any hope of bringing a business like a Toyota Factory into town?