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It's getting interesting and very busy so I apologise for not posting more frequently. I'll be doing an interview with Marc Scott on KSBV Radio 93.7FM on Friday morning at 9:30. Tune in if you get a chance! Then it's on to Burro Days in Fairplay this weekend (July 28th & 29th). I hope to see and make lots of new friends as I campaign for Park County Commissioner. After that, I'll be at Hartsel Days in - where else - HARTSEL! That's August 4th & 5th, in my own 'backyard', so to speak. Hope everyone else is having lots of summer fun in the sun...
Last night, I attended a forum in Alma about responsible mining practices. It was very interesting and a great opportunity for me to learn, first-hand, about concerns from a range of different voices in the Park County community. From a political standpoint, it may have been a risky move, considering that the hosts of the event - Save South Park - have a pending lawsuit against the Park County commissioners - but I have to be elected first, right?
Naturally, they could not discuss any details about the suit, other than what is publicly available about it. But the more important thing for me was the education I got on the complexity of the issues and the discussion was a perfect convergence of so many different concerns: land use regulations, government transparency, economics and property rights. As you can imagine, discussions were very passionate and heated to the point that someone offered to call the police! What would you expect if you got 50 people together in a small, community space to air points of view as different as mine operators and home owners, side by side?
By far the biggest take away that I got from the meeting was a pivotal moment of understanding between 2 parties on opposite sides of the issue. It all stemmed from a misunderstanding and lack of communication. And the reason these two came to a moment of mutual respect - albeit a brief moment or two - was because they were meeting, face to face, looking each other in the eyes, and speaking truthfully and honestly, directly to each other. There was no 'fake news', third party communication, Tweet, Facebook post or misinterpreted text message. It was an open HUMAN interaction.
We NEED more of this! Our Democracy needs more of this from US. Yes, it can get loud and messy and dangerous, at times, but it leads to true understanding when we take the time and make the effort to put down the cell phone, turn off the TV and really listen to one another and value each individual's rights, even when we do not agree. If each of us could put just a little more energy into conducting our lives this way, we could find common ground and acceptable compromise. We could head off trouble before landing in court...
Naturally, they could not discuss any details about the suit, other than what is publicly available about it. But the more important thing for me was the education I got on the complexity of the issues and the discussion was a perfect convergence of so many different concerns: land use regulations, government transparency, economics and property rights. As you can imagine, discussions were very passionate and heated to the point that someone offered to call the police! What would you expect if you got 50 people together in a small, community space to air points of view as different as mine operators and home owners, side by side?
By far the biggest take away that I got from the meeting was a pivotal moment of understanding between 2 parties on opposite sides of the issue. It all stemmed from a misunderstanding and lack of communication. And the reason these two came to a moment of mutual respect - albeit a brief moment or two - was because they were meeting, face to face, looking each other in the eyes, and speaking truthfully and honestly, directly to each other. There was no 'fake news', third party communication, Tweet, Facebook post or misinterpreted text message. It was an open HUMAN interaction.
We NEED more of this! Our Democracy needs more of this from US. Yes, it can get loud and messy and dangerous, at times, but it leads to true understanding when we take the time and make the effort to put down the cell phone, turn off the TV and really listen to one another and value each individual's rights, even when we do not agree. If each of us could put just a little more energy into conducting our lives this way, we could find common ground and acceptable compromise. We could head off trouble before landing in court...
PARK COUNTY IS VOTING TUESDAY, JUNE 26TH!
(the following was published in The Flume, June 14th, 201
DEMOCRATICALLY SPEAKING: “Politics Is Not A Spectator Sport”
Michele C. Wayland*, Hartsel
Voting matters and the right to vote is a privilege and an essential component of a healthy Democracy. No matter what you hear or what “they” say, every vote in an election matters…and that means YOURS. Your vote is your voice and your choice and it is so critical to make it count. Politics is NOT a spectator sport.
Over the years, voting rights have been assaulted and diminished or ‘engineered’ by gerrymandering and redistricting. Voters have been “accidentally” purged from voter rolls. These are strange times in Our Democracy and vigilance is more important than ever. If you want your voice to be heard, check your voter status. It is easy and free and takes only moments to confirm.
To verify your voter registration, simply go to the Secretary of State’s web page (https://www.govotecolorado.com and select “Find My Registration”. The “Voters” page has many other informative links to help you get registered or make changes to your registration.
The Primary Election is being held on June 26th and ballots have already gone out in the mail from the county clerk’s office. In Colorado, unaffiliated voters are allowed to vote in the primary for either major party. Because of this, the primary elections may be more pivotal than ever!
Unaffiliated voters that did not submit a ballot preference to the county should have received both Democratic and Republican ballots. Unaffiliated voters may only return one party’s ballot. Returning two voted ballots will result in neither ballot counting.
Age 18 by June 26 and not registered? No problem. Colorado has same-day registration. Participation!
The bottom line is your vote counts and it MATTERS. Please take the time to know about who you are voting for and participate! No matter who you vote for, OUR Democracy depends on it.
*Michele Wayland is a Democratic candidate for Park County Commissioner, District 3.
She is writing this article on behalf of the Park County Democratic Party.
(the following was published in The Flume, June 14th, 201
DEMOCRATICALLY SPEAKING: “Politics Is Not A Spectator Sport”
Michele C. Wayland*, Hartsel
Voting matters and the right to vote is a privilege and an essential component of a healthy Democracy. No matter what you hear or what “they” say, every vote in an election matters…and that means YOURS. Your vote is your voice and your choice and it is so critical to make it count. Politics is NOT a spectator sport.
Over the years, voting rights have been assaulted and diminished or ‘engineered’ by gerrymandering and redistricting. Voters have been “accidentally” purged from voter rolls. These are strange times in Our Democracy and vigilance is more important than ever. If you want your voice to be heard, check your voter status. It is easy and free and takes only moments to confirm.
To verify your voter registration, simply go to the Secretary of State’s web page (https://www.govotecolorado.com and select “Find My Registration”. The “Voters” page has many other informative links to help you get registered or make changes to your registration.
The Primary Election is being held on June 26th and ballots have already gone out in the mail from the county clerk’s office. In Colorado, unaffiliated voters are allowed to vote in the primary for either major party. Because of this, the primary elections may be more pivotal than ever!
Unaffiliated voters that did not submit a ballot preference to the county should have received both Democratic and Republican ballots. Unaffiliated voters may only return one party’s ballot. Returning two voted ballots will result in neither ballot counting.
Age 18 by June 26 and not registered? No problem. Colorado has same-day registration. Participation!
The bottom line is your vote counts and it MATTERS. Please take the time to know about who you are voting for and participate! No matter who you vote for, OUR Democracy depends on it.
*Michele Wayland is a Democratic candidate for Park County Commissioner, District 3.
She is writing this article on behalf of the Park County Democratic Party.
