One of my greatest inspirations for writing a blog about community service and civics (other than the fact I'm one of those crazy people who enjoys writing) stems from a surprising source.
If you are ever sitting around on a Monday night in Wyandotte and you really want to watch TV, I encourage you to consider flipping over to the Wyandotte City Council Meeting usually starting at 7 p.m. You can always access the agenda in advance at www.wyandotte.net, as well. I promise, dull moments aside, there are some very exciting moments sprinkled in.
Quick preface announcement: Just a reminder that this is my blog and the statements I make are purely my opinion except where noted. (I don't know, putting a preface just seems to make sense.)
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My recent experience at a city council meeting was quite colorful. Though not every city council meeting is this way I am sure, tension was particularly high that evening with regards to the budget and administration of . Background on the issue at hand was that Councilman (and former Wyandotte Mayor) James DeSana wrote a letter to council regarding Todd Drysdale's (Wyandotte City Administrator) involvement with municipal service and the administration of their budget. The letter was a bold move on DeSana's part; however, the letter showed his passion for action to the cause he pursued.
This particular meeting was packed with people. Though not everyone present was there to discuss or speak on the letter from Councilman DeSana, the audience included representatives of municipal service, their employees and electrical workers. This issue became so heated that members of the audience continually went to the podium to question Councilman DeSana and his motives for writing this letter.
Find out what's happening in Wyandottewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Without getting too deep in the weeds on this issue, I would like to point out that I was shocked at both the lack of respect that the citizens showed the city council, as well as the lack of basic civic knowledge these guests had when addressing council and asking questions. At one point, one of the gentlemen who stood up to speak misunderstood the way agenda items are brought in front of the council and who writes and takes minutes at a meeting.
"Active Citizenship" education in American schools and in Business (with Ford leading the way) was pursued in the United States in the early 20th century as a necessary part of history and social studies education for all active citizens. On the 2010 U.S. National Assessment of Educational Progress (www.nationsreportcard.gov) in the area of "civics", 77 percent of fourth graders, 72 percent of eighth graders and only 64 percent of twelfth graders scored at or above the basic level score. Examples of basic: Can recognize that taxes are the main source of government funding, can identify a right protected by the First Amendment and can identify the meaning of a "Supreme Court Opinion."
Put in very basic terms, civic education is no longer a priority for our citizens. While this is just one statistic and my experience at city council is just one example, if we plan to run our cities and take the "action and responsibility" () required to make a change in the world around us, we need to participate in "Active Citizenship."
Don't get me wrong, I encourage people to get up and do something about the issues we have going on in society. I respect the fact that average citizens stood up at the city council meeting with passion and fire in their voices. However, the power was lost in their lack of civic knowledge and their disrespect of the city administration. This isn't reality TV that you can DVR and erase, this isn’t a scripted show you can change at the key of a computer. This is Active Citizenship, folks. While the arguing that went on was entertaining, the conversation/debate was almost comical to watch and an embarrassment to fellow citizens of Wyandotte.
The good news is, we live in the information age. With just a few taps of a keyboard, we can become as versed in civic knowledge as your state representatives (not including their years of experience of course.) There are some amazing websites that I think are easy to see and awesome to check out:
- 1min videos on civic involvement: www.takepart.com/video-series/civics-minute
- Michigan Community Service Commission: www.michigan.gov/mcsc
Meanwhile, you wouldn't appreciate someone approaching you in your job and insulting you and the work you do, right? It's not only insulting, it's a waste of time. We need to respect our city council members enough to do our research and then come ask questions about the work that is going on. It's our job as active citizens.
