Its YOUR Town Too - Next Community Meeting Coming up

The next community meeting is this Sunday, 2/16, 2:00PM at Starbucks in Ocean City.

I already miss the days when I could speak for myself.  Somehow what I ‘m saying doesn’t translate well when others speak for me.  So for the record let me state once again that these are community meetings and not political meetings.  The purpose of these meetings is to provide a forum for citizen input and involvement.  It’s important, I think, to know what matters to the people of this community.  And if I do run that is who I’ll represent.  But I’m not a candidate yet.  I’m still acting as a community activist.

I’ve been told that it’s better to hold community meetings than to blog on social media.  I obviously believe in the importance of holding these community meetings which is why I set them up.  But I also see the value of social media.  It too provides a forum for community discussion.   So I’ve been posting feedback to those meeting on social media (specifically Patch.)  As a result I’ve been contacted by second home owners in addition to residents of this town that are still in Florida.  And I’m also receiving input from people who, for one reason or another, can’t make it to those meetings.  I’m including their comments in my reports as well.  So I see the value in doing both.   I believe we all should have a voice.  To those of you who can’t make the meetings you can add your two cents by posting to those reports, or you can reach me directly via email ESauder@verizon.net.  I’d love to hear from you.  Write ups on those meetings (two so far) are posted to my blog Counter Point on Patch.

Some of you might feel your concerns are being ignored because they aren’t being discussed.  Invariably the conversation turns to development.  I think that’s because there’s such a vested interest in it.  I’m the only person who’s willing to take on development and as a result I’ve become a target of those interests.  Don’t you wonder why candidates never go near it?  So I agree with what a lot of you are saying.  The issues you’re bringing forward are just as important.  They’re just not being addressed.  We need a government that will represent the people of this town, and what is important to this community.

If you’re new to this and want to know specifically what these meetings are about, read on.  I hope to see you at the next community meeting.

We all have our pet peeves with Ocean City.  And we all have ideas as to what we can do to improve.  I have my ideas and I’ve been putting them out there on Patch for years.  I want to know what you think too.  We have an opportunity as a community to define some of the issues in the upcoming elections.  Wouldn’t you like this election to be about the issues that are important to you?

What I propose is a series of informal community meetings at various locations throughout town.  For the month of February let’s meet at the new Starbucks in Ocean City on Sunday afternoons.  I’ll be there from 2:00 to 3:00 PM to take notes and to report back to Patch on the outcome of those meetings.  If we overwhelm the place we’ll come up with another venue.  And that invitation extends to second home owners too.  You have as much of an investment in this town as the rest of us.

When was the last time anyone asked you what matters to you?  I’m asking.  Let’s move this town forward.  We can implement positive change if we demand it.  It’s the citizen of this town that lack a voice and a choice.  Exercise yours.