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James Thomas's avatar

I agree with CJ, do the logical thing.... Government is so vexingly illogical far too often.... its maddening.

I heard Mr. Blake to say if the road wasn't narrowed wit the way the MSP do the stats the limit should have and would likely raise to "...".

...... every good athletic program has a system they use to maintain program and excellence. every bad one does the same but inverse. There are systems, behavior patterns and "reasons" for in all things. All program culture is unfortunately top down. In a high school program the power structure would go lead parents, AD, parents, VHC..... Many times in high school athletics the head that wears the crown is hidden from plain view and the real power is applied out of sight (in my HS is was about how much your parents fundraised/how good your kid was that decided what parents wore the crown, for example).

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Bentley For Hillsdale's avatar

My "spasmodic rant(s)" notwithstanding, the vote should have been tabled for the following reasons:

• the conspicuous absences of Messrs Beeker and Paladino;

• the number and magnitude of outstanding questions;

• the allegations of malfeasance against Manager Mackie;

• the incipient public outcry;

• the rush toward a manufactured deadline.

I want to thank my supporters and other anti-Dieters who have struggled to get the word out and voiced their opposition to their elected representatives.

The fight continues.

https://mattthewhbentley.substack.com/

BentleyForHillsdale@gmail.com

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Clovis's avatar

The difficulty for you will be in finding common ground "past" this particular issue if you wish to "play a conciliatory role between Town and Gown," as you once told us.

https://hillsdalecountyreview.substack.com/p/week-in-review-ambulance-wars

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Bentley For Hillsdale's avatar

It is all difficult for me. Indifference to one’s primary duty and disloyalty to whomever put him in his seat is foreign to me. I do not see past this Road Diet. I do not foresee another issue of this fundamental importance coming before Council. I expect my tenure to be served in a minority.

That I may play a “conciliatory role,” (not some savior) is my hope. We seem to be in agreement that the Town/Gown schism is not the prism through which to understand the goings on in Hillsdale. The Road Diet controversy demonstrates that.

There will always be tensions between Town and Gown. I mean not to inflame them.

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Clovis's avatar

Reconciliation as a balance of political interests with respect to things that both parties care about. Such things do exist, and will continue to after the Diet is passed or blocked.

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Bentley For Hillsdale's avatar

Ah, yes. Reconciliation after the threat of the Road Diet is withdrawn would be straightforward. With the status quo maintained, rational, incremental improvements can be focused where they are most needed. Tradeoffs can be balanced through what is most needful in our city politics: self-governance.

Alternatively, should the Road Diet manifest in 2027, it is difficult for us to imagine reconciliation. Long commutes, road rage, traffic bleeding into the neighborhoods, resentment of the people to the powers-that-be. Disunity, demoralization, distrust.

No thank you. The Road Diet is not the answer.

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Clovis's avatar

You seem to be talking about something else? We are talking about an anti-Diet coalition that has shared interests aside from anti-Dieting.

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Bentley For Hillsdale's avatar

Coalitions are ad-hoc. Factionalism impedes coalition building. I am building a coalition to defeat the Road Diet. My mayoral campaign is in service to that goal.

I have no ambition to change or fix, much less “save” Hillsdale. Neither City Council, nor “Mayor of Council” has any real power. As mayor, my sphere would be Council and upper-level staff: holding ourselves accountable to the people. It will not be implementing some grandiose vision of the future of Hillsdale.

I would like to see better communication from the Council to the people, and more engagement and participation from the people; but that is more a preference than an agenda.

Here’s the agenda:

It’s the roads, Stupid.

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James Thomas's avatar

27 primaries are coming faster than anyone would want to admit. Ground game is key.

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IAK's avatar

Mr. Stuchell’s snipe at Mr. Socha was beyond the pale. It would be good for him to offer a public apology at the next council meeting.

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Clovis's avatar

Couldn't agree more. He might even consider resignation--he's awfully busy with all his hard werk.

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IAK's avatar
Jun 18Edited

A resignation, while fitting here, would require shame on the part of the councilman--a feeling which only a man who values honor above his status can share.

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James Thomas's avatar

"werk" NOICE....... .

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