by Mary Wakefield Buxton
Urbanna, Va.— Sorry to say Urbanna Town Council suffered some turbulent meetings and bad publicity over the summer. For a town of under 500 population, there seems no excuse for such drama. It’s time to put any leftover simmering issues to bed.
Under a threat of an emergency computer break down of town records, hasty decisions were made that needed review. Then a rash of irate Letters to the Editor suggested the Urbanna Beautification Committee also had some issues with town council. Misunderstanding abounded. Press coverage of heated meetings only exacerbated the problem rather like a poking stick does to the hornet’s nest.
It seems to be a period in our society where all levels of government are experiencing a breakdown in the basic step of just getting along. Look at how poorly members of Congress interact of late and the Virginia General Assembly doesn’t do much better.
To err is human and mistakes can be made especially when decisions have to be made under emergency situations. But mistakes can be rectified. There is no real damage done. Sometimes the aftermath behavior is much worse than the original errors.
The challenge is to be able to move on, make corrections, resist the urge for name calling, assigning blame, and just return to business of running the town.
It’s tough to run the town. Citizens should be sympathetic with those who hold responsibility to do so. We should keep in mind many town positions that generate much work and responsibilities are VOLUNTEER. No one earns a red cent.
The recent kerfuffle reminded me of my sojourn as chairman of the newly set-up town planning committee years ago to decide boundaries for the Urbanna Historical District. I had just arrived from Newport News and was the perfect person to be appointed since I knew no one, feared nothing, and knew little about what I was doing. In other words . . . I was a perfect “Patsy.”
That’s when I learned how hard it is to do what elected and appointed officials do—“serve the public.” I soon learned the rule of what I called “the terrible ten percent.” This is the group of hard-nosed people both in the public and on boards all across society who have their own agenda, could care less about meeting other people’s needs, who are rude, uncompromising, demanding, spoil sports, chronic complainers, and sometimes grandstanders for publicity from the press.
They emote, bloviate, and even blow up in public if they don’t get their way. I’ve even seen them pound fists, “boo” at meetings and even stomp out of the room slamming the door so hard the entire building shakes. (In all fairness, some might consider writers as the terrible ten percent.)
That year I served as chair I grew so exhausted dealing with the terrible ten percent that I dreaded attending meetings. One evening the arguments from the floor were so virulent, I hit the gavel, adjourned and went home. Hardly a good response.
The next week in the Sentinel a letter complained the chair behaved like a queen. I laughed. But I also realized I preferred to write about human behavior rather than witness it. It’s much easier to offer commentary on society from the safety of one’s private office than actually solve problems.
It’s not pleasant to serve the public. It takes great fortitude, dedication and patience. I will be the first to say “thank you” to all who are willing to do so. Your services to Urbanna are greatly appreciated.
The terrible ten percent appear everywhere: schools, churches, offices, corporations and even government. They have taken over both political parties and many serve in Congress. Just one difficult person, either elected or appointed, can spoil the entire bag of apples.
Elected or appointed officials are public servants. They should put needs of others ahead of their own agenda. Public business should be conducted in a business-like manner. Personal feelings, vendettas and past gripes should never enter decisions.
Here’s more of what I learned: Tone down strong personalities. Town meetings are not the place for emoting, histrionics or grandstanding. Business-like tone and good manners prevail.
Develop a spirit of compromise. There are more than two sides to every issue. Aim to solve problems . . . not continue to fan fires of discontent.
Be first to love and fast to forgive. Golden Rule rules. How we treat each other is often more important than the outcome of whatever we are hoping to accomplish.
Be tolerant. Government is no place to carry a special agenda based on political or religious beliefs.
Lastly, laugh a lot about problems “serving the public.” Don’t take yourself too seriously. As my father always said when I was in a tizzy—“calm down and carry on!” ©2019
Note: Mary Wakefield Buxton’s new comedy, “Tripping, a Writer’s Journey,” is available at Marshall’s Drug Store, Southside Sentinel or by emailing glongest@ssentinel.com.
