In defense of those who serve us

KAMLOOPS — If you’ve been following the local news you know by now that councillor Tina Lange will no longer be seeking a seat in the council in the next elections. It came as a surprise, and it has created quite a few ripples. Not all good, unfortunately. Some people choose to smear ugliness on what should be, always, the respectful public discourse which can and does enhance the quality of services in a community and the community itself.

If politicians in general can expect to be discussed ad nauseum by those they lead, being at distance from people (literally) can provide a buffer zone of sorts. Local politicians on the other hand do not get that privilege. They are out and about in the community, doing things, living their lives the way every one of us does. Unfortunately, they are also expected by many to do their job in a way that pleases almost everyone and sadly, that can never be the case. It doesn’t happen even in the most harmoniously run families, let alone a large community. Hence the need to learn to agree to disagree, and, most importantly, respectfully so.

Being in the public eye (with your real name, that is) requires some guts. It is often a case of ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t.’ For myself, being out there with a pen (ahem, keyboard) versus as a political figure, well, I’d choose writing any day. Sure, I get the occasional mean comment from people who hide behind a screen name. A mean-spirited comment delivers a punch and it takes time to learn (and believe that it’s best,) to just ‘let it go’. Easier said than done. Personal attacks leave a temporary mark.

Should feedback be banned than? Not at all. Feedback is a vital part of the public discourse. Hence the worthy reminder (to myself included): talk facts, not people. Debate on the ideas you see exposed in an article or hear during a conversation; abstain from personal attacks. That improves the chances of getting somewhere, or at least provide inspiration which can further sprout new thoughts and ideas.

I do not believe in pure positivity either; it is healthy and necessary that we do not all agree on the same issues. But here is a present-day problem: the emergence of the virtual discussion forums and social media platforms allow for the above-mentioned ugliness to show. An art to master no longer, the dialogue between public figure and citizens can become distorted and toxic. Case in point, our city councillors: they are often addressed in demeaning terms, and personal attacks abound. As always, it is easy to act in reprehensible ways when hidden behind a screen. It’s a loss to us all and to the community when that happens.

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Since moving to Kamloops I met a few of the councillors and also candidates who did not succeed in their quest for a seat. I admire them all for putting themselves out there, for the courage to be part of shaping our community. I also do not agree with some of their opinions, but that is where I draw the line. Ideas, not people. No personal attacks.

It takes a lot, and as with every job, the learning curve can be incredibly steep (or so I’ve heard.) You could say it’s the same with many jobs. True, but not all of them are so in the public eye. The good, the bad, the ugly that comes out when we’re unhappy with the way things are run in the community – we are all guilty of being less gracious at times, as we are of finding someone to blame.

Whether you agree or not with the city councillors’ position on the many issues our community faces daily – and there are many, one thing is clear: it is a lot easier to wage opinions and judgment calls from the sides than as a public person. Lately, many of the local political figures are actively present on social media, explaining their work and their position on various issues. The value of this kind of public disclosure is understated. It keeps the dialogue open at all times, and it reduces the distance between official and citizen. One could say it also exposes public officials to being attacked. They do it anyway. That is admirable.

Here’s the thing: Kamloops is a living, breathing city of many. And of many issues. There will always be trouble of one kind or another. Life has it that way. Our elected officials will attend to them to the best of their abilities, and for that I thank them all. Their ability to do so can be improved through constant and constructive dialogue with the public. If done respectfully, that is. Hence the question each of us have to ask: what is the best way I can approach a dialogue meant to better my community? A better path always starts with the individual.