Tom Kawczynski - Off the Record

I went to my first borough meeting tonight here in Bellevue.

What was most striking to me is how few people were there.  This was a workshop meeting as opposed to the regular meeting where voting happens, but there were 12 people from government, and 5 citizens.  Think about that.  You have the elected government basically doing whatever and no one cares enough to watch or see what is happening.

I'm happy to report, at first glance, that all seems well with Bellevue.  But, for all the taxpayer rage I hear and see, what I don't see is action.  What is lacking is involvement from the people.  I know every municipality is different, but I pay a 2% wage tax to the place where I live.  That ends up being a substantial amount of money, and I want to see how it is being spent.  I think most people would also, and that is why you need to get out there.

You can lobby politicians until you are blue in the face, but that only goes so far.  Fix your communities, look to the problems there, and you might begin to prevent the need for these big solutions that are always "needed".

I know this is sometimes boring and we all have better things to do, but we have to do our part if we want things to get better.  If not, then you are consenting to someone making decisions for you.  That's fine as you have that right, but then don't complain when things happen that disappoint.