When I was younger and asked questions, I remember being
told to have faith in the (political) process, and also in
our elected officials, that they make the right decisions.
This response always seemed more odd than logical to me, in
the sense that it relegates our understanding and control
of the political spectrum, which is a physical
manifestation, to the will of a non-material being.
One can vote and still be apathetic. Blind faith in the
political system can create apathy in the same way that
indifference can, by yielding uninformed decisions.
I was told recently that too many facts will confuse
people. I would revise that statement to the effect that
too many facts will confuse ignorant people.
Covington Weekly is an educational process on my part as
correspondent, and education for the public who may or may
not be aware of how the political process works. Some feel
that the majority of the public really does not want to
know, and they may be right in that assertion.
On the other hand, there remains a portion of the public
that does want to know what their public officials are up
to, as well as who is pulling the strings behind them. I
do not intend to be abrasive, but I sometimes am. I am not
always 100% correct in all of my conclusions either, but I
am willing to admit error and learn new things.
This weekend, the Parish is asking for two tax renewals.
If you think the parish is spending the money it gets from
its citizens wisely, then vote to renew. If you think that
there are problems with how the parish administration is
operating, then vote down the renewal and demand that some
explanations be given.
In my experience as correspondent, the administration and
state agencies of this parish are evasive, defensive, and
misdirecting with regard to simple information that should
be public to begin with. Blind faith in the system? No
thanks, I will continue to ask questions.
Cooperation, Competition & Complicity
Wikipedia defines cooperation as “the process of groups of
organisms working or acting together for common or mutual
benefit, as opposed to working in competition for selfish
benefit.”
Years ago, I left a position at a broadcast television
station over the news department’s refusal to run a story
about a proposed ethanol plant in a rural farming
community. The station shared legal representation with the
bidding energy company, which also happened to be owned by
the governor’s brother.
From the station’s point of view, I was “uncooperative”,
despite the obvious ethical issues. Relationships built on
conflicts of interest undermine supposed free-market
competition and erode the public trust.
Conflicts of interest benefit a select few while soaking up
public dollars destined for people and organizations that
have a legitimate need for those funds.
The original intention behind Covington Weekly is to
promote downtown Covington’s unique historic district. It
has also served as a lively platform to generate public
discussion on the process of economic development and other
topics of political interest.
The ultimate goal of Covington Weekly is to offer positive
and viable solutions to issues that exist among the
residents and business owners who live and pay taxes here,
not issues that are of anyone’s personal creation.
Competition is great! My general philosophy revolves around
the concept that we are here to help one another. Let’s
compete to see who can offer the most helpful solutions
that benefit everyone.
Intimidation, threats and abuses of power are not
legitimate modes of operation, and no one should expect
cooperation on that basis. Sanctioning that behavior will
only result in complicity. Diplomatic solutions are not
produced by entertaining negative intentions.
Covington Weekly accepts submissions from the public. CW
ran pieces on this weekend’s tax vote by CCST (against),
Mr. Goodwin of Mandeville (against) and the BGR (Bureau of
Governmental Research, in favor of the jail tax)
in the spirit of cooperation.
Contact Timothy Achan Gates Email: [email protected]
