The Voice of the People
Grassroots efforts are gaining ground

In my line of work, a sense of humor is a survival mechanism. Consider this. At a recent business luncheon one vocal guest announced that the city didn’t need to buy the water company. “Those people can’t even run the city, much less a company,” he proclaimed. Of course, as the executive director of an organization that helps build strong Kentucky cities, I took a bit of umbrage to that remark. I’m sure the mayor, who also was in attendance, did as well.

Or, consider the recent Kentucky Bar Association symposium on separation of church and state. One libertarian voice intoned that many of the staunch supporters of religious freedom wouldn’t know the difference between the second commandment and the second amendment. Are they, he wondered aloud, concerned about taking the Lord’s name in vain or about packing guns?

Oh, the hilarity of a small segment of our population making light of others whose opinion leans in a different direction. What isn’t funny is that local voices are getting more demanding, more organized and are exercising more control.

Depending upon your point of view, this is great news. Grassroots efforts are finally paying off. Or, it makes the immortal words of Pogo come to life: “We have met the enemy and it is us.”

Of course, being in the business I’m in, you’d expect that I’m more than a little delighted at the turn of events. Does that mean the trend is entirely good? No. There are significant danger signals ahead, such as public policy being impacted by single-issue factions. But what an opportunity. The key lies in people taking responsibility for their lives at the local level, deciding what the vision for their community should be. The trick most likely lies in the textured application of a word heard often these days – citizenship.

Here’s a great example of citizenship that ultimately influenced public policy:

In years past, the meetings of the General Assembly’s local government committee have been described as quiet and uneventful. I’m told it was actually difficult to find legislators willing to serve on the committee that was, to put it mildly, not at the center of the action.

Suddenly, during the 2002 session, that same room was crowded each week with people and intrigue. As I listened to debates on tax sharing, smart growth, and local input on cell tower and power plant siting decisions, I realized that I was witnessing a growing phenomenon. A new voice was emerging. Citizens fought for legislation allowing local input and, as evidence by the bills that emerged, legislators listened.

The question arises: Why, suddenly, does this interest percolate and how might it differ from the special-interest lobbying of the past? The qualitative difference lies in the voice of ordinary people speaking up and being heard. Should we rejoice over this trend? Remember, some significant cautionary notes are in order.

For example, much of the activism based on this principle is rooted in leading a cause for it – whatever it may be – to be located in someone else’s backyard with a complete disregard for the public good. Left unabated, such a groundswell can circumvent our system of representative government. For all of its warts and bruises, government has worked well in funneling the interests of everyone through what may be a messy but workable and sustainable process.

To the extent that this trend reflects the desire to create better local communities that add up to great cities and nations, it is worthwhile and should be nurtured. But what isn’t mentioned often enough is the need to nurture the role of citizens in creating those same great communities. Leadership is often mentioned, but leadership can be directed more by self-interest than common interest. Citizenship, on the other hand, is a word that directs our focus and attention to community.

So whether it’s bipolar citizen groups arguing the merits of government condemnation of a public utility or the hundreds who turned out in Morehead recently to champion the argument that the Ten Commandments had a rightful place on the walls of public buildings, citizens are speaking out. Vox populi.

Sylvia L. Lovely is executive director and CEO of the kentucky League of Cities.
editorial@lanereport.com

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