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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal Thoughts - Blanche BrickFinal Thoughts as member of College Station City Council Blanche Brick – November 20, 2017 I have often been asked during my two terms on City Council the following questions: Why did you run? Have you enjoyed serving on the Council? I ran because I felt it was important to participate in the affairs of my community, and I especially felt it was important to work to preserve the democratic process by which we govern ourselves. As to “have I enjoyed serving on the Council?” I’m not sure enjoyed is the right word. I have enjoyed meeting so many of you and hearing your views. I have said frequently that the part of the meetings I enjoyed the most was listening to citizens bring their concerns forward. I have appreciated the opportunity to be part of this process by which we attempt to “make Democracy work” for all of our citizens. When I read the Strategic Plan of the City Council, I am encouraged to read what others have written that also reflects these goals. But when I think of how hard it has been the last few years to follow this plan and actually see these goals put into action, I must admit I have often been discouraged. It is one thing to talk about citizen involvement, but it is another to actually seek that involvement in meaningful ways. Democracy is not a winner take all process. It provides a way for moving forward together. Churchill said Democracy was the worst form of government…but still better than anything else we have devised. And it certainly is a challenging way to govern a country. I want to thank those who elected me to serve on the College Station City Council and who have stepped up to work with me during the past six years. While I have not won as many votes as I, and I’m sure many of you, would have liked, I hope you know that I have tried to represent the issues I said I would support to the best of my ability. I promised to work to preserve the democratic process by supporting civility and common sense, and I said I would support core services in our city while supporting sustainable growth and neighborhood preservation. I also said I would support community partnerships by working as partners with Texas A&M, Brazos County, and the city of Bryan. I believe my voting record will reflect my support for all of these goals. I want to thank the staff who work each day to keep our city running as smoothly and effectively as possible. The staff has worked constantly to help all of us understand the ramifications of the decisions we were making…and the costs, both financially and politically. Thank you for your service. I also want to recognize those who opposed my views and argued for their own views. The Democratic Process requires that we bring all views into the public square to discuss them and find a way to move forward together. This is what is required to “make Democracy work.” We all have a responsibility to work for achieving the goal of “E Pluribus Unum.” And last, but not least, I want to thank my family who have supported me even when they wondered if it was worth all of the time and effort required to participate in this public forum. I believe that citizen participation in our government is the only way we will be able to maintain the democratic process. To everyone, to those who elected me and supported me, to those who opposed me, I am grateful to have been part of this Democratic process. Don’t ever stop asking questions and offering your suggestions for how we might find better solutions to the issues we face today. Many of you who have spoken in these chambers questioning the decisions we were making, and yes, even daring to question the studies done in support of specific items, have professional degrees in engineering, transportation, urban planning and architecture. And you have every right to question and contribute to these decisions. Don’t be intimidated by those who suggest you should not do so. But all of you, whatever your background, have the most important title, that of Citizen, and the equally important responsibility of being involved in the decisions of your government. I don’t think any American, and certainly not any Texan, needs to apologize for exercising our right as citizens to question decisions being made and to contribute our common sense to the public debate that requires “consent of the governed” to make this democratic process work. And now, Mayor Mooney, I would like to present this Norman Rockwell painting titled “Freedom of Speech” as my gift to the citizens of College Station. I hope the citizens will continue to speak up and take responsibility for the kind of city we have. As Dr. Seuss put it in The Lorax, “Unless someone like you cares an awful lot, it’s not going to get better, it’s not.” Keep caring an awful lot. Keep working to preserve, protect and defend government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Thank you for allowing me the privilege of representing you.