A definition of Perception is “a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression.”
A definition of Reality is “the world or the state of things as they actually exist….existence that is absolute, self-sufficient, or objective, and not subject to human decisions or conventions.”
So many times as we watch governmental meetings and hear the words that politicians use. We develop conclusions. Are the politicians smart enough to use words to make us think they are in agreement with us? But in reality they ain’t with anyone but themselves and their continued position of being an elected official. We are likely giving them too much credit. But, let’s look at a couple recent examples.
County Commissioner John Schoonmaker made us all aware of a letter that Commission Chairman Richie Beeler sent this Spring. In the letter, Beeler pledged not to be a candidate for Chairman on September 1. Schoonmaker praised Beeler for his work as Chair and asked that he reconsider ”his word”.
On July 25, 2022 during the first (was suppose to be second) reading on the Ordinance stripping the BZA (Board of Zoning Appeals) of hearing development plan use on review appeals and instead forcing the reviews into the already heavy Chancery Court dockets.
Beeler said this, the citizens believed he was saying he didn’t believe there was enough reason to pass it on second reading. Now, a fan or three of Beeler’s say no, he was not saying that.
At the August meeting, there were only 10 of 11 Commissioners, (Commissioner Biggs had a family member that he had to be away for) a 5 – 5 vote would kill it. 6 votes would approve it. Beeler was the sixth vote to support Commissioner Randy Smith’s proposed change. The Beeler vote has outraged his constituents, because the perception they had (right or wrong) was he was passing it along on first vote in July and he would lean against it in August.
Because nothing had really changed from the argument’s on July 25 to the August 22 vote and Beeler was the sixth vote. No time left to fight the change the ordinance another day.
Beeler is a Pastor and has a 501c3 ministry, so the shock to his constituents has been quite devastating. They were not expecting the double politician speak from him.
I believe Beeler to be a good guy. I believe he is the kind of guy that if you needed a ride, he would come pick you up. But the shock is real of him being the sixth vote.
As for Chairman (if Beeler were not a candidate) I suspect it leaves John Schoonmaker or Courtney Durrett as the potential Chairs. Many people say Durrett can not have it because she is one of two Democrats. Back a few years ago Democrat Thomas ”Tank” Strickland was Chair of Commission and another time Democrat Diane Jordan was Vice Chair. I have been asked, who do I want as Chair, last time I checked I am not a Commissioner, this is Chair of Commission.
The times of Strickland and Jordan was a time when everything was not hyper partisan. I am a Republican and an Elected Republican State Executive Committeeman. But this is Chair of Commission, not Chair of the Republican Commission delegation. But its not part of my pay grade, so it’s up to Commission and in this role I am a blogger in my 18th year, exercising my first amendment right of free speech awarded each and everyone of us in the good ole USA.
Beeler is a bad Commissioner. He breaks his word often.