tfp2

"THE FINE PRINT"

The musings of Michael Schrader

                            APATHY UNDERWHELMING
(Published 1994 in the Farmington Press-Leader; posted in toto with Preface and Epilogue 3 July 2001)

PREFACE -- One of the common complaints voiced about citizens by the government is that the people are apathetic. Local officials run unopposed because most people are just to apathetic to get involved enough to run for office. It’s a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude. Among the most apathetic people I have met are government officials. Read the attendence reports for any level of government -- the absenteeism of some of our government officials and representatives is downright appaling. Apathy is not limited to the elected officials--government employees also share in the apathy when they contribute only the bare minimum required to stay employed. Is it any wonder that the American voter has become cynical about the political process? Government officials have the moral responsibility to lead by example. If they do not have the fortitude to, then they should not criticize others. Remember -- “People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.”

      I recently attended a workshop sponsored by the Bonne Terre, Park Hills, and Farmington Chambers of Commerce. This workshop was about the American with Disabilities Act, and how it affects both the public and private sector. The information presented was not only important, as it pertained to the civil rights for the handicapped, it was also useful and informative, and is necessary information for any business or government to have. Sadly, though, the message fell on deaf ears (pardon the pun), as the attendance was underwhelming.
      Of those in attendance, I counted only one elected city official from all seven cities in the county; two building inspectors; one Chamber of Commerce representative (it is pretty sad when you don't even show up to your own meeting!); one engineer or architect (and engineers and architects are responsible for designing the modifications to bring structures into compliance with the ADA), which was of course, myself.
      I cannot figure out why more of those directly affected by the ADA (such as business owners, governmental representatives, and engineers/architects) were not in attendance. The price was right, as the workshop was free. Can we not spare three hours of one day to learn about the rights and needs of our disabled citizens (who number 43 million, by the way)? I cannot understand the apathy of the leaders of our community. Are we afraid to find out we have been doing things wrong? Are we afraid to learn?
      This is not the first seminar that I know of in the county where apathy has reared its ugly head. For example, The Neighbors for a Better Farmington are trying to improve the quality of life in Farmington. While I may not agree with them on some issues, I applaud their efforts. The meetings I have attended have been attended by only a dozen or so others, mostly elderly residents. Does this mean that the other 9000 residents (I don't include the inmates) of Farmington are content with the way things are and do not want to see any improvements? In many conversations I have had about town, I do not believe this to be the case. Yet, why such low attendance at the meetings of a group of concerned residents?
      Last year, I sponsored a seminar on traffic engineering. I sent out over 300 invitations, mostly to cities and counties in southeast Missouri. Of all these hundreds, only one city or county in all of southeast Missouri, the city of Farmington, attended. Cities as far away as Fulton, Jefferson City, and Springfield attended, but only one city locally. Why? Do we not need to learn? Or, do we just not care?
      I regularly go to city council meetings, and the attendance by citizens is appalling. The public is given an opportunity to address the council at meetings, but only a select few use this opportunity to address the council. Yet I read many letters in the paper from angry citizens unhappy with the way things are. If you're unhappy, go talk to the City Council. They are the representatives of the citizens, and we must make our feelings known to them. I do not expect the mayor or council to read my mind. When I have something to say, I say it. Government takes its orders from us, the people. However, if we don't make our voices known, we, the people, will be taking orders from the government, and the nightmarish society Orwell depicted in "1984" will become a reality.

Epilogue-- The attendence by local officials in Southeast Missouri at the Second Southeast Missouri Sign Seminar later that year was as dismal, if not more so, as at the previous year’s event.