Every year I have the privilege of attending a water users meeting. This annual meeting informs property owners with water rights of any crucial facts they may need to know when using their irrigation water in the summer.
The meeting is chaired by our group’s mediator and a secretary. Both of them are in their late seventies, early eighties.
Although the meeting has nothing to do with religion, due to the predominant religion in the hood, it is held in a church an starts with a prayer. I purposely arrive late to avoid that activity.
This year, after the prayer, our mediator moved right into the meeting and requested an approval of the minutes (from last year). The man in front of me quickly moved to approve the minutes, then immediately questioned whether or not he should instead make a motion. Regardless, the minutes were approved.
It was then that the mediator made a big announcement, “I’m stepping down as mediator so we need someone to replace me. I really like the secretary and she’s done a real good job all these years so before I step down I’d like to make the decision that she remain the secretary.”
The man in front of me shouted out a name, “Vic Laird.”
“Is that your name? Are you nominating yourself?” the mediator asked. “Huh, well, alright.”
“Yes,” he replied.
The woman a few seats down from him followed suit and shouted out a name, “Bobby Windsor.”
The second name appeared to be more in line with what the mediator wanted. As a result, while still in his position of ‘mediator power’ and at the podium, he shared his opinion of the second nominee.
“I just want to say I really like Bobby Windsor. I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a good fella. Okay, let’s vote if you want Bobby to have this job raise your hand.”
Several people raised their hands. Others, like myself, weren’t sure who to vote for because we didn’t know the credentials (if any) of each nominee and we didn’t know Vic or Bobby. The mediator and the secretary did not let these facts get in the way of their version of a democratic process and started counting all of the hands in the air.
“Nine,” the secretary asked.
“Yes, either nine or ten,” the mediator replied then instructed, “Now, raise your hands if you want Vic.”
Several of us raised our hands, me included. I didn’t know Vic nor did I know Bobby but I felt Bobby got an unfair endorsement for just being a good fella.
The counting began again.
“Ten” the secretary said.
“I got nine or ten,” the mediator advised.
The secretary got up out of her seat, walked over to the mediator, attempted to use her hand to block sound and “whispered” in the mediator’s ear, “What should we do? We’ve got a tie or Vic won.”
The mediator looked at the meeting attendees and announced, “We’re doing another vote. This time, stand if you want Bobby.”
A few people stood up and he advised them to wait until he asked them to stand. Thus, they sat down.
“Okay, if you want Bobby, stand up.”
Several people stood up and the the mediator and secretary started counting quietly together.
“Twelve,” they excitedly announced, most likely assuming that Bobby won.
“Now stand up if you want Vic.”
As they began to reach “twelve” the mediator made an announcement, “I think some people stood up twice. Let’s table this for now. Who would like to approve the minutes?”
“We already approved the minutes,” Vic, our frustrated mediator candidate, informed him.
“Oh, alright then,” the mediator replied and decided to let the water manager from the city have some floor time; most likely in an attempt to buy some time between voting.
The water manager shared the same information he shared last year and the mediator proposed another vote.
“Okay. Stand up if you want Bobby.”
“I don’t understand what we’re doing. I thought we already voted,” a meeting attended said.
“Not really,” the mediator replied.
We had clearly voted, just not for the person he had in mind.
As people stood up the mediator and the secretary counted and reminded them to not sit down until they’re told to sit down.
“I think I see some people in the hall,” the mediator noted. “We want to make sure they vote.”
The people in the hall weren’t interested in voting.
“Well, that definitely looks like twelve or 13,” the mediator told the secretary.
“If you want Vic to do it, stand up and everybody else sit down. No getting up if you’ve already voted.”
The whispered conversation between the mediator and the secretary continued until they announced, “Looks like nine. Bobby is the winner!”
And that is how neighborhood democracy works. Perhaps they should try this highly effective, completely accurate method for the Presidential election. Oh, wait, they already do.
Hello! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!
Hello! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
Good article. I’m going through a few of these issues as well..
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day. It’s always interesting to read content from other authors and practice a little something from their sites.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you should publish more about this issue, it may not be a taboo matter but typically folks don’t discuss these issues. To the next! Best wishes!!
Hello colleagues, how is the whole thing, and what you desire to say about this piece of writing, in my view its actually amazing in support of me.
I’m not sure exactly why but this blog is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
I absolutely love your blog.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you create this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my own website and want to know where you got this from or what the theme is named. Cheers!
Hi there colleagues, how is the whole thing, and what you want to say regarding this paragraph, in my view its actually amazing for me.
want to buy priligy in pakistan Over the course of their career in sport, athletes may have medically justified illnesses or conditions that require them to use a particular medication or undergo treatment
Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal. I must say that you’ve done a very good job with this. Also, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Internet explorer. Excellent Blog!
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My site goes over a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you’re interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Terrific blog by the way!
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
Hey there! I just wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you have right here on this post. I’ll be returning to your web site for more soon.
Hi there to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of this webpage; this blog includes amazing and really excellent data for visitors.
No matter if some one searches for his necessary thing, therefore he/she needs to be available that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over here.
Very energetic article, I enjoyed that bit. Will there be a part 2?
What’s up friends, good article and nice arguments commented here, I am in fact enjoying by these.
Great site you’ve got here.. It’s hard to find excellent writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
excellent issues altogether, you just received a new reader. What may you recommend in regards to your put up that you simply made a few days in the past? Any certain?
Saved as a favorite, I like your site!
Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
you are actually a good webmaster. The web site loading velocity is amazing. It sort of feels that you’re doing any distinctive trick. In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you have performed a wonderful activity on this matter!
Good day! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!
Hello mates, how is all, and what you desire to say concerning this post, in my view its genuinely amazing in favor of me.
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same results.
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your article seem to be running off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Cheers
Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.
Your articles are extremely helpful to me. Please provide more information!
Hey there! I’ve been reading your weblog for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the great work!
Hi there mates, its fantastic article about educationand entirely defined, keep it up all the time.
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This article posted at this site is actually nice.
At this moment I am ready to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast coming yet again to read more news.
Hurrah, that’s what I was exploring for, what a information! existing here at this website, thanks admin of this website.
naturally like your website but you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to inform the truth on the other hand I will certainly come back again.
Excellent post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the good writing.
Excellent web site. Lots of helpful info here. I am sending it to several buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you on your sweat!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about %meta_keyword%. Regards
Every weekend i used to visit this web site, because i want enjoyment, since this this web site conations genuinely fastidious funny information too.
What’s up, I check your blog on a regular basis. Your writing style is witty, keep it up!
You actually make it seem so easy along with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really something that I feel I’d never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very large for me. I’m looking ahead for your next put up, I’ll attempt to get the cling of it!
I have read several excellent stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much attempt you set to create the sort of great informative website.
hello there and thank you for your info – I have certainly picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using this site, as I experienced to reload the site many times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more of your respective interesting content. Ensure that you update this again soon.
Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually understands what they’re talking about on the internet. You certainly know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people need to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you are not more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.
I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this site. I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal site now 😉
This is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very precise info… Thank you for sharing this one. A must read post!
This page certainly has all of the information and facts I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
If you are going for finest contents like I do, just go to see this web site daily since it gives quality contents, thanks
I used to be recommended this web site through my cousin. I’m not positive whether this post is written by way of him as nobody else recognise such designated about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!