Losing Faith
Protestors stand outside Gadsden City Hall during a council meeting, in opposition to the proposed rendering plant.
Isn’t government here to be for the people? That’s what they want us to believe; isn’t that what we should believe? Are the rumors we hear accurate or are they actually just that… rumors? Why would anyone, in this day and age, want to put themselves in a place of politics, knowing the struggle that comes with it? Seeing what I’ve seen and knowing what I know, I wouldn’t want anything to do with politics. At any level. Ever.
You see, I started out my career working for municipal government when I was 19 years old. I’m 34 now and have been out of government work as a full time employee, as of this moment, 2 years. While I did not spend my entire career in government work, I certainly spent the majority of it in the deep end of the pool. The people that know me well, know my involvement. Albeit managing communications, attending meetings with every single town official, supervising EMS crews, being one of the lead players in county wide projects, or simply being a fly on the wall as a ‘normal’ employee, I’ve seen a lot. Many things, I would love to right-click+delete. But I can’t. I’m stuck with years of memories, experience, friendships, mentors, enemies, and those that absolutely terrified me.
I’d love to write a book. It would either divert anyone’s desire to work in government, or it would inspire people to continue the good things and make needed change to the bad. For me, my inspiration died a gruesome death. Fueled by a passion and desire to make everything I came in contact with better than the way it was when I found it, my momentum eventually ran out. I’d love to sit and say that I was a very humble person throughout my career, but that would be a lie. I, unlike every other creature on this planet, am far from perfect. I, however, like to think that perfection can be sought after. Don’t let me lose you, this isn’t just about me. I want my readers to at least have a glimpse into my life so I can build at least an ounce of credibility as to what I’m writing.
I have been following the rendering plant situation in Gadsden, Alabama, for some time now. Citizens of my county need to recognize that this is a pivotal point in the direction of which our county can go. But this is much deeper than a “stinky ol plant.” We can sit and have a discussion about the pros and cons of this rendering facility for hours. I’m not here to discuss the plant; most of you know my position on the facility: opposition. Today I’m writing about what’s going on beneath the surface: Our local government.
“I cannot be quiet about… my dissipating faith in local government.”
For the most part, I’ve sat somewhat quietly on the sideline. Although I’ve made an informative video and actually spoke in a video supporting opposition of the plant, I haven’t actually been that vocal publicly. We can debate on just how vocal I’ve been, but let us just agree that whatever level of ‘that vocal’ is purely subjective. Because photography is something I love, I’ve documented some protests with pictures during this process as well. What I cannot be quiet about any longer is my dissipating faith in local government. Growing up in school we learn that our elected officials are people of great character, respect and integrity; that we should respect them and that the decisions they make are made with our best interest in mind. I’m not here to say that these things are not present within our leaders, but simply asking: Are they?
“Rotten apples will rot the other apples if they are not removed from the batch.”
Growing up as a young government employee, I was told that we [government employees] are held to a high standard, that accountability was something that was enforced, and that simply doing the right thing would always be maintained. As a person with 12 years of experience in government, I can truthfully say this isn’t always the case. Are there good people in government? Absolutely. People that truly care about making their community a better place? Without question. People that will put their own family second, to ensure the lives of those that “pay their salaries” are safe? Damn right there is. There are so many people I’ve met along the way that fit these categories, but there are, without disputable evidence, bad apples. And just like anything in life, rotten apples will rot the other apples if they are not removed from the batch.
Today we face adversity within our government. For those of you that follow what is going on with the rendering plant, it is evident that some members of our government have not been truthful. There have been documents that have surfaced that clearly point to inaccurate information made by some officials. It goes without saying that people talk, and often speak opinions not based on factual evidence. Politicians have been accused of embezzlement, in public forum, without evidence to point the light of truth on the matter. Actions like this are counterproductive and make us no better than the very ones we place accusations on. Having supporting documentation that proves we have been mislead… well, that’s a different story.
During the discovery phase of this ‘process,’ a lot of information has been uncovered that sheds light on some misinformation given by those elected officials. Information that continues to be defended by public officials, regardless of documentation proving otherwise. There has been a lot of “I didn’t know” being thrown around by our elected officials, when in fact, they did. And there is documentation to prove they did, in fact, know.
Diversion tactics often are a sign of something much deeper than a simple disagreement.
I was unfortunately able to experience some of the comments made from the council members during several of their public meetings. Comments from our elected officials included, “I just ignore them [people in opposition to the plant],” calling protestors “trumpish,” and politicians telling constituents to stop calling them. Some of these officials were the same ones that supported protesting for a different cause, only a few months ago. Let me say that we should support peaceful protesting, no matter what the issue is. It is our right as Americans to lawfully protest when we feel the need to. The problem is when our government throws shade on protestors when it doesn’t fit their agenda or makes them look bad. In the case of these protests, both apply. Keep a watchful eye, because diversion tactics often are a sign of something much deeper than a simple disagreement. Peaceful protests are fundamental to our democracy, in order for the people to be heard, when our elected officials cast a deaf ear. It doesn’t matter the cause, everyone has a right to protest. That’s right, if you want to protest your opposition to the sky being blue, guess what? It’s your right.
Windows that show the inside of the Gadsden City Council chambers were covered with blinds during the public meeting.
When protestors showed up at the second council meeting, the council closed their blinds on the chambers. Due to COVID, seating was limited and those in opposition to the rendering plant were forced to watch the meeting via the City’s live FaceBook feed. They could not look through the windows as they could in past meetings. At one meeting, the city council’s president instructed law enforcement to quieten the protestors, while they cheered for their spokesperson, otherwise she would have them removed from the public council meeting. The very right of peaceful assembly was threatened by a powerful official. Let’s not even discuss the fact that the business representative, who is not even a citizen of this state, got a large block of time to discuss the plant. Citizens of the city that wanted to speak got a mere 5 minutes, and was held to the minuscule timeframe.
It’s disheartening. We hear people say they wish younger generations were more involved in politics. I too, want fresh minds involved. But at what cost? Is it worth the trouble, knowing that change faces strong opposition from people in power? People that have done things the same way, without change, for decades. People that have agendas, whether good or bad. People that seemlessly have forgotten that they, an elected official, actually work for the people. But have we forgotten this too? Have we lost all care for what is going on in our local government? Honestly, I am on the edge of losing care. Hell, I’ve probably surpassed it, if I were to be truthful with myself. Care that should be valued by each of our leaders. Care that should be used for us to work together, for the good of the community.
“If you can’t beat them, join them.”
I have personally seen it. I have personally felt it. Burnout. We have great people in our county that go great lengths to achieve great things. But when they are shut out or only used for their talents, only to be dumped when the job is complete… why would they care anymore? It’s like I was told one time by a once very powerful person in Etowah County: “If you can’t beat them, join them.” I was always told that politics are dirty in my county. I’ve now seen it first hand. My father, who had retired from law enforcement in municipal government, had so many stories to tell. Not all of which were exactly stories of greatness. I’ve seen people get passed up for promotions; people that were far more qualified for the job, by someone that frequently hung out with the person responsible for the promotion process. The good ol boy system, they call it. People that, if integrity and character really mattered, would have been fired from a company for unmentionable things; instead in government, a position, often a cushy office job, would be created to sweep their wrongdoings under the rug. It makes me ask: Is integrity even a thing anymore? For someone in such great power to tell me to join them, I should have seen the writing on the wall.
There are so many things that would steer someone from politics. Either not having the endurance to outweigh possible corruption, or being afraid it will change them. What can we do to counteract this? Is there anything we can do? Whatever it is, it needed to happen [figuratively speaking] yesterday.
This rendering plant ‘process’ has brought many things to question, although it really has just scratched the surface. Hopefully, we have the power to change the course of our county. And If you haven’t figured it out, I’m not talking about this rendering plant. Sure, like thousands of other people in Etowah County, I don’t want it here. What I’m talking about is the change needed in the leadership of politics. The change needed in the mindset of people like me that have given up government work, for a much happier and fruitful way of life. I’m hoping it isn’t too late to change the course. We can do better than this. The very second we think we’ve reached perfection is the very second we need to retire and allow fresh minds the opportunity to lead. That’s if it’s not too late.