"A" is for Apathy; Government by Default

(Ed. note. Fred Juergens has written this response to the question of what is the biggest problem facing Evansville.)
Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2006 06:45:47 -0800 (PST)

Fred Juergens has left a new comment on your post "City(Mayoral and Aldermen) Watercooler: What is the biggest problem facing Evansville today and--how do you solve it?":

Fred Juergens, District #2 candidate says:

Apathy.

Consider this:

There are four aldermanic districts in Evansville, and four seats up for election this coming Tuesday.

In District #1, Mason Braunschweig and John Senn are running. I may be
wrong, but I believe that Mr. Senn has done little, if anything, to make a case for his election. Mr. Braunschweig is visible, at least. He showed up at this forum

In District #2, mine, I am unopposed for election. I was appointed to fill a vacancy last November. Without opposition, I expect to be elected to a two-year term this coming Tuesday. No other resident of this district cares to take part in being a part of actually making the decisions that govern our city. I have leafleted about half my district so far, asking for input from residents about city affairs. Response is essentially zilch. I showed up at the forum.

In District #3, NO ONE is on the ballot. No surprise here that no one showed up at the forum.

In District #4, John Sornson, incumbent, and Wayne Steinlein are on the ballot. However, I've informed that Mr. Steinlein has dropped out because of a potential job transfer. No race there either. Mr. Sornson didn't show up for the forum.

There is a contest for Mayor, as we all know, but the Mayor doesn't vote on items before the City Council, unless there's a tie. Only one of the candidates showed up for the forum, and I think that is regrettable.

So our city is governed almost by default. Most Council members get their seats by appointment and are unopposed in subsequent elections. Although we all do our best to make good decisions, I'm sure, we get little guidance from the citizens we're supposed to represent. What little citizen input there is tends to come from people with business interests. I'm not saying that's good or bad, but if others in town want to influence the direction Evansville is taking, they need to speak up and participate more in the process.

If you read this and say, "who cares?", start over and contemplate seriously the meaning of the word "apathy". Democracy needs more from you. If you're not willing to give something, you will get the government you deserve.