Whitehall Watchblog

This was a poll public given after it was revealed what a high level of income requirement the city had set to qualify for the Whitehall Home Reinvestment Program. Poor people are hit hardest by City Hall’s codes and ordinances, that which they may not be able to afford to address nor have other programs available to them to remedy issues, unlike others in Whitehall who have the funds to do so. This engendered concern on my part as well as some important questions, those which I felt City Council should be asked. Here are those thoughts and concerns as I addressed them to our council.

“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
― George Washington

Since my return to my hometown over seven years ago, I have noted the alarming practice in Whitehall that some take in squelching citizen/voter dissent when expressed over their elected officials. I’m talking about when I (as well others too) have spoken aloud against an elected official, with merit, logic and reason, I/we have been shouted down merely for having done so, as if we have no right. After the many objections I’ve lodged and arguments I’ve made, in detail may I add, rarely is the crux of the argument I’ve offered discussed, disseminated or argued in return or given the respect due it in the spirit of argument it was extended in the first place. Instead I am only taken to task for the outrageous audacity of having raised my voice against an elected official in the first place. This is disturbing and patently UN-American. In lieu of any verbal sparring or well-made counterpoints, these are some of the things I’ve heard, and I quote,

• ‘Leave the Mayor alone!!!’

• “PAINT YOUR HOUSE!”

• “You are someone who has had an unsuccessful life at acting like he can act”.

• “Take your stupid big words and go jump in a lake”.

• “BE GONE WITH YOU!”

(sighing) How are we ever to solve real problems and get to fully developed solutions if we never discuss them in the first place (or allow those not in power to participate in those discussions)?

The great Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis said, “If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.”

One may have their favorites within government but it mustn’t be to such a servile devotion as to shout down, in such an UN-American way, those with opposing views. If criticism is warranted in our shared government and is presented in an educated, detailed manner, then that criticism deserves adult responses (particularly in a country built on the free-flow of ideas) that are in-kind, not simple, baseless, juvenile taunting, or, demands for silence; those which debase the process and put down articulate, educated argument, that which is needed to move forward. It truly is anti-Whitehall; to suppress that or any thoughts, concerns or criticisms which may have an ability to help our community, merely done so because they don’t align with their own notions or serve-serving desires. It is shameful.

What I believe are the underlying motivations for these non-replies to mine and others concerns, is a harmful manipulation to marginalize opponents in the public’s eye, stifling criticism of those in power so the benefits their power bring them can go on without end. This tack has a subversive and deeply disturbing second benefit as well; sending a chilling effect to critics of Whitehall governance, thus, oppressing freedom of speech. The benefits those in the status quo hold onto with this method are; hiring friends over more competent outsiders (which keeps and strengthens their power), ignoring legislation as it benefits themselves (which includes ignoring, breaking or skirting the law itself), keeping an iron grip on the rudder of the ship of state to steer their ends to the light of day (over those of the citizens) and enabling themselves to work outside the parameters of fairness, ethics and decency without investigative critics like myself and others putting a possible stop to the gravy train power trip they enjoy. Its really that simple.

Another great Supreme Court Justice, William O. Douglas said, “Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one UN-American act that could most easily defeat us.”

When anyone uses their voice to express concern or opinion, they express those feelings and, in terms of alarm or concern, have not only an obligation and a duty as an American citizen to do so but have an iron-clad right to, as it is enshrined in our Bill of Rights. So, when a viewpoint is given which may run counter to that of some or many in the community, they are likely to encounter resistance, that which they may expect. However, in an adult society, making legitimate remarks must be countered with a modicum of respect for that person’s right to make those remarks. One certainly has their counter-right, with their own opinions, to make their argument for or against the other’s case but, with respect to the processes of fairness and free speech, to do so without reverting to base, callous and juvenile remarks which both taint and debase the process. Healthy communication, public or private, warrants this and helps our society move forward in a positive and rewarding fashion. When one person communicates how they feel and is shouted down by 20 people with base, juvenile taunting and without respectful dialouge, it causes the person to flee their perspective out of peer pressure and end their communication. Discourse is now closed. Unfortunately too then, are the advancements and riches we all might’ve benefited from in seeing communication come to its rightful conclusions and understandings, those that respectful discourse would have revealed. In that, we have all lost. For in the search for what is best, particularly for the true health and vitality of our country and community’s well-being (which is our well being) we must be dedicated, with steadfast courage, to hear things out to the end and not squelch or supress that which might make us squirm. To never allow the free flow of ideas to be trumped by selfish personal gain. Those ideas which may have revealed a higher truth and good for our shared well being. Given this then, it is a disservice and an injustice to Whitehall to disallow the flow of the river of truth to go where it must. Truth is what leads us to the ultimate place we are supposed to be (however difficult that may be) as God wishes it to be, not, ourselves. In this, ‘right’ and truth are never subject to democratic or mob rule. If right is discovered and held aloft by only one man in a million, that does not make it any less right.

So, if we are to ever restore the flow of the truth to Whitehall, that which will actually see it to its better, healthy and rightful place, this subversive tact used by either friends of those in power or, with anonymity, by those actually in power, must end. That will be done with resistance by diligent citizens fighting back when they see this dangerous tool being wielded. One must not allow the shouting mob to rule, one must identify it and call out this treacherous manipulation when they witness its use in public discourse, wherever it may be. Dedication to truth is paramount. In that will be the ethical, honest salvation of Whitehall itself, lest we allow it to fall completely to the likes of these indecent, truly, anti-Whitehall sorts. That end must not stand.

“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.”- (Special Message to the Congress on the Internal Security of the United States, August 8, 1950) ― Harry S. Truman “

This is a ‘poll public’ I gave before Council after catching code enforcement officers stepping onto property they weren’t supposed to be on and which they’d not received permission to enter or have a warrant signed by a judge to walk around on. I was sick and tired of two mayoral administrations (John Wolfe and Kim Maggards) acting in disregard to the U.S. Constitution and with disrespect toward citizens.

This speech before Council was given nearly 4 years ago. I reminded them what their civic, professional and moral responsibility as your elected voices and legislators was. There was too much silence on their part (politically or otherwise motivated) and when they weren’t being silent, they were cheerleading each other ad nauseum.

Over the years I have spoken out many times at Whitehall Council Meetings (which they call ‘Poll Public’) on various topics, all to communicate with my elected representative body. I have taken a few of them and filmed them to share them here with you in hopes that a wider audience can hear/see them and hopefully appreciate them. This one had to do with my feeling that there were many ordinances on Whitehall’s books that needed a second look and may be either unconstitutional or disrespectful and harmful to the citizens themselves and therefore should be repealed.

                 After several years of driving home to some Whitehall Officials that ethics matter (to the chagrin of some and the outrage of others), I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings here so as to be crystal clear on the matter.

When I was raised, I was taught/told that being an ethical person mattered and that one’s morality told the tale of their character. By all accounts my Grandfather, John Dollmeyer, was an ethical and moral man. Sometimes though, everything we do in the fight for those traits is not always what we do but can sometimes be judged on what we didn’t do. In his life, at least to others, some things that didn’t happen that perhaps should have might make one question his otherwise stellar personal ethics. However, like all humans, my dear Grandfather, in his human imperfection, must be judged on his overall record and the fact that he put out a lot of effort towards doing the right thing, always. So, sometimes our efforts towards ethics and our morality are undermined by what we didn’t do and so it is. From my viewpoint, ethics and morality are important for the enrichment of our soul and the strength of our character, that which brings us success as human beings in our personal lives and in society and, as I personally feel, as a gift we repay God with for our lives. One doesn’t kill people just because they have no desire, they also don’t because its simply, morally wrong. Of course, the real test of ethics and morality come when we do know something is wrong but we do it otherwise. This I call ‘part-time morality’ but, also, a human trait where sometimes the urge and desire for the thing you know is wrong ends up stronger than the moral fiber residing within that would help us resist that wrong. As all of us know, it’s dynamic is complex. However, we are all human beings and we all make mistakes and that is completely understandable. The amount of work we put into this area of ourselves is relative to how important we think it is to us as individual human beings. Religious leaders, leaders in government, teachers, all, instruct us on the importance of these values. If one does not attain the highest level of moral and ethical attributes, it simply means we’re human and that’s okay. Rather, it is in the trying that truly matters, that which shows our willingness to be our better selves. If one is trying, it shows they care and caring is vastly more important than getting every single morality medal pinned to your chest. If my lack of actions in this important area spill over into your life as a result of my behavior, then it is only you I have effected and is only a reflection on my character alone, that which only effects me in determining whether I fly or sink as a human being in society. So it is then as a private individual with freedom. Some try, some don’t. Some achieve spectacular results for their character, some are dismal in their efforts and, as a result, in their gains. This is the wonderful human diversity that we experience in life.  Then, there is…

Public Life

Firstly, in public life, as a public official, ethics and personal morality are so much more important. As opposed to private life, in a public capacity you are speaking and acting on behalf of everyone within the boundaries of the area you serve. That is an awesome responsibility. You, no longer alone or responsible for your character only, are now the representative embodiment of all those people.  So, when you speak and act on behalf of others, it must be in as clean an ethical and moral fashion as is possible for them, not yourself. No one expects you to be an inhuman robot in office but, if you have genuine care for those you represent that in itself should compel you to try harder than you might otherwise in personal situations.

Secondly, public office is a public trust. Colleen Lewis says it well in an article she wrote for the website, ‘The Conversation’.  She wrote, “When we entrust people with power over our lives, that power should be exercised in our interests; that obligation must always prevail over the interests of the people given the power… It follows that when (an elected official) is making a decision and the common good of the people requires one decision, but his or her personal or political loyalties and future require a different decision, he or she must always give priority to the common good.” In other words, ones own loyalties and gain must take a backseat to that of the public’s interests and gains. This leads us then to…

Conflicts of interest.

Merriam-Webster defines conflict of interest as; a conflict between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a position of trust. (See: public office as a public trust)  In her article Ms. Lewis goes on to write, “In the area of open and accountable government our public trustees – both elected and appointed public servants – inevitably have to deal with a conflict of interest arising from their obligation to give priority to the public interest over their personal and political interests”. The Ethics Resource Center in Virginia clarifies why this is vital to our system. It says; “Democracies and free markets absolutely rely on the integrity (keep an eye on this word, I’ll come back to it) of their systems for the free flow of information and objective decision-making. Conflicts of interest act as a cancer that eats away at those institutions. (let that sentence sink in and keep it close) Any society that cannot effectively address or prevent conflicts of interest will soon find its democracy and its free markets in states of collapse…it is also true that public servants, especially in democracies, are generally held to higher standards than private sector counterparts. Elected and appointed government officials are expected to serve the people, not only their supervisor or agency. …values that are at the foundation of what we think is wrong with conflicts of interest. The three fundamental values in play are trust, integrity and fairness…they are at the base the fundamental concepts that inform the instrumental value-e.g. avoiding conflicts of interest”. Additionally, Ms. Lewis quotes British Prime Minister David Cameron on this topic, from 2013:

… the best way to ensure that an economy delivers long-term success, and that success is felt by all of its people, is to have it overseen by political institutions in which everyone can share. Where governments are the servants of the people, not the masters. Where close tabs are kept on the powerful and where the powerful are forced to act in the interests of the whole people, not a narrow clique.

The trust the public gives you, and that you have freely asked for by running for office, should be earned before it is merely handed over, for it is sacrosanct. Without the trust, the integrity (there’s that word again) of its systems begin their free fall and the institutions we rely on in America begin to not only fail us but deteriorate into something other than a Constitutional Republic. An analogy of the integrity of our systems of government could be likened to a cup or glass. When the integrity of its design; its bowl, its stem, its overall sturdiness, etc. is 100%, (and kept so) we can rely on it to nourish us and do good for us with what it can hold but, if we want that benefit it provides we must safeguard it, for if we don’t, it can get broken or develop holes in it from abuse or neglect and when that happens, the cup’s integrity has failed in its ability to supply us with that which was so good and needed and utilized for so long. The chips and scratches and bumps done to it in, either in commission or omission over time by various users, while not appearing troublesome at the time to them, do add their contribution to the overall weakening of the cup’s integrity. When we allow this, the keepers of the cup, (the people) we allow its slow degradation and ultimate destruction, by omission, wrongfully thinking a dent here, a chip there can certainly never prove fatal overall but, that is exactly what happens. So it is too with these perhaps innocuous-seeming or unnoticed conflicts of interest. If we fail to heed the warnings of those smarter than us on important matters like these, we have no right to register surprise and shock, or complain, when that ultimate demise happens. This is why these things, however small they may seem, matter.

Years ago, to understand my personality better and looking for greater personal success, I took the Myers-Brigg test, a psychometric test designed to better figure out what your ‘type’ is so as to give you a better understanding of what can help you succeed in life and what you’re best at. One of the things which I found (and once found, then saw so clearly) was that I am a ‘Guardian’. This is someone who monitors things (actual things, traditions, etc.) and is a caretaker of sorts. It made complete sense to me and, once found, when I’m being a ‘guardian’ in life I find I am living my life ‘on purpose’ and it brings greater personal rewards and happiness. It’s who I am.  This is why I bring this all up, because of our Constitution and because of the damage being done by some elected and appointed officials in our government who are either callous, ignorant, careless or worse, duplicitous, in their dealings in public office, those who don’t heed these conflicts of interest and help compromise the solidity and integrity of our systems. It is not because I sit on high in a moral or ethical ‘Olympus’ but rather because as a ‘guardian’ and an American it is my sacred duty, as well as every other citizens, to monitor the integrity of our government to ensure this kind of calamitous ultimate destruction doesn’t befall this country and it’s ‘systems’, those things I love so much. That’s all.  

My name is Gerald Dixon, I was born and raised in Whitehall. Graduated from WYHS in 1980. Lived in New York City a total of eleven years and six in Los Angeles in pursuit of an acting career. My avocations are psychology, urban planning, film, art and sociology. After moving back to my hometown in 2008, I wanted to get involved in local government. What I found was disturbing in terms of their moral character as public officials. I was so disturbed in fact as to set about fighting what I saw as wrong, as I’ve done now ever since. I live in the house I grew up in on Doney Street with my two cats.

This blogpost is designed to inform the Whitehall citizens of what is going on at City Hall, with their government and the people elected as stewards of their government. Its main intent is to expose wrongdoing of those elected leaders at City Hall. If there is nothing to report, nothing will appear here. If wrong is being done in the citizen’s name, my intent is to alert you to it so the citizens have the information needed to put a stop to it. I am the messenger, if the citizens choose to do nothing then the continuation of the problem is in their hands. Citizens always have the right and ability to respond in several different ways; call the Mayor/Council members, write letters/emails protesting actions by them, organize to stop their behavior through campaigns of picketing, resistance, etc. The choice is really in the citizen’s hands. You are responsible for what ultimately is done in your name at Whitehall City Hall. Their actions, lack of them, etc., are a reflection on you. What you allow ultimately speaks of you, not them. People are only willing to get away with as much as what they’re allowed to, the same holds true here in Whitehall.

I’ve found that people who want to run for office fall into two categories: One are those we expect to, the person who wants to help out, actually serve their civic duty and do the right thing by their neighbors and citizens, the genuinely helpful person who wants to assist in the good health of their community, in all ways. Then there is the other type: They’re there for themselves, either through what the power the office brings them and their ego and/or their party too. The authoritarian and/or the fevered ego. These sorts love lording it over others, the ‘my way or the highway’ type. They want control and don’t mind inflicting it on the public. This sort falls into any party type. The fevered egos love the power and attention the role brings. The truly troublesome are the ones who refuse to let go of power, particularly in our democratic Republic. The authoritarians with fevered egos. There are several in City Hall. ‘No one can do it better than they, they are the end-all, be-all and its best they stay there forever and ever’. A job which was designed as part of the civic duty we’re all supposed to be serving, in one capacity or another. Sadly, when the citizenry don’t pay attention to whom is serving them, these unsavory characters are both allowed in and allowed to stay in. Again, that is on the citizens. Its imperative the citizens keep an eagle eye on who they’re electing. Truly decent people or just people pretending to be decent in order to win your vote, get in office and start their disrespectful service. Our city hall is rife with this second example. If you can’t tell when someone is bullshitting you, do us all a favor and don’t vote. Character is everything. They too often sell you a bill of goods through their skimpy literature that sells you on them as surely as diet soda manufacturers convince you of weight loss. Buyer beware. Now, when you go to nearly every meeting, like me, and watch them and their character like a hawk, you come to see the truth of them. That is me. That is what I do and what I’ve been doing since 2009.

***Why do I do this?   I live here in Whitehall, born and raised. I could fight down at the Statehouse or visit D.C., but I believe that the tapestry of our nation is a huge piecework done in all corners, which includes Whitehall. I believe it is not the large things which cause the integrity of the tapestry of our government to weaken the whole but rather, the small holes allowed to appear and spread across its breadth and width. While a hole which Whitehall governance has made to appear may seem small in the larger scheme, it, along with many other small holes allowed to appear, have the ability to start the fraying, the tearing, the decline of the work as a whole and before you know it, the tapestry rips apart. That is where you and I come in, for it is we who have the responsibility to the tapestry of our Republic, we the people. To stop the hole from appearing and/or spreading. To understand what tears it, try to stop it from appearing initially and if it does, repair the damage done. Its really as simple as that and more important than you may realize.

So, when decisions are made that cause a rip in that tapestry, when fevered egos get in the way of our rule of law or authoritarian types decide that your rights are less important than their ego-driven schemes, it is an incremental assault on that which binds this country together. An assault on America itself. We are all defenders of this great country and while we’re looking outward for enemies of our Republic (and sending troops to go fight them), too often they come from within, more concerned with their need to rule over others and feed their egos than be genuine stewards of this great countries tenets. I for one refuse to allow it. That is why I do what I do here. When it comes to the uncorrupted integrity of the tapestry of our shared Republic, we must all be diligent needle workers, here, now.

I welcome everyone and thank-you for visiting.