Community Involvement

Isn't it funny how a saying comes to you at the appropriate time? I found this saying recently and it inspired me to write this letter.

“Decide on what you think is right, and stick to it.” by George Eliot (1819-1880) English Novelist

I will start out by saying, like many other locals, I love my community of Dexter. My family of many generations have lived, worked and believed in our community and have been involved with other 'like minded people' in making Dexter a better place to live, work and raise our families.

My daughters are now grown and are creating their own stamp in life, so it is my time to give back to my community. Sometimes it is very consuming, but at the end of the day, I am rewarded by seeing flowers growing in town, successful horse shows, my work with Dexter Reg. Development Corporation, successful Wild West Weekends and even Easter Hat Parades with glowing children's faces.

I feel that our town has always been compassionate and value our Town Employees. I have consistently been attending meetings expressing my concern about the employees, who through no fault of their own when reporting they are very sick, were terminated or are currently being terminated from their jobs. OR they resigned so they don't have to go through the embarrassment.

While I am uncomfortable in taking such a public stand, I felt it was time to get out of my comfort zone, and do something about it!

I am not pleased with the way some of the top town officials are conducting town business. I respectfully ask the questions, why is everything such a secret & behind closed doors, gag orders given or done in executive session? (Not just the employees' situation). Why are there double answers; depending who is asking the question, or no answers at all?

While I know that everyone has the right to their own opinion, those opinions should be well thought out and informed when expressing them in public. That is why I and many others now attend meetings and are asking questions, to become informed.

Last Thursday, September 13th, during a lengthy monthly Town Council meeting, the Public Forum took place. There were many people in the audience and we had lots of questions to ask. We sat through a long discussion one gentleman had, but then in a blink, the public forum was closed and Executive Session was announced.

We all sat there in disbelief. The public forum never really was official closed as far as we could tell. It appeared to most of us it ended by the Council Chair saying, "Is that it?” We thought he was addressing the person in the audience who had been speaking.

I would like to ask or maybe even challenge you, Dexter Residents and taxpayers to come to Council meetings. Call your councilors, ask question and demand answers. Find out for yourself what the mystery is. After all, it is our tax dollars being spent by our Council, who we voted for, and our Town Manager, who works for the Council and us.

Are you ready to come out of your comfort zone?

Join us the 2nd Thursday of the month, 7 pm at the Dexter Town Council Chambers for the monthly meetings.

Respectfully,
Judy