Citizens of Americus and Sumter County, Carla Cook has asked me to post the statement she made at City Council meeting last night - - I was there, and hearing it said was very impactful. I believe Carla when she says she is going to do her level best to fix this situation. I have also asked Dr. Reese and Nelson Brown (the only other two who I heard make comments), if they would like me to post their statements as well. I will post them as I receive them. This is Carlas: Thank you, Mayor, I would like to say a few words. Citizens, I am addressing you today from my heart. I can only speak for me. As you know, I am a hometown girl. I was born here. I was raised here. I was educated here. My children were born here, and they still live here. I go to church here. We own a business here. Americus, and its future, is very important to me, because this town is my family’s home. More than that, this town’s citizens are my family’s friends, and we love them, each and every one. I want you to know that when I cast a vote on any issue, I cast it from my heart and with much thought and consideration. I am not perfect, and I have made mistakes, and when I make mistakes, I admit them and correct them, but when I cast my votes, it is because I am trying to do what I believe is best - - not just for me and my family, but for all of us. I do not see color, and I want that publicly known. Color to me is crayons in a box. We are all one and we are all God’s people. While your confidence in the system may be shaky right now, I want you to have confidence in me, because I am trying my best to represent you well. I don’t have all the answers, I will take your number, research the questions and problems, find a solution, and get back in touch. And I live by those words every day. If we are to move forward in a positive manner, I recognize that we as the leaders must be guided by the principles of: (1) Equality (2) Openness, (3) Accountability, and (4) Trust. I am aware that my recent vote to end the citizen’s ability to verbally address the council may seem contrary to these principles, and I want you to know exactly why I voted the way I did. I do not want to stop or interfere with the citizens’ fundamental right to address their leaders. I merely wanted there to be a break within which we as the council could discuss and formulate procedures and policies that would allow citizens to give their opinions, be they good or bad, positive or negative, without the council feeling harassed or threatened. And I am hoping that these policies will be enforced by those who have the responsibility to enforce them. After all, the principals of equality, openness, accountability, and trust, are a two way street. We the council, though elected, are still only human beings, and we need to be able to trust that our citizens, when they come to address us. They will not address us through exaggerated behaviors, interference with the administration of justice or the operations of the mayor and council. All citizens need to treat us like equals. All citizens need to be open with us. All must be accountable for their behaviors, and, we need to trust and respect all! It is my hope that when all is said and done, every citizen will have the right to address us, according to certain rules of decorum, so that we can hear you! Thank you for listening to me tonight, and thank you for your confidence in me! And I will continue to serve you to the best of my abilities. Carla Cook
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:14:22 +0000
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