Fayetteville Observer Op-Ed: Our officials need to show up

Fayetteville Observer
Phillip Gilfus
August 3, 2008

A few days ago, I attended a BRAC Regional Task Force public comment meeting. A dozen or so members of the public had come to listen to the presenters share their findings about the coming challenges of BRAC for our community and some proposals on how we can meet them.

A few people spoke about the need for the city and county governments to work together. Others spoke about the difficulties in our neighborhoods and how they might be helped or hurt by our future plans.

I was struck by the fact that there were no local officials present at the meeting. There were no City Council members and no county commissioners. There was not even a member of the school board, and education was one of the most talked-about issues concerning BRAC.

I was told by a city employee that just prior to this public meeting there had been a working group on several of the BRAC issues by city officials. But at this public meeting, there were no elected officials present, just a handful of concerned residents.

There has been talk in the national political campaigns about change, that Washington is “broken” and that we need a “new kind of politics.” Sometimes it’s difficult to know exactly what this means. If the system is broken, what is the alternative? If we need change, what does it look like? And how do we shape a “new kind of politics” that allows all voices to be heard, but still manages to get things done?

One answer is surprisingly simple. The best way for elected officials to institute change and to ensure we have a responsive political system is encompassed by two words: Showing up.

I know that our local elected officials are busy with both their public and private lives, and that it’s difficult to attend every community meeting that takes place. But given the number of people we elect every year from this county to hold public office, it seems that at least one elected public servant could be present at every hearing or event.

Maybe some of them could even sponsor a town hall meeting to speak with their constituents about their accomplishments while in office and their future plans for our community. Maybe they could even do it outside of election time.

On the federal level, I have never once seen nor met my congressman, Rep. Robin Hayes, a North Carolina Republican, or either one of our U.S. senators.

Rep. Hayes comes to Fayetteville annually to meet with defense contractors at their trade show, but since I am not a member of the defense industry, we have yet to meet. It’s difficult to feel truly represented by someone if you’ve never seen him.

Since he’s running for re-election against school teacher Larry Kissell this year, I hope Rep. Hayes will take time to visit Fayetteville and the surrounding area. I know we’re a long way from Concord, but I think he would learn a lot from visiting with his constituents here in the Eighth Congressional District.

Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a Republican from our state, also is running for re-election this year, facing off against state Sen. Kay Hagan. I also hope Sen. Dole will visit our area and meet with ordinary North Carolinians. Again, I realize we’re a long way from her home in Washington, but since she represents us in the U.S. Senate, I think it would benefit her to attend some of our great community events.

I’ve met both Larry Kissell and Kay Hagan repeatedly here in Fayetteville, whether it was at one of our parks or at one of the events in Festival Park or downtown. I certainly look forward to meeting our incumbent elected officials in Congress at least once before Election Day. All they have to do is show up.

Fayetteville resident Phillip Gilfus is a Clinton delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

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