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Elected officials need civil discourse

April 30, 2015
Debbie Peterson

Debbie Peterson

OPINION By DEBBIE PETERSON

Disrespect between elected representatives and the public has been a trend statewide.

As a planning commissioner, city council member and the first directly-elected female mayor of Grover Beach, and now as a candidate for District 3 supervisor, this has been a major concern to me.

As leaders we are held to a higher standard. If we do not model best practice, who will? The tone we set is reciprocated in public comment, spills into the community, and sets the standard for our youth.

There are many excellent local examples of public engagement, but citizens still report elected officials who roll their eyes, condescend to colleagues, staff and speakers, make personal attacks and treat any who disagree with their position with contempt, accusing them of partisanship or ignorance.

Community members ask to know their agency contact, where to find the agenda and speaker slips, the order of the meeting, when to speak, and where to see meetings online or on television. They appreciate the board responding to and clarifying their comments. They want to know about commission or volunteer openings. As the link between the board and the district they want to be heard, understood and thanked.

When we seek first to understand we work together better for solutions.

Debbie Peterson is the former Mayor of Grover Beach and a candidate for District 3 Supervisor
in the June 2016 primary


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I wonder if the Hills will have to move from the house they are renting in the SLO Country Club after Mr. Hill loses?


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It would be best for local residents if Hill bowed out now.


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There’s only one way we’re going to change our political climate and ensure we establish some respect in our discourse. And that is to show there is a real price to pay for being a disrespectful idiot.


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I don’t see this as a campaign ad for Debbie as much I see it as a message to all elected’s.

If Adam Hill happens to be listening; that would be great.

If he changes his way of treating the public, then the “ad” is effective.

For heaven’s sake; each speaker gets just 3 minutes…agree to disagree, politely listen and go about your day.


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OK, now that is funny! “Agree to disagree, politely listen and go about your day.”

You do none of the three.


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finally, someone has spoken up about those who speak disrespectfully at our meetings, it isn’t necessary, gets them no where, doesn’t change what is decided, but it does keep ‘good’ people away from the meetings. who wants to go an hear ugliness….not I


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Free campaign ad is right.


She needs money big time to hire a campaign manager, I see this as Debbie being a politician through and through. I think Grover Beach saw right thru her, and that is why John Shoals won big time.


She didn’t do much good for Grover and now she wants to be a county supervisor, eh, I don’t think so.


Debbie stay in real estate where you can’t screw up the lives of a lot of people.I don’t think you were prepared when you pulled papers, you were just desperate or paranoid, not sure which. I don’t want a supervisor who will rush to judgement.


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“John Shoals won big time.”


Really?


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Government employees frequently show the same arrogant, superior attitude. They know that they are untouchable with the protection of powerful public employee unions that have co opted our political leaders. They are the overlords and we are the suckers stuck with the bill. We have become like peasants and serfs. Regrettably, many people like things as they are.


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Way to go. Free campaign ad.


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“I am Debbie Peterson, and I approve this message.”


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If Debbie gets elected, then we have high hopes for more civility on the board….same

goes for Carpenter if he is voted in. Either will be a much better choice than whose thereright now!!

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HILL MUST GO..


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