The Promise to Listen

Published  Dec.  19, 2012 in The Sun-Gazette.

 "Listening to someone is the most Christian thing a person can do," said Rev. Tom Elson the first time I heard him preach.  It was a long time ago, but I remember it well.  His explanation centered on the respect for the other person's equality - "thy neighbor as thyself" - that true listening conveys.

   On Tuesday, December 11, 2012, Lindsay's longtime mayor Ed Murray stepped down and the three top vote-getters of November's election were sworn in.  The top two vote-getters were new, and both had run on the need for change.  One of the biggest changes they noted was the need to listen to the people, the residents of this community.

   Rosaena Sanchez, who received the most votes by far, ran her campaign on the promise to listen.  On one of her flyers she is quoted as saying "The problem isn't that the people in this town are not engaged in their community.  The problem is that they have been ignored."  Almost prophetically, she ended "This is unacceptable and will change the day I am elected."

   We had to wait a month for the elections office to finish counting the ballots, but on the first day of her term, only minutes after taking the oath of office, things did indeed change.  Although Mayor Ed had chosen Pam Kimball to succeed him, an office Pam was certainly poised to take, the two new members quickly nominated Ramona Padilla for mayor.  When the vote was taken and Ramona added the third "aye" for herself, the City of Lindsay received a real Christmas present:  a new mayor who is capable of listening.

   It was a huge step for Ramona to take, away from the promise of being one of them to the hope of being more herself.  Anyone who knows her can congratulate her for making that leap.  It's possible her experiences on the council these past two turbulent years helped her choose:  Mayor Ed ran a tighter ship than she agreed with, I think.  Whatever the reasons, I think we're going to see real growth in the council's receptiveness to the public over the next two years.  Ms. Padilla is a community builder.

  What this means for me personally is that now I can go to city council meetings without strapping on a full set of armor, knowing it's useless anyway.  I can go with questions and suggestions.  I can ask for information ahead of time.  I can meet individually with 3 of the 5 members without being afraid I'll be rebuffed or ridiculed.  It means my notions of proper planning in a rural community might get some air play, might even be heard.  One or two of them might even be implemented before I die.  What this means for me is so large I feel light-headed, euphoric.  Friends have warned that my bubble could easily burst.

   But what it means for all of us is equally large.  The one thing about the promise to listen is that, in order to work, it requires someone to speak.  We've become so used to not being heard in this town that we're rusty when it comes to speaking up.

   So, friends, let's practice.  It's much easier speaking up in a warm friendly environment than a cold formal one.  Let's make it not only a new day in Lindsay, but a new year.  Merry Christmas!!!
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Trudy Wischemann is a half-cocked environmental planner and passionate agrarian advocate who writes.  You can send her your bubbles of hope % P.O. Box 1374, Lindsay CA 93247