Blame a Long List of Local Politicians…

Lately I’ve felt some urgency to acknowledge that at this moment in time, Goshen can boast a climate of political civility.
Way to go, US (curtsies and bows all around, batting of eyelashes)!
If we didn’t know it before, we should know NOW that what we have is FRAGILE. It suddenly seems possible that one loud, mean-spirited voice can sour a whole room, a whole community, even an entire country.
I used to take for granted that it was the responsibility of elected officials to cultivate civility in democratic dialogue. I just thought it was part of the job. I figured that if the very people who like to talk about government policy (politicians) don’t stand up for peaceful communication, who the heck will? I thought the exchange of ideas (without the threat of violence!) was a traditional American value, even a sacred right.
Maybe it was naive. Americans do, after all, have an impressively violent civil war in the national scrapbook (well, an UNcivil war).
But if I’ve clung to some idealized version of civic discourse, it’s not my fault; I blame a whole bunch of Goshen politicians.
Over the years, our city has had a multitude of difficult community conversations, conversations about race, culture, sexuality, religion, money. These are the kinds of discussions that can rattle even the most “well-behaved” among us.
Former Mayor Allan Kauffman managed to preside over controversial town hall meetings without ever using words like “loser” or “moron,” without suggesting that people deserved to be dragged out of an auditorium on a stretcher, or punched in the face.
And council members of both political parties have carried that same civil spirit over the years. Councilman Jim McKee always offers a smile and a handshake. Councilman Ahlersmeyer was genuinely kind to me when I campaigned in his neighborhood. Councilwoman Gautsche will literally not say a petty word against anyone (despite my occasional encouragement).
You get the point, right? I could give you a laundry list of the things I value about every single member of city council.
In Mayor Jeremy Stutsman we have a real gentleman — a guy who says “bless you” to the stranger who sneezes next to him in an auditorium (I’ve heard him); a guy who quickly and quietly gives up his seat to an elderly person in a crowded room (I’ve seen him); and a guy who is downright funny (I’ve laughed with him).
None of this means local politicians won’t ever disagree on issues that come before the council. It’s actually our JOB to enter into some uncomfortable conversations. We will inevitably annoy one another from time to time. That’s okay. Talking through disagreements is a proud Goshen tradition.
Curtsies and bows, Everyone!