Piper's Hidden Agenda for Delmont

"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."

George Orwell

It may seem like a very strange time to talk about "my agenda" for Delmont, but it is Election time, no my term isn't up yet, and I have feeling that some may be out there trying to use fabricated stories about what I believe to try and discredit candidates of which I have positive impressions.  I have positive impressions and minor concerns for all of the new candidates.  I have positive impressions and concerns for the incumbents that seek to hold power.  The way I will vote is based solely on my beliefs of those who truly care and represent the people of Delmont and act according to their will as much as practicable; and, the candidates who have some vision of what our Community can become.

Anyone, including people associated with the Borough, past or present who would say anything that is inconsistent with what I write here is a bold face liar.    Furthermore,  I believe that anyone that would misconstrue my positions and spread them has an agenda of their own.  If you want to know my position just ask.  I always try to make myself available and I provide my e-mail address, david4delmont@gmail.com, in most of my public postings.  Warning, I am human and as I learn more and circumstances change my positions will change as well maintaining the People of Delmont and the future of our Community as guiding principles.

What is the crux of my Agenda?  

To develop a plan that would embrace the phrase "Preserving/respecting our past, vibrantly living the present, and creating a sustainable future."  I have ideas but this is something that all citizens of Delmont must discuss.  What legacy do we want to leave our progeny.    This is extremely complex and difficult to engage citizens as recently demonstrated by 1) Delmont Zoning Ordinance update, and 2) The County's efforts to re Image Westmoreland.  I have been to several of these workshops and meetings and the attendance has declined.  What I find most interesting is many of the people that came to the final public commenting meeting were absent from the actual planning process where their concerns could have been considered and possibly built into the final product.

1. To make Delmont a reasonably safe, and secure Community with many amenities that enhance economic vitality, provide for various forms of recreational activities, educational enhancement activities, environmentally sustainable living area  that all lead to a happy and healthy population. This might mean putting some Sacred Fat cows on a diet, but it doesn't mean killing the cow.  Or if the cow is to remain so fat, that would necessitate increasing revenue generating techniques in order to provide a more balanced diet to the rest of the animals on the farm.  My use of "reasonably safe" may make some nervous, and some may argue that you can never be too safe.  Ben Franklin said it best when he said, They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty, nor safety."  It is so important that Patriotic Americans remember "fear" and "terrorism"  are the primary tools of those who wish to become Tyrants, and they helped Hitler secure power in 1933.
2. Create the atmosphere where all citizens of Delmont feel respected and motivated to participate in local government to the extent that they wish.
3. To encourage a sense of Leadership in Delmont that is willing to accept responsibility, and  accountability for their actions and hold a firm line on the division of powers and areas of responsibility.  I have not seen any signs of strong leadership since I started following local politics closely six years ago.

Why do I blog?

1. I want to be as transparent as the law will allow,  explain the issues as I understand them, and encourage you, the citizens of Delmont, to share with me your concerns so that I can represent you to the best of my ability.
2. There have been actions by Council that have insulted my intelligence, my view of how a Democracy is supposed to function, and my understanding of what it means to be a Patriotic American.  Please understand that not all of these feelings are currently being felt but this is an overview of why I got involved in Delmont Politics in the first place.  Also, please note I stressed "me" and "my" not because I wish to be egocentric but because it is my opinion of how I am viewing the situation through my biased half century of life.  Everyone has their own views based on their biases and life situations.
3. Since I have been elected I have felt isolated from my fellow Council people.  Some of this I am sure is my fault, but nobody has approached me and I feel that over-all I am talking to a close minded group of individuals. From my perspective there are some that may be semi open to ideas but for what ever reason feel safer going with the status quo. Consequently, I appeal to you the electorate to voice your opinions on different issues based on what I write.  I know that they will listen to you at least around election time.
4. Sometimes I blog certain things just  just to spark discussions.  In a democracy it is important to get as many individuals as possible involved.