On election night, as Scott S. explained, those who worked tirelessly to communicate information and advocate for the streetscape bond shared in a well-earned celebration at two of Downtown Farmington’s finest establishments. And no doubt those who worked tirelessly in opposition to the streetscape bond shared conversations filled with disappointment, resignation. Maybe even a little anger.
This system of duality – a choice between “yes” and “no” – leaves us today with winners and losers, but it is not the final word on Downtown Farmington. Many streetscape supporters still doing the “happy dance” also see the enormity of the task now before us. A “yes” vote this time around carried with it a sense of responsibility. Walking away from the ballot box meant walking toward something that will require even more of us than we have already given.
Progress is not five minutes spent filling out a little black circle on a ballot. Progress is not “winning” or even “losing” an election, it is not a park or a pavilion or benches or trees or bump-outs. All of these things may guide and direct, but progress is the energy of forward movement and (r)evolutionary thinking. That’s why “Move Farmington Forward,” represented at www.movefarmingtonforward.org should not fold. The committee formed to advocate in this election could shift to a broader view of its informal mission: “We’re a not-for-profit group of private citizens determined to help make the city of Farmington, Michigan an even better place to live, work, and visit!”.
Here are just a few potential issues that would benefit from clear-minded community leadership:
The Downtown parking study waiting in the wings and its implications (presumably that ominous parking deck people keep talking about);
The $60,000 branding study whose results have not yet been revealed (and why is that?);
Farmington’s many options for shared services and amenities with neighboring cities (say, like… Livonia);
Completing the “switchback” path that will connect the central business district with Shiawassee Park.
Somewhere in the myriad opportunities to Move Farmington Forward we could surely find one or two that would galvanize and engage our entire community – including those who voted “no” on this issue. Perhaps it involves discovering creative and permanent ways to reduce the cost of city government and our collective dependence on city services. Or supporting residents who face tough times. Take a look at what Oakland County has done for one family that faced an unbelievable number of devastating tragedies in just a year: http://www.oakgov.com/house/
Farmington’s turnout on August 5 amounted to more than double the anticipated state-wide average and almost double the average in Oakland County. When we all care about an issue, no matter what our positions, we show up. Right now, this looks like a game of winners and losers. But think about what we could accomplish if, on just one issue, we could all stand together.
–Joni Hubred-Golden
Enterprise Publisher
