Back on September 23rd, the Janesville Gazette editorialized that residents should drop the referendum idea regarding the $5 million project. On the surface I agree with the idea that we elect leaders to make decisions and should let them do their jobs. But now it’s only a matter picking and choosing sites, bells and whistles which most agree should be left up to the council and committees. However, we've gotten way ahead of ourselves, the problem here is that the initial decision to go ahead with planning a new aquatics center is what most are opposed to.
Again, most are questioning the logic and authority to move forward with the spending and the planning in the first place. Recent observations of neglected city-run parks and existing pool facilities also makes the addition of a multi-million dollar aquatics facility to the city’s maintenance inventory seem like a folly.
The Gazette noted their editorial rejected the referendum idea and did not endorse any pool plan. But they did not reject the administration's initial plan to move on a new facility either, it can be safely assumed at this point their position is pro-new water facility.
But this argument is not about the aquatic center in the Gazette’s eyes. Janesville in their view is run just like the growth doctor ordered – a small council of seven volunteer citizens elected at-large, a city manager whose duty and position is relegated to little more than bean counting, and citizen committees handpicked, approved and indoctrinated by the very administration they are charged to oversee. Some might say I’m bashing the city council and manager. I’m not. Most of them, but not all are dedicated people doing a decent job with what they have - I just strongly disagree with the agenda and the non-representation process. In an earlier posting, I’ve said that Janesville operates essentially leaderless, but again that has nothing to do with city hall personnel. It’s set up to be leaderless – it’s the process. The power players love it.
The continuous suggestion of a referendum on nearly every major new project is a vote of no-confidence in city leadership, plain and simple. This is what the Gazette wants to shut down.
Janesville, like many cities across the U.S. has taken the pro-growth route as the priority in nearly every decision they make, when they should be making decisions based on everything BUT growth. When things are working right and decisions are based on quality and not quantity, the environment, affordability, long-term durability, access, adaptability, future expansion and enjoyment - growth will follow.
Unfortunately though, if it comes down to a referendum for the aquatics facility, the pro-growth club will be out in full force just like they were with the school referendum. The power players including the chamber of commerce will have to spend money to run ads in the paper. The Gazette will run articles about peer cities with pool facilities, growth charts and quality of life issues till you turn blue, while those against the aquatics expenditure inherently don’t have the media resources or the organization. The growth people will prevail.
JG Editorial Excerpt:I know this will sound like surrender but considering the way things are set up in Janesville, we’re better off trusting the council to do the right thing. This way there is a chance however remote, they might opt for smart choices including to restore, renovate and maintain the recreational facilities we have. Either way, opposition to future spending projects and corporate welfare growth enticements will fall on deaf ears in city government at least until some people with a new and different perspective are brought in, and the system is changed.
We generally don't favor referendums for making tough decisions. They cost money.
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