In what only can be described as a victory in defeat, 1,038 folks in Janesville had the audacity to pencil in the twelve letters of the name “Backenkeller” for Janesville city council. This is by no means a small feat coming after only three weeks notice of her candidacy and with little advertising. Truly amazing! This also shows there is a solid core of support to bring new priorities and considerations that have largely been absent from the city's budget and planning process. Progress hasn't been defeated yet, a pulse still exists.
But it also shows there are huge obstacles to overcome for Janesville to pull itself out of the mind-fog and stagnancy it has so freely come to accept as part of its identity. Its’ also a sad testament to the state of political affairs and public discourse in Janesville and shows a complete breakdown in the willingness of the people to organize themselves if only to control their own destiny.
Tuesday’s vote confirms the continued and expanding Chicago machine-like death grip the Janesville Gazette and Forward Janesville has on the city. Trying to create a sustainable economy in Janesville under these circumstances is nearly impossible. We can't wait another generation.
We can do better – we must do better.
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