It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;
What is essential is invisible to the eye …
— Antoine de St. Exupery, “The Little Prince”
There is so, so much going on invisibly, behind the scenes, that cannot be seen, in our fair city of Greenfield, and many of us — its citizens, residents, and workers — are feeling a fair degree of angst. In particular, there is a tremendous amount of conflict between the mayor and many of us cityfolk as regards several issues. Specifically, the handling of the situation regarding Police Chief Robert Haigh Jr. and the cleanup of the Lunt property have been singled out time and time again through “My Turns” and letters in the Greenfield Recorder and verbal testimony given in City Council meetings, both in-person and virtually.
In times of conflict, there are two things needed most and above all: transparency and honesty in communication and openness to listening and acknowledging and considering others’ perspectives
On both of these metrics, our mayor has fared poorly and responded negatively. Her reactions have in fact alienated her and her way of governing from many who vote and choose to live and work in Greenfield. Many have found that her inability to listen with good will, adapt to changing circumstances, and dispense honest and full information have created an ever-growing rift in the city.
Time and again, citizens spread across the entire demographic of Greenfield have shared anger, frustration, and even despair given the mayor’s poor track record regarding the stated needs, concerns, and information shared — sometimes in great detail — by her constituents. She has repeatedly demonstrated an inability to honor her commitment to all Greenfield citizens by listening and responding respectfully. It appears that her responses have been more from a place of “I/me/my ego” by obfuscating and blaming others for the burning issues in our city today. This approach serves no one well, and the city as an entity is suffering under her “leadership.”
Clearly, she could do better — and so could we all. Her defensiveness and reactivity should not be met by our city’s citizens going up the conflict escalator with her. Rather, we, residents of Greenfield, should meet her negative behaviors and attitude with appropriate indignation and righteous anger without resorting to the name-calling and vitriol that has been seen and heard around town over the past many weeks.
What Greenfield really needs at this point in a time of high conflict is a meaningful way for its citizens to have their voice, individually and collectively. It is high time for this voice/these voices to be heard in and around City Hall and throughout the city by being taken seriously and respectfully, and for changes to be considered, then made. It is indeed human to err; it is less than humane to ignore or deny one’s errors as we have seen at the highest level in our city. By being forthright, the people of Greenfield have a right to demand the same of our mayor. We must insist on nothing less. In government and governance, as in life, accountability is paramount. And, all of us are wholly accountable — to ourselves, to one another. That includes our mayor, each and every day.
“Rising up” should be a high point — showing and sharing the best of what people have to offer — and, with it, the suggestion of positive solutions, alternate pathways, and increased commitment and determination to be the change that we want to see. If trust is indeed an issue today with our city government, and particularly its elected leader, then we must manifest this trust with one another through our own best efforts at open and honest communication and respectful listening and addressing of one another. We need to utilize the one best question that exists within humankind: “Is there more?” as a way of unpacking that which has been hidden, that which has been minimized, and that which has not been shared with respectful language. In response to this question, we need answers. Clear, open, and honest answers. Nothing less will do.
Although we write as citizens, voters, and residents of Greenfield, we are, at the same time, the chairperson and the clerk of the Greenfield Human Rights Commission. We call on all of us to “rise up,” to be our highest selves, and to demand the same of our mayor. She could, and she should, do much better on many metrics, and so should we. If she cannot, she should step down. If we cannot, we should step aside.
Daniel Cantor Yalowitz and William “Wid” Perry are city residents and serve on the Human Rights Commission in Greenfield.