There is something remarkable going on in the chambers of City Hall, perhaps even cause for celebration. Since the election and turnover of our City Council, there has been the usual rhetoric combined with some unhealthy divisiveness.
But I’m hearing something encouraging, hints of a change in tone.
I’m beginning to feel optimistic about the people of this town narrowing their division and settling in on things they can agree on. Our City Council, under Mayor Bruce Ehlers’ leadership, is chipping away at issues that matter.
The community’s dialogue is informing the subtle yet meaningful initiatives, changes, and considerations. The division that was so apparent, even prevalent in prior meetings, seems to be shifting to a more respectful tempo. If we’re not careful, this shift could become contagious.
It’s remarkable how a little grace and respect can be so beneficial in fostering civil discourse.
Since the swearing-in event, the vitriol, while still present, is diminishing. Residents are talking, and the people and council are listening.
Despite the San Francisco Chronicle’s inaccurate and wrongheaded May 17 opinion piece by guest columnist and former Voice of San Diego editor Sara Libby — describing Encinitas as a “wealthy, heartless enclave” — the truth is the community is full of compassionate and engaged residents.
Libby omitted some critical details available prior to her writing, such as the fact that our current City Council unanimously approved a financial grant to our local Community Resource Center (CRC).
And two weeks later, they again unanimously extended the lease for the safe parking area for the homeless, and just this week, unanimously approved with compassion the Homeless Action Plan (HAP) with what appeared to be general agreement in the gallery. In the thoughtful council deliberations following the public comments, it was clear that the council was listening and had done its homework on the issue.
In fact, they called this “special” council meeting specifically to allow enough time to properly and thoroughly consider the challenges of this complicated subject. The results included directions to staff to draft a fourth objective concerning tighter enforcement of laws, as well as cleaning up the document to contain more concise language and accountability attributes.
These changes, which appeared to be agreeable to all sides by the end of the meeting, were also noted.
Regrettably, some of the nastiness continues as each side trades barbs (without much perspective or grace) behind the scenes through the impersonal world of social media as some activist folks fan the flames of the remnants of the Encinitas hit piece (Libby’s ridiculous Op-Ed) with their crowd, and the other side exposing the worst of the worst.
However, the leadership of the City Council has largely modulated the noise of the extremes and shown that they can lead not just through their words, but also through their actions. They have demonstrated that they not only listen well but are willing to act, deliberately and thoughtfully.
What also adds to my optimism is what I witnessed last night. Once the public comments had been heard, the remaining crowd appeared to be completely and civilly engaged on both sides. During the break, the two sides appeared to be engaged in real dialogue. I saw the leadership from the CRC having what appeared to be a productive sidebar discussion with a regular speaker from the “other side.”
The people of Encinitas are talking, and more importantly, appear to be listening. With a little grace and respect among us, Encinitas has the opportunity to lead by example as it navigates through state and national issues at our local level.
Mike Lewis
Encinitas
