(This Letter to the Editor was also submitted to the Three Lakes News)Dear Editor:
This spring has been unseasonably hot in Three Lakes. Between the Military Road issue and the Town Board election, the recent arctic front couldn't even begin to cool things off.
What’s been causing all the heat? Vehicles with political signs being towed away and impounded, a town official on election day threatening to have another vehicle with a political sign towed away, unprovoked threats by the police, ribbons marking Military Road trees being torn off and left to lay, with the perpetrators accusing the tree markers of littering. Top that off with hate mail and threatening phone calls, and you've got plenty of tinder for a scorching blaze.
Why did this happen in the normally quiet and friendly community of Three Lakes? Because fresh blood and new ideas are often considered threatening to those who get used to doing things the same way. When I first got involved in the community, I was treated like a piece of...well, to put it politely, I was treated like I didn't matter. A faction of the Town Board first ignored me, and when I didn't go away they gave me the runaround. When that didn't work either, they tried to discredit and censor me.
A healthy organization welcomes new thoughts and energy, because they help it grow and adapt to change. Thankfully, that is now starting to happen in Three Lakes. New faces are appearing in our town government. There were many kind and caring people who had given up because they thought there was no chance for their voice to be heard. They now have renewed hope--they are speaking up, getting involved, and coming to Town Board Meetings.
This is democracy in practice--everyone coming together to work for the common good, rather than a small handful of people making the decisions for everybody. That was not the fault of our elected officials, we must remember, because if they are truly going to serve us, it is our responsibility to speak up, vote, and get involved.
This has all come at a cost--thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours most of us didn't have to spare, along with having to face angry and mean-spirited people. But it was all worth it--I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it was needed. I have made friends with some of the Board members and I have many new friends in the community. And--most rewarding to me--I've discovered that we're not so different after all. We all dream of a safe and beautiful, thriving community where we can live in peace and mutual respect. I'm hoping we can rise from the ashes of conflict and be a shining example for others of what a true community can be.
Tamarack Song
Three Lakes
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