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Saturday, July 14, 2012

On civility

Is this the face of civility in Charlestown?

Hint: There’s more to it than mere politeness

By Linda Felaco

Twice now, in as many town council meetings, the Progressive Charlestown blog as a whole, and indefatigable blogger Will Collette in particular, has been denounced from the dais for an alleged lack of “civility.” Indeed, at the most recent council meeting, these denunciations even inspired Jim Mageau, who I think will agree with me is not exactly known around town as being Mr. Civility himself, to point out that civility is also in short order on the website of the Charlestown Citizens Alliance. So what exactly does it mean to be “civil,” and where has Progressive Charlestown fallen short?


The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word “civil” as follows:

civ·il
ADJECTIVE:
  1. Of, relating to, or befitting a citizen or citizens: civil duties.
  2. Of or relating to citizens and their interrelations with one another or with the state: civil society; the civil branches of government.
  3. Of ordinary citizens or ordinary community life as distinguished from the military or the ecclesiastical: civil authorities.
  4. Of or in accordance with organized society; civilized.
  5. Sufficiently observing or befitting accepted social usages; not rude: a civil reply. See Synonyms at polite.
  6. Being in accordance with or denoting legally recognized divisions of time: a civil year.
  7. Law Relating to the rights of private individuals and legal proceedings concerning these rights as distinguished from criminal, military, or international regulations or proceedings.
Let’s examine the first two definitions: “Of, relating to, or befitting a citizen or citizens” and “Of or relating to citizens and their interrelations with one another or with the state.” Is not the highest duty of a citizen in a democracy to participate in government and keep informed about government actions? Is that not the raison d’ĂȘtre of Progressive Charlestown, to inform the Charlestown citizenry by reporting on the actions of Charlestown government? A prime motivator for the creation of Progressive Charlestown was the shortage of coverage about the goings-on in our town.

The next two definitions are “Of ordinary citizens or ordinary community life as distinguished from the military or the ecclesiastical” and “Of or in accordance with organized society; civilized.” Again, nothing here that does not apply to Progressive Charlestown: The blog is not part of the military, and, as a form of electronic media, is surely a part of organized society. Indeed, Progressive Charlestown does not confine itself to merely reporting on the activities of town government; we also report on life and activities in our community, as a resource to citizens and visitors alike.
OK, maybe it's not civil to compare
a town leader to a children's book
character. But it's satire. Get over it.

Indeed, it’s only when you work your way down to definition number 5 that you find the meaning of “civil” that our esteemed town leaders claim we’ve violated: “Sufficiently observing or befitting accepted social usages; not rude.” Apparently, exposing the foibles and missteps of town leaders is considered rude. But what exactly is so “civil” about the words and deeds of those very town leaders who are denouncing Progressive Charlestown for its lack of civility? 

Is it civil to heap praise and salary increases on an employee one month and fire him the next (i.e., the “Kill Bill” campaign)? Is it civil to collude with outside organizations to steer town tax dollars in their direction (i.e., Y-gate)? Is it civil to undermine the hard work of town commissions and attempt to dilute their influence by making outsiders and outside groups “stakeholders” in the areas under their purview (i.e., the battle for Ninigret Park)? Is it civil to initiate major initiatives without the involvement of the responsible commission (i.e., the Platner-Gentz Affordable Housing Deconstruction Act)? Is it civil to publicly berate the superintendent of schools because “the rent is too damn high” while at the very same meeting voting to give away an amount of tax dollars roughly equivalent to the “too high” Chariho increase? Is it civil to offer a modicum of tax relief to struggling homeowners only on condition that they be willing to expose their finances to a panel of fellow citizens and beg for mercy? Is it civil to publicly and repeatedly berate a local business owner for choosing not to cancel his mother-in-law’s 80th birthday party after being told he couldn’t serve beer and wine on the patio of his establishment? Is it civil to not only oppose a resolution championed by our own state representative but to call it “onerous”?

On Monday night, Council President Tom Gentz exhorted those of us who “have influence” with Will to rein him in. Well, Mr. Gentz, whatever influence I may have over Will, I will not be using to further your agenda. I will continue to cheer on his efforts to expose the rampant hypocrisy that this present town council reeks of. And, as Cliff Vanover threatened last year when the council was debating the use of open space bond funds to pay for our lovely new beach pavilions, I will work hard for your defeat in November. Consider that a promise.