I write this open letter to you to let you know what I want from you. I want you to be good role models for the young people who learn from you. I want you to model good citizenship, which for me means keeping your behavior above reproach and to remove yourself from anything that gives even the hint of impropriety.
I want you to take the high road whenever possible, and it is always possible. However, what I want most is for you to be able to enter into differences of opinions through civil discourse without the need to be degrading, derogatory, demeaning, denigrating, or disrespectful of your fellow elected officials, citizens or even competitors.
I think we can always make our points about issues with real facts and information without personal attacks and innuendo about other people.
As the local campaign season ramps up, I would like us to do the opposite of what we see in the national scene. The pitch and tenor of the vitriol on the national level saddens me greatly and I know Fayette County can be so much better than that. I was taught many years ago that you don’t have to knock down someone else’s building in order to build the tallest building in town.
For the past few years, I have read in local newspapers, articles and letters to the editor from elected officials that quite honestly have made me sick inside. I have also sat through public meetings where I have had the same feeling. I think there are ardent points to be made about many issues, but I think it can be done without slander, name calling and meanness.
If I were an outsider reading some of the articles written by paid elected public servants and was thinking about re-locating to Fayette County, I might have second thoughts. I think as citizens we should be able to hold our elected officials to a higher standard when it comes to human interaction and public communication.
It is very painful to see one elected official say mean-spirited things about their fellow elected officials. I would like you all to maintain a high level of professional decorum and civility in public meetings and in the media.
We are watching you; the next generation is watching you. Tact, diplomacy and maturity matters when it comes to public service. Not everything that comes up should come out. Please take the time to think before you speak or write and ask the following questions:
Will my comments add value to the conversation? Will my comments pose harm or hurt to another? Are my comments necessary? What goal am I trying to accomplish through what I say and write? Is my goal self-serving or public-serving? Are my comments respectful to the office I hold and the oath I took when I was sworn into office?
As we continue this year, I would like to see more personal restraint and higher levels of professionalism from my elected officials and those who are seeking to be elected officials.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my request. I think if we all practiced the Golden Rule more we would be better public servants and citizens.
Dawn C. Oparah
Fayetteville, Ga.
[Dawn Oparah is co-founder of AVPride, a local nonprofit organization that serves children and families in addressing academic achievement, healthy behavior choices and post-secondary opportunities.]
