Life with the Lions (Phase 2) [View All]

“The states that are today nominally democratic have either to become frankly totalitarian or, if they are to be truly democratic, they must become courageously non-violent.” – Gandhi

{1} I took the oath of office, and started my term on the school board last night. Two things stood out: first, I became the official “link” to the NYS representatives from our region, replacing the Tea Partier that I defeated in the recent election; and second, I had the opportunity to listen in on an extended conversation on the negotiations with the teachers' union.

I've had quite a bit of experience with union issues over the decades. Part of this was in the context of factory work, and then as the VP of the county employees' union. More, my father headed the railroad telegraphers union, before becoming a supervisor in the factory where I eventually worked; and on my mother's side, a number of relatives in the construction industry have been union officials.

As within any such group, there are a range of positions when management deals with unions. The focus can concentrate on those on each side that prefer to argue every issue, or it can be on finding the common ground that allows for a negotiated agreement. Because the teachers have worked for two years without a contract, it is safe to say that hostility has the upper hand at the present time.

The board member heading our efforts noted that in the past two months, the teachers seem more optimistic about reaching a settlement. When others asked why this was, he admitted that he didn't know. As this was my first meeting, I did not say that a number of teachers have told me that, with my election in May, they now feel that there is one board member who respects them.


{2} This afternoon, I plan to attend a meeting of the top anti-fracking movement leaders. The focus is on how to best present our case to Governor Cuomo. At the last meeting I attended, people were expressing severe disappointment with Cuomo's former brother-in-law, environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has taken a position on the state's hydro-fracking advisory board. One local leader said that it was a shame that we didn't have a connection to Kennedy; a woman pointed at me, and said, “He has been friends with Kennedy for many years.”

Within any group, there are those who define the struggle in very different terms. I can only speak for myself. But my plan to discuss an option involving a Gandhi-style program aimed at Cuomo and Kennedy. I will lay out my plan, and should anyone care to join me on the front line, that is fine. If not, I understand that, too.

It seems to me that Cuomo and Kennedy are far more likely to feel and respond to such an effort, at least at this point, than would any of the rabid pro-fracking people. I have some correspondences from when Robert went to jail in San Juan in 2001. He noted that he was not making any real sacrifice, and that his incarceration merely provided him with some quiet reading time. That is distinct from what I am planning.


{3} This weekend, my high school class will be getting together on both Friday evening/night and Saturday. In part, I attend to serve as a designated driver. This year, I have another reason to go.

One of my former classmates now heads a large energy corporation, that serves a large area in the northeast. His grandfather founded the company in the days of the railroads and coal. His father was invested in oil. He is joining others who are invested in fracking.

Although he and I subscribe to very different realities, we maintain a respectful if casual friendship. One area of common ground is local high school basketball. Three brothers – his cousins – held our school's scoring record, from 1968 to 1998. My nephew then doubled it. His daughter holds the school's girls' basketball scoring record; my brother-in-law taught her how to play at the highest level.

When we saw each other before a recent town board meeting, we shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. After the meeting, I thought he was trying to avoid me, so I went out of my way to again shake hands with him. He continued on his way to his vehicle, then turned around and came back. He told me that a gave “one hell of a speech” that night.

I think he is a good and decent guy. When anti-fracking people have called him at his business, he has said that he would not do anything that he thought created a health risk for others. I believe that. I am convinced that he has been lied to by other gas industry people.

This weekend, I will try to get a chance to talk to him. I'll explain my position in greater detail. I will tell him about my plans per Cuomo and Kennedy. I am not seeking to change his mind this weekend. But I do want to give him things to think about, which are very different from what the gas industry people have told him.

Peace,
H2O Man