Friday, March 29, 2024

LETTER: Some thoughts on local politics

Here in Flower Mound we’ve just gone through one of the most negative, dirty campaigns I’ve ever been involved with. There’s a long history of contention between two groups in diametric opposition on several issues regarding the future growth of our Town.

Last year one of the opposing sides lost two seats on the Town Council after a bitter election season. For the most part the losing candidates from 2016 did not put forth a platform of specific ideas, instead they chose to tear down their opponents by spreading hysteria concerning the issues, misrepresent facts, offend their neighbors and promote hostility. During their campaigns, the losers could not, or would not, verbalize what their vision for the Town was and in many cases ignored questions from the voters.

This year, there were three Town Council seats to elect. Again, the rhetoric, malicious innuendo, and name calling prevailed. Both “sides” had supporters slinging some mud. No side’s hands were entirely clean. That being said, one group definitely went off the rails with the underhandedness and viciousness in their attacks against those they disagreed with. They refused, or were not capable of, answering questions about their own qualifications for the office they sought. They repeatedly refused to acknowledge the faults of their candidates even after presented with verified proof of lies being told, inaccuracies cited and threats that had been made against the Town by someone they supported. Instead, they chose to double down in the vindictive, divisive bashing of their opponents.

The losers from 2016 were especially snarky, contemptuous and bitter in their scathing posts for those with opposing views. The churlish behavior evidently turned many voters against the candidates that were supported by the cantankerous posters. Evidence of the public’s displeasure was demonstrated at the polls when all three of their candidates were successfully defeated by those who demonstrated the qualities that define leadership.

They were relatively quiet for the week following their defeat. I assumed that they were rethinking their negative strategy, but I was wrong. They are back on the popular Town websites spouting inaccurate information once again and throwing out passive/aggressive jabs. I’m just amazed that they can’t wrap their heads around the fact that people are not buying the falsehoods they are peddling. They didn’t learn from their mistakes in 2016 nor in last week’s election and apparently they are going to try the same approach again. Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results. That type of game plan is insane.

I think Flower Mound 2.0 (one of our local Facebook pages) strives to have open dialogue about a variety of subjects. I’ve heard people say that if they offer an opposing view on this site they are “ganged up” on. Just because people back up their opinions with facts and truth doesn’t mean they are “ganging up” on others. In most cases it simply means they are trying to put forth the issues with logic and common sense and not buying the histrionics that are intended to cause drama around an issue.

The election is over. Some folks won. Some folks lost. It’s time to support those who are on Town Council and give them a chance to do the right thing. I wish that the nit picky, snarky and petty behavior would just stop. People are tired of it. Waiting to play “gotcha” at every opportunity accomplishes nothing.

Janet Jones
Flower Mound, TX

CTG Staff
CTG Staff
The Cross Timbers Gazette News Department

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