Public Service Has No Price Tag

I’m sure you all read this week about the man who felt he was failing in his contracting business and blamed the government for over-taxing him. He was clearly a tortured soul, writing a manifesto that cursed the burdensome rules and regulations that kept him from getting ahead, and then he burned down his home and flew his airplane into an IRS Building. His daughter called him a “hero”.

Wrong in so many ways.

But when the whole event finally played out, I didn’t think so much about him and why he would be frustrated enough to do such a thing.  I could relate, in some very small way, with his frustration, as I think many of us can as we continue to cut back and cut coupons to make ends meet.

Most of my thoughts were about the only other person he killed.

That poor working guy who showed up to work and was probably sitting there in his office or cubicle trying to figure out what to do for the next person on the phone who was undoubtedly yelling at him about the outrageous and evil government who was trying to fleece him or her – or worse, the person who was crying because he or she can’t pay the mortgage and the taxes that month.

Because I’d like to think that’s what you do in public service. You listen and you try to help and sometimes you are hamstrung by rules you are given. If the rules don’t make sense, they can be changed, but that does not happen unless people take action and raise issues with local and state officials who are in a position to do that. It can be tough, daunting and slow, but it can be done with help and perseverance.

Vernon Hunter was that guy in the cubicle.

Hunter’s son, Ken Hunter, said in the media that he was alarmed by comments that the plane’s pilot was a hero. “How can you call someone a hero who after he burns down his house, he gets into his plane … and flies it into a building to kill people?” Hunter told ABC.” “My dad Vernon did two tours of duty in Vietnam. My dad’s a hero.” I, too, am incredulous as to what the world chooses to focus on.

Have you been to the Capitol? Inside the working seat of our state government? If you haven’t, you really should visit. But not just the Governor’s Office with his name in gold and the big bronze bear that sits in front just waiting for the next photo op. Go visit your District Representative’s office. That would be Lois Wolk on the Senate side and Mariko Yamada on the Assembly side. Let them know what you’re concerned about and see where their staff works

Most Legislative Members offices are not what folks think – they are not big and luxurious – they are cramped and usually unattractive. Their staff work out of cubicles that are jammed together like little puzzle pieces but they’re darn glad to be there. They’re an elite group; Public service junkies that help their constituents where and when they can.

There is no monument to staffers on the Capitol grounds. But if I ran the world, there would be.

Just like there would be one over by Borders and Pluto’s – right there in the grass at the Davis Commons – for all of the concerned citizens and parents who give their time and energy to volunteer at hospitals, schools, churches and senior centers and mentor someone in a skill, or collect nail clippers for a hygiene kit to send en masse to Haiti, or to silently hold someone’s hand as they tell a story from the past or face the unknown.

And because I am lucky to live in such an activist community not a day goes by that there isn’t someone I am grateful to or for.

Today, I want to say a big THANK YOU to Lori Carpenter and Delia Christian for making sure that Coach Dino Clark had a photo plaque carefully signed by all of the members of the Harper 8th grade girls basketball team – did I mention their second 10-0 undefeated season before winning the YCAL championships? AND that all the Harper girls had sweatshirts in correct sizes commemorating their victory season. And thank you Dino, for that matter!

For all of you who make cookies for teams and scouts, sit with seniors, rescue stray animals and work to make the world work better expecting nothing in return, we salute you and appreciate you. Your work is valued, even when many folks may not have time to say so because they are having a harder time making ends meet and having to work longer hours while growing increasingly frustrated with the way things work in ways they can’t control.

Volunteers, we need you now more than ever!

And now, I want to encourage all Davis Voice readers to see one great example of teamwork and volunteerism at its pinnacle here in Davis – come see how the real pros do it in South Davis at the Pioneer Elementary School auction this Saturday at 5:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Center.

For $25 you will be fed a delicious dinner, entertainment, and incredible bargains – from handmade items and art, weekends at time shares, dental work and house painting by local contractors – more importantly, you will find a welcoming spirit that is positively infectious. Meet some of your far-flung neighbors from the South side and help raise funds that will help our elementary school students learn!!

Keep it up Davis, see you in South Davis on Saturday night!