Cook says "can't have your cake ..."

According to a recent CDT article, Senator Jake Corman has agreed to serve as a mediator between the State College Area School Board and State High Vision over the proposed $102 million dollar high school renovation, which I have blogged about previously and will continue to do so in the future as the situation, and its projected price tag, inflates....

In the meanwhile, I want to comment on a few things that others have said, including Mr. Bob Heisse, and then offer a thought.

First from Mr. Heisse:

"Mediation can be a good thing and it seems that if Corman serves this role in
State College, perhaps State High Vision and the school board could spend a few
weeks in Harrisburg mediating the deep divide in the Legislature over meaningful
tax reform for Pennsylvanians."

Well thanks for that, Bob! I can see know why CDT editors make such good public elected officials - they understand the scope of what elected officials do! Let me help you, Bob - Jake Corman is a State Senator. It is his job to address issues of local concern to the state in whatever means he deems most appropriate - and if that means mediating rather than bringing it up on the General Assembly floor - so be it! After all, I didn't see you complaining about his efforts to help State College get a new baseball stadium... Nice try at muddying the waters, though!

Then from the article:

"CCP, a community group, has expressed support for the board's planning process.
'I see this as an obstructionist tactic' by SHV, said Mary Dupuis, a leader of
CCP. She called it a 'purely political ploy' that attempts to violate the
separation of local and state government powers."

(Here again - same point as above!) Additionally, it seems to me that I recall some of these same people coming out in support of a local measure which opposed a Federally adopted resolution just a few months ago! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black...

So here's my thought - or, as the cook says, "You can't have your cake and eat it too!"

Option one: (otherwise known as "The Cake")

We all blindly show up, uninformed and unaware, every year and dutifully vote for people to make all of our decisions for us. Furthermore, we limit the scope and jurisdiction of elected officials' decisions only to issues directly affected by office that they were actually voted into. In other words, if it is not their issue, they do what the rest of us do - shut up and meekly accept all decisions made by our elected leaders. This includes all topics such, but not limited to: the War in Iraq, the USA PATRIOT Act, PA tax reform & pay raises, High School renovation plans, or State College Borough parking regulations. You want a say - run for office - otherwise, shut up and go home (just like the School Board says!)

Option two: (or "Eating it, too")

Everyone - citizens and elected officials elect - recognizes that America is a democracy where freedom of speech is a right guaranteed by our Constitution and governing documents. We not only allow everyone their right to have their opinion and/or dissent heard - but we applaud it for what it is - a celebration of our rights and freedoms that we enjoy. This occasionally means eating some "humble pie", listening to opposing viewpoints, acknowledging the other person's rights to voice those opinions, and then celebrating together to create a bright future we can all enjoy. This means that war protesters can stand at the Allen Street gates and protest, groups like Clean Sweep PA and State High Vision can organize and be heard, and yes, State College Borough can continue to pass meaningless and impotent resolutions while ignoring the more important needs of the community.

In closing, I would like to commend Jake Corman for stepping forward and celebrating this very process. To take the time out of a very busy schedule, working in Harrisburg, trying to run a re-election campaign and having a third baby to take care of yet still finding time to address local concerns - I only wish that all legislators would follow your example!