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 Published Brownsville Herald December 9, 2007

A year ago, on December 17, 2006 , my Christmas article, hoping for a “Miracle” of the Season was published in the Brownsville Herald. The Christmas party I described, impressed me with opportunities for a number of our community leaders and new County Judge Cascos, to break the gridlock of personal power obsessions, and long standing political animosities. I hoped would get some of the reforms needed by “the folks”, accomplished. I had a genuine possibility that the spirit of the season would actually encourage  “Good Will” toward our neighbors that might support the real changes at PUB and  the “Unity” that would be needed to accomplish the peoples’ work in the city and county.  “The folks” did their job by voting in higher than normal numbers and effected the political change that was advertised as the solution for the city. The actual result has been anything but unifying; the Utility Connection Fees, one of the most touted issues during the election still have not been dealt with and any change seems to be getting more distant; the PUB itself is becoming less and less stable in staff and operation. My PUB bill has a different monthly pay schedule with each billing. I appreciate the lower rates but cannot get away from the feeling that it will all come crashing down. I wonder where the money came from when we were supposedly losing thousands in debt costs and lost connection fee opportunities. While all of this is “not going on” our city leaders seem to be lost in jousting for personal advantage and one-upmanship. The personal priorities have taken precedence over the good of the community. 

On the good side our new County Judge seems to have remembered why he was elected. A new and improved efficiency and sense of confidence has descended over the county chambers; the county meetings are run uniformly and every speaker treated with respect and courtesy. On the occasion I asked for an appointment with Judge Cascos, I was promptly given a meeting with sufficient time to describe my interest. In spite of a difference of opinion about what might be done with regard to my issue, I still retained a sense of confidence that the right things are being pursued by his office and that overall progress is being made because it is the right thing to do, not that it will bring more power as was the case with the past occupant of the office.  One has to wonder whether the influence of the Christmas Season can precipitate a renewed interest in the community leaders in “getting it right” to the betterment of the entire community, especially those of us that can least afford expensive mistakes. It appeared to be working for awhile but then seemed to sputter and weaken. 

I grew up with Bing and White Christmas, and Miracle on

I certainly have no objection to hearing a Happy Honokaa and in fact relish being invited to share religious celebrations of any other faith that celebrates good will, such as the Hindu Festival of lights recently held in November where large numbers of lamps are lit to dispel the darkness and ignorance, and spread the radiance of love and wisdom. It sounds a lot like the purposes of that “Holiday” we are preparing to celebrate this month. That is the true spirit of Christmas – good will towards our neighbors. We need lots more of it including the tolerance to listen to the ideas of others with an open mind and the courage to see success in someone else’s thoughts. That seems in short supply just now. 

I have been told that Captain Bob is planning a sequel in hopes of giving our “city fathers” another opportunity to find a way to get it together. I wish him success in searching for the “Miracle” needed to fan the flame of the spirit of the season in our leaders and perhaps we will see an improved situation next year.  If there is no improvement, we will still have the opportunity to replace a lot of them at all levels in the government.