Tues Ten 051909: Election

Today is Election Day in Starkville, MS. The general city elections are not until June, but today’s Democratic primary run-off will likely determine the next mayor of our fair Starkpatch. I’ve noticed over the last few election cycles that the turnout for local elections is pitifully low. Voters get hyped up for the biggie presidential and congressional ballots, but tend to tune out for small town municipal and county elections.

I live in a state with an estimated population of 2,938,618 out of the total 304,059,724 U.S. population. For the math-minded, that’s less than 1% of the 2008 U.S. population. The city of New York has over 2 1/2 times the population of our entire state. The population of Starkville itself is about 24,000–not exactly a hot-bed of power and influence. So, who cares about local elections?  Short answer: I do. And, you should too. I own property within these city limits. I purchase my groceries within these city limits. I earn my livelihood within these city limits. My husband owns a small business in these city limits. We’re raising 3 of those 24,000 and they’ll grow and play and attend school and church and birthday parties and play sports and walk around within these city limits. Do I care? You bet.

For this week’s Tuesday Ten, I give you 10 things the local government decides that make a difference in my daily life. Decisions made by President Obama and the 111th Congress will likely trickle down to me at some point, but the choices and discussions of the elected officials of Starkville, MS can impact me and mine immediately and on a daily basis. Consider:

1. Garbage
when, where and how often will it be picked up and carried to the landfill for me? also, where can I schlep items for recycling or will someone drop by my curb to pick that up as well?

2. Neighbors
some call it zoning, but for me it boils down to neighbors. will mine be whoever moves into the ever-remodeled 1940s homes similar to mine? or, will they end up being a sea of parked cars in a mega center’s parking lot for lack of foresight?

3. Trees
will we keep them or pave over them? will they soften the barrier to the look of progress? will there be enough money to make sure weeds are kept at bay and the swings and slides can be swung and slid?

4. Signs
they’re everywhere. just how everywhere will they be? and, will my children be that easily exposed to the goings-on of an establishment they’re not old enough to enter?

5. Smoking
will I be polluting the lungs of my Baby Girl by simply sitting in a restaurant or public place?

6. Kickball
will there be enough funding for my 4-year-old to enjoy it? or, will he have to wait until he’s 5?

7. Recess
will curriculum issues like these arise in preventing the escalation of bullying and prejudice?

8. Dollars
will the ones I work 1 1/2 jobs to earn be wasted in a redundant paperwork tug of war? how many more fractions of them will be required to order take out or go through a drive-thru? which portions of the ones I pay be used for medical or educational improvements?

9. Bumps
will “big bump” continue to be a part of our daily ride to and from preschool? and, how often will my tires need to be repaired because of it?

10. Walking
can we do it on sidewalks around our neighborhood or downtown? can we do it in clearly marked cross-walks? can I do it with a stroller without rattling Baby Girl’s teeth (that I know are in there somewhere)?