Jersey Mike

Hadn’t been to a City Council meeting in awhile so I thought I’d stop in a couple of weeks ago to catch up on the happenings of our local elected officials. I got there right as the meeting was ending at around 6:30, so after chatting briefly with Councilwoman Susan Brown Wilson and saying hello to a few of the regulars, Roxbury and I went over to Spice for a few happy hour beers.

Clearly, I haven’t been writing much about local politics lately. For a few reasons, but most notably, I simply don’t give a shit anymore.

Time and again, I’ve been disappointed by the (in)action of our local elected officials. Sure, on the campaign trail, they’ll say “yes” more times than a townie in the local seaside bar when the ship of starved sailors docks. But once the pomp and circumstance ends and everyone goes back to their post-election-year lives, it’s a different story.

The same elected officials who made promise after promise on the campaign trail will feign forgetfulness when the points they promised are brought up to them again in, say, March.

Therefore, I just don’t care. I’m here to bring great concerts to this city and that’s what I’ll continue to do. I tried to get these liars and thieves to understand my plight with the Amusement Tax but their lack of action on my single cause- my only action-item, my “cross to bear” has made it crystal clear that they do not work for us. They are supposedly “public servants” but I’ve seen VERY little that would make me believe anything other than the fact that most elected officials have an agenda and a personal objective and if a constituents request or point fits into a pre-existing notion held by said official, then that citizen is in luck. The elected official will “champion” their cause. But if a citizen or group of citizens has a groundbreaking and innovative request of their local leaders and truly wish to see some change happen inside a poorly managed, cumbersome, ego-driven, narcissistic, sociopathic and “Napoleon Complex” riddled elected body, they’re shit out of luck.

ANYWAY…Roxbury and I were having a few beers at Spice and in walks Freshman City Councilman Kelly Summerford. If you recall, I wasn’t (and still am not) a Kelly Summerford fan. And his actions last night further cemented my idea that this guy is not working for the people and is so far out of touch that it’s hardly worth the effort to bring him up to speed.

But I’m here to do that. Kelly- this one’s for you, buddy. You see these words? These words you’re reading right now? On this website? The critical lashing I’m giving to you and the rest of the elected officials that are reading this as well? It’s within a “browser” on your “computer” that you had to “type” in the “address” of to “get here”. (Or, someone “emailed” you a “link” and you “clicked on it”) See it? Got it? THIS, my friend, is a BLOG. And I am a blogger.

You see, I’m spelling this out as if I’m talking to a six year old because time and again, you fucking politicians can’t get it right.

This is a blog. Go ahead. Click around. Use the search box in the upper right to look for your name. Or anyone in an elected position within the City of Harrisburg’s name for that matter.

Kelly, technology has allowed people like me all over the globe to express our opinions and otherwise unreported facts that mainstream media doesn’t report on. We write these things on blogs. I am not anonymous. You saw me in person the other night. I shook your hand. Blammo. You know who I am.

Now, THIS PAGE however, is NOT a blog. That page linked from those words is what is called a “Message Forum”. BIG, BIG difference between a Message Forum and a BLOG. On a message forum, it’s much easier for a “poster” (or someone who writes things and gets them displayed on said Message Forum) to remain anonymous. It’s simple to create a screen name and post different, disparaging comments about  a plethora of topics. Everything from whether or not Linda Thompson is a qualified leader or not to who has the best cheeseburger in town. That’s what  a message board is for.

But if these elected officials don’t even know what a BLOG is, how can we expect them to lead our city into a more fruitful time?

It’s simple, guys- this is the year two thousand and ten. “Teh Internets” has been around for decades now. And blogs have been here for over ten years. Get to know them.

Blogs and bloggers CAN be your friends. Adversaries. Allies. Or, they can be your worst enemies. It’s your choice, really. I told you guys the other night that I think that EACH of you council members SHOULD have a blog. You SHOULD communicate with the public who elected you. That’s what you’re HERE for .

YOU serve US. Not the other way around.

So there you have it Kelly, Linda and whoever else was unclear about exactly what a “blog” is.