https://lnkd.in/gg4NDG-g
As of late there's been a lot of conversation at the municipal elected official level about difficulties being a Council member. in particular regarding the abuse and in some cases out and out harassment and threats involved. The vast majority of local elected officials are doing the job part-time, and I don't know anyone in municipal politics that's there for the wrong reason, so it's very unfortunate that this treatment occurs, and is seemingly getting worse over time. I think everyone that runs for Council simply wants to bring positive to their community, and they're certainly not there for the money. Most are modestly paid, and there's no tax benefits, pension or job security.
I believe that much of the unreasonable treatment and expectations stem from a misunderstanding about what local council members do, how they do it, and what powers they actually have.
Up until only recently, local elected officials were all independent and are not party affiliated. No one member of Council makes decisions on their own, and any decision made as a Council, means that each individual must support that decision whether they agree with it or not.
I consider myself lucky that I have not experienced blatant abuse or threats, but I've certainly experienced bullying from a small number of my residents. I've been told that they're simply holding me accountable, but there's no other job (except perhaps police) where someone can consider it acceptable to bully you in the name of "accountability".
Council members are elected because the majority feels that their experience, their values, and their opinions reflect their own. We know that that doesn't mean that everyone agrees, Council members are elected because the majority agree with them. Despite what some people think, Council's don't have to make decisions based on what the loudest and most opinionated people feel. Just because someone loudly protests a decision Council makes, and they decided differently, doesn't mean they didn't listen or consider that person's concerns, but there were other factors, different information, and their personal experience and opinion lead their decision otherwise. In some cases, some agree with the loudest group who is protesting, but we're out voted. This is how democracy works.
I don't think many people are surprised that social media has amplified the toxic behavior of some of these loud, outspoken few who make so much effort to try to embarrass and intimidate their local Council members whom they disagree with.
Most people are generally happy with their elected officials, and would never be disrespectful, and I don't expect them to put themselves in between these toxic few, and their Council members, but it goes a long way when people support their Council by continuing to vote, and providing respectful feedback.