The wind howl

 I

Maybe the weather is trying to us something, listen to the wind howl

I chose this soft chair tonight so I can read and listen to the wind howl

If there are no ideas but in things, then what do we call how we govern ourselves? Must we adhere to rules listening to the wind howl

If the idea is not a universal one, we are all lost in our own way, and then no one pays attention listening to the wind howl

If your green is not my green, what is green? Is there even a green? How would we know if we can only listen to the wind howl

If my green is grass growing, bending in the breeze, and your green are dollars in a digital ledger, they won't be listening to the wind howl

If there are no ideas but in things, and we are all on our own, will there be a thing, or a time, for all of us to listen to the wind howl?

  II

What might the weather be trying to tell us? 2024 set so many records for extreme weather, and even now, we listen to the wind howl

The clown who would be king took us out of the Paris Accord, again, shouldn't we have learned that lesson, listen to the wind howl

The clown’s cronies are running amuck with the way things should be, will there be anything left? listen to the wind howl

The muzzle velocity of news, executive orders, coming from the clown and cronies is staggering by design, listen to the wind howl

After the scorched earth, there is hope nature will return, it takes time, it won't be easy, just listen to the wind howl

Water finds the low points to make its way, gravity isn't ruled by executive order, there can be goodness listening to the wind howl

So Sherlock, now what? Hunk down, keep the faith, mind the flywheel, spend time learning and listening to the wind howl

Time for listening sessions

  I

What does it matter? Nothing will change at the listening session.

You mean then that your mind is so set, you can't go to a listening session

The budget is what it is. But the structural deficit is very real, things can, and do change when folks ask questions, or make comments at a listening session

There is no “found money”, it does not grow magically on trees, it comes from taxes and local receipts, those sources and the cost drivers are outlined at the listening sessions

Did you know the library card is a magic tool to gain free access to newspapers, and other online resources, all available without a listening session

Did you know the DPW plow the snow, fill potholes, flow water to your faucet, care for the fields, and lights on the common, also available without a listening session

Did you know Police and Fire depts finally reached staffing levels authorized years ago, this staffing is now in jeopardy unless folks understand the details of these listening sessions

  II

There is economic hardship among our neighbors, the Master Plan document lays out these details, those are available without a listening session

Did you know the national wealth gap lives here too, it should not be a surprise, all our neighbors need to understand the impact of these listening sessions

Did you know economic hardship is like a hidden disability, including stigma, it is not very visible at first glance, with or without a listening session

One point of view says we are “One Franklin.” I wish that were the case; if we have to say it, are we really? It is time for another listening session

Another point of view says “We need to save Franklin.” Actually, we do. However, this group goes on to disparage certain individuals, such attacks only divert us, from paying attention to the listening session

We are a commonwealth, we need to care of all our neighbors, some of them may be the most in need of the services that would be cut without understanding the listening session

So Sherlock, now what? We need to face that we are in this together. We need to make a decision.  There are more sessions scheduled, we all need to absorb what is said, and not said, in the listening sessions