The idea of this serialized draft is to write — again and again with no fixed schedule — about the economic and development policies of Whitewater over the last generation. Serialized, as presented in installments; a draft, as a preliminary work to be edited and refashioned later.
Whether one favors or disfavors Whitewater’s approach over the last thirty-odd years, anyone should admit there’s a story in that approach, tales in that history, lessons for us and for the next generation.
For those who were and are policymakers in Whitewater, there should be composure and confidence in examining and weighing evidence from the past, sifting and sorting new information, and hearing arguments and counterarguments about economic & development policy.
Whitewater is a beautiful but occasionally dyspeptic community. The most effective way to avoid the annoyance and anger that arguments and counterarguments generate is to make the presentation of arguments and counterarguments routine, ordinary, and so commonplace.
Arguments are easy enough to make, but accepting counterarguments as part of ordinary discourse has not been one of Whitewater’s strengths. (What does an incontrovertible claim look like? Like this: “accepting counterarguments as part of ordinary discourse has not been one of Whitewater’s strengths.”)
Local government should investigate and reflect on its own past conduct, reporters should convey the issues of the day in the language in which contending parties speak and write, and residents must be free to speak and write in observation or participation in those issues.
Category Link for the Series: A SERIALIZED DRAFT.
Well said. Only lessons learned from participation, observation, and consideration of arguments and counterarguments set the table for meaningful change.