Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Guest Column

Fear of change leaves Largo lacking

By ROB DEWITT
Published March 5, 2007

Oprah said on her show recently that 2007 is the year of change. How right she is, so far.

Change happens in varying degrees. On the more personal and mundane, it may be manifest in a new razor, shampoo or restaurant. New schools, jobs, medical needs and relationships are at the other end of the spectrum.

Change truly happens, however, when open-minded beings understand this progression is a part of life. Some folks resisted believing that NASA landed on the moon, preferring to imagine the footage was filmed in the desert. I'm not sure where these simple-minded folks thought the famed "Earth rise" photo was taken, but one of them was my grandfather (may he rest in peace.)

My grandfather really was quite brilliant, though, because of the time he lived, he was unable to conform to the "norms" of the society that existed in his day. He passed on in 1989, while I was at Northwestern University. I used to consider him a coot who lived in the woods, but as I get older, I realize he was a very creative person with a penchant for Bugler hand-rolled smokes and Busch beer.

His employment history included being a cook on the Homestead Air Force Base base in the 1940s, and one of his most proud accomplishments was to assist the divers down to help place the pilings underwater for the Keys bridges. He built, dug and rambled on about so many things, from being a caddy at the Palma Ceia Country Club, to his days hobo-ing on trains during the Depression and the days his daughters were born.

He was the first storyteller I knew and because of my age and lack of understanding, I judged him. I thought there was a "normal" way to live, work and grow old. I was wrong.

There is no normal, only the familiar and safe. At any moment your life can change. The store may be out of your brand of shampoo, your spouse may decide to pursue a different individual or terrorists might fly planes into a building ... all things beyond your realm of comfort and control.

You may end up with an illness or be involved in an accident. You may face your fears and become more truthful about yourself, instituting change. If not you directly, family, friends or partners might have these things happen to them. Regardless, things change.

When I saw the bravery of Largo City Manager Steve Stanton and Mayor Pat Gerard as they took their bold stances recently, I was filled with hope for an example of historic change, believing the world had become more open, understanding and tolerant of those perceived of as different.

Watching television clips of some of those city commissioners, I was appalled and angry. Their fear of change has created a negative blight on their city. Instead of addressing real issues, they addressed fear.

Their fear of change has now set them up for lawsuits and negative press, and reveals their hatred for someone they had respected.

Their ignorance to the level of courage it took Mr. Stanton to be honest with himself to make this decision, and then to go public, makes them the ones who lied to the public. As city officials they should have looked at the positive message their open-mindedness and inclusion could have meant to the economy and stability of Largo.

Sometimes it is better to live and let live. After all, this is a free country, right? People who own lots of guns scare me; but if they are my employees do I have the right to fire them for it? Of course not.

At least they didn't take Mr. Stanton out and physically stone him, Shirley Jackson-like, in the parking lot of City Hall. They decided to do it inside with words. Which is worse?

How many of them are as honest with themselves as Mr. Stanton was? How many of you would be if Mr. Stanton were your friend, associate, son or partner?

One would think that as the Earth rise of the 21st century, institutionalized manifestations of fear would be fewer and fewer. Pity.

Elected officials should be those embracing, planning for and understanding change. Change happens, regardless of whether we're afraid of it, be it men walking on the moon, or finally being able to face their own fears about the way they choose to live.

My grandfather, to avoid these perceptions of difference, stayed in the woods, sacrificing his public freedom to be who he was, a bigoted, intolerant, creative outcast. Would he be a great city commissioner, or would he be fired for his views of how he wanted to live his life?

Those Keys bridges are still standing, and most of my grandfather's progeny are too. But we look at the moon differently and we're more accepting of change.

Rob DeWitt is a freelance writer and theater artist. He lives in his native Brooksville. Guest columnists write their own opinions on subjects they choose, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.

[Last modified March 4, 2007, 20:33:05]