I am weighing in on the question of which form of government we should adopt moving forward.

I will probably vote to change to a council-manager system, but not for the reasons I hear tossed around so often. Rather, I believe the issue is not at all what form of government we have. There are examples one can site of effective local governments using either form. Then why would I vote to change?

Precisely because it appears that some people truly believe that things would change for the better with a different form.

I am becoming more and more convinced that the only way to show them that this is an illusion is to make the change. When the problems continue after we have transitioned to the council-manager system, it may force more of us to have to face the truth captured in Pogo’s famous line, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”

I know people on both sides of this issue, and I believe that they are good, well-intentioned people who have the best interests of the community in mind in what they do. But things are so broken and trust has been lost (or misplaced) to such a degree that now conspiracies are seen where none exist. And the worst interpretations are assigned to statements and actions instead of the best.

No one is given the benefit of the doubt, and there is no grace when mistakes are made. In such a climate there are no winners, regardless of who has the power or how it is divided. I came two years ago from a city where I served on the city council and was often the lone progressive voice. Yet I can honestly say, despite its own share of small-town politics, it was far healthier than what I see on Bainbridge Island today.

It just so happens we had a strong-mayor form of government. The difference? Our political differences never got personal. We disagreed, fought over the issues, voted and moved on. For the most part there was trust and respect. And there was on occasion even a little humility.

These seem to be lacking, not just among some of our elected officials, but also among many activists and champions of causes who each know best how things should be done.

Someone recently shared their opinion with me that the problem on Bainbridge is not that we have a strong mayor, but that we have 20,000 of them.

My only question is, what will it take to get each member of this community to treat even those with whom we disagree with real dignity and respect, (and maybe show a little humility now and then)? Is there a way to get that onto a ballot?

Carl Florea

Winslow