vanguardians ‘the price of freedom is eternal vigilance’ thomas jefferson
TRANSCRIPT
VANGUARDIANS
‘The price of freedom is eternal vigilance’ Thomas Jefferson
VANGUARDIANS The 4 Stages
‘First they ignore you, then they laugh at you,
then they fight you,then you win’
Mahatma Gandhi
VANGUARDIANS
The vision is to live in a City where all people, regardless of geography, background or economic status, can enjoy accountability, integrity, effectiveness and responsiveness from our elected officials and each of the city's departments.
VANGUARDIANSWatching out for our community
‘Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys’
P.J.O’Rourke
VANGUARDIANS
Why Vanguardians is needed
Once in office Council tends to forget that it is the voters who elected them
Elected officials need to be reminded that we are informed voters
Public Officials need to know they are accountable to the public
ARE YOU TREATED LIKE THIS?
An opinion should be the result of thought not a substitute for it. Frazz
VANGUARDIANS
The mission is to:
#1 Provide, without bias, the timely dissemination of information and knowledge of government activities to the community and elected officials
VANGUARDIANS
The mission is to:
#2 Build, train and empower a knowledgeable, aware and involved city-wide group to monitor the integrity, performance and responsiveness of elected officials and each of the city's departments
VANGUARDIANS
The mission is to:
#3 Encourage, by example, a community free to exchange facts and opinions on public issues by facilitating open debate and discussion on the issues
VANGUARDIANS
The mission is to:
#4 Demand accountability, effectiveness and responsiveness from our government without which there is a system out of control and ripe for corruption
VANGUARDIANS
The mission is to:
#5 Make government acutely aware there is a community watching, monitoring and measuring their activities
VANGUARDIANS
It is our duty to watch over the actions and activities of … government and to insist that, in words as well as in deeds, the interests of our constituency … are served.
Honorable Diane E. Watson Member of Congress
VANGUARDIANS
The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it. Only if every single citizen feels duty bound to do his share in this defense are the constitutional rights secure. Albert Einstein
VANGUARDIANS
Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people.
- Henry
Clay
VANGUARDIANS
Which is worse? Failing to Vote
Failing to be an Informed Voter
‘Why do reason, logic and truth seem to play a diminished role in the way
America now makes important decisions?’
Al Gore
VANGUARDIANS Issues:
Fiscal Accountability Enforcing Existing Laws CUP/Variance Reducing Fear of Government Traffic, Mobility & Parking Campaign Finance Reform Representing the public fairly Open & Transparent Government Transportation ADA Compliance
VANGUARDIANS
Integrity starts with the individual
VANGUARDIANS Benefits
1. Your Advocate for Accountability 2. Keeping you ‘in the loop’ 3. Dissemination of Critical issues4. Knowing where and how your money is
being spent 5. Enjoying a prospering community &
leaving it that way for your children and grandchildren
VANGUARDIANS
– not just a pocket that the city thinks they can keep going deeper into. We don’t complain when water and electric rates go up, or when the telephone, cable and cell phone bill show new taxes and fees. We just shut up and pay. We don’t get new services and the old ones deteriorate
.
VANGUARDIANS
The budget is supposed to reflect the vision of the council. But the budget is prepared by management. We need to look at the expenditures as to what is being funded and who is receiving the funds.
VANGUARDIANS
You can participate… Host Programs
Publicity Be an Advocate
Fund Raise
VANGUARDIANS Will
Host debates, discussions and trainings, forums on candidates and issues
Disseminate information via Email and Website
Engage Government and Community leaders and groups
Promote Community Outreach
DON’T LET THIS BE YOU
Get your facts first and then you can distort them as much as you please. Mark Twain
VANGUARDIANS The Beacon for Accountability
Lobbyists: If you can’t eat their meals, drink their liquor, sleep with their women and then vote against
them, you have no business being a politician. Jesse Unruh
VANGUARDIANS
Follow The Money
VANGUARDIANS
No job is so simple that it can’t be done wrong
