"As am I. I'm not a doctor who wants others to be hurt so I can fill my pocket. I'm here to help people. And a town council is the best way to assure that everyone is organized and works together."
He then sighs and looks around
"But that means that we must elect those from all classes. Not just those with an education, or those with a force of personality. We have to elect people who represent the classes that comprise this city. The warriors, the merchants, the scholars, the doctors, the tradesmen, the farmers, and all of the people who make this town work. Because only then will everyone truly have a say."
A quaint, dirt trail bent off and around the corner of the last farmhouse; stacked with hay and corn, and led up upon a road fenced, with growing, yet tilled weeds and shacks and humble abodes. It was here, through a raised, metal gate, that she passed into Wistvale. Nimbly, her legs carried her, past deserted alleyways and cornerstones and onto a main street which in turn garnered a squabbling crowd of all kinds, most likely residents that belonged in the previously passed shacks and shanties; and of course the patrons of the Tavern which seemed to serve as the hub of their community.
Silently, she approached from the southern end and thereafter took place within the crowd. Her arms hung loose at her side, with a hand casually upon an iron dagger; sheathed and looped tightly around her waist. The opposite brushed silver-lock hair behind a pointed-ear and adjusted her leather belt up and tighter around her waistline. She said nothing, nor moved in any way to draw attention to herself as a newcomer. Once again, this was a matter of no concern to her. She was passing through and only needed supplies. This, was obviously a convention of some importance for those whom dwell here.
Rue, who had been standing silently in the crowd, felt it was time to speak up.
"You talk of unifying us all as a town and electing a council to run it. Although I do agree that this town could use some order and protection from outside trespassers, how are we to elect this council? As far as I can tell, we are a town of misfits and strangers, belonging nowhere else in this world except for this obsolete town. How do any of you expect us to elect a group to govern us if we barely know each other?"
Rhogarus walks up to the huge commotion going on in the center of the town. Hanging in the back just on the edge he hears the conversations about setting some law in this town. He clicks his pincers in delight. Finally, he could live in a place that had some sort of rules. Flashback *A younger Rhogarus is walking through a town with a larger population of Insectoids. A group his age walks by and shoves him. Next thing he remembers is laying on the ground with some broken limbs and nothing on his person. The kids has been calling him things in Insectoid that he dare not repeat.* Rhogarus shudders as he recalls the scene, he looks down at the missing appendages and then to his damaged wings. Since that day, he swore that he would become a lawman. This might just be his chance. He walks a bit further and raises his hand quietly.
Excuse me sir, how will these laws be upheld? Will there be someone like a Sheriff to enforce these laws when they are complete? My next question/ statement may be better to ask one on one. Unless you want me to be so bold as to say that if you feel the need to create a sheriff, it would be my honor to fill said role.
Not everyone in this town is a complete stranger to one another and not everyone here is a misfit as you say. None can speak for everyone, that is why I am not calling for a mayor. We speak to one another, ask what people's motives are, what they would like to see, what they represent and then given that information; would look to nominate a balanced panel. No one person will hold all the power, in fact the power would be in the hands of the people.
No. A sheriff would be single target and one man alone can do little. The laws we deem fair will be held up the citizenry and enforced by the council.
"Very good question, and it has a simple answer. Remember those groups I was talking about earlier? All the groups know themselves. Farmers know farmers. Tradesmen know tradesmen. Since the council should represent these groups, should not the groups themselves decide on their representative?"
Zane looks around the gathered people, trying to determine the impact of his words
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Alec shrugs, finding this as good a time as any to speak. "The only purpose I can see a sheriff serving in this town is to invite chances upon his life." He turns to those proposing a council. "I can - and am - saying the same of a council. Don't mistake me - I am not saying this town does not need order, but I AM saying that having an organized, elected council, along with a sheriff, simply gives dissenters a target. I understand that you wish to eliminate that problem by allowing those considered criminals elsewhere to be honest businessmen here, but there are always the maniacs. Those simply wishing to do away with all forms of law and order, no matter how lenient, and those simply wanting to stir the pot. This town needs order, but not in the form of a council. I put this forward - all issues decided by a vote of the town not of a council. All laws upheld by the citizens, not by a law man." He looks around at the people gathered. "I am yet young, but do not discount my words for that alone."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Zane looks to Alec and smiles deeply. hiding his mild annoyance
"You would have the whole town gather to make decisions? Fine, but let us think of the drawbacks. That would require the entire town to cease working for hours at a time whenever a decision was to be made. Those who need to continue working would then not receive a say in matters. Your idea would boil down to work vs responsibility, and I think we all know how the majority would decide."
Zane motions around to all the gathered people, but keeps his eyes on Alec
"By having all of these people elect leaders based on their individual trades, then the town would be able to both govern itself AND be able to continue it's work, because all of the citizens could be secure knowing that they had a representative fighting for their rights."
Those who are elected council should have one of the specialties the thin one stated. It would make things slightly even, and balanced at least. Merchants of both the shady dealers, and the legitimate should hold a spot.
He wrenched his blade from the road and set within it's harness on his back. He crossed his arms across his broad chest and stood for a response.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Alec shrugs. "I was merely offering an alternative - it is obvious I'll be voted down. Now, however, there are two things to be addressed - the sheriff, and the limited number of spaces on this council you seem set upon. You, doctor, said nothing about the sheriff. I'd like to hear your thoughts on that. And you, wolf man, that leaves only three spots left. Say the collective warriors get one, that leaves two. The scholars get one, that leaves one. The doctors get one, and they are all full. What of mages? Farmers? Five seems too small a number to accommodate all groups present in this town."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Auron had still been listening quietly, but at a comment from Zane he felt it time to speak up.
So your solution to people not being able to represent themselves is to have another represent them? You say that some people may not be able to come to a town meeting when it is needed, but who's to say that a council member will always be free? If this were to be their only job then they would have to be paid by taxes, which I know many people will harshly oppose. Why not let the whole town, or as many as can come, all gather to vote on the issues? It seems that a large majority of the town is here at this moment.
"I do not believe a sheriff is needed. I think that, yes, we should have a guard and a guard captain, but that the council themselves should make all the final decisions."
Then open more spots if needed I say, The council should have a speaker for each trade. In my home Clan that is how our council is formed, and it works properly. As for the collective of groups who ever is appointed the council member shall be the head of them. Make associations or types of guilds. The council speaker shall input the collective ideas of his similar brethren. As for sheriff, whoever seems to be worthy, or whoever is voted in favor will collect that title.
Rue looked at Grayell after he gave his response to her question.
"I do not think that one person should govern the entire town. I agree with you that the people should rule the people. But how are we to decide which people? We cannot have the entire town meeting and proposing ideas; it would be far too disorganized and as the doctor has said, it would not be convenient for all, therefore unfair to all. And if the entire town is going to be making decisions, shouldn't every citizen have an equal say in the matter?"
She then turned to Zane and responded to his idea.
"So, you propose we elect a council by having each 'group' of citizens choose a representative for themselves?" She shrugged. "Well, I can think of no better solution if there is to be an elected council in this town. As for a sheriff, if there is one to be appointed, his or her priority should be to keep the town and its citizens safe. The title of 'sheriff' should not give that person a larger say in any matters and decisions discussed within the council."
No one said their would be a sheriff. As for the whole council being targeted by malicious idiots with nothing better to do with their time, would you rather have those same elements running loose? Would you be their target? Would you wish that anyone, everyone?
People don't have the time to attend a meeting for everything. That is why the majority would choose the officials and those officials would decide on a majority vote after holding a hearing - and open, public hearing for all citizens to attend. You are complicating the issue.
As for needing a dozen or so officials, you are inviting them to pontificate and quarrel all day. Assuming that every and each person has but one field of interest is foolish and greatly underestimates the intellect of some of the townsfolk.
Is this a perfect solution? No. But is there ever? What is your alternative? Demolishing the suggestion of a council in a town that has never thought of trying to establish law is foolish - you have no laurels to rest on so having been content with settling for crap, why now be alarmed? If it is your will to dwell in misery then so be it. A council won't stop you. If it is your intent to enjoy the misery of others, it will.