Simeon decided to speak up one last time. He was growing weary of this debate and would rather be elsewhere. He moved to the center where he could be seen and heard by all. He raised his voice and attempted to quite the crowd so they could hear his proposal.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please, may I have a moment. Please Sir, hear me out. One moment if I may. I believe we have all come to a decision. Or, at least a base premise. We know we want a council with a balanced representative body. This much we all seem to agree on. Now as for the matter of a sheriff, perhaps we are all thinking about this in the wrong manner. I believe we should determine the base representative groupings first. Then each group wold elect it's own council member. Finally, all of the elected representative council members would gather and vote on one of their membership to serve as a head councilor or acting sheriff. This would solve every issue that has been brought up. Am I right? Please, if any of you disagrees with me, speak up and be heard. If needed I will retract my proposal and reiterate accordingly. However, I believe this solution would suit every one of us." He paused to wait for either an agreement or a challenge.
"There was a suggestion of a sheriff, I am merely voicing my opinion on the matter. Regardless of whether or not there is a sheriff, I di agree with you that 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.' But how will we choose these officials? Simeon says we should first determine a base group of representatives. How will we do that, so that every citizen has a fair chance of being elected, if they so desire?"
Even though the question was addressed toward Grayell, Simeon responded. "Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but we would first have the city's citizens and denizens form guilds. I would like to raise the motion that we adjourn this meeting and disperse for three days to a week. During this time, people of like interests could form a guild--or union. When we reconvene, any who hasn't joined a guild or union could either join one that's already formed or else form their own group. This would also give everyone a chance to consider what has been said and make their own decision independent of any speaker's rhetoric. All in favor?
Grayell sighed and was smiling no longer but his tone remained civil.
Look, I still feel you're complicating the matter. This isn't a big city that has thousands of people and needs a half dozen entities to empower it's people and stuff their own pockets while seeing to their own personal agendas.
Really, it's a simple matter. We don't HAVE to have someone who is an authority on each and every matter if the elected council members are intelligent, willing to listen and have the communities best interest at heart. Yes, nominating people to represent the community as a whole would be a start. Those people could then convene and discuss the issues that felt need immediate address before bringing it before the people and letting them have their say.
Nomination is easy. We all speak our mind on what we need in a council. We have largely done that. We all then elaborate on what key traits we think an effective leader should have.
Nominations will be made, by each person willing for one other person or themselves. The people with the most votes are then elected. It's that simple. There is no need to take a great deal of time to simply better Wistvale. It is far more important to simply start the process.
As for any kind of police force, I will willingly guard the town and it's inhabitants and enact the law or report people in violation. It seems that others are also willing. This is a rough town and opposition will happen. I suggest anyone deputized in such a manner be capable of protecting themselves but more importantly - others.
Serenity was back at Grayell's side, watching ideas being tossed and shot down. The town was a stubborn lot, which should have been expected. Regardless, a start was really what these people need. To take action for themselves and to raise their own expectations and worth. It simply wasn't going to come out of the ground.
The lady felt a twinge of guilt over the leg though, as those werewolves wouldn't have been here at all if she traveled somewhere else. The outcome might have been the same, however.
She looked up at Grayell, "I'm with you no matter what becomes of this meeting. This is a good thing you're starting for these people."
A short burst of wind shot from her person, "And if you need a deputy I'm more than willing," she winked.
Post by John Harding on Aug 12, 2011 4:33:20 GMT -5
Jonah was new in town - fresh off the proverbial canoe - so he was a stranger to Wistvale. Just another outsider. But town councils weren't a new thing. He'd passed through many a town that had it's own group of elected officials who helped sort out citizen problems and made decisions for the good of the community.
Essentially, it was safety and security that most ordinary folk wanted and what was wrong with that? Nothing. But to keep the peace you'd have to route out the bad apples, like the kind that had attacked that old man he'd met by the river. Something needed to be done about it and, if need be, Jonah would be part of the change.
People of Wistvale, my name is Jonah of the Akaiya tribe. I have travelled a long way, from the Vulkurian Valley, so I am not a local of Wistvale. But already I have encountered what brutality this town has to offer. I have seen the results of what can come from living here; an old man, bearing the scars of attacks by those who would bring this town down into the gutter.
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
But you can make the difference. Make the change to bring peace to Wistvale. Form this council that he- indicating Grayell -has opened your eyes to...for the benefit of the good folk of this town.
Post by Ránëwén Lossëhelin on Aug 12, 2011 13:43:03 GMT -5
She waited; she listened to passing words, each like droplets of rain that hailed from above and outburst into a steady downpour of emotions. Those present were of all kinds. She looked upon each of them, her eyes shifting ever so slightly between, around and through them. There was a skullman, a reptile, several humans, a werewolf; she cared not to notice all and turned attention to a new voice.
A human spoke; she spoke in doubt. Then a bug-man spoke; he offered up himself as a bearer of laws. The role was turned away and the maiden felt her mind drifting. Others she saw, stepped forward, and in turn offered opinions. The words fell upon her ears like dulling hums. Soon, even her eyes drifted beyond the crowd, beyond the apparent leader and further off down a street; and further still around its bend.
Time passed; unmoving, she listened to her own breaths; her own heartbeat stilled, and also fell silent as a natural presence. Only at meetings end would she be able to ask for supplies. No doubt, she would have to work for them. What little gold she had was spent on passage across the great sea.
Celephias didn't much care for loud noises, or yelling, or even the spectacle of men arguing with each other. What drew her attention was a legitimate, peaceful gathering. Organization. This was a town on the verge of the unknown, there was no greater power here. Here, however, was a man who wished to institute a method by means to organize and govern. That was interesting: Order, in lieu of chaos.
She found a spot in an alleyway, one that helped obscure her. She didn't much need the extra camouflage with her cloak, but it helped. Cel had listened in on the various mutterings of the townsfolk... whispers, not unlike those she heard in darkness, in her dream-quests to far places beyond this realm... They wish for peace of mind, an end to fear. They will be complacent. They will be cattle. They will subscribe to their paranoia. They will give in. A council may rise, but they are still mortal. Fallible. Corruptible. More facile protection.
Celephias smiled. Something deep within told her that this would help her cause. Now... she would see how the blind lead the blind...
Simeon had to admit when he was wrong, "You make a good point, Grayell. the system I suggested would provide an unnecessary hassle. We're not at a point where guilds and unions are required for fair treatment. Do you think we'd be ready to suggest nominations now? Also, how many people would we nominate? Has there been a recent census of the city?"
Last Edit: Aug 12, 2011 22:54:40 GMT -5 by Legault
Simeon was glad--both that progress was being made, and that the meeting would not go on too much longer. Although, the future is a fluid and not set in stone.