It Depends On Whose Ox Is Being Gored: Island Sun Letter to the Editor Follow Up

I posted a letter to the Editor of the Island Sun recently which you can find HERE or by scrolling down a few posts below. I posted same the letter on the Sun's comment page. P&Z Board member Sandy Mattick was kind enough to take the time to respond and you can read her thoughts HERE.

My response to Ms. Mattick is also on the Sun's comment page but for the sake of convenience, I include it here:

Ms. Mattick:

Thank you for your thoughtful response to my letter to Mr. Field. I do not question your recollection of Mr. Burden's assessment and the context in which you place his appraisal of Pine Avenue parking scenarios and current safety. As I said in my letter, those interpretations may differ in the minds of reasonable men and women. I do however stand behind my quote of Mr. Burden's assessment. Your committment to finding a compromise is admirable and it is the hope of many of those interested in the future of the city that each of the P&Z members and City Commissioners share your committment.

It is, however, unclear to whom you refer when you state that "the residents are...tired of the rhetoric..." It is doubtful you or anyone else has canvassed each of "the residents" and therefore the statement itself is rhetorical and exaggerated. While I doubt it was your intention "to inflame" with such rhetoric, it does illustrate the axiom that one man's rhetoric is another's doctrine. In the end we are governed by majority rule. And one's perception of language and thought is largely dependent upon whose ox is being gored.

Thank you for your public service and continuing efforts to seek solutions.

Bill Yanger