I fear many left with garbled and conflicting statements and more questions. Because after all was said and done by the developers and business owners, we never heard how folks who have these centers in their towns now feel after the deed is done. 

Dear Neighbor, 

Bear with me as I may sound like that nosy old woman who wants to offer a bit of advice or what I see as positive criticism. I debated about writing this as I have learned through the years that change isn’t automatically bad, although it can certainly feel uncomfortable when it is unexpected, particularly if you’re with a group of earnest folks. Recently, Independent U.S. Senate candidate from Mississippi, Ty Pinkin, used a term, “civic frustration” that described my experience at the recent City of Salisbury Town Hall, an advertised “opportunity to learn, ask questions, and share your thoughts on potential projects and their impact on our community.”

I was excited to go. Town halls, an American tradition where elected officials listen to the community they represent and answer questions and promote direct democratic engagement are sadly being replaced with “Telephone Town Halls.” The City of Salisbury advertised what I took to be a traditional town hall concerning data centers. It was set up for plenty of people, paper and pens were on the tables for questions, and the City Manager promised to stay as long as needed to answer those questions. (beware of assumptions) 

The first portion was an introduction and explanation by city officials and the developer and business owners and as reported by the Salisbury Post, “More than 90 people attended… to learn about and share their thoughts on a potential data center at 1477 Henderson Grove Church Road.” Attendees were schooled and that was a well-planned part of the evening. My mood shifted and I realized that the tables were turned toward something new and unexpected as the second portion of the program unfolded. A woman at my table stood and civilly asked why we couldn’t hear questions as a group and was immediately shut down. The next resident to stand started by apologizing and promising “good behavior” if she could ask her question. I honestly don’t remember what the answer was; all I heard in my head and my heart from the city officials was to “stop being part of the collective and get with our planned program.”  My emotional response doesn’t mean that I was correct in my knee jerk reaction.

As I said previously, I rationally knew that change doesn’t mean bad. However the atmosphere shifted for me when public comment was quashed for what was described as an “opportunity” for individual conversations. For me, this community event that began so well, suddenly felt like an orchestrated way to quell the public voice of residents who showed up to exercise their civic responsibility. 

 What I found sorely missing was to hear questions from my neighbors after the City provided a positive depiction of how this proposed data center might be different from others and a good fit for our community. That collective moment for residents did not arise and I watched as many people left the building rather than stand around and wait for their moment to talk individually to representatives present. I have to wonder how many times officials answered the same question again and again and whether a public forum might have been an opportunity to answer numerous questions. Sadly, I will never know as that wasn’t an option.  

By the end of the evening civic responsibility turned into civic frustration for me. Perhaps not surprisingly for a person who writes letters to people she doesn’t know, I did express my discontent to city officials and staffers. Right or wrong, I left feeling that I had participated in a game of gossip and rather than the 90 plus attending hearing all views, pro and opposing, I fear many left with garbled and conflicting statements and more questions. Because after all was said and done by the developers and business owners, we never heard how folks who have these centers in their towns now feel after the deed is done. 

I end with another quote from Ty Pinkin as to the absence of real town halls: “The voter who wants to hear all the candidates answer the same question in the same room loses.” Although we weren’t listening to candidates, I felt like civic responsibility was the loser that night. I hope I’m wrong.  

“Dear Neighbor” authors are united in a belief that civility and passion can coexist. We believe curiosity and conversation make us a better community.