Democracy and complacency — Are those two ideas dangerous when combined?

According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, one definition of “democracy” is “a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.”

Complacency is defined by Merriam-Webster as “self-satisfaction, especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.”

Is democracy practiced here in Charlotte County? Well, yes. We hold elections to vote on who will be our representatives to the board of supervisors (as well as the school board, commonwealth’s attorney, etc.).

Is “complacency” evident here in Charlotte County? Yes, sadly, I believe it is. There is some awareness, but there is, I believe, a great deal of unawareness of the large deficiencies.

What’s another thing I see in the county? Resignation. That is defined by Webster’s as “the acceptance of something undesirable but inevitable.”

Recently, I have observed something else in the county. That is anger. Anger over how our government has given the impression of not listening to us. I’ve seen anger over the way citizens perceive our county administrator has run this county for far too long. Anger that the board of supervisors seems not to have done anything to control that.

We elect the board; they hire the county administrator.

Are you angry? There is a petition circulating through the county. It’s about simple, basic items that many citizens have repeatedly spoken to the board about, such as citizens’ comments in the minutes, meeting times being when working people can attend and not socializing with our tax dollars. Repeated requests have been made, yet the supervisors have made no changes.

I believe, if enough citizens sign this petition, the supervisors will understand they have not been hearing “We the people,” and they will do the right thing and start to make changes mentioned in the petition. Perhaps then they could move on to making some bigger changes. If the supervisors do not, it will be up to us at the next election to make changes in who represents us.

At this time of the year when we celebrate our independence, I ask you: Are you brave enough to stand for change? If so, sign the petition. Call your supervisor. Let’s change how business is conducted in Charlotte County. Citizens, let us declare our independence.

Kay Pierantoni is a Wylliesburg resident. She can be reached at kmpierantoni@gmail.com.