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Building community consensus

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By Robert Krysak

From the ashes of the Witch Fire, the Committee For a Better Ramona was born. The committee was formed by a group of Ramona citizens frustrated by the perceived failures and shortcomings of agencies and community processes and demonstrated infrastructure needs of the Ramona community which were not, in their view, being adequately addressed.

Over the course of a year, in weekly meetings, the committee members strove to “find their voice,” identify their purpose and focus on an agenda which would serve to benefit ALL of the residents of Ramona.

Through their evaluation and discussion, it ultimately became apparent to the Committee For a Better Ramona that the voice of the people of Ramona was not being heard and their true desires and wishes for their community not truly known. Certainly, there are numerous appointed, self-appoitned and elected comittees and boards in Ramona which focus on their narrow scopes of work and agendas. Though these committees and boards are manned by truly dedicated and tireless citizens of our town, they are limited in their knowledge of the true desires of the vast majority of our citizens who go about their lives without stepping into the public arena and having their voices heard. Therefore, they pursue THEIR agendas based upon what they believe the people desire and is in the best interests of the community.

Having this epiphany, the Committee For a Better Ramona developed a mission statement which focuses its efforts on promoting and facilitating, without agenda, a unified purpose for Ramona as to issues affecting the Ramona community.

The committee is embarking on a course of action to develop and implement a means for educating the Ramona community through impartial analysis of issues important to Ramona and securing widespread community feedback on these important issues. Once the pulse of the community is taken in this way, the Committee For a Better Ramona intends to utilize the strength of community consensus to coordinate with local agencies and committees to promote implementation of the identified community consensus. Imagine that: Hear the people and follow THEIR will. And with the collective power of consensus, our voice will be loud and persuasive.

The Committee For a Better Ramona will take no stand on any issue without securing substantial feedback and consensus from the community, and then only after presenting an impartial review of the issues to be addressed. The collective voice will be heard and their desires pursued.

We are in the process of establishing the committee’s website. We hope that ultimately this website will be a community clearing house, with links to all community organizations and groups, community blogs, and educational material. Right now, we are intent on assembling the largest and most comprehensive e-mail list for the community with the intent of measuring the community consensus. Please visit the website and register your e-mail. The website address os http//www.BetterRamona.org. REGISTER TODAY. Let’s start building a powerful voice for Ramona’s citizens.

Robert Krysak is Committee For a Better Ramona treasurer and director.

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