And so this is Christmas…
I love all the American clichés about Christmas. The moralizers always say, “What a sad, superficial event it’s become— the Christ has been stripped from Christmas and all that remains is an obese Santa fondling children at the mall.”
Then there are what I call the emotionally vacant Christmas revelers. “We don’t exchange gifts; Christmas is for the little ones — the grandchildren. It’s just another day with extra dishes.”
Then there are the outraged, defensive and insecure Christmas celebrators. “Christmas is gone. Now we all have to water it down with Hanukah and Quanza because of some political correct movement proscribed by the UN.”
These same folks whisper under their breath every time they hear a child sing Dreidel Dreidel that they take offense in having to share their holiday.
But I want to talk about Christmas from another perspective. It makes little difference if you think of the holiday as literally the birth of Christ or a metaphor for a the birth of a spiritual light within our souls or as a cultural retelling of the passing of the solstice and the birth of the new sun.
What I want to look at this year are not dramatic holiday gestures and festivities. Rather, let’s look at some of the triumphs of our nation and the triumphs of our tiny island and what I see as the birth of great things in a sometimes dark and moribund world.
The Election of Barack Obama
I am not and was not a Barack supporter, but I must say something in my soul swoons at the idea that only in America can a member of a group that was persecuted, enslaved, denied the basic liberties and right to vote — a group that was not allowed to urinate or drink in the same bathrooms or fountains as little as 50 years ago — stand with pride and dignity and lead our nation. I am proud of that. Again, I take no credit since I did not even vote for Barack, but my heart tells me we have lived through a great accomplishment.
Healthcare reform
Again, I am in business and often take a very Darwinist attitude toward healthcare. When I had a company health plan, I remember paying the premiums only to murmur, “Keeping people healthy kills the company.” My reaction: create as many independent contractor positions and hire the young and healthy.
That is a pragmatic business approach in a world of spiraling costs. But when I sit back and think, I would far rather pay for preventative care than emergency room visits. I also see health care not as a privilege, but an entitlement. Not an entitlement for the poor to have, but an entitlement for our society to fund. So long as this American system of economics functions, I see it as an obligation. I believe we ought have that sense of we are only as healthy as our most unhealthy neighbor.
So I am gladdened by the discourse on healthcare. Of course the politics and posturing are embarrassing, but again, it marks a new era for a nation that often confuses self-reliance with selfishness.
Global warming
The debate over the facts will continue. Let’s face it: a lot of science says the earth is really flat despite those doctored-up photos from space. But again, whether the beacon of hot air, Al Gore, wins the debate, or the friends-of-industry capitalize on their applied science, what matters is the evolution of the discussion. We have gone through an industrial and technological revolution to come out the other side with a conversation that consciously questions our own activity. That is the spirit of new thinking, of conscious activity. Now, let’s talk locally.
Key Club redevelopment
Some see Michael Welly as the Messiah poised to deliver new business and visitors and an era of prosperity and abundance to our island. Others say the planned redevelopment will mar the delicate and well-planned beauty of the south end of the Key and say the applicant is no more than a well-dressed property flipper.
But the real significance is that for the first time in two decades, residents as a whole are being forced to re-imagine our island. We are now aware through the Colony and Key Club that decline is an inevitable part of the tourism cycle and redevelopment can bring fresh thought, money and life to our Key.
Perhaps I am a naïve optimist, but I believe the Key Club has made a strong case for the need and desirability of redevelopment. The question that needs to be answered is whether the particular plan proposed will lead to the best outcome. Whether the buildings should be squat and square, tall and skinny or shaped like a rotating honeycomb are details that can be resolved, but only after final zoning conclusions are reached. What must also be resolved is the staging and commitment to a hotel.
Above and beyond all the debate, let’s remind ourselves of two fundamentals: the acreage under consideration is so valuable, so critical to this community that it is has brought all of us together into a tough dialogue. The fact that both IPOC and the Key Club will spend tens of thousands of dollars pushing their positions tells us we are in the middle of the most important debate this town will undergo in this decade. I do not think of Islanside Property Owners Coalition members as NIMBYist idiots who care nothing about our business community or the island. They love their island, have lived here for years and believe they are protecting not only their rights, but are being stewards of the community.
On the other hand, the Chamber, the Key Club and all those who support the Key Club plan as written are not merely shills looking for a payout. Many are in business and are baffled as to why anyone would be opposed to what they see as a fundamental positive. In short, they believe the other side just doesn’t get it.
Warts and all, our community should be proud. We have a Commission fully qualified to hear and understand this redevelopment and its implications. We have an applicant, led by Michael Welly, who, on the whole, is trying to present something exciting. We could be like every other town where nobody wants to build anything right now. We could be one of those communities like Manatee County where today’s commissioner is yesterday’s and tomorrow’s developer. But Longboat Key does not stand for those shenanigans. As an owner of a newspaper, I have to say the letters for and against the plan are smart, well versed and represent valid points and concerns.
Upcoming elections
“All these guys do is worry about reelection or getting elected and who will be Mayor.”
I hear those words often and the backroom politicking, the formation of a slate of candidates and the challenging of incumbents are testimony. But let’s make things clear: those running for Commission or desiring to stay on the Commission work tirelessly, at their own expense and often under public attack to try and fashion a better island. Again, there are what I call the Chamber of Commerce candidates. There are the tax and spenders, there are the independent mavericks and they all have little in common except disdain.
But let’s look beyond their posturing and their attack ads. Let’s look past their stupid and weak moments when perhaps they made a mistake or two. Let’s look at their character and experience and commitment as a whole and put ourselves aside for a moment and say “thanks.” Thanks that they care enough and believe enough in their vision and version of Longboat Key that they will spend money and make themselves subject to criticism and excoriation. Let’s be thankful for the caliber of candidates and remember we are voting for someone who will best complement the board of commissioners and ultimately the Key.
• • •
In 2010 our town will face the most important and exciting times, especially with the Key Club plan in play. Let’s encourage our leaders to step-up and push for what they believe to be the right direction. Let’s encourage less posturing and politicking and more gut reaction. Let’s make 2010 a year of transformation. If not inspired by divine light, let’s hope Longboat’s Seven Sun kings keep a hot fire in their belly, a persuasive argument on their lips and that they never forget our island’s fragile fate is in their hands.
Merry Christmas!
Stephen Reid
