Just as President-elect Obama held a meeting with his national security transition team, I brought my blogosphere team together to discuss plans for 2009. The members consist of “Me, Myself & I” -aka the trio + Eagle-Eyes and Hammerhead. Before we could even get down to business, Eagle-Eyes asked, “Did you catch the headline for the Press Democrat’s Voices column by former Argus-Courier reporter, Chip McAuley, yesterday?

Many readers know that Chip went back to school, earned his Master’s Degree, and is now a lecturer in communications study and adviser to the student newspaper at Sonoma State University. Hammerhead thought the article’s headline, “For good of SSU, we must not despair in hard times” really hit the nail on the head. Although Chip’s message is SSU-centered and he is encouraging all members of the campus community – students, faculty, and administrators – to recognize the fact that in spite of today’s difficult financial times, and past “bickering, grudges, and battles of ideas,” they must come together and work for the greater good.

The “trio” jumped in at this point and offered their opinions which changed the process from a nearby college campus to our own backyard – the City of Petaluma policy making and decision making process by both our elected representatives and appointed staff. They believe that our municipality is also faced with a serious financial crisis. It, too, has had its differences, grudges, and battle of ideas; and they could continue as city programs and services are threatened. There could be even more “extraordinarily painful cuts” in the months ahead.

We can alter Chip’s headline to read, “For the good of Petaluma, we must not despair in hard times.” We can also adopt Chip’s closing sentence and apply it to our municipal policy process, “We will rise to the challenges ahead, and we will overcome them together.” Yes, indeed, the Trio can hear the reactions already: sounds just like a bunch of idealistic, academic professors who live in their ivory towers, and don’t know how the real world operates.” Well, each member of the team has a suggestion to make in order to keep it simple:

“Me” – wants any policy or decision to be based upon common sense – sound practical judgment derived from experience rather than endless studies.

“Myself” – believes that any statements made by City officials should be logical – based on facts, clear rational thought, and sensible reasoning.

“I” – hopes that any final decisions using both logic and common sense will end up in the long run providing the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

“Hammerhead” – believes that these principles and concepts can work if those interested and concerned residents of the community step up to the plate and are involved at any number of places in the process, including: public comments, commissions, committees, neighborhood associations, letters to the editor, guest columns, and blogging.

“Eagle-Eyes” – can’t wait to catch another headline related to this concern. Stay tuned.