The wagons are circled around Davidson Town Hall

One week before Election Day, it is clear that the wagons are circled tightly around Davidson Town Hall.  The status quo is (and definitely should be) nervous.  Early voting totals so far show high enthusiasm in Davidson which is typically not a good thing for incumbents who have supported bad ideas.

Town Hall has nobody to blame but themselves for this situation.  The decisions made over the past three years have led to this point, a point where every Board meeting, every work session is packed with citizens upset over some agenda item.  It is a point that has seen multiple protests on the steps of Town Hall over multiple issues.  It is a point where, frankly, things are a little tense.

Is it uncomfortable?  Yes.  Are citizens frustrated?  Absolutely.  They have good reason to be.

Over the past three years Town Hall has put residents through the failed Catalyst Project and the failed Beaty Street RFP.  They've pushed through the Rural Area Plan mass rezoning against stiff citizen opposition.  The denizens of the current Town Hall have decided to build themselves a new Town Hall without going to the public for the largest spending decision since Mi-Connection a decade ago.  Sadly, those are just the "highlights" of the decisions this current group has made.

And the response when citizens push back against these decisions?  Circle the wagons, double down.

With support for Commissioners Anderson and Graham who are seeking reelection being visibly displayed by outgoing Commissioners Cashion and Jenest who are not, it is clear none of these four see much wrong with what has happened over recent years.  Commissioner Jim Fuller being the odd man out in this case is a very good thing for him.

There is more than a little irony in the circling the wagons strategy this election cycle.  In 2013 there was also a somewhat contentious election here in Davidson.  Yours truly was on the ballot that year so the memory of it is pretty clear.  Town Hall did the same thing and circled the wagons.  Mayor Woods who was running unopposed endorsed only incumbents.  The strategy didn't work and two new Commissioners (Anderson and Cashion) made it onto the Board.  Sadly, the irony being Anderson and Cashion who successfully bucked that effort are now entrenched in trying to repeat it.

Here's hoping the circling the wagons strategy fails - again.

To make sure that happens get out and vote for change.  Grab a neighbor and get them to vote.  Send an email to your Davidson friends and get them to vote.  Post it on your Facebook accounts.  Make some phone calls.  Get out of your comfort zone and do what you can in the next few days to be the change.

Early voting ends Saturday at 1pm.  Election Day is November 7th.