Small Town Politics

This is what I'm Pondering today...

The Short Story
After attending three City Council Meeting (in the past three weeks) the Chief of Police approached me about participating in some Police Meetings on Implementing a new law in the city. I don't know if I should.

The Long Story
Two weeks ago Frank and I went to a City Council meeting, just to see what there was to see.

Turns out, there was a fury of debate going on about a proposed Daytime Curfew Ordinance. There were a lot of Homeschooling families there opposing it because they feel it infringes on Civil Liberties and also, it has the potential to inconvenience them and their children. After trying (unsuccessfully) to find the local Homeschooling group (through people and internet searches), I met them for the first time at a City Council Meeting - kinda funny, I think.

In any case, last night, the Ordinance passed the City Council (by a 7-1 vote). After wards, the Police Chief ask me if someone from the Homeschooling group would like to participate in the meetings within the Police Department, as they determine how to implement this new law. I was excited, saying I didn't know, but I thought that, yes, the Homeschoolers would want to be involved. I gave him my contact information. Boy. Was I wrong! I thought the Homeschoolers would lynch me for suggesting it! They were in-your-face-mad because "the Police Chief doesn't care what we think!"

Now. I must admit that I am VERY new to politics, but I want to believe the best of people. Passing the law may not have been what I or the Homeschoolers wanted, but it's a law now. So, wouldn't it be helpful to be involved as the proceed with implementing it?

Tom wants me to "stay out of it", fearing reprecussions against me or our property and potential ostrecizing from the local Homeschooling group. I think that being a part of the solution is good, but I also remember more that one occassion when my Mom was run off the road after taking firm stands at City Council Meetings (in Victorville, California, then population about 15,000). So, I know that there may be truth in what Tom says.

As I mentioned before, for the first time - in.my.life - I can see how I could be involved, for good, in Civic things.

It's just so bewildering to me. Particiapte with the Police and risk being Ostricized. Don't participate, and wonder what I might have been able to do to help. Also, there's just a raw curiosity in me to know how things like this (the City and Police Meetings) work.

Ever since moving to Wyoming, I do move more cautiously, because this is "a small town" and things work "differently" here than in a big city. Everyone knows everyone. So, I try to be less bold and definat and more patient and understanding.

Right now though, I'm just not sure which way to go with this. I mean, if the Homeschoolers did get upset with me, and not allow us to participate, then we probably don't want to associate with them anyway.

I do know that the Homeschoolers are talking with the Home Schoolers Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) about pursuing this Ordinance in a Court of Law. So, they are working on correcting the problem themselves, but, in the meantime, this is a Law in our town now, and being involved in how it is implemented seems better than just fighting it.

Thanks for listening to me ramble. I just don't know what I should do (participate, fight, sit-down-and-shut-up). You're input and insights would be appreciated!