Dialogue sparks thought process

A conversation the other day jump-started the old brain. It was the type of dialogue worth taping, and playing it for everyone to hear.

It was that good.

It started with politics, turned to how people react to certain situations, and then finished with how people treat each other.

And why in the world would anyone attack someone just because they don't share your opinion?

The conversation seemed to come back to Greene County people learning to get along. It's starting to happen, believe it or not. It's evident here and there, and before you know it, it will be everywhere.

The person who started the conversation shared that for people -- Greene Countians -- to accomplish anything they must work together. Republicans and Democrats. Residents east of the river and west of the river. Young and old. Blue-collar workers and white-collar workers.

The bottom line is that we're all Greene Countians. And in the end, that's all that should matter.

When you believe passionately about something, and then a decision is made to go the other direction, it's only natural to be disappointed. But that doesn't mean you don't help make sure the decision that was made is successful.

Too often there are those -- elected officials and others -- who prefer to be stubborn and take the attitude of "I'll take my ball and go home" because people won't play the way they want.

It's been that way in this county for a long time, and that's the reason we've been stagnant when it comes to economic growth.

When trying to make any kind of decision, the more ideas the better. Everything must be placed on the table. Pick and choose, discuss, and then make a decision.

Then move on and make sure that decision works.

I wish more people had the attitude of the person who started the conversation.

It's best to check first

It's always refreshing when a politician takes the time to double-check to make sure a meeting they've called isn't in violation of the Open Door Law.

I won't name the politician, but it was someone in Greene County. They had an important meeting scheduled for this week, and they wanted to make sure everything was OK. It was an important meeting, and they didn't want something to hinder months of work.

Said politician called me and asked my opinion, and I told them everything was OK. But to make them feel more comfortable, because the subject of the meeting was extremely important, I told them I'd call Stephen Key, general counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association.

He confirmed what I said. The meeting wasn't in violation of the Open Door Law.

Key was impressed that the politician was open enough to call and ask. He asked that I pass that along to the official, and I did.

It's nice when the media and politicians can work together. It's a win-win situation, especially for taxpayers.

And by the way, the results of the important meeting will be great news for Greene County.